By Todd E. Brady
Vice president for university ministries, Union University, Jackson

I came home Saturday morning with my Ebenezer.  It now sits displayed on the shelf for all to see and hear the story of what it represents.

After the Lord “thundered a mighty sound” against the Philistines and defeated them, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said; ‘Till now the LORD has helped us.’ ”  (I Samuel 7:12)  

In the Bible, “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” Every time an Israelite saw the stone erected by Samuel, he had a tangible reminder of the Lord’s power and protection. The “stone of help” marked the location where God was at work.  

I have always been able to point to times and people whom God used in my life, but now I have my very own Ebenezer in my house.

I recently put on a ball cap, bundled up for the cold weather, and went across town to attend an Estate Sale. This favorite Saturday morning ritual often yields trinkets and personal treasures that can’t be found at Walmart. As she always does, my wife said as I was heading out the door, “Don’t bring home any junk.”

After rummaging through the tools and everything else outside, I waited in line to go inside the home. Once inside, I started looking around. I kept my eyes open for old clocks, old books and old artwork.   [Read more…]

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Most of you reading these words have met my dad, Mike Dawson, a retired Baptist preacher.

I know this because a recent Gallop poll revealed that 81 percent of earth’s population has met my dad, and 71 percent of those surveyed said that they classify him “as a close friend.” 

Okay, I made that up. But the truth is, you can’t go anywhere with my dad  — be it a restaurant, a church function, a barber shop, a cornfield in Nebraska — without someone stopping him to to say “Hello, Bro. Mike!” and to thank him for “doing their wedding” in 1989. 

My dad retired from the ministry in 2004, but that’s a poor usage of the word “retired.” He is still very much involved in ministry work — doing transitional interims, writing Sunday School lessons for the B&R, running a prayer “hotline” from his home office, doing funerals, weddings, the works.     [Read more…]

By Clay Gilbreath
Director of missions, Big Hatchie Baptist Association, Covington

Have you ever had a home that needed renovation? Maybe you bought a fixer-upper, or like me, perhaps you have lived in your current home long enough that it now has several updates or refreshes that need to be done. It’s just a matter of time before things need an update or repair.  Full transparency here: I think the beige walls from when we built our home 17 years ago are just fine — it’s actually my wife Lana who thinks it’s time to renovate!

But of all the honey-dos, repairs and fix-ups that she has on my list, there’s one area of our home that Lana has yet to mention that could really use an update: our closets. When we built years ago, the closets were the rooms with basic white paint, standard trim and no decorations. Now these are the rooms with the most scuffs and dings and, to be honest, probably the least attractive spaces in our house.

For most of us with ongoing home renewal and renovation, I believe the closets may not get much attention even though they could very well be the rooms in our homes that have the most need for updating. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, The Summit – The Gathering of Tennessee Baptists, which includes the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention – was canceled due to concerns created by COVID-19.

A year later, the pandemic is still with us, but perhaps, we have learned better to function within it. Some people still wear masks, some do not. Some folks have been fully vaccinated while others have chosen not to get the shots. 

So far, for the most part, we can make the decision that best meets our needs and beliefs.

When we gather at Brentwood Baptist Church, beginning on Nov. 14 for the evening service typically billed as a Tennessee Baptist Reunion, I encourage us to be accepting of each other. 

Some may wear masks; others will not. Allow each person to do what is best for him or her. We don’t know what health conditions others may have or whether they are being cautious to protect someone they love. We need to give each other the freedom that we want others to give us.

With that said, the annual meeting will give many Tennessee Baptists an opportunity to visit with old friends and perhaps make new ones. [Read more…]