Last week millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. For many of them, it was just another holiday to celebrate, cookout, go to the beach or the lake and end the day with fireworks. 

On the Sunday prior to July 4, countless churches held special patriotic services and many pastors undoubtedly preached a message from II Chronicles 7:14. “God Bless America” was no doubt sung thousands of times. And, the messages should have been preached and that song should have been sung with deep passion. 

We refer to this verse often, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (KJV). But do we truly heed the admonition from God?  [Read more…]

I don’t believe the column that follows is what Baptist and Reflector Editor Lonnie Wilkey had in mind when he asked me to write something about Independence Day.

“Since you’re a veteran,” Lonnie began in an email, “Would you write a column about the importance of Independence Day and what it means to you, both as a Christian and one who has served his country?”

I reluctantly agreed.

I’m conflicted between my deep appreciation for being a U.S. citizen and for what we are becoming as a nation. It seems disingenuous for us to collectively be rah-rah-rah-rah-sis-boom-bah on July 4^th then return to a fragmented, mean-spirited society drifting along an undercurrent of hostility the other 364 days of the year. Does anyone else find it ironic that we are called the United – joined together for a common purpose or by common feelings – States when we seemingly become less united by the day? [Read more…]

Wilkey

One good thing about not having a printed issue immediately following the SBC annual meeting is I have an opportunity to think about all that transpired during those two packed days in Indianapolis.

I won’t rehash the business itself. We have numerous articles on the website from the annual meeting as well as a good wrap up of events from the SBC, some of which have not been on the website yet.

I originally was going to focus on “keeping the main thing the main thing” or “it is all about the gospel” because you hear numerous variations of those phrases throughout the convention and we should. That still needs to always be our goal, but the convention also is about the messengers. [Read more…]

Dawson

Many, many years ago, when I was just a boy, my family took a vacation to California.

One night while there, we were eating at a restaurant when we looked across the room and spotted — you won’t believe this — Muhammed Ali! 

The three-time heavyweight champion was eating a quiet dinner with his own family, tucked away in a corner table. 

Realizing the magnitude of this moment, my friend and I sheepishly made our way across the room to shake Ali’s gigantic hand. He was gracious to the two little fellas who interrupted his meal and even signed some autographs without acting outwardly annoyed.  [Read more…]

Van Neste

’ Tis the season for graduation addresses, and as a college professor for many years I’d like to share some thoughts with you (and others who might want to listen in). Our culture encourages you to laziness, and then, mocks and caricatures you as lazy. The truth is if you want a meaningful, worthwhile life, you must work hard. 

It is odd to me to hear the word lazy used in a positive, or at least neutral, sense. It wasn’t that way when I was a kid. If you called a man lazy, you could have a fistfight. 

Now, I regularly hear students say, “I’m just being lazy.” I think they usually mean they are resting. Rest is good and necessary, and appropriate after hard work. Laziness isn’t rest; it is the avoidance of work and is sinful. Don’t let yourself make peace with laziness any more than you would with any other sin.  [Read more…]