By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

A few years ago, I was flipping through the seemingly thousands of channels on our television set, not having any luck in finding something worth watching.

I finally settled on a program entitled “Homicide Hunter,” a television show detailing the criminal investigations of Joe Kenda, a retired detective with the Colorado Springs, Colo., police department. The real-life Joe Kenda narrates the program which has a younger actor investigating the cases. Kenda is known for his dry wit. I became “hooked” and now watch it regularly. [Read more…]

By Benjie Shaw
Collegiate ministry specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

I serve as the director of a campus-based ministry. Campus ministry is the only full-time ministry that I’ve ever known.

Working with college students and young adults is great because it affords an opportunity to influence a person in what is probably the most formative timeframe in their spiritual and personal development.   [Read more…]

By Todd E. Brady
Vice President for University Ministries, Union University

iStock photo

On Jan. 18, thousands will gather in Washington D.C. as they have done each year for over 40 years for the March for Life Rally. Billed as the world’s largest pro-life event, people there will march “to end abortion and to share the vision of a culture of life” and to promote the idea of a “world where the beauty, dignity, and uniqueness of every human are valued.”

Many there will have ending abortion on their mind. As we approach the dark anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, let us remember that while being pro-life is not less than a matter of abortion, it is certainly more than simply a matter of abortion. [Read more…]

By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Columnist, B&R

According to the Gregorian calendar, January is the first month of the new year. Named for Janus, the Roman god of gates and doorways, the image is depicted with two faces, one looking forward and one back.

In celebrating the beginning of a new year, parents have an opportunity to reflect on the past and more importantly, forward to the coming months. It’s a time to reflect on changes for your family and to resolve to follow through on those changes. Did these resolutions make your list? [Read more…]

By Phil Young
Director of Missions, Knox County Association of Baptists

I decided it was time to get in shape physically. I will spare you the details, but basically, I knew that it was time to take the next step in my physical health.

Oh, I could easily justify keeping things the way they were. After all, I wasn’t overweight and my regular choice of foods was fairly healthy (except for the hot glazed Krispy Kreme donuts). And in comparison, I appeared to be in as good of shape as most of my peers.

However, I knew deep down that my health could be better. I had reached the point where the conviction about what could be was overriding the justification of status quo. [Read more…]