Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 23, 2015
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Columnist, B&R Shops overflow with holiday gifts. Carols ring out from every street corner. Bell ringers collect monetary contributions for needy families. For Christians, this season reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas — to focus on the birth of the Christ Child born in a manager over 2,000 years […]
December 22, 2015
By Chris Kelly Exec. VP/General Counsel, Tennessee Baptist Foundation At this time of year, you are probably consumed with visions of sugar plums or trying to find a bath robe suitable for a shepherd in this year’s Christmas play, but in just a couple short weeks, year 2015 will be in the books and so […]
December 21, 2015
By Eric Atkins Pastor, New Friendship Baptist Church, Cleveland Several months ago our church received a certificate and letter from the International Mission Board congratulating us on reaching one of the four Lottie Moon Challenge Levels. New Friendship has received these certificates before so I wasn’t surprised to receive another one. This year, however, it […]
December 19, 2015
By Barney Self Pastoral Counseling Minister, Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville A minister’s wife lives in a fishbowl. She is viewed from every angle and in every way. Pressures are brought to bear on her that others can barely imagine. The daily life struggle is to maintain an appearance that is acceptable including make-up, clothing, […]
December 18, 2015
By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R A friend of mine heard the only thing that matters between birth and death dates is the “dash.” So he challenged himself with a motto on his cell phone: namely, “Max the dash!” A baby named Lottie Moon was born on Dec. 12, 1840 and died Dec. 24, 1912 […]
December 17, 2015
Three years ago today (Dec. 17, 2012) will forever be etched in my memory. I received a phone call from my wife that our daughter, Joanna, was on the way to the Emergency Room to deliver our first grandson. We knew it was about six weeks too early so we were very concerned as we […]
December 17, 2015
By Donna Gaines Member, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And yet for those of us in ministry, it can be stressful, overly busy, and can leave us exhausted as we roll into a new year. How do we prepare for the season in such a way that it […]
December 16, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector More than two thousand years ago the God of the the universe performed a miracle that is unmatched. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem. Webster’s Dictionary defines miracle as, “an event or action that apparently contradicts known […]
December 15, 2015
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director The Christmas season is a paradox. There’s the joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, the excitement of family gatherings and the fun of watching the anticipation of children and grandchildren waiting for the big day of opening presents. Unfortunately there is the […]
December 7, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Every kid who has ever grown up in a Baptist church probably can repeat the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. It’s a story that was real when Jesus told it and it’s still real today. The issue of prodigal children as it relates to […]
December 4, 2015
Editor’s Note: The Week of Prayer for International Missions is currently underway. The goal of the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $175 million. To learn more, visit imb.org/offering. By Wanda S. Lee Executive Director, National WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In his book Both Feet In, retired missionary Bud Fray references an African proverb that […]
December 3, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector This week I read an excellent blog by Everette Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. He noted a student had come to him after a recent chapel service complaining he was offended because the sermon made him feel guilty. Later in the week I watched a news telecast by […]