Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Evil is real. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not.
How do we really know? “For the Bible tells me so.”
Do a “Google” search on the internet and you will find a multitude of verses that proclaim evil is real. I John 5:19 leaves no doubt: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one” (CSB). That’s about as plain as it gets. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly over. When I was a kid, we usually did not return to school until later in August or even after Labor Day. Now, most schools across Tennessee already have begun.
It is a reminder that time is fleeting.
We think we have plenty of time, but unfortunately, too many of us waste valuable time that God gives us, myself included. James 4 (HCSB) reminds us, “… For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
God is on His throne and He’s in control, but Satan is not on summer vacation.
It seems like the more Southern Baptists and Christians try to do the right thing, the more Satan interferes and creates confusion and chaos.
Southern Baptists took a strong stance against sexual abuse, especially of children, during the recent meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Ala. The cynics among us would say that’s “a no-brainer.” Southern Baptists, of all people, should be opposed to abuse of any kind. I agree wholeheartedly. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Two trains from opposite directions are moving toward each other at breakneck speed. A collision is inevitable.
Train one is religious freedom. Train two is the Equality Act, H.R.5.
The United States House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, H.R.5. on May 17 by a margin of 236-173. See story on page 1. This would eliminate the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the classifications protected in the federal civil rights law. The likelihood of this bill passing the Republican-controlled Senate in the near future is not likely. The key words, however, are “near future.” [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
As a baseball umpire for more than 35 years, I have had more than my share of criticism over the years, I have learned to accept it. It’s part of the game. Everyone who attends a baseball game is an umpire and a critic.
Last week I was umpiring district high school baseball games. In one game, I was the plate umpire. That’s an easy target. I was second guessed, criticized and abused for seven innings. Ironically, the game ended up 1-0. In my experience over three decades of umpiring, a low-scoring game like that means the umpire probably has done a good job — or at least been consistent. Not true for that game. No matter what I called, someone had a different opinion and was not afraid to share it. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Martha Waller, seated, attended the recent WMU Get-Together in Gatlinburg. With her are, standing from left, niece Rané Sewell; daughters Marjorie Sewell and Linda Rader; and Vickie Anderson, executive director of Tennessee WMU. Mrs. Waller died April 23 at the age of 99.
Vickie Anderson, executive director of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, stopped by my office on April 23 to tell me that Martha Waller had died at the age of 99, just a few months before her 100th birthday.
Mrs. Waller was the mother of former Tennessee WMU staff member Linda Rader and was a strong supporter of WMU and Tennessee Baptist life in general. She also was a staunch friend of the Baptist and Reflector.
In 2012, the B&R was promoting a “Friends of the B&R,” an effort to gain subscriptions for the paper. Mrs. Waller was a “friend” long before that promotion began. During that year alone she provided more than 10 subscriptions to members of the Sunday School class she taught at the time (at the age of 92). Her church had stopped providing subscriptions to its members, so she took the matter into her own hands. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
The National Football League held its annual draft in Nashville last week. By all accounts, it was a boost to the city’s (and state’s) economy. Thousands of people traveled to Nashville to watch their favorite teams draft the future of those squads.
I’m a football fan. I enjoy watching the Tennessee Titans, but I don’t “live or die” depending on how they play or even win or lose. The hoopla surrounding the draft is insane.
People begin talking about the draft and speculating on which players will end up with which teams, months before the draft takes place. By the time the draft rolls around in late April, I’m pretty much sick of it. Yet, I listened or watched most of the first night of the draft. Pretty unusual since I have been known to be asleep by 8:30 p.m. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
LifeWay Christian Resources’ decision to close their “brick and mortar” stores by year end has caused some angst among Tennessee Baptists.
And, I admit, I’m one of them.
I understand their reasoning. According to their news release, LifeWay Christian Stores has experienced a decline in customer traffic and sales. Business is business, but in LifeWay’s case, it also is a ministry to the thousands upon thousands of Southern Baptist churches across our convention. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
“Hate” is one of the most powerful words in the English language.
Most dictionaries define the verb “hate” as to “feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).”
“Hate,” when used as a noun means “intense or passionate dislike.”
How we use the word “hate” is important. In and of itself, “hate” is not a bad word. There are some things we need to “hate” — violence, poverty, abortion, liver and onions, Clemson, etc. But there are some people who use the word to stir up bitterness and anger. That needs to stop. The word “hate” is polarizing our nation as never before, especially when it is used to describe Christians. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Annie Armstrong has been in heaven with the Lord she loved for 81 years, but her legacy lives on and she is still making a difference for God on this earth.
Annie Armstrong was born in Baltimore in 1850 in a culture where women were not necessarily considered leaders. But she ultimately became a leader and challenged churches to raise money and support for missionaries. [Read more…]
