Lonnie Wilkey Archives - Baptist & Reflector

SMALL OR LARGE — EVERY CHURCH IS IMPORTANT

October 22, 2019

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

Lonnie Wilkey

In September, I had the privilege of “preaching” at my home church (Lima Baptist) in Travelers Rest, S.C. I grew up in that church and was saved and baptized at Lima Baptist. That’s where my spiritual roots are.

Lima is similar to many churches in Tennessee. It’s small in size. Right now, the church is in a downward trend — maybe 30-40 people on a good week. But, in years past the church has had as many as 70-80, maybe more. It’s in a small community with many churches nearby.

The church is around 150 years old and among its pastors over the years was a college student named R.G. Lee. Lee would move on to become one of the most recognized pastors in Southern Baptist Convention life. [Read more…]

TENNESSEE BAPTIST LIGHT SHINES AMID DARKNESS

August 21, 2019

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…]

ARE WE WISELY USING THE TIME GOD GIVES US?

August 6, 2019

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…]

GOD’S ON HIS THRONE, BUT SATAN WON’T LET UP

June 26, 2019

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…]

TWO TRAINS APPROACHING HEAD-ON COLLISION

May 29, 2019

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…]

CHRISTIANS — LET’S THINK BEFORE WE CRITICIZE

May 16, 2019

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…]

THE B&R LOSES A FRIEND; HEAVEN GAINS A SAINT

May 2, 2019

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…]

THE NFL DRAFT REVEALS MISPLACED PRIORITIES

May 1, 2019

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…]

BRICK AND MORTAR VS. ONLINE: BOTH ARE NEEDED

April 17, 2019

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…]

‘HATE’ SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR SIN

April 5, 2019

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…]

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