Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
For decades upon decades, Americans have always raced to the next big task or achievement.
In the late 1880s to early 1900s, the United States entered the machine age where invention after invention improved society and our ability to move about. Automobiles and airplanes became primary modes of travel, far surpassing the horse and buggy and even trains. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
This church sign at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donelson, which was destroyed by the March 3 tornado, is a timely reminder of God’s love, grace and mercy.
In the early morning hours of March 3, Tennesseans were awakened by tornado sirens across Middle Tennessee. In just a few minutes (though it probably was an eternity to those directly impacted), the storms moved on to another portion of the state.
The tornadoes left behind at least 24 fatalities, massive destruction and lives turned upside down. According to AccuWeather the total damage and economic loss caused by the March 3 tornadoes is estimated between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. That’s billion with a “B.”
And, after checking out sites throughout Benton, Davidson, Wilson and Putnam Counties, that is not as farfetched as it sounds. Hundreds of houses in the affected counties were just piles of rubble after the storms moved through. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
The Week of Prayer for North American Missions is fast approaching — March 1-8.
Thousands of Baptist churches will be focusing on missions all across North America on these dates, praying for specific missionaries, including Rob and Annabeth Wilton in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Wiltons have Tennessee ties. See story.
Then, on Easter Sunday, or even before, Southern Baptists across the nation will collect the annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. The national goal for 2020 is $70 million. Every dollar of the AAEO goes to train, resource and deploy thousands of missionaries who serve as church planters or in compassion ministries.
Through the combined gifts, Southern Baptists are making a difference in North America by meeting needs, planting churches and discipling new believers. According to the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, “transformation is taking place one life at a time.”
The theme for this year’s week of prayer is “It’s All About the Gospel” and is based on I Corinthians 15:3-4 (CSB): “For I passed on to you as most important what I first received: that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. …” [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Eli Beasley stands beside the sign at his school, Mountain View Elementary, on his birthday.
Due to the way the calendar fell this year, the Baptist and Reflector this week is actually dated Dec. 25. As a result, most of our readers will not read this issue until after Christmas.
The staff of the B&R hopes all of you had a very Merry Christmas and that you had a great day celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I also trust that we all took time to count the blessings that God has given each of us. [Read more…]
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…]
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…]
