I really love the SBC. Some people might be surprised by that because over the past few years I’ve not been quiet if I thought it was time to be critical about something in our denomination. While those things remain true, and I’ll continue to speak out if I see what I believe are inequities, I do very much love the SBC. Earl Creps is a thinker from the Assembly of God denomination who recently spoke at a conference that was mostly Southern Baptist in nature and was held at a SBC church. He recently made 13 observations detailing what he liked about Southern Baptists and although he didn’t mention my favorite thing about us (the Cooperative Program and our mission boards) I do appreciate his list. I would strongly encourage you to take a look at it if you have a few minutes. You can read it here.

HT: Ed Stetzer 

This weekend I want to share a beautiful song with you that we sang this past Sunday in worship. “You are God alone” is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God over all things. As you think about what makes sense and what doesn’t make sense in your life - remember this weekend that there is none like our God and that His greatness and sovereignty does not disappear in the face of struggle, tragedy or pain.

Isaiah 6:1-3, 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

It is exciting to see God add to the already stellar lineup that Les Puryear is putting together for Impact 2008! God has used him tremendously to prepare a conference that will minister to the hearts of small church leadership from across our convention. Today we received more exciting news when Guidestone Financial Resources agreed to join the conference lineup as an official sponsor. It is good to see our SBC entities taking such a significant interest in small church SBC leadership!

Well, it appears that I have been having problems with my contact form and wasn’t aware of it. I have fixed the problems, so if you have recently tried to contact me using that method, you might want to try again!

I’m sorry!

After we transferred to a new hosting service, our family site came down and we haven’t had the opportunity to get it back up. After some work we’ve finally got it up and running. It doesn’t have a lot of content yet, but that’s coming. You can check it out here.

Wow! This video speaks well about where we seem to find ourselves in Southern Baptist life today. This is outstanding.

HT: Ben Cole

I know I said I would disappear for a week, but I couldn’t help but pass along this article!

__________________________________________________________

As we peruse the world of voices that are being lifted up in Southern Baptist life one must certainly feel at times as if they are being bombarded with clanging cymbals. I am often frustrated by the lack of love and unity that seems to be evidenced by one believer towards another. We seem to be so convinced of the need for doctrinal purity (which should be applauded, I might add) that we often only give lip service to unity and love (which should be considered shameful, I might add.) James Emery White, over at SeriousTimes.com, has written a commendable article discussing the need for unity and love in the pursuit of doctrinal purity. Below is a particularly compelling quote.

A recent editorial in Christianity Today discussed how no attribute of civilized life seems more under attack than civility. The author, David Aikman, notes the extent to which Christians have turned themselves into the

“self appointed attack dogs of Christendom. They seem determined to savage not only opponents of Christianity, but also fellow believers of whose doctrinal positions they disapprove. A troll through the Internet reveals websites so drenched in sarcasm and animosity than an agnostic, or a follower of another faith tradition interested in what it means to become a Christian, might be permanently disillusioned.”

Will we repent? I do not know. There are two categories of sin – those of the flesh, and those of the spirit. We have tended to pinpoint the glutton, drunkard, and adulterer far more quickly than we have the prideful, arrogant, and mean-spirited. Even more, we have turned a blind eye to – if not celebrated - caustic, mean-spirited words, actions and attitudes as if they are not reprehensible before heaven.

The irony is staggering: we spew venom in the name of defending our sense of orthodoxy and in so doing destroy the vibrancy of our faith and our witness to the world more than a thousand heresies.

If you would like to read the rest of the article, you can do so by clicking here.

**UPDATE** I also recently came across this article from outstanding writer, Ariel Vanderhorst. I think it would behoove you to read his thoughts about “gospel silliness.”

I apologize for not writing anything new in some time. I am in the midst of a state of flux right now and need to simply focus on a few other things for the next week or so. If I find an article, or a comment, that I want to highlight I’ll try to do that, but otherwise I won’t really add anything new to the site until Thursday, September 6th when I’ll share with you about the changes that are occurring in our lives.

Thanks for your patience.