Opinion Column

sunset, birds, tree, grief, nature, suffering

WHY IS THERE EVIL IN THE WORLD TODAY?

By Mike Kemper Director of Missions, Lawrence County Assoc. of Baptists Many are asking why things are as they are in America and in the world today. Why is there evil? Why does God allow evil, pain, and suffering? Here are my thoughts. God did create everything. Nothing was made that was not made by God. And, God saw that it was all good! God created man in His own

Read More...
family, Christmas, dinner, tradition, culture, eating, dining, dinner, celebration, grandfather

5 NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY

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 ago. If you’re like many families at Christmas, you continue the same traditions handed down

Read More...

TAKE A LOOK AT YEAR-END TAX OPTIONS

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 will the opportunity to make tax deductible gifts for this year. Though it’s definitely more

Read More...

PRIORITIZING THE 2015 LMCO

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 is starting to feel much different. In the weeks since, news about the IMB’s Voluntary

Read More...

MINISTERS’ WIVES: SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS

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, and hair style. Next, the children have to be presentable and dressed “appropriately” as well

Read More...

HOW TO CHOOSE LIFE: ‘MAX THE DASH’

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 at age 72. But, oh, how she maxed the dash! You may not hear the

Read More...
Before it Hits the Press

A MIRACLE TURNS 3

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 began the 300-plus mile drive. When we arrived in Greenville, S.C., our grandson, Elijah David,

Read More...

WHERE IS JESUS? MINISTERS’ WIVES AND CHRISTMAS

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 doesn’t leave us depleted? How do we prevent our schedules from crowding out the very

Read More...

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE THIS CHRISTMAS

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 scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes, esp. to an

Read More...
compassion

WE MUST COMFORT THE BROKENHEARTED

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 other side of Christmas; the alone side. Hidden behind the smiles and laughter, there are

Read More...

PRIORITIZING THE 2015 LMCO

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

Read More »
Before it Hits the Press

A MIRACLE TURNS 3

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,

Read More »