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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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.
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