Stories from "Baptist Messenger of Oklahoma"

Maxine McKnight taught piano lessons for 50 cents each. Melva Sechrist took piano lessons for 50 cents each, with no time limit. And now, more than 50 years later, the ladies were honored for their faithful service at the organ and piano by...

Is it time for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to drop Baptist from its name? With baptisms falling for the third year in a row among Southern Baptist churches, maybe it is time for the SBC to change its name to something like Southern...

DAVIS-More than 2,200 men and boys attended the 2008 "Rewired" Oklahoma State Men's Retreat at the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center April 25-26, and at least 30 left with their lives changed for eternity as a result.

Over the last several weeks, I have been making my way through an 895-page biography of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle of London in the mid- to late-1800s. He is noted by most scholars to be the...

It seems to me that our society has lost the art of graciousness. There was a time when we had an unwritten law about this-when graciousness was an integral part of our culture. Remember the cartoon, "Chip and Dale?" In almost every episode, the...

Wire reports the number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the convention's lowest level since 1987.

"You've got termites." Such was the assessment of the friendly exterminator. Not the news I was hoping to hear. I saw the little dirt piles and thought a few ants might have decided to stop by for a slumber party. Boy was I wrong. Ants I can...

It is a sad situation, only 35 percent of Americans are very happy according to a New National "Happiness" Index.

Imagine having an accident and needing a transfusion of blood only to learn there was no blood available, or that the blood you were about to receive was infected. Although we may often take our blood supply for granted, this situation is reality...

Bill Robertson, director of pastoral leadership for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, had always hoped to see God move in a powerful way during his lifetime. During the past two months, his prayers have been answered. Big time.

In the last two years, Oklahoma has become a much safer place for the unborn. For more than 25 years, we have prayed and worked to see unborn children given love and respect. Today, the sanctity of human life has become a reality in our state.

I am a missionary who works with many different language groups. I am comfortable in a meeting where multiple languages are spoken. For the most part, I can follow all the conversations. Yet I have the hardest time understanding English dialects...

It is called a lunch hour, but it feels more like a lunch flash to me. About the time I get my food, it is time to get up and go. For me, rush hour starts at noon!

"I can go back and get along with my aunt because of what I've learned from you," the 8-year-old told Autumn and Trinity Tinsley. The young girl had spent two weeks with the Tinsley sisters. She was the first child the sisters had kept as foster...

It is official; the Bible is the most popular book in America according to a new survey conducted by Harris Poll among 2,513 adults. Surprised? Not really. What is surprising is how a book can be so popular and yet so few put what the book...

Supporters of an omnibus pro-life bill moved quickly in the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives April 17 to override an April 16 veto of the measure by Gov. Brad Henry. The Senate voted 37-11 to override the governor's veto of...

In an emergency, medical personnel need all the diagnostic tools-including the patient's medical history-they can find to help treat the patient quickly and properly to restore his health. Unfortunately, for a volunteer on a mission trip, those...

One of the presidential candidates recently described people from small towns as bitter. He stated, "And it's not surprising . . . they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade...

As I wrote a few columns back, I have had a bad case of the "everlasting flu." This virus hits you hard for about four weeks. When it finally wears off, someone else in your family catches it. After it spends months going through different members...

I have to admit, I love taking an occasional Sunday afternoon nap. There is nothing better than dozing off after a big meal on the Sabbath. I recently caught one of those cherished down times. As I faded off into sweet dreams, a faint buzzing...

DAVIS-The energy was electrifying and expectations were met as a record crowd of nearly 3,000 women from across the state made their presence known during the 2008 Oklahoma Ladies Retreat held at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center the weekend...

Actor, commentator and comedian, Ben Stein's new documentary film, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" opens April 18. Many Christian conservative leaders are on board with the film and so are we. The film was shown at a recent National...

Everywhere Alex, Southern members looked, they saw the number 500. Pastor Don Chaffin cut out wooden numbers and posted them on every entrance to the church building. A large cross in front of the church had "500" inscribed on it. Prayer cards...

The Tony Kennedy Family. Is that Tony, his wife, three children and six grandchildren or is it the 289 children on the campuses of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children? Actually, for Kennedy, president of OBHC, it is both. But on this day, April...

Presidential politics dominates the airwaves these days. Debates, interviews, endless talking head analyzation and political games clog the media. Exaggerations, lies, rumors, counter-rumors, gossip and character assassinations overflow the...

BROKEN ARROW-More than 1,200 preschool and children's ministers and workers were reminded by LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom S. Rainer that little eyes are "watching" them as the Heart of the Child Convention began April 4 at Broken...

The older I get, the more things I find I wish I had taught my children. I keep asking myself, "Why didn't I pour these life skills into my sons at an earlier age?" Back then, I just didn't know what I know . . . now. If I could do the parenting...

Gaining a clear perspective isn't always easy. As the old saying goes, "There are always two sides to every story." Two blind men were describing the same elephant. One described a short, skinny trunk while the other was certain the tail was...

Since when does a church or its pastor have to remain silent when addressing moral and social issues from a biblical worldview? There is no shortage on those who would like to squelch the voice of the church, especially during a political season.

Ted Lam was alternately roasted and praised during a surprise retirement dinner following the annual Church Planting Conference at Moore, First, March 28. Lam, who retired as church planting specialist for the Baptist General Convention of...

As the disturbing statistics of declines in baptisms of the 18-34 age group continue, Oklahoma Baptists are working to turn the tide in keeping those young adults in church and bringing in more of that age group.

Nearly 2,000 supporters enthusiastically clapped and chanted "Sal-lee, Sal-lee, Sal-lee," during an energetic "Rally for Sally, Traditional Family Values and Christian Free Speech" April 2, which spilled over from the first floor rotunda of the...

I wish we could learn afresh the power that resides in united fervent prayer. It wouldn't surprise me one day in Heaven to have the Father show us how much we missed just because we failed to unite in fervent prayer.

If you have been one of my Baptist Messenger readers for any length of time, you know I have a love for carnivals. My grandmother was a carnie, so I guess you could say it's in my blood. Every year, I serve as a chaplain at the Tulsa State Fair so...

The day started out OK. The business trip to Atlanta with my friend and coworker had been planned for weeks. Our first hint of trouble occurred when I checked the news on my cellular telephone. American Airlines had grounded more than 200 flights...

Ask, and most will agree, there is no shortage on sin. Ask for a definition of sin, and few will concur. What some may consider sin may not be considered sin by others. Sin has never been more popular than now as society has become more and more...

"We touched them the first part of March, then we handed them materials about our church on the 15th and then we celebrated Easter," said Doug Passmore, whose church is coming out of one of the greatest responses to the Gospel in its history.

When Jennifer Johnson was 17, God called her into ministry.

Recently, I had the opportunity to preach at New Orleans Seminary and tour the city. It is both remarkable and heartbreaking to drive through New Orleans now, some two years after Hurricane Katrina. It is remarkable to see some of the renewal that...

I have been sick with the flu . . . or at least suffering from flu-like symptoms. Whenever I am sick, I can't help wondering if I have something more serious than an ordinary illness. You see, I come from a long line of self-diagnosers. I don't...

We had promised ourselves we would never do it again. We lied. The cause was too good and the potential too high to not do it one more time. Yes, we embarked on yet another family garage sale. This time we were raising money for missions.

Lew Sterrett believes certain principles apply to all of God's creatures, whether they walk upright on two legs or perhaps exhibit flashing hooves as they gallop across a meadow.

If Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has his way, he will use the Presidency as a bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. Obama's comments came three days after he...

While it will still be a few weeks before the impact of ACROSS Oklahoma is fully known, Alan Quigley believes in his heart that thousands of Oklahoma Baptists praying and working together for two consecutive weekends will have an impact on the...

If Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has his way, he will use the Presidency as a bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. Obama's comments came three days after he...

Messenger Radio Co-hosts Ray Sanders and Bob Nigh interview Oklahoma state legislator Sally Kern about her recent comments about homosexuals. Click here to...

Over the last several weeks, state news has been filled with comments regarding the words of Rep. Sally Kern concerning the homosexual agenda. The focus has been on her statement that homosexuals are more dangerous than "terrorists" as they push...

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at McGregor Church in Ft. Myers, Fla. I preached on "Our Disappointments are God's Divine Appointments." It was an incredible morning. I left immediately after the third service and arrived at the airport...

Growing up in Oklahoma, I gained a quick appreciation for severe weather. Kids from other states sing, "April showers bring May flowers." Kids in Oklahoma sing, " April showers bring May tornados!"

Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." What if Peter was wrong? In his letter to the Christians of Corinth, the Apostle Paul gives the perfect response to this question. I...

DAVIS-Come early and stay late. Men, if you're looking for a weekend full of fun, fellowship and inspiration, circle the dates of April 25-26 on your calendar for the Oklahoma Baptist Men's Retreat at the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center.

We need to get on ball or we're going to die as native Christians, Native Americans were told at the Indian Evangelism Conference at Oklahoma City, Glorieta.

I have just finished watching the news. Death was the main topic of the day. Two coeds senselessly murdered in the prime of life. Bombs in Bagdad killed 50 or more innocent people whose only crime was to do their daily shopping. Death rules in our...

I visit Urak at least a couple of times a day, but I don't go to Holygek. You may be scratching your head and saying, "What in the world is the boy talking about?" In our office, we have restroom signs posted from the countries where we serve. If...

Anyone who travels can relate to the anxiety I recently felt when boarding an airplane on business. No I am not referring to the nervous jitters that pass through your mind as you prepare for take-off. I'm not even talking about concern over an...

Jennifer Rothschild says she has, in the words of many televangelists, "named it and claimed it." "I name it Grace and I claim it as Faith," said Rothschild, 44, who was diagnosed with a disease that causes blindness when she was 15. "What God has...

The world is out to win over the hearts and minds of our young people. Thousands of dollars are spent every day trying to lure them away into a compromising, self-centered, tolerant lifestyle.

For most males from 5 to 105, the sound of a roaring motorcycle engine is music to the ears.

Have we reduced Christianity to reading words on a card? This was one of the questions Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research asked at the Missional Missions Conference at Moore, First.

On June 1, 1968, Polla and I said, "I do." On June 2, when we moved to Pratt, Kan., to take a summer job in the oil field, we said, "Oh, me!" We found ourselves away from home for the first time and very alone.

I am developing a teaching called the "Orphan Heart" from John 14:18. It contains a discussion about the role of the father versus the role of the mother in a child's life.

About 400 church staff and lay leaders gathered the evening of Feb. 28 at Moore, First to hear how to inspire "remarkable" people during the Missional Ministry Conference.

I will have to die another day. I recently lived to celebrate yet another candle on my birthday cake. Dimming the lights proved to be no problem for the picture takers. The candles provided plenty of illumination.

For 100 years, many weary travelers have been pleased to discover a complimentary copy of the Bible in their hotel room, thanks to The Gideons International. According to the organization, each Bible placed in a hotel room has the potential to...

SHAWNEE-The old school bell was ringing outside Sallateeska Church the evening of Feb. 25, but it wasn't a celebration. Several members of the church rang the bell in response to the church building and nearby parsonage being destroyed by a grass...

LOUISVILLE, Ky.-A new study of the American religious landscape should call Christians to intensify their efforts in both evangelism and discipleship, R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Feb. 25 on his national radio program.

At any given time, about 10 percent of Southern Baptist churches are without a pastor. During the time between pastors, churches may do one of several things. They may have different men preach on Sundays; they may call an interim pastor to be...

A new television show called "My Dad Is Better than Your Dad" has captured my attention. Four teams made up of a dad and his young son or daughter compete with the goal of determining which dad is stronger, faster, smarter and braver than the...

Blessings come in all sizes and shapes. One Friday morning not long ago, I got a call from one of my Baptist Messenger readers. He told me his name was Cecil, and he had been blessed by many of my articles. He also said he would like to come by my...

Oh to be young and in love. Not that being old and in love is bad, but I sure like that younger part these days. When I was young and in love, I simply didn't know what I didn't know about love. Now that I am older, I just don't remember what I...

Daniel Caceres' call to missions started off as a still small voice, but by the time he accepted the call, it had become a hurricane force wind he couldn't ignore. It took three distinct calls from God before Daniel committed to full-time ministry.

During the Feb.18 meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, told Executive Committee members he believes the calling of the convention is to have a singular focus on...

As Oklahoma Baptists are gearing up for the largest outreach in the history of the state, Alan Quigley, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma evangelism specialist, says he is not discouraged, despite the decreasing number of baptisms in Oklahoma.

On March 8, hundreds of Oklahoma Baptists will hit the streets as they pray for the lost in the state.

I had read the words many times. Indeed, I had pondered them and mulled them over in my mind for days. What did the Psalmist mean when he said, "Those who sow in tears . . . he will surely come back with shouts of joy carrying his sheaves with...

Today, I have reached a mile marker. The article you are now reading is my 500th "Rite of Passage Parenting" article, completing my 10th year of writing for the Baptist Messenger. I know of very few things in my life that I have done 500 times-not...

I recently discovered a little taste of Heaven here on Earth. My discovery came none to soon. I love what I do, but I must admit, I had grown tired and weary of the daily grind.

JACKSON, Tenn.-Union University moved from crisis to recovery Feb. 8 as volunteer teams began cleaning up debris strewn by the Feb. 5 tornado and construction workers began rebuilding two major academic buildings.

ACAPULCO, Mexico-The arrival of the strangers and three "gringos" was a minor distraction for the three young girls who sat cross-legged on the floor beneath the beams of the makeshift ceiling of the shelter built on the side of the hill, enjoying...

Has the buckle of the Bible belt become the Mecca of gambling? Unless something changes soon, Oklahoma is on the fast track to becoming the gambling capital of the Untied States. In a state where high moral standards once served as model for the...

I am so encouraged! Our churches are awakening to a new vision for missions and evangelism. Although a prairie fire has not broken out just yet, the embers are glowing. I see signs that give me great hope that Oklahoma Baptists are slowly, but...

Valentine's Day has come and gone. This year, I promised myself to make my wife's holiday just right. The challenge was that my "right" and her "right" are never exactly . . . alike. Many of you men are nodding your heads in agreement,...

A record crowd that overflowed from the State House Chamber into the Senate Chamber took a stand for life Feb. 6 at the 17th annual Rose Day pro-life rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Because I live on the edge of town, it doesn't take long to reach the country. As much as we like to think of ourselves as "city folk," we still have plenty of opportunity to experience the joys of rural America. On more than one occasion, I have...

TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)-Southern Baptists giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering(r) for North American Missions exceeded the national goal for the second consecutive year, with $59.3 million received, the most ever in the history of the offering.

In the midst of approving a 2009 Cooperative Program objective of $25.2 million and a State Missions offering goal of $1.05 million, members of the Board of Directors of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma were challenged to sow the seed of...

During the opening session of the "New Baptist Covenant Celebration" in Atlanta Jan. 30, former President Jimmy Carter called for Baptists of all races, political leanings and theological stances to unite around a common belief in the Gospel of...

Across the years, church ministry has become more multifaceted and complicated. We are endeavoring to find more ways to provide for the needs of members and in some cases connect with those outside the church. I find no fault in creative methods...

ACAPULCO, Mexico-Churches of the Guerrero Regional Baptist Convention (GRBC) and officials of The Baptist Theological Seminary of the South in San Jeronimito have proven that they have a vision for planting new churches and, as a result, Oklahoma...

I have become aware of a shift in our culture. Somehow, it has changed from "we" to "me." When I speak to parents, I like to tell a joke that goes like this: "When I was growing up, I always had to wear hand-me-downs-and I had three older sisters!"

One of my childhood heroes died recently. There was hardly a boy my age who didn't aspire to pop a wheelie like the man in the red, white and blue leather suit. The world knew him as Evel Knievel. To me, he seemed immortal.

Certainly readers of the Baptist Messenger have come to expect and rely on us for accurate and dependable information regarding critical issues that impact Christian life.

Contrary to what many believe, there is a spiritual gift of evangelism, Ernie Perkins told those gathered at the Vocational Evangelist session of the State Evangelism Conference.

Last year, 7,168 Southern Baptist churches didn't baptize anyone. There were 3,312 that baptized just one person, and 10,448 that baptized from three to five people. Another 6,774 baptized six to 10 people, with only 274 churches baptizing more...

God has been so good to me. I have enjoyed multiple and varied experiences around the world, all of which impacted my life and strengthened my faith. I am constantly astonished by the saints God has raised up in faraway and often difficult places....

Our youngest son, Caleb, has just announced to his mother and me that he has found the love of his life, his soul- and help-mate. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, he got down on bended knee and proposed. I am not sure whether he got...

I have been a photographer for more than 20 years. Photo assignments have taken me on many great and exciting adventures. I have floated down rivers in Africa capturing close ups of hippos, crocodiles and elephants. I have visited remote villages...

For years, women have assumed things about men that are wrong. He is just being stubborn when he won't stop and ask for directions. He needs to learn to earn my respect. Sex is just a physical need for him. Wrong, says Shaunti Feldhahn, author of...

T.B. Lackey Health Care Center at Baptist Village of Oklahoma City and Evergreen Care Center at Baptist Village of Owasso were two of only four nursing facilities in the state to earn five-star 10 point ratings recently through the Oklahoma Health...

Having made their mark on the population charts years ago, Baby Boomers are once again gaining the attention of economists, healthcare providers, politicians and insurance companies. Thanks to Baby Boomers, the senior adult population in America...

Cody and Dara Evans' home represents that of many couples with young children. A red fire engine sits on a shelf among books and colorful blocks. A wooden rocking horse is in the corner.

Years ago, a popular commercial for a fast food restaurant showed a diminutive older lady vociferously questioning the person at the counter. "Where's the beef?!" It was humorous, but the advertisement got the point across. Other burger chains...

One of the best things that a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Somehow, seeing his father loving and admiring his mother surrounds a child with a special hedge of peace and protection. In his little mind, the process goes...

It is not every week you are given the opportunity to share the Sunday morning message in your childhood church. Such was the case recently when a pastor friend asked if I would fill the pulpit while he ministered on the mission field in India.

Fitness, health, nutrition. With the overwhelming amount of information circulating these days, where does one go to discover the secrets of a healthy lifestyle?

It's almost February, the month of Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day and most important, if you're someone who believes that life begins at the point of conception-Rose Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Oklahomans have an opportunity to express...

"I'm going to call the Pope and see why he's not doing something for us." This tongue-in-cheek comment came from a man displaced after Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans.

A round of applause for the Supreme Court please! Earlier this month the Supreme Court declined to review a 2004 case filed in Tulsa Federal Court which challenged Oklahoma's "Choose Life" license plate program. The Supreme Court let stand the...

In 1978, Oklahoma City, Olivet voted not to accept a 10-acre mission site in the Quail Springs area of north Oklahoma City, and to remain at the location God placed the church in 1912.

Prayer is the key. How often have you read this simple truth or heard it articulated by a Christian leader? All of my life, I have been taught, and throughout my ministry, I have taught others, that the key to the demonstrated power of God is...

I didn't make any New Year resolutions this year-at least, not yet. After all, I am still working on the resolutions I made back in 1999 (not to mention the ones from 2000-2007). Why add any more to my list?

Cats. You either love them or hate them. For most people, there is no in between. As for me, well let's just say I'm a dog man. Growing up, we never had cats. We didn't need to because our neighbor raised enough cats for the entire state. She...

As journalists, we are often reminded of the power of our pen. Perhaps that phrase should be updated to include the power of the keyboard. No doubt, the right words at the right time have a way of motivating us.

When people reach retirement age, how do they remember their college days? Do thoughts turn to drinking and wild parties, to constant studying, to pranks played on dorm mates, or do they remember those days as a time of spiritual growth and the...

Disaster: any happening that causes great harm or damage; serious or sudden misfortune; calamity; implies great or sudden misfortune that results in loss of life, property, etc.

Duane and Deanna Hunt have prayed for pastors and their wives in Kenya for many years. The fervency of those prayers has increased since Dec. 27, however, following a presidential election which has caused riotous unrest in the normally quiet...

This is a story I find myself struggling to tell. I wish I weren't so close to it, but I am. I want to find a way to share it without sounding like a proud father, convinced that he has the most beautiful baby in the world. That's probably . . ....

When it comes to heels and toes, my family of eight produces more dirty socks than a herd of caterpillars. Socks come in so many shapes and sizes. No matter how hard we try, there always seems to be a stray, that one sock that hangs around the...

Jan. 22 marks the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's historic and horrific Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in America. Southern Baptists won't be celebrating, though.

From Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Herod and John the Baptist, to Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones, Jordan has a rich history as varied as its rugged mountains, miles of sandy desert and oases of scattered but lush palm trees and olive groves.

Churches need to be careful how they handle information they get about cutters. One 17-year-old who lives in Western Oklahoma said a friend of hers told the youth minister at a local church she was cutting.

Sometimes Chloe uses a knife, sometimes a razor blade and sometimes even an ink pen. Then she goes to great lengths to cover up the cut and resulting scar on her body.

The Baptist Messenger has been informing and inspiring Oklahoma Baptists since 1912. In our 97th year, the Baptist Messenger continues to serve as a reliable Christian news and information resource for Oklahoma Baptists.

A recent Barna poll revealed that young people today do not like the term "Christian." They prefer other designations that describe the "Christian" lifestyle. It seems that "Christian" has fallen into disfavor because it creates negative images in...

My life is a string of journeys. In fact, every year is a journey broken down into months, weeks, days and hours. As a missionary, many of my journeys take me to remote and unusual places. Before each journey begins, I spend time in preparation. I...

We sent our soldier to war on New Year's Day. It was a small and quiet ceremony, but it was genuine, heartfelt and all too painful. Tears of sadness cried out to God for mercy, guidance and safety. It was our turn once again and our honor to send...

BETHANY-As the baseball world buzzes about the latest steroid scandal and the possibility of how some of the game's "greatest" players have stained the reputation of America's Pastime, Chris Wall's thoughts turn to his favorite player-an...

The State Evangelism Conference has always been a place for inpiration and equipping, and this year will be no exception.

On Dec. 11, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution acknowledging the significance of Christmas and Christianity. The resolution passed by just over 97 percent. That is right, 327 representatives approved of the resolution,...

Because I am a preacher, I tend to think in threes. Normal people have circular thoughts or thoughts that come in ones or twos, or maybe even fours or fives. But any self-respecting Baptist preacher will always think in three points. It just isn't...

Women will be encouraged to never stop proclaiming and never stop praying during the State Evangelism Conference Women's Emphasis Jan. 29 at Moore, First.

While the great ice storm of 2007 was blowing and blasting its way across Oklahoma, I was fulfilling a speaking engagement in the sunny warmth of northern Peru. Every time I called my wife, she told of more devastation. Our backyard looked like a...

It was desperately cold outside. We were under siege by "Old Man Winter." As young high school students, my brother and I recognized the need in our community for firewood. With an opportunity to make some quick cash, we powered up the chainsaw...

Messenger Radio, hosted by Ray Sanders and Bob Nigh, recently interviewed Veggie Tales creators Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki. The following story is taken from excerpts from that radio interview.

Disaster relief feeding units were activated and chainsaw teams were being called in as one in three Oklahoma residents were without electrical power Dec. 11 following a widespread ice storm that continued to overwhelm the Midwest.

When you step into the voting booth, what issues matter most? What do you look for in a political candidate?

You'll have to forgive Sam Porter for not dreaming of a white Christmas this year . . . especially if the "white" comes in the form of ice. Porter, Oklahoma Baptists' disaster relief director, is used to dealing with emergencies and disasters...

Like many of you, I have been to untold number of Christmas programs. It seems that there is a favorite ending to all. Whether a children's play, major choir program or beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, it usually ends with the...

I think we all cherish a memory of that one exceptional Christmas gift-the one we received as a child that for some reason stands out from all the rest. I was probably 9 years old when I received mine.

One would think that with a house full of kids, there would be little need for canine companionship. It is not like we don't have enough to do and care for already. We provide 168 weekly meals, clean 100 loads of laundry each month, conduct school...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)-More than 1 million individuals live with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.; yet, despite responding with Christ's compassion to care for the sick and to meet the needs of "the least of these" in so many other instances, evangelicals...

If you believe HIV/AIDS is spread across America primarily by homosexuals, you are correct. If you believe homosexuality is a sin, you are correct. If you are a homophobic Baptist and have therefore turned your back on the homosexual community and...

Kim Hunt plans to live a long life, be a happy mom and enjoy her child. And she plans to do all this while dealing with AIDS.

As I waited to preach a message on missions last Sunday morning, I contemplated how fortunate we Americans are. Surely in the history of the world, no people have been more greatly blessed.

Over the last few years, it has fallen upon me to put up the Moore family Christmas tree. I am far from an expert on Christmas trees, but I know that to the normal eye, our tree would not be considered politically correct. I have visited many...

One of my favorite nightly fatherly rituals is to spend time reading from a children's Bible with my younger girls. Leaning back with an extra pillow propped under my head, a girl under each arm and the Bible resting on my chest, we nestle in for...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)-Today's young Christians are the church, not the church's future, and it's time they take seriously the Bible's call to care for "the least of these," including those with HIV/AIDS, Francis Chan told students at a youth...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-Movies often are judged on their entertainment value, but one particular low-budget film gaining steam in theaters is being judged on something else-the number of lives it has saved.

Southern Baptists have become the largest evangelical mission-sending organization in history with more than 10,000 missionaries supported by more than 43,000 congregations.

According to a national study, nearly 80 percent of Americans call themselves Christian. More than 1,000 "self-identified" U.S. Christians 18 years of age and older participated in the study commissioned by Christianity Today International and...

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? These exhilarating emotional highs are usually fueled by good news and positive, encouraging experiences. Most of us can recall times in our own lives when we felt we were on top of the world. Nearly all...

I have come to the realization that there are two types of people: those who are like me and . . . the rest of the world. For example, I am a guy who can celebrate his birthday any day of the year. I was born on Oct. 7, but I have no problem...

Post-Thanksgiving shopping can throw a man into situations he might not otherwise ever experience. On one such occasion, I accompanied my wife on a trip to the local shopping mall. It was a zoo. People were everywhere. Holiday music, shopping bags...

When more animals than people show up at your evangelistic meetings, there must be something else going on.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-It's a fantasy universe where witches are good, the church is bad, and at the end of it all, God dies.

Fantasy is a billion dollar business in both print and broadcast media, and there is a wide range of movies aimed at ages 10 and up coming out this holiday season.

If you haven't heard, Albus Dumbledore is gay. Who is Albus Dumbledore? According to a U.S. Consumer Research survey, more than half of American children between the ages of 6 and 17 could tell you who he is because they have read at least one of...

One of my favorite Broadway musicals is Fiddler on the Roof. I can still hear Tevye, the father, belting out in deep and loud tones the word "tradition." Tevye found himself in constant conflict with newer ideas while he just wanted to hold onto...

"Oh mom please, I wanna go with my friends." How often do these words ring out through the Christian household? This Christmas, those words may be heard as children regarding the movie "The Golden Compass." Snopes (www.snopes.com) states that the...

What a blessed time I had last week being a part of the Women's Missions & Ministries Celebration in Moore! I met so many wonderful people who spoke such encouraging words. One thing surprised me, though. Many of the friends I met did not know...

We had been talking about it for months. When the day finally came, I was armed and ready. I would be joining my sons, father-in-law and several other older men on my first quail hunt. I was the rookie of the bunch. My boys had been on hunting...

If there was ever any question as to why marriage must be defined as holy matrimony between one man and one woman, then a recent wedding in India should remove all doubt.

MOORE-There is no difference in terrorists and those you work with who have absolutely no integrity, Carrie McDonnall told those attending the Missions and Ministries Celebration Nov. 12 at Moore, First.

Only on rare occasions do I use this column to reflect on past events, but if you will forgive me, I want to take this opportunity to share some thoughts about our recent convention. You will get the news through other pages of the Messenger, but...

MOORE-Pastors were reminded by a variety of speakers during the State Pastors' Conference Nov. 12 at Moore, First that they stepped into "A Noble Task" when they accepted God's call on their lives to preach the Gospel.

MOORE-The need for prayer and impacting lostness resonated throughout sessions of the 101st Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Nov. 12-13, as messengers adopted a record budget, re-elected their president and approved...

God's Word: "He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas,' (which is translated Peter)." John 1:42

Growing up in a small Oklahoma town, I never dreamed I would someday have the opportunity to work at our nation's Capitol. As a member of the U.S. Senate radio and television personnel, I had opportunities to meet world leaders on a daily basis.

A layman can start a Baptist church. Shucks, even a former Mennonite can start one. For years now, Oklahoma Baptists have been told that churches need to be planted in the state to draw more people to the Lord.

New research from the Barna Group suggests that being labeled as a Christian might mean you are perceived as being judgmental and hypocritical. According to a survey of 867 young people between the ages of 16 and 29, at least 85 percent of...

Churches can be started anywhere-even in the home of a non-Christian. That's where Extreme Community Church in Mustang began. "My vision partner, Jerry Jackson, was telling a couple we were planning to start a church in the area where they live,"...

This week, the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma will meet in annual session at Moore, First. These meetings are always times of reflection on the victories of the past year and a fresh look at the opportunities for Kingdom impact in the new...

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn't come back, it was never yours. But if it sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money and doesn't...

It was late, and a friend was in trouble. He called me for prayer. As I hung up the phone, he said, "I knew I could count on you. You are a prayer warrior." I was honored that he called in a time of need. I was especially honored that he...

Pastor Taeho "Joseph" Lee is the dedicated, dynamic, driven leader of a church that has the perfect name to match his personality-Oklahoma City, Vision Connexion.

Two hundred and fifty-seven years-that's how long it will take to reach the lost in Oklahoma at the present rate of growth, according to missiologist Jim Slack. More than 1.5 million Oklahomans are unaffiliated with any church. That number...

Oklahoma Baptists have played a major role in Oklahoma's heritage for more than a century. The privilege to openly share the Gospel with our neighbors, families and friends is just one of the many reasons why our nation is one of the greatest in...

The complexities of our world intensify every day. Simple issues of the past are far removed. Black is no longer black, but many hues of gray. The world Norman Rockwell painted no longer exists. Our country faces difficult issues that strain our...

This past weekend, I visited my oldest son, Jeremiah, and daughter-in-love, Erin, in Rockwall, Texas. They have recently moved there and are both teaching school. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the normal hugs and exchanges of affection, along...

Bill Green is retiring. If ever there was an oxymoron . . . True, Green has announced he will leave his position with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Dec. 31, but retirement is a pretty strong word for the man who is best known for his...

They can scare you to death if you aren't careful. You will recognize one when you see it. If you cross paths with another human being waving their hands in front of a paper-towel dispenser, beware, you are within striking distance. Restroom wash...

DAVIS-Where can singles from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and even New Mexico come together in one place to celebrate all the things that make their lives wonderful, including being single? Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, of course. October...

When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the Soviet Union collapsed two years later, the world changed. More than half a billion people across 12 time zones were freed from oppression-at least temporarily-in the 15 nations that emerged from the ashes...

How many churches does Oklahoma need? This question is often asked and is always appropriate. And I believe it can be answered in a way that will help each of us understand why we as Oklahoma Baptists have a strong commitment to starting many more...

Prayer will be a major focus of this year's annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Nov. 12-13 at Moore, First.

Given the high cost of gasoline and the time it takes away from busy schedules, is attending the annual meeting really worth the effort? There are at least five good reasons NOT to attend and five good reasons to attend.

Carrie closed her eyes, believing she would see David again when she opened them. Earlier that day, March 15, 2004, Carrie McDonnall, her husband, David, Larry and Jean Elliott and Karen Watson were driving through the crowded streets of Mosul,...

A conservative commentator recently committed a dastardly deed. She was asked what a Jew must do to get to Heaven. She responded by stating that they must believe in Jesus as Savior. Her comments set off a firestorm in the media. She was...

"A Noble Task" is the theme for the 2007 State Pastors' Conference, Nov. 12 at Moore, First. The theme is based on I Tim. 3:1 "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." (NIV)

My earliest TV-watching memories center around shows like "Howdy Doody," "Sky King" and "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin." Enthralled when the new, one-eyed glowing box appeared in our living room, it didn't take long for my brothers and me to...

SHAWNEE-Oklahoma Baptist University's board of trustees accepted the retirement of President Mark A. Brister Oct. 12 during a special meeting on the university's campus in Shawnee.

More than 440 people were inspired by testimonies given by volunteers and clients of Hope Pregnancy Centers during the "Changing Hearts, Saving Lives" fundraising banquet Oct. 11 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

An investigation into many Southern Baptist churches soon reveals that a good portion of the payload is being carried by Baptist women. It has been said that if you want something done, you better ask a woman to do it.

The word bivocational describes a person who holds two different jobs that are often completely unrelated. When applied to the church, bivocational frequently means double work and one-half pay. In fact, many who serve as bivocational pastors and...

It is connected to the rest of the state by a 34-mile stretch of land. Yet the eyes of Oklahoma, especially the Oklahoma City area are focused on that 168-mile-long strip of land setting between Kansas and Texas that we know as the Panhandle.

My special gift kicked in again at the State Fair-you know, the gift I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. I can't go anywhere without running into someone I know, or running into someone who knows someone I know. I was walking through one of the...

We were surrounded by gunfire. No, it wasn't real. Guys' night out was in full swing. Paintballs shot through the air as I drove onto the wooded campsite with my boys. Nothing says fun more than a herd of boys and dads chasing through the woods in...

Hungry? Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines hunger as "a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient; b: an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food; c: a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food."

It's October, and as the dog days of summer fade into memory and the deciduous trees begin to don their patchwork autumn coats of crimson, gold and orange, thoughts turn to the rapidly approaching holidays-a time of feasting and celebration.

Worship is a topic that has been discussed frequently over the last several years. Most of the focus has converged on two things, music and preaching. Debate about the style of music seems endless. Argument surrounding the validity of varying...

I have just finished my 16th year as a chaplain at the Tulsa State Fair. There is just something about the State Fair and me. Using some self-analysis, I have tried to figure out exactly what it is. It may be in my blood. My grandmother was a...

I have never been afraid of work. I bought my first lawn mower at the age of 9. I mowed nearly every lawn on our block. There was something satisfying about earning an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.

It's time ministers' wives step up and take hold of the calling God has put on their lives those gathered at the Ministers' Wives Weekend at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs were told.

Baptist Village Retirement Communities is a "Baby Boomer." The ministry was born in 1958. We will be 50 years old next year. It's our anniversary!

A recent study indicated that for the last five years, baptisms among Southern Baptist churches have not reached 400,000. There are 43,000 Southern Baptist churches with nearly 16 million members, and the best we can do is to reach less than half...

In just one year after opening its first facility, the Hospitality House of Tulsa served more than 225 families from all parts of Oklahoma, 15 additional states and two foreign countries. The Hospitality House, a non-profit organization which...

Oklahoma prides itself on being a national leader in many areas. However, the Sooner State is a top-10 qualifier on a list it would just as soon tumble from the rankings completely.

"Pastor, I love you and appreciate you. You have made a difference in my life, and in those who are important to me. I give thanks to God for you." Simple words, but powerful words. October is clergy appreciation month. It is a time evangelicals...

FANNIN: Before I address that, let me mention that any Oklahoma Baptist who has not seen the new tabernacle really should go see it. It is a marvelous facility that allows Oklahoma youth and others to see and hear every word that is preached....