Encourage: He is risen indeed!
This is the third Easter since I began serving Oklahoma Baptists as executive director-treasurer. It will also be the third time you have read this exact article. I will continue to resubmit this same piece every Easter for two reasons. First, I like holiday traditions. I hope you will come to anticipate and enjoy this same good word as part of your Easter celebration. Second, and more significantly, we focus on the Resurrection of...
Encourage: A strong dose of reality
I have been exposed by my own words today. In fact, just one word: uncertainty. As I reflect on an important morning meeting, that word—spoken by my own voice—keeps echoing in my mind: uncertainty. I must have used that word four dozen times during that meeting. “How can we make plans in the midst of so much uncertainty?” “How should we lead in the day of uncertainty?” “The uncertainty of the coming weeks is a challenge for our...
Encourage: Make baptism an Easter priority
Years ago, one of our dear friends brought his family to church on Easter Sunday. On the way, their oldest child, a 7-year-old boy, moaned from his spot in the third row seat, “I don’t know why we are even going to church today.” His father was concerned, “Why do you say that, son?” The little boy, dressed in his Easter best, responded, “We already know what the preacher is going to preach about.” Hallelujah! Christ is Risen! That...
Encourage: Covered, clean and quiet
I am writing this article in the early hours of Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. A snow fell through the night. Most Oklahomans crawled out of bed, pulled back the curtains and found the whole world covered, clean and quiet. I know that this snow will create problems. It will not take long for this moment to pass. But for now, in this first hour of the day, this snow is wonderful. It reminds me of the Good News of Jesus. In Christ Jesus, we...
Encourage: Powerful summary of baptism
Come, Holy Spirit, Dove Divine Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine, on these baptismal waters shine, and teach our hearts, in highest strain, to praise the Lamb for sinners slain. We love Your name, we love Your laws, and joyfully embrace Your cause; We love Your cross, the shame, the pain, O Lamb of God, for sinners slain. We sink beneath the water’s face, and thank You for Your saving grace; We die to sin and seek a grave with You,...
Encourage: Pray for your pastor this year
Did you make any New Year resolutions? Most people make the same three every January: Lose weight, exercise more and save more money. A resolution is a firm decision. I would like for you to consider another resolution for 2020. Would you make a firm decision today to pray for your pastor every week this year; maybe even every day? The advance of the Gospel depends on the health of our churches, and the health of our churches...
