Blog Archives

A graceless gospel

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tom Ogburn — No Comments ↓

The moment started innocently enough. I was walking with my wife through an exhibition hall at the Oklahoma State Fair. We were on a date just enjoying our time together. Then a stranger raised his voice from his rather sad…

Tagged with: Christ, Church, Gospel, Grace, heaven, hell, religion, salvation
Posted in Ministry, Missiology, Religion

Dear Boy Scouts of America

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Zachary Bailes — 12 Comments ↓

Dear Boy Scouts of America: I hope this finds you well, though all the conversation in the media seems to say otherwise. You’re apparently between a rock and a hard place, at least politically speaking. You don’t want to alienate your base,…

Tagged with: boy scouts, Christianity, Church, community, Grace, Jesus, sexuality, Southern Baptist Convention
Posted in Faithful Living, Public Policy

Church matters

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Peggy Haymes — No Comments ↓

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved church. About the only thing I ever resisted was singing in the children’s choir because I considered the robes with their big floppy bows as an affront to my eight-year-old…

Tagged with: abuse, Church, churches, community, congregation, God, Grace, healing, hope, ministry
Posted in Ministry

Green Day: on Holiday

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Chris Aho — No Comments ↓

The holiday season has reached its peak. Decorations, parties, calories and music abound. Some of this music is soul inspiring. I am warmed each time I hear Sheryl Crow’s “Blue Christmas”, The Barenaked Ladies’ “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” or…

Mumford & Sons sing of grace and life

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Darrell Gwaltney — 1 Comment ↓

I have been listening to Mumford & Sons’ new album Babel. Its deep biblical allusions and challenging lyrics about relationships and redemption invite repeated listenings. There’s enough in the album to keep my attention for a while. Two songs in particular have…

Tagged with: Babel, Broken Crown, Ghosts that we knew, Grace, Isaiah, Marcus Mumford, Mumford and Sons, Relationships
Posted in Music, Theology

Hope is my friend

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Peggy Haymes — No Comments ↓

I was cruising through the list of notification on the GoodReads web site when one caught my eye. “Hope is your friend.” Of course, it was a notification that someone named Hope and I had made a social media connection,…

Tagged with: change, Christianity, Church, community, Counseling, faith, Grace, hope, mental health
Posted in Health & Wholeness, Healthy Living, Mental Health

Replacement referees in the church

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Alan Rudnick — No Comments ↓

“Oh my gosh! Did you see that play? Green Bay should have won the game!” Just about everyone was shocked watching the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks game finish on Monday night. The reactions were swift and critical. Angry…

Tagged with: Church, football, Grace, NFL, pastors, replacement refs
Posted in Leadership

Deacons in a Baptist church are a waste if . . .

Posted on September 10, 2012 by George Bullard — 9 Comments ↓

Sarah looks at the ballot for deacons for the coming year in her congregation. Today in the Sunday worship services is the annual election of a new set of deacons. As she looks at the ballot, she wonders to herself,…

Beautiful City

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Peggy Haymes — No Comments ↓

As I’ve been doing some writing today I’ve been listening to music on my computer. I’d loaded some new songs and I smiled as the opening notes of “Beautiful City” from “Godspell” began. It’s always been one of my favorite…

Tagged with: Broken Open, change, faith, fear, Formation, Funeral, Godspell, Grace, Jesus, Music, Spiritual Practice, suffering
Posted in Faithful Living, Grief, Mental Health, Suffering

Tweet this, Facebook that

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Tommy Deal — 1 Comment ↓

What is my life worth? Is it all based on the perception of “friends” who read my posts on Facebook? Do I need to be sure they know how I really feel about my Lord or politics? And, what if…