Monthly Archives: October 2017

Heroes Remembered: John Mason Peck

Posted on October 26, 2017 | 1 comment

Harvard University does not single out many Baptist preachers for honorary degrees.  But in 1852, they did such for a Baptist preacher and missionary named John Mason Peck. Let me tell you a little of the story of this fascinating man in the hopes that his life will inspire you to leave a similar legacy and impact.

John Mason Peck (1789-1858) lived in Connecticut and New York state in his early years. He heard the message of the gospel and was saved while young. Personal study of the bible led him to leave the Congregationalist church over the issue of infant baptism and become a Baptist– despite the arguments of his pastor, Lyman Beecher.

Peck grew deeply in his faith and felt a call to preach. Time spent with Luther Rice led him to a deep interest in missionary work “out west”. So Peck loaded Continue reading →

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Posted in baptism, baptist, bible, Christianity, Church, faith, John Mason Peck, history, racial unity, Uncategorized

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Simple Prayer

Posted on October 23, 2017 | Leave a comment

Good thoughts from my sweet wife!

Prayer is simple, really.  We are the ones who over-complicate it.  We assume that we have to get it just right, or that God is more concerned about our vocabulary than He is our heart.

Prayer can be words spoken–but they might just be thoughts that are formed and directed at God.

My prayer life was changed when I finally came to realize that God, in His infinite mercy, cared more about my attitude in prayer than He did the action of prayer.  Let me explain. Spending a set amount of time in prayer on a daily schedule develops discipline, to be sure–but having an attitude of prayer all throughout the day fosters devotion.

My husband and I started dating when we were seniors in high school.  We had been dating only 6 months when he went away to college–four hours away. 

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Sharpening our Focus, Renewing our Passion

Posted on October 19, 2017 | 5 comments

(This is an article I wrote for the Illinois Baptist.)

Sharpening our focus, renewing our passion

This past June, Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines put together a task force charged with recommending how we might deal with the alarming decline in baptisms in our Convention. What a daunting task it is. Baptisms have declined precipitously for the past 17 years. We have gone from more than 400,000 baptisms per year, to less than 300,000. The needs in America are greater than ever, but our effectiveness in meeting those needs has plunged. This ought to greatly concern all of us who care about the Great Commission and this land in which we live.

The task force’s first meeting, held at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, was both disquieting and encouraging. We stared the terrible Continue reading →

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The Value of a Devotional Life

Posted on October 5, 2017 | Leave a comment

I’ve practiced daily devotions for many years now. I spend some time each day (mornings usually work best for me) reading my bible and praying. I read a certain number of chapters of the bible underlining as I go. I spend time praying by praising and thanking God, confessing sin, asking for my needs and praying for the needs of others.

I will tell you that sometimes I don’t feel much like doing that. But feelings are terribly fickle. I rarely feel like exercising or eating healthy or all kinds of things that need to be done. I like the phrase “spiritual disciplines”. I am to discipline myself in my devotional life.

But I will also tell you that feelings often follow discipline. I am glad I exercise and eat right when I do. And I feel especially glad that I regularly spend time in the word and in prayer. The longer I’ve practiced daily devotionals the more I’ve recognized their benefits.

Here are some reasons to value the practice of a devotional life. Continue reading →

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Posted in bible, bible study, Christianity, discipleship, prayer, Uncategorized

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