Category Archives: Uncategorized

Christmas Movies

Posted on December 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

Like so many, my family will watch some Christmas movies this year. It’s a fun tradition.
-We’ll watch “A Christmas Story” and say “adios, Bart” with a hard “a” on the adios while giving warnings about the danger of shorting one’s eye out.
-We will watch “Elf” and note that Francesco is indeed a fun name to say.
-We will probably watch “Christmas Vacation” and remember that the jelly of the month club is the gift that keeps on giving.
-“Home Alone” might slip in there as we ask Continue reading →

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Posted in Christianity, Christmas, Uncategorized

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Momentary Thankfulness

Posted on November 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thoughts from my sweet wife!

Vickie Munton's avatarwateringcanblog

Sure. I want to live a life that is grateful. I want to dwell on the good. And I definitely prefer to camp in the “out of the woods” zone.

But sometimes life is justhard.

I talked with a woman at church today that weptover a friend’s struggling marriage.

My nephew is undergoing surgery right now to repair a broken jaw.

I have relatives facing cancer and Alzheimer’sand loss.

And I never, ever, want to be flippant about another’s pain or offer platitudes that mean nothing.

And, it’seasy to be thankful when things are “swimming along nicely”, isn’t it?

But sometimes we feel like we’re drowning…

It’s often in the struggle that we often discover the true depth of our gratitude.

And, true compassion should increase our own thankfulness, shouldn’t it?

GRATEFUL is defined [dictionary.com] as “warmlyordeeplyappreciativeofkindnessorbenefitsreceived;thankful.”

THANKFUL is defined…

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Whither the Cooperative Program?

Posted on October 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

Whither? At least I didn’t say “ye olde Cooperative Program”. But sometimes it feels as though the Cooperative Program, the primary means by which Southern Baptists have funded their missionary and educational responsibilities for decades, has been relegated to an unnecessary relic of the past. Is that a good thing?
The percentage given by the average SBC church to the Cooperative Program (CP) has dropped over the years to just over 5%. Is that a good thing?
Some churches have, instead, adopted a more societal approach to missions. They tend to do direct mission work (or support those who do) instead of the more cooperative work of the CP.
There are several reasons given for this. “There Continue reading →

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Posted in baptist, cooperative program, missions, southern baptist convention, southern baptist convention, Uncategorized

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Why Missions?

Posted on October 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

The question is phrased differently but often asked. Why international missions? Why not focus on the needs here? Aren’t there enough spiritual needs in America to focus upon? Why care about those so far away? Couldn’t we better spend our money here?
Here are some of my answers to “why missions?”
1. Missions is biblical. The bible talks frequently about the gospel being for all nations. Everyone needs the Lord, not just those who speak English or live nearby. Frankly, Continue reading →

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Posted in Church, International Mission Board, missions, Uncategorized

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Theology is Not the Goal

Posted on September 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

I’ve read a couple of books recently that taught me more about the life of J.P. Morgan, the famous banker. I didn’t know much about his life and work but he was among the most powerful men in the world for a time. He had great wealth, incredible influence and a massive art collection.
There was one thing that really surprised me about the man. He was Continue reading →

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Posted in bible, Christianity, Church, theology, Uncategorized

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What Pastors Need

Posted on September 21, 2015 | 2 comments

The world of pastors and other vocational ministers is a different world. It can be wonderful, fulfilling, frustrating and discouraging all in the same day. It is fantastic because we get to work with people and it can be challenging because… well, because we get to work with people.
The majority of ministers do it because they believe God has called them to this important task. They want to make a difference in this world and in eternity. They care about people and love the message of the gospel. Their motivation, if they are what they need to be, is to honor the Lord, teach His word and help others to join them in following Jesus.
But, like all people, they have needs. Let me mention four things pastors need from their churches.
1. They need Continue reading →

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Posted in encouragement, minister, pastor, Uncategorized

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Hire a Missionary

Posted on September 11, 2015 | 4 comments

With the downsizing of the International Mission Board by up to 800 people, many long time missionaries will be looking for ministry opportunities in the States. While they will be leaving the mission field (after some difficult and painful decisions) they still want to serve the cause of Christ in ministry. Might Southern Baptist Churches strongly consider them when looking for pastors and church staff members? Might they give them preference just as some businesses give preference to military veterans?
Here are three reasons to consider hiring a missionary as a pastor or church staff member.
1. They are willing to Continue reading →

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Posted in baptist, Church, International Mission Board, missions, Uncategorized

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The Key

Posted on September 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

Good thoughts from my sweet wife!

Vickie Munton's avatarwateringcanblog

To those looking for that secret to a happy life, guess what?

In this life, we will have joy and we will have pain:

~~The day comes and we can hardly contain the joy when that new life bursts onto the planet, changing our world forever.

~~Then the days of pain and separation and death are so intense that we think our hearts just might burst, and our life will never be the same.

I suppose most have experienced both, just as I have–and just as dear friends have this very week.

How do we do it?  How do we bounce back and forth between the two emotions and do anything more than survive?

How do we savor the precious few moments that God gives us, taking the good with the bad and making the best of what we have been given?

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Civil War Reading

Posted on August 12, 2015 | 2 comments

The Civil War wasn’t very civil. There were more American casualties than all the rest of our wars combined. It was ugly and brutal and lasted far longer than any had anticipated.

On summer vacation I read “Battle Cry of Freedom” by James McPherson. It won a Pulitzer Prize so I figured I should give it a try. And why, by the way, have my books been skipped over in this Pulitzer Prize thing? But I digress.
The book is less than 900 pages. Long, but much shorter than some others including Shelby Foote’s trilogy. It is well documented and well written. The well written part is really helpful, especially when there are 900 pages involved.

I note a couple of things that I learned or Continue reading →

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Posted in books, history, military, Uncategorized

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Why We Need the Military

Posted on July 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

I read a biography some time back on the life of Albert Einstein. There were some surprises. First, he was pretty smart. (It takes a genius to recognize one!) Second, when it came to family life and morality, he was no Einstein. A terrible example in some ways.
But there was one area where Einstein changed his views entirely. Early in his life, he was a committed pacifist. He was so committed to his view that he urged people to refuse to serve if drafted.
He changed his views. Can you guess why? Continue reading →

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