Hardin-Simmons

There is hope for the world.  

This week we were asked to lead the "Cornerstone Lecture Series" at HSU.  As the world bemoans the crash of the stock market and the collapse of the finance sector, God is quietly working to provide the world with future leaders.  

All week I have been impressed with the passion and vision of the next generation at HSU.  Young men and women who have great insight into the most important things in life and a heart for their world have graciously welcomed us onto the campus.  The student body as a whole has been attentive and insightful as they have listened.  Their response has been kind and refreshing.

There is an important role for Christian education in our nation.  Schools like HSU serve as places where teenagers can become adults as they grow in their understanding of God and his plans for their future.  It seems to me that HSU provides the right balance of challenge and protection.  Instead of fighting their professors and fellow classmates, (and God knows that there will be plenty of time for fighting those wars after graduation), students at Christian schools can deepen their faith and explore a wide variety of ideas with guides who share their worldview. 

When I was growing up we used to plant a garden every spring.  My dad would spend the winter saving coffee cans, (remember those?), in preparation for planting day.  Dad would carefully cut out the ends of those cans and place one around each of tomato plants as we placed them in the ground.  He knew that the West Texas winds who whip all through the spring.  The cans would provide a little protection for the young plants while they established their root system and the stalks grew thick.  A day would come when he felt comfortable removing the cans, but by that time, the plants had grown strong enough to stand against the wind.

That's what I have discovered at HSU this week.  Not a group of students hiding from the world, but instead a group of men and women who are preparing to change it.  I know that Christian students have a role at state schools, but I like what happens to those who choose our Baptist universities.

Global Peace

So today, Steve and I are in South Bend, Indiana for a conference on missions in India.  All across the nation local churches are launching into a new season of mission work.  The shrinking of the planet has opened up opportunities that have never existed before.

We "do" missions for three reasons...

1.  God is worthy of the worship of all peoples in all places

2.  Lost people matter to God and their eternity is at risk

3.  The "least of these" need help that we should provide

The unique strategy of PEACE is that local churches connect with local churches across the world to help them reach those near them.  American churches make indigenous churches the "heroes" in their community.  We can do this.  

More to come...

A Civil Forum at Saddleback

There have been times, many times, when I have been a little embarrassed by my "baptistness." Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the baptist distinctives; priesthood of every believer, authority of Scripture, etc.  I am proud of the mission work we do together around the globe, and our connections with Buckner benevolences and Baylor hospital, but honestly, our baptist "brand" has been badly tarnished.  When everyone from Jesse Jackson and Jimmy Carter to Jesse Helms and Bob Jones call themselves Baptists, your brand has ceased to signify anything specific about who you are.

When people read "Baptist" on the sign outside our church, they read meaning into our name based on their past experience with another baptist in another place or time... and honestly, who knows what that might have been?

So, this past Saturday night was like a breath of fresh air.  In primetime on CNN, Fox and MSNBC Dr. Rick Warren, Baptist, led a civil forum between our two presidential candidates at his church in Lake Forest, California.  He was kind, affable, gracious, and for the most part, so was the Saddleback congregation.  He didn't shriek, belittle, or deride anyone.  He asked intelligent and probing questions.  He listened respectfully for insightful and thoughtful answers.

He did not compromise our faith or mitigate his values or beliefs. He did not make a fool of himself or embarrass Christ on national television.

He even concluded the evening with the rather Christlike assertion that God intends for us all to be civil to one another in spite of our differences. He called on all Americans to join the political debate with kindness and civility as our companions.

I was inspired.  Not so much with American politics, which still seems pretty dicey this cycle, but I was inspired by Warren.  Maybe Baptist doesn't have to be a bad brand after all. Perhaps a new generation of Baptists will emerge who will demand that Baptist be synonymous with Christ-like living and being instead of aloofness, judgementalism, and ignorance.

For my part, I think I'll try to aim that direction, too. Perhaps together, we baptists, can redefine the term in this generation.

If you missed the Civil Forum, I've included a link to get you started...

Can you spare a minute?

I've been thinking... All of us need a little sabbatic in our lives.  Moments when we slow down just long enough to be reminded that God loves us.  Take 8 minutes and allow this video to bless you.  Be reminded that God loves you and is the Lord over all things.  He is a friend to sinners of all types and he the powerful God who is at work in your life today.

Kudos

So I've been thinking...why can't we get/keep good restaurants in Kaufman?  A lot of people live in and around our fair city.  More people than I can count complain about how difficult it is to find a good meal (that isn't Mexican).  Then we get a place... and six months later they have to close the doors because they haven't generated enough business to make the thing go.  

In retrospect, I probably could have eaten there more often myself. Most days I was shocked at the sparse lunch crowd.  For my part I thought the food was pretty good and the service was kind and gracious.  

Crying shame.

I know this sounds old school, but if we want to have nice places to eat and shop, we are going to have to make a point to support them.  The Kaufman economy has suffered over the past 10 for lots of reasons.  I don't suppose this is going to change overnight.

One thing we all do if is set aside a part of our spending for Kaufman shopping/eating. 

With gas at $4 this makes more sense now than ever before. 

So, anyone interested in Chick-fil-A for dinner?

A Beginning

I think some things and beginning today I think I'll write down what I think so that whoever is willing can think about those things too.  Comments and thoughts on thoughts are welcome.