Baptists Just Dont Know Anymore

I just want everyone to know that the strawberries have "come in" in West TN, and I'm eating fresh strawberry pie everyday!!!! Wow, the piece I'm eating right now is sooooo gooooood. I just wish that all of yall could come to my house and eat some of my wife's strawberry pie. It's scrumptious.

There is a big discussion going on over at SBC Today about Baptist Distinctives that leaves me wondering big time just how many Baptist out there today just really don't know what they believe, and really don't care about doctrine and theology and learning the Bible. It really makes me wonder if they just want to hear feel good messages and have the Pastor visit them in the hospital and at the funeral home, and they really could care less about sound, Bible study where they grow in grace and faith and knowledge. And, the shame of it is that many, many Baptists out there...Pastors included....just don't know the Bible, and they really don't understand the importance of what we hold dear as Baptist Christians....nor why it's important.

Here is a conversation that I got involved in at SBC Today about all of this. I would encourage all of yall to go to that blog and read all of it. It would be very educational and inspiring for you. But, here's one comment that I made that I'd like for yall to think on and respond to. I was talking to ABC Clay and Wanda. I do not know either one of these people, and I'm sure that they are fine, Christian folks. But, I was disagreeing with something that they said. Here is the comment I made to both of them:

"ABC, I believe that you're missing the whole point of this discussion. Of course, God looks into the heart to see if a person's salvation is true, and to see if he's walking with the Lord like he ought to; but, do you not think that God is very interested in things being done right? The conversation here is about doing baptism right. It's about us doing Church right. It's about us seeking to stay as close the Bible in how we practice our faith as we possibly can. Thus, an Assembly of God type of Christian can be saved and get baptised, and be as sincere as they can be....BUT, that's not a baptism that we should accept as BAPTIST. Or, a Nazarene might be earnestly putting their faith in Jesus, and they might be as sincere as they can be about having water poured on top of their head, but it's not good enough for a BAPTIST baptism. Why? Because we want to make sure that it's done the right way for the right reason...to be a Scriptural baptism.
Wanda, so now you know the motives and intents of people's hearts? When you said, "The issue is about men wanting authority and having the power to lord it over others." How could you possibly know this? Can you see into my heart? into CB's heart? into John Mann's heart? I believe that only the Holy Spirit has that ability....does He not?
It's not about control to me, Wanda; and I stand right alongside John Mann in what he wrote. Now, to say otherwise about me would be calling me a liar. Are you calling me a liar, Wanda?
Also, Wanda, people in here have repeatedly said that they were not Landmarkers. Believe me when I tell you that I know what a Landmarker is. I live in W. TN....the home of Landmarkism. There used to be many, many Landmarkers in W. TN and Western KY. The influence is still felt here in a big way, although it's slowly going away. John Mann is no Landmarker...are you John? Wes and CB have already told you that they are not Landmarkers. I'm certainly no Landmarker. Are you gonna call all of us liars?
And, Wanda, there's a great case that Philip was acting under the authority of the Jerusalem Church, since he was a member and a Deacon there. And, frankly, the Baptist Identity guys are not arguing for a new identity, but that we should stay with the identity that we have historically held to. The sad thing is that many Baptists have heard so many feel-good, psychological, self help messages and the four points of making friends and the 8 points of being a success in business messages that they are very ignorant of the Bible and what Baptists hold dear concerning the clear teachings of the Bible.
And, finally, Wanda, what arrogance do you see in here? I've not seen any. All I've seen is good men discussing some very important issues concerning Southern Baptist type of Christians.
God bless you, Wanda.
David "

Myanmar and China

UPDATE: They are now saying that the death toll is reaching 50,000 in China with thousands hurt and millions homeless. My goodness. And, in Myanmar, the numbers could get absolutely staggering before the death count gets done...so many are sick and dying. Dear God, pour out Your mercy on these people.

It absolutely boggles the minds and saddens the heart to think about all the suffering and the death that took place in these two countries recently. My heart breaks over the suffering and the pain and the fear that these people must have dealt with, and that some people are still dealing with today. The news media is reporting that the death toll in Myanmar is approaching 130,000 people. 130,000! The death toll is not quite as staggering in China at this point, but still staggering to say the least...15,000 and climbing.



Where is God in all of this? What is the Lord doing? Why would He allow such catastrophic suffering and death? Well, we may never know the answers to these questions this side of Heaven. But, I'm praying that the Lord will give the Christians in these countries extra grace and comfort and resolve. I'm praying especially for our missionaries. My heart really goes out to them at this time.

But, I also hope that this terrible tragedy will open doors for the Gospel to go into these two countries in a more open, bolder way. Maybe these tragedies will cause the leaders of Myanmar and China to be more open to God's Word coming into these two countries. And, maybe, just maybe, the good that God will bring out of this bad is that many, many more people will come to know the grace and the goodness of God.

Pray for the people of Myanmar and China.

SBC Presidential Poll

I am really interested in hearing who yall will vote for in Indy. I will just tell you very plainly that I'm torn between Johnny Hunt and Frank Cox. I don't know which one that I will vote for at this time. Maybe some of you can help me make up my mind. Also, I would like to hear your comments on this even if you, too, are undecided. Tell us who are your top two, or three that you're thinking about. I really hope that many of you will weigh in on this discussion. It ought to be interesting.

Prayer Request

I want to ask all of you to pray for my wife and our family. Her mother is close to death. The Dr. called early this morning and told us to come to the hospital....it could be the end. I appreciate your prayers....especially for my dear wife. Her heart is breaking.

David