Category Archives: Current Issues

The Day of a Godly Person’s Death

Our church family at Lakeside has been touched profoundly by death this week. First of all, a beloved 33 year-old member of our church died after six months in the heart transplant unit at UAB hospital. On Wednesday, a wonderful 37 year old teacher at one of our local schools passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.Continue reading “The Day of a Godly Person’s Death”

The Inerrancy & Authority of the Bible

It seems like the issues just keep coming. In 2015 the issue was marriage; now in 2016 the issue is bathrooms. I shutter to even think of what the 2017 issue could be.  There is pressure to compromise on every side.  Increasingly, leaders in many areas of our culture insist that all must get onContinue reading “The Inerrancy & Authority of the Bible”

Good reasons to be Southern Baptist

Particularly in the last decade, new models of “doing church” and churches working together (networks rather than denominations) have arisen.  This is not necessarily a bad thing. Many of these churches and networks are preaching the gospel of Christ, seeing people come to faith, and taking the gospel to the world. Much has been writtenContinue reading “Good reasons to be Southern Baptist”

Five reasons why you should see WOODLAWN as soon as you can!

(1)  WOODLAWN is the true story of the spiritual awakening that happened among the 1973-74 football team at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham.  It is the true of story of how Tony Nathan became a household name in Alabama and the nation. (2)  The gospel is clear in the movie.  This is no generic “believeContinue reading “Five reasons why you should see WOODLAWN as soon as you can!”

One pastor’s thoughts on the International Mission Board situation

In recent days, I have had a number of people both inside and outside the church I serve who asked me my thoughts on the well-publicized financial issues at the International Mission Board. I decided to share them here in hopes that it will encourage people to become more informed and prayerful. First of all,Continue reading “One pastor’s thoughts on the International Mission Board situation”

Put it on your calendar now and go see WOODLAWN!

I want to use this space today to urge you to go see a movie the weekend of October 16-18, 2015.  That is the premiere weekend for the movie Woodlawn in theaters.  Last night, I was invited by a friend to attend a private screening of the movie with several members of the team andContinue reading “Put it on your calendar now and go see WOODLAWN!”

Challenging trends in the same-sex marriage debate

As a pastor, I use words every week in my speaking and writing. I am also an observer of the words people use, the arguments people make, and how they make their arguments. In recent months, I have seen a definite shift in terms of the debate regarding same-sex marriage in our culture. As aContinue reading “Challenging trends in the same-sex marriage debate”

A needed lesson on Baptist polity

This week the Madison Baptist Association in Huntsville has made the news because of the action they took on Tuesday to remove Weatherly Heights Baptist Church from fellowship in the association. This action stemmed from the support of and participation in gay weddings by some ministers from the church.  As I watched & read theContinue reading “A needed lesson on Baptist polity”

A Powerful Word in a Changing World

It’s so wonderful when the Word of God speaks to us in a new and fresh way. Over the weekend in my personal Bible reading Psalm 12 jumped off the page for me. As many times as I have read it, it is more meaningful to me today than ever before. First please allow meContinue reading “A Powerful Word in a Changing World”