Baby Dedication

Yesterday’s service will forever mark my life. Why? Not only was Sunday’s service the last church service at Irving Bible Church in Irving, TX, but also Nicole and I dedicated Claire back to the Lord. As we stood on the stage in front of the congregation and Pastor Andy McQuitty spoke about the tremendous responsibility of rearing a child, I felt the enormous challenge and duty as a parent. This commitment was no mere confession before the church but a vow before almighty God that we would faithfully carry out responsibility as parents. Though I tried to listen to the pastor’s charge to the parents when he directed a few questions to us, I was totally distracted by the sounds coming from my daughter’s lips. It was quite humorous if you could picture it. Here we are in this momentous ceremony and the pastor asks the parents the following question: “Parents, by coming forward before God and his people, do you hereby declare your desire to dedicate yourselves and your son or daughter to the Lord? If so, please respond by saying ‘we do.’” No sooner did the pastor finish his charge my daughter decided to stick out her tongue and blow a raspberry. Quite the charm! Though several of the parents laughed (including myself), the fathers were soon kneeling with their children offering a prayer for strength and grace in our journey. May God bless all of us who are parents in to carry out our accountability to our children!

Snakes in the Pulpit

On The Michael Baisden Show (Michael Baisden), Baisden interviewed Reuben Armstrong, a talk show host, about his new book, Snakes in the Pulpit (Snakes in the Pulpit). He commented on several sections of his book particularly one chapter named “Booty Shaking Pastors.” He noted that Creflo Dollar is seen in a video “Welcome to Atlanta” with Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris. See for yourself (YouTube). Query "Welcome to Atlanta" and see Pastor Dollar about 1 minute and 13 seconds into the video. Question: Should pastors be involved in rap (or any other) videos?

Inclusivism

“Of course it should be pointed out that, though all salvation is through Jesus, we need not conclude that He cannot save those who have not explicitly accepted Him in this life. And it should (at least in my judgment) be made clear that we are not pronouncing all other religions to be totally false, but rather saying that in Christ whatever is true in all religions is consummated and perfected” (C. S. Lewis, God In The Dock, ed. Walter Hooper, 102)

Do you agree with C. S. Lewis’ statement?

Hymnals of Theology

Ever wonder what criterion is used to determine whether a hymn is theologically sound. Last week, a group of theologians and musicians gathered together at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas to review many hymns and to consider whether they should be included in the 2008 Baptist hymnal(LifeWay Worship). Here is a list of questions that were posed to every hymn to determine its theological and doctrinal validity:

- Does the hymn speak biblically of God?
- Is it God-honoring?
- Does the hymn present a biblical view of man?
- Does the song help us to cover the depth and breadth of our theology?
- Does the hymn call us to true discipleship, service, repentance, witness, missions and devotion?
- Does the hymn speak biblically of salvation?
- Does it engage the whole person - allowing a person to express his deepest feelings?
- Does the hymn emphasize that Christ is the Christian's Lord, Master and King? (the idea of total submission)
- Does the hymn present an Americanized/Westernized gospel? (civil religion)-
- Is there a balance with corporate and individual response in worship? (immanence and transcendence)
- Does the hymn speak biblically about the church, the body of Christ?

7

The Gamecocks’ win over Kentucky last Thursday has placed South Carolina in the top-10 and they are leading the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. The last time the Gamecocks edged their way into the top-10 happened in 2001. Go Cocks!

Does the Bible Teach Cannibalism?

John 6:50-53 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?"

Does the Bible Advocate Violence?

Psalm 137:8-9 “O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you with the recompense with which you have repaid us. How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones against the rock.”

Hosea 13:16 “Samaria will be held guilty, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their little ones will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

Ingredients of a Nurturing Home

Because I am such a strong advocate of the family, I always look for opportunities to spawn parents to examine the health of their family life. Even in my own life, I am constantly probing those areas where I fail to meet God’s standard for me as a husband and as a dad. We all have room to improve in all areas of our lives, so we should not only examine these areas but also encourage others to do the same. I was reminded of this when I read James Dobson’s editorial comments in Time magazine (December 2006 issue). Dobson’s comments were a response to Time’s inquiry about lesbian partners who were raising children in the home. Particularly related to Vice President Dick Cheney’s daughter, Mary, decision to raise a child with her lesbian partner, Dobson argues that children’s development will not flourish properly within a home of same sex couples (Two Mommies is One Too Many). In the editorial, Dobson wrote, “But love alone is not enough to guarantee healthy growth and development. The two most loving women in the world cannot provide a daddy for a little boy—any more than two most loving men can complete role models for a little girl.” As I read his comments, I have to ask, “What are the necessary ingredients for a nurturing home?”

Any thoughts.