Pastor’s Blog – January-February 2024

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline” (1 Timothy 1:7).

As I prepare this Pastor’s Blog for January-February 2024 as the pastor of Saloma Baptist Church, I am thankful for having experienced a joyous and blessed Christmas season with my family and with our church family. We have witnessed once again the eternal truth of the Christmas message and its transformational impact upon all of us who choose to profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. The baby of Bethlehem is the same Messiah who died on the Cross for our sins some 33 years after his birth, the same Messiah who arose from the dead, the same Messiah who ascended into heaven and sits this very day at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us, and the same Messiah who will return some day for his church. Praise be to God for this message – one that we should celebrate every day.

 You will notice two verses listed at the beginning of this blog. These are the two verses – Isaiah 43:18-19 and 1 Timoth 1:7 – for the new year of 2024. As some of you may recall, I have followed this practice for many years – choosing an Old Testament and a New Testament verse for the year. These verses become a guiding light and point of meditation, motivation, and study for me throughout the year. I have long recommended this practice as one of the spiritual disciplines for the members and friends of Saloma Baptist Church.

What are the benefits in choosing a verse(s) for a year? This practice helps us to focus on the Bible and may help increase our commitment to the discipline of regular Bible study. These verses can help keep us focused over an extended period on the particular message that is given by the scripture passages. Memorization of key verses, as many of us learned as children, becomes an important source of inspiration and guidance as we face those inevitable challenges that come our way over the course of twelve months. God may be leading us in a particular direction over time and encouraging us to depend more on Him on a daily and ongoing basis. We benefit from the consistency in reading and prayerfully focusing on the meaning of the verse – it may be something that we really need in our lives and that God is speaking to us to help guide us in the right direction.

Let me offer a few thoughts on the two verses that I have been led to choose for 2024. In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Lord is reminding us that we should not look backward but that we should focus on what is yet to come. We are being reminded that should not focus on the past, and that God is “doing a new thing.” Do we see what is coming? God is “making a way” for us in the wilderness of our daily living and providing “streams” even in the wasteland of this life. He’s directing us to look forward and to not dwell on the past – to look forward to the opportunities in 2024 and that he is preparing “a new way” in the days to come.

In 1 Timothy 1:7, Paul is reminding his young friend Timothy that God did not create and save us from our sins to be timid and fearful. So often we dwell on the past and live in fear of what may happen tomorrow. We should not be anxious about what lies ahead, nor waste out time in dwelling on the past. In Jesus Christ, we are given “power, love, and self-discipline” to live boldly for the Lord.

On this day, I am once again claiming the truths stated in these two powerful verses – one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. My prayer is that I will not dwell on the past, nor worry about the future – that I will not be timid and live in fear – but that I will live with the “power, love, and self-discipline” as Paul wrote. In 2024 I encourage you to live in the same way – looking to the future with the hope and faith that are ours in Jesus Christ – living boldly without timidity and fear. May 2024 be a great year of service to our Lord.

Pastor's Blog - November/December 2023

The months of November and December are always a very busy time in the life of a church as well as in the private lives of the members of the church family and community. No doubt, this year will be no different as we move into the late fall and early winter seasons. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will bring with them a lot of added pressures and busy schedules – ranging from family gatherings to workplace pressures to what to buy others for Christmas presents to the possibility of near physical and emotional exhaustion because of busy schedules, financial pressures, eruption of differences in some families, and loss of joy that this season of the year can bring.

 Let me offer a few suggestions for your consideration that might help you get through this upcoming two-month period and that might result in more joy and fellowship rather than exhaustion and pressure:

• During November leading up to Thanksgiving season, take some time to consider the many ways in which you and your family have been blessed. Despite any challenges and difficulties you may have encountered this year, you remain a blessed individual. “Count your many blessings – name them one by one! And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!” The words of this gospel hymn should cause us to shout, “Amen.” Spend some time with God in prayer, study, and fellowship – thank him for all he has done for you and your family in 2023. You will be surprised.

• During the actual Thanksgiving holiday and as families gather, make a commitment to yourself and to God that you will be on your best behavior, you will enjoy time with family (even when there may be some difficulties within the family unit). Avoid discussions related to politics or other topics that may erupt into arguments. Be thankful for your family, enjoy a meal together, watch some football or basketball, play some board games, or card games, and enter into a time of prayer and thanksgiving.

• Then as we move into December and Advent, the pace will pick up no doubt. You will feel the pressure of Christmas related shopping to find that “right gift” for that “right person.” A few suggestions on Christmas 2023: don’t overspend and run up a large credit card debt that you will not be able to payoff in a timely manner; don’t try to outgive others in terms of spending more than you should or try to impress others by what you buy them; look for others that you may be able to help during this season (and year around) – those who are less fortunate – those who may not have family members with whom to celebrate the Christmas season; make a donation to a Christian missions organization or Christian ministry to honor a family member or friend – and there are numerous groups deserving for such support who are serving “the lost and the least” in the name of Jesus the Christ.

• Spend time reading the Old Testament prophecies on the coming of the Messiah and the Gospel accounts of His birth and life. Even though you may have read these accounts many times in years past, it is always rewarding to spend time in the Scriptures as we seek new discernment and deeper understanding from the Holy Spirit as we delve into the coming of God into the world in the form of the Babe of Bethlehem. What a story – what a joy – what a history-transforming event!

• To reduce pressure during this season, you may need to cancel an event or two – you can’t do everything and be everywhere. The most important activities are spending time in your church services, with your family, and in once again understanding the meaning of the Christmas story and how it has transformed our lives because of the death and resurrection of the Christ of Christmas.

 From my family and me, we wish all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving season. We are thankful for all of you and the opportunity to move through these days with you as church family and friends. And we wish you a joyous Advent and Christmas season. May the truth and power of the Christmas story be manifest in your lives.

Pastor's Blog - September/October 2023

Both Christian and secular publications document the fact that the influence of the Christian faith is on the decline in the United States - as it has been over the past several years. Some writers suggest that the American church is declining in size and influence and following the patterns that have been experienced in western European countries over the past century or so. While American politicians at all levels generally conclude their speeches with "God bless America" and a majority of Americans still say they believe in the virgin birth of Jesus according to some polling data, there is increasing evidence that the people of our country are becoming less religious.

As reported in a recent New York Times article titled "America Is Losing Religious Faith (written by Nicholas Kristoff in the August 23, 2023 issue), "They are drifting away from churches, they are praying less and they are less likely to say religion is very important in their lives. For the first time in Gallup polling, only a minority of adults in the United States belong to a church, synagogoe, or mosque." According to this article, authors Jim Davis and Michael Graham state in their newly published book titled The Great Dechurching, "we are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country...More people have left the church in the last 25 years than all the new people who became Christians from the First Great Awakening, Second Great Awakening, and Billy Graham crusades combined."

This "dechurching," as Davis and Graham write in their book, is impacting most all denominations, including evangelicals like Southern Baptists. In his NYT article, Kristoff continues to be a "pious nation by the standards of the rich world...Pew reports that 63 percent of American adults identify as Christian - but that's down from 78 percent in 2007. And in that same period the percentage of adults who say they have no religion has risen to 29 percent from 16 percent..." Kristoff concludes that if these trends continue, "by the mid-2030's fewer than half of Americans may identify as Christian."

Many local churches are reporting a decline in average worship attendance from pre-pandemic (2019) to post-pandemic (2022) - ranging up to 50 percent declines in average attendance depending on the congregation and location (and there are exceptions). At the same time, some churches report that they are reaching more people than pre-COVID 19 pandemic because of attracting new worship participants via live streaming of services. This is an interesting phenomenon, and only time will reveal the longevity and impact of these trends. 

There are many ideas on the cause of the decline of the church in the United States. Some argue that many denominations have become too liberal and secularized with water-downed theology and compromised moral standards. On the other hand, there are those who rightfully point out that the declines are no longer limited to so-called mainline denominations and have come to include the more evangelical and conservative denominations. It can be argued that possibly a part of the problem is that some congregations and denominations in both the main line tradition and the conservative and evangelical tradition have come to place other pursuits above the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the change of loyalty to political leaders who do not reflect Christian character and values, the pursuit of materialism, the pursuit of political and social influence, the loss of a prophetic voice, the failure to preach the saving power of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world while also failing "to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God..." (Micah 6:8). Perhaps a part of the problem is that the non-Christian world does not see the church living up to the teachings of Jesus Christ and bringing the Gospel to bear upon all areas of life. Maybe - just maybe - the decline of the size and influence of the church - that is the community of faith of Jesus Christ - is because we are not being effective witnesses for Jesus Christ and the life transformation that He - and only He - brings to the world. 

People need the Lord! Amen! People need us to be the "light of the world and salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13-16). The United States and the world are waiting for Christ-followers to reach out in love, mercy, and grace and to bring light to the darkness that is so prevalent. 

Pastor’s Blog - July - August 2023

During the months of July and August 2023, I will be sharing a sermon series on the “Seven Deadly Sins.” According to Christian tradition, the seven deadly sins are those behaviors, or feelings, that inspire further sin. They are typically listed as: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. While there is no official listing of the seven deadly sins mentioned in the Bible, these seven specific sins are certainly addressed throughout the scriptures and represent a good summary of the sins of humanity. These seven sins are inward attitudes that affect character as well as conduct. Through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be delivered from the seven deadly sins.

 Pride is listed as the first of the seven deadly sins. It has been said many times that in essence human pride is at the root of all human sin. Carl Sandburg once wrote, “We all want to play Hamlet.” Another way of saying the same thing is, “Everyone wants to lead the parade.” J. Wallace Hamilton calls it the “drum major instinct.” The drum major struts about as the band marches in unison. The drum major stands out as the leader, and the members of the band, who actually produce the music, march in anonymity. 

 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on February 4, 1968 (two months before his assassination), delivered his “Drum Major Instinct” sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In the powerful sermon, Dr. King spoke to his congregation about the negative results of the “drum major instinct,” which he defined as the desire “to be first, to be recognized, and to distinction.” If not controlled, Dr. King pointed out that the “drum major instinct” would become destructive, leading to a feeling that the world is all about “me.” 

 We learn early in life to feel that life should put us first. The first cry of a newborn baby is for attention. As a child grows up, he or she learn “cute and clever ways” to get the spotlight. Children will often disrupt a serious adult conversation in order to become the center of attention. And we all carry this forward, much too often, into our adult lives as we seek social approval and the acclaim of our peers. Even in adult life, many people live by the drum major instinct. For example, some people will not sing in the church unless it is a solo, nor will they serve unless given significant credit.

 The sin of pride is at the root of many of the problems and issues we face. Pride often will cause people to lose their sense of sin. A little girl said to er mother, “When I do it, it is a bad temper. When you do it, it is nerves.” The writer of Proverbs says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

 Pride is what caused the angels to fall and in turn caused Adam to fall. Pride prompted the building of the Tower of Babel. The generation after the great flood declared independence from God. Today pride causes us to spend money for things we do not have for things we do not enjoy – in order to impress people we may not even like. Pride causes us to be blind to our own limitations and causes us to think we are self-sufficient.

 Some people deny that they are sinners in need of Jesus. They are not willing to assume the role of a servant. Do you remember that Jesus – who was the Son of God – took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples including the feet of Judas? But we expect others to wash our feet!

 Love that is based in Jesus Christ is the solution to the sin of pride. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 

 In place of the “seven deadly sins” starting with pride, let us concentrate on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit as enumerated in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control…”

Pastor's Blog - May-June, 2023

One of our deacons and I were recently discussing the passing of time and how quickly it seems time passes as we grow older. We both recalled how it was so different as children and even then, as young
adults as we established our homes, pursued our careers, and raised our children. In those days, we were focused on the tasks at hand day by day and month by month. In retrospect, we agreed that it all passed very quickly and that as we reach senior adult age, it seems that the days, months, and years quickly fade away.

As a child growing up on a farm in Cumberland County, I remember how slow time seemed to pass. From one Christmas to the next Christmas, from one birthday to the next birthday, from the beginning of the school year in the fall to the beginning of summer vacation nine months later, and that long year of waiting until I reached my 16th birthday so I could get my driver's license and gain some supposed independence -- it just seemed that "Father Time" passed so very slowly.

And then I became an adult and over a period of five decades (that makes me feel really old when I put it that way), Cathy and I were married, pursued successful careers, discovered a wonderful community we decided to make our permanent earthly home, dedicated our lives to serving our Lord, became the
loving parents of four wonderful children, experienced the growing up of our children to become adults of their own and all pursuing individual careers, and then the blessed birth of four wonderful grandchildren - one of whom is now married, one who is now a junior in college after only one year of
full-time enrollment, another of whom is now driving, and the youngest of whom will be a freshman in high school this fall. Oh, my, how quickly "Father Time" seems to have passed over these five decades.

This reminds me of the importance of considering time from the perspective of God. The Bible tells us that we are to use our timely wisely because there are so many things in life that will pop up along the way and distract us from the main things of faith, family, friends, and serving God. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul writes: "For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." This verse reminds us that today is the day of salvation - the time of God's favor - we must make sure that we have wisely used our time to receive God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and that we are living daily for Him in all that we do. That is the most important decision and "good time management" that we can follow. John, the beloved apostle, wrote: "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." Are we doing the
will of God each day of this life? John 9:4 reads: "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." It is urgent that we must be about the work of God each day and making best use of the time that we have. Proverbs 27:1 states: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." We should live each day to the fullest without dwelling on tomorrow - this is the only moment and only day that we are guaranteed. Psalm 90:12 tells us: "Teach us to number our days, that you may gain a heart of wisdom." We never know how many days we may have remaining in this life; therefore, we should make each and day count for our Lord, our family, our friends, and our calling.

The words of 2 Peter 3:8-9 really are strategic for us to consider: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Praise be to God that is patient and gracious to us.

In summary, it is evident that God's perspective on time is much different than ours. We are finite beings, bound by time, but God is not. We often lose sight of the passing of time and the need in our lives to live each day as if it were our last - living life to the fullest in Jesus Christ, seeking God's will for our lives, being open to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit in all things, savoring each moment we have with our family and friends, and in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. Living the abundant life (John 10:10b) is the best way we can deal with the passing of time and the changing circumstances that result as time moves forward.