EDITORIAL: Christians must not block path to Middle East peace_60203

Posted: 5/30/03

EDITORIAL:
Christians must not block path to Middle East peace

Some U.S. Christians have tried to draw detours on the “road map” to peace in the Middle East. They need to step back from the table and allow residents of that region, who actually must follow that map, to negotiate its course with help from advocates of lasting peace.

For many years, Christians who think they have figured out the scenario for the end of time and believe the geography of Israel and Palestine holds a key to that scenario have inserted their influence into Middle Eastern affairs. While they are not the sole cause of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed, their views and their involvement have hindered the peace process. On the one hand, they have given intransigent agents within Israel the sense they can act with impunity, believing strong political forces within the United States will back them, no matter what. On the other hand, they have exacerbated many Palestinians' hopelessness-born anger, feeling they have nothing to lose and will be condemned, no matter what.

People of all faiths, particularly Christians, Jews and Muslims, should be concerned about and strive for peace in the Middle East. The strip of land along the Jordan River is holy ground. More importantly, however, all the people who live there were created in God's image and should be able to live in peace, without fear of suicide bombers or military mortar.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

CYBERCOLUMN: Music and worship_simpson_60203

Posted 5/30/03

CYBERCOLUMN:
Music and worship

By Berry D. Simpson

I recently attended a Sunday evening service in a Midland-area church, and it was the loudest worship service I ever experienced (unless I count that one Sunday morning in a premier Dallas church when the organist pinned me to the pew, blew my hair straight back and rendered me unable to speak due to the compression waves moving through my windpipe). I've been to a few very loud rock-and-roll concerts, including Rock the Desert here in Midland, but I was expecting the high volume on those occasions. This time in this church, I was caught completely off guard. Maybe the fault was mine for being on the front row of the church very near the speakers.

I must say the praise band was excellent. They were solid musicians and showed long hours of practice. Everyone else in the church was having a great time singing with the band and praising God. It's true that I thought they were singing the same simple chorus over and over, forever and ever, and I longed for a hymn or ballad where the words changed occasionally, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying this powerful experience. I have no reason to doubt that their worship was authentic and true and sincere. They were in the right place doing the right thing; I was the one who didn't belong.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARY: Start with a huugg_cosby_60203

Posted: 6/04/03

COMMENTARY:
Start with a huugg

By Terry Cosby

Dallas has a lot of concrete and asphalt. It has a lot of people, too. I saw a few of them recently.

Going to the oncologist's office is never fun. We took my mother-in-law for a checkup. Sometimes, it's OK when you leave and you've gotten pretty good news, as we did. Other people I worry about.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Rick McClatchy to lead CBF Texas_60903

Posted: 6/06/03

Rick McClatchy to lead CBF Texas

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

Rick McClatchy has been named the first full-time coordinator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Texas.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

ANOTHER VIEW: Huge farms harvest ethical issues _farley_60903

Posted: 6/06/03

ANOTHER VIEW:
Huge farms harvest ethical issues

By Gary Farley

Even while the small textile and electronics plants of rural America have been closing, modern agriculture has become increasingly industrialized.

Traditionally, family farms produced a healthy assortment of row crops, forage and livestock. Presently, they are being replaced with massive operations that specialize in one or two products. De-industrialization in one facet of the rural economy is being accompanied by re-industrialization in the agricultural sector.

Recent tours of the major agricultural operations in my western Alabama county have taken me to pig nurseries where two workers are raising 4,000 piglets inside large, enclosed sheds. Due to careful genetic work, each pig parlor resident looks like every other inhabitant. The ideal is a lean, meaty porker.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: The kid’s home; we adjusted OK_60903

Posted: 6/06/03

DOWN HOME:
The kid's home; we adjusted OK

Sometimes, the worst part of any new event is all the “expert” information you get ahead of time.

Take medical procedures, please. If you've ever had surgery and other people knew about it in advance, you probably heard enough worst-case scenarios to fill several episodes of “ER.”

Years ago, I had a hernia repaired, and several of my friends found out in advance. They managed to remember every stitches-ripping malfunction and every gauze-left-in-the-gizzard malpractice known to medical science. Turns out, the operation and recuperation were a walk around the block (just what the doctor ordered) compared to listening to my buddies recite everything that could go wrong.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Take steps to strengthen, lengthen ministers’ tenures_60903

Posted: 6/06/03

EDITORIAL:
Take steps to strengthen, lengthen ministers' tenures

What enables a minister to stay with a church a long time? Two articles in this week's Standard explore that theme, as some of Texas Baptists' longest-tenured pastors and a minister of music discuss their calling and careers. Their stories build a solid case for investing many years of ministry in one church.

Several personal qualities seem to help these ministers remain effective in their churches through many years. They're patient and mature. They focus on preaching and ministry. They work hard to stay current inprofessional disciplines. They handle conflict well. They love their people.

But long, successful tenures are not the domain of the minister alone. Like any other relationship, the bond between ministers and churches thrives on reciprocity. Your church can take several steps to strengthen and lengthen the service of your ministers, whether you only have a pastor or a large staff:

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

CYBERCOLUMN: Can we keep from singing?_younger_60903

Posted 6/07/03 CYBERCOLUMN: Can we keep from singing? By Brett Younger The persistent demand throughout the Bible that we sing may at first seem cruel to those of us whose…

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

RUSSELL DILDAY: Baptists Today, yesterday and tomorow_60903

Posted: 6/010/03

RUSSELL DILDAY:
Baptists Today, yesterday and tomorow

Below is the text of a message delivered by Russell Dilday, former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, upon his receipt of the Judson-Rice Award for leadership and integrity from Baptists Today April 25.

By Russell Dilday

I consider this recognition as immensely significant in part because of the other recipients: Jimmy Allen and Tony Campolo. To be included in that noteworthy duet is humbling.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARY: Father’s love_walton_60903

Posted: 6/12/03

COMMENTARY:
Father's love

By Rusty Walton

Brenda and I are having some trees removed from our yard. One of the big pine trees out back is infested with beetles. A couple of pileated woodpeckers (those big Woody Woodpecker types) have pecked off most of the tree’s bark in their never-ending search for insects and nesting sites. Dead limbs, pinecones and chips of decaying wood lie in a thickening mat over our usually well-manicured St. Augustine lawn. This tree is in the "dangerous" stage of deterioration, so hiring a professional to carefully remove it has become a necessity.

A smaller pine in the backyard and a little sweetgum tree next to our driveway also need to be removed. The pine tree is growing too close to the house. Its falling needles clog the gutters and downspouts, and in a few years any limbs that fall will likely drop onto the roof. Pine trees also are notorious lightning rods, and Mrs. Preacher says I attract enough lightning already.

The sweetgum tree is too close to the driveway. Sweetgum roots grow close to the surface, and in a couple of years, these roots will crack the concrete, causing extensive damage, demanding costly repairs. A wise homeowner will remove a sweetgum next to a driveway.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

‘Bringing Up Boys’ takes Dobson back to his roots_62303

Posted: 6/13/03

'Bringing Up Boys' takes
Dobson back to his roots

By Mark Wingfield

Managing Editor

At the apex of his career, James Dobson has returned to the communication medium that first made him one of the nation's foremost spokesmen for conservative Christian family values.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

CYBERCOLUMN: Higher ground_vancleve_60903

Posted 6/17/03

CYBERCOLUMN:
Higher ground

By Donna Van Cleve

Train up a child in the way he should go…

A friend once told me he was going to let his children choose what to believe about God when they got older. I wonder if he applied that same philosophy to other important areas of his children’s lives. Did he leave it up to his children to discover proper nutrition through the years, assuming they would eventually learn to make the right choices in eating balanced meals? Did he let his children choose their own bedtimes? Did he allow his children to decide whether they wanted an education or not? And they chose not, did he allow them to stay home?

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge