Resources from 1996

There is no such thing as self-control. Do you realize you can't "not" do anything? The more you try "not to do," the worse it gets. The moment I'm on a diet, I think about Twinkies and Snickers and I'm not even hungry. When I think about not eating, all I see is the food […]

"Americans United" Oppose Posting of Historical Documents In an article headlined, "American Heritage' Bill Appearing in States"1, Americans United for Separation of Church and State warned that "legislation that would permit public schools to post historical documents with religious references and passages from the Congressional Record is making headway in some states." The bill, which […]

On Saturday evening, December 30, 1995, Dan Donaldson got the news that the church where he grew up and had served as pastor for 14 years was in flames. "It was hard to believe," Donaldson says. "Even at that point I couldn't imagine that the entire church was destroyed." The following morning when the almost […]

Tim Rogers drives an hour and a half to attend worship services at First Baptist Church in Fenton, Missouri. The single father says he really likes the pastor and has many friends in the congregation, but the main reason he makes the drive every Sunday is because his daughter, Jennifer, loves her Sunday School class. […]

Like Nehemiah, who refused to abandon his assignment from God to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem despite incessant interruptions by critics and naysayers, so must Christians hold fast to God's call to ministry in their lives. "Don't ever compromise your calling," said Morris Chapman, speaking at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. "Never has there […]

Almost every busy person, at one time or another, complains of not having enough time. I can show you how you can get thirty extra hours a month to: • spend in prayer and devotion, • study the eternal Word of God, • learn a musical instrument, • read great books, • play with your […]

1. The conservative renaissance in the Southern Baptist Convention was a raw grab for political power — the "outs" against the "ins." 2. Widespread busing of messengers occurred in order to win the convention votes. 3, The conservatives had compiled an enormous war chest of funds with which to promote their cause. 4. Wide-scale taping […]

For Tom Fane, getting to Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield means a half-hour drive from his job at Tejon Ranch, which, at 280,000 acres, is the largest deeded ranch in California. Fane has been riding and roping in California, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah since he was 17. "It's the cowboy way of going […]

As Pastor Bob Smith rounded the corner, heading toward his study after Wednesday Bible study, he was met by Clarice Jerdan, one of his church members who had a way of turning a not-quite-current phrase, with a whole series of questions. "Pastor, what was all that noise about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes here in […]

Whatever our chosen terminology — awakening, revival, renewal — there is one fact upon which we must all agree: We are calling for the sovereign disposition of a Holy God on our behalf. We are seeking God's intervention in our lives. We are pleading for God to move among us, calling us to righteousness and […]