Letters to the Editor
The Rashional Thoughts editorial in the Sept. 29 edition of The Baptist Paper — “Unresolved issues and conflicted hearts hinder our mission” — was timely and needed.
We need more voices crying out for reconciliation for the sake of our mission.
Personal preferences and secondary issues threaten the heart and soul of what Southern Baptists have always been about.
The divisiveness of secular politics has invaded the hearts and lives of God’s people to the extent that we have lost focus on the main thing!
Thank you for reminding us of the importance of moving beyond unresolved issues and conflicted hearts as we strive to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
I pray more and more voices will raise the alert, and that God will bring revival to Southern Baptists as we seek to see a day when every life is saturated and transformed by the hope of the gospel.
Keep up the good work!
Bryant Sims
South Carolina Baptist Convention
Bob and I subscribe to The Baptist Paper and know when we open it that there is going to be rich missions material inside. We’re never disappointed.
I love the fact that you are regional and cover so much territory. The Rashional Thoughts editorials also are a favorite.
You always manage to find an innovative way to capture attention and make a point.
I have never read an editorial of yours that was not both meaningful and well-written.
Rosalie Hall Hunt
Retired missionary to China
Guntersville, Ala.
When children witness or experience violence, they may become distrustful of the people in their lives. They also have a heightened risk for conflict with others, self-destruction, suicide, post-traumatic stress and elevated aggression. Research also shows children who are exposed to long-term violence — as witnesses or victims — are at a higher risk to suffer poor mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, risky sexual behavior, criminality and neglectful or abusive parenting during their adult lives.
Preventative measures include:
- Teaching children to dial 911 and call for help when witnessing a crime, or if their safety is threatened.
- Reducing children’s exposure to violence on television news, social media, videos, films and computer games.
Suggestions for helping children process trauma:
- Provide daily opportunities for children to honestly express their fears and feelings about personal safety. Listen, ask questions and respond in age-appropriate ways.
- Reassure children you love them, pray for them and do whatever you can to protect them from harm.
- As a family, read Scripture and pray together.
Denise George
“Guard kids from negative effects of surging violence”
thebaptistpaper.org
Long before an impending storm breaks, the eagle is fully aware of the coming challenge. He will seek out a spot high aloft and await the coming winds. As the storm breaks, the eagle sets his wings so the currents lift him high above danger.
As the storm rages below, the eagle soars safely above. He does not try to escape nature’s wrath, but uses the challenge to ironically avoid peril.
Mankind is not unlike an eagle’s survival challenges. As we travel though life and strive to become the person we are meant to be, living the fulfilling life we were meant to have, sometimes we must endure hard and difficult times — even to the point of being broken down and having to start all over.
Learn, grow, develop and recalibrate using the storms of life to soar above the winds to new heights.
Always keep in mind everything that happens to you happens for a reason: God’s plan. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. … They will soar on wings like eagles” (Isa. 40:31).
James W. Anderson
Talladega, Ala.
We ought to surround ourselves with people who will hold us accountable, call out our sins, encourage us, pray with us and talk with us about hard topics or passages of Scripture.
Jessica Ingram
“The Beauty of Fellowship”
the-scroll.com
“When we walk into a room, do we bring blue sky or torrential downpours? We must look people in the eye and really listen.”
Ken Allen
Director of Leadercare
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
From the Twitterverse
@jwfowler128
“Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding Person in the universe. The posture most natural to Him is not a pointed finger, but open arms.” —Ortlund
@mhenslee
It’s not as if the pastors of large churches have made it to the big show, the major league, while the guys in unknown towns with a handful of people are in the minor league. It’s not second class, and it’s not a step down; it’s just different.
@pastorjgkell
The inability to show charity and patience toward people with whom we disagree is evidence of spiritual immaturity.
Right doctrine matters, but it must produce love, or it is nothing.
@DrDavidLAllen
3 Rules for Preaching:
1) Have something to say
2) Say it
3) Say it so everyone understands.
@HoustonsFirst
The gospel isn’t just for people who go to church. The gospel is for everyone.
@DeAirRun
For Christian counselors: Your work is not in vain.
You are planting seeds in your clients, but you may not be the one to see the harvest. But rest assured God is using your work to refine the individuals on your caseload. Keep laboring. You will see some of the results in heaven.
@bradjurkovich
Our greatest message is Jesus. Our greatest strength is Jesus. Our greatest hope is Jesus.
More committed than ever to let a lost and dark world know that Jesus loves them, died for them and is returning for all who follow Him.
@shane_pruitt78
The lost aren’t commanded to go to a church building, the church is commanded to leave the building to go to the lost.
