The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, I’m going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first. The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, I’m going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first.   Experiences of the last year have taught me that if someone inflicts damages to you or your property, his being insured is important, but the insurance company is vitally important.   Last November 8, the traffic light was holding yours truly in place. Sitting there, minding my own business, waiting for the light to turn from red to green, the sounds of screeching tires drew my attention. A glance at the rearview mirror revealed a large pickup, rapidly closing the space between his bumper and mine.   The significant jolt of the truck hitting my car would have been an abrupt introduction had I not heard the squealing tires. With my brakes on, the truck managed to knock me 20 feet into the intersection.   No problem. The … [Read more...]

Conflict between theological/political factions in the Missouri Baptist Convention continue to boil - and seems to ensure a contentious annual meeting this fall. Conflict between theological/political factions in the Missouri Baptist Convention continue to boil - and seems to ensure a contentious annual meeting this fall.   Controversy has marked the last three annual meetings in the state as fundamental/conservatives and moderate/conservatives battle for control. Now, several developments seem to assure a similar result this fall. Consider:   •After winning their third presidential election in a row last year, fundamental/conservatives gained control of a key committee that nominates leaders for state trustee boards.   Now, they are reported to be moving quickly to fill the boards with members sympathetic to their causes, sometimes bypassing trustees who would traditionally be offered a second term and tightening qualifications for all nominees.   In July, a state nominating committee declined to re-nominate at least 24 persons eligible for second terms on convention boards and agencies. That followed an earlier announcement that the committee would impose … [Read more...]

Make sure everything is done right   Time capsules are not an exact science, but churches should follw some rules if members want items to be well preserved, archivists say. Make sure everything is done right   Time capsules are not an exact science, but churches should follw some rules if members want items to be well preserved, archivists say.   An airtight, fireproof container and proper packaging materials are two keys, explains Cheryl Doty, archivist for the Kentucky Baptist Convention.   "If you are putting your items in something, make sure it is airtight and it won’t rust," the Kentucky Baptist worker says. "If there is any dampness, you’re going to have to be careful that it won’t rust."   Glass containers run the risk of breaking or melting in a fire, Doty points out. "Finding a fireproof box would be the best thing, probably, then maybe sealing around it with something," she says.   The choice of paper for printed materials is an important element for a time capsule as well.   "Make sure it is low-acid paper," says Glen McAninch, branch manager for technology analysis and support with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and … [Read more...]

Investment frauds that take advantage of people’s faith are on the rise, state security regulators warned at a recent press conference. Investment frauds that take advantage of people’s faith are on the rise, state security regulators warned at a recent press conference.   Three large recent cases alone have combined for losses of nearly $1.5 billion, the North American Securities Administrators Association reported recently. "I’ve been a securities regulator for 20 years, and I’ve seen more money stolen in the name of God than in any other way," said Deborah Bortner, director of securities for Washington state and president of the association.   In all, regulators identified 75 such cases from the last few years, affecting more than 90,000 victims and costing investors $1.8 billion in lost funds.   One case involves the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, which took in more than $590 million from 13,000 investors before being shut down by officials in 1999.   In another, Greater Ministries International allegedly took in nearly $580 million in six years, promising investors that the church would double their money through divinely inspired investments.   In another … [Read more...]

Ask Aunt Josephine’s relatives, and they will say she was once saved, always saved. The reason? She walked the aisle at age 8. Ask Aunt Josephine’s relatives, and they will say she was once saved, always saved. The reason? She walked the aisle at age 8.   Aunt Josephine may not have darkened the church doors in recent years. She may not have read her Bible in 50 years. But at least she was baptized.   That simple fact leads many Baptists to say with certainty the Aunt Josephines of the world are regenerate, saved, assured of heaven.   However, is this the biblical teaching on perseverance?   And is this understanding of baptism and "making a decision" any different from the sacramentalism of Catholicism?   Not really, argue Thomas Schreiner and Ardel Caneday in their recent book, "The Race Set Before Us." Schreiner is professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.Caneday is professor of Bible at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn.   "It’s struck me lately that there is a danger that Baptists can be as sacramental as Catholics," Schreiner said. "Catholics may say, ‘At least they were baptized,’ … [Read more...]