I’m Done With It!

After much prayer and meditation. I am no longer going to be in the Montoya/Davis pig slop. I have had enough of the rant of these two purveyors of negativity, more from Montoya than Davis.

After talking with a friend this morning and being asked why I even read Montoya’s junk, it got me thinking. Why read the garbage? He can’t spell, much less have appropriate grammar (not that my grammar is better) and yet I still look at the “car wreck”.

I have been called all kinds of names by these two. But Davis was hitting below the belt lately.  I don’t deserve that kind of treatment. The two of them can’t take any criticism at all. If you blog on about how bad the BGCT is,  then they like you and will steer others in your direction. Why they might even quote you and make ya famous.

Admittedly when ever I respond to Davis or Montoya my hit count skyrockets. I guess others like to see how I will respond. It is like a school yard fight. I didn’t like them as a kid and still don’t like them now.

I guess they like picking fights with anyone who disagrees with them. I will no longer allow them to slam me. I have always allowed them to respond on my blog. But at least on Montoya’s I am not able to. So that is like the bully who is bigger and taller than you and puts his hand on your head and makes you swing, but nothing connects.

I realize they will probably shout Amen to my no longer climbing into the slop. I am taking the higher road. They travel on a path that is negative and destructive. They gather and live for hits based on slamming the BGCT and TBC.

I intended no harm whatever to the employee of the BGCT that was let go. I did not mean to imply anything unsavory as the reason for the termination.  Davis and others read into it what was not there. 

For that I am called a hate blogger and a rat. Nevermind that Davis/Montoya have caused much damage to the reputation of so many within the Wade administration. Nevermind that on an almost daily basis Montoya calls  David Currie  names and slams his reputation.

For the names that I have called Montoya and Davis, I sincerely apologize.

I’m done with it! I will blog on more positive things. I realize some of you will disappear and my blog hits will plummet. So what, my self esteem is not based on how many of you read my blog.  I know who I am and whose I am.

I will blog on tough issues, but will no longer go to the Montoya/Davis pig slop arena. Let them blog to each other.

The Rat Responds

Now that Rick Davis has given me a new nick-name, I will respond as the Rat.

I have just completed watching the evangelism CD mailed out by the BGCT. I was inspired and awed by the testimonies on the cd. It isn’t perfect, just like us humans. God can and will use the testimonies on the cd. The Gospel is clearly presented. No high dollars words were used (Davis would be disappointed), just simple everyday language was used to share the Gospel message.

Coupled with much prayer, anyone can hand out the cd and take prayer request. It is not  hard-sell evangelism that is  being pushed by the BGCT. For that I am grateful. Most people are turned off by “in your face” type of evangelism.

Some will not look at the cd. That is a given. Some will be thrown in the trash bin. But some will be curious and look at it. That is what we pray for. It isn’t a perfect system,but it is better than anything else I have seen out there. I endorse it completely and have no theological concerns with it.

I have always encouraged people to share thier testimony. They don’t have to have Scripture verses  memorized in order to share the Gospel, just  share what God has and is doing in your life. We tend to overcomplicate it in our minds and then choose not to share. This tool could be a way to share with someone.

We have to start somewhere and the cd is a good start. I don’t know how many will respond, only God does. It is only a tool, not the end all.

Are E-Mails Private or Public?

With the recent publication via a blogger of e-mails that can be easily misinterpretted, I wonder about the ethical nature of publishing them without permission. I guess I assume they are published with permission.

I would like to think if I e-mail something to someone it is akin to mailing a letter. The letter would by default remain private unless or until permission is given to publish. In light of that, I wonder about the recent cut and pasting of several apparently private e-mails on a certain blog.

Personally before I would publish them, I would seek permission to do so. It would be better to err on the compassionate side of to publish or not, than to just do it anyway because you can. I realize some e-mails are “blanket” mailed to a number of people at the same time. Again, I would prefer to err on the side of caution on that matter.

Another thing about e-mails or letters for that matter. They don’t convey emotions and facial expressions. Even here on blogs, we say something tongue in cheek and yet it can easily be misunderstood and blown out of proportion. The same can happen when we publish an e-mail without permission, it may have a different meaning to other readers than it’s intended readers.

I just think in the arena of being civil, we ought to check with the e-mail sender before we publish. It is the ethical, moral and Christian thing to do.

Is it Newsworthy?

Is all this stuff about TBC and the leadership changes really that newsworthy? Or is it just being blown out of proportion?  So David Currie is stepping down as the official leader of TBC. Ok and he has shared this recently in his newsletter.

I admire and respect David Currie, as I have mentioned before I don’t always agree with him. He is a fine brother in Christ and his love for our Savior is exemplary. He truly cares about Baptist freedom. When some want to control how and what Baptist are to believe, then David steps up to the plate and addresses it.

Maybe it is newsworthy, but it isn’t a scandal as some so cherish and wish that it were.

David, don’t disappear, keep on keeping us honest.

Scandal at TBC, oh my!!

If only Currie had placed his secret information under a rock we would not have this stuff all over the stinking internet!!

SS has smelled out another supposed scandal. Do ya think he is wringing his hands with glee that Currie et al are going through this change? SS turns to Igor (Rick Davis) and says, “My oh, my what have we here?” 

What SS smells is his own blog.

What, the BGCT is not allowed to Fire anyone?

Apparently a BGCT employee was let go and SS sees a conspiracy in it. Oh, please, is there a nefarious thing going on all the time within the BGCT?

 SS sees a conspiracy behind ever datgum move made.

 Could it be the reason was legit? But no, SS has to imply it was politically motivated.

If the real reason comes out and it doesn’t match what he thinks, there will be silence on his part. Mark my words, he wants,ney desires it to be a bona fide controversy.

No, It’s Not About Currie!!

Churches are leaving the BGCT not because of Currie, but because of the lies being spread by the SBTC. The Fundies are working overtime to come into vacant pulpits and telling churches that the BGCT supports abortion, the gay lifestyle, don’t believe in the Bible the list goes on and on. All lies.

I know this for a fact. I recieved recently a copy of a cd being passed around of an interim pastor who represents the SBTC in our area and his “talk” is full of out and out lies. He says to support the BGCT is to support all of the above mentioned issues. It is the furthest thing from the truth.

I have met maybe a handful of pastor’s who might fit the profile of an out and out liberal. But a handful does not a convention make. I know of many within the SBTC who believe that if you don’t adhere to the inerrancy of Scripture why you are a rank liberal. I adhere to what the Bible uses to describe itself “inspired”, inerrancy is not in the Scriptures.

Some within the SBTC hold to the false teaching that divorce is the unpardonable sin. Just try to get a divorced person in the role of a deacon at one of the fundie churches.

The SBTC was formed on the basis of a bunch of lies. They claim the whole issue for them is the inerrancy of Scriptures. Ok, if that is the case then why do they sign onto the BFM 2000, which does NOT endorse or demand inerrancy? HMMM makes ya wonder.

It was formed because of power. It has been and always has been about power. Being in charge and telling people what they should and shouldn’t believe. “Let us tell you what you are to believe” is the mantra of this group.

So no it is not about David Currie. Currie is right, the problem is and has always been fundamentlism. I remember well a church that called a guy who sold them a bill of goods. No sooner had he been in the pulpit one month he started flexing his muscle and said he was in charge. He said that women could not teach men and asked all the female teachers of mixed classes to resign. The church said no sir, and asked him to step down as pastor. He literally held onto the pulpit and said no. They had to drag him physically out of the church!!

Fundies have and will always sell a bill of goods to get what they want. We need David Currie and TBC to keep it all in check. Don’t misunderstand me, many of my pastor friends are SBTC supporters. I am friends with them, we agree  on the essentials and leave the non-essentials alone.

And it sure aint about …..nevermind, you know who I’m talking about.

Should Churches Boycott the BGCT?

There is a strong push from among some on the blogosphere to boycott the BGCT. They are sending out CD’s with information about some supposed scandal from the past and from that information encouraging churches to withhold funds from the BGCT.

So in essence what they (those pushing the boycott) are doing is calling on churches to short circuit the work of God within the BGCT. They are pulling vital resources in a tough economic situation that will make things worst than they are. They want to send a message, but what they will really do is cause much hurt.

I can still remember in the late 80’s when churches where doing the same thing. They were designating to particular entities they liked and withholding from those they didn’t like. The current bloggers are encouraging the same thing. They don’t like all the entities of the BGCT, so they withhold and cause harm to innocent people.

These same bloggers are encouraging people not to attend the BGCT as a type of protest. So they set at home in silence and pout. Hmm, how mature is that? Why not come and express your opinion by voting? Why not use the process of BGCT bylaws etc, to affect change? Nope, instead they stay home and hold onto thier money.

Why dont’ THOSE bloggers just stop whining and start another competing convention? There is a past history of as many as five conventions with Texas Baptist. Why not another one?  Why not fracture Texas Baptist more than it already is? I say that with tongue in cheek. That is what you are already attempting to do.

Are you helping or hindering? Are you lifting up or tearing down? Are you encouraging or criticizing?  Why not come to convention and encourage us to do better and act better? Staying home sends the wrong message.

Boycotting helps no one and hurts us all. It could have many unintended consequences. Boycotting says, “I don’t want to work with you and so I withhold my money.” I know, I know, the BLOG will say, you are withholding money to send message. But it is a negative message.

Nothing positive will come about by not attending the convention and from withholding money. It only paints an ugly picture of lack of cooperation and competitiveness. It says, my way or the highway.  It is like the children who take their marbles and go eslewhere.

The BGCT needs everyone. Even those who disagree. It needs all who love and worship our Lord. The BGCT is not about the building, it is about the churches. It only facilitates our mission work, it is not a denomination, it is a resource.  And it needs our help too.

Why boycott when we can love? Why boycott when we can pray? Why boycott when we can seek to encourage? 

I have always said, when you have a hard time with someone or something, then pray for them. It is when I do that, they my heart softens and I act differently toward that person or thing. For those of you who are threatening to boycott, have you prayed for the BGCT?  Not for it’s demise, but for God’s leadership and guidance.

Boycotting is really calling for the BGCT’s demise and collapse, and who gets the glory there?

Does anybody Really Care?

Let me phrase this not too delicately. Does anyone give a rat’s behind about the Valleygate junk being posted lately? It is old news and old dirt. It is from days gone by and most people, with one small, very small exception, have moved on.

It is akin to Obama wanting to go after the CIA and dig up dirt on the previous administration. It is going back and not moving on to better things. I for one don’t have time for the past, except to learn from it. I think most will agree the mistakes made with Valleygate have been corrected. But to dig it all up so names can spill out and make heros of some and prop up the egos of others, is just not worth it.

Let’s dream of greater days ahead. Let the visions of the young and old bring revival on a very dry land. Let God lead us forward for His Kingdom. I don’t wanna go back to Egypt as it were. I want to go forward to the promised land.

New Visions and New Dreams

Just finished reading the sermon preached by Mitch Randall of Oklahoma. The sermon was posted on the Texas Baptist Committed e-mail newsletter. I was moved and inspired by his message. He spoke with power and wisdom. He moved me to excitement at the future.

Our Baptist windows seem a little dirty and hard to see through. The windows are covered with controversies that some won’t let go of. They are messed up with sorry decisions and mistakes. The windows don’t open as smooth as they used to, maybe cause many of us are afraid to open them and let in new fresh wind of ideas.

Mitch is pushing for new  and open windows of fresh ideas and movements of God. His sermon was like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.  I was encouraged that our best days are ahead of us. Seems we like reliving the good old days when Baptist did nothing wrong.  Now we can leave all the mistakes and pains behind and move forward.

New ideas are sometimes scary. Just recently began reading a book about the emergent church movement. They are very different kinds of churches. They aren’t like my old traditional church. Most if not all of the people in my church would see what the emergent church is doing as sacrilege.

What the emergent church movement is doing is thinking outside the box. They are doing God’s will in a different way. Admittedly, I’m not entirely comfortable with church meeting in a bar. But it is meeting people where they are and allowing God to work. Jesus was heavily criticized for meeting with sinners on thier turf  and we do make the same criticism.

The point is, we as a convention and churches need to listen to the ideas and visions of the younger generation. They could teach us a thing or two. Afterall we were all young once and our ideas were not freely accepted either. I can still remember the chatter and gossip over singing Bill Gaither songs in church!!! Or when a singing group brought drums to church.  I can still  rememberthe talk among older ladies when my wife wore pants to church.

I agree with Mitch, we can and should look to the future and do so with boldness and gladness. Us old farts need to get out of the way and swollow our pride and let the younger crowd share new ideas and dreams. The future of the BGCT can’t wait for the older generation to die off, it needs change and right now.