We have entered into a very special and important part of the annual calendar - the Season of Lent which runs from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week leading us to the annual Easter celebration. In many ways, this season of the year has become increasingly commercialized and secularized - much like the annual Advent and Christmas season. Even among those who are believers in Jesus as Savior and Lord, there are trends away from the sacred message of the Season of Lent and Easter and more emphasis on commercialized and secularized observances of this season. This season of the year is one in which ..read more

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19). “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline” (1 Timothy 1:7). As I prepare this Pastor’s Blog for January-February 2024 as the pastor of Saloma Baptist Church, I am thankful for having experienced a joyous and blessed Christmas season with my family and with our church family. We have witnessed once again the eternal truth of the Chri ..read more

The months of November and December are always a very busy time in the life of a church as well as in the private lives of the members of the church family and community. No doubt, this year will be no different as we move into the late fall and early winter seasons. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will bring with them a lot of added pressures and busy schedules – ranging from family gatherings to workplace pressures to what to buy others for Christmas presents to the possibility of near physical and emotional exhaustion because of busy schedules, financial pressures, eruption of diffe ..read more

Both Christian and secular publications document the fact that the influence of the Christian faith is on the decline in the United States - as it has been over the past several years. Some writers suggest that the American church is declining in size and influence and following the patterns that have been experienced in western European countries over the past century or so. While American politicians at all levels generally conclude their speeches with "God bless America" and a majority of Americans still say they believe in the virgin birth of Jesus according to some polling data, there is ..read more

During the months of July and August 2023, I will be sharing a sermon series on the “Seven Deadly Sins.” According to Christian tradition, the seven deadly sins are those behaviors, or feelings, that inspire further sin. They are typically listed as: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. While there is no official listing of the seven deadly sins mentioned in the Bible, these seven specific sins are certainly addressed throughout the scriptures and represent a good summary of the sins of humanity. These seven sins are inward attitudes that affect character as well as conduct. T ..read more

One of our deacons and I were recently discussing the passing of time and how quickly it seems time passes as we grow older. We both recalled how it was so different as children and even then, as young adults as we established our homes, pursued our careers, and raised our children. In those days, we were focused on the tasks at hand day by day and month by month. In retrospect, we agreed that it all passed very quickly and that as we reach senior adult age, it seems that the days, months, and years quickly fade away. As a child growing up on a farm in Cumberland County, I remember how slow t ..read more

We are now in the Season of Lent as this pastor's blog for March-April 2023 is prepared. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, which was on February 22 this year, Lent runs for a 40-day period, or approximately six weeks, leading up to Easter/Resurrection Sunday (which is April 9 in 2023). Lent is generally observed as a time of fasting, prayer, repentance, and self-reflection. While many Baptist congregations have not traditionally observed the season of Lent, there is an increasing number of Baptists who do cite Lent as a special time on the annual church calendar to give closer attention to the closi ..read more

Since preparing my last pastoral bimonthly blog, there have been several events globally as well as important dates and observances coming up during the months of May and June. Therefore, I want to share a few thoughts on several items in this column. I pray that you will find it of interest and applicable in your own Christian walk. Here are those items on my mind – not in any particular order:   Ukraine: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has captured our attention and brought more unity to the west European alliances, of which our country is a part, than at any point since the end ..read more

We are excited about all that lies ahead in the New Year of 2023. While 2023 will bring its share of challenges and concerns, the dawning of a new year always offers us the opportunity for spiritual renewal and new beginnings in our relationship with our Lord and with our families and friends. The new year reminds us that in Jesus Christ, each day is a new day, and we are renewed in Him as we move through the challenges that come our way. We are forgiven on an ongoing basis of our sins and shortcomings as we come to Him in repentance and prayer and asking forgiveness for the mistakes we have m ..read more

The months of November and December provide an array of opportunities for special worship and fellowship experiences. It can be a very busy and exhausting time for many people as they contend with numerous gatherings and as they sometimes spend excessive amounts of money on purchasing gifts for family and friends. Some people can handle all the business and rush of the season while others can become physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Let me take this opportunity to offer a few suggestions for your consideration as the very busy holiday season comes upon us during November and Dec ..read more