Texas Baptists Committed - A Rancher's Rumblings, February 19, 2008

OBSERVATION #1: BAH HUMBUG ON THE FLU!!!

Looking ahead at the coming year, I find many reasons to be excited about Baptist life, particularly Texas Baptist life. At the same time, I’m sick of having the flu for over a month – it’s just frustrating!

But let’s take a look at the reasons for my excitement. First, last month’s New Baptist Covenant Celebration in Atlanta promises to be the beginning of a movement that will unify Baptists throughout North America – and, perhaps, even the world – in cooperating to carry out the imperatives of the Gospel.

Then there is Joy Fenner, who is the first woman to serve as president of the BGCT. I’m excited for the BGCT to have the benefit of her leadership in a time as challenging as this.

I deeply appreciate Charles Wade’s friendship and support throughout the years, and am thankful that this relationship will continue in his retirement. But the arrival of a new executive director for the BGCT always brings the anticipation of fresh ideas and a fresh vision.

Finally, I’m excited about the expansion of our mission at TBC, which our Board of Directors approved in Amarillo in October. In the weeks to come, you’ll be hearing more about the new initiatives through which TBC plans to provide support to our churches and our people.

All of this has combined to excite me about the future and make me feel young again, even at 55.

However, on the Friday before the New Baptist Covenant Celebration, my “Baptist fever” was replaced by a real fever brought on by the flu – and it keeps coming back over and over. It’s dampened my excitement, to say the least.

OBSERVATION #2: IT’S MY OWN FAULT, AND I SHOULD KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

The flu is no fun, but my goodness I have lots to be thankful for. After all, the flu is not usually life‑threatening. Yes, it’s a pain, but I’ll live.

It keeps coming back, because every time I start feeling better, I go out and work myself sick on the ranch – like the Saturday before last, when I spent 5 hours on a small bulldozer, pushing cedar trees down; or this past Saturday, when I stood in drizzling rain for 2 hours at a farm auction – in 36-degree weather, no less – to buy some guard rail to rebuild the pens at the ranch.

Maybe I should start listening when people call me stubborn!

(continued)

OBSERVATION #3: LOOK AROUND YOU, AND SEE LIFE HAPPENING

Over the weekend, three happenings reminded me that – regardless of my frustration over the flu – life’s pretty good.

On Friday night, while alone at the ranch, I heard a noise and opened the door. Here came my dog, Bear, running into the cabin. Suddenly, the entire place smelled like skunk. Bear was an outside dog for the rest of the weekend. But he made me smile – Bear had had a bumper sticker moment; he found out that “life happens.” He is having some trouble understanding why no one will come near him. Haven’t we all had those moments?

On Sunday night, when Loretta and I went to feed the cows, we noticed that two cows were coming in very slowly. We could see their little black calves – just above the broomweed – following their mothers. Funny how little things like that can remind you of the big things in your own life. I smiled, missed my Dad, and – for a brief moment – realized how much I enjoy living. What a feeling!

That morning, Taylor Sandlin – my pastor – who will turn 30 this week, reminded me again of what a bright future we have as Texas Baptists. His sermon on Abraham and faith was tremendous, and the baby dedication was as good as I have ever witnessed. Taylor is a testament to the wisdom of Texas Baptists – and the grace of God – in establishing Truett, Logsdon, and B. H. Carroll Seminaries. Yes, Texas Baptists did good!

OBSERVATION #4: MORE THOUGHTS ON BAPTIST LIFE

As my health returns, I continue to reflect on the New Baptist Covenant Celebration and what a grand time we had together. However, I feel sorry for the young Baptist Press reporter who covered the event. It’s clear to me that he had received instructions to trash it as best he could. He attended my “special interest” session on finding common ground with people of other faiths; I found his observations sad but unsurprising.

(continued)

I continue to marvel at Joy Fenner’s grace, class, and Christlikeness. TBC has never taken a position on the role of women in ministry, because no Baptist denomination, convention, institution, agency, or organization like ours should do so. It is a local church issue, and TBC strongly supports the autonomy of the local church. However, it is clear that BGCT messengers accomplished something very positive in recognizing the work of women in Baptist life by electing a woman as president. I am very proud that TBC played a role in bringing about this wonderful – and historic – event.

I do not know Randel Everett well, but – if, as expected, he is elected by the Executive Board next week – he will have my full support as the BGCT’s new executive director. I repeat – I do not know Randel Everett well. I think I have met him twice in the past but never had a reason to imagine that he would become our next executive director. So much for all those folks who blogged repeatedly that I had somehow “picked out” the new executive director! Their claim had no basis in fact – as I consistently pointed out during the past year. Let me assure you, however, that I pledge to pray and work with Randel, in every way possible, to move Texas Baptists into an exciting new future. I also pledge to encourage and support him in resisting all efforts to revisit the battles of the past.

Finally, I am excited as TBC starts a mentoring program for young pastors; works to promote Baptist principles more effectively on our college and seminary campuses; seeks to continue the growth of our cowboy and ethnic congregations; and works to help sharpen Texas Baptists’ focus on ministry, evangelism, and biblical ethics.

So my excitement has returned. Baby calves make me feel alive, and the flu will soon be gone. God is good and gracious, and alive and active. Let’s all partner with Him this week by loving someone in His name.