Pastor Brad’s Notebook

12 Apr

Posted at 01:34h in Devotionals
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"And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it."  Matthew 28:2 Surely that angel could have done more than just sit there on top of that tombstone.  After all, rolling away the stone from the tomb of Jesus was a great thing, an important thing, something that will forever be remembered.  But to roll that stone aside and then sit on it? What good was that?  What did that accomplish? A great deal, that's what.

04 Apr

Posted at 13:02h in Uncategorized
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When Young, Southern Baptist…And Irrelevant? was first published in the Baptist Courier in late February, I didn’t anticipate the response and conversation that it has generated across the Southern Baptist Convention.  In fact, I have been amazed at how the simple, personal reflection that was first drafted in October of 2010 out of concern for our vision and mission as a denomination has struck such a deep chord with so many Southern Baptists.

25 Mar

Posted at 01:22h in Devotionals
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"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake."  Psalm 23:2-3 That would be easy for David to say, wouldn't it? Who wouldn't be able to claim the Lord as his shepherd after such a great experience? Who wouldn't rejoice in the One who made him lie down in such green and peaceful pastures?

16 Mar

Posted at 18:10h in Uncategorized
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"...one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray..."  Luke 11:1 Many, if not most, people would think that this must have been one of those "delayed disciples." One who sat "in the back of the class."  Surely this was not one of those who had spent the most time and had learned the most from our Lord.  Indeed, I think that it must have been.  In my heart I hear John the Beloved Disciple asking, "Lord, teach us to pray." You see, it is easy to pray, but it  can be very difficult to pray for the right thing.  It would be very easy for us to ask, "Lord, teach me to pray" because we tend to look out for ourselves and our interests. But it is those who sit in the front of the class, who have spent the most time listening to and learning from the Lord, who ask for Him to "teach us to pray."

15 Mar

Posted at 01:16h in Devotionals
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[caption id="attachment_1795" align="alignleft" width="275"] Photo: Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images[/caption] "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'" Matthew 20:7 Those men spoken of in this parable are those standing, waiting, in the market place at the end of the day.  Day's end has come and they have yet to be hired by any man.  But Jesus is no ordinary man.  He calls those the world is unwilling to employ.  He finds a spot, a place, in His vineyard for those who are the world's rejects.  In fact, in a strange sense, it seems that Heaven trusts earth more than earth trusts herself. There are more workers available than the world could ever realize or would be willing to admit. The problem is not with the availability of workers, but with the attitude of the world.  We are so quick to reject those who have ever stumbled or made a mistake.  A sailor who shipwrecks will seldom find a second ship.  We deny even the possibility of the presence of perfume in a broken box.  A stained life is a life set aside - never be used or trusted again.