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Continue reading →: Christians without a church or church without a steeple?
A recent Christian Century article asks the question as to whether someone can be saved without having to go to church. Although the answer to this seems obvious–a person can be saved anywhere, lest the Gideons be out of business–this question is actually more compelling than it might seem at…
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Continue reading →: A peace that endureth
The second verse of the enduring hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” states, “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.” There is something to be said about peace, especially in a society in which peace is difficult to find. Peace can mean many different things. It could point to political…
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Continue reading →: Lack of friendships in economy only adds to isolation and depression
When we consider our economic downturn in the United States, we immediately think about lack of jobs and money. As I talk to more people, however, I learn that the glaring casualty from America’s recession is a loss of friendships. One might assume that the prevalence of online networks, such…
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Continue reading →: Raise Mine Ebenezer: Reflections with a Grateful Heart
Sermon preached at Trinity Baptist Church, during Christival season, October 9, 2011, by Reverend Mike Robertson. It is Columbus Day weekend and a time to remember a bit of history even if inaccurate. Someone once said that if we do not learn from history then we are doomed to repeat…
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Continue reading →: Autumn, simple worship brings us back to the heart of God
In early October, 2011, I had the privilege of worshiping in the sixth oldest church in Georgia–Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church . It is home to some good friends of ours whom we visit several times a year. This was my family’s annual October trip, a time to enjoy changing leaves, all-you-can…
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Continue reading →: What’s in a name? Southern Baptists and Baptist identity
A conflict in my church’s recent history concerned a rumor that made its way through the congregation. Some were under the belief that the staff was planning on dropping the “Baptist” in Trinity Baptist Church. Not sure how the rumor got started, especially since staff then (and now) are more…
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Continue reading →: “Class Warfare” a political smokescreen, advocate for God’s Kingdom instead
I was wondering how long it was going to take before we heard the words, “class warfare,” in the national debate about our economy. As we continue to move deeper into election season, there will be plenty of rhetoric like this. Christians will try to get into the debate one…
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Continue reading →: Don’t miss out on the gifts that today brings
A short story by John Connolly* is about a recently widowed gentleman who visits a hotel room that he and his wife of 46 years frequented every year. As the story goes, he falls asleep on the easy chair and wakes up to find a red suitcase that belonged to…
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Continue reading →: Suffering for Christ allows us to become “fully human”
Tucked in the middle of the book of Acts, somewhere around the fourteenth chapter, is a story about Paul’s mission trip to Lystra. There, he miraculously heals a man who couldn’t walk from birth. The locals claimed that Paul was a god, and they worshiped him against his will. That…
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Continue reading →: Raising Great Commission kids is important in faith development
Jesus once told his disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Mt. 19:14 NRSV). Although we know that Jesus has a special place in his heart for children, it is rather…
Engaging Heart, Mind, and Soul
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia is a pastor, writer, and chaplain residing in Florida. He is author of three books and regular contributor to Smyth & Helwys’ Formations Series. His articles have appeared in USA Today, Baptist News Global, Christian Ethics Today, TCPalm, and Rockdale Citizen.
Baptist Spirituality explores the intersection of faith and culture incorporating biblical scholarship, culture and the arts, politics, science, and theology.
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