CaseyJones1979

Hello Everyone! I trust you are doing well in the Lord today. As I am facing the last day as Interim Pastor, I am kinda glad I am leaving Texas. The reason I am saying this is because every time I read the Baptist Standard newspaper I seem to get mad. This is the state newspaper for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. For those of you who aren't aware... In Texas there are two state Baptist Convention. In my current church I was accused by one man for not being a Texas Baptist since I wasn't partial to the BGCT. Which this idea is preposterous! So, back to my anger issue. The reason I was mad this time and it made me glad to leave Texas and not have to deal with two conventions, is because of an article I read in the current edition of the Baptist Standard. In this current edition, the Standard editor Marv Knox, compares fundamental Christianity (i.e. Conservative Southern Baptists) with Radical Fundamental Islam. As much as I probably wouldnt have like J.Frank Norris and as much as sometimes I wouldnt like Jerry Falwell, is it safe to compare these two men who I still see that they were brothers in the same light as unbeliever? My concern about this is for Texas Baptist life and Southern Baptists everywhere. My concern is when is the name calling going to stop? When are we going to come together for the sake of the glory of Jesus Christ and his fame? Now, I have my standards. After all there is a reason why I told my current congregation that I had problems with BGCT, the Texas Baptist Committed, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. I may say that these people have some issues in their groups and they would say the same about me. But I would not call them an unbeliever! I would not see them in the same light as Fundamental Islam! If everything I read about the New Baptist Covenant were true, then surely they wouldn't do this either.

This Sunday I will be preaching my last Sunday morning and evening sermons at Westside Baptist Church in Corsicana, TX. I have grown to love the people greatly and will miss them severly. This Sunday morning I will be preaching from Colossians 3:12-14. Paul says, "Put on therefore as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindess, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony." I am amazed sometimes how that if as the body of Christ we would simply do what God has called us to do as his people that we would not have the strife and friction that comes in the local church. I am also reminded however that just because we are the church does not mean that we will not sin or do things that offend people. But in light of this, I challenge you as I have been challenged in my study of Colossians 3:1-14 that I should Put to death whatever is earthly in me. I should seek the things above where Christ is, set my mind on the things above. I should also put on compassionate hearts, humility, kindness, meekness, and patience. These are hard things but with the power of Jesus Christ I will be able to do this. Pastoring the churches I have for the last two years have really helped develop my patience more. I am not a very patient man, but the Lord is working on me. I am greatful and humbled that He is long suffering.