Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 9:32-37
One of the amazing things about my children is their memory. They do not seem to hear me when I remind them of their chores, but let me forget to do something they wanted to do and I am immediately met by “But Dad, you promised.” They remember my promises and do not hesitate to remind me when they are in danger of not being met. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
During a family vacation, Sarah got a little ornery and pushed Hannah. “Did you push your sister?” I asked. “No,” she denied. Since this was becoming a growing pattern for Sarah, I decided to take a walk with her to get to the bottom of things. “Sarah,” I told her, “I’m really disappointed with your behavior. What do you need to do about it?” [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-12
I was taught the FAITH evangelism strategy in Auburn, Ala., almost 20 years ago. I went because my church was planning on making it their method of outreach and since I was on staff, it was a good idea that I be trained in it. I did not go because I wanted to learn more about evangelism, and to be honest, I had not done a lot of evangelism. I was intimidated and uncertain concerning this week of training. I smile now, remembering how that week of training changed my life and equipped me to share my faith. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:1-10
Pastor Andy Stanley recently gathered with about 250 singles to answer questions on the topic of love, sex, and dating. The most pointed question of the night came from a middle-aged gentleman. “Why save sex for marriage?” [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 7:1-8
I have had the privilege of being a part of helping to start two new churches. I have arrived early on Sunday morning and set up folding chairs in a gym for the morning worship and stayed to take them down and put them away. There were a lot of inconveniences along the way, but there was also a special sense of excitement and fellowship. With both those churches, the first Sunday in a permanent building was a spiritual milestone. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: II Corinthians 4:16-18; 12:7-10
After living as a quadriplegic for 45 years, Joni Eareckson Tada reflected on the diving accident that changed her life. Immediately after the accident, Joni told God, “You’ll never be trusted with another of my prayers.” But after struggling with anguish and anger Joni said, “I prayed one short prayer that changed my life: ‘Oh God, if I can’t die, show me how to live.’ That was probably the most powerful prayer I had ever prayed.” [Source: Marvin Olasky, “Loving Life,” World (1-12-13)] [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-19
We enjoy the great benefits of digital resources and the Internet. I can do Bible research in a fraction of the time. I can quickly copy and paste any valuable information into my document and mark its source with ease. I can communicate with other ministers and missionaries quickly through e-mail and social media. It has made work and personal connections easier. However, there is a negative aspect to the Internet, e-mail, and social media. The attacks and rumors have become more frequent and harder to resolve. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Herschel Hobbs told a story of one man asking another, “If you had a thousand hogs, would you give me half of them?” “Sure!” came the man’s reply. “Well, if you had a hundred hogs, would you give me half of them?” Again, “Sure!” was the answer. “Okay, if you had two hogs would you give me half of them?” “That isn’t fair!” came the reply. “You know that I have two hogs!” The man was generous with what he did not have, but was miserly with what he did have. [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Genesis 9:1-7; Proverbs 24:10-12; Philippians 2:12-16a
We live in a day when the value of human life is loudly discussed. From political talk shows to coffee shops, everyone has opinions about hot button issues like abortion or euthanasia. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Exodus 23:1-3, 6-9
In his book When a Nation Forgets God, Erwin Lutzer retells one Christian’s story of living in Hitler’s Germany during the Holocaust. The man wrote:
“We heard stories of what was happening to the Jews, but we tried to distance ourselves from it. … A railroad track ran behind our small church, and each Sunday morning we could hear the whistle in the distance and then the wheels coming over the tracks. We … heard the cries coming from the train as it passed by. We realized that it was carrying Jews like cattle in the cars! We dreaded to hear the sound of those wheels because we knew that we would hear the cries of the Jews en route to a death camp. Their screams tormented us. [Read more…]