The reading and research that has made my eyes red for this week is featured below.

First, it appears that the stories from the Alabama tornadoes are beginning to take a back seat to other stories.  As is common after a devastating natural disaster we are beginning to see various stories of heroism emerge.  The following video is one such story.  Take seven minutes and listen to how a family of thirteen children were protected by God’s miraculous Grace along with their father, who lost his life protecting his family.

Another interesting article is coming out of SBC Today.  Dr. David Allen is beginning a series on Preaching.  You can see his first article here.

One article that came to mind recently is one that has some years on it.  However it is worth reading again.  Dr. Danny Akin expressed in 2006 how we should understand all positions and he focuses on Calvinism and the 5-Points.  What is interesting is that Dr. Akin basically stated that Arminians, Pelagians and Open Theist really had no place in the convention.  While he didn’t tell people of those theological positions to leave the convention he did express they were not welcome in the convention.

Peter Lumpkins has a post that explains how Acts 29 defines Elder-Led.  As one will notice the terminology used does not match the definition presented in the Acts 29 covenant.

Just when you think Lumpkins has finished placing information concerning Jonathan Merritt he brings another barn burner.  It seems that Brother Peter has found a sermon Dr. James Merritt preaches that is contrary to what Jonathan is espousing.

Brother Howell Scott has embarked on the political scene in his blogging lately.  He has two different posts concerning the upcoming possible Republican nominations.  He expresses a Christian’s perspective concerning New Gingrich and also calls attention to those surrounding Donald Trump.

Dr. Morris Chapman, in June 2004, expressed the heart of Southern Baptist in his address to the convention. His address to the convention, THE FUNDAMENTALS OF COOPERATING CONSERVATIVES, certainly gives excellent details of cooperating conservatives.

Well, I leave you with this time of reading.  It certainly presents us with a diverse view of Southern Baptist.

This section will be a new series that I post weekly.  It will provide readers with various blog posts and other reading that I do early in the morning.  It is during these early hours that I scan certain blogs to see what is going on around me.  All of the various blogs that I will post certainly are not ones I read on a consistent basis.  However, some are blogs that I frequent with regularity. Without further waiting, allow me to present the first of the Red Eye Readings.

Dr. Malcolm Yarnell has an excellent article on Good Friday: A Baptist Reflects on Holy Week. In this article Dr. Yarnell presents a clear presentation of the Gospel.

Rev. Ted Wright tackles the Evangelical debate of theistic evolution.  His article, Christ Came to Give His Life for Men not Monkeys presents this debate with excellent source information.

Rev. Peter Lumpkins tackles an issue that Jonathan Merritt raises concerning evangelicals and the homosexual debate in his article Jonathan Merritt, Evangelicalism, and God’s New Game Plan for Reaching Gays.  It seems that Mr. Merritt attributes a quote to Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary that was not sourced.  If the quote is correct, which Merritt argues for its authenticity in the comments, Dr. Mohler owes Southern Baptist an explanation.

An interesting development occurred here in North Carolina.  Rev. Allan Blume was named Editor of the Biblical Recorder.  Blume outlined three goals he plans to use in his leadership of the Recorder: To be Biblical, To Keep a Focus on the Great Commission, and to Glorify God.  It seems though Blume has no journalistic experience his first task would be to find one that would bring a journalists perspective.  With the glowing recommendations from key leaders around the state Blume’s Editorship will begin with a grand honeymoon.

Rev. Les Puryear asks a question that warrants a look.  “Are we Overemphasizing Church Planting?” is an article that tries to answer that question. His conclusion is one that issues a call of concern that we are overemphasizing new church plants to the detriment of existing churches.

Dr. Brad Whitt presents a devotional based on John 1:4.  He titles this devotion; “The Dawn Light Of Easter” Dr. Whitt is a refreshing voice and he certainly presents a special insight into the scripture.  As he said;

“I understand this Easter morning that some would say the resurrection revealed His glory, but I would say that His glory revealed  the resurrection.  You see, it’s not that the resurrection made Jesus, but rather that Jesus has made the resurrection.”

Enjoy this reading as it will certainly enlighten your thought process.