Blog

We have a guest speaker this weekend. Let me explain. Calvary Baptist Church has been a part of a fellowship of churches since 1954. There are over 150 Baptist churches in the state that are part of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches. This group is now known as The Bridge Fellowship and Doug Crawford is the Executive Director.

This Sunday is “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.” Because we are pro-life, many people assume that means we hate people that are pro-choice. In a conversation with one of our college students recently I was reminded of this tension. He told me that when he tells people that he is a Christian, he has to start by saying, “and I don’t hate you.” It’s sad to me that we are living in a day that a follower of Christ has to start a conversation with those words.

In theology, Eschatology is the study of “end times.” There has been interest in the “end” since the Ascension of Christ. As the disciples stood, looking up into the Heavens, an angel said, “Why do you stand here gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus…will come in like manner as you saw Him go.” Since that day, people have been looking for the clues, twisting verses, naming dates and claiming they know things that nobody else knows about the return of Jesus.

It’s that time of year. As we change calendars, planners, file taxes and make plans we experience to one degree or another the rhythm of ending and beginning. We are saying goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024. Some people use this rhythm as a time for reflection. Looking back on our past year can bring both celebration and discouragement.

“…is love, sweet love.” You’ve probably heard the song. It might be playing in your mind right now. The rest of the song goes on to say that we have enough mountains, hills, oceans, rivers, meadows etc., but what we need more of is, love. It’s not wrong.