January 20, 1999

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM
Will J2C in Y2K?
___Some people hype Y2K. It's not new. During this century, computers fouled up people's Social Security benefits, because these people were born before 1900.
___J1C (Jesus' 1st Coming) caused people concern. They had all the benefits, but they were not rich toward God. The rich young ruler was unwilling and unprepared for the standard of Jesus'

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operating system.
___Will Y2K cause problems? If so, they will be only minor glitches in comparison to the problems people could face with J2C (Jesus' 2nd Coming).
___ Bentley Gwyn
___ Colorado City

Motivating meeting
___The Texas Baptist Evangelism Conference was a shining light of hope for Texas Baptists and a wake-up call to carry on with the business of seeking souls.
___So many things have risen lately in our convention which would distract us from our greatest task. Oceanographer Robert Ballard, who found the wreck of the Titanic, said, "Never get into the thick of thin things."
___The conference successfully set our vision back on the main thing--winning the lost to Christ.
___Our sincere thanks is due to (Evangelism Director) Bailey Stone, his staff and all who took part in making the conference something God could use in a mighty way to motivate us for the work of the gospel through the local church like never before.
___ Joe McCammon, pastor
___ Wildwood Church
___ Mesquite

Healing touch
___I just returned from this year's Evangelism Conference, and as has always been the case, I came home comforted, convicted, committed and confirmed in our calling.
___But this year, something exciting happened to me. Dennis Jernigan was playing the piano, worshiping God and leading us in worship. He asked all pastors and music ministers and their spouses to stand. He reminded us we would be facing hardships and trials, but we weren't alone.
___Then he asked for those around the pastors to reach out to them and let them know of their support and love.
___As he sang a song for pastors/warriors, I was standing there thinking to myself about how alone we were, when suddenly an arm came across my shoulders and held me. I looked up into the eyes of a beautiful stranger. She didn't say anything; she just stood there and held me, and I knew that the tears in my grieving heart were turning into smiles.
___We weren't alone, and God was reminding me of that in a very beautiful way.
___I do not know this lady's name or even where she lives, but I want to say "thank you" for letting God use you in such a special way. Your touch and smile have made a difference in my life, and I thank God for you and your love.
___ Kay Casper
___ Livingston

Tragic fiasco
___The editorial on the presidential impeachment trial (Jan. 13) cuts right to the heart of this terrible fiasco.
___How tragic that our children were subjected to these details by a media too willing to report the sordidness of them.
___One thing I would add to the editorial: It is also tragic that our president is known as a Southern Baptist. I have had that bit of information smeared on me on an evangelistic visit.
___ Lynn Fontenot
___ Marshall

Fair play
___Your editorial (Jan. 13) was to the point until the last paragraph, where you also engaged in stone-throwing.
To be fair, it is worth noting that the two individuals whom you identified (Henry Hyde and Bob Livingston) dealt honorably with their situations. Were their discretions "so similar to the president's"? Livingston paid the price. He resigned his newly elected office.
___ Frank Thomas
___ Orange

Reconciliation
___The statewide reconciliation convocation at First Baptist Church of Carrollton on Sept. 25 was a refreshing experience. I attended an earlier meeting of persons interested in reconciliation at First Baptist Church of Lubbock, and I had some reservations about what the convocation might accomplish. It accomplished much for me. It included meaningful worship, perceptive preaching, and very honest and healthy discussion. I was moved by the positive spirit of that gathering.
___I am encouraged that a forum unfolding out of the Carrollton event will take place at North Texas Baptist Conference Center Feb. 4 and 5. I understand it will be the first of several forums to consider what can be done to create and develop a greater sense of fellowship in our denomination. Such an endeavor is nothing but good, and I commend the leaders of this movement.
___Their mission is a biblical one of reconciliation. What they are doing is one of the most constructive things I've observed in the life of our denomination in over 20 years. I am grateful to them.
___I feel a commitment to pray for them and encourage all Texas Baptists to do likewise.
___ Jim Hancock
___ Director of missions
___ Lubbock Baptist Association

Revival prayers
___As I read about the "reconciliation movement," some of my pastors came to mind--D.L. Lowrie, Miles Seaborn, Dan Vestal, Jim Henry, Bill Sherman and Rick Warren.
___I remember them all as men with hearts for God, his word, his people and his lost world. Their lives exemplified 1 Timothy 3.
___Having served in Baptist life, I am not naive nor uninformed.
___Still, I found myself asking, "Father, what really happened that divided us?"
___As a church counselor, I often ask that question in trying to bring reconciliation to families. I fondly think of we Southern Baptists and Texas Baptists as family.
___We seem to agree to pray for genuine revival.
___I wonder if our Lord might define revival as reconciliation. I earnestly pray for revival, beginning in me. And I sincerely thank God for all of my Baptist pastors.
___ Lynn McMasters
___ Lubbock

Mighty works
___I read with personal interest the Standard story about the revival at First Baptist Church in Wellington (Jan. 6). Wellington is my hometown, and First Baptist Church in Wellington is my home church.
___The 1950s revivals the oldtimers speak of took place in 1951 and 1952.
___The Baptist Standard showed enough interest in those remarkable meetings to send C.B. Jackson, then associate superintendent for evangelism for the state convention, to Wellington for an eyewitness look at God's movement in a small, rural community. His account made page 1 of a Baptist Standard publication in those years.
___In those two revival meetings, over 200 decisions were made that changed lives, changed First Baptist Church of Wellington and changed the community.
___Howard J. Jones was the pastor/evangelist; his wife, Madge, the pastor's wife.
___Ask either of them and they humbly say, without hesitation, that those revivals were mighty works of God. Ask their son, and without reservation he will say, along with many Texas Baptists, "Thank God for giving us servants like Howard and Madge Jones."
___ David Jones
___ Bruni

Hat's off
___We read so much negativity about Baptists these days in both the secular and religious media.
___Sometimes, I wonder where the stability is and if there is even any such thing left in Southern Baptist life.
___When this crosses my mind, I never have to look further than Forsan Baptist Church in Forsan and Brother Jack Clinkscales.
___This wonderful man took that pastorate many years ago and at the end of 1998 celebrated his retirement.
___He had seen most of us grow up and had been a personal encouragement to me as I entered the ministry. He loved people and gave his best to them at all times.
___He was, and is, a role model for so many in that tiny community.
___Southern Baptists can have their high-profile political heroes.
___My hat's off to Brother Jack and others like him.
___ Rick Hope
___ Fort Worth
___

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