By Tucker Massey
The Alabama Baptist
For just over the past two months, I have had the privilege to work with The Alabama Baptist. In every way, this experience has allowed me to grow and excel. I know what I have gained
here will stick with me as I move closer to graduation and into the workforce.
Admittedly, however, I was concerned after my first day. As I talked with my fiancée and my family that night, I complained about how boring that first day was. They all told me it was probably because it was orientation day, and I shrugged their suggestions off because I just like to complain sometimes.
However, the second day and beyond proved them right and me wrong. I was too quick to complain because as soon as I was given the chance to do the job I have grown to love so much, my entire mindset turned around.
I loved going to the office, getting a story assignment (or being given the room to pursue my own stories) and editing. In the mix of school and student journalism, the journalism portion can oftentimes get drowned out. But with the focused time at TAB, I was able to rediscover how much I loved journalism and writing and editing.
I was blessed to meet and speak with some of the most wonderful people this summer and write about them. Even though I have never quite had social prowess, meeting new people and hearing their stories is inspiring, and it is something I have always enjoyed about this line of work.
Each day, I was given my space to work freely and at my own pace, and I am grateful for that. I was given deadlines and expectations for my work, but I never felt lorded over or belittled because I was just an intern. I was respected and encouraged every day by my boss and coworkers.
Through this experience, I have higher expectations for my work. I have been taught (or reminded) the power of telling a story as opposed to simply saying something happened. My eyes are more trained to see both simple errors as well as larger revisions that bring clarity and impact through their correction.
This internship was not easy by any means. I was pushed into new territories and given the same opportunities as my coworkers. But I knew through it all that the work I was given was for the glory of God and the informing of His people, not for myself or TAB.
I am beyond grateful for this experience, and I will treasure the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learned for years to come.
Addressing ‘bloody ear’ passage
In the days following the July 13 assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, an application of Scripture made the rounds on social media and drew concern from ministry leaders in the process.
The information focused on Leviticus 8:22–24 and 14:28 and seemed to indicate that Trump having blood on his right ear is significant from a spiritual standpoint.
“The concept of blood on the right ear serves as a visible mark of consecration, signifying that the person is dedicated to God’s service and has been set apart for a specific purpose,” stated the post that was being shared without an author or source attached.
Several pastors across the state and nation responded by requesting believers not spread the post around and asked them to remove the post if they had shared it.
They also walked through the scriptural meaning of the passages and pointed out how the meaning was different from what was being insinuated.
To read the concerns outlined, visit thealabamabaptist.org for the full story. (TAB Media Group)
Members of Bethesda Baptist Church in Crawford, Mississippi, are in the process of updating their history and are trying to locate former pastor J.D. Davis.
If you can help, then email Gypsybgray@icloud.com or call The Alabama Baptist at 800-803-5201, and we’ll pass along the information.
The gift of service/ministry (Romans 12:7) comes from the word diakonia, which is kin to the word for “deacon” (diakonos). [You do not have to be a Greek scholar to see the similarity of these two words.] This gift refers to various forms of practical service and/or assistance to those in need: mental, emotional, physical, social, spiritual. In other words, it refers to binding up the wounds of the wounded; care for the physical body;
material ministration; not passing by the one who has fallen among thieves. Therefore, any forms of attentive service and ministry to others are referred to in this gift.
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
Many pastors don’t stay 10 years because at the 10-year mark you can no longer blame the previous pastor for your problems.
Brian Croft
@PastorCroft on X
Letters to the Editor
It’s challenging to have words adequate to fit the occasion … and the historical moments from the past few weeks. We are undoubtedly living in unprecedented times as a nation and in the world.
As a pastor in the local church, I practice preaching through books of the Bible … as a Bible expositor … and am amazed at how applicable the Scriptures are to our lives today.
I’m currently preaching through the book of Ruth. One of the pressing tensions within the book is how God governs and rules through what seems like silent sovereignty and providence.
Much like in the book of Esther, God is not at center stage; instead, He is seen moving behind the scenes through the characters of Ruth and Boaz, in whom His kindness and character are displayed for those who have eyes to see.
I believe the same thing is happening in our world today. God is not absent. He is very much present.
We should not mistake the mystery of God’s ways for silence. Nor should we mistake what seems like an absence from God for a lack of sovereignty.
Perhaps we got a glimpse of the Lord’s presence in the form of rain that fell during the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in Paris.
Two reasons why:
- Our world is broken, but Christ is our hope.
While we ought to be outraged at the defiance and mockery of the Lord Jesus Christ and the image of (what seemed to be a representation of) the Last Supper … I bet if you were willing to be honest, just past the feeling of indignation is a feeling of brokenness and sorrow. You cannot believe this is the world we are living in. You have difficulty understanding the distortion of “love” presented by our world today.
Further, know this: God will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7). Those who scheme and practice evil will eventually be judged. On that day, they will cry out for mercy from the very one they despised with contempt.
Yet, my prayer is they would do that sooner rather than later — that they would turn from their sin, rebellion and pride to Christ as their only hope. Such a hope is not a distant reality but near and present. The same Lord they defile in their pride is the same God who gives grace to the humble. And that reminder was subtly present in the drizzle of rain throughout the ceremony in France.
- Our world is sin-filled, but God is kind.
In the Sermon on The Mount (Matt. 5:44–45), Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Before you say I’m attempting to make something out of nothing, let me point you to the reality that God controls the seasons and the weather as a means of mercy as well as judgment. That’s part of Jesus’ point in Matthew 5. The sun and the rain are intended to signify His grace on the earth for the just and the unjust.
Throughout Scripture, God is seen governing and guiding earthquakes, floods, famines, the scorching sun, rain, hail, snow and frost.
I’m always amazed at God’s patience. It is perhaps the most overlooked attribute of the Lord. It’s easy to miss and, even worse, to explain wrongly.
The Lord is patient and very present in our world. He is patient because Christ’s finished work on the cross has satisfied His wrath toward sinners. And He is present in every waking moment when His wrath should be administered, but instead, in utter mercy, God extends compassion and grace, much like the rain that fell at the opening ceremony.
Oh, that we might have eyes to see the Lord at work and His patience exercised. May it move us to consider our sins, repent and cry out to the Lord for grace.
Parker Smith, pastor
GraceLife Church, Decatur
Regarding the current election season … my temptation to panic is real and my sporadic anger over today’s political realities reveals an uncomfortable inconsistency in my faith.
Yet, even during a divisive season like this, the Spirit continually pulls me back to the reality that God is hardly intimidated by that which causes me anxiety. With that in mind, we can hold on to two certainties no matter the election outcome:
- God is sovereign over all governments, no matter who leads them.
- This world is not our home.
Adam B. Dooley, pastor
Englewood Baptist Church
Jackson, Tennessee
I am concerned about our nation and where it is headed. It is very important to protect our young children’s minds. They should be taught the basics in school and about our Creator at home and in church so they can grow up to be the kind of person our Lord wants them to be.
I grew up in a Christian home and was taught right from wrong. I registered to vote when I turned 18. I feel that God wants us to help vote our elected leaders in office and pray they will make the right decisions to create a godly nation.
I love our country with all my heart. I belong to a Baptist church in Alabama, and I take The Alabama Baptist newspaper with me. I love reading it each week.
I am trying to reach young folks turning 18 and above who have never registered to vote. Every one of every race … I encourage you to register to vote. Find out where your local voting station is and go vote.
Eleanor Loveless
Reader of The Alabama Baptist
Regarding your article “Pastors address ‘gross scriptural misinterpretation’ of blood on ear” (see summary of the article on page 4), the pastors stating to be careful about applying the word of God to political leaders and situations was troubling to me.
It is very clear that President Trump is not a Jewish priest, a cleansed leper nor a Jew living under the Mosaic covenant.
However, God speaks to His children through Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, not just to Bible scholars/pastors, but yes, even to us untrained and uneducated believers.
It is quite obvious the literal interpretation of the Leviticus Scripture does not apply in this situation, and some other explanation could have been given.
We all need to be applying the Word of God to ourselves and our situations, as well as to our political leaders and their situations, as they have the God-given responsibility of governing this country.
These pastors could have addressed this without brow beating my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am confident, at least for the majority of them, who posted (the information shared on social media) that blasphemy was not their intent. God knows their hearts.
Randy Harvey
Reader of The Alabama Baptist
Thank you for your article regarding blood on the right ear of Donald Trump (see summary of the article on page 4). Some are espousing this false interpretation of Scripture as biblical proof that Donald Trump is the next political Messiah.
Karin Silverthorn
Raleigh, North Carolina
I have a burden to keep churches alive and functioning. Fifty SBC churches a week are closing their doors (according to recent statistics).
According to specific statements of Jesus and Paul, the Church is the body of Christ. Only born again believers are members of His body. The unsaved members of the congregation are not members of His Body. A church will stay alive and function by participating in the ministry of Jesus — that is intercession.
Regardless of the age and size of a church, if the saints know the ministry of intercession, they continue to be a power for the Lord.
A church without intercessors like that of the Lord Jesus will come to repose and to its demise.
At age 93, I continue to promote to pastors the ministry of intercession. At age 30, I became the pastor of a church that was going under like a sinking ship.
The Lord began to honor my burden of the ministry of evangelism and discipleship, and in a few years, we became the fastest-growing church in the state. During my 17-year tenure there, the church averaged 115 baptisms a year.
Sam Wolfe
Huntsville
Share with others: