Allow to begin with an important caveat before I expand on my thoughts. I would never diminish the role or call of a counselor. The first reason is the Bible makes place for counseling and soliciting input from wise and experienced voices. So, if you happen to be reading and your ministry or vocation fits within the counseling “lane”, please understand I affirm and acknowledge your important role in helping people find emotional and psychological wholeness and health. It is no deep dark secret, as Tracie and I have shared this fact openly and publicly, that we have both solicited counseling personally and as a couple through our 40+ years of marriage and ministry. Frankly, I don’t see how any normal person can avoid it.
Articles by Kevin Baird
The Mountain of the House of the Lord
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.” Micah 4:1
The photo is a picture of Mt. Rainier in the Seattle, Washington area. It reminds me today of the passage above.
The Misunderstanding of Compulsory Giving
“Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB)
I am in the middle of writing a book addressing biblical prosperity. I think it’s needed as we enter an era of challenge with both inflation (effecting the poor and middle class) as well as the continual onslaught of Marxism. God’s people need to be positioned spiritually and philosophically on solid ground to navigate these days.
Merry Christmas from the Baird house to yours…
Merry Christmas from the Baird house to yours…
True story…
As a pastor, I would always arrive at the church early on Sunday to turn on the lights and prepare for worship service. At the time, we were worshiping in a renovated mall, which had a few, easily missed holes in the walls leading to the outside. One Sunday, upon arrival, I found that a small bird had somehow found its way into the building and was flying desperately to find a way out. Anytime I would get close to potentially drive the bird out the open double doors, the bird would panic and fly away further into the building. My attempts to “save” the bird were futile and creating more trauma to the animal, despite my good intentions. As a human being there was no way I could communicate with this bird to tell it I could save it from harm. If only there was a way, I might transform myself into a bird to save it. That would indeed be “good news” for that bird.
Exodus 18:21 Part 10
“How do I participate in voting when there are no E18 candidates on the ballot?”
The time has arrived for the “rubber to hit the road” and to move from the theology of Exodus 18:21, to the application of the principle. Since I function and minister in the civic arena as my primary focus, I have, what I think, is a unique vantage point to make these applications. Allow me to say clearly, I do not consider myself the final say or even a notable “expert” on such matters. That said, I find it fascinating to note that one recognized expert, Dr. Wayne Grudem, in his 600+ page text book, “Politics According to the Bible”, makes absolutely NO reference to the Exodus 18:21 principle in its pages. A glaring omission from my vantage point as all politics starts with an election. (By the way, his book is well worth the time reading for many other considerations.)