By Barry Howard Often I am asked: “What can I do to grow as a Christian?” There are several things that may help you grow in your faith, but one of the most important things is to read the Bible…
Discernment and holiday giving
By Barry Howard As Christmas approaches, our mailbox seems to be stuffed each day with Christmas cards and requests for money. We love getting Christmas cards and letters. After reading them, my wife displays them around the living room with…
Setting the stage at Advent
By Barry Howard In the close-knit rural church of my upbringing, we didn’t observe Advent. Not by that name, anyway. We naively made a huge leap from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The important liturgical dates on our church calendar other than…
Would Jesus vote Democratic or Republican?
By Barry Howard Nov. 2 is Election Day around the country. In the state of Florida, where I live, citizens will be electing a new governor and a new senator in hotly contested races, and several other important local offices…
Remembering an unwelcome trio of storms
By Barry Howard The summer of 2005 will be permanently etched in the minds of Gulf Coast residents. And for me that summer of multiple hurricanes provided a most unusual welcome to a new community. In May of 2005 I…
Getting your life in gear
By Barry Howard I learned how to drive in my grandfather’s 1966 Volkswagen Fastback — a straight shift. Learning to change gears while simultaneously pressing the clutch proved to be quite a challenge. However, once I mastered the art of…
From Assisi, lessons for Baptists
(Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of commentaries by Barry Howard reflecting on his experiences in Italy. The first is available here and the second is available here.) By Barry Howard As our Eurostar train from Rome…
Who really holds the keys?
(Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of commentaries by Barry Howard reflecting on his experiences in Italy. The first is available here). By Barry Howard This year our sanctuary choir and orchestra — as they do every…
Baptists lift voices in Vatican
By Barry Howard The group gathering in St. Peter’s Square dressed in formal attire on this hot Thursday afternoon in July was attracting a lot of attention from locals and from tourists. The men in the group were decked out…