tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post7831541625373497744..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: REFLECTIONS OF THE 2007 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTIONPaul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-11200702796837413222007-06-20T20:33:00.000-05:002007-06-20T20:33:00.000-05:00Lee,I know I've said it before, but I say it again...Lee,<BR/><BR/>I know I've said it before, but I say it again anyway, you are one of the more sane voices I'm reading in the blogging world right now. Your last two posts have been great. I'm glad you're a friend.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-57921556695749092002007-06-20T17:08:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:08:00.000-05:00I don't like to be cynical, and I'm certainly no p...I don't like to be cynical, and I'm certainly no prophet, either, but it seems to me that messenger registration is one of the vital signs of the health of the convention. The low totals in recent years tell me that something is wrong. This convention, billed as a showdown of sorts, held in a popular convention city in Texas, the state with more Southern Baptists than any other, should have drawn well over 15,000 messengers. Well, I doubt if anyone from the convention will come to ask me my opinion. <BR/><BR/>My pastor came this year for the first time in maybe a decade. His comment was similar to yours regarding the restrictive, exclusionary attitude, noting that things haven't changed since the last time he went. <BR/><BR/>It was great running into you in the hallway. Running into other bloggers made the whole meeting worth attending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-39509213817896110182007-06-19T16:15:00.000-05:002007-06-19T16:15:00.000-05:00Bob,Ahh life is good. I totally agree, we have ear...Bob,<BR/><BR/>Ahh life is good. I totally agree, we have earned whatever deference we can come by. discounts, lower prices, closer parking spaces, as I said, life is good. :)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-25686973909351495622007-06-19T14:50:00.000-05:002007-06-19T14:50:00.000-05:00Paul: That no one pointed out your your-you're thi...Paul: That no one pointed out your your-you're thing is probably deference to the elderly......<BR/><BR/>Like senior-citizen discounts, I'll take'em any way I can get'em.Bob Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06110395869562328309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-60146955697814028792007-06-17T04:47:00.000-05:002007-06-17T04:47:00.000-05:00Dorcas,I enjoyed our all too brief time also. I ap...Dorcas,<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed our all too brief time also. <BR/><BR/>I appreciate your willingness to hear guys like Bob and me. We really do have some solid answers for the issues we face. [I wish I could remember what they are..the answers OR the issues.] :)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-16335551782507627802007-06-17T00:16:00.000-05:002007-06-17T00:16:00.000-05:00Paul -If you and Bob did get to take charge as fir...Paul -<BR/><BR/>If you and Bob did get to take charge as first and second in command, then I am sure my hope for the convention would be strengthened. I value both of your wisdom and friendship. Though admitting that may ruin my "rep" with my generation of independent thinkers. I don't think we're supposed to listen to our elders ... or something like that. :)<BR/><BR/>It was good to see you at the Convention for a short while and I am sorry we did not get a chance to chat longer. <BR/><BR/>DorcasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-28587413252164839992007-06-16T20:12:00.000-05:002007-06-16T20:12:00.000-05:00AND, for all you out there who are versed in the E...AND, for all you out there who are versed in the English language, rest assured that, while slipping once in a while, I am aware of the fact that "You're" is the proper use of language when refering to one who is something like a little less than a year older than is the one typing.<BR/><BR/>For the saving of my reputation concerning the use of the English language, I want it known that NO ONE pointed this out to me. Not even my wife who is Supervising Editor with a major publishing company. I FOUND it when reading the automatic e-mail sent to my computer of all comments sent to my blog, even my own...go figure. :)Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-7156963592657317322007-06-16T18:15:00.000-05:002007-06-16T18:15:00.000-05:00Bryan,I understand what you are saying. I agree.I ...Bryan,<BR/><BR/>I understand what you are saying. I agree.<BR/><BR/>I think when you hear me say I don't have much hope for the Convention it might be more that I'm addressing a hope "for" something than a hope "in" something.<BR/><BR/>I'm long past placing hope "in" anything or even anyone but the Lord alone. I've had to learn that the hard way generally, but learn it I have.<BR/><BR/>I still have hope "for" people and things. It's part of my optimism in the character of God that He is so willing and able and, in fact, is wooing us to trust Him and serve Him only, which is, as you've so well stated, the only wise and sensible thing to for anyone of us to do. But many may be choosing not to from my perspective..<BR/><BR/>While I am a strong believer in the total Sovereignty of God, I still see those passages where Jesus said.."oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you unto myself..." and you know the rest of it. I think of Him as having a longing [hope?] that they would. But they didn't.<BR/><BR/>How this meshes together with the total Sovereignty of God I hold to I haven't figured out yet but choose to let this antinomy remain. He'll explain it all some day. <BR/><BR/>It is THAT "hope" or "longing" that is beginning to diminish a bit as I see some in the SBC who might be choosing to say no to serving God alone. Remember this is only my view of things. I can certainly be misreading things. But I don't THINK I am. <BR/><BR/>Please be aware I'm not attempting to categorize anyone or, more especially, the SBC as "Jerusalem." That is just illustrative of my hope for her. [The Convention]<BR/><BR/><BR/>Sonya,<BR/><BR/>Thanks. Next to my wife, your opinion of things means more to me than any or all of the other bloggers. [Maybe all of them put together.] :) Keep dropping by.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Bob,<BR/><BR/>Don't forget your my Senior by less than a year. Come to think of it, that makes me second-in-command. Next year you tellem [the bloggers or the Convention] what to say and do and I'll be the enforcer. We'll get this show back on track. ;)<BR/><BR/><BR/>CB, <BR/><BR/>You are part of the reason [new friends] I have loved returning to attending the Convention. It was good to get aquainted with you and sharing a meal with you. <BR/><BR/>I can see why Ben is so appreciative of your friendship, as is Wade and so many others. I'm glad to be counted as part of that group now.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-16315650669364514562007-06-16T10:25:00.000-05:002007-06-16T10:25:00.000-05:00Paul,It was good to meet you, sir.cbPaul,<BR/><BR/>It was good to meet you, sir.<BR/><BR/>cbCB Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230652312241919771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-92208004988946869842007-06-16T07:46:00.000-05:002007-06-16T07:46:00.000-05:00Paul: It was good to see you and Mary, but that wa...Paul: It was good to see you and Mary, but that was partially offset by the normalcy of my being the oldest person in view. Well, that's life. As to the convention, take heart in the fact that you're a whole lot more optimistic than I am.<BR/><BR/>I'm beginning to think there's room for a non-denominational non-associational missions entity to address national and international concerns, free-standing and formed according to BF&M principles. Sort of a voluntary CP which would depend on God's provision to receive funding and send missionaries. <BR/><BR/>Or not. Just a thought.Bob Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06110395869562328309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-7491891180150674522007-06-16T07:24:00.000-05:002007-06-16T07:24:00.000-05:00Paul, I've always found your "spin" to be very ins...Paul,<BR/> I've always found your "spin" to be very insightful. Great words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-84607285796557294282007-06-16T01:33:00.000-05:002007-06-16T01:33:00.000-05:00For those who have little hope right now it is bec...For those who have little hope right now it is because you shouldn't have hope for the SBC; our hope must be in God alone. God is always faithful. God is always True. God is always going to see that His word does not go out void. God is sure, loving, merciful, and He will see His purposes through until the end. So, when we say we don't have much hope it is only because our hope is in the wrong thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-38454637730632376282007-06-15T15:13:00.000-05:002007-06-15T15:13:00.000-05:00Les,It WAS a delight to meet you and Debbie. You a...Les,<BR/><BR/>It WAS a delight to meet you and Debbie. You and I both married above ourselves. That was apparent to everyone there. :)<BR/><BR/>Seriously, it is funny how our words have given us a connection even before we meet. I felt the same way. <BR/><BR/>If we are ever out that way we'll give you a call and share a meal. Do the same if you are ever in Oklahoma.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-70433371027248579692007-06-15T14:33:00.000-05:002007-06-15T14:33:00.000-05:00Paul, Debbie and I enjoyed meeting you and Mary. W...Paul, <BR/><BR/>Debbie and I enjoyed meeting you and Mary. When we net I felt like I was meeting an old friend. Thanks for the fellowship. <BR/><BR/>LesWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07212653606124739664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-62545765543909708462007-06-14T16:41:00.000-05:002007-06-14T16:41:00.000-05:00Kevin,YOU were missed. I'll bet I was asked by a d...Kevin,<BR/><BR/>YOU were missed. I'll bet I was asked by a dozen people about Kevin Bussey. They had heard of my being with you and are certainly your fans.<BR/><BR/>I'll be there with bells on. My schedule at www.paulburleson.com reflects the meeting. Stay in touch.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-20725612270085716472007-06-14T15:08:00.000-05:002007-06-14T15:08:00.000-05:00Paul,The only thing I missed about going to SA was...Paul,<BR/><BR/>The only thing I missed about going to SA was seeing guys like you. I don't have much hope right now. I do look forward to seeing you in October.Kevin Busseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com