Watts' Words

One of my great joys in life is to be known  as a Southern Baptist who is a follower of Jesus Christ. Southern Baptists, while not perfect, are an outstanding group of people who love the Lord Jesus, His gospel, and the people who desperately need His grace. What makes this group of Christ followers so unique is our doctrine, our independence, and our unending focus on missions. We have cooperated in missions for so many years that some take for granted who we are, what we do, and what our focus is. Our belief is that the Church, the Lord’s church, the Church Christ died for, is the absolute front line of reaching the lost world for Christ. Early in our history, we discovered or realized that we were much stronger working together than working separate. It seems that this realization exposed our need to cooperate so individual churches connected together in the spirit of cooperation and, over the years, this cooperation has matured into what some call the greatest mission sending d...

A few years ago many were amused or irritated by teenager Ethan Couch's legal defense of 'affluenza' in a deadly drunken car crash.  They were certainly not amused by the damage and death he cause, but by the seemingly preposterous defense he offered.  Affluenza, while laughed at by many, seems to be a modern day affliction that has, arguably, grown into an epidemic. According the online dictionary known as Merriam-Webster (well that is familiar), one of the definitions for affluence is the " extreme materialism and consumerism associated with the pursuit of wealth and success and resulting in a life of chronic dissatisfaction, debt, overwork, stress, and impaired relationships ."  All of this brings me to my definition (according to "Watts" dictionary that I've written in my heart), " Being so accustomed to getting one's own way that one feels they deserve all the best things in life to the exclusion of the interest of others ."  T...

These past couple of days have been difficult.  Couple of days ago a friend missed an important meeting because of assisting with a church in crisis which, it was suggested, that we would hear about in the days to come and then today I did.  Then, the news broke about Coach Freeze.  I am heart-sick and I am heart-sick on so many levels that to put it into words is almost impossible. For those who know me, I have been (and still am) proud to call the "Freeze family" personal friends.  They are a family of love, faith, and conviction and the Coach is no exception.  One of my godly pastors put it this way, " Most men, if not all people, are one dumb decision away from complete and total disaster. Some just have a bigger platform ."  Sadly, Hugh's platform was huge, the fallout large, his enemies and fair weather friends are having a field day, and the entire saga is sad.  My love and prayers continue for this family.   Please don't get me wr...

First of all-a confession. For the last several years I have read Dr. Thom Rainer's blog off and on for reasons that I don’t care to articulate...but his blog that I received today is SPOT ON!! In fact, this may need to be printed and distributed widely (since many won't read a blog).   Before I point you toward it and offer a link to it, let me give some perspective. Churches are closing at a rapid pace today.  churchleadership.org tells us that we plant 1000 churches each year and CLOSE 4000!!  With an exploding population, we are headed in the wrong direction.  Sadly, because of our ‘affluence’ (in other words, ‘money in the bank’) the average church does not recognize and has not come to grips with just how close they could be to closing.  In the past few weeks I have spoken with several pastors who are scratching their heads about things like ‘finances and attendance.’  These are good and godly men who spend time with God everyday and are atte...

This is not a rant or meant in a 'mean spirited' way, it is simply an observation. It was several years ago that I noticed some unusual changes in the way we speak to God.  In a service one night where a friend of mine (who happens to be much younger) was leading and praying, something sounded a little different in his voice.  I could not put my finger on it, but in my mind I knew something was different.  So, I opened my eyes to make sure all was well in the room.  Much to my surprise I discovered that my 'preacher-friend' was praying with his 'eyes-wide-open' and surveying the crowd as he voiced the pray and spoke to God.  Now I know that you don't HAVE to close your eyes to pray, but I was literally 'startled' because I had never observed a 'spiritual leader' who didn't.  It's amazing what you remember in moments like this.   Coach Mangum was our elementary school principle and did double duty as he drove the to high school and tau...

So I haven’t written a blog in quite a while, although I have thought about writing on several topics.  Candidly, there are more topics which need to be addressed than there is time to write.  Today is “Inauguration Day” which is a topic unto itself.  The protests which have taken place make us seem more like we have become the “United Daycare of America” instead of the "United States of America" as many of these ‘protests’ seem more like children who have just heard the first ‘no’ of their lives.  I understand that many serious challenges face this nation and I further understand that our new president has no track record to be confident in – but as the same time – he has no track record as an elected leader to be wary of.  These are new and uncertain days. Here is what I know:  This country needs the authentic, healthy, & Biblical church, quite likely, more than ever. Interestingly, I came to the Subway at Walmart this morning for breakfast. ...