Carroll Marr is the senior pastor of Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. "I don't really want to bore you with the facts about me. I'm just a normal guy. A pastor. A husband. A Dad. A wannabe Granddad. If you'd like more information about all things Carroll, well just read on."
I feel that I must give you some insight into the purpose of this blog. Actually, I am not sure of its purpose but can tell you what you might expect. I will use this space to chat about things that I observe, think, experience, or otherwise encounter. To me, a blog is an opportunity to openly dialogue and stimulate thinking. I will not always answer questions raised; in fact, at times, I will raise them and challenge you to answer. I will always, I think, leave the topic incomplete. That, to me, is the nature of a blog. If I complete the topic it should be a book and not a blog. Sometimes the thoughts will be fun sometimes serious. I do not intend to give you a daily devotional though I would be happy to recommend a couple. My hope is to inspire at times, encourage at others, entertain at others and occasionally make you think a little. We will see if I accomplish any of the above.
How can we be good stewards for the Lord, and still drill in Alaska to develop the large pipelines we need for oil? How do we avoid reliance on foreign oil, and get along with the Greenpeace activists to protect the animals at the same time? This question involves several seperate issues: 1) Stewardship of our environment, 2) Dependence on foreign oil, and 3) …
read moreAs part of a recent sermon series, Investment Strategies for Tough Times, I discussed the importance of our stewardship responsibilities for our nation. This discussion sparked questions that I will attempt to answer here. Please know these answers are not intended to be exhaustive or complete, but are offered to provide general direction and encourage further prayer and study. You can listen to these …
read moreI have never been one to avoid conflict, at least in some areas. I am opinionated and will often wade off into a swamp. Normally, when neck deep I wish I hadn’t, but sometimes I can’t help it. That said, let me say that, if my opinion is different than yours, so be it, I am not offended, and hope you aren’t – besides, …
read moreHere is a thought – an observation, really. It has been said that fifty is the new forty. Being now in my fifties leads me to agree with that statement. Fifty years old is much younger these days than it has been in the past. Partly because I am on the other side looking back, but also because, I think, folks in their 50’s …
read moreOn Easter I will begin a new series of messages tagged, Life is a Set Up. The gist of this series will focus on the fact that, living according to the principles of this world is a setup. To live as this world dictates is a setup – a set up for failure. To illustrate let me take a story from the headlines of …
read moreHave you seen the New York Times best seller, “Heaven is Real”? This book has created quite a buzz. As a pastor, I saw this and expected to receive a few questions about its content. The subject of Heaven seems to strike a chord in the heart of every person – and for good reason I might add, because we are made for eternity. …
read moreDid you see the story about Kansas City Royals pitcher, Gill Meche, who walked away from a guaranteed contract of $12 million? That is right a 12 million dollar contract because he says he does not deserve it. This is a fascinating story that has not received the attention I think it deserves. Meche, according to the New York Times announced that he would …
read moreOh I am sorry - got distracted. I believe there are things that we can do to increase our attention span and stay more focused. It seems that this must have been a problem for most of the Nation of Israel as God dealt with them because He offered some helps to keep them focused. These helps came in the form of memorials. Remember? God …
read moreI have A.D.D. I just know it. Now, I have never been diagnosed with this disorder, but I have displayed the symptoms for years. I might need to tell you at this point that I was in a doctor’s office some years ago reading an outdated Red Book magazine and discovered a list of P.M.S. symptoms and I had 8 of the 10. I …
read moreOk, I must say at the outset that this will make some of you angry, but hear me out then decide. The annual debate among believers is about leaving Christ out of Christmas. As you might be aware, First Baptist Dallas has even launched a web site that gives folks an opportunity to voice opinions about local business’ Holiday Spirit – or the lack …
read more
