Tragedy turns to triumph in wake of pastor’s death
By Message Staff TERRYTOWN – Tragedy turned into triumph on the Westbank campus of Celebration Church, a week after its pastor was tragically killed while trying to help a motorist change a flat tire. Dennis Watson, lead pastor of Celebration Church that has campuses in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Northshore areas, told members and guests inside a packed worship center on the Westbank campus Sunday, June 23, they have showed their trust in God and love for Pastor Claude Williams and his family. Williams was one of three people who died Sunday evening, June 16, while trying to help a motorist change a flat tire on the upper level of the Westbank Expressway in Marrero. During the service, 15 people turned to Christ, and many more made decisions to accept Jesus as Lord during two memorial services held June 21 and 22. “The Lord tells us we will experience trials and tragedy in life,” Watson said during the June 23 worship service. “The Lord also tells us that He will bring us through our trials and tragedies. To overcome life’s trials and tragedies we must remember who God is and what He is able to do for and through us.” Drawing his message from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Watson reminded the congregation that God … [Read more...]
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Life lessons from Psalm 23
By Waylon Bailey God’s Word is filled with lessons about life. It is one of the reasons the Bible has sold more copies than any other book in history, possibly over one billion copies. Within Holy Scripture there are multiple passages which draw us closer to God and help us cope with the daily struggles of life. Psalm 23 stands near the top of that list. Here are three amazing lessons which help us with life. First, God wants to guide us as a shepherd guides his sheep, giving leadership and protection. In Israel, shepherds did not drive their sheep; they led them. While we sometimes think of God as demanding and driving, He actually wants to walk with us and lead us in His righteous paths. We all know that life can become difficult and overwhelming, but God leads us with His presence through the deepest valleys of life. Psalm 23 teaches that we can always depend on God. Second, God wants us to enjoy His presence forever. He “prepares a table” for us. Is there any time of the day better than when we sit around a table eating, talking, and laughing? God desires that we have that kind of fellowship with Him. Third, God wants to bless you. The psalm ends in a grand crescendo when the psalmist declares: “Surely … [Read more...]
Supreme Court: Cross memorial stays!
SBC resolutions include approval of ‘Marxist’ theories as ‘analytical tools’
By Will Hall, Executive Editor BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (LBM) – Southern Baptist messengers attending the 2019 Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, approved 13 resolutions, including one that was substantially altered to endorse two theories as “analytical tools” that the author of the original resolution called “Marxist.” Twelve of the resolutions passed without much controversy, although some garnered requests to tweak the language. But Resolution 9 was hotly debated because it approved using controversial concepts, in addition to Scripture, for gaining insights about “social dynamics” like race and gender in our culture. This resolution described “critical race theory” and “intersectionality” in neutral terms, suggesting that in some cases both have been misused “by individuals with worldviews that are contrary to the Christian faith” to come to wrong conclusions. However, the two theoretical frameworks actually arose from radicals in academia. Critical race theory is traced to the Harvard Law School and the founding theorist Derrick Bell who insists that “the law” perpetuates “white supremacy” and “white privilege.” Meanwhile, intersectionality is tied to the UCLA School of Law and Kimberlé Crenshaw, the pioneer … [Read more...]
La. pastor arrested for rape, church ministers to the hurt
By Staff WESTLAKE, La. (LBM) – Bruce Baker, director of missions for the Carey Baptist Association, said the Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake is asking for prayers of healing for a young girl who was raped by the now former pastor of the congregation. John Ward, 45, who had served at the church since 2012, was arrested June 17 on 10 counts of first degree rape, 40 counts of indecent behavior and two counts of pornography involving a juvenile, according to a news release from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department. An anonymous call to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ tip line led to an investigation during which Ward confirmed to detectives that he had been molesting a girl, now 11 years old, for two years. He also told investigators he videoed the girl while she was nude on two separate occasions. Judge Sharon Wilson set his bond at $640,000. “Bellview Baptist Church leaders are cooperating fully with the sheriff’s office in the investigation,” Baker shared with the Baptist Message. “The deacons, in consultation with Carey Baptist Association, unanimously voted to immediately terminate Ward’s employment with the congregation because of his sexual immorality and failure to maintain the … [Read more...]
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