Many working adults are highly motivated to return to college. For job seekers a college education can mean the difference between getting hired or not. For those already employed a degree can lead to raises or promotions. The decision to add college classes to an already full schedule of family and work responsibilities is not an easy one, however. That’s why many institutions, including Baptist colleges and universities, now offer more flexible options geared especially toward nontraditional adult learners. Credit by examination is perhaps the most familiar way of earning college credit for prior knowledge. Most people are familiar with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), developed by the College Board to test mastery of college-level material in 33 subjects including history, literature and math. In recent years other exams also have become widely accepted such as the Excelsior College Examination Program, offering 63 exams, and DSST Subject Standardized Tests aimed at students with military experience and offering 38 exams. Verifying information Education Portal, an online provider of study materials for credit exams, advises students who are considering credit by examination to first make sure their college … [Read more...]
God give us more than we can handle to show His power
God will never give you more than you can handle. I’m sure many, if not all, of us have heard this said before. Maybe we have even said it ourselves. This is often the “go to” reply to try to comfort anyone who is going through a difficult situation, has suffered some sort of loss, or has a major decision to make. I can’t help but wonder though, is this true? Does this align with what we see in scripture? Is it true that God will never give us more than we can handle? Abraham was put into a situation he could not handle when he was promised that he would be the father of many nations. The age of Sarah and Abraham made it virtually impossible for them to be able to have any children naturally. An important detail in being the father of many nations is that you need to be able to produce offspring! They further proved their inability to handle the situation by showing a lack of faith in the promise of God. God had promised that an heir would come through Sarah. Knowing the impossibility of this, they tried to take matters into their own hands and Abraham had a son with Sarah’s servant; a decision that would have consequences for generations to come, including our present time. It is clear they were dealing with something they … [Read more...]
Arkansas governor urges changes to religious objection bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he wants to see changes to a religious liberty law legislators passed March 31, after previously saying he planned to sign the bill. But it’s similar to a new law causing an uproar in Indiana, where Gov. Mike Pence is said to be reviewing modifications to assuage concerns from the gay community. The changes in Indiana would state specifically the bill could not be used by businesses to deny services to people based on sexual orientation. It’s not clear how that might affect Christians in the wedding industry who don’t want to participate in same-sex weddings. Arkansas’s best-known corporate citizen, Walmart, opposes that state’s legislation. Doug McMillon, the company’s CEO called on Hutchinson to veto a bill he said would “undermine the spirit of inclusion” in the state. Several other states, including North Carolina and Georgia, are considering similar legislation. Republican presidential hopefuls, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, have voiced support for the bills. Nigerian Christians watch and pray after historic … [Read more...]
LBCH’s PathFinders expands to meet needs of youth ‘aging out’ of Louisiana foster care
MONROE – Shantel had no trouble fitting all of her earthly possessions into two trash bags. The problem was finding a place to unpack those bags – a safe place that she could call home. Shantel was 18 years old, and she had officially “aged out” of the foster care system. “Young people like me who age out of the system usually don’t have the luxury of having a family to help,” Shantel said. “The decisions we face every day – how we pay our bills, put food in our mouths and keep a roof over our heads – are difficult, and we have to answer them without the guidance or support of a family.” “Aging out” is a term used to describe the process of youth transitioning out of the foster care system with no permanent family connection. Of the 400,000 children who are in foster care nationwide, approximately 25,000 age out every year without a permanent home or family to support them. Many youth coming out of foster care are at higher risk for unemployment, poor educational outcomes, health issues, early parenthood, long-term dependency on public assistance, and increased rate of incarceration and homelessness. One in four will be incarcerated within two years of leaving foster care. One in five will become homeless. Only half will … [Read more...]
CLECO sale presents shareholders chance to contribute gains to charity, Baptist ministries
ALEXANDRIA – In February of this year 2015 CLECO Corporation shareholders approved the acquisition of the company by a group of North American investors. Although the transfer of the Central Louisiana utility company is still subject to the approval of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and several federal agencies, the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2015. Shareholders as of a specified date will receive a payment worth $55.37 per share of stock. The sale of the company will mean shareholders will have to find somewhere else to invest the cash proceeds and attempt to replace the excellent dividend they have been receiving. Unfortunately it will also mean capital gains tax. “If you do nothing your shares will automatically be purchased by the investment group and will trigger capital gains taxes,” stated Wayne Taylor Executive Director, Louisiana Baptist Foundation. The Capital Gains Tax is levied on the gain in value of an asset. For shareholders who purchased CLECO stock and held it longer than one year, the gain or increase in the value of the stock may be taxed as much as 20%. This is where an opportunity comes in. By making a contribution of CLECO stock to a qualified charitable … [Read more...]
Louisiana Bible Drill & Speakers Tournament: “Champions” in the making
Fifteen years have passed since I made the trip to Louisiana College to participate in the Louisiana Baptist Convention Youth High School and Children’s State Bible Drill and Youth Speakers Tournament of which I had previously competed for nine years from fourth to 12th grade. I can remember being so excited about attending the State Drill that, no matter what time of the year my family drove the Pineville Expressway, when I smelled the creosote plant across from Louisiana College it throttled-up my adrenalin. As I pulled up to judge the Speakers Tournament last year at First Baptist Church in Pineville, that same excitement and energy was reignited as I viewed the faces of the 2014 participants. However, the most nostalgic moment came when I walked into the registration area and saw Mrs. Ella Creel, the godly lady who had been my Bible drill teacher for my grade years. She was waiting patiently with the children and the parents of her newest crop of drillers. As I saw her just a few feet away, she was talking to her crew, and I knew exactly what she was doing because her methods have not changed much since the early 90s. Her encouraging words and influence helped strengthen my personal faith walk that has led me to love the … [Read more...]
All we really need is to stand on Christ the Solid Rock
EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) – Perhaps you know the hymn, “The Solid Rock,” which begins with these words of testimony: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” The Solid Rock emphasizes one of the foundational truths of the Christian faith: Our salvation is based on Christ alone. The Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). This is the great legacy of the New Testament theologians. When the Gospel of Christ leaped over the boundaries of Israel and Judaism, key questions arose. Is salvation for the Gentiles too? And, if so, do these Gentiles need to become Jewish proselytes? Do they need to conform to Jewish law? Do they need to be circumcised? Do they need to adopt the Jewish calendar of Feast Days? Must they acquiesce to Jewish dietary requirements? Acts 15 recounts that a great counsel was convened to discuss these matters. The central question was: “What must a person do to be saved?” The apostles and church leaders defied efforts to impose legalism and ritualism on new believers, affirming for all time that salvation is totally by grace through faith in … [Read more...]
Let God use you to spread the Gospel to all we meet
ATLANTA (BP) – The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is the story of a man with a hole in his soul. The Ethiopian had an emptiness that would not leave him, no matter what he tried to pack in his life. The brief narrative in Acts 8 unfolds his story around three themes. A reading man The Ethiopian had traveled from his home to Jerusalem to participate in celebratory worship. On his return home, he was reading from Isaiah’s prophecy, seeking to understand its underlying message. This was a man of great power and prestige. He had charge of the Queen’s treasury. He was likely dressed in finery and traveling in the “Rolls Royce” chariot of his time. From outward appearances, this man seemed to have everything. But the Lord, who has placed eternity in the heart of every person, was at work in his life. A running man The Lord prompted Philip to leave the revival taking place in Samaria and go on a wilderness journey. When Philip saw the chariot, the Lord instructed him to “overtake” the chariot. As Philip ran toward the chariot, he had no idea what he would find. He was not intimidated by the obvious finery of the chariot, the adornment of the horses, the attire of the attendants. He did not know what the Ethiopian was thinking … [Read more...]