Study: people tend to cluster into four distinct personality “types”
Census Bureau: Hispanic Household Income Hits Record High
Christian movie, ‘Unplanned,’ takes aim at Planned Parenthood
Nearly half in top 5 U.S. cities don’t speak English at home, record 67 million
J.D. Greear at NOBTS: Mobilize ‘ordinary people’
by Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- God's plan for reaching the world involves raising up and sending out "ordinary people" in the power of the Holy Spirit, Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear said at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Sept. 13. "The measure of success for any church ought not be its seating capacity" but "its sending capacity," Greear said during a chapel sermon drawn from Acts 7. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and church leaders emphasize the sending out of "ordinary people" as an essential aspect of the call to follow Jesus. As a result, the church has sent out 1,016 people to 248 Summit-sponsored church plants and to other ministries. Greear said Summit reaches a high percentage of college students, Millennials and young professionals, leveraging their enthusiasm, skill and mobility for the Gospel. Summit challenges students to consider serving for two years in one of its church plants after graduation. "We tell them unashamedly, 'Give us two years and we will transform the world with you,'" Greear said. Greear challenged believers to adjust their understanding of the call to ministry. Rather than "something a few sacred … [Read more...]
Kelley at NOBTS convocation: Meditation isn’t ’emptying your mind’
By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley urged students and faculty to keep Scripture at the center of their lives during the Sept. 6 convocation marking the official start to a new academic year. Drawing from the exhortation in Joshua 1:7-8 to meditate on Scripture, Kelley said, "It doesn't matter who you are or how long you've walked with Jesus, it doesn't matter how well you know the Word, if you don't 'keep it in your mouth,' if you don't keep it as the center of attention, you will not be faithful in doing what God wants you to do." Joshua, in following Moses as the leader of the Israelite nation, was instructed that success would come if he remained faithful in meditating on God's law, Kelley said. Meditation, Kelley noted, is not "emptying your mind and thinking of nothing." Unlike the practice of Eastern religions, meditation instead means to "keep a conversation with God's Word all the time," Kelley said. Many versions translate the passage as God's law should be "always on your lips" or "shall not depart from your mouth." Kelley explained that believers are made into Christ's likeness when Scripture remains a … [Read more...]
First Bossier hosts annual ‘Honor our Heroes’
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff BOSSIER CITY – David Bailey, a special agent with the U.S. Capitol Police, does not consider himself a hero, but he saved the life of Louisiana native and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise during a firefight at a practice last year for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Washington, D.C. Bailey, who was injured in that June 14 incident, was at the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, Aug. 26 of this year and shared during the fourth annual “Honor Our Heroes Sunday” how his faith enabled him to overcome some resulting difficulties. He was joined in the program by former Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone, and they as well as local police, firemen, military and first responders were honored during the service and at a breakfast and lunch on the church grounds. Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, a Southern Gospel quartet, provided special music. “God gave me gifts, and I want to be able to use them,” Bailey told the 2,000 members and guests gathered inside the worship center at First Bossier. “Whichever way I need to use them, whichever way I have to use them, I will use them. I’m glad I’m in this position. I never would have thought this 10 years ago when I applied to join the … [Read more...]
Zion Hill pastor joins LC faculty as dean of new School of Human Behavior
By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College elevated one of its own as dean of the School of Human Behavior, Dr. Joshua Joy Dara, who is senior pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Pineville. Having previously served as an adjunct professor, Dara became assistant professor for Criminal Justice in 2017. As dean, Dara will oversee Psychology, Social Work, Criminal justice, and the graduate program for Social Work. Dara’s expectations for the School of Behavior to be known for academic excellence and successful graduates: “Social work is community-oriented work. A lot of our students in criminal justice are going in to law enforcement, some will become lawyers or border patrol even psychology, we are sending people into society,” said Dara. “I want our school to produce students that will change the world for the glory of God.” Because he loves teamwork, Dara utilizes his life experiences to dedicate service that contributes to the success of Louisiana College. “I served as an adjunct professor for 2-3 years, then I became an assistant professor, and I have been in this role as a full-time employee for more than a year. So if you look at it together, it’s been about 4 years,” Dara said. "Dr. Dara's life … [Read more...]
Cultural News
LSU expands alcohol sales in Tiger Stadium LSU football fans 21-years and older will be able to buy beer in the “The Chute,” a ground level venue with the capacity for 1,250 customers at any one time. Before last year, alcohol sales were restricted to premium seating areas associated with the “Stadium Club” and suites. The “Skyline Club,” a section of 1,500 seats in the upper level of the south end, opened for beer and wine sales in 2017. LSU officials seem intent on following the example of the University of Texas, which began stadium-wide alcohol sales in 2015, and Ohio State, which began to sell beer and wine stadium-wide last year. Drag Queen movement expands in Louisiana Lafayette joins New Orleans in hosting a public library reading time for kids, targeting children 3-6 years old, led by a drag queen. The latest “Drag Queen Storytime” effort is being led by Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual and transgender men, at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Joel Robideaux has ordered a review of the library’s “approval process for taxpayer-funded events.” But library officials shot back that the program is needed to show children “every person is unique and … [Read more...]