The manufacturers of the coffeemaker are some nice folks. They want to help us remove even the slightest possibility of our building burning down because of a problem their coffeemakers “may” have. The manufacturers of the coffeemaker are some nice folks. They want to help us remove even the slightest possibility of our building burning down because of a problem their coffeemakers “may” have. I am sure the fact that the letter mentions the “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission” had little to do with this recall because the letter states clearly, “We have decided to implement a voluntary corrective program with respect to these coffeemakers.” There is, however, a not-so-subtle sentence in the second paragraph, all in capital letters, “YOU SHOULD STOP USING THIS COFFEEMAKER IMMEDIATELY.” That got me to read the rest of the form letter carefully. The reason for the recall, the letter states, is: “In certain of these coffeemakers manufactured between February 5, 2001 and May 17, 2004, the plastic pour-in bowl and lid immediately above the coffeemaker’s water tank may melt or ignite as a result of electrical arcing.” The letter assures us that only 17 of the targeted 1.75 million units have melted or … [Read more...]
Report – churches growing in midst of Iraqi turmoil
Beneath the rubble of news about bombings, hostage-taking and political wrangling in Iraq lies a more positive picture of fledgling evangelical churches, Compass Direct news service reported. Beneath the rubble of news about bombings, hostage-taking and political wrangling in Iraq lies a more positive picture of fledgling evangelical churches, Compass Direct news service reported. In the northeast, Iraqi Kurdistan offers a haven for Christian activity as two rival Kurdish governments grow in their toleration of Muslims becoming Christians, the recent Compass Direct report stated. In the south, the evangelical church is growing rapidly. The report comes even as many observers worry that the proposed Iraqi constitution to be voted on this fall will not offer adequate religious freedom guarantees. It also comes on the heels of an earlier mass exodus of Christians from the Mideast nation. Many of those now are returning to the country, but others still are leaving. Still, some signs of positive steps can be found. In Baghdad, 15 evangelical congregations have started since the removal of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, Compass Direct reported. Officially, only two evangelical churches – … [Read more...]
2005 Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering – Good Shepherd Hispanic Baptist Church
Gonzalo Rodriquez was working in a New Orleans store in 1980 when he felt the call of God to enter the gospel ministry. Note: Leading up to the annual Week of Prayer for State Missions and the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering (September 18-25), the Baptist Message will present reports on ongoing missions work across Louisiana. Information and photographs for the articles have been provided by the Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Division. Gonzalo Rodriquez was working in a New Orleans store in 1980 when he felt the call of God to enter the gospel ministry. The Honduras native did not hesitate, immediately launching a small Bible study group of five people. “It was exciting because I don’t have any experience in the ministry,” recalls Rodriquez, who accepted Christ as an 18-year-old studying years earlier in Mexico. “But I said, ‘God if you call me, I’m ready to work.’ “The God who called me I knew was the God who was going to be able to help me in this ministry,” he adds. “And I love the people. That’s the most important thing. I love the people, and I’m so happy when I see people who really change their lives through Jesus Christ.” Since that time, the obedient response of … [Read more...]
The chain saw team was trained – but needed equipment
St. Tammany Baptist Association needed a chain saw unit for disaster relief efforts. St. Tammany Baptist Association needed a chain saw unit for disaster relief efforts. Associational Director of Missions Lonnie Wascom approached leaders at First Baptist Church of Slidell about the need – and members responded. Pastor Michael Claunch and several members of the church were trained for the unit – and the church provided a trailer to house the necessary equipment. The problem was – there was no equipment to house, no saws, nothing. A member of the church saw the need and wanted to help. As it turned out, the member works for a corporation that provides matching gifts for its employees’ charitable contributions – with some limitations imposed. One of those limitations is that the corporation will not match contributions to religious organizations – such as First Baptist Church of Slidell. So, there the situation sat – a disaster relief chain saw unit trained but without equipment and equipment money available that could not be given. Enter the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, which Claunch called for help. The foundation had faced this dilemma before since many corporations will not give to … [Read more...]
Famine threatens millions in Niger
Famine is nothing new to Niger – or to Southern Baptist missionary Mike Loftice. Famine is nothing new to Niger – or to Southern Baptist missionary Mike Loftice. But in recent months, drought and a locust invasion have made the situation even worse, threatening millions with starvation in the West African nation. Loftice has worked in the hard-hit Maradi region of Niger since 1997. He recently coordinated a $75,000 relief project in six villages. The effort supplied some 8,000 people with tons of millet and beans – and a second chance at life. “There is no doubt that hundreds of lives were saved,” Loftice reported. “In every village where we distributed food, literally hundreds of people from other villages came to us searching for food. We gave to as many as possible, but unfortunately, our resources were not enough.” In a country with 11 million people, more than 3 million face starvation. More than 800,000 of the suffering are children; thousands of them are dying. “Death is a huge part of everyday life,” Loftice said. “Over 50 percent of all children die by the time they reach 5 years of age.” The Maradi region contains about 1,000 villages. With Loftice the only Southern Baptist worker in the … [Read more...]
The state of marriage – an annual report offers a comprehensive look
Okay, to begin, by and large, the United States still is a marrying nation – at least that much can be settled from the outset. Okay, to begin, by and large, the United States still is a marrying nation – at least that much can be settled from the outset. But ... fewer couples are marrying these days – and more are choosing to live together, the 2005 State of Our Unions study indicates. In other words, the “state of our unions” best can be described as – well – shifting. Actually, precarious may be a better word. And children are paying the highest price. “There has been a weakening of marriage and the nuclear family in advanced, industrialized societies, especially since the 1960s, ...” researcher David Popenoe writes in the essay accompanying this year’s annual report on marriage. And the United States has been one of the countries leading the decline, he adds. Indeed, only 63 percent of American children under age 18 live with both biological parents, the lowest number of Western industrialized nations. “One paramount family goal for modern societies today ... is to create the conditions whereby an increasing number of children are able to grow up with their own two married parents,” Popenoe … [Read more...]
Non-marital cohabitation sabotages chances for success in marriage, psychologist emphasizes
A new report indicates that more than half of all first-time marriages now begin with a period of cohabitation – a “test drive” of sorts to gauge a couple’s compatibility. A new report indicates that more than half of all first-time marriages now begin with a period of cohabitation – a “test drive” of sorts to gauge a couple’s compatibility. The trend especially is prevalent among young people, the 2005 State of Our Unions report indicates. (See accompanying article) It makes sense – in theory. Unfortunately, the idea does not hold water. Indeed, the cited study indicates that living together before marriage actually may be detrimental to a couple’s chances of lifetime union. All in all, persons should not find that fact surprising, explained Bill Maier, vice president and psychologist-in-residence for Focus on the Family. “The average young person in America who enters into a cohabiting relationship isn’t aware that they may be sabotaging their chances for eventual marital success, ...” Maier said. “(But) Study after study after study shows us that cohabiting is a bad idea.” Two factors have contributed to the rise in cohabitation in the United States, Maier suggested. First, an increasing … [Read more...]
World of religion
Week of August 22, 2005 Pledge of Allegiance A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that the recitation of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance by Virginia schoolchildren is constitutional. “The Pledge, which is not a religious exercise, ... does not amount to an establishment of religion,” wrote Judge Karen Williams in the Aug. 10 opinion of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Virginia law requires the daily recitation of the Pledge, although students are allowed to opt out if their parents object on religious or other grounds. The case in question involved a Mennonite father who sued the state, saying the phrase “under God” makes the Pledge unconstitutional and arguing that the Pledge itself violates his religion, which prohibits the intertwining of church and state. A lower court disagreed with those arguments – and the appeals court ruling affirms that stand. Medical plan rates Rates for the majority of GuideStone Financial Resources’ PPO medical plan participants will decrease for 2006, with improved benefits to be provided for preventive care and other services. For 2005, GuideStone changed to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network as its single preferred provider network. … [Read more...]
Verge of spiritual epilepsy
Southern Baptists are on the verge of spiritual epilepsy! The reason is the decrease in baptisms. Southern Baptists are on the verge of spiritual epilepsy! The reason is the decrease in baptisms. When two people love each other, the normal result is children. Let us give up the fightin’ and learn to love each other. Then, the world will say, “Behold, how they love one another” rather than “Behold, how they fight.” If we exalt Jesus and his love, he will draw the people. Roy Remont Hot Springs, Ark. … [Read more...]
Let us walk the walk
Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue In response to your challenge “What can one person possibly do” when faced with the overwhelming question about child poverty and its associated epidemic of child abuse, I am struck by the idea of simply switching perspectives. After all, as Christians, we are called to be “his hands and his feet,” we openly pray on Sunday mornings to be “the salt of the earth” and ask to bear “more fruit.” Well, let us walk the walk. Here is an opportunity to minister to God’s children, the helpless and weakest among the needy of our community. On a local level, there are agencies such as CASA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, children’s Sunday School Departments, mentoring programs at your local elementary, junior high or high schools, coaching sports teams – the possibilities are endless. If you have an hour per week, per month, or per day to give, surely there would be a way. If your schedule does not permit volunteering, consider financial support or maybe you would feel more comfortable with a prayer … [Read more...]