By Jeff Landry, Louisiana Attorney General EDITOR’S NOTE: Attorney General Jeff Landry has been a faithful ally of Louisiana Baptists and members of other faith communities on religious liberty matters and pro-life issues, as well as other moral concerns. He felt strongly about the recently decided U.S. Supreme Court case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Berry. This was a case in which he joined 22 other attorneys general to successfully urge the overturning of an onerous California law that compelled Christian-run pregnancy care centers to promote state-provided abortions. He subsequently wrote an editorial which he has shared with the Baptist Message. Since the Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand in 1973, Louisiana has consistently led the way in passing legislation to protect mothers and the innocent human lives in their wombs. In fact, we are one of only four states with a “trigger law” that would ban abortion immediately if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. Louisiana also requires abortion clinics to follow common-sense health and safety regulations, and we mandate inspections there to ensure women are not being put at further health risks. Additionally, our State limits the use of … [Read more...]
Perspective is important
By Stewart Holloway I’m almost three years into my forties and already, I’ve experience some “wonderful” milestones: I purchased life insurance because I may kick the bucket. The church purchased key man insurance on me. Again, because I may kick the bucket. But now I wonder, “If the church finances are tight and the deacons invite me to supper, do I go?” I’ve been prescribed cholesterol medicine and made dietary adjustments. My wife harasses me about finding gray hairs and hair that isn’t supposed to be in places. Last week, I added a new milestone – I got bifocals. I’m beginning my second week of invisible line bi-focals today. So far, they’ve been a great help. But, BUT, the bifocal stories are true! For years when I heard people tell of their bifocal experiences, I’d laugh and think, “What a nut! They can’t take that much getting used to!” Oh, yes, yes, they can! Last week, I was getting something out of a cabinet behind my assistant’s desk. As I closed the door, I looked through the wrong part of my glasses. The entire cabinet wobbled. I braced myself for it to fall. When it didn’t fall, I shook it to test it. The cabinet did not move. My assistant died laughing. Later in the week, I was visiting a … [Read more...]
There are no independent churches and no self-sufficient Christians
By Joe McKeever “I planted, Apollos watered, God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6). “Even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” (Philippians 4:16). I have no patience with signs in front of church buildings that read “Independent (whatever) Church.” There is no such thing as an independent church. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we need each other. Some more than others. The believer or the church that believes he/she/it is independent and has no need of all those others is going against everything Scripture teaches and contradicting what they see happening all around them every day. Every church depends on the power company for the lights and a/c, on the water works for water in the building, on the sewerage department, on the streets department and on the guy who cuts the grass and the lady who cleans the toilets. They depend on the Bible, on the Holy Spirit, on those who brought the Gospel to them, and they depend on each other to be faithful. The pastor depends on the congregation to attend and serve and give and pray. Everyone depends on the preacher to lead well. An independent Christian is a contradiction in terms. An oxymoron. There is no such … [Read more...]
Are You Prepared When Your Moment Comes?
Daniel Poncedeleon pitched a no-hitter last night for seven innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in his Major League debut. Unfortunately, because of needing to pinch hit for him and because of a high pitch count, his manager made the most difficult decision to take him out of the game. More unfortunately, the Cardinals’ designated “closer” Bud Norris gave up a couple of runs in that last inning and the Cardinals lost 2-1. But, here’s the real story. Not only was this Poncedeleon’s first ever game to pitch in the Major Leagues, he is fortunate that he ever got the chance to pitch. Last season while playing for the AAA Minor League team of the Cardinals, a batted ball struck Poncedeleon in the head causing a serious injury. His Major League start last night was the celebration after surgery, days of clinging to life in the ICU, and months of rehabilitation. As a baseball fan, his story is a great one. But, as a Christian, there is more to the story. Last night after the game, the anchor of ESPN did a live interview with Poncedeleon. The second question was, “How is your life different since being hit in the head with the line drive.” Poncedeleon is a pitcher, but as a Christian, he hit a home run. “Honestly,” he did … [Read more...]
Learn from God and live for Him
By Waylon Bailey More and more I find myself being drawn to the Proverbs. I am afraid that in the past I have not taken this teaching of God seriously enough. God gave the Proverbs to teach the people of Israel to learn from God and to live for Him. As you go through the Proverbs, this twin teaching seems to be found again and again. All of us are to Learn from God, and we are to live for Him. Not only is this the theme of the Proverbs, but it is also the theme of the Scripture and of our relationship with God. God wants us to be conformed to His image. When we are like God, then we shall do as He does. We will live for Him. God wants us to learn from Him. The Proverbs begins by a proper relationship with God. Only from God can we get wisdom and understanding. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and understanding” (Proverbs 1: 7). God Himself is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. The person who would live wisely must learn from God. We are always tempted to assume we have all knowledge and all understanding. Even now, we seek to conform God to our image instead of being conformed to His image. Until we learn from God, we really can’t learn. God wants us to … [Read more...]
Won’t I be your neighbor? And won’t you be mine?
By Joe McKeever “I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you. I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you….” (from Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Opening theme) “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). This verse is quoted in the New Testament in Matthew 5:43 and 19:19; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8. Mr. Fred Rogers, who left us in 2003, is back in the news these days. Books and articles, television specials and a couple of movies remind us just how special this good man was. Anyone who reads Mr. Rogers’ words or dwells on his life for even a few minutes comes away thinking more about being a good neighbor. My wife and I saw the movie “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Thursday of this week. There were perhaps 25 or 30 others in the theater, most of them seniors. This was not the Tom Hanks movie on Mr. Rogers which I had expected, but is more of a documentary or biopic, I think they call it. The Hanks movie will be out soon, we’re told, and is not so much a biography as a story about Rogers’ interview with a magazine writer. A couple of observations about Mr. Rogers from the movie we just saw. One, the man truly was almost too good to be true. As a … [Read more...]
Integrity means you’re the same person in private and in public
By Rick Warren “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8 NLT). As you strive to build a life based on values that last, it’s important to establish and maintain integrity. The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (NLT).To “see God” means to experience the presence of God. Believers who have a pure heart get to feel the power of God. They get to know the purpose of God for their lives. They get to live in the peace of God. They experience the pardon of God. Do you want to be one of those people? We don’t talk a lot these days about being pure in heart, but we do use the word integrity. To have integrity does not mean you are perfect, because if it did, none of us would have it! So, what does it mean to have integrity? Integrity is wholeness. A lot of people think of their life like a pie, and the different parts of their life are the pieces of the pie. This slice of the pie is my career. This is my work life. This is my spiritual life. Then this is my family life. That one is my social life. Then over here is my secret life — my compulsions, addictions, and the things nobody else knows about. If you segment your life … [Read more...]
Christ’s answer to every problem
By Steve Horn I find myself thinking and praying for multiple friends today who are going through a hard time. One of the difficulties of being a pastor is to help people through difficult seasons of their life. Usually, there is no advice to give or anything to say that will really change the circumstances. At the same time, saying something like, “Just trust God,” seems so hollow and void of real compassion. And yet, is there any better answer to all of our problems than the answer that Christ gives? Jesus said to Paul and He says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I always think of this passage in hard times. I hope it blesses those today who need to hear it again. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am … [Read more...]
Kennedy: Louisiana families are paying higher taxes because of DHH’s incompetence in managing Medicaid
By U.S. Sen. John Kennedy Sunday was supposed to be the day that Louisiana’s state sales tax finally regained some semblance of fiscal sanity. After a year of paying sky high taxes. Louisiana families were in line for much-needed relief when sales tax dropped from 5 percent to 4 percent. Instead, they’ll be paying a rate of 4.45 percent. The reason for the ludicrous tax burden isn’t difficult to decipher if you read recent news reports about an audit by the nonpartisan Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office. That report uncovered the truth behind Gov. Edwards’ threats to yank TOPS from your kids, evict your grandmother from the nursing home and close your community hospital. The state isn’t strapped for cash because you need to pay even more in taxes. The state is strapped for cash because it can’t competently manage a program that consumes nearly half the state budget. That’s what the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office discovered when it peeked behind the curtain at the state Department of Health and Hospitals’ Medicaid program books. Auditors looked for errors in DHH’s paperwork for management of the Medicaid program. The results were far from pretty. The scathing audit found that DHH has been downright sloppy … [Read more...]
Forgive because God forgave you
By Rick Warren “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). We will all be hurt in this life. Many times we’ll be hurt intentionally by what people say about us or what people do to us. In fact, any time we read the word “forgiveness” we instantly call to mind certain heartaches, hurts, and problems from our past. The memories are still fresh because we’ve been hurt very deeply. Because of how deeply we’ve been hurt, it’s hard to consider forgiving the perpetrators. But the Bible gives us one very important reason we need to forgive. We forgive others because God forgave us. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (NIV). Ponder how much God has forgiven you, and it’ll cause you to be more forgiving of those who have hurt you. The opposite is also true. If you don’t feel forgiven, you’ll have a hard time forgiving others. If you typically have a tough time forgiving others, you may not truly feel forgiven yourself. Think of it like this: God has completely wiped your sin slate clean because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. All of the … [Read more...]
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