By Archie England, NOBTS Question: What is the appropriate sacrifice to give to God when we have sinned against Him? Archie England Responds: See 2 Samuel 24. King David, against wise counsel, numbered (took a military census) the people of Israel. Not long after, he realized he had sinned by doing so. God’s anger with Israel, in general, was now focused on David, in particular. Though David confessed and repented, God’s anger still burned toward him. On the following morning, the seer Gad relayed to David God’s three options for judgment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of a pestilence throughout the land. In verse 14, David made his choice, “Let us now fall into the hand of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” David clearly rejected the second option. Of the remaining two, God sent the pestilence. During that first day, 70,000 Israelites – from Dan to Beersheba – died. As the destroying angel arrived to strike Jerusalem, the Lord relented from the calamity…. Why? Because David spoke up! When he saw the angel poised to strike down the people (at the same place where Abraham had almost sacrificed Isaac) David claimed his sin! … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:38 Southern Baptist missionary Bill Wallace By Philip A Pinckard, NOBTS Since I grew up in east Tennessee, the birthplace of Bill Wallace, a Southern Baptist missionary to China, his name was one of the first I associated with missions’ service. Jess Fletcher begins his biography on Bill Wallace as follows: “This is the story of an ordinary man, who, in the providence of God, lived an extraordinary life.” Let’s examine the life of a quiet but remarkable man. Bill Wallace made his public commitment to Christ at Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., where he was active in Royal Ambassadors, RA’s. His father, William L. Wallace, Sr., was a well-respected physician. When Bill was eleven years old, influenza took the life of his mother, Elizabeth, so Bill and his sister were raised by his maternal grandmother and father from that point forward . The date was July 5, 1925, in the middle of what was called the roaring 20s, when a 17-year-old teenager who was a good mechanic picked up his New Testament. The questions with which he wrestled were: “What should I do with my life? No, what would God have me to do with my life?” He determined … [Read more...]

By Michael Foust, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) –  The so-called “fiscal cliff” bill signed by President Obama didn’t fully please either political party, but it did contain great news for the adoption community by maintaining a tax credit that makes adoption more affordable for low- and middle-income families. The adoption tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year, and for months the adoption community had been lobbying Congress to extend it. The House and Senate did even better than that, making the credit permanent under the bill passed just before the New Year, according to the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), an adoption advocate. Unlike a tax deduction, which only reduces taxable income, a tax credit actually reduces a person’s tax liability. Last year the adoption tax credit was a maximum of $13,360. “I am pleased with the extension of the Adoption Tax Credit,” said Perry Hancock, president of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries. “It will certainly help many more children find forever families. “The most positive aspect of the new ATC is that it is now permanent rather than an extension of past legislation,” Hancock continued. “The new ATC, however, is not refundable as … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – Arts and crafts store Hobby Lobby apparently is willing to defy the federal government and face huge fines for not covering abortion-inducing drugs following a string of court losses in December. Hobby Lobby’s setbacks in court at the end of the year gained significant media attention, despite the fact that for-profit businesses like the Oklahoma-based business continue to rack up court victories against the mandate. According to a tally by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, nine for-profit businesses – including three in late December – have won injunctions in courts protecting them from the mandate. Only three for-profit businesses – Hobby Lobby among them – have failed to obtain an injunction. Hobby Lobby is the largest business to file suit against the mandate. Its new health care plan went into effect Jan. 1. “The company will continue to provide health insurance to all qualified employees,” said Kyle Duncan, general counsel for the Becket Fund, which is representing Hobby Lobby in court. “To remain true to their faith, it is not their intention, as a company, to pay for abortion-inducing drugs.” A Becket spokesman on Jan. 2 said the law firm was not … [Read more...]

Message website receives makeover Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:47 The Baptist Message new look. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director ALEXANDRIA – The Baptist Message website has received a makeover. Formally introduced at the Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting in West Monroe, the new website for the Baptist Message offers a variety of user-friendly features. Those features include a timely updates of articles, photo galleries, advertising information, an option to scroll between the top stories, and icons that are a link to the newspaper’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Articles also are grouped in one of five categories: Headlines, News and Features, Editorial and Theological thought, LBC and SBC news, and Lagniappe. In the future the website will also feature video footage that will accompany some articles. “We hope the most recent version of the web site will prove to be useful for those who choose to access the news journal via the Internet,” said Baptist Message editor Kelly Boggs. “With much of the paper’s archives accessible via the web site, it is a valuable tool for those wanting to research past articles. ” Access to the website is included in the cost … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:50 David and Christina LeMay are the parents of two children: David III and Aubrey. By Robert Lemoine, Regional Reporter HOMER, LA – The Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship is to feature feature a change of leadership as David and Christina LaMay take the reins. It also will feature, as guest speakers, Jeremy Palmer, former missionary to the Miskito people; Doug and Becky Neel, director of Agrimissions; and David Bryant, executive director of the Mexican Indian Training Center. David LaMay, age 29, and his wife Christina are the parents of two children, David III and Aubrey. The residents of Homer, who attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Minden, say they have a deep desire to see people “authentically helped up and loved.” David LeMay spent the last two years as Beef Cattle Research Associate at LSU Ag Center’s Hill Farm Station and is currently working in the environmental aspect of a crude oil brokerage company. “I began my involvement in the Fellowship in 2008 as a supporting member interested in the agricultural-based ways they were doing work with the Oaxaca indigenous people,” LeMay said. “My wife and I … [Read more...]

By Staff, Louisiana Baptist Arrivals/Departures B.K. Miller, new as interim pastor of First Baptist Dubach. Bruce (wife Mistie) Stephens, new as minister of music at Emmanuel Baptist Minden. Jimmy Pitson, resigned as pastor of Temple Baptist Springhill. Jeremy Spurling, new as pastor of New Ramah Baptist in Castor. Ben Browning, new as pastor of youth and young adults at Oak Park Baptist in New Orleans. Pastor: Bobby Stults. Butch (wife Sue) Rogers, resigned from Trinity Baptist Natchitoches; new as interim pastor of Open Door Fellowship in Coushatta. Joshua (wife Ashley) Currie, new as pastor of Trinity Baptist Natchitoches. Colin (wife Amanda) Trisler, new as youth and family life minister at First Baptist Winnfield. Rocky Brown Sr., recently licensed at First Baptist Head of Island to gospel ministry. Pastor: Mike Smith.   Needed/Giving Gil Arthur available for interims and supply. Call 337-207-5923. Doyle Baptist Livingston seeks bivocational part-time minister of music. Send resume to PO Box 99, Livingston LA 70754 or doylechurch@gmail.com. Pastor: Blaine Stafford. First Baptist French Settlement seeks a youth minister. Call Pastor Louis Palmer at … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:55 By Staff, World News Magazine WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama plans to put his “full weight” behind the push for new gun control legislation in the aftermath of the shooting in Newtown, Conn. During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the president said he would make the new legislation one of his top priorities in 2013. The president appointed Vice President Joe Biden to head a committee that will make recommendations about gun-control measures, and other safety initiatives, in January. The President already has a list of items he wants to see banned: assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He also supports increased background checks for people buying guns. Speaking separately on Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he thought rural Americans, who enjoy hunting as a way of life, were ready to start talking about gun control. The debate must start with a respect for the Second Amendment’s protection for gun ownership, Vilsack said, but the Newtown incident has changed the way people think about the issue. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, appeared on Meet the Press before Christmas, and said … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:57 By Jay Johnston, Special to the Message STATEWIDE – On January 12 it was three years since a devastating earthquake took place in Haiti. Louisiana Baptist churches were quick to respond to the relief efforts including Buckets of Hope, Disaster Relief and Prayer for Haiti. Two churches that were first responders to the earthquake recovery efforts were First Baptist Church of Covington and First Baptist Church of Lafayette. Since that time these two churches along with other churches from Louisiana have continued to share the love of Jesus in Haiti. First Covington and First Lafayette took up the challenge by Wayne Sheppard of the Louisiana Baptist Convention to form a Louisiana Baptist and Haiti partnership, which currently involves work in Croix des Bouquets and Canaan in cooperation with the leadership of Haitian Pastors and the Haitian Baptist Convention. These two churches sent teams during the first week of January 2013 to Haiti. They worked together conducting Medical Clinics and Vacation Bible Schools. They saw 565 patients in the medical clinic and led more than 300 children in Vacation Bible School. The medical team helped individuals … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:13 Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, honored Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter with the Carver Medal, named in honor of the late George Washington Carver. Luter (second from right) is shown with (from left) Simpson College President John Byrd, Simpson senior Elijah Knox and Carolyn Dallinger, Simpson associate professor of social work and criminal justice. Photo by Luke Behaunek. By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press INDIANOLA, Iowa (BP) -- Southern Baptist Convention President and Louisiana Baptist pastor Fred Luter has been awarded the Carver Medal of Simpson College. The Iowa school hailed Luter, who serves as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans, as exemplifying the commitment and service of the late agricultural scientist, inventor and Christian, George Washington Carver. John Byrd, president of the private United Methodist Church-related college in Indianola, recognized Luter as courageous and committed to faith in Christ in the face of challenging obstacles. "I believe George Washington Carver would have recognized some of his own experiences in the life of Rev. Fred Luter," Byrd said. "... George Washington … [Read more...]