Question: If “God hates divorce” (Mala­chi 2:16), then why does Ezra command the remnant to “put away” their foreign wives (Ezra 10:3-5)? Archie England responds: Malachi 2:16 powerfully asserts, God hates divorce. That’s it: case closed! Well, perhaps not so quickly. Ezra com­manded the returned remnant (from Babylo­nian captivity) to divorce their foreign wives. Since both Ezra and Malachi lived during the 5th century BC and ministered in the same context, they appear to have taken radically different positions on the Law’s allowance for divorce. Let’s investigate. Moses presented two passages that allow for divorce: Deut 22:13-30 and 24:1-3. A wife could be “put away” by death or by cer­tificate. The divorce certificate issued, then, protected the woman, declaring her innocent of marital unfaithfulness. Having such a cer­tificate was therefore important, as Isaiah and Jeremiah attested (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8). Malachi reached his conclusion at the end of his discussion about God’s covenant and Israel’s unfaithfulness (2:1-16). God desired faithfulness; not ritual. To illustrate, Malachi reminded them of Levi’s covenant with God and how that obligated all Levites and priests to lead a holy life – ministering and teaching … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 10:54 LBC Executive Director David Hankins (white shirt) leads prayer at the Caldwell Parish Courthouse in Columbia on March 8 as part of Louisiana Southern Baptists praying for a spiritual awakening in the state. The Wave of Prayer took place in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. By Karen L Willoughby, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Throughout each year, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s staff of 60 employees in-building serve the LBC’s 1,611 churches. The reports of their activities are part of the LBC’s 2012 Book of Reports, available upon request from the office of Executive Director David Hankins. “We are accountable to our churches and we want them to know about the impact of our cooperative missions and ministries across Louisiana,” Hankins said Following is a synopsis of the activity in each of seven resource teams. Executive Team The work of the Executive Board, led by current President Rick Byargeon, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston and Vice-President Bob Heustess, pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Slidell, is channeled into four committees: administrative, business and finance, properties and missions support. The … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:10 BELTON, TX – Despite an early exit from the NCAA Division III football playoffs, the future never looked brighter for the Louisiana College Wildcats. Despite losing 59-20 to perennial D3 powerhouse, American Southwest Conference champion, and the No. 2 ranked University of Mary Hardin Baylor Crusaders, the Wildcats (8-3) certainly have no reason to hang their heads. In fact, the Cats’ outstanding season should give Louisiana College plenty to build upon. After four straight 7-3 seasons, LC (8-3) turned in its finest season in modern-day school history by winning eight games this year. There only two regular season losses came at the hands of two nationally ranked powers [UMHB 30-3 and Wesley 25-22]. They also became the first Louisiana College men’s team to make the Division III playoffs. The softball team has played in eight straight regional, placing third in the 2008 Division III World Series. The women’s basketball team has made the playoffs three years in a row, winning a first-round game last year. “Any time your fate is in the hands of a committee [LC was hoping to be one of eight wildcard bids in the 32-team playoffs, with 24 spots going automatically … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:12 No doubt, many of us are fa­miliar with the poem by Myra Brooks Welch The Touch of the Master’s Hand. The poem was later set to music and re­corded by several well-known artists including Louisiana’s own Wayne Watson. The song describes what happens when a worn out violin is placed in the hands of a master violin­ist. Recently I’ve had a similar “master’s touch” experience. My grandfather played the vio­lin, or better yet, the fiddle. After his death many years ago – a few months before I was born – my mother ended up with the fiddle and displayed on top of her piano. She always talked about getting it repaired but never did. Earlier this summer, while visit­ing my dad, I picked the instrument to look it over. There were several obvious problems. The tailpiece, which holds the tension on the lower end of the strings, was broken and held in place with bailing wire. There was a long crack in the face which appeared to be the biggest impedi­ment to restoring the violin to playable condition. But there was one problem that caused me to take action: a small worm had bored a hole in the side of the fiddle. This poor old fiddle may never play again but I was … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications No doubt, many of us are familiar with the poem by Myra Brooks Welch “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”  The poem was later set to music and recorded by several well-known artists including Louisiana’s own Wayne Watson.  The song describes what happens when a worn out violin is placed in the hands of a master violinist. Recently I’ve had a similar “master’s touch” experience.  My grandfather played the violin, or better yet, the fiddle.  After his death many years ago (a few months before I was born,) my mother ended up with the fiddle and displayed on top of her piano.   She always talked about getting it repaired but never did. Earlier this summer, while visiting my dad, I picked the instrument to look it over.  There were several obvious problems.  The tailpiece which holds the tension on the lower end of the strings was broken and held in place with bailing wire.  There was a long crack in the face which appeared to be the biggest impediment to restoring the violin to playable condition.  But there was one problem that caused me to take action: a small worm had bored a hole in the side of the fiddle.  This poor old fiddle may never play again but I was not going to let this treasure be … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:19 By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Communications DALLAS – President Barack Obama’s re-election virtually guarantees that his signature healthcare reform law, passed in 2010, will continue moving toward implementation over the coming four years. GuideStone continues working toward applying the provisions of the law, while remaining an active part of a coalition of large and historic denominational church health plan providers advocating on behalf of ministers and other participants served by church plans. “We are continuing our efforts to aggressively pursue legislative and regulatory relief,” said GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins. “We recognize that many religious organizations, including some in our own Baptist family, have chosen to pursue litigation to challenge aspects of the law. At this time, GuideStone has chosen to work with legislators and regulators to address the concerns of church health plans, but we are closely monitoring the lawsuits as they make their way through the court system. We fully support these lawsuits and share the foundational commitment to safeguard religious liberty. Since we serve employers and participants throughout the … [Read more...]

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES Joel McMickin has resigned as pastor of Calvary of Forest Hill, and is available for pulpit supply. 318.659.4094. Jeremy Breaux has resigned as pastor of Erwinville Baptist. Alan (wife Sandy) Miller is new as pastor of Alto Baptist. Jake Goforth has resigned as youth pastor of Hillcrest Baptist in Franklinton. NEEDED/GIVING Oak Hill Baptist Church in Many is searching for a full-time pastor. Must be at least 30 years of age. Parsonage available. Resumes may be e-mailed to liindaguay@yahoo.com or mailed to Russell Peace at P.O Box 108, Negreet, La. 71460. John Parker is available for fill-ins, interim, and possible full-time pastoring. Call: 318.348.0420 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD First Baptist Morgan City: 30 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 1,163 shoeboxes. Highland Park Baptist West Monroe: 133 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 100 shoeboxes. First Baptist Basile: 45 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 222 shoeboxes. SEASONAL EVENTS Cedar Crest West Monroe/First West Monroe: Boxes of new Christmas cards needed for nursing home ministry, to ensure every resident receives a card. Deliver asap to church with note: For Kevin Tedeton/nursing home ministry. Vernon Baptist Association: Volunteers … [Read more...]

SULPHUR – Alex Benton, 8-year-old member of First Baptist Church of Benton, decided to make her birthday count this year. Alex asked family and friends to instead of gifts donate new or gently-used shoes to give to people in need, as part of the church’s “Love Out Loud” thrust. More than 200 pairs of shoes were given, and passed on to Care Help of Sulphur. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:27 Ten members of Southern Baptist churches in these towns recently spent 10 days sharing the Gospel message of Jesus to struggling families, and at local Baptist churches, orphanages, hospitals and schools. As a result, 191 people made professions of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “I’ve been on a number of other missions with hammers and nails to minister, but this was truly a Spirit-led mis­sion and prepared people who readily accepted the Gospel,” said David Maxwell, pastor of Red Bluff Baptist in Folsom. A second mission trip is planned to start Sept. 11, 2013. Byelorussia is “literally crying for missionaries from America,” said Andrew Ryzh­kov, now of Atlanta, Ga. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:30 The city of Riverside, Calif., may sell land in which a cross was erected more than 100 years ago on land that was then private property to the highest bidder in order for the city to avoid a lawsuit brought by the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Atheist Group Sues IRS Over Churches Endorsing Politics  (WNS)--After 1,586 pastors purposely broke the law Oct. 7 by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit, an atheist group has taken the bait and sued the Internal Revenue Service Wednesday for not taking action against these pastors’ churches. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) started Pulpit Freedom Sunday in 2008 to challenge the constitutionality of the 1954 Johnson Amendment that prohibits tax-exempt churches from making political endorsements. ADF hoped the IRS would take action so that a lawsuit could be filed that would repeal the law. “It’s outrageous for pastors and churches to be threatened or punished by the government for applying biblical teachings to all areas of life, including candidates and elections,” ADF legal counsel Erik Stanley told Focus on the Family’s Citizen Link last month. He added that the purpose … [Read more...]