For years, conservatives have bemoaned the fact that California is a sort of cultural trend-setter – setting trends that eventually spread east and reverberate nationally. SAN FRANCISCO (BP) – For years, conservatives have bemoaned the fact that California is a sort of cultural trend-setter – setting trends that eventually spread east and reverberate nationally. It helped spark the sexual revolution, adopted the nation’s first no-fault divorce law and helped launch the modern-day “gay rights” movement. And while it has broken ground that both conservatives and liberals can applaud – it, for instance, was the first to overturn bans on interracial marriage – few conservatives were celebrating May 15 when the California Supreme Court, by a slim 4-3 margin, ordered the state to legalize “gay marriage.” California’s high court isn’t the first to hand down such a ruling – Massachusetts’ court owns that distinction – but its impact has the potential to be far more significant, for at least four reasons: The decision was issued in the nation’s most populous state; the court is one of the most, if not the most, influential high courts in the country; the justices placed sexual “orientation” alongside race, sex and religion in … [Read more...]

Sen. John McCain’s recent global warming speech assured Americans of one thing, a skeptical scientist says – no major presidential candidate in 2008 will challenge prevailing assumptions. WASHINGTON (BP) – Sen. John McCain’s recent global warming speech assured Americans of one thing, a skeptical scientist says – no major presidential candidate in 2008 will challenge prevailing assumptions. The May 12 address by the presumptive Republican Party nominee “made it clear that there will be no presidential candidate this year willing to question the assertion that [climate change] is manmade, or the assertion that we can fix global warming by passing a few laws,” wrote Roy Spencer, a research scientist at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and an evangelical Christian, in a commentary for National Review Online. The scientific evidence for human-induced global warming is questionable, and the ability to do anything about it could seriously harm economic growth, he said. “So, here we are with bad science ready to support bad policy decisions that will lead to bad economic times ahead, and no presidential candidate who is willing to ask the hard questions,” Spencer wrote. In his speech, McCain proposed a “cap-and-trade … [Read more...]

The food crisis in southern Africa is deepening and Southern Baptist workers in Zimbabwe are calling for prayer that God will intervene.  HARARE, Zimbabwe (BP) – The food crisis in southern Africa is deepening and Southern Baptist workers in Zimbabwe are calling for prayer that God will intervene. With food prices rising and supplies dwindling globally, “food security” is a major issue in many countries, but the crisis is much sharper in Zimbabwe, where political uncertainty and economic turmoil – including the world’s highest inflation rate at 160,000 percent – are making daily life virtually impossible for the poorest people. About one-third of Zimbabwe’s 12 million people are receiving emergency food aid. The situation is compounded even further by weather, said Mark Hatfield, who leads work in sub-Saharan Africa for Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization. Flooding wiped out crops in many parts of the country early this year, then three months of extremely dry weather has caused serious damage to this year’s maize harvest. “Southern Baptists who care have been responding to the crisis by providing boxes of staple food to help families in crisis,” Hatfield said. … [Read more...]

Submitted by Jenny Price on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 02:00 … [Read more...]

From all outward signs, John seemed to be a wonderful sixth-grade boys’ Sunday school teacher. He prepared, attended leadership meetings, participated in outreach and even spent time with the boys outside of Sunday school. But something went wrong. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – From all outward signs, John seemed to be a wonderful sixth-grade boys’ Sunday school teacher. He prepared, attended leadership meetings, participated in outreach and even  spent time with the boys outside of Sunday school. But something went wrong. It was late one Wednesday evening when the call came to the pastor’s home. A parent of one of John’s students began to share incredible accusations. “Know that the church will be hearing from  our attorney,” was the final comment. Completely bewildered, the pastor sought the advice of a local attorney. The attorney’s first question was, “What does your church do to ensure that minors (anyone under the age of 18) are protected  from abusive conduct by adults?” The sick feeling in the pastor’s stomach grew as he confessed, “Nothing.” Reports of abusive conduct toward children by adults are shocking. It is estimated that one out of every four girls  and one out of six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse … [Read more...]

It’s been nearly 24 years since Ed Erwin observed Memorial Day in a military role, so it holds special significance this year for the longtime Southern Baptist pastor. PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP) – It’s been nearly 24 years since Ed Erwin observed Memorial Day in a military role, so it holds special significance this year for the longtime Southern Baptist pastor. On Jan. 7, as a 48-year-old, Erwin joined the Navy as a chaplain. The son of a retired Army officer enlisted at an age when many fellow Baby Boomers are pondering future pension benefits or Social Security’s future. “I know as a chaplain I’ll be involved in a number of services,” Erwin said of Memorial Day’s commemoration of men and women who died in military service. “I’ve done that before as a pastor in Shelbyville (Ky.),” said Erwin, who was pastor of First Baptist Church there for 12-plus years. Memorial Day began in 1866 to honor veterans of the Civil War, but after World War I it was expanded to include those who died in any war. “There are a number of veterans who inspire me,” Erwin said. One is still living – his father, retired Lt. Col. Hamilton Erwin. A conversation the two had in the fall of 2006 stirred the son to think about rejoining the Air … [Read more...]

A Christian romance novel who finds out she was adopted after her parents' death   Grace, A Gift of Love, by Deborah Lynne, published in 2007 by Tate Publishing, Mustang, Okla.                    This is a novel – a Christian romance – about Dena, a young woman who finds out in the days after her parents’ death in a car accident that she was adopted. Grace is a gentle look at how God works through unintended consequences, and how love and forgiveness thrive when intertwined like ivy. Excerpt: Just the thought of how she was      created from Grace and Jimmy’s love for one        another made her feel warm and complete. Did she have that kind of love for John? The forever kind of love? No. She knew in her heart she didn’t. He hadn’t even crossed her mind the whole time she had been away, except when he called. Dena knew the answer. “Yes, John. I’m sure.” Available at www.amazon.com   … [Read more...]

You might not be dancing for joy as you finish the last page of the book, depending on the severity of the storm you’re in, but you’ll feel a gentle breeze of hope that you’ll be able to make it through the storm.   Winds of Hope: Healing Devotions for Life’s Storms by Rebecca J. Hughes, published in 2007 by New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, Ala.  Unlike most of the books on this center spread, Winds of Hope was not self-published, and it’s easy to see why. It has broad, mass market appeal because it addresses an affliction common to everyone: trouble. We all have gone through something “unpleasant” – to say the least – at some point in our lives. Winds of Hope brings solace, comfort, encouragement and even joy in the midst of whatever storm we’re going through, or that someone we know is going through. It was important to me as I wrote a bit about each of these books that I report just the facts. The fact is, this book restores its readers’ equilibrium. You might not be dancing for joy as you  finish the last page of the book, depending on the severity of the storm you’re in, but you’ll feel a gentle breeze of hope that you’ll be able to make it through the storm. Author Rebecca Hughes restores peace of mind to … [Read more...]

A magical story of four everyday children who live in a land where it is always light. Growing Up in Charis, by Bob Adams, published in 2007 by Publish America, Frederick, Md. www.amazon.com Growing up in Charis is a 12-chapter storybook for 8- to 12-year-olds, “a magical story of four everyday children who live in a land where it is always light and never dark.” It is similar in style to Alice-in-Wonderland-Meets-the-Lion-Witch- and-Wardrobe.It's a book that lets children discover the importance of God in their lives, and it does so without preaching. Adams is pastor of First Baptist Bogalusa. … [Read more...]

The premise of this devotional book is that women oftentimes pretend to be something they are not, because they feel they do not measure up. Putting My Dress-up Clothes Away: because big girls live in the real world, by Martha Bailey, published in 2007 by Insight Press, Covington, La. The premise of this devotional book is that women oftentimes pretend to be something they are not, because they feel they do not measure up. As author Denise George explains in her endorsement: “With a deep understanding of God’s Word, a writing style that brings heart-warmth, and a wonderful sense of humor, Martha Bailey writes a book of brief story-illustrated meditations that will lead readers to a greater understanding of Scripture, and delight them with her own honest personal experiences.  Truly an interesting, enlightening, and inspirational book that today’s Christian woman will greatly enjoy!” Bailey is wife of Pastor Waylon Bailey of First Baptist Covington. See www.amazon.com … [Read more...]