Southern Baptists have made it undeniably clear that they take the Great Commission charge to carry the gospel to the world literally - and seriously. Southern Baptists have made it undeniably clear that they take the Great Commission charge to carry the gospel to the world literally - and seriously. Half of their Cooperative Program receipts go for international missions. Another 20 percent or so is used for North American efforts to share Jesus Christ.   Missions is a highlight emphasis at annual conventions. Through the years, missions has served as a guaranteed rallying point. Indeed, next to the Cooperative Program, perhaps the most recognizable Southern Baptist effort in history is Bold Mission Thrust, the name given to the denomination’s 25-year effort to fulfill the daunting challenge of the Great Commission.   Make no mistake - Southern Baptists are committed to missions.   Make no mistake as well - the task they have assumed is no small one.   Indeed, recent figures offer both motivation - and reason for concern.   First, the good news.   Christianity is the globe’s largest religion, claiming 1.9 billion followers - or 31 percent of the … [Read more...]

The man and woman were scurrying around, tidying up the area beside the bridge. The bridge was in a remote area of the state that sees considerable traffic caused by people trying to get from one more inhabited area to another. Almost no one comes here except on the way to somewhere else. The man and woman were scurrying around, tidying up the area beside the bridge. The bridge was in a remote area of the state that sees considerable traffic caused by people trying to get from one more inhabited area to another. Almost no one comes here except on the way to somewhere else.   The area by the bridge holds several crosses. They are part of an increasing phenomenon across our state. More and more people chose to make a place of death a place of memorial.   Such roadside memorials cause mixed emotions with me. Perhaps this is because I have never talked with a person who has made these memorials to understand their motivations. It may be because, thankfully, none of my loved ones have died in a car crash. But whatever the motivation, more folks seem to want to put crosses where others have died in an automobile accident.   The loved ones of someone who had died at the scene of this bridge … [Read more...]

Abdul’s family almost beat him to death when he turned his back on Allah. Only his mother’s love - and God’s grace - spared his life, he says. Abdul’s family almost beat him to death when he turned his back on Allah. Only his mother’s love - and God’s grace - spared his life, he says.   Even 18 years later, Abdul says he risks his life every day in his native Bangladesh by urging other Muslims to accept Christ as Savior.   Abdul told his story on a recent trip to Texas, where he visited Baptist churches that are supporting Christian ministry among Bengali Muslims. "Abdul" is not his real name. He uses it to hide his real identity in order to protect his life and the lives of other Christians, he says.   Located on the northeastern border of India, Bangladesh is about the size of Arkansas. But it is home to 150 million people - 87 percent of them Muslim. Another 10 percent are Hindu, and fewer than 1 percent profess to be Christian.   "In Bangladesh, we have had the idea that no Muslim can become a Christian," Abdul says. "That idea already has been changed. People are coming to the faith."   But the journey is long, hard and often dangerous, he notes, recounting … [Read more...]

Citing the urgency to reach out and disciple youth in the postmodern culture, A Southern Baptist leader recently listed 10 trends he said youth ministry leaders must understand. Citing the urgency to reach out and disciple youth in the postmodern culture, A Southern Baptist leader recently listed 10 trends he said youth ministry leaders must understand.   For instance, youth ministers must do their work with the understanding that families are falling apart – "and not just outside the church," said Paul Turner, a worker with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention   In addition, ministers must understand that loneliness characterizes the lives of many youth, even though they are surrounded by others at school and at church, Turner pointed out during a recent youth ministry conference in Birmingham, Ala.   Third, leaders must realize music is young people’s language, Turner said. "Kids today are grabbing a CD from one of their favorite artists, giving it to one of their friends and saying, ‘This is how I believe,’" he pointed out.   In a fourth trend, Turner reminded youth leaders that boundaries are nonexistent for modern … [Read more...]

Do not look to the Louisiana governor’s office for help in stemming the tidal wave of proposed increased legalized gambling in the state. Mr. Foster has jumped on the Mardi Gras float driven by those who want to increase the presence of legalized gambling in the state. Do not look to the Louisiana governor’s office for help in stemming the tidal wave of proposed increased legalized gambling in the state. Mr. Foster has jumped on the Mardi Gras float driven by those who want to increase the presence of legalized gambling in the state.   Governor Mike Foster ran his first term on a platform that had the bright plank of anti-gambling featured on it. And, for a couple of his first years in office, he spoke forthrightly about the evils of gambling and its negative impact upon the state. He even said gambling was a bad bet for the state’s economy.   Now, Mr. Foster is pushing two major proposals that would significantly increase legalized gambling and the state’s growing addiction to money from legalized gambling.   Governor Foster is now a major proponent of giving the Harrah’s land-based casino owners huge tax breaks from their original agreement. He wants legislators to drastically shrink … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Baptist Message recently asked persons to send in responses identifying favorite books, chapter and verses fo the Bible. These are some of the responses that we received. We have been asked to list our favorite book of the Bible or favorite passage of Scripture and why. I was surprised that the public listings of 2 percent or more did not include Romans, which is my favorite. Perhaps, Romans is viewed as too difficult and not easy devotional reading (especially chapters 1:18 - 3:17 and chapters 9-11).   For me, as for Luther, Romans is the great account of the gospel - and a gospel in its own right, for Paul explains the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection for all mankind and how we are to live by faith and the new understanding of ourselves "in Christ." Several passages stand out as my favorites - Romans 1:16-17, 5:6-10 and Chapter 8 in its entirety!   John’s gospel is my second favorite. ... John 1:14-18 and 3:16-17 are among my favorite verses.   Henry "Hank" Evans Monroe       My favorite book of the Bible is James. The reason is simply that the writer seems as though he knew me personally by addressing the things that are so … [Read more...]

Without a doubt, it is the most-quoted, best-selling, most-widely-translated, most influential book in history. Without a doubt, it is the most-quoted, best-selling, most-widely-translated, most influential book in history.   It is quoted by presidents.   It is cited in courtrooms.   It is proclaimed regularly throughout the world.   It is the source of inspiration for all forms of art - books, film, sculpture, paintings, music.   And it is all of that despite the fact that it was written over a span of 1,500 years, with 40 or so contributing authors, including shepherds and tentmakers and fishermen and physicians.   It is all of that despite the fact that it really is a collection of short books addressing a range of topics - but woven together somehow into a whole.   It is all of that despite the fact that parts of it were written time specific - to particular people in a particular time as a means of addressing a particular concern.   Still, they speak today - to the day.   Welcome to the Bible, the first book ever printed with movable type, the book on which anyone testifying in a courtroom must take an oath, the … [Read more...]

As others have noted, it is difficult to identify one biblical book, chapter and verse as favorites. As others have noted, it is difficult to identify one biblical book, chapter and verse as favorites.   However, when it comes to books of the Bible, Habakkuk has to rank as a favorite. In it, the writer issues the ultimate challenge to God - why are you allowing the world to be like this? He dares God to answer him. The answer he receives is clear - that God is in charge, and one simply must live by faith, unclear of the workings of the divine but understanding that God is all there is to hold to in life. It is a book that speaks to the modern mind struggling to understand - reminding us that we are not called to see and know all but to move and live within the darkness of faith.   As for chapters, Psalm 139 is a wonderful reminder that God is intimately involved in our lives - is ever-present, ever reaching for us, ever willing to work to recreate us.   When it comes to verses, Matthew 22:37-40 comes to mind, in which Jesus identifies the two great commands. They remain the two great commands - and the two great challenges of life - to love God with everything one has and to love … [Read more...]

For the week of February 15, 2001 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: Sandi Patty in concert; Feb. 24, 7 p.m.; tickets are $10 and are available by calling the music suite at (318) 445-5640; Sam Jones, minister of music; David Brooks, pastor.   •FARMERVILLE - First church: Concord Association Music Festival; Feb. 26, 7 p.m.; Roger Johnson, pastor.   •JENA - Fellowship church: Layman’s Soul-Winning Rally; Feb. 27; fish fry and fellowship, 5:30 p.m.; conferences, 6:30 p.m.; rally, 7 p.m.; Chuck Kelley, speaker; Phil Smith, music; reservations for fish fry needed by Feb. 22; call (318) 339-9974; Randy Ray, pastor.   •LAFAYETTE - First church: The Miracle Singers in concert; Feb. 25, 8 and 11 a.m.; Luther Burney, minister of music; Perry Sanders, pastor.   •MORGAN CITY - Bayou Vista church: Gulf Coast Evangelism Rally; Feb. 25, 6 p.m.; Richard Harris, speaker; Charles Gilder, pastor.   •WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers Conference Center: Bivocational Evangelism Conference; Feb. 23; registration, 5 p.m.; meal, 7 p.m.; worship, 8 p.m.; Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon and 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 25; breakfast, 7:30 a.m.; worship, 9 a.m. - 12 noon; Darrell Robinson, speaker; Jimmy … [Read more...]

They are essential, but folks tend not to want to mention them by name. Euphemisms are used in familiar company rather than using the appropriate name. Polite company generally banishes even the surrogate words. They are essential, but folks tend not to want to mention them by name. Euphemisms are used in familiar company rather than using the appropriate name. Polite company generally banishes even the surrogate words.   Even their place of residence is a sensitive matter. Water closet. Powder room. Necessary room. Little girl’s room. Sensitive, indeed. Why, if you are of true Southern heritage and politeness, you may experience chill bumps when reading even these euphemisms.   The centerpiece of this place unspoken, except by necessity or inference, that is located in 99.44 percent of American homes, is, well, that object polite company banishes from conversation.   Imagine the dilemma when at about the same time both of ours needed replacing.   The first one was removed. It was singular in construction, and as heavy and awkward as–well, it was heavy and awkward. Only a significant struggle got it out through the door onto the carport. The next phase was to lug it out to … [Read more...]