For the week of September 9, 2004 Louisiana amendment   Late last week, the Louisiana Supreme Court cleared the way for state voters to cast ballots on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The Sept. 18 vote had been challenged in court - and the trio of cases had reached the Supreme Court last week. However, the court quickly - and unanimously - refused to consider the challanges from the gay rights group. The court ruling was the final avenue of appeal and guarantees the Sept.18 vote. Supporters of the amendment say it is needed to protect traditional marriage in the state. The amendment is predicted to pass by a large margin. The Baptist Message will present more information on the issue next week.   "Passion" sales   "The Passion of the Christ" was released on DVD on Aug. 31, and by noon, sales had reached 2.4 million copies. First-day sales totals were tallied at 4.1 million. "Finding Nemo," an animated film, holds the record for one-day DVD sales with about 8 million. "The Passion" became the most-surprising blockbuster of 2004 when it was released in theaters last February. The film grossed more than $370 million in ticket sales - … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists, as part of a state convention seeking executive directors for three of its agencies and as citizens of the United States, are faced with casting their lots for leaders. Louisiana Baptists, as part of a state convention seeking executive directors for three of its agencies and as citizens of the United States, are faced with casting their lots for leaders. In addition, as citizens of Louisiana, we will elect a United States senator, and in various parts of the state, voters will elect members of the United States House of Representatives and, in some cases, local officials. And in November, we will cast votes on who will be the most powerful man in the world - the president of the United States.   As we approach these times of decisions, certainly, every Christian should seek divine enlightenment through prayer, be open to the insight given by the Holy Spirit and seek information about every aspect of a prospective leader’s life. The motto given by Southern Baptist agencies in such seeking is "vote values," and that is excellent advice for any group–especially a Christian group seeking leadership.   In addition, each position mentioned above needs to be filled with a … [Read more...]

Danny Abramowicz never does things halfway. As an undersized but furiously competitive end on the football team at Xavier University in Ohio in the mid-1960s, he "worked out like a maniac." Danny Abramowicz never does things halfway. As an undersized but furiously competitive end on the football team at Xavier University in Ohio in the mid-1960s, he "worked out like a maniac."   In fact, doing isometric exercises at his mother-in-law’s house one day, Abramowicz accidentally ripped out several feet of molding.   Against all odds, he caught on in professional football - and became an All-Pro receiver with the New Orleans Saints, where he was famous for wringing every drop of advantage out of his gifts.   However, after football, Abramowicz started drinking - and became an alcoholic. In 1981, Alcoholics Anonymous and a reawakening of his Christianity saved him - and transformed him. More than 20 years later, Abramowicz is still on the journey.   The path that winds from professional athlete to drunk to recovering drunk now finds Abramowicz as author of a small handbook on spirituality for men: "Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint."   "Workout" is an instruction … [Read more...]

Until he got to the pros, absolutely no one can deny that Danny Wuerffel had experienced a dream in the world of football. Until he got to the pros, absolutely no one can deny that Danny Wuerffel had experienced a dream in the world of football.   As the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators, he led the team to four Southeastern Conference championships in as many years, and to one national title. He set 17 national and University of Florida records and managed to graduate with high honors as well.   And oh yes, he won the 1996 Heisman trophy, marking him as the best college athlete of the year.   Then, Wuerffel was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.   A story from his first game there is a perfect illustration. Wuerffel was hit so hard that his helmet spun around on his head - unbeknownst to him. He simply thought he had been hit so hard that he had gone blind.   It did not get any better.   In three years with the Saints, the team won a total of 15 games - and lost 33. Meanwhile, as Wuerffel puts it, he went from second string to first string to second string to third string to nothing in his final year with the team.   After leaving … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following lodging list for messengers attending the 2004 annual state convention, which is set for Nov. 15-16 at the Riverfront Convention Center in Alexandria. All listings are in Alexandria unless otherwise noted. Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following lodging list for messengers attending the 2004 annual state convention, which is set for Nov. 15-16 at the Riverfront Convention Center in Alexandria. All listings are in Alexandria unless otherwise noted. Those with asterisks are nearest the convention center:   • Best Western   2720 MacArthur Drive   (888) 338-2008   $64   • Comfort Inn   2001 N. Bolton Avenue   (318) 484-9155   $64.99   • Clarion Hotel   2716 N. MacArthur Drive   (318) 487-4261   $62.95   • Hampton Inn   2301 N. MacArthur Drive   (318) 487-8500   $72   • Holiday Inn Convention Centre *   701 4th Street   (318) 442-9000   $69   • Hotel Bentley *   200 DeSoto … [Read more...]

Men did not want to go to Fred Luter’s church, so, he invited them to watch a boxing match. Men did not want to go to Fred Luter’s church, so, he invited them to watch a boxing match.   It worked.   When Luter became pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans in 1987, he said he knew it would be difficult to get men involved in the African-American congregation. "We had very few men active in the church, and most of them were old," he admitted.   For two years, Luter tried different methods to reach out to the husbands, fathers and sons of the women in the church, hoping to get them to come. Nothing worked.   "Finally, I started looking at what the men liked to do," Luter noted during a small-group conference at a recent Black Church Leadership Week at LifeWay Ridgecrest (N.C.) Conference Center.   "I saw that sports was a big attraction. I ... decided to order a pay-per-view boxing match, then invite the men to come to our home to watch the fight on television."   Food was prepared - and here the men came, carrying six-packs and wine coolers.   Luter had placed a large trashcan outside his front door and asked the men to … [Read more...]

Endel Lee says a phrase from Acts 16:14 has new meaning for him after his experience at the Olympics. Endel Lee says a phrase from Acts 16:14 has new meaning for him after his experience at the Olympics.   "And the Lord opened her heart to the gospel," the biblical passage notes.   That is exactly what happened in one instance as Lee and 20 students and faculty members from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary spoke with hundreds of people during an Olympic mission trip.   "It (Greece) was a very difficult place to share the gospel," said Lee, assistant professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at the seminary’s Leavell College.   "The hearts of the people - for many at least - were just not open to listen to us. Usually, within a few moments of talking with someone, you would have a sense whether or not they wanted to continue."   In spite of resistance, Lee said the team saw at least three people make professions of faith in Jesus Christ.   One of the hearts God opened to the gospel belongs to Angela, a young Greek woman from Cyprus, Lee noted. She went to Athens as a volunteer Olympic worker. A Christian working with the missions group who … [Read more...]

The adopted platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties differ clearly on three major social issues - abortion, embryonic stem cell research and a constitutional marriage amendment. The adopted platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties differ clearly on three major social issues - abortion, embryonic stem cell research and a constitutional marriage amendment.   The difference on abortion is not new. As in past platforms, the Republican platform opposes abortion while the Democratic statement embraces the historic Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.   However, in stem cell research and a marriage amendment, this year’s political party platforms address two new headline issues as well.   The Republican platform supports President George Bush’s restrictions on public funding for embryonic stem cell research, while the Democratic platform backs a reversal of the Bush policy.   The Republican platform also supports the president’s call for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, while the Democratic platform opposes it.   Although non-binding, party platforms provide an overview of the parties’ positions … [Read more...]

Just as the current presidential election is shaping up as a highly-polarized event, American views on a range of issues related to politics, religion and moral values appear just as divided. Just as the current presidential election is shaping up as a highly-polarized event, American views on a range of issues related to politics, religion and moral values appear just as divided.   Consider:   • More Americans view the Republican Party rather than the Democratic Party as friendly toward religion. However, they also say the two presidential candidates mention their faith about the right amount.   • Most American voters voice comfort with President George Bush’s reliance on religious beliefs in making policy decisions. However, they also oppose too much involvement by churches in politics.   • The debate regarding stem-cell research is growing - while the issue of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman ranks low in terms of priorities. However, moral issues could play a key role in the election, with 64 percent of American voters saying such matters will be very important in how they cast a ballot.   Meanwhile, interest in … [Read more...]

For the week of September 16, 2004 Church conflict seminar   The Louisiana Baptist Church-Minister Relations Department has scheduled a one-day session on church conflict for Oct. 21 at the Baptist Building in Alexandria. The theme of the session is "Transforming Your Church: Building a Culture of Peace." The scheduled leader is Ken Sande, executive director of Peacemaker Ministries, which works to help churches across the nation deal with conflict in a biblical manner. The Oct. 21 session is set to begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4:30. Lunch is included in the $10 per person cost. Persons are asked to register by Oct. 14 by sending personal and contact information and the registration fee to : Louisiana Baptist Convention, Attn: Church-Minister Relations, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309. Information should include name, address, phone number, occupation, church affiliation and church role. For information, call (800) 622-6549 or (318) 448-3402.   Disaster relief   The first two dozen Southern Baptist disaster relief units were deployed on Sept. 7 to help thousands of Floridians reeling from the devastation left by Hurricane Frances, the second hurricane to hit the state in less … [Read more...]