A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. The trend holds true among both female and male students, 10th-12th-grade students and black and white students, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey of more than 10,000 high school students shows. Various decade-long improvements in teenage sexual risk behavior noted in the survey are parallel to decreases in the rates of gonorrhea, pregnancy and birth rates among adolescents, said Lloyd Kolbe, who directs Center for Disease Control’s adolescent and school health … [Read more...]

For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion.   A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years. For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion.   A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years.   However, within a matter of days, a second report had been released - announcing Miss America is free to talk about sexual abstinence after all.   Erika Harold was crowned as Miss America 2003 in September. Earlier this month, she told reporters she had been informed there would be no restrictions on her discussion of chastity as part of her youth violence prevention platform.   An article in the Washington Times reported on the efforts to ban discussion of the subject by Harold. The Times also reported comments made by Harold at a press conference, during which she indicated her … [Read more...]

Warning: This is a hunting story. Animal rights people be forewarned and stop here. No, hunting is not all I do. It is just that hunting puts humans in unnatural settings that produce humiliating, self-deprecating experiences that are sometimes, in the eyes of others, entertaining. At least, that is what happens on those occasions this writer ventures hunting. Note: The following On Second Thought by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the January 18, 1996 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   Warning: This is a hunting story. Animal rights people be forewarned and stop here. No, hunting is not all I do. It is just that hunting puts humans in unnatural settings that produce humiliating, self-deprecating experiences that are sometimes, in the eyes of others, entertaining. At least, that is what happens on those occasions this writer ventures hunting.   This is a goose hunt. Perry Sanders, pastor of the world’s largest Cajun mission, is the host - and a right good one at that. He furnishes sleeping accommodations, food, transportation, blind, decoys and dog. Me? I furnish … [Read more...]

For the week of October 24, 2002 Washington-area sniper A Baptist church member was the second of the eleven people murdered in a sniper’s random attacks in the Washington, D.C., area, since Oct. 2. James "Sonny" Buchanan’s funeral was conducted Oct. 11 at First Baptist Church in Gaithersburg, Md., where he had been baptized as a child. Buchanan, a 39-year-old landscaper, was killed the morning of Oct. 3 by a bullet to the chest as he was mowing a lawn. He had remained a member of the Gaithersburg church through the years but had devoted his volunteer energies to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Sudan Peace Act Congress has approved a revised bill designed to promote peace in the African country of Sudan, which has suffered under the militant practices of its Islamic government. Passage comes just weeks after it seemed the measure was destined for failure because the House and Senate had passed differing versions. However, differences were resolved. The approved legislation provides immediate aid to southern Sudan’s beleaguered citizens and requires the White House to monitor peace negotiations and to enforce sanctions on the Khartoum regime if it is not negotiating in good faith or is interfering … [Read more...]

Many Americans are transmitting one of their worst diseases on to their children. The disease? Acute materialism.   No lesser publication than U.S. News & World Report has featured at least one multi-page article on the sad phenomenon.   Experts in the field of child psychology say more and more children are victims of the "out of control ... buy-buy cycle ... of ... overspending." ‘Acute materialism’ disease infecting U.S. children   Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the March 22, 1990 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   Many Americans are transmitting one of their worst diseases on to their children. The disease? Acute materialism.   No lesser publication than U.S. News & World Report has featured at least one multi-page article on the sad phenomenon.   Experts in the field of child psychology say more and more children are victims of the "out of control ... buy-buy cycle ... of ... overspending."   The children are surrounded by the infectious virus. Barons of Madison … [Read more...]

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the elections of United States senators representing our great state of Louisiana just a few short weeks away, I feel led of the Lord to write this letter. The Bible says pray for your leaders in Romans 13. Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the elections of United States senators representing our great state of Louisiana just a few short weeks away, I feel led of the Lord to write this letter. The Bible says pray for your leaders in Romans 13.   I would encourage all Louisiana Baptists to proclaim a day of prayer and fasting for this important election. Such a day could be either on Saturday, November 2 or on Monday, November 4. Most importantly, we must seek God’s face, ask for his direction and, then, go out and vote on Tuesday, November 5.   Would you help me by encouraging and promoting this message that we call all Louisiana Southern Baptists to fast and pray on a designated day as indicated above for the 2002 Senate race.   David Campbell, Pastor Goodwood Baptist Church Baton Rouge … [Read more...]

No question, Larry Walters had an extraordinary dose of wanderlust flowing in his blood. He was a truck driver, but that is only part of the symptoms of his ailment.   As he drove across this great country - yea, even since he was a lad of 13 years - he dreamed of soaring into the wild blue yonder in a weather balloon.   Who knows why? Maybe his mother was frightened by one when she was carrying him; as we will see, it is a good thing it was not a kite. Note: The following On Second Thought by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the March 15, 1990 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   No question, Larry Walters had an extraordinary dose of wanderlust flowing in his blood. He was a truck driver, but that is only part of the symptoms of his ailment.   As he drove across this great country - yea, even since he was a lad of 13 years - he dreamed of soaring into the wild blue yonder in a weather balloon.   Who knows why? Maybe his mother was frightened by one when she was carrying him; as we will see, it is a good thing it was not a … [Read more...]

For the week of October 24, 2002 Potpourri • OAKDALE - Trinity church: "Hope For the Home" asociational Bible conference; Nov. 3, 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. with lunch to follow, 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Bill Riddick, Charles Robinson, Craig James, Ronnie Tarver and Wayne Squyres, guest speakers; Wayne Clark, music; for more information, call (318) 335-2757; Tony Robinson, pastor.   • BREAUX BRIDGE - Teche church: Higher Faith in concert; Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; Wayne Lyons, pastor.   • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: The Hemphills in concert; Nov. 3 10:50 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Andy Myrick, pastor.   • SLIDELL - Grace Memorial church: "Becoming Complete" conference; Nov. 3, 8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 7 p.m.; Jerry Pipes, conference leader; Keith Davis, student leader; Scott Adkins, music leader; for more information, call (985) 643-6017; Bob Heustess, pastor.   • EUNICE - First church: Women’s Conference; Nov. 9, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Elizabeth George, guest speaker; $10 per ticket, tickets can be purchased by calling (337) 457-2361; Michael DeRosier, pastor.   • ALBANY - Albany church: "Hellhouse" drama; Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2, … [Read more...]

A decade after Southern Baptist leaders launched the most recognizable teenage sexual abstinence program in the world, the effort continues - and looks to expand its focus.   "We have had the True Love Waits (sexual abstinence) message take hold from Australia to Zimbabwe," said Jimmy Hester, a staff member with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, the agency sponsoring the effort. A decade after Southern Baptist leaders launched the most recognizable teenage sexual abstinence program in the world, the effort continues - and looks to expand its focus.   "We have had the True Love Waits (sexual abstinence) message take hold from Australia to Zimbabwe," said Jimmy Hester, a staff member with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, the agency sponsoring the effort.   "Students all over the world are seeing the wisdom of - and making - a commitment to living a lifestyle of purity."   Tens of thousands of young people have embraced True Love Waits, signing pledge cards that call them to remain sexual abstinent until marriage. And now, True Love Waits leaders want even more people - and not just teenagers to join in the … [Read more...]

God has gifted ministers’ wives in particular ways and wants to use those particular gifts through their lives, a trio of speakers emphasized recently.   "God will use your particular shape and will use you like he won’t use anyone else," Debi Sharkey told women attending the 22nd annual Annie Elias Leavell Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. God has gifted ministers’ wives in particular ways and wants to use those particular gifts through their lives, a trio of speakers emphasized recently.   "God will use your particular shape and will use you like he won’t use anyone else," Debi Sharkey told women attending the 22nd annual Annie Elias Leavell Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."   With a theme of "God’s Plan ... My Part," this year’s event focused on the ministers’ wives’ relationship with God, responsibility to the family and role in ministry.   The lives of ministers’ wives can stimulate faith in others, said Rhonda Kelley, whose husband, Chuck, is president of New Orleans Seminary.   Indeed, God expects his people to be holy or set apart, which means … [Read more...]