Louisiana lawmakers will be dealing with some key moral and social issues during their current legislative sessions   C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor Louisiana lawmakers will be dealing with some key moral and social issues during their current legislative sessions   Spring has arrived, which can mean only one thing - the Louisiana Legislature is back in session and considering all forms and fashions of bills.   Some proposed measures are good.   Some are bad.   Some could prove downright disastrous.   All in all, almost 3,000 bills have been proposed in the current session and must end by June 18.   As expected, considerable attention is being paid to gamb-ling in Louisiana - even though one might wonder what is left to do that legislators already have not done.   Indeed, in a recent special session, legislators approved a reduced deal in order to keep the New Orleans land-based casino open. They also passed a measure that now will allow the 14 riverboats throughout the state to remain permanently docked, a move dearly sought by boat operators.   But with gambling, there is always the possibility for more - … [Read more...]

Louisiana College recently celebrated the opening of its newest campus facility - the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center. Louisiana College recently celebrated the opening of its newest campus facility - the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center.   The $8.5 million facility is named for the Bakers, prominent business and community leaders who are long-time supporters of the college and who made a sizable contribution toward building the center.   The Bakers are members at First Baptist Church of Pineville. He also is a former trustee chair for the Louisiana College board.   "It is through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Baker that this facility came into existence," Louisiana College President Rory Lee emphasized during dedication ceremonies on the final day of March.   "Jim and Mary Baker have made many significant contributions in years past," Lee continued. "This (center), like many of their previous efforts, will make life better for those in Central Louisiana.   "In addition to convenient health care, the Baker Center will provide fitness and educational opportunities for students and the community alike."   The Baker Center … [Read more...]

President George Bush’s plan to use federal money to fund faith-based social programs has been introduced into Congress - amidst continued concerns. President George Bush’s plan to use federal money to fund faith-based social programs has been introduced into Congress - amidst continued concerns.   The plan has drawn criticism from those who say it represents a violation of church and state. It also has been the cause for concern among many evangelicals who worry about minority faiths benefiting from the program and about possible government interference in the work of churches and faith communities that accept federal funds.   Bush already has set up offices in five federal departments to help remove barriers that hinder faith-based groups from working with government to help the needy.   Another aspect of the plan would allow non-itemizing taxpayers to deduct charitable contributions. The move has been well-received and is expected to be approved.   However, the proposal to funnel government funds to faith-based groups offering social services is expected to stall in the United States Senate.   Still, it is included in legislation recently introduced in the … [Read more...]

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed off the California coast on January 31, 2000. The crew lost control of the jet when a stabilizer jammed. After an initial 7,000 feet loss of altitude, the plane corkscrewed at high speed into the Pacific Ocean. All 83 passengers and the five crew members were thought to have been killed instantly. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed off the California coast on January 31, 2000. The crew lost control of the jet when a stabilizer jammed. After an initial 7,000 feet loss of altitude, the plane corkscrewed at high speed into the Pacific Ocean. All 83 passengers and the five crew members were thought to have been killed instantly.   However, as the plane plummeted, cockpit voice recordings reveal that a pastor’s wife spent the final nine minutes of her life addressing passengers over the public address system and leading them in prayer. "The pastor’s wife had a chance to share the gospel with the very attentive passengers and presumably lead many to salvation in Christ," a circulating e-mail concludes.   Wow! What a story! Unfortunately, there is no evidence to support it.   Yes, there was a pastor and his wife on board the flight. However, … [Read more...]

Ezekiel David Allen needs prayer - desperately. His life hangs in the balance. At least, that is what the e-mail message says.   It describes Allen as a Southern Baptist missionary to Thailand who "is critically ill with an unknown parasite and apparently WILL DIE WITHIN TWO MONTHS unless there is an intervention by the Lord." Ezekiel David Allen needs prayer - desperately. His life hangs in the balance. At least, that is what the e-mail message says.   It describes Allen as a Southern Baptist missionary to Thailand who "is critically ill with an unknown parasite and apparently WILL DIE WITHIN TWO MONTHS unless there is an intervention by the Lord."   The e-mail asks persons to "create a global blanket of prayer" for Allen - and what in the world could be wrong with that?   Nothing, unless one considers the true facts of the situation.   There is a missionary named David Allen - who serves in Thailand and has faced illness due to an unidentified parasite.   But ... he is not a Southern Baptist, the e-mail alert is two years old and the initial round of prayers reportedly already have worked.   "The e-mail was true more than two years ago," … [Read more...]

Oh, brother, here it goes again - same old story, who knows what number verse by now.   One would think that recent news would have stopped this madness. After all, confirmed death usually means a person no longer is active - purported Elvis sightings notwithstanding. Oh, brother, here it goes again - same old story, who knows what number verse by now.   One would think that recent news would have stopped this madness. After all, confirmed death usually means a person no longer is active - purported Elvis sightings notwithstanding.   Not in this case, however.   They may have found Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s bones and confirmed her fate at the hands of a murderous acquaintance - but they have not stopped her from petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to get religious talk off television.   Consider the following e-mail that recently arrived at the Baptist Message:   "THOUGH SHE’S DEAD AND HAS JUST BEEN LOCATED, AFTER 5 YEARS, THIS LADY CONTINUES TO HAUNT US FROM HER SHALLOW GRAVE. GET THIS:   CBS will be forced to discontinue ‘Touched by an Angel’ for using the word God in every program. Madeline Murray O’Hare (sic), an atheist, … [Read more...]

The darkness is just beginning to lose its daily battle to sunlight. The eastern horizon has a smear of gray where the sun will begin winning its skirmish. The darkness is just beginning to lose its daily battle to sunlight. The eastern horizon has a smear of gray where the sun will begin winning its skirmish. On this day, the eastern horizon rests on the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee, over the Galilean hills. Just enough clouds float in the sky to ensure a spectacular sunrise and a great photo opportunity. Everyone has to have one good shot of a sunrise in Israel. Armed with my camera, I leave the River Jordan Hotel in Tiberias for the walk to the peer that reaches a few yards over the water. Walking down the darkened path, I hear two voices coming up behind me. The two men speak Arabic in rather whispered tones. Somehow, I feel their conversation is about me. Having read the news about the sometimes violent conflict in this part of the world between Arabs and Jews, I worry that the two think I am Jewish. I walk a little faster. They walked a little faster, and keep talking. I glance over my shoulder and in that glance see they are carrying items that can easily be barrels of rifles. Even in the dim … [Read more...]

What are the essential keys for a successful postmodern church worship experience?   Ed Stetzer offers 10 such guidelines. And as director Nehemiah Project church-planting center at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky., Stetzer has opportunity to know what it takes to reach modern persons. His 10 rules are: What are the essential keys for a successful postmodern church worship experience?   Ed Stetzer offers 10 such guidelines. And as director Nehemiah Project church-planting center at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky., Stetzer has opportunity to know what it takes to reach modern persons. His 10 rules are:     Be unashamedly spiritual.   "Many postmoderns are open to the spiritual," the Southern Baptist worker said. "People are tired of the modern belief that everything can be answered by science and reason. They are open to something mystical and spiritual."     Promote incarnational ministry.   "Authenticity is essential," Stetzer said. "Postmoderns are looking for persons who are genuine and transparent."   Too often, postmoderns feel they are meeting an alien culture when they encounter evangelical Christianity, … [Read more...]

Church leaders can steer congregations in a healthy direction by honestly facing conflict instead of running from it or turning a dispute into a personal battle, Ken Schmitt insists.   Too many church members treat the biblical mandate of reconciliation as an opportunity to argue their case, said Schmitt, a former pastor who spoke at a recent Kentucky Baptist Convention gathering. Church leaders can steer congregations in a healthy direction by honestly facing conflict instead of running from it or turning a dispute into a personal battle, Ken Schmitt insists.   Too many church members treat the biblical mandate of reconciliation as an opportunity to argue their case, said Schmitt, a former pastor who spoke at a recent Kentucky Baptist Convention gathering.   Many people misunderstand Jesus’ process on resolving conflicts in Matthew 18:15-17, Schmitt said. The passage calls for private reproof, then intervention by a small group and then taking the matter before the whole congregation - as a last resort.   "We see this as one-two-three strikes, and you’re out," Schmitt said. "(Instead) We are to work toward reconciliation for the common good."   Instead, Schmitt … [Read more...]

Re: "The Baptist Scene" brief on "Free Bibles" - Baptist Message, April 5 Re: "The Baptist Scene" brief on "Free Bibles" - Baptist Message, April 5 Comment: Just what we need ... another translation. And none of them have improved on the King James Version. T.J. Ozbun Duplessis … [Read more...]