"They" said it would not happen. "They" promised there would not be a significant increase in the number of compulsive gamblers in Louisiana. "They" said regulations would be so tight that teenagers would not be affected by gamblers. "They" said it would not happen. "They" promised there would not be a significant increase in the number of compulsive gamblers in Louisiana. "They" said regulations would be so tight that teenagers would not be affected by gamblers. "They" lied. Statistics and studies abounded that showed where the state was headed if it legalized gambling, and they were readily available all over Baton Rouge. Every statistic of every study where legalized gambling was instituted shows a significant increase in compulsive gamblers and teenage gamblers. The bottom line is leaders and a majority of legislators in our state government chose to ignore all statistics and/or deny them while talking only about the increase in state revenue legalized gambling would bring. The truth about compulsive gamblers and teenage gamblers has come out again and again in our state's media, albeit several years after the state-wide debate on such issues was settled. Where was the media when the … [Read more...]
Religious groups win key victory in Louisiana sales tax exemption case
Louisiana religious groups and churches won an important court victory recently - but the battle is not complete. A three-judge panel of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed a lower court decision that would have forced the state to begin collecting certain sales and use taxes from churches and religious groups. Louisiana religious groups and churches won an important court victory recently - but the battle is not complete. A three-judge panel of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed a lower court decision that would have forced the state to begin collecting certain sales and use taxes from churches and religious groups. For now, qualified churches and groups remain exempt from paying state sales tax on the purchase of Bibles and religious materials. They also do not have to pay sales taxes on use of religious camps. However, the matter has not been fully settled. Two avenues of federal appeal remain open - and if those fail, the issue then could be taken to state court. At issue is whether the state acted properly in granting sales tax exemptions to religious groups and churches in the 1990s. The American Civil Liberties Union say … [Read more...]
‘The means of prayer must be used in an extraordinary way’
Religious groups win key victory in Louisiana sales Christians who desire spiritual awakening should stop bemoaning carnality within society and pray fervently that God would pour out his Spirit upon the church, Roger Ellsworth said. Religious groups win key victory in Louisiana sales Christians who desire spiritual awakening should stop bemoaning carnality within society and pray fervently that God would pour out his Spirit upon the church, Roger Ellsworth said. "Humble, fervent prayer is the means God delights to use in sending his extraordinary work of revival," said Ellsworth, pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Ill. "We must be careful that we do not fall into the trap of thinking that normal praying produces revival. The means of prayer must be used in an extraordinary way. "It is not just a matter of tacking this formula onto our prayers: 'And Lord, please send revival, ...'" Ellsworth said during an address at the Southern Baptist Founders Fellowship breakfast earlier last month. "We have been doing that for years. Revival is most likely to come when God's people give themselves to extraordinary prayer. (And) Extraordinary prayer means praying much with an extraordinary burden … [Read more...]
They were Christian missionaries – and in big trouble
Aldam Tilao has every chance to follow Christ - his family was Christian, he fell in love with a Christian girl and he attended a Christian church. Instead, the Filipino embraced radical Islam, adopted the name Abu Sabaya and joined the Muslim terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. He became the flamboyant spokesperson of the group whose trademark was beheading hostages and prisoners of war. Deann Alford, Compass Direct Aldam Tilao has every chance to follow Christ - his family was Christian, he fell in love with a Christian girl and he attended a Christian church. Instead, the Filipino embraced radical Islam, adopted the name Abu Sabaya and joined the Muslim terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. He became the flamboyant spokesperson of the group whose trademark was beheading hostages and prisoners of war. On May 27, 2001, Sabaya and fellow guerrillas, wielding M-16s raided the Philippines resort of Dos Palmas where Christian missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were celebrating their wedding anniversary. The terrorists took the couple and 15 other hostages. Days later, Abu Sayyaf took four more captives from a hospital. Gracia Burnham recounts this saga, a story of despair, faith, hope and love, in her … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of July 17, 2003 VIDALIA - First church: "Out of My Mind" festival featuring GSMegaphone in concert; July 18-19, 7 p.m.; will be held at the Vidalia Riverfront; free admission/everyone welcomed; for information, call Danny Reed at (318) 481-5142 or (318) 336-4688; Gary Nunn, pastor. ALBANY - Old Zion church: CanaanLand Boys in concert; July 26, 6 p.m.; Jerry Chapman, minister of music; Bobby Stults, pastor. MONROE - First church: The Young Continentals in concert; July 30, 6 p.m.; Marc Greene, minister of music; Randy McGee, pastor. BATON ROUGE - University church: "Grace Rising Ensemble" presents their 10th anniversary/reunion concert; July 27, 10:45 a.m.; Warren Miller, minister of music. SLAUGHTER - First church: CanaanLand Boys Quartet in concert; July 27, 7 p.m.; Basil Wicker, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Ellerbe Road church: Steve Archer in concert; July 27, 6 p.m.; Dennis Sims, pastor. Youth DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: "The Light of the World" preteen II camp; for boys/girls ages 9-12; July 28, 9 a.m. - July 31, 7:30 p.m.; Jerry Chaddick, speaker; Glenn Price, music; Randall Gill, missionary speaker; $80 per person; for information, call (318) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. NEW ORLEANS … [Read more...]
Who’s minding the kids?
Four decades of social, cultural and economic changes have impacted marriage in America - and research indicates children are paying the highest cost Four decades of social, cultural and economic changes have impacted marriage in America - and research indicates children are paying the highest cost Note: Southern Baptist leaders recently launched an emphasis on strengthening families. In support of that effort, the Baptist Message will report periodically on trends and issues related to family life. The following is one such report. When it comes to marriage, consensus and evidence tend to agree - it has central importance in human life and society. "Marriage is a fundamental social institution." "It is central to nurture and raising of children. (and) is the 'social glue' that reliably attaches fathers to children." "It contributes to the physical, emotional and economic health of men, women and children and, thus, to the nation as a whole." "It is one of the most-highly prized of all human relationships and a central life goal of most Americans." All in all, marriage seems to hold its intended place in life. Except ... The state of marriage is not good - and for children, it … [Read more...]
Recent study identifies key findings, trends related to the health of marriage in America
Several key findings related to American marriages were included in a recent study of the institution by Rutgers University. The findings were part of "The State of Our Unions: The Social Health of Marriage in America 2003." They were: Several key findings related to American marriages were included in a recent study of the institution by Rutgers University. The findings were part of "The State of Our Unions: The Social Health of Marriage in America 2003." They were: . Marriage trends in the United States in recent decades indicate that Americans have become less likely to marry and that fewer of those who do marry have marriages they consider to be very happy. Fewer Americans are opting for marriage these days, researchers say. The number of marriages per 1,000 unmarried women age 15 and older has dropped 37.9 percent since 1960. Since 1990, the number has dropped 16.3 percent. "More than 90 percent of women have married eventually in every generation for which records exist, going back to the mid-1800s," the researchers note. "By 1960, 94 percent of women then alive had been married at least once by age 45 - probably an historical high point. (But) If the present marriage trend continues, some … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of July 24, 2003 Church-state ruling A California district judge has declared a portion of the law aimed at helping houses of worship overcome land-use disputes unconstitutional. In a little-noticed ruling in the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California, Judge Stephen Wilson said Congress redefined First Amendment rights by passing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. The act was designed to assure that religious groups were on equal footing in land-use disputes. The law prohibits land-use laws that substantially burden the free exercise of religion by a person or group - unless there is a compelling government interest and the law in question is the least-restrictive possible approach. For instance, the California case involved a church that was denied permission by a local government to move into a former grocery store building. The law has proven effective in dozens of cases, with the recent ruling marking the first time it has been struck down by a federal judge. At present, only churches in the court's Los Angeles area-jurisdiction are affected by the decision, but observers say it ultimately could affect houses of worship across the country. At … [Read more...]
Concerns with 15-passenger vans continue – training urged for others
Special training is needed for driving 15-passenger vans - the type of vehicle often used by churches and youth groups, the National Transportation Safety Board said recently. Special training is needed for driving 15-passenger vans - the type of vehicle often used by churches and youth groups, the National Transportation Safety Board said recently. The board recommended that states establish programs requiring training and testing for drivers of 15-passenger vans, which make up less than 1 percent of all vehicles on the road but have been found to be prone to rollovers during emergencies. The board also recommended lap/shoulder seatbelts in all seating positions and for the vans to be equipped with more padding and protection inside to minimize danger to occupants during a wreck. However, the call for driver training is key. The vans handle differently from cars, requiring a higher skill level, the board said. And while it is not a requirement, the recommendation adds to what has been three years of bad news about the vehicle. In 2001, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research found that when loaded with 10 or more passengers, the vans were three times more likely to roll over than if … [Read more...]
Just suppose you decide to tithe to the Lord – what then?
Let me see if I can talk you out of tithing your income to the Lord through your church. Here are some reasons not to tithe. If you do not tithe your income: Joe McKeever, Pastor, FBC of Kenner Let me see if I can talk you out of tithing your income to the Lord through your church. Here are some reasons not to tithe. If you do not tithe your income: o You will have more money to spend however you please. o You can buy a new car twice as often. o You can wear better and more expensive clothes. o You will not have to say 'no' to your children as frequently. o You can eat out more often. o You can travel more, taking real vacations instead of just going to see the folks. o You can afford a bigger house in a better neighborhood, because an additional 10 percent of your income can make a big difference. o You can pay off some of those bills that have been worrying you. o And when you do give to the church, you can choose where it goes and exactly what it will fund. You will not be bound by the unified budget the church voted and tithers support. o You can spread out your charitable giving and contribute to other causes that always are asking for money. By not tithing, you have freed up … [Read more...]