Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue In response to your challenge “What can one person possibly do” when faced with the overwhelming question about child poverty and its associated epidemic of child abuse, I am struck by the idea of simply switching perspectives. After all, as Christians, we are called to be “his hands and his feet,” we openly pray on Sunday mornings to be “the salt of the earth” and ask to bear “more fruit.” Well, let us walk the walk. Here is an opportunity to minister to God’s children, the helpless and weakest among the needy of our community. On a local level, there are agencies such as CASA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, children’s Sunday School Departments, mentoring programs at your local elementary, junior high or high schools, coaching sports teams – the possibilities are endless. If you have an hour per week, per month, or per day to give, surely there would be a way. If your schedule does not permit volunteering, consider financial support or maybe you would feel more comfortable with a prayer … [Read more...]
New Louisiana laws address moral, social issues
The 2005 Louisiana legislative session is history – the governor has signed or vetoed all bills, and the legislators have declined to hold a veto session to challenge any of those decisions. The 2005 Louisiana legislative session is history – the governor has signed or vetoed all bills, and the legislators have declined to hold a veto session to challenge any of those decisions. So, how did it turn out, particularly on moral and social issues? It probably depends on who one asks, said Ken Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. “There were a couple of hot-button issues related to living wills – or what became known as death with dignity – and human cloning,” Ward noted. “Some were pleased with actions on those issues, and some were not. There were other issues as well – gambling and abortion, for instance. “There were wins and losses on several fronts, some things that were positive, some that could have been more positive,” Ward explained of the recent session. “Overall, I think most observers would call it an average session for moral and social concerns – about a C.” In ways, it was a unique session. Years ago, the legislature switched to a two-year pattern – in … [Read more...]
The 2006 Louisiana Junior Miss truly is well-grounded – in Christian faith
When judges announced Mary Lindsay Gunn as the winner of the 2006 Louisiana Junior Miss Scholarship Program, she was speechless. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter When judges announced Mary Lindsay Gunn as the winner of the 2006 Louisiana Junior Miss Scholarship Program, she was speechless. “What am I supposed to do?” Gunn asked a fellow contestant as she was trying to catch her breath on stage just moments after hearing the news. “Just go over there, smile and accept your award,” the fellow contestant advised Gunn, a member at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport. Though a month has passed since the night of the competition, Gunn says she still is in awe of winning the title – and thankful God allowed her to do so. “I prayed about this opportunity but never dreamed that God would put me in this type of position,” Gunn says. Held July 30 in Alexandria, the Louisiana Junior Miss Program is an annual competition that honors high school junior girls in the state. Gunn says the program recognizes excellence while promoting self-esteem among the contestants. The 16 girls who competed for the title of Louisiana Junior Miss were judged on five criteria – scholastic … [Read more...]
Week of August 22, 2005
Potpourri DENHAM SPRINGS – Eden church: “Michael, An Eyewitness” one man drama performed by Michael McCain; Aug. 28, 10:15 a.m.; Wayne Talley, pastor. JONESBORO – McDonald church: Higher Faith in concert; Aug. 28, 1:15 p.m.; B.K. Miller, interim pastor. ZACHARY – First church: Outdoorsman Banquet; Sept. 8, 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. for exhibits; Jay Yelas, nationally-known outdoorsman/fisherman, guest speaker; $12 per individual ticket/$70 for table of seven; for ticket information or additional details, call (225) 654-2755; Reggie Bridges, pastor. OPELOUSAS – Calvary church: The Cedar Valley Boys in concert; Aug. 27, 6 p.m.; Roy Baker, pastor. BETHANY – Bethany camp: Men’s fish fry; Sept. 12, 5 p.m.; Tom Lester, who performed as “Eb” on the “Green Acres” television show, and The Cypress Men, featured guests; $6 per person; call (318) 938-1221 for reservations; Robert Cole, camp manager. Youth SHREVEPORT – Broadmoor church: “Yada Yada Junior Conference” sponsored by Virtuous Reality Ministries; for 3-6 grade girls and moms; Sept. 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; registration at 7:30 a.m.; Vicki Courtney and Nancy Rue, speakers; $38 per person/$5 optional lunch; $32 for groups of 10 or more; to register, call … [Read more...]
The oldest city in North America really needs the gospel
Mark Puckett is working to establish a spiritual beachhead in North America’s oldest city. Mark Puckett is working to establish a spiritual beachhead in North America’s oldest city. St. John’s, Newfoundland was seasonally inhabited by European fishermen from 1497 until the arrival of permanent British settlers in the mid-1700s and has a longstanding religious heritage, notes Puckett, a worker with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and a church starting coordinator with the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists. However, today in Newfoundland most people under 50 “have little interest in spiritual matters at all,” Puckett notes. The Canadian province is one of the darkest spiritual areas in North America, Puckett says. “There is very little concept of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ,” he says. “Those who consider themselves religious are primarily basing their faith on an institution and a works-based theology.” With a population of 170,000, St. John’s accounts for one-third of Newfoundland’s total and serves as the province’s capital. There is no Southern Baptist church there now – but Puckett says he believes the city is strategic in reaching the rest of the … [Read more...]
Saudi’s need is evident – an encounter with God
As recent news headlines have indicated, a new king – and new custodian of Islam’s most sacred sites – has taken the throne in Saudi Arabia. Note: A 90-day period of worldwide prayer for Saudi Arabs currently is underway and set to continue through the month of October. As part of the emphasis, the Southern Baptist International Mission Board recently released the following article and list of prayer requests. The prayer emphasis comes at a time of transition for Saudi Arabia, which is undergoing a change in leadership. As recent news headlines have indicated, a new king – and new custodian of Islam’s most sacred sites – has taken the throne in Saudi Arabia. The ailing King Fahd inherited the desert kingdom his father founded and saw it become the world’s biggest and richest oil producer. When Fahd died Aug. 1. Crown Prince Abdullah officially became the absolute monarch of more than 25 million people in Saudi Arabia. Abdullah had been de facto ruler since his elder brother Fahd began suffering debilitating strokes a decade ago. Abdullah recently visited the Texas ranch of President George Bush, who calls him a friend and ally against global terror. The new king styles himself as a moderate and a … [Read more...]
Read and know – gambling can devastate families, lives
Kathy Barrett is mad – furious, in fact – and she absolutely wants everyone to know exactly why. It is because her family has been devastated by casino gambling. Note: The Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has selected gambling as its September focus. The following article addresses the growing impact of gambling in the United States. Kathy Barrett is mad – furious, in fact – and she absolutely wants everyone to know exactly why. It is because her family has been devastated by casino gambling. Her son Jason, a casino employee, was convicted of embezzlement. He began stealing from the casino to fund his own gambling and to share his ill-gotten gains with others. “He was acting like Robin Hood,” Barrett says, stealing from the casino and giving the money to struggling friends and family members. His wife was found guilty of knowing about the embezzlement and also is serving time. Barrett’s young grandsons are living with their other grandmother while both parents are imprisoned. Barrett’s mother is in her seventies but is another casualty of the casinos. She was living modestly on her retirement income in a condominium on which nothing more was owed. Then, she began visiting … [Read more...]
Aguillard set to be inaugurated as LC president
The inauguration of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president has been set for Sept. 22. The inauguration of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president has been set for Sept. 22. Aguillard will be inaugurated as the eighth president of the Louisiana Baptist school. He has been serving in that capacity since his election by school trustees in January. His formal installation as president will feature several activities and the involvement of the board of trustees, alumni and the campus community. The inauguration ceremony is set for Sept. 22 at 10:30 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. The theme is “Unchanging Foundations in Changing Times,” taken from the Scripture verse of Malachi 3:6. It reads, “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” Several thousand invitations have been sent to Louisiana College trustees, alumni and supporters, as well as to Louisiana Baptists and ministers throughout the state. Everyone is welcome to attend the planned inauguration activities. Jimmy Draper is scheduled to deliver the inaugural charge during the Sept. 22 ceremony. Draper is the retiring executive director of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also is a former Southern Baptist Convention … [Read more...]