A brash Hollywood actor with a boyish smile and slim tailored suits may not seem the first source ordinary folks seek out for psychiatric advice. A brash Hollywood actor with a boyish smile and slim tailored suits may not seem the first source ordinary folks seek out for psychiatric advice. Yet who could miss Tom Cruise in the past year, swinging through the news, spinning off from movie promotion to set us straight about the motives of doctors who treat mental illness? “Here’s the problem; you don’t know the history of psychiatry,” he told “Today” host Matt Lauer last summer. “I do.” Cruise is a Scientologist. He and other supporters of the celebrity-rich religious organization that science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard launched in 1954 share a noisy antagonism toward mental health physicians. Church members refer to them as pseudo-scientists. Cruise and fellow members say prescribing drugs for mental illness is spurious, even dangerous, and only enriches doctors and drug companies. Illnesses for which drugs are common therapy range from postpartum and other forms of depression to attention deficit disorder, bipolar disease and schizophrenia. There’s much more to Scientology than rejecting … [Read more...]

When Cole Elbridge stood to accept the village leader’s appreciation, he did so on behalf of Southern Baptists who have given nearly $17 million to help survivors of the tsunami that ripped through southern Asia’s coastlines on Dec. 26, 2004, leaving a quarter of a million people dead and millions homeless. (Editors’ note: On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean spawned one of the most destructive tsunamis in recorded history. It swept away thousands of lives and left millions of people homeless. One year later, Southern Baptists continue to aid and share God’s love with survivors in South Asia.) When Cole Elbridge stood to accept the village leader’s appreciation, he did so on behalf of Southern Baptists who have given nearly $17 million to help survivors of the tsunami that ripped through southern Asia’s coastlines on Dec. 26, 2004, leaving a quarter of a million people dead and millions homeless. Elbridge, a Southern Baptist worker, explained how supporters in America had been deeply troubled by the images and were moved to help. Their love for God had moved Southern Baptists to love the tsunami victims, he said, and he shared with the villagers about the true love of God for them in the … [Read more...]

Silva wants his daughter to remember Dec. 26, 2004, to know for certain her young life is a miracle for which he is forever grateful. Silva wants his daughter to remember Dec. 26, 2004, to know for certain her young life is a miracle for which he is forever grateful. “I want her to know how her mother (saved) her in the tsunami – not her father, because I was away,” he says. Having worked the past six years in Saudi Arabia, Silva, 32, had been home only once for a short visit after his daughter’s birth. That changed Dec. 26, when a friend called to ask whether he had heard about the tsunami. He hadn’t. “Whatever I earned, everything was gone in five minutes” to support his family back home, he explains. “I am keeping positive hopes that it will come back. Not overnight, it will take time, but I am hoping God will help me.” Silva’s wife, Ranjani*, tried to outrun the tsunami waves while carrying their only child, a 17-month-old daughter. The force of the waves proved too strong for her, as rushing, murky water covered the earth beneath her feet. The mother and daughter fell into a shallow well. Ranjani struggled to get out of the well, crying out for those around her to help. But in the frenzy of panic, … [Read more...]

Nelson Philpot believes the world is in a crisis and the next 50 years are crucial if the earth’s population will be fed. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Nelson Philpot believes the world is in a crisis and the next 50 years are crucial if the earth’s population will be fed. The statistics don’t lie. Fifty percent of all persons – 3 billion overall – suffer from malnutrition. Each hour, 2,000 persons die from hunger or hunger-related diseases. He says the solution isn’t “food giveaway programs,” but rather ventures that empower those persons to meet their own physical needs. For its part, one Louisiana Baptist organization is doing its part in the battle to fight world hunger. “Funding agricultural missions is the best kept secret of Baptists,” says Nelson Philpot, president of the Louisiana Agricultural Fellowship. “The Agricultural fellowship is a way to win the lost to Christ. “It’s an effective way to put a caring face on Christianity,” he adds. “We can’t solve all the problems associated with hunger, but we can do our part as an organization to solve a few.” The five-year-old organization’s goal is  to promote Christian services by agricultural professionals in support of the … [Read more...]

Logan Carson knows the power of having fellow believers pray for him in the midst of a crisis. Logan Carson knows the power of having fellow believers pray for him in the midst of a crisis. Two years ago, when the Southeastern College professor lost his wife, friends from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and Carson’s church were diligent to lift him before the Lord. That’s one reason why Carson, an avid prayer warrior, was eager to enlist his support as soon as he heard about the Adopt-a-Faculty program. The new program was recently launched by administrators at Southeastern Seminary to minister to members of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary faculty, some of whom lost homes and almost all of their belongings to Hurricane Katrina. The effort pairs a New Orleans Seminary professor with one from Southeastern. Southeastern faculty members will send their New Orleans counterparts notes and e-mails of encouragement over the course of this year, pray for them daily and support them in any other way they may choose. The idea is part of Southeastern’s Operation G.R.A.C.E. initiative, instituted by President Daniel Akin. The comprehensive plan is designed to aid not … [Read more...]

This is my last opportunity to address Louisiana Baptists from the position as editor of the Baptist Message. I would not express my heart if I did not say that being editor of the Baptist Message has been an incredible privilege. Looking back over the last twenty-seven and one-half years, from this vantage point, there are certainly things I would do differently. And, there are some issues I would have editorialized more strongly about. But, I believe that at the time issues arose and actions were taken, I tried to do what I thought best, and right. I am sure I did not do both all the time or even most of the time, but I am not going to second-guess myself now. My decisions are in print, so they stand for whatever they were, and others can judge if for some reason they choose. This is my last opportunity to address Louisiana Baptists from the position as editor of the Baptist Message. I would not express my heart if I did not say that being editor of the Baptist Message has been an incredible privilege. Looking back over the last twenty-seven and one-half years, from this vantage point, there are certainly things I would do differently. And, there are some issues I would have editorialized more strongly about. But, I … [Read more...]

Leah and I just returned from two weeks vacation at our tiny cabin in Creede, Colorado. A remembrance from that trip seems appropriate for my last “On Second Thought” as I have mentioned Creede as many times as I have mentioned my children. By Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor Leah and I just returned from two weeks vacation at our tiny cabin in Creede, Colorado. A remembrance from that trip seems appropriate for my last “On Second Thought” as I have mentioned Creede as many times as I have mentioned my children. Creede was the place where Leah and I honeymooned. Creede is nestled in a valley of the magnificent Rockies and a more romantic place we could not find. We were reminiscing as we drove up the valley to our cabin. Most couples, as they drive through a road of remembrances say, “I remember that place. That is where I told you I love you the first time.” “Remember that place? That is where I gave you the ring.” “It was up that mountain road where we drove and pledged each other our undying love.” “Remember when we came back here last year, and we walked up that trail and told each other how happy we are in our marriage.” That is the way most couples would enjoy it. But as Leah and I drove through … [Read more...]

In a few weeks, Louisiana Baptists will be challenged to fulfill the Great Commission during the upcoming state Evangelism Conference. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter In a few weeks, Louisiana Baptists will be challenged to fulfill the Great Commission during the upcoming state Evangelism Conference. Scheduled for Jan. 23-24 at First Baptist Church of Lafayette, the meeting will focus on Acts 1:8 – sharing the gospel with others in one’s community, in the state, in North America and in the world. As in past years, if will feature various speakers and small-group seminars. “This conference will help people focus on our responsibility to evangelize our community, state, nation and world,” said Wayne Jenkins, Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism and church growth team leader. Jenkins said Monday afternoon’s session will focus on sharing the gospel locally. Set for 1:15 p.m., the afternoon session will feature Roy Fish, professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources; and Ergun Caner, dean of the College at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Monday night’s session will focus on sharing … [Read more...]

If a SportsCenter trivia question asked which golfer finished high school ranked No. 2 behind Tiger Woods, most people would scan the PGA Tour roster for possible answers. But they would be looking in the wrong place. If a SportsCenter trivia question asked which golfer finished high school ranked No. 2 behind Tiger Woods, most people would scan the PGA Tour roster for possible answers. But they would be looking in the wrong place. The answer, instead, was among the Dec. 17, 2005, graduates of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary: Brad Zwetschke. If featured in a SportsCenter segment, the avid golfer would have plenty to tell about the way God led him to seminary and in the way God cared for him and his family following Hurricane Katrina. Zwetschke, originally from Chicago, was introduced to golf at age 3. He began playing on courses at 4 and competed in his first tournament at 6. He was traveling to tournaments at 8 and touring the country at 13. Such intense play at a young age allowed him to grow up competing against many of the golfers presently on the PGA Tour, the most notable being Tiger Woods. In 1991, Zwetschke came within a shot of beating Woods at the U.S. Junior Amateur … [Read more...]

Week of January 9, 2006 Potpourri SULPHUR – First church: Gold City in concert; Jan. 26, 7 p.m.; $10 per ticket in advance/$12 at the door; for ticket information, call (337) 527-5231; David Holder, pastor. SIMPSON – Simpson church: The Vernon Parish Correctional Facility Quartet in concert; Jan. 15, 7 p.m.; Paul Watts, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Parkview church: The Providentials Quartet in concert; Jan. 15, 10:45 a.m.; David L. Shaw, pastor. FLORIEN – Pisgah church: The Crosby Trio in concert; Jan. 21, 7 p.m. with refreshments to follow; Jimmy Clark, pastor. HARRISONBURG – First church:  Ouachita Associational Evangelism Rally; Jan. 22, 6 p.m.; will not have pre-service music;  Bailey Smith,  guest  speaker; Kingdom Bound, musical guest; Mack Walker,  evangelism director; Ralph Webber, interim director of missions. Youth FARMERVILLE – Antioch church: Children’s Revival; Jan. 22, 6 p.m.; Jan. 23-25, 6:30 p.m.; IITALK4II Ministries, revival leaders; Paul Carter, pastor. Revivals FARMERVILLE – Beulah church: Jan. 22-25, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Jeff Hurst, pastor. Ordinations MONROE – Parkview church: Wade Dickerson, Rick Salter, John Tolar and Dickie Vines to the deacon’s ministry; … [Read more...]