Zach Johnson’s two-shot victory at the 2007 Masters Tournament on Easter Sunday surprised those inside and out of the golf world -- but as no surprise to those who know him, Johnson boldly used the occasion to proclaim his love and faith in Jesus Christ. AUGUSTA, Ga. (BP) – Zach Johnson’s two-shot victory at the 2007 Masters Tournament on Easter Sunday surprised those inside and out of the golf world -- but as no surprise to those who know him, Johnson boldly used the occasion to proclaim his love and faith in Jesus Christ. “Being Easter, my goal was the glorify God and hopefully I did that today,” said the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native, who attended the same high school as fellow Christian and former NFL MVP quarterback Kurt Warner. Johnson credited his faith in God and the counsel of longtime PGA Tour chaplain Larry Moody of Search Ministry, whose Bible study Johnson attends on a weekly basis, for allowing him to remain calm in the competitive and often chaotic final round. The 31-year-old golfer entered the final round at Augusta National Golf Club two shots behind third-round leader Stuart Appleby and one behind four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, the heavy favorite in Sunday’s sunny, but cool final … [Read more...]
Baptist Golf Fellowship tourney set for May 7-8
The annual spring tournament of the Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship is set for May 7-8 at the OakWing Golf Club here, on the grounds of the former England Air Force Base. ALEXANDRIA – The annual spring tournament of the Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship is set for May 7-8 at the OakWing Golf Club here, on the grounds of the former England Air Force Base. Sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Message and Louisiana Baptist Foundation, the tournament is open to all Louisiana Baptists and their guests. “We’re excited to bring this year’s golf tournament to Alexandria and the beautiful OakWing Golf Club,” said Editor Kelly Boggs. “Come, join in the fellowship, and bring your friends.” Wayne Taylor, executive director of the Foundation, also had words of welcome for tournament participants. “We’re looking forward to a great day on the links,” Taylor said. “You’re going to be impressed with this course.” OakWing possesses a character all its own, according to its website – www.oakwinggolf.com – which includes illustrations of each hole. The course blends the natural beauty of Louisiana bayous, lakes and towering tree-lined fairways with the challenge of rolling hills and undulating greens. OakWing, a … [Read more...]
Steeple soars again
The steeple that served as a beacon of hope in the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina once again graces the top of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell Chapel. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – The steeple that served as a beacon of hope in the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina once again graces the top of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell Chapel. Workers from Campbellsville Industries completed the installation of the new steeple on March 29, 19 months to the day after Hurricane Katrina. The three-day installation process culminated with the placement of the 46-foot spire, and a small crowd of seminary students, professors and staff members cheered as the crane operator gently eased the last section into place. In the days following Hurricane Katrina, seminary officials worked diligently to restore power and illuminate the steeple. Their desire was to offer a symbol of hope in a hurting city. In October 2005, the illuminated steeple provided the lone point of light in a sea of darkness -- the only light for miles. While the aluminum-clad steeple suffered only minor external damage, Katrina weakened the internal steel structure. Last July, seminary officials … [Read more...]
God’s work goes on
Three deaths and seven illnesses beset a 25-member Georgia mission team on a construction missions assignment here recently. NEW ORLEANS – Three deaths and seven illnesses beset a 25-member Georgia mission team on a construction missions assignment here recently. Walter Hill Jr., a retired electronics engineer, died April 7 at a New Orleans hospital following a heart attack. He was 77. Two other members of the First Baptist Church of Lakeview in Rossville, Ga., were called home by the deaths of close family members. And seven members of the team were downed at various times during the week by a virus. Despite all, the team kept on, rewiring and replumbing the gutted worship center of Edgewater BaptistChurch in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood. “Quitting was not an option,” said Max Parris, pastor of First Lakeview in Rossville. “The team knew that God had brought them to a city that really needed light.” Team members concurred. “We went there to minister, but we were ministered to by the wonderful people at Gentilly and Edgewater Baptist Churches who cared for us and comforted us,” Dianne Godfrey said. Jay Schroder, Edgewater’s construction project coordinator, said that “despite all the difficulties, … [Read more...]
Writer’s event inspires participants
The second writing conference sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Message – Get Published! – informed and inspired an audience of at least 70, which was more than twice the number who attended last year’s inaugural writers’ conference. ALEXANDRIA – The second writing conference sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Message – Get Published! – informed and inspired an audience of at least 70, which was more than twice the number who attended last year’s inaugural writers’ conference. Cheryl Turner, a Eunice resident who attended the Message’s first writers’ conference last year, returned for more this year. Invited to tell her story to the conference participants,Turner said she was so inspired by last year’s conference that she began a monthly newsletter she’s maintained for a year, growing a readership of about 300 people. “It was [at the conference] that I met other women from all over the state who shared my passion for ministering to women,” Turner wrote on her website, sparrowsnestministries.com. “I also had the privilege of meeting and talking to Karen Willoughby, Kelly Boggs…Carolyn Curtis, and [others]. It was after hearing their testimonies and receiving their advice that I was encouraged to begin this … [Read more...]
Court’s decision is monumental
In a 5-4 decision, the court upheld the federal ban on the grisly procedure known as partial-birth abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court building is a monumental structure, an identifiable edifice that is striking not just for its architecture, but also for the process of justice that it represents. The symbolism of its entryway façade with the words “EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW” is timeless. The nine justices now serving in this prominent landmark issued a ruling on April 19 that is no less monumental. In a 5-4 decision, the court upheld the federal ban on the grisly procedure known as partial-birth abortion, with Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Kennedy forming the majority and Ginsburg, Stevens, Souter and Breyer expressing dissent. Observers had guessed the composition of the conservative and liberal blocs that formed, except that Kennedy was viewed as an unknown, a moderate jurist who could decide either way. Writing the majority opinion, Kennedy decidedly established a new direction for the court, emphasizing a remade perspective on abortion restrictions by underscoring the state’s valid interests in “respect for life, including the unborn.” To be sure, Kennedy was clear to reaffirm the Roe v. … [Read more...]
God loves ‘rascals’ and that is good news
God loves rascals. It is not just something that God did a long time ago with a man named Jacob. He wrestles with us today to bring us sinners to himself. The story of the patriarchs is told in a magnificent way in the first book of the Bible. Genesis contains fifty chapters of adventure and inspiration, the record of the legacy of faith and of faithful men. As the Bible gives these accounts, it does not do so through the lenses of rose-colored glasses. We read in the record both of the virtue and the vice of these who founded our faith. That is especially true of the life of Jacob – the third in the trilogy of our founding fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We know that Jacob was born a twin. His parents, Isaac and Rebekah, prayed for twenty years that God would give them an heir. Finally, God answered their prayers, and gave them not one but two heirs – he gave them a double blessing, so to speak. You who have gone to the hospital to bring home your little bundle of joy and have brought home two bundles of joy know that double blessing can have some complications. That was certainly the case in the birth of these twin boys. Jacob and Esau were, without a doubt, “un-identical” twins. I remember an occasion … [Read more...]
The Bible and speaking in tongues
Recently there’s been much discussion about the issue of tongues in Southern Baptist life. I know individuals who believe in the gift of tongues and know that they love the Lord and His Word. So with what I write I am not attacking anyone. I only endeavor to summarize the scriptural teaching on this matter. Recently there’s been much discussion about the issue of tongues in Southern Baptist life. I know individuals who believe in the gift of tongues and know that they love the Lord and His Word. So with what I write I am not attacking anyone. I only endeavor to summarize the scriptural teaching on this matter. Primary passages in two books – Acts and 1 Corinthians – describe the gift of tongues. One resulted in thousands being saved, the other in confusion and problems in the church. In Acts 2 the apostles and about 120 other disciples were gathered in a room near the temple when the Holy Spirit filled these believers and they began to praise God in other languages. People had gathered from 15 different provinces, yet each person heard the words of praise to God spoken in his or her own dialect. In Acts 10, Cornelius – the first Gentile convert – had a similar experience but without all the supernatural … [Read more...]
Responding to the Virginia Tech massacre
As I type this column, Dr. Phil is holding forth on “Larry King Live.” He’s saying that there was no way anyone could have predicted the troubled Cho Seung-Hui would have perpetrated the awful massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday. As I type this column, Dr. Phil is holding forth on “Larry King Live.” He’s saying that there was no way anyone could have predicted the troubled Cho Seung-Hui would have perpetrated the awful massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday. Dr. Phil makes his case as controversy has already erupted over the university’s failure to prevent this tragedy by failing to respond to early signs that Cho was a troubled, depressed young man. “There is no answer to ‘why,’” Dr. Phil advises, “so the question becomes ‘what.’” What ought survivors to do now in order to cope with this meaningless catastrophe? In the days following the shooting, many of the talking heads were quick to tell us what we should think about the massacre and whom we should blame. Many pundits blamed the administration of Virginia Tech for not locking down the school after the first shootings and others pointed an accusing finger at the government for lax gun laws. I have to say that while I am thankful for tho-rough coverage … [Read more...]
Association grows in Cajun country
Located in the Cajun prairie of Evangeline, St. Landry, and Acadia Parishes, this Southern Baptist association is “harvest-oriented in an unseeded generation,” says Director of Missions Buddy Hampton, using words from NOBTS president Chuck Kelley. ACADIA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Located in the Cajun prairie of Evangeline, St. Landry, and Acadia Parishes, this Southern Baptist association is “harvest-oriented in an unseeded generation,” says Director of Missions Buddy Hampton, using words from NOBTS president Chuck Kelley. Amid rice, crawfish, soy bean, sugar cane, cotton and sweet potato farms, festivals for every season, and a strong Catholic presence, Acadia Baptist Association is located in what could be described as the “ankle” of the state’s famous boot shape. Consisting of 31 churches, the association ministers to a surrounding population of almost 180,000, according to 2005 population estimates. “Acadia is a strong association,” Hampton said. “The churches are strong. They’re doing well. We’re well-represented in this French culture. “I love this area and I love working with the people,” he added. “I wouldn’t have traded the last 20 years for anything.” For example, First Baptist of Opelousas has grown from a … [Read more...]
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