Volunteers from churches across the nation, to include many Southern Baptist churches, are taking part in a project called “The Bella Hero Project.” SLIDELL – Volunteers from churches across the nation, to include many Southern Baptist churches, are taking part in a project called “The Bella Hero Project.” Since its beginning last September, this project has saved lives and restored families, according to Cindy Collins, executive director of Slidell’s Crisis Pregnancy Help Center. “It’s been the Lord’s work in progress,” Collins said. “Everybody’s who’s been involved in the movie [and the project] has been directed by God.” The Bella Hero Project is a grassroots project that grew out of the 2007 movie Bella. Bella is the story of Nina and her unborn baby; Jose, an international soccer star; dreams lost, an act of kindness, lives saved and lives found. The Bella Hero project’s genesis was in the stories Bella’s Producer, Leo Severino, began hearing from pregnant women who chose to give birth to their babies instead of aborting them, as a result of seeing Bella. An idea began to take shape. What if crisis pregnancy centers were given copies of the movie to give to the women who came to them for help? Women who … [Read more...]
Women speak out about abortion
Overall, Christians are understandably against abortion. Abortions destroy lives that were created by God. SLIDELL – Overall, Christians are understandably against abortion. Abortions destroy lives that were created by God. This doesn’t mean abortion doesn’t touch churches though. According to Cindy Collins, the International Team Leader and Louisiana Leader for Operation Outcry, one in three American women have had abortions. Only God knows how many of them have been Christians. But having an abortion isn’t something a Christian woman typically talks about over coffee. Collins said many Christian women try to forget or hide past abortion. “The enemy wants us to feel it’s [an abortion] is an unforgivable sin,” she said. By hiding it, though, a woman’s entire life and all her relationships are affected negatively by it. God wants these women to come to Him with this past pain, Collins said. “Surrender and be healed,” she said. “This year the Lord wants to heal women [from abortions], especially in the church [where some] have been carrying this secret for years.” Operation Outcry is giving women the opportunity to share the hurt abortion has done to them. Women can submit their declarations of past … [Read more...]
America’s own genocide
In 1994, scores of people were sadistically slaughtered in the African country of Rwanda when the ruling Hutu tribe attempted to wipe out the country’s Tutsi minority. In 1994, scores of people were sadistically slaughtered in the African country of Rwanda when the ruling Hutu tribe attempted to wipe out the country’s Tutsi minority. In 100 days, nearly 1million people were brutally murdered. The horrific genocide was compounded when the whole world stood silently by and did nothing to intervene. “Hotel Rwanda,” a film released in 2005, is based on one man’s attempt to rescue as many people as possible from the Hutu’s murderous rampage. At great risk, hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina managed to save more than 1,200 Rwandans from certain death. Early in the movie, a television journalist named Jack videotapes footage of the brutal genocide being inflicted upon the Tutsis. When Jack shows the video to Rusesabagina, the hotel manager is relieved. He is sure that once the images are televised abroad, the West will move to stop the murderous madness in Rwanda. The cynical journalist is not nearly as hopeful as Rusesabagina.”If people see this footage,” Jack snarls, “they’ll say, ‘... [T]hat’s terrible,’ and they’ll go … [Read more...]
I can’t imagine life without my son Zane
I love all three of my kids equally. I wouldn’t want any of them not to be in my life. But for this column, I will talk only about my 5-year-old son, Zane. I love all three of my kids equally. I wouldn’t want any of them not to be in my life. But for this column, I will talk only about my 5-year-old son, Zane. I can’t imagine life without Zane. I find myself always wanting to love on him, whether it’s a little hug, a love tap on the back, a quick kiss on the head, or just checking in on him while he is sleeping. I just can’t get enough of my boy! Zane is utterly amazing to me. Some days he has the energy of five kids. He runs all through the house shouting at the top of his lungs “Dad! Dad! Mom! Mom!” – trying to get our attention to say something to us or show us something, which usually only has meaning to him. Or Zane dances, as only he can dance, endlessly to The Wiggles or some other show on TV. Or we have “wrestling” matches which usually are just extended tickle bouts – Zane doesn’t want to tickle so much as he wants me to tickle him. And that laugh, it is so wonderful, infectious, and funny. Every once in a while, Zane will look over at my wife or me and will keep his gaze on us until we look at him. And … [Read more...]
Let us all pray for our new president Barack Obama
Shortly after Election Day, I released an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama in which I told the new president that I would pray for him, his family and his administration, noting that I would pray that God would bless him with “safety, health and all spiritual blessings.” Shortly after Election Day, I released an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama in which I told the new president that I would pray for him, his family and his administration, noting that I would pray that God would bless him with “safety, health and all spiritual blessings.” What prompted my promise to pray for the president-elect? The Scriptures are clear: While as a Christian I am a citizen of both the earthly and spiritual realms, I am under the authority of the civil magistrate (Luke 20:25). I am compelled to be a good citizen of the state “for conscience sake” (Romans 13:1-7). In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote that the first priority in our fulfillment of our civic duties is to pray. We are to remember everyone, including all those in authority over us, with “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.” Paul sought to underscore the fact that proper conduct within the body of Christ includes … [Read more...]
Pastors who go it alone fail their congregations
My preacher friend dropped down beside me in the pew. The first session of our annual state convention was about to get underway. My preacher friend dropped down beside me in the pew. The first session of our annual state convention was about to get underway. “What did you do today?” I asked. He smiled. “I’ve spent the day at the pastors’ conference at the seminary.” “How was it?” “Great. They had some terrific speakers.” “How was the attendance?” “Good actually,” he said, and named two or three mutual friends he had bumped into. I looked around and said, “I don’t see them here tonight.” He said, “They won’t be here. I told them I was heading out to the first session of the convention and asked if they were going. One rolled his eyes and said, ‘Boring!’” That conversation took place some time ago and I’ve thought about it a lot. It bugs me for several reasons. One: I wonder if any of that pastor’s church members have ever avoided any of his sermons for the same reason. I doubt he would appreciate their applying the same standard to his messages he applied to the convention session. Two: I wonder if he realizes what a disservice he is doing to his church members. They dutifully give their … [Read more...]
Christian Harmony members hunger for God’s Holy Word
In a small church eight miles east of Natchitoches, the congregation of Christian Harmony Baptist Church feasts on God’s Word in ways most churches don’t ever attempt. NATCHITOCHES – In a small church eight miles east of Natchitoches, the congregation of Christian Harmony Baptist Church feasts on God’s Word in ways most churches don’t ever attempt. More than two years ago, George Holland, a member and former pastor of the church, had an idea. He thought the church family should study the book of Acts Wednesday evenings. Seventeen people agreed with him. And those 17, give or take a few, ended up studying the book of Acts every Wednesday for two years straight, said Christian Harmony Pastor David Matlock. “We didn’t realize it would [take] that long,” Matlock said. No one did, including Holland. “As we got involved in it, we decided to break it down [verse-by-verse],” Holland said. “I answered what questions I could. Each session lasted about an hour.” The group just used their Bibles and a few extra study books to tackle Acts. Matlock said it was life-changing. “We learned a whole lot about the acts of the apostles,” he said. “It was a great study,” Holland added. One thing that really impressed … [Read more...]
LOUISIANA CHURCHES CELEBRATE MLK Day
It’s been 41 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., but only for the last three years – since 2006 – have all 50 states celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. STATEWIDE – It’s been 41 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., but only for the last three years – since 2006 – have all 50 states celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It falls on the third Monday in January, to commemorate the Jan. 15, 1929, birthdate of the civil rights leader perhaps best known for his “I have a dream …” speech. Gregory Coates, pastor of The Way Bible Church in Central City, a new church plant in the Baton Rouge Area Baptist Association, was one of many pastors across Louisiana to talk about the importance of remembering Dr. King. “For me it’s that we would remember the actual dream itself,” Coates said. “I think too many people in this country have forgotten that the dream was about us coming together as Americans and forgetting about races.” A.B. Lartigue, pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, remembered being “two or three seats” away from Dr. King at a rally in Rochester, N.Y., in 1957 or ’58, when Lartigue was a college student and a minister. “When they said he was coming I was able … [Read more...]
Making a big difference at the ends of the world
John Schaffner, director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Southeastern Louisiana University since 1991 took 11 students to a large East Asia nation during Christmas break. John Schaffner, director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Southeastern Louisiana University since 1991 took 11 students to a large East Asia nation during Christmas break. His account follows: WOW – what an incredible, life-changing adventure! We flew for over 20 hours, road a train for over 10 hours, spent 4 hours on a bus and then hiked into the mountains. All of this to distribute Lottie Moon radios that play the Gospel every night in the heart language of the people. We had three teams of four and each team was assigned to a different area. Each team member was given five radios and each team was given one Bible in the heart language of the people. I will never forget the night we gave out our team’s Bible. We had been praying for God to lead us to the person of peace in our village, the person we could give our Bible too. We came across a young man named Li (name changed for his safety) and he invited us to his house for supper. We really connected with him and his family and felt like this was our guy, the one God was leading … [Read more...]
Tim Tebow’s mom says Scripture & Faith are ‘secrets’ to parenting
With four older children, Pam Tebow, whose father was an Army colonel, was used to setting boundaries, issuing orders and choosing her battles by the time “Timmy” was born in 1987. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – With four older children, Pam Tebow, whose father was an Army colonel, was used to setting boundaries, issuing orders and choosing her battles by the time “Timmy” was born in 1987. No worries, though. Tim Tebow, the 21-year-old University of Florida quarterback and the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, has been “obedient and teachable and kind,” according to his mom, who, with other members of the Tebow clan, recently watched the Gators win their second national championship in three years. Tebow threw two touchdown passes and was named the game’s offensive MVP. “Whether it’s fighting for the national championship or fighting to see the Gospel brought to a country where people have never heard the name of Christ – I think that’s what probably has made him a good leader, that he’s passionate and that he’s not afraid to stand alone,” his mom said. Pam Tebow said she’s thought about Tim in the context of being the youngest child and how typically younger children follow their elders, but she thinks the fact … [Read more...]