By Brian Gunter Attention all pro-life Americans: I am calling for a day of prayer across America on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. On this historic day, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo. The state of Louisiana will defend its pro-life law, Act 620, which would end the abortion clinic loophole. Currently, abortion clinics allow unqualified doctors without local admitting privileges to perform dangerous abortions which risk the health and safety of women, and this law would end their careless practices. Moreover, the Supreme Court will decide if states have a right to regulate abortion through the will of the people and their elected officials. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, Americans have lived under the tyranny of abortion on demand. Over 60 millions babies have been legally killed by abortion. With newly-appointed justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh on the bench, for the first time in 47 years, the Supreme Court is likely to decide in favor of life. We finally have our day in court. But let us not forget that the real fight here is not a legal battle. The war is spiritual, and it is won through prayer and standing for the truth. “For we do not wrestle against flesh … [Read more...]
Make the most of today
By Waylon Bailey You have something that 93% of the people who have ever lived don’t have–today. You have what every king, queen, emperor, CEO, and celebrity of the past would give all their fortune to have–today (James Clear). What are you going to do with this precious time? What are you going to do with this day to make a difference? Paul encouraged the church to make the most of every opportunity. He saw time not so much as minutes and seconds but opportunities to serve God (Colossians 4:5-6). What will you do today to make this a day of opportunity? Let me give you two suggestions. First, take the opportunity to be kind, caring, and filled with love toward the people around you. There is no one around you as wonderful as your own family. Don’t they deserve your best self? Since we don’t have every day, we have to use this day for the glory of God and the good of others. Second, look for those opportunities to give an answer for the reason for the hope you have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). Not only do you have today; you also have a hope for today and for all eternity. We live in a world of despair and discouragement. Let us take the opportunity to make the most of this precious day God has given us. … [Read more...]
Forgive? Of course! It’s what I do
By Joe McKeever Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:8) JACKSON, Miss. (BP) -- Dr. Watson was complimenting Sherlock Holmes on a brilliant observation no one else had noticed. "Of course," Holmes remarked. "It's what I do." Forgiveness and grace -- that's what we believers do. Here is one page from Ruth Bell Graham's 1989 book, "Legacy of a Pack Rat,": "Someone has said, 'If there had not been a Stephen, there might never have been a Paul.'" "A tribal war was raging in Uganda. The soldiers led a line of prisoners to a bridge over a crocodile-infested river where they could shoot them and dump their bodies into the water for the crocodiles to dispose of. "Among the prisoners that day was a young Christian. When his turn came to be shot, he asked permission to say a word first. 'Make it quick,' his captors ordered. The young man looked at them calmly, without fear. "'I am a Christian,' he said. 'I am not angry with you, for the same Jesus Whom I shall see in a few moments died for you as well. I forgive you. May you accept His forgiveness also.' "They shot him. Turning to the next in line, they recognized a man from another tribe. 'What are you doing here?' they demanded. 'We are not at … [Read more...]
Adding value to others
By Waylon Bailey James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits. Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. Think about marriages. Most of the time we think about what our spouse doesn’t do. He/she doesn’t meet my needs, think about me, etc. James Clear would say that we have to add value to others before we can ask value from others. In other words, be sure that you are giving fully before you ask to receive. While I don’t know about James Clear’s religious beliefs, like so many other helpful people he is really expressing powerful words found in Scripture. Jesus told us to “do unto others as you want them to do for you.” Have you applied that to your marriage, your family, your friends at school, or your workplace? Have you considered the kind of difference this could make? What about what Jesus said about loving others as you love yourself? Would this turn everything around you upside down? And, what if two people in the marriage practice “doing unto others” and “loving others as we love ourselves?” Have you thought about your … [Read more...]
Skills of a church planter: Using the giftedness of others
By John Hebert ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—I’ve learned a lot about leadership through the years, especially as a pastor and working with other pastors in my ministry with the Louisiana Baptist Convention. But some of the most memorable lessons, and many of the fundamentals, I learned while playing basketball for great coaches: -- Dale Skinner, the Rapides High School head coach during my freshman year, was inducted into the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; -- Rick Huckabay was my Rapides High coach for the next three years; won the 1973 AA State Championship; and was inducted to the Louisiana Athletic Hall of Fame; and, -- LSU Coach Dale Brown, a four-time SEC Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. What was common about these championship coaches is the unique emphasis each of them placed on using each player’s strengths, or giftedness, as they put together top teams. Wise leaders always use the giftedness of others – taking inventory of the resources of the people around them and employing them on their team according to their giftedness. In a previous article on creating ownership, I discussed in depth the need for leaders to recruit capable … [Read more...]
How can I do things that matter?
By Waylon Bailey James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits. Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. My blog tomorrow will expound on this idea and how it applies to Scripture and to us. Today, I want to talk about productivity and time management with something James Clear said in the same article. “The fastest way to raise your level of performance: Cut your number of commitments in half.” Almost all of us are asking, “How can I do the things that really matter?” Obviously, we first have to ask, “What really matters?” This is a great life lesson and life exercise. Certainly, your family, livelihood, and faith would fit in these areas. What else should fit, and what shouldn’t fit? What should you not do, and what should you give to someone else? These are the kind of questions that help us be more productive and to add value to others. As we move to the weekend, I want to encourage you to look deeply at what you are doing and the contributions you are making. Look for ways to make a difference in the people around … [Read more...]
Build a lasting spiritual heritage
By Stewart Holloway What is your spiritual heritage? In the Old Testament, we encounter a number of lists of names. Genealogies as well as lists of people going, coming, or making some commitment dot the landscape of the Old Testament story. These lists of difficult to pronounce names are usually met with a quiet grown and a sigh followed by a quick scan to the end and a page turn. The only benefit of the lists seems to be that we get through with our Bible reading plan a little faster that day!... But there are benefits to these lists. Some genealogies are used to fast-forward through time while showing the connections between generations. Others are used to show God’s faithfulness through time or one person’s connection to earlier people. Some lists show people committing to spiritual renewal or doing something historically significant yet difficult (like journeying back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city after the Exile). While you do not have to stumble through every name, you should at least sit back for a moment and ask, “Why did God choose to have these people’s names recorded for all time?” Eugene Peterson writes, “Holy history is not constructed from impersonal forces or abstract ideas; it is woven from names … [Read more...]
Olive tree parenting
By Lane Corley Olive trees produce one of the most desired and sought after fruits around the world. The trees can live for thousands of years. The olive and the olive tree is spoke of in the Bible on numerous occasions. Including a few references to family life, like in Psalms 128:3 – “Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.” What can olive trees teach us about raising children? Four lessons from the Olive tree: Olive trees are symbols of peace, happiness and health. In Genesis 8:11, we see that after the flood, all was pronounced well when the dove brought an olive branch back to Noah. This was a welcomed and joyous sight. The birth and growth of our children bring similar joy to our hearts. New life, new milestones make us grateful for God’s gift to us. Olive trees may not bear fruit for 12-15 years and may not be fully mature for 20-50 years. Just like children, olive trees take some time to develop and mature. For the parent, this is a reminder to be patient. Don’t expect perfection and fruitfulness from a developing tree. They will make mistakes. They will mess up. God’s promise is that He can use even their mess ups and ours for their good in the end. … [Read more...]
A plan that works
By Waylon Bailey One of the most exciting stories in the life of Jesus occurred in his home town of Capernaum. As Jesus taught in what may have been the house of Simon Peter, four men carried their paralytic friend to the rooftop, tore the roof away, and lowered their friend right in front of Jesus. You probably know the rest of the story. Jesus forgave the man of his sins and told him to take up his bed and walk. And, he did! What made this exciting event happen? How did God use the four friends to provide the man’s healing and to demonstrate the power of Jesus? First, the four friends planned well. They got together with a plan to take their paralytic friend to see Jesus. They fully expected that the man would be healed. Second, they worked together. These men were a team. Notice that none of them is named. Good teams are made up of people who work together closely and who don’t have to get the credit. Third, they persevered. When the way into the house was blocked and too full for anyone to enter, they didn’t quit. They kept on until they found a way, even the unconventional way of going up to the rooftop and tearing off part of the roof. They adapted their plan. Instead of giving up and quitting, they … [Read more...]
Is doubt reasonable?
By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) - Something strange happens to the psyche of a nation in difficult times. The downtrodden begin to resent government and wealthy corporations and individuals, seeing them as out of touch with, if not the cause of, their plight. Desperation can lead to a reversal of values so that any who rise up and strike back are cheered and viewed as heroes. Sometimes the rebel-heroes seem justified as in the traditional tale of Robin Hood, but others are simply lawbreakers like Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who terrorized middle America in the early 1930s. While stories of their kindnesses to their victims made the rounds, such tales only confused the issue: Were they bad or were they good? The ambivalence toward this couple serves as a warning for us: It's important to discern good from bad in the spiritual dimension of life. And nowhere is that more necessary than when we are confronted by spiritual doubt. Modus Operandi Modus operandi is one of those Latin phrases that made its way from the pages of criminal investigation textbooks into our cultural conversation. Literally, it means "way of operating." Criminal investigators study the way a criminal operates to find patterns of … [Read more...]
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