Question:  I have a hard time not allowing other people’s moods, especially my spouse, affect me. Sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster and just want to get off. Can you help me? Michele Louviere responds: Many people struggle with healthy separateness or differentiation. Sometimes, a lack of differentiation comes from a person depending upon others for needs, satisfaction and happiness. If a person is not okay inside his or her own skin, then that person becomes very dependent upon others. So, maybe your sensitivity to your spouse’s moods could be a lack of complete differentiation on your part. How does a person develop a healthy identity that stands strong even when others disapprove or struggle emotionally? One key is to take responsibility for your own level of happiness and satisfaction. God never intended for another person, even a spouse, to be our source for emotional fulfillment. Ultimately, we are to pursue an intimate relationship with God, where He gives meaning and purpose to our lives. Relationships with others are merely a gift from Him, never meant to replace Him. Sometimes, to become a healthy, differentiated person, one must go back and explore his or her family of origin. Sometimes, we have … [Read more...]

By Eric Moffett, Pastor First Baptist Sparkman, Arkansas I am 26 years old, and somehow was elected second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) this past June at the Annual Meeting in Orlando. My first task as newly elected second vice president was to frantically call the SBC Executive Committee office in Nashville and ask a kind receptionist to please transfer me to somebody who could explain exactly what I am supposed to do. As I look toward the future of our convention, I am both excited and nervous. I am excited to see the work of God’s Kingdom in so many unbelievable ways through our mission boards, relief programs and global partnerships. It brings me distinct joy to know that our Cooperative Program (CP) giving goes to support the work of these types of things. Yet, I am concerned because of what I’ve seen in my short years of ministry. Those concerns weigh heavy on my heart. First, I am concerned about the number of young pastors and ministers who are leaving the SBC to join other denominations, mission organizations and non-denominational churches. I have zero statistics to quote you – I’ll leave that to Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research. What I have seen and experienced first-hand is a number … [Read more...]

To the Editor Until Sept. 13, science textbooks proposed for adoption and use over the next seven years will be displayed at various library sites across Louisiana. Citizens have an opportunity to inspect and offer written critiques of these important books, and public input will be considered by the State Textbook Adoption Committee later this year to recommend which – if any – of these books should be approved for use in Louisiana schools. Congress has declared that “... a quality science education should prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from religious or philosophical claims that are made in the name of science. Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society.” This stated purpose of building critical thinking skills – “recognizing and analyzing alternative models” to quote from Louisiana’s science benchmarks – is also consistent with national polling data confirming that most Americans would prefer that the weaknesses of evolutionism be … [Read more...]

By Thom Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources [img_assist|nid=6602|title=Thom Rainer|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=79|height=100]My wife and I were in a conversation recently about our years together. We will celebrate 33 years of marriage this year, and we dated for almost six years. The simple math was a surprise. We have been dating or married for nearly four decades! It was a good conversation. But I had my moments of regret: times that I was too busy for my family, my tendency to want to win an argument with my wife rather than resolve the problem, and failure to slow down and enjoy life. I then reflected on my years when I served as senior pastor of four churches. I have often said that I wanted to write a book entitled “Mistakes I Made in Ministry.” Then I realized it would have to be a multi-volume series! There are no “do overs” in life and ministry. But there are always opportunities to learn, correct and improve. So I decided to share with you seven of the key mistakes I made as a senior pastor. Obviously, the list is not exhaustive. Seven just seemed to be a good, biblical number. As I just began thinking about the mistakes I made as a pastor, I realized how gracious most church members … [Read more...]

By Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville [img_assist|nid=6053|title=Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=75|height=100]In 1775, America was in the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. General Washington was attempting to summon a rag-tag group of soldiers to fight against the British forces. It was a time of great patriotism and faith in God, with many preachers feeling the call of God to leave their pulpits to fight the British on the battlefield. Churches experienced a lack of spiritual leadership due to pastors joining to fight in the revolution. As a result, the Great Awakening of the first part of the century died down and gave way to immorality, drunkenness, profanity, gambling, robbery, and sexual promiscuity. There was also a strong anti-Christian sentiment that crept into the states because of French liberal infiltration of the newly-established colleges. In the late 1700s, four students at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia – William Hull, Cary Allen, James Blythe, and Clement Reid – decided to meet privately for prayer, Bible study, and theological discussions. When other students found out about … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter HOUMA – Cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been a temporary economic boon for the fishermen employed in the operation, but what will they do to earn a living once the clean-up ends? [img_assist|nid=6605|title=A shrimp trawler assists with the skimming operations on the north side of Barataria Bay.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=56] That’s the opinion and concern of Wayne Hunt, pastor of Coteau Baptist Church here. A Disaster Relief-trained volunteer chaplain, he’s supporting Joe Arnold, Bayou Baptist Association director of missions, in efforts to set up chaplaincy stations to encourage fishermen in Port Fourchon, Point-Aux-Chenes and Cocodrie when the change occurs. [img_assist|nid=6606|title=Coteau Baptist Church Pastor Wayne Hunt is assisting in efforts to set up chaplaincy stations to encourage fishermen.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66] “The problem’s going to begin when [British Petroleum] pulls out,” said Hunt. “Whenever it is they pull out and that cash flow stops, that’s when the ministry door is going to open.” Some 2,500 who normally make their living fishing in the three communities are now making perhaps more than they’ve ever … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer ELTON – Many Christians take their ministries on the road, and one particular church is putting the proverbial pedal to the medal for Jesus. [img_assist|nid=6609|title=Elton First Baptist Church Pastor Pat Thomas and members of FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry travel across Louisiana preaching.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Elton First Baptist Church Pastor Pat Thomas and the members of his FAITH Raiders motorcycle ministry travel across Louisiana preaching the message of Christ and supporting the people they visit. “We want this ministry to give people across Louisiana a chance to come and know the Lord,” Thomas said. “We also want this to be an enjoyable fellowship between those of us who are doing it.” Thomas came to Elton First after moving from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, after he completed a master’s degree in Christian Education. “I came to know about Elton through word-of-mouth,” Thomas said. “Truthfully, we know God sent us here. I had pastored a church in southwest Georgia before going to Fort Worth, Texas. That’s where I got my bike as a graduation gift during grad school. I was also a youth pastor in … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=6610|title=A Coast Guard swimmer rescues a woman from the roof of a house surrounded by flood waters after Hurricane Katrina.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=58]STATEWIDE – The devastation wrought by Katrina in 2005 remains an oozing gash in the lives of people throughout Greater New Orleans and the North Shore. The storm was a turning point as well for Louisiana Baptists from LaPlace north to Shreveport, Monroe, and more; and west to Lafayette, Lake Charles, Leesville and more, who opened their homes and hearts to Katrina survivors. “My friends in Florida who went through Andrew tell me it’ll be 10 years before we’re back to normal,” said Lonnie Wascom, North Shore director of missions. That means this Aug. 29 will be about the half-way point. The Baptist Message plans a five-year retrospective for the Aug. 19 issue, and wants your input. Looking back, how did Katrina change you? What did God teach you through this horrific storm? Who do you want to thank, and why? Email your responses by Aug. 9 to karen@baptistmessage.com, or email them to Katrina Stories, Baptist Message, PO Box 311, Alexandria LA 71303. 0 … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Paul Allbritton was named manager of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana (BEL) Credit Union at a specially called board of trustees meeting July 27. “We were drawn to him primarily because we felt he was the right person for the job,” said Arnold Norsworthy, chairman of the search committee. “Through education and work experience, he’s well-suited to credit union work.” [img_assist|nid=6612|title=Paul Allbritton|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]Allbritton, a 1991 LSU graduate, has held three positions at credit unions since 1988: Alexandria USDA Credit Union in Pineville, where he was vice president of lending until 2006, when he joined the Willis-Knighton Federal Credit Union in Shreveport as president/CEO. Three years later, in October 2009, he moved to the Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union in Pineville, (formerly Alexandria USDA FCU) where he was collections manager. “We need someone of his caliber to lead the credit union,” said Ray Ford, chairman of the BEL Credit Union board of directors. “We want to be the credit union that best serves our constituents. We’re not interested in being the biggest. We’re staying true to our charter.” BEL Credit Union was organized in 1975 for Louisiana … [Read more...]

By Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville In 1775, America was in the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. General Washington was attempting to summon a rag-tag group of soldiers to fight against the British forces. It was a time of great patriotism and faith in God, with many preachers feeling the call of God to leave their pulpits to fight the British on the battlefield. Churches experienced a lack of spiritual leadership due to pastors joining to fight in the revolution. As a result, the Great Awakening of the first part of the century died down and gave way to immorality, drunkenness, profanity, gambling, robbery, and sexual promiscuity. There was also a strong anti-Christian sentiment that crept into the states because of French liberal infiltration of the newly-established colleges. In the late 1700s, four students at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia – William Hull, Cary Allen, James Blythe, and Clement Reid – decided to meet privately for prayer, Bible study, and theological discussions. When other students found out about the prayer gathering, the campus nearly rioted. The president of the college, John Blair Smith, stopped the persecution, opening his … [Read more...]