St. Tammany Baptist Association needed a chain saw unit for disaster relief efforts. St. Tammany Baptist Association needed a chain saw unit for disaster relief efforts. Associational Director of Missions Lonnie Wascom approached leaders at First Baptist Church of Slidell about the need – and members responded. Pastor Michael Claunch and several members of the church were trained for the unit – and the church provided a trailer to house the necessary equipment. The problem was – there was no equipment to house, no saws, nothing. A member of the church saw the need and wanted to help. As it turned out, the member works for a corporation that provides matching gifts for its employees’ charitable contributions – with some limitations imposed. One of those limitations is that the corporation will not match contributions to religious organizations – such as First Baptist Church of Slidell. So, there the situation sat – a disaster relief chain saw unit trained but without equipment and equipment money available that could not be given. Enter the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, which Claunch called for help. The foundation had faced this dilemma before since many corporations will not give to … [Read more...]

Famine is nothing new to Niger – or to Southern Baptist missionary Mike Loftice. Famine is nothing new to Niger – or to Southern Baptist missionary Mike Loftice. But in recent months, drought and a locust invasion have made the situation even worse, threatening millions with starvation in the West African nation. Loftice has worked in the hard-hit Maradi region of Niger since 1997. He recently coordinated a $75,000 relief project in six villages. The effort supplied some 8,000 people with tons of millet and beans – and a second chance at life. “There is no doubt that hundreds of lives were saved,” Loftice reported. “In every village where we distributed food, literally hundreds of people from other villages came to us searching for food. We gave to as many as possible, but unfortunately, our resources were not enough.” In a country with 11 million people, more than 3 million face starvation. More than 800,000 of the suffering are children; thousands of them are dying. “Death is a huge part of everyday life,” Loftice said. “Over 50 percent of all children die by the time they reach 5 years of age.” The Maradi region contains about 1,000 villages. With Loftice the only Southern Baptist worker in the … [Read more...]

Okay, to begin, by and large, the United States still is a marrying nation – at least that much can be settled from the outset. Okay, to begin, by and large, the United States still is a marrying nation – at least that much can be settled from the outset. But ... fewer couples are marrying these days – and more are choosing to live together, the 2005 State of Our Unions study indicates. In other words, the “state of our unions” best can be described as – well – shifting. Actually, precarious may be a better word. And children are paying the highest price. “There has been a weakening of marriage and the nuclear family in advanced, industrialized societies, especially since the 1960s, ...” researcher David Popenoe writes in the essay accompanying this year’s annual report on marriage. And the United States has been one of the countries leading the decline, he adds. Indeed, only 63 percent of American children under age 18 live with both biological parents, the lowest number of Western industrialized nations. “One paramount family goal for modern societies today ... is to create the conditions whereby an increasing number of children are able to grow up with their own two married parents,” Popenoe … [Read more...]

A new report indicates that more than half of all first-time marriages now begin with a period of cohabitation – a “test drive” of sorts to gauge a couple’s compatibility. A new report indicates that more than half of all first-time marriages now begin with a period of cohabitation – a “test drive” of sorts to gauge a couple’s compatibility. The trend especially is prevalent among young people, the 2005 State of Our Unions report indicates. (See accompanying article) It makes sense – in theory. Unfortunately, the idea does not hold water. Indeed, the cited study indicates that living together before marriage actually may be detrimental to a couple’s chances of lifetime union. All in all, persons should not find that fact surprising, explained Bill Maier, vice president and psychologist-in-residence for Focus on the Family. “The average young person in America who enters into a cohabiting relationship isn’t aware that they may be sabotaging their chances for eventual marital success, ...” Maier said. “(But) Study after study after study shows us that cohabiting is a bad idea.” Two factors have contributed to the rise in cohabitation in the United States, Maier suggested. First, an increasing … [Read more...]

Week of August 22, 2005 Pledge of Allegiance A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that the recitation of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance by Virginia schoolchildren is constitutional. “The Pledge, which is not a religious exercise, ... does not amount to an establishment of religion,” wrote Judge Karen Williams in the Aug. 10 opinion of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Virginia law requires the daily recitation of the Pledge, although students are allowed to opt out if their parents object on religious or other grounds. The case in question involved a Mennonite father who sued the state, saying the phrase “under God” makes the Pledge unconstitutional and arguing that the Pledge itself violates his religion, which prohibits the intertwining of church and state. A lower court disagreed with those arguments – and the appeals court ruling affirms that stand. Medical plan rates Rates for the majority of GuideStone Financial Resources’ PPO medical plan participants will decrease for 2006, with improved benefits to be provided for preventive care and other services. For 2005, GuideStone changed to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network as its single preferred provider network. … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists are on the verge of spiritual epilepsy! The reason is the decrease in baptisms. Southern Baptists are on the verge of spiritual epilepsy! The reason is the decrease in baptisms. When two people love each other, the normal result is children.     Let us give up the fightin’ and learn to love each other. Then, the world will say, “Behold, how they love one another” rather than “Behold, how they fight.” If we exalt Jesus and his love, he will draw the people. Roy Remont Hot Springs, Ark. … [Read more...]

Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue Re: “When it comes to hard problems like child poverty – what can one person do?” in August 11, 2005 issue In response to your challenge “What can one person possibly do” when faced with the overwhelming question about child poverty and its associated epidemic of child abuse, I am struck by the idea of simply switching perspectives. After all, as Christians, we are called to be “his hands and his feet,” we openly pray on Sunday mornings to be “the salt of the earth” and ask to bear “more fruit.” Well, let us walk the walk. Here is an opportunity to minister to God’s children, the helpless and weakest among the needy of our community. On a local level, there are agencies such as CASA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, children’s Sunday School Departments, mentoring programs at your local elementary, junior high or high schools, coaching sports teams – the possibilities are endless. If you have an hour per week, per month, or per day to give, surely there would be a way. If your schedule does not permit volunteering, consider financial support or maybe you would feel more comfortable with a prayer … [Read more...]

The 2005 Louisiana legislative session is history – the governor has signed or vetoed all bills, and the legislators have declined to hold a veto session to challenge any of those decisions. The 2005 Louisiana legislative session is history – the governor has signed or vetoed all bills, and the legislators have declined to hold a veto session to challenge any of those decisions. So, how did it turn out, particularly on moral and social issues? It probably depends on who one asks, said Ken Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. “There were a couple of hot-button issues related to living wills – or what became known as death with dignity – and human cloning,” Ward noted. “Some were pleased with actions on those issues, and some were not. There were other issues as well – gambling and abortion, for instance. “There were wins and losses on several fronts, some things that were positive, some that could have been more positive,” Ward explained of the recent session. “Overall, I think most observers would call it an average session for moral and social concerns – about a C.” In ways, it was a unique session. Years ago, the legislature switched to a two-year pattern – in … [Read more...]

When judges announced Mary Lindsay Gunn as the winner of the 2006 Louisiana Junior Miss Scholarship Program, she was speechless. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter When judges announced Mary Lindsay Gunn as the winner of the 2006 Louisiana Junior Miss Scholarship Program, she was speechless. “What am I supposed to do?” Gunn asked a fellow contestant as she was trying to catch her breath on stage just moments after hearing the news. “Just go over there, smile and accept your award,” the fellow contestant advised Gunn, a member at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport. Though a month has passed since the night of the competition, Gunn says she still is in awe of winning the title – and thankful God allowed her to do so. “I prayed about this opportunity but never dreamed that God would put me in this type of position,” Gunn says. Held July 30 in Alexandria, the Louisiana Junior Miss Program is an annual competition that honors high school junior girls in the state. Gunn says the program recognizes excellence while promoting self-esteem among the contestants. The 16 girls who competed for the title of Louisiana Junior Miss were judged on five criteria – scholastic … [Read more...]

Potpourri DENHAM SPRINGS – Eden church: “Michael, An Eyewitness” one man drama performed by Michael McCain; Aug. 28, 10:15 a.m.; Wayne Talley, pastor. JONESBORO – McDonald church: Higher Faith in concert; Aug. 28, 1:15 p.m.; B.K. Miller, interim pastor. ZACHARY – First church: Outdoorsman Banquet; Sept. 8, 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. for exhibits; Jay Yelas, nationally-known outdoorsman/fisherman, guest speaker; $12 per individual ticket/$70 for table of seven; for ticket information or additional details, call (225) 654-2755; Reggie Bridges, pastor. OPELOUSAS – Calvary church: The Cedar Valley Boys in concert; Aug. 27, 6 p.m.; Roy Baker, pastor. BETHANY – Bethany camp: Men’s fish fry; Sept. 12, 5 p.m.;  Tom Lester, who performed as “Eb” on the “Green Acres” television show, and The Cypress Men, featured guests; $6 per person; call (318) 938-1221 for reservations; Robert Cole, camp manager. Youth SHREVEPORT – Broadmoor church:  “Yada Yada Junior Conference” sponsored by Virtuous Reality Ministries; for 3-6 grade girls and moms; Sept. 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; registration at 7:30 a.m.;  Vicki Courtney and Nancy Rue, speakers; $38 per person/$5 optional lunch; $32 for groups of 10 or more; to register, call … [Read more...]