For the week of October 17, 2002 Support for Iraq action Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land recently affirmed to President George Bush that military action against Saddam Husseins regime would be justified. Four other Christian leaders joined Land in the letter, sent on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission letterhead - Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship, James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries and Carl Herbster of the American Association of Christian Schools. The leaders said they believed a military campaign against Iraq would fit within the guidelines of a "just war," as outlined by Christian theologians centuries ago. Some just-war advocates have not expressed as much assurance, while other religious leaders have voiced opposition to a military effort. "We believe that the cost of not dealing with this threat now will only succeed in greatly increasing the cost in human lives and suffering when an even more heavily armed and dangerous Saddam Hussein must be confronted at some date in the not too distant future," Land and his cosigners said. They questioned how the 20th century might have been different had Adolf Hitler been … [Read more...]
God cares – and his children must work to show it
Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didnt he let the storm dissipate instead of destroying so much?" Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind to protect ourselves against the storm. Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton first was published in the October 5, 1989 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess. The editorial seemed particularly fitting as South Louisiana residents recover from Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didnt he let the storm dissipate instead of destroying so much?" Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind to protect ourselves against the storm. The "why" of the storm will have to wait until we no longer "see dimly through a veil." We may not like coming against such a brick wall of intellectual limitations, but there is little else we … [Read more...]
What does one get mixing basketball and youth? The gospel
There is not much to do in the interior Alaskan village of Nenana during the cold winters that begin in October and end as late as May. By mid-winter, the towns 412 residents see only three to four hours of daylight each day. And with temperatures dipping as low as minus-60, teenagers from both native and Anglo backgrounds often retreat into the darkness of alcohol, drugs, spiritism and hopelessness. There is not much to do in the interior Alaskan village of Nenana during the cold winters that begin in October and end as late as May. By mid-winter, the towns 412 residents see only three to four hours of daylight each day. And with temperatures dipping as low as minus-60, teenagers from both native and Anglo backgrounds often retreat into the darkness of alcohol, drugs, spiritism and hopelessness. That is why Nenana Community Church again sponsored a Crossfire basketball camp this year, aimed at presenting rural teens with the opportunity not only to improve their basketball skills but also to encounter the hope-filled message of the gospel. The church was started two years ago by Virginia natives Russ and Alice Sharrock, who took … [Read more...]
Couple seeks to share gospel in hard-to-reach Alaska
When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered. Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village. Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field. When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered. Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village. Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field. But despite such warnings and armed with the support of others, the Sharrocks returned in 2000 as church planters. Nenana Community Church was born. "We had a church within four weeks of … [Read more...]
A Louisiana-style rodeo – Roping for the Redeemer
As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroes Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Dailys afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroes Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Dailys afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. While this may seem like a regular rodeo, … [Read more...]
Helping Louisiana recover: Hurricane Lili was not at all kind to parts of South Louisiana – but Baptist workers are on the scene now, offering help and hope
At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. He confessed to the volunteer disaster relief worker - "I dont know what those Baptists are doing or what they got, but I know on Sunday morning, Im going across the street to that First Baptist there, and thats where Im going to church." As parts of South Louisiana shovel and sweep and cut their way out of the effects of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili, they are finding Baptist after Baptist working alongside them - and they are responding with thanks. "The people … [Read more...]
Tribute to Mercer
I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling. I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling. Earl was a pioneer Christian communicator. Before the bookstores were filled with "how to be a great communicator" books, Earl was writing living volumes of his own as he perfected his craft as the public relations director for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home in Monroe. I first met Earl at an association meeting. He presented the Childrens Home report. He guided the attentive … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of October 17, 2002 Potpourri DEQUINCY - DeQuincy First church: Sportsmans banquet and deer hunting seminar; Oct. 22, 6 p.m.; David Fortenberry, guest speaker; $5 per ticket; to reserve tickets, call (337) 786-7072; salad, bread, dessert and drinks provided/bring main game dish; Byron Comish, pastor. WEST MONROE - Trinity church: Liberty Boys, in concert; Oct.19, 6 p.m.; Wesley Pittman, pastor. NEW ORLEANS - Lakeview church: Bob Stewart, guest speaker; Oct. 27, 6 p.m.; David Brown, pastor. COLFAX - Hudson Creek church: Annual Fun Day; Oct. 19, 12 noon; Bill Calloway, pastor. WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers Conference Center: "Louisiana Health Mission Update" Nursing Fellowship fall retreat; Nov. 1-2; Charles Norwood and Charles Walker, guest speakers; to register, call (800) 622-6549 or (318) 445-6797; Sam White, camp director. RAYVILLE - Eastside church: Richland association "Concert of Prayer," Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Dick DeBusk, guest speaker; Mary Ann Parks, associational prayer coordinator; Kyle Coates, pastor. BETHANY - Camp Bethany: Senior adult retreat; Oct. 28 (registration at 8:30 a.m.) - Oct. 30 (ends at 9 … [Read more...]
Majority of high school students are virgins, new survey indicates
A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. The trend holds true among both female and male students, 10th-12th-grade students and black and white students, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey of more than 10,000 high school students shows. Various decade-long improvements in teenage sexual risk behavior noted in the survey are parallel to decreases in the rates of gonorrhea, pregnancy and birth rates among adolescents, said Lloyd Kolbe, who directs Center for Disease Controls adolescent and school health … [Read more...]
Pageant officials relent – Miss America is free to promote sexual abstinence
For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion. A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years. For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion. A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years. However, within a matter of days, a second report had been released - announcing Miss America is free to talk about sexual abstinence after all. Erika Harold was crowned as Miss America 2003 in September. Earlier this month, she told reporters she had been informed there would be no restrictions on her discussion of chastity as part of her youth violence prevention platform. An article in the Washington Times reported on the efforts to ban discussion of the subject by Harold. The Times also reported comments made by Harold at a press conference, during which she indicated her … [Read more...]
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