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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for February 2018

Archaeology – from the subtle to the sublime

By Gary D. Myers NEW ORLEANS (BP) – A massive pile of rocks and rubble greets the visitor to the ruins of Lachish, 60 kilometers southwest of Jerusalem. The remains of a 2,700-year-old Assyrian siege ramp, this pile of rubble and the other archaeological finds at Lachish bear witness to the trustworthy nature of Scripture. More often than not, archaeology serves as a subtle, helpful tool for the church. Archaeology provides cultural and contextual clues to help us better understand the people and places of the Bible. The finds help close the culture gap created by time, place and worldview. Certain sites and finds offer more than mere context, and that is why I love Lachish. While the archaeology of Lachish cannot prove the amazing works of God, it does offer confirmation of an important biblical account. It was during the reign of Hezekiah that Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, attacked Judah and built the siege ramp at Lachish. You can read about the events in 2 Kings 18 and 19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36 and 37. Tired of paying tribute to Assyria, Hezekiah rebelled and began preparing Judah for war. Twenty years earlier the Assyrians had destroyed Israel, and Sennacherib now had his sights on Judah. In 701 … [Read more...]

Louisiana Congressmen urge support of bill to fund military, community health centers

By Message Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a vote Feb. 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide full funding for the military and community health centers, several members of Louisiana's delegation to Congress released statements urging members of the Senate to pass the bill. “Our Armed Services and community health centers need and deserve certainty, regardless of the political climate in Washington," said U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, in a statement e-mailed to the Baptist Message. "Unfortunately, some Democrats have attempted to use the men and women of our military and vulnerable Americans as bargaining chips in their efforts to secure amnesty for illegal immigrants. Tonight, House Republicans passed legislation to fully fund our defense programs and community health centers. Now, we call on Senate Democrats to put aside their own political agendas and pass this critical measure.” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, who also is a physician, weighed in on the issue through his Facebook page. "The House has voted to fund our military, give pay raises to our troops, fund community health centers and prevent a government shutdown," said Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist … [Read more...]

First Pineville hosting Jerry Pipes for a family workshop Feb. 11

PINEVILLE -- First Baptist Church, Pineville will host Jerry Pipes for a Building a Successful Family Workshop February 11. This high impact, one day workshop provides opportunities for parents, grandparents, and children to grow in their relationship with one another. At 9 a.m., Pipes will meet with students in grades 7-12 to discuss “Why Try with Your Parents?” In a humorous hard hitting format he provides students with three reasons why selling out to Christ and working with Him and their parents to be their best is the smartest possible decision they can make.   In the worship gathering at 10:15 a.m., Pipes will talk about Keys to Intimacy. The message provides hope from God’s Word through sharing the Keys to Intimacy. Though the message targets married couples, the relational principles shared apply to everyone. No one, regardless of family status, will feel left out. At 5 p.m., Pipes will lead a Parenting Conference during which he will cover such topics as “Understanding Students in the New Millennium,” “Passing the Baton of Your Faith on to Your Children and Grandchildren,” “Creating a Culture of Encouragement,” and “Keys to Discipline.” At 6:00 p.m., during the evening worship celebration, Jerry … [Read more...]

‘Retracing’ his faith, LC athlete recommits life to Christ

By Victor Villevieja PINEVILLE (LBM) - James Preston Mayo III - Trace to his friends - was wandering in life, depressed, lost in his own lusts and temptations. Having stepped away from God, he was following a worldly path until he remembered the forgiveness Christ offers and resolved to live for Him again. Trace’s grandparents were missionaries in Mexico for over 20 years, and he went on mission trips he barely remembers. Yet, he still recalls his encounter with God when he was only 5 years old and “met” Jesus during a school assembly. “I was sitting in the back of the room and I saw this face on the wall. I did not know what was going on,” Mayo recalled. “Later, I realized I had been looking at Jesus’ face.” Sometime after that encounter, maybe a couple of days or even a week, at his grandparents’ house, he remembers feeling God’s presence. “I felt something pressed upon me, and I could recognize Him knocking on the door of my heart.” He heard that voice encourage him to preach, and that is what he did. Shortly after that, James Preston Mayo III began to share his innocent and unassuming understanding of the Gospel in churches. Unfortunately, Trace’s joy in the Lord – at being a child of God – was soon … [Read more...]