By Louisiana Right to Life staff BATON ROUGE -- Thursday, Gov. John Bel Edwards was joined at the Capitol by pro-life advocates as he signed HB 606 into law. HB 606, initiated by Edwards, authored by Rep. Frank Hoffman and carried on the Senate floor by Sen. Regina Barrow, ensures that businesses and organizations that perform abortions cannot receive taxpayer dollars, even for other purposes. At the signing, Edwards reaffirmed his commitment to policies that will encourage health facilities in Louisiana to offer true healthcare rather than getting into the abortion business. "I commend Gov. Edwards for signing this legislation today, and I thank him for asking me to author this important legislation. I also appreciate Sen. Barrow for carrying the legislation on the Senate floor. Louisiana taxpayers should not be asked to give their hard-earned dollars to businesses in our state that sell abortion," said Hoffman. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, added: "Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, as Cecile Richards admitted last week, plans to sell abortions at their facility in New Orleans. We believe it is a reasonable policy that taxpayer dollars should never benefit those businesses that sell … [Read more...]
Latest update of NOBTS Gezer dig looks back on last year’s trip
By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications We had a great work day today at all three areas -- 50 bags of material were pulled from the water system and the two above ground locations continued to carefully excavate. At this mid-point of the dig, everyone is equal parts excited, exhausted, and home sick. We still have much to do before we leave and many questions are left that we hope to answer ... in the coming week and in the next few years. For those of you who are not acquainted with the history of Gezer and the history of the site's archaeology, below is a portion of last year's report regarding the dig. Tel Gezer Water System Added evidence that an ancient water system at Tel Gezer in Israel could be the product of Middle Bronze Age Canaanites living between the time of Abraham and the Israelite conquest was uncovered by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s archaeology team during a challenging dig season in the summer of 2015. The Bible provides one tantalizing possible parallel to the Gezer system in the accounts of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-9, David’s men utilized a “water shaft” to invade and conquer the fortress of Zion/Jerusalem. This rock-hewn system has been located in Jerusalem’s “City of David” … [Read more...]
Family requests prayers for Rose Long, wife of state Sen. Gerald Long
By Message Staff Doctors have discovered two brain tumors in Rose Landry Long, wife of Sen. Gerald Long (R-District 31), according to her daughter Pam Jordan and the family is asking for prayer. The tumors were discovered following a petscan June 1. “Doctors believe this is a primary brain tumor,” said Pam Jordan. “The only way we know what we are dealing with is to have a brain biopsy. We are in the process of having her information passed on to M.D. Anderson in Houston. “She will probably have this procedure next week,” Jordan continued. “Our family would like to thank everyone for their concern and prayers.” Long and her husband are members of First Baptist Church Natchitoches and strong supporters of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She also serves on the Louisiana Baptist Moral and Social Concerns committee. Sen. Long told the Baptist Message he appreciates the prayers and encouragement from many around the state and beyond. “We are overwhelmed by the show of support from our church family and the entire body of Christ,” said Sen. Long. “Our prayer is that God will be glorified through all of this as we work through this trying time.” The Long’s daughter, Pam … [Read more...]
NOBTS staffer chronicles Gezer dig through blog, multimedia
By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications The Tel Gezer Water System Expedition welcomed the second week of the 2016 today. It was a beautiful, somewhat cool day – another great day to dig. Due to our travels, lectures and other commitments (the need for sleep), we weren’t able to publish an update last Thursday or post a week one video update Dan Warner, co-director of the NOBTS Gezer dig. So, I will attempt to get you up to date with our progress and Sarah Simon has edited and posted the update. The Water System – Field A-B When Thursday came to an end, the team in the water system had cleared the width of the tunnel just below what we are calling the “bottom step.” For several years the south half of this area has been cleared. However, we left the northern half (actually a little more than half) as a staging area for the bag removal process. This year removing that mass of dirt, pottery, rocks and debris was a top priority. Since the area was sealed under the causeway of stones laid over the pool area by Macalister in the early 1900s, the material may be helpful in establishing the date of the system’s construction. Removing the material necessitated a reworking of the wooden ramp used as a track for pulling up the bags of … [Read more...]
NOBTS archaeological dig ends on high note for day
By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications Today we reached full operational capacity at all three of our excavation areas. We are actively excavating in the water system (Fields A and B), in the buildings near the gate (Field C), and at the Canaanite gate (Field D). Exciting things are happening at each of the locations. Though today ended on a high note, it started very slow. One of our drivers (this blogger) lost the keys to one of our vans. Quickly we figured out that the keys were lost while I was blogging in the lobby at Neve Shalom. The only problem is the lobby does not open until 7 a.m. So instead of leaving at 6 a.m., one group did not get to leave until after 7 a.m. The slow start was accentuated by rain, of all things. I have spent many days in Israel and can remember a light rain only a few times. Three or four times there were significant showers. Between rain showers, the teams took starting measurements at the above ground fields and completed the water system sandbagging of the water system before lunch. After our lunch break, each area was able to begin excavating. The water system team removed 19 bags of material. The water system and the two other fields generated enough pottery for us to start our daily task … [Read more...]
Number of Louisiana messengers pre-registered up, most since 2013
By Message Staff Louisiana could see its highest Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting messenger count since 2013 if pre-registration numbers continue to rise. Through Wednesday afternoon, 208 messengers from Louisiana had pre-registered, according to SBC Vice President for Convention Finance William E. Townes Jr. Though an official number won’t be known until the actual annual meeting in St. Louis, Mo., ends on June 15, the 2015 SBC Annual reported that 175 messengers from Louisiana registered for last year’s meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The 2013 annual meeting in Houston, Texas, saw 383 messengers register from Louisiana. The pre-registration numbers for the annual meeting mirror a trend across the SBC, Baptist Press reported on Wednesday. Just under 5,000 have pre-registered so far. Townes told BP that he projects 6,000-7,000 messengers in St. Louis and 10,000-11,000 total attendees. Last year, 5,407 messengers attended the meeting in Columbus. Townes told BP in written comments his projection “is just an educated estimate at this point. Based on my best estimate at this point, I would suggest that the hotel reservations are a pretty good indicator of our anticipated increase in attendance. I think the pre-registered … [Read more...]
ACLU director quits after daughters express fear at transgenders in restroom
By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner ATLANTA (Christian Examiner) – The interim director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia has resigned amid the organization's push back against North Carolina's so-called "bathroom law" (HB 2), which prohibits those born biologically male from using multi-occupancy female restrooms and vice versa. The ACLU is suing North Carolina's governor in federal court in Carcano v. McCrory, which alleges the law prohibiting transgender access to multi-occupancy restrooms in government is a form of "insidious discrimination." To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
NOBTS staffer updates progress on Gezer Dig
By Gary D Myers, NOBTS communications Setup days are always tough. It’s hot, dirty and we are all a bit out of physical shape when the excavation begins. We round up the tools and equipment, set up camp, raise shade cloth, make an unreasonable amount of sandbags, and a thousand other tasks. It takes lots of time and it is some of the hardest work we do during the excavation. Day two at the Tel Gezer Water System Exploration brought much cooler temperatures and more setup at all of our major work areas. In the water system (Fields A and B), the team repaired and installed the wooden stairs which allow access to the tunnel. Others began the long process of placing sandbags over the ancient steps – 85 steps total, each requiring two to four sandbags. Once setup is complete, the team will begin clearing out the NW quadrant of the pool (Area A). Removing this will expose the full width of the pool area at its shallowest point. Just as the team began laying the sandbags, we encountered the first real problem of the season. The switch used to control the winch shorted out and, for a time, we were unable lower additional sandbags into the tunnel. This minor setback was repaired within two to two and a half hours, but the lost time … [Read more...]
Fresh Grounded Faith, Jennifer Rothschild draw sold-out crowd
By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter The sold-out crowd of 1500 women at Celebration Church, Metairie, cheered when Jennifer Rothschild, noted author and accomplished singer, took to the stage for the recent women’s event Fresh Grounded Faith. With Rothschild were actress Karen Abercrombie, “Miss Clara” from the film War Room and Stormie Omartian, bestselling author of the Power of Prayer series. “It’s God’s love that makes you lovely,” Rothschild told the crowd of women from all backgrounds and age groups. Blinded at age 15, Rothschild is the author of 11 books including the bestselling Lessons I Learned in the Dark; Self Talk, Soul Talk; and the recently released Invisible: How You Feel is Not Who You Are. Rothschild is the author of the popular Me, Myself and Lies Bible study and the 7-session DVD-driven study, Hosea, carried by LifeWay. Trials and failures do not define a person’s value, Rothschild told the crowd. “Who you are and what you struggle with are not the same thing,” Rothschild said. “The Lord values who you are, not where you are.” A wife, mother, speaker and accomplished singer with six albums to her name, Rothschild has been featured on the Today show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, and the Billy Graham … [Read more...]
NOBTS evangelism efforts reach four with Gospel
By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS - When the team of 17 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) students and faculty members stepped into the neighborhood under storm-threatening skies April 21 to hand out 9-volt batteries, they did not know what the Lord would do. Three members of the community near the seminary came to faith in Christ. “The Lord gave us a window of one hour before the rain came down,” said Preston Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. “Two people…in two different locations had just finished praying to receive Christ when the rain started.” Seven faculty members and 10 students formed teams to knock on doors and give away free batteries for home smoke alarms. The teams partnered with Gentilly Baptist Church (GBC) to show love to neighbors with the goal of sharing the gospel. Two weeks later, on May 5, seven students and seven faculty members went into the community. As a result of their witness one person came to faith in Christ. “This involvement of our NOBTS faculty and students on the streets of our city shows once again that when we obey Christ's Great Commission, the Lord has people ready to respond,” said Ken Taylor, professor of urban missions at … [Read more...]
