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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Spiritual lessons from hurricanes

By Steve Horn One of the big news stories of this week will be Hurricanes. As I write, there are three named storms in the Atlantic Region, one more area being closely monitored for tropical development, and two named storms in the Pacific Region. The most significant threat at the moment is of course, Florence, zeroing in on the North Carolina Coast. I first began thinking about the spiritual lessons from hurricanes years ago, but I always think about these lessons when we have encounters with hurricanes. Maybe somebody needs to be reminded of these lessons today. So, I offer these thoughts as “Top 10 Spiritual Lessons from Hurricanes.” 10. It is better to go through a hurricane in the daytime than at night. We ought to celebrate light. Things in darkness ought to raise a red flag for us. If we are hiding something in the dark, we should be convicted, because light is always better than darkness. 9. We must learn from the past. Much has been said about the mistakes made by all during other hurricanes. The good thing about mistakes is that we can learn from the past. 8. Advanced preparation is the key. In all matters of life, we must get ready well in advance of the problem. The time to prepare for … [Read more...]

Banquet celebrates pregnancy center’s success changing, saving lives

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Dallas Hixson took a trip down memory lane at the first-ever Gift of Life Banquet September 11 when he recounted how his birth mother chose adoption over abortion and gave him the gift of life. During the event at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Hixson shared how his mother’s decision allowed him to live a life on mission for God. “I’ve never asked why,” said Hixson, who was adopted from the Sellers Baptist Home in New Orleans after his birth mother gave him up for adoption in 1969. “I realize that because of the honesty and transparency of my parents about my adoption, just how blessed I am to be adopted. “They’ve never ceased to remind me that I’m special and God has great things in store for me. They’ve also have continuously expressed how I’ve been given much and God expects much from me,” he added. Hixson was one of several pro-life advocates who gave testimonies at the Gift of Life Banquet, a fundraiser for the Cenla Pregnancy Center in Alexandria that was attended by more than 250 people. The event also featured recognition of individuals who played a vital role in creating the Cenla Pregnancy Center. Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church … [Read more...]