By Tom Strode, Baptist Press Washington Bureau WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court considered arguments Wednesday (March 23) that the federal government is intent on forcing Christian and other religious ministries to violate their consciences by accepting a rule that makes them complicit in abortion. Lawyers for the objecting institutions -- including some Southern Baptist-related entities -- and the Obama administration made their cases before the justices regarding the abortion/contraception mandate, a federal regulation issued to help implement the 2010 health-care reform law. The mandate requires employers to provide for their workers not only contraceptives but drugs and devices that can potentially cause abortions. Those who refuse to abide by the requirement face fines in the millions of dollars. GuideStone Financial Resources, the Southern Baptist Convention's health and financial benefits entity, and two of the ministries it serves, as well as three Baptist universities, are among the challengers to a mandate accommodation provided by the federal government to religious nonprofits. During the arguments, Paul Clement, representing those challenging the accommodation, told the justices the Little Sisters … [Read more...]
GuideStone expresses appreciation for oral arguments before high court March 23
By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Communications DALLAS — Attorneys for GuideStone Financial Resources made oral arguments in its litigation against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its so-called contraceptive mandate Wednesday at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. “We are thankful for the opportunity to make our case before the High Court and pray for wisdom for the justices and favor in the outcome,” said GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins, who attended the hearing. “We are thankful for the prayers of so many in our Southern Baptist and broader evangelical family; this is the time to continue praying for these men and women who will render the verdict.” The mandate would require certain ministries served by GuideStone to provide abortion-causing drugs or devices as part of their health plan or face crippling penalties. Churches and integrated auxiliaries of churches are exempt from the mandate. “The justices were very engaged and questioned the government closely,” said Mark Rienzi, counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represents GuideStone. “But once again, the government had no clear explanation for why it needs to use religious ministries to deliver services that are … [Read more...]
LC Healthcare Expo coming in April
By LC News PINEVILLE --The Louisiana College Division of Nursing will host a Healthcare Expo in its Nursing Skills Center on April 14, 4:30 to 7 p.m. The event offers detailed information about careers in healthcare. Attendees will: - tour LC’s Nursing Skills lab; - observe high-tech demonstrations; - get hands-on experience with an EKG; - gain insight to med school preparation; - observe/engage in physical therapy skills; - meet personally with LC professors; - learn more about: Bachelor of Science / Nursing Associate Level / Physical Therapist Assisting. For more information, please call 318.487.7127. … [Read more...]
ANALYSIS: Brussels, terror & Easter
By Erich Bridges, IMB Global Correspondent BRUSSELS, Belgium (BP) -- Once again, innocent blood stains the ground and fear fills the air in Europe. The March 22 airport and subway bombings in Brussels, claimed by the ISIS Islamic terror group, killed more than 30 people, wounded at least 170 -- and traumatized a region still reeling from the November massacre in Paris, multiple bombings in NATO member Turkey and warnings of more attacks to come. (Regular ISIS -- or Al Qaeda-inspired attacks continue to kill hundreds in the Middle East, Central and South Asia and Africa, with far less notice in Western media.) The still-unfolding refugee crisis created by the Syrian civil war is straining European unity. The 28-nation European Union (EU), of which Brussels is the unofficial capital, is struggling to maintain stability as its members question whether the concept of Europe as an interconnected economic and political entity will survive the "long war" with Islamic terrorism. Following the Brussels bombings, EU heads of state publicly vowed to fight terrorism with "all necessary means," claiming the latest tragedy "only strengthens our resolve to defend European values and tolerance from the attacks of the intolerant." But … [Read more...]
There is Good News in the Holy Gospel!
By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – In many ways the Gospel message is a simple one. Indeed, John 3:16 captures the hope and promise in a single verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Regardless of what Bible translation you use, the meaning is clear. God has a plan for saving you and me for eternity. BASICS OF BELIEF There are a number of passages which explain what it means to “believe in Him.” Romans 10:13 announces that “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” and Luke 18:13 demonstrates such a plea must be made in a spirit of repentance, recording how a tax collector, eyes down and beating his chest, cried out, “O God, have mercy on me a poor sinner!” Other texts detail how repentance, a change in life’s direction, begins with a heartfelt profession of Jesus as Lord of your life based on an authentic belief in His physical resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God reveals one must humble himself before seeking repentance. The sequence of His instruction is clear … before praying or seeking God’s face, and in order to be strengthened to turn from … [Read more...]
Archaeology points to an empty tomb
By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications Director FIRST PERSON ACCOUNT NEW ORLEANS – While the cross remains the undisputed symbol of Christianity; the empty tomb conveys the abundant life found in Christ. The thought of Jesus stepping out of the tomb on the first Easter morning is simply overwhelming, representing His atoning death punctuated by the miracle of His resurrection. As a believer, I have experienced the power of Jesus’ cross and His empty tomb and I don’t need to see the tomb to experience its power. But, as a student of the Bible and archaeology, I am compelled to learn as much as I can about the setting in which the Bible was written. So seeing the empty tomb in this context is an exciting thought. Archaeology offers a wealth of contextual information about biblical places, events and people; however, it rarely offers proofs and such is the case with Jesus’ tomb. Archaeology alone cannot lead to the tomb because it is not as simple as locating an empty tomb. Many empty tombs dot the landscape around Jerusalem – emptied by the ravages of time and human raiders. With these limitations in mind, what can one learn from archaeology regarding the tomb of Jesus? It turns out, quite a bit. With a little … [Read more...]
There is power in the resurrection
By Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church New Orleans and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention NEW ORLEANS – Ever since I started as pastor at Franklin Avenue, the Easter season has been special to me and our congregation. No matter what I’m preaching on, when the month of Easter arrives I will stop that series and concentrate on the events leading up to Good Friday and resurrection Sunday. A lot of new Christians never hear all the details of the Easter story, but I want all my members to know that one of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas, betrayed him, and another, Peter, denied him. I start with that Thursday prayer in the garden and give all the details leading up to the kangaroo court that tried Christ. I share the grim descriptions of His beating and narrate His walk while carrying that old rugged cross up Golgotha’s hill. I give a vivid mental picture of Him being nailed to the cross – nails in his hand, nails in his feet – and the spear being thrust in his side, crown of thorns on his head. Then I try to get them to imagine hearing those seven cries Jesus uttered from the cross before he died. But, then I emphasize the hope of resurrection Sunday, Christ raised from the grave and an … [Read more...]
Easter changes everything
By Gevan Spinney, Pastor of First Baptist Church Haughton and President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention HAUGHTON – Has anyone ever taken something “from” you? This is one of two important questions enmeshed in the Easter story. WHAT WAS TAKEN? Have you ever found yourself looking for something you cherished only to realize you are a victim of theft, left with an empty feeling in the pit of your stomach as a vivid reminder of being violated in your personal space? All four Gospel writers introduce us to a man who is guilty of impacting individuals just this way. Matthew described him as a “notorious criminal”; John simply called him a “robber”; Mark and Luke said he was incarcerated for murder. But despite such descriptions and the obvious importance of the role Barabbas played in the passion story, the Gospels share little else about the man. As soon as he steps onto the pages of the Bible he steps off, and we never hear about him again. It’s possible to make some assumptions from his name – in particular that he came from a religious family. Bar – meaning “son of”, and Abba – which translates as “father,” could suggest his parents loved God so much they named him “the son of the Father.” But, … [Read more...]
Victory over death
By Jake Roudkovski, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS -- Someone has said, “Young may die, old must die, but all will die.” You don’t have to be a statistical genius to know that one out of every one person on earth dies. That’s why as we celebrate Easter this year, we should remember that the resurrection of Jesus Christ provides each of us victory over death. In our celebration of the risen Savior, we are celebrating our victory over death. In perhaps the most extensive chapter in the entire Bible on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its impact upon humanity, the apostle Paul proclaims, “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:56-57). In my study of the epic chapter on the resurrection of Jesus, I counted the word “death” appearing twenty-five times. In highlighting every mention of death in the chapter, I was reminded of my own mortality and a story that I read about two teenagers who were discussing death. One commented, “Wouldn’t it be neat to know the time and the place that you are going to die?” But the other responded with a bewildered look, “What good would it do?” The … [Read more...]
Louisiana Lagniappe
IN REMEMBERANCE Bill Hines of Coushatta passed away March 3 at the age of 90. Memorial services were held at First Baptist Church of Coushatta with Lee Dickson and Billy Burkett officiating. Interment was at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. He was a graduate of William Jewel University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reared in a Christian home, he began his ministry in youth-led revivals at the age of 19 and actively served the Lord for over 70 years until his passing 9 days after his 90th birthday. He was a great minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years, with 38 of those years being served among the churches of the District Eight Baptist Convention. He was president of District Eight for four terms, and was still a faithful pastor at the time of his home-going. Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Bobby Hines. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jeanette; five children, Ginny Hines; Gene Hines and wife, Diane; Gerry Camp and husband, Richard; Joy Dowden and husband, Chris; Jennifer Moore and husband, Mark; and 10 grandchildren. Ernest Julius [E.J.] Bradshaw of Leesville passed away March 6 at the age of 89. Services were held at East Leesville Baptist Church with his … [Read more...]
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