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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Rendon credits Christ for his success

By Message Staff HOUSTON, Texas – (LBM) Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon may be known for hitting multiple homeruns that helped fuel multiple comeback victories over the Houston Astros in the 2019 World Series, but he credited his faith for helping him remain calm under pressure. In an interview, Oct. 31, on SportsCenter with ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt, Rendon said his faith guided him through a journey that began on a team that started the season 19-31 and ended Oct. 30 with a victory over the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the annual fall baseball classic. Rendon set career-highs in batting average (.319), home runs (34) and RBIs (126) during the regular season, and followed with two home runs and eight RBIs (five in Game 6 alone) in the World Series. “I think I understand that there is bigger things going on in this world,” Rendon told Van Pelt. “And my Savior Jesus Christ gives me that patience and that slow heart rate.” Rendon is a Houston native who attends the First Baptist Church in the off season. Pastor Gregg Matte told Baptist Press that Rendon is "very laid back" and places his trust in Christ no matter the circumstance. "Anthony is a big-time difference maker on the field and … [Read more...]

SCOTUS to decide fate of two Louisiana laws

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—The Supreme Court has accepted two cases that will determine whether Louisiana laws are constitutional. One case deals with a pro-life issue and the other involves non-unanimous juries in felony cases. ADMITTING PRIVILEGES In 2014 Louisiana legislators passed Act 620, requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges in a nearby hospital in case of complications during an abortion. Lawmakers concluded this requirement would ensure “continuity of care, qualifications, communication, and prevent abandonment of patients.” Critics of the law say it is just an end run to close the only three abortion clinics in the state, and argue the matter was settled when the Supreme Court invalidated the portion of a Texas case that required doctors performing abortions to maintain patient-admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their abortion facility – the issue being contested in the Louisiana law. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, an Obama appointee, ruled against the Louisiana law, but the largely conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit overruled him. The Supreme Court will hear arguments during the 2020 … [Read more...]