"Operation Santa!" The entire elementary school joined the effort. The teachers and administrators of the school wanted to help their students realize the joy of giving. They emphasized that many children have little joy in their Christmas without the help of others. "Operation Santa!" The entire elementary school joined the effort. The teachers and administrators of the school wanted to help their students realize the joy of giving. They emphasized that many children have little joy in their Christmas without the help of others. The administrators got in touch with a local charitable group. They worked together to form a list of needy children and the gifts they most wanted. The administrators and teachers told the students the gifts they would try to provide the less fortunate children and encouraged them to be creative in how they raised money. Teachers carefully explained how money for the project would be raised. They sent notes home explaining "Operation Santa" would help Santa do what he otherwise would not be able to do. They told the children they could bring donations of money and all of it would go directly to "Operation Santa" so … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of December 20, 2001 World of Religion LC report Louisiana College has achieved many of the goals it set forth in recent years - but considerable work needs to be done to ensure the missions and quality of the school, President Rory Lee told trustees during a recent board meeting. Lee offered his assessment during a routine board meeting. In reviewing the financial state of the college, Lee noted the school experienced an increase of $991,544 in long-term debt last year to bring the total to $12.2 million. However, a plan is in place to service the debt, he noted. Lee also noted that the market value of the colleges endowment declined $1.5 million (5.2 percent) to $27.5 million. Nevertheless, the school remains a strong and healthy financial institution, Lee emphasized. In addition, the Louisiana Baptist school has made significant progress toward goals outlined in late 1997. These included increasing enrollment, strengthening teaching faculty, improving maintenance of the physical plant, making technological advances, focusing on the spiritual side of the schools missions and improving college atmosphere. Each area has shown significant improvement, Lee said, citing such things as a 31 … [Read more...]
Christmas offers a reminder – in the midst of life, there is a reason to believe and a life to be communicated
C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor Nobody really spoke out loud about it, but it was clear to everyone involved - this was going to be Dads last Christmas. He has been battling cancer for five months. By the time it was diagnosed in his colon, it already had spread. Nobody really spoke out loud about it, but it was clear to everyone involved - this was going to be Dads last Christmas. He has been battling cancer for five months. By the time it was diagnosed in his colon, it already had spread. Necessary surgery and treatment left him increasingly weak. Time grew shorter and shorter. Thanksgiving had come and gone. Now, it was Christmas - and Dad could barely walk. That morning, Dads two sons helped him out of bed and into the reclining chair centered in the large living room area. From there, Mom helped him distribute his presents. He had something for everybody - wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, three grandsons. They were all there. Then, Dad received his gifts - with Mom helping to open them and encourage a response. Already, he was tiring. By the time the older son gave … [Read more...]
At Christmas time, everyone turns to the old carols – and with good reason
Ask Carol Doran about her favorite Christmas carol, and she does not hesitate with her answer. "Without question, Silent Night," says Doran, organist at Virginia Theological Seminary. "Some people think its not Christmas if you dont sing it." Ask Carol Doran about her favorite Christmas carol, and she does not hesitate with her answer. "Without question, Silent Night," says Doran, organist at Virginia Theological Seminary. "Some people think its not Christmas if you dont sing it." However, following closely behind in Dorans book, are "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World." Beloved by young and old, weekly churchgoers and those who worship mainly at Christmas, the songs make the season for many. And many songs make the season, with everyone having their favorites. Author Ace Collins started with a list of 250 tunes when he began compiling "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas," a new book by Zondervan. Paring that list back to a mere 31 gave him insights on which carols have endured and why. Throughout the 31 chapters that look at one song each, the word "simple" pops up as one of the endearing aspects of the … [Read more...]
This former American soldier never will forget ‘Stille nacht, heilige nacht’
In 1944, World War II was ravaging Europe, and Lt. Lawson Corley was a lead bombardier in the 705th bomb squadron in the U.S. Air Force. His 10-member crew had launched a successful bombing raid - which included an unexpected bonus of annihilating an enemy ammunition site - when their plane was hit. In 1944, World War II was ravaging Europe, and Lt. Lawson Corley was a lead bombardier in the 705th bomb squadron in the U.S. Air Force. His 10-member crew had launched a successful bombing raid - which included an unexpected bonus of annihilating an enemy ammunition site - when their plane was hit. The only choice for the crew was to bail out and hope they would not be captured. However, anti-aircraft flak had lodged in Corleys backpack, where his parachute was located. Nevertheless, Corley jumped, hoping his chute would open. He pulled his ripcord, which detached in his hand. As he saw the earth rushing closer, he says he knew death was imminent. He remembers saying a quick prayer to God, pledging to serve him if he would spare his life. His parachute opened at treetop level. The hard jolt to the ground knocked the 20-year-old unconscious. He was … [Read more...]
Baptists offer witness as Olympic torch heads for 2002 Winter Games
The 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay visited New Orleans last week - and Louisiana Baptists were to remind area residents of the true light of life as well. Associational worker Loy Seal distributed Olympic pocket guides to persons who gathered to catch a glimpse of the torch as it begins to make its 13,500-mile journey across the nation. Seal is director of church growth and development at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. The 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay visited New Orleans last week - and Louisiana Baptists were to remind area residents of the true light of life as well. Associational worker Loy Seal distributed Olympic pocket guides to persons who gathered to catch a glimpse of the torch as it begins to make its 13,500-mile journey across the nation. Seal is director of church growth and development at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. The torch began its American journey in Atlanta on Dec. 4 and visited New Orleans several days later. All along the way, Southern Baptists will be on hand, distributing evangelistic trading pins and Olympic pocket guides, as well as offering hospitality ministries in places. The … [Read more...]
Louisiana school prayer law struck down in federal court
A federal appeals court ruled Dec. 11 that a Louisiana law allowing public school students and teachers time each day to pray is unconstitutional. A panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voted 3-0 to affirm a federal court ruling that found the law violated the First Amendments ban on government establishment of religion. A federal appeals court ruled Dec. 11 that a Louisiana law allowing public school students and teachers time each day to pray is unconstitutional. A panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voted 3-0 to affirm a federal court ruling that found the law violated the First Amendments ban on government establishment of religion. The Louisiana legislature originally adopted the law in 1976. However, a 1999 amendment to the measure set the stage for its failure in court. The 1976 version required local school boards to permit school officials to set aside at the start of each day a "brief time in silent meditation." In 1992, the law was amended by the legislature to permit a time of "silent prayer or meditation." In 1999, the legislature removed the word "silent" from the … [Read more...]
Mission board proposal seeks changes in ties with D.C. Baptists
The future of Southern Baptists witness in the nations capital may be changing, based on a proposal by the conventions North American Mission Board. Essentially, the proposal claims the District of Columbia Baptist Convention has grown "increasingly distant from the (Southern Baptist Convention), its positions and priorities." The future of Southern Baptists witness in the nations capital may be changing, based on a proposal by the conventions North American Mission Board. Essentially, the proposal claims the District of Columbia Baptist Convention has grown "increasingly distant from the (Southern Baptist Convention), its positions and priorities." It proposes a set of guidelines for the district convention, including placement of a North American Mission Board staff person to administer Southern Baptist funds there and to supervise mission board personnel in the area. Formed in 1877, the District of Columbia Baptist Convention historically has aligned dually with both the Southern Baptist Convention and American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. In 1998, the district convention also aligned with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a predominantly … [Read more...]
SBC relief workers impressive according to New York Times article
Alison Leigh Cowan John Gore swore that once he retired from his job as a traveling salesman, he would roam no longer. The pins on his hat say otherwise. "Thats Hurricane Floyd, Fran, Hugo, Mitch," he said last week, pointing out some of the relics of his travels. "And now," he said, his finger resting on a pin purchased in Times Square, "the New York twin towers." Alison Leigh Cowan John Gore swore that once he retired from his job as a traveling salesman, he would roam no longer. The pins on his hat say otherwise. "Thats Hurricane Floyd, Fran, Hugo, Mitch," he said last week, pointing out some of the relics of his travels. "And now," he said, his finger resting on a pin purchased in Times Square, "the New York twin towers." He is one of roughly 1,000 Southern Baptists who have traveled hundreds of miles in recent weeks on their own dime to clean the homes of people who live near the World Trade Center so the residents can move back in. Gripping a mop, Mr. Gore showed a visitor one room his team had just finished at 600 Gateway Plaza that would have passed any inspection. Down the hall, four other volunteers were still trying to … [Read more...]
You may want to wear a name tag when Baptists meet
Funerals are bittersweet times. When someone you have known and loved for years dies, there is sadness. When this person has lived a long, full, Christian life, and death delivers that person from suffering, the death is a relief. Funerals are bittersweet times. When someone you have known and loved for years dies, there is sadness. When this person has lived a long, full, Christian life, and death delivers that person from suffering, the death is a relief. When a Christian dies, there is a celebration of that persons life and home going. My wife went "home" for the funeral of her mothers closest friend - a bittersweet time. Leah had not been home in decades, at least not to see people she knew growing up until she left for college. When she left for college, she moved to another city so residential ties were broken. She anticipated seeing certain people she thought might be at the funeral of the deceased friend. Sure enough, she rekindled relationships dormant for years. The same faithful workers who prepared the food and cared for the families who lost loved ones still perform that ministry. Interesting how the death of someone brings together folks you want to see, but … [Read more...]
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