For many 10-year-olds, the arrival of spring means warmer weather, longer days and time for a few games of catch with dad.   But that will not be the case this year for Zach Gipson, a fourth-grader in Nashville, Tenn. Zach’s dad, Tim, is an activated reservist with the 118th Airlift Wing Division of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He shipped out for Kuwait on March 12. For many 10-year-olds, the arrival of spring means warmer weather, longer days and time for a few games of catch with dad.   But that will not be the case this year for Zach Gipson, a fourth-grader in Nashville, Tenn. Zach’s dad, Tim, is an activated reservist with the 118th Airlift Wing Division of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He shipped out for Kuwait on March 12.   While the separation is undoubtedly difficult and the idea of his dad fighting in a war is intensely frightening, Zach and his family are dealing with the stress the best way they know - by praying.   "I talked to my husband, ... and he said to thank everyone for their prayers," Robin Gipson says. "He knows they’re working because everything has been going so well.   "I can tell that everyone is praying for me, because … [Read more...]

Like many others, leaders of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Message have watched a pair of frustrating cross trends of late.   Even as fixed costs have increased, they have seen revenue channels tighten. Thus, at a time of rising costs they have no control over, the money flow has slowed. Like many others, leaders of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Message have watched a pair of frustrating cross trends of late.   Even as fixed costs have increased, they have seen revenue channels tighten. Thus, at a time of rising costs they have no control over, the money flow has slowed.   With few areas to maneuver, the leaders acknowledge the situation is not an easy one to negotiate.   However, they also report the agencies are in sound financial shape, with good reserves and an ongoing commitment to keep expenses within income.   "The present financial state of the Baptist Message is strong - but tightly run," said Lynn P. Clayton, editor of the weekly statewide newspaper.   "Last year, despite all that’s happening, we managed - with lower income - to spend less than we took in," added Wayne Taylor, executive … [Read more...]

A teenager dressed as a clown twists a balloon into a heart for excited children as puppets perform a musical routine a few feet away.   Another teenager carefully paints colorful designs on a child’s cheek. A young man offers cups of cold water - free - to adults walking along the sidewalk. A teenager dressed as a clown twists a balloon into a heart for excited children as puppets perform a musical routine a few feet away.   Another teenager carefully paints colorful designs on a child’s cheek. A young man offers cups of cold water - free - to adults walking along the sidewalk.   These and numerous other acts of kindness have been duplicated throughout the state of Louisiana since March 2002 by Acteens and Youth on Mission groups participating in a year-long celebration of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry called Crosswalk.   Crosswalk is a statewide awareness and ministry project that encourages youth to become involved in the Great Commission. The project is sponsored by the Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union and is symbolized by a six-foot-tall cross, emblazoned with the words "Acteens Crosswalk."   The cross is passed from church to church, … [Read more...]

Just wanted to say that yesterday, I left a few copies of the Baptist Message in a hospital waiting room. Just wanted to say that yesterday, I left a few copies of the Baptist Message in a hospital waiting room.   Before I left, I noticed some people reading them. They were hungry for something to read - even if I didn’t say a word.   I just wanted to pass it on.   Mrs. Joe Thibodeaux Pierre Part … [Read more...]

Re; Worship styles.   As the bride of Christ, worship is not about us - it is not so we can feel good or at peace with God or even think we did God a favor. The purpose of worship is to bring glory and honor to the king of kings - Jesus. Re; Worship styles.   As the bride of Christ, worship is not about us - it is not so we can feel good or at peace with God or even think we did God a favor. The purpose of worship is to bring glory and honor to the king of kings - Jesus.   God is looking for in our worship a heart that is totally surrendered to him. Worship has to be done in spirit and truth, according to John 4:23-23.   First, you are born again and have the spirit of Christ living in your heart. Next, exalt and bring glory and praise to Jesus for who he is. God is looking for intimacy in our worship. The reason he created man was for relationship.   So, where does that leave us as a church? Should we have traditional worship or modern worship?   We can’t put God in a box.Worship leaders need to be led by the spirit of God and not man. In traditional worship, there are some worshipful songs, but most are written in different English than we speak … [Read more...]

David Bush’s four-year-old child asked the question after hearing an eight-year-old sibling use a word he did not understand.   "Daddy, what is war?"   Bush simply told his son war means soldiers from one country are fighting soldiers from another country. He made sure he did not try to explain more than he was asked. David Bush’s four-year-old child asked the question after hearing an eight-year-old sibling use a word he did not understand.   "Daddy, what is war?"   Bush simply told his son war means soldiers from one country are fighting soldiers from another country. He made sure he did not try to explain more than he was asked.   "Some parents tend to overeducate," noted Bush, minister to children at First Baptist Church in Coppell, Texas. "I think we need to keep our answers short and comforting."   As violent images from Iraq enter American living rooms through 24-hour television news coverage and war talk dominates adult conversation, some Christian parents are struggling to know how to answer questions and determine what is appropriate for their children.   "We’re seeing the war in real time, as it happens," said Julie Joiner, … [Read more...]

A season of war: As the American war against Iraq continues, Southern Baptists are in place - serving the country seeking to minister to other military personnel, working to meet the needs of loved ones back home   For Southern Baptists, the American war against Iraq is personal - as in personnel, as in men and women of faith serving in various roles for their country. A season of war: As the American war against Iraq continues, Southern Baptists are in place - serving the country seeking to minister to other military personnel, working to meet the needs of loved ones back home   For Southern Baptists, the American war against Iraq is personal - as in personnel, as in men and women of faith serving in various roles for their country.   For instance, Doyle Dunn is a Southern Baptist chaplain recently appointed as command chaplain to the USS Harry S. Truman. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and was serving as a local church pastor when he entered the chaplaincy.   In the ensuing 16 years, he has served with the Marines in Desert Storm and at the Pentagon during 9/11.   Dunn’s days now involve meetings, worship … [Read more...]

Sunday mornings are...interesting, for itinerant preachers, of which I am one. This Sunday morning experience is no exception.   This Sunday morning’s speaking engagement is in Bossier City, about two and one-half hours from home. That is two and one-half hours of interstate driving time–two and one-half hours of alone time, time to think and plan. At this early time of a Sunday morning, there is not enough traffic to interfere. Sunday mornings are...interesting, for itinerant preachers, of which I am one. This Sunday morning experience is no exception.   This Sunday morning’s speaking engagement is in Bossier City, about two and one-half hours from home. That is two and one-half hours of interstate driving time–two and one-half hours of alone time, time to think and plan. At this early time of a Sunday morning, there is not enough traffic to interfere.   Surprisingly, on this Sunday is one of those rare times when several good ideas come to mind and call for a pen and paper.   Papers abound. A pen cannot be found.   Usually pens litter the vehicle. Pens infest the console, pens crowd the glove compartment, pens laden the door pockets, pens cover the floorboard, … [Read more...]

For the week of April 10, 2003 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled almost $14.2 million, an increase of $133,401 (1 percent) from the previous March. Halfway through the Southern Baptist Convention’s fiscal year, gifts total $93.1 million, an increase of more than $1.3 million (1.5 percent) from the same time last year. The total also is more than $4.6 million (5.2 percent) ahead of budget at this time. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled $18.4 million, a drop of more than $2.1 million (10.5 percent) from previous March. For the year, designated gifts total some $101.7 million, a decrease of almost $3.4 million (3.2 percent) from the same time last year Missionary death A Christian missionary in Central America was shot and killed March 28 during a robbery. Todd Fields, 41, had been a missionary for 13 years with Global Outreach International of Tupelo, Miss. His parents are Bob and Edwina Fields of Mount Vernon, Ky., who are retired Southern Baptist missionaries to Israel. Fields was serving as a missionary in Honduras and was driving middle-and high-school students to a retreat when a group of robbers shot him to force the van to stop. Struck twice, Fields was able … [Read more...]

The story goes, a salesman boarded the same train every Monday morning for years. He traveled his territory promoting his company’s product. For this company, the territorial salesman was the advertising director for that area - he sold the product, he promoted the product.   The salesman, after years, became friends with the engineer, fireman and conductor of the Monday morning train. The story goes, a salesman boarded the same train every Monday morning for years. He traveled his territory promoting his company’s product. For this company, the territorial salesman was the advertising director for that area - he sold the product, he promoted the product.   The salesman, after years, became friends with the engineer, fireman and conductor of the Monday morning train.   One day, the fireman - the man who kept fuel under the boiler - asked the salesman, "Why do you keep advertising that product? You are already the top selling item of that kind of product in the nation? Why don’t you just save the money you spend on advertising?"   The wise salesman replied, "Why don’t you, when you get up a head of steam in the boiler of the engine, just stop putting fuel in the … [Read more...]