John Wilks lost the argument and gained a great life, he says. PINEVILLE – John Wilks lost the argument and gained a great life, he says. A Cajun by birth, the steelworker moved to Pineville 15 years ago from Sunset, near Lafayette, for his version of the American dream. “I wanted to find the right woman and raise a family and live happily ever after,” Wilks said in a recent interview in the home he shares with his wife of 14 years and two half-grown sons. “I figured that would take two incomes.” He met a girl – not the right one – but one night in conversation she told him how she became a Christian, and he made the same choice, even though he’d gone to a Catholic church all his life to that point. He bought a house because his father told him to not throw away his money on rent, and the girl next door – an elementary school teacher – brought over blueberry muffins as a “welcome to the neighborhood” gift. She was a Christian, pretty, college-educated, and her choice of a career showed she liked kids, he mentally tallied. With both their incomes, they’d have a good life, he figured. No way, she said. “God told me not to start that trap of being in a two-income family,” said Debbie Wilks. She had grown up in … [Read more...]

STATEWIDE – State Bible Drill season is  here for fourth- through sixth-graders. Following the annual Bible Drill Training Retreat in January, churches hosted local Bible Drills. Contestants with fewer than 12 mistakes advanced to the associational Bible Drills. Those with fewer than eight mistakes advanced to the State Bible Drill. State Bible Drills are taking place April 27 at Summer Grove Shreveport and First Gonzales; April 28 at First Monroe and Williams Boulevard Kenner; April 30 at First Covington and First Moss Bluff, Lake Charles; and May 2 at Louisiana College. The National Bible Drill takes place Friday, June 19, at First Baptist Covington. Those with fewer than four mistakes at the state level are eligible to compete at the National Bible Drill. High school students are to gather May 1-2 at Louisiana College for Youth State Bible Drill events, also including Xtreme Bible Challenge and Speakers Tournament. LC offers scholarships for the top three Youth Bible drill winners. The high school national competitions also are June 19 at First Baptist Covington. “Bible Drill is a fun way to study the Bible,” said J.D. Marcle, a fourth-grade student and member at First Pitkin. “You can learn about God, … [Read more...]

Question: I feel so stressed out! I am unable to accomplish enough. I am overwhelmed at work and home, and now I have started having really bad headaches and even pressure in my chest. Help! Do you know what may be wrong in my life? Question: I feel so stressed out! I am unable to accomplish enough. I am overwhelmed at work and home, and now I have started having really bad headaches and even pressure in my chest. Help! Do you know what may be wrong in my life? Megan Clunan answers: Yes, you are experiencing some level of negative anxiety in your life. Those thoughts, sentiments and experiences are all too common among individuals today. According to current statistics, “anxiety is the most common mental illness in the U.S. today, affecting over 40 million adults in the United States.” Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion total each year; that’s almost one third of the country’s $148 billion total mental health bill. In fact, more than $22.84 billion of the costs associated with the repeated use of health care services is sought out by people who are experiencing the physical side effects of anxiety. Individuals who experience physical symptoms of anxiety often mislabel what they are experiencing as … [Read more...]

Jesus shocked and surprised many of His listeners when He proclaimed our obligation to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” Jesus shocked and surprised many of His listeners when He proclaimed our obligation to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”  Nearly 2000 years later, the nature and extent of Christian involvement in the political process is hotly debated, but I think we can all agree that there are two aspects of Christian involvement in our government that are not debatable. First, since we live (by the grace of God) in a constitutional republic, the duty and obligation of every Christian citizen is to cast an informed ballot on Election Day.  This flows logically both from the mandate of our Savior and from the teachings of the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 13. Frank Wright NRB The backbone of our system of government is our electoral process.  The vitality of that process is, in large measure, determined by the strength of voter participation.  Yet, sadly, voter participation in elections has been declining precipitously in recent years.  All this stands in sharp contrast to the enormous price people pay to cast a vote in other countries whose freedoms are less well … [Read more...]

The National Day of Prayer Task Force’s mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family. The National Day of Prayer Task Force’s mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family. Our Vision and Values In accordance with Biblical truth, the National Day of Prayer Task Force seeks to: Foster unity within the Christian Church Protect America’s Constitutional Freedoms to gather, worship, pray and speak freely. Publicize and preserve America’s Christian heritage Encourage and emphasize prayer, regardless of current issues and positions Respect all people, regardless of denomination or creed Be wise stewards of God’s resources and provision Glorify the Lord in word and deed Who We Are and What We Do The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the … [Read more...]

As American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt called for our nation to unite in prayer. He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. “Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee.” As American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt called for our nation to unite in prayer. He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. “Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee.” The victory that followed on June 6, 1944-also known as D-Day-began the march to Berlin. Eighteen months later, WWII was over and one of the world’s greatest evils had been defeated. The prayers of a nation had been a powerful force. Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. … [Read more...]

Casualties on America’s shores. Deadly attack on United States targets nation’s capitol-terror, panic . . . HEROES! Casualties on America’s shores. Deadly attack on United States targets nation’s capitol-terror, panic . . . HEROES! Detained by enemy troops, he was forced to watch a brutal bombardment of America’s eastern seaboard. Toward morning on September 14, 1814, it became clear that we’d survived and Francis Scott Key scribbled our national anthem on an envelope. Little known stanza four says: Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just. And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. David Jeremiah Turning Point Ministries America’s historic bravery, pursuit of religious liberty, advocacy of human rights, and defense of freedom springs from her Judeo-Christian roots. Early pilgrims faced dangers that made men “quake and tremble.” But the difficulties “through the help of God, by fortitude and patience, might either be borne or overcome” according to Governor … [Read more...]