In case one missed the revelation in the Time magazine dated January 17, 2005, here it comes – religion fosters happiness; money does not. In case one missed the revelation in the Time magazine dated January 17, 2005, here it comes – religion fosters happiness; money does not. In an issue focused on the general topic of happiness, writers examined key areas of life – including religion and money. “Religious people are less stressed and happier than nonbelievers,” the subhead to the article on religion reads. In turn, the section on happiness and money wonders “why we remain keen for green even though it often gives us more social anxiety than satisfaction.” The ensuing articles affirm a longstanding affirmation of the Christian faithful – happiness is found in relationship with God not as a result of riches. In the article on happiness and religion, writer Pamela Paul notes that studies suggest faith commitment provides a life buffer, leading religious persons to be less depressed, anxious and suicidal than non-religious counterparts. “And they are better able to cope with such crises as illness, divorce and bereavement,” she adds. Paul also points out that incorporating religion into one’s daily … [Read more...]
Defining the president – is he evangelical or not?
The influence of evangelicals is almost everywhere – from places of political power like Congress to cultural status markers like the New York Times’ best-seller list, where titles like “The Purpose Driven Life” reside. The influence of evangelicals is almost everywhere – from places of political power like Congress to cultural status markers like the New York Times’ best-seller list, where titles like “The Purpose Driven Life” reside. But the person many evangelicals consider the most prominent member of their fold – President George Bush – does not use that term to describe himself publicly and neither does the White House. So, is he or is he not? Evangelical leaders generally concur the president is one of them. But some observers of religion and politics say his outreach to Muslims and attendance at a mainstream Protestant church demonstrate he may not neatly fit the definition. Bob Wenz said he does not mind that Bush will not embrace the particular word. “From an analysis of what the man does believe, I think we can categorize him in-house as an evangelical, but if he chooses not to use the term, I don’t think it’s an affront to evangelicals,” said Wenz, vice president of national ministries of … [Read more...]
Study offers important look at religion and U.S. youth
The most comprehensive survey ever done on faith and adolescence has offered both good news and bad news – a strongly-religious teenage nation but one that is rather lacking in knowledge about their faith. The most comprehensive survey ever done on faith and adolescence has offered both good news and bad news – a strongly-religious teenage nation but one that is rather lacking in knowledge about their faith. The study also reflects the importance of parents in shaping the religious views of their children. The survey of more than 3,000 Americans ages 13-17 shows that the majority of American youth believe in God and worship in conventional congregations. But it also shows that many other activities increasingly compete for teenagers’ time, include homework, television and other media, jobs and sports. “Indeed, in many adolescents’ lives, religion occupies a quite weak and often losing position among these competing influences,” the study notes. Still, religion is important to youth of the country – and for those who attend services weekly and belong to a youth group, their faith appears to be making a significant difference in their behavior. The National Study of Youth and Religion is described as … [Read more...]
World of religion
Week of February 28 LC nurse camp Louisiana College has scheduled a nurse camp for high school juniors and seniors interested in that field of work. The camp is in partnership with the Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center and is set for June 13-15, said Alex Ferry, interim chair of the Rife and Carolyn Saunders Division of Nursing at the Pineville school. The camp is designed to give students a first-hand look at the profession of nursing. Participants will tour local hospitals and attend panel discussions with specialty nurses in the area. They will also be trained in CPR and other clinical nursing skills. “Nationally, there is a critical nursing shortage,” Ferry said. “A career in nursing opens many opportunities for economic security and a rewarding professional career. I am excited about extending this opportunity to students who might not otherwise have exposure to nursing as a career.” All students will stay on the Louisiana College campus for the duration of the nurse camp. The cost of the camp includes lodging and meals and is $150 with a $10 non-refundable deposit. Scholarships are available. Applications must be received by March 15. For information, call (318) 487-7127. LBC disaster … [Read more...]
Judge hears testimony in case on LC presidential election
An Alexandria judge heard testimony last week in a case challenging the recent election of a new Louisiana College president. An Alexandria judge heard testimony last week in a case challenging the recent election of a new Louisiana College president. Ninth Judicial District Judge Dexter Ryland spent an entire day receiving testimony from various witnesses regarding the process followed in the recent election of Joe Aguillard as school president. He then scheduled additional arguments in the case for an upcoming date. Aguillard was elected on January 17 on a vote of 17-13 as president of the Louisiana Baptist school. However, a suit quickly was filed contesting the process followed in that election. The saga dates back to last March, when then-LC President Rory Lee announced his retirement. A search committee was formed according to the procedure established by school bylaws. However, that search committee worked under constant criticism from some, who were supporting Aguillard as president and who felt he would not receive a fair hearing from the search committee. The committee eventually nominated Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary educator Malcolm Yarnell as president – and he was … [Read more...]
Churches must emphasize basic biblical stewardship
A significant amount of study and thought is being given to the A significant amount of study and thought is being given to the fact that, when considering inflation, overall giving to Baptist churches, associations and conventions is losing ground. The decrease in “real money” is not a sharp drop; rather, it is plateauing and tapering downward. Still, this reflects a trend that is troubling to those who understand what this means to kingdom work done through Southern Baptist ministries. People given to a study of this trend enumerate a number of reasons why giving from churches to cooperative Southern Baptist ministries has slackened. Some point to the increasing costs of local churches. Some say it reflects an increasing self-centeredness of churches. Others say there is a diminishing loyalty to denominations. Others even would say that economic conditions are the cause. But it seems to this editor that the foundation cause is a lack of biblical stewardship. For generations, Baptists have taught very clearly that the biblical standard for giving begins with a tithe – 10 percent of a Christian’s income to the church. There may have been arguments about whether or not tithing was legalism or just an … [Read more...]
You know – Mother really did not have to tell me that story
There are some things you are better off not knowing,” my mother used to say. You know, I think she was right. There are some things you are better off not knowing,” my mother used to say. You know, I think she was right. Funerals of loved ones are painful, but they often are the only times extended families get together. Inevitably, conversations turn to childhood stories. That happened during the time of my brother’s funeral a few weeks ago. I started thinking about the birth of the three children in our family. I do not remember the birth of my older brother, but I do remember the birth of my younger sister. Dad came home from the hospital and gathered my brother and me from the neighborhood. He was beaming. “Boys, guess what?” We had no idea what to guess. “You mother just gave you a new little sister.” I had no idea what to think of that. Having no idea where little sisters came from, I just accepted the news. The events surrounding Judy’s birth were festive, even jubilant. When I realized how happy Mother was, I joined in the celebration. I had no idea how much Mother wanted a daughter until later when I realized I was supposed to be a girl – thus, my name, Lynn. Years later, I heard my … [Read more...]
This church decided to turn compassion into action
How would Dorris Dowden make a difference for Christ in a ministry at East Leesville Baptist Church when she devoted most of her time to care for seriously-ill family members? How would Dorris Dowden make a difference for Christ in a ministry at East Leesville Baptist Church when she devoted most of her time to care for seriously-ill family members? That was the question Dowden faced after participating in the 40 Days of Purpose study last March at the western Louisiana church. At the time, her husband had Alzheimers disease, one sister was handicapped and her other sister had cancer. That is when fellow church member Dianne Stratton shared with Dowden her vision to organize the Compassion In Action ministry. After much prayer, God provided someone to assist Dowden with her duties of caring for her family members so she could dedicate Mondays to work with the fledgling ministry. Soon, she was working three days a week with Compassion in Action, which seeks to impact a person’s life in the Leesville community with acts of kindness. “Those visits are so fulfilling when the people tell us how it brightens their day just because we took a little bouquet of flowers, sat, visited and prayed for them,” … [Read more...]
Restoration: With the help of some caring Southern Baptists, Jim Blakely has found a second chance
When Jim Blakely faced medical difficulties in recent years and had to be admitted to the hospital, a friend would ask if there was a family member who needed to be contacted. When Jim Blakely faced medical difficulties in recent years and had to be admitted to the hospital, a friend would ask if there was a family member who needed to be contacted. “I have no one,” Blakely always replied to the query. “You are my family.” Ask Blakely about his family now, and he ticks off a list of people – a son, a daughter-in-law, a daughter, two grandchildren, even a great grandchild. Indeed, what alcohol stole away from Blakely for three decades or more, the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, a tenacious daughter-in-law and the grace of God itself has restored. Blakely has a family again – the same family he once abandoned and then some. ‘I just disappeared’ Blakely’s story begins in the Northeast – in Massachusetts – where he was living in the 1960s. He was drinking heavily and finding it difficult to hold down a job. The situation was straining his family, which including two small children at the time – a son and a daughter. “I was destroying everybody around me, ...” Blakely admits as he sits at a … [Read more...]
Recently-released study reveals extent of alcohol use among Americans
Half of all Americans age 12 or older – 119 persons in all – can be classified as current drinkers of alcohol, the most-recent nationwide study on drug use and health indicates. Half of all Americans age 12 or older – 119 persons in all – can be classified as current drinkers of alcohol, the most-recent nationwide study on drug use and health indicates. About 50.1 percent of Americans currently use alcohol, the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows. The survey was based on 136,000 interviews conducted in 2002 and 2003. The survey results recently were reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For the study, a current user of alcohol is defined as one who has had at least one drink in the previous 30 days. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days. In turn, heavy drinking is defined as having five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least five different days in the past 30 days. The findings of the national survey show the extent of drug and alcohol use across the nation. In alcohol-related findings, it indicates: • About 54 million (22.6 percent) of Americans age 12 or older had participated in … [Read more...]
