Note: The following is the first of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson.   It is one of those typical Christmas Day home videos from some largely forgot-ten past year. Note: The following is the first of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson.   It is one of those typical Christmas Day home videos from some largely forgot-ten past year.   The boy is young - perhaps five - and the center of attention. He is surrounded by his mother and grandparents.   He sits on the floor in pajamas, opening presents. His mother slides a box almost as big as the boy across the floor to him.   "Open that one. It’s from me."   The boy’s eyes widen. "What is it?"   The mother shakes her head. "Open it."   As the boy tears into the paper, the mother and grandmother begin talking. The camera holds the boy centerframe, but their conversation can be heard from the edge.   They do not see the drama unfolding.   The boy has largely … [Read more...]

A minister retired after spending more than 40 years in one pastorate. A reporter interviewed him for a feature article and asked the secret of his long tenure.   He answered: "In 40 years, I have never preached on a controversial subject." Note: The following article is the sixth in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board.   Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer   A minister retired after spending more than 40 years in one pastorate. A reporter interviewed him for a feature article and asked the secret of his long tenure.   He answered: "In 40 years, I have never preached on a controversial subject."   Personally, I should not like to be in that brother’s sandals at the judgement seat of Christ! Great preachers speak to the burning issues of their time.   Clyde Fant and Bill Pinson came to one over-arching conclusion at the end of their … [Read more...]

For the week of December 4, 2003 Potpourri   • PINEVILLE - Alpine church: Mike Bullock and Men of Music in concert; Dec. 4, 7 p.m.; Sammy Morrow, pastor.   Revivals   • LOGANSPORT - Mt. Olivet church: Dec. 7-10, 7 p.m.; Steve James, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Dennis LaFleur, pastor.   Christmas Programs   • DENHAM SPRINGS - Live Oak church: "It’s Christmas" musical/drama; Dec. 14, 5 p.m. with fellowship to follow; Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; Mark Rodgers, music minister; Howard Turner, pastor.   • PINEVILLE - Trinity church: " Fear Not" musical; Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; Davy Funderburk, minister of music; Darryl Hoychick, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Morningside church: "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" musical; Dec. 14, 2 p.m.; Larry Wheeler, worship leader; Donnie Lodatto, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Children’s choir presents "A Sheppard’s Story,"Dec. 7, 6 p.m.; Kim Ward and Julie Wright, directors; youth choir presents "The Perfect Gift," Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; Mark and Dina Stone, directors; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • BOGALUSA - Superior Avenue church: "Glory to God" musical; Dec. 7-8, 6 p.m.; John Herring, minister of music; J. T. … [Read more...]

A sizeable generation gap exists on nearly every major moral issue in America today, a new poll by the Barna Research Group shows.   On issues such as premarital sex, living together before marriage and even pornography, a double-digit gap exists between those ages 18-38 and those ages 39 and older. Smaller gaps exist on other issues. A sizeable generation gap exists on nearly every major moral issue in America today, a new poll by the Barna Research Group shows.   On issues such as premarital sex, living together before marriage and even pornography, a double-digit gap exists between those ages 18-38 and those ages 39 and older. Smaller gaps exist on other issues.   For example, 75 percent of those ages 18-19 believe that living together before marriage is morally acceptable. Sixty percent of those ages 39-57 and 41 percent of those ages 58 and up share that same belief.   The poll of 1,024 adults asked persons about 10 key issues. Among other findings, it reveals a wide gap between the beliefs of the general population and evangelicals.   The younger generations are significantly more accepting of the behaviors than are the older … [Read more...]

The woman in the video spoke freely about God. As Lindsey took a puff from her cigarette, she explained that God was everywhere and in everything, including the cigarette she was smoking. The woman in the video spoke freely about God. As Lindsey took a puff from her cigarette, she explained that God was everywhere and in everything, including the cigarette she was smoking.   The 22-year-old woman told of trying Catholic and Baptist churches, Buddhist temples and aura readings but finding nothing compelling in organized religion. She agreed the Bible has good morals but denied its absolute truth.   The beliefs of the young woman filmed on the streets of New Orleans are common among those the church is trying to reach today, said Will McRaney, associate professor of evangelism at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. And if the church is to grow, it must find a way to reach people like Lindsey, McRaney said during a recent church growth conference held on the seminary campus.   True church growth only will come through personal evangelism, McRaney insisted. However, because of the changes in culture, previous methods of evangelism are not effective with the current one, he … [Read more...]

Have you noticed men and women are different?   Startling insight - ranks right up there with the revelation that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but I do not expect to make a bestseller out of this. Have you noticed men and women are different?   Startling insight - ranks right up there with the revelation that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but I do not expect to make a bestseller out of this.   Still, as a slow learner and a fast "forgetter," the particulars of the differences have recently been reenforced for me.   For instance, a woman will chose a clean flower bed over her husband having a clean boat. A man had rather have a trolling motor that raises and lowers smoothly than to have the back screen door open and close freely.   Given two hours of non-scheduled time, a man will chose to oil and spool properly every fishing reel on the place while a woman would rather he invest those hours manicuring the yard. A man sees the strategic nature of cleaning and oiling his deer rifle, but a woman would rather him clean the oil off the carport floor and clear a crawl space into the carport storage area so the family can get out the … [Read more...]

For the week of December 11, 2003 Cooperative Program   Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled more than $15.9 million last month, a decrease of $202,847 (1.3 percent) from the previous November. Two month’s into the convention’s fiscal year, overall gifts total almost $31.7 million, an increase of about $1.8 million (5.9 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands about $1.1 million (3.7 percent) ahead of budget. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled almost $4.7 million last month, an increase of $1.2 million (33.6 percent) from the previous November. The two-month tally totals about $8.1 million, an increase of $1.8 million (28.8 percent) from the same time last year.   Bible study cartoons   Louisiana Baptist pastor Joe McKeever has announced the availability of cartoons for use in conjunction with the Winter Bible Study on I and II Timothy. McKeever is pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner and a featured cartoonist in the Baptist Message and other state Baptist newspapers from time to time. While Winter Bible Study cartoons have been available by mail in previous years, McKeever said this year’s selections may be viewed and downloaded at … [Read more...]

Wait.   Citizens of this great land do not like to wait.   We do not like to wait, we cannot stand to wait, we despise to wait, we will not wait. Wait.   Citizens of this great land do not like to wait.   We do not like to wait, we cannot stand to wait, we despise to wait, we will not wait. We do not want to wait for our food, our gasoline, a traffic light to turn green, someone to get out of our way, a cashier to finish checking out the people ahead of us in line. We cannot stand to wait three days for our film to return as photos and can barely tolerate a wait of an hour for them.   Still, at Christmas, we waited.   My parents were iron-fisted when it came to the time to open gifts. No one cracked a wrapping or pulled a string on a bow until Christmas morning - no one. Shaking gifts slightly was frowned upon; violently shaking them was at the penalty of death. We could dash out of bed to the tree at 4:00 a.m. on Christmas Day but definitely not before that time. Until then, we waited.   So, as children and now as adults, at Christmas, we identify somewhat with the frustration of the Israelites when the spokesmen of God said, "Wait. Wait … [Read more...]

Getting connected: In the largest Louisiana Baptist gathering of the year, young people from across the state were challenged to connect solidly with God - and to help others they know do the same Getting connected: In the largest Louisiana Baptist gathering of the year, young people from across the state were challenged to connect solidly with God - and to help others they know do the same   For too many Christians, once they are connected with God - "that’s all they’re interested in," Landon Dowden told thousands of Louisiana Baptist young people recently.   "Where is the generation that will say, I want to connect my friend?" Dowden asked more than 5,000 high school students attending the 2003 Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria just prior to the Thanksgiving holidays. For the past number of years, the youth event has ranked as the largest annual Louisiana Baptist gathering.   At this year’s conference, Dowden told participants the reason many Christians may not evangelize is because it requires leaving their comfort zone.   "We think (evangelism) is only for ministers, those who have the God life or those who know the four spiritual laws," theorized Dowden, who … [Read more...]

Note: The following is the second of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson   The day has been anticipated for weeks now - with excitement, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, sometimes all at once. Note: The following is the second of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson   The day has been anticipated for weeks now - with excitement, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, sometimes all at once.   Now, it is here.   Everyone is gathered - friends, family. There are smiles, nervous energy aplenty, even premature toasts.   Some would find it an unusual scene for its setting - a celebration in a hospital.   But then again - a baby is being born.   But no, not just any baby - this is a first birth for a couple, a first grandchild for two sets of grandparents.   Obviously, this is big.   But even so, at the edge of the room, the question lurks - what happens next? How will this birth change the lives of these people now gathered … [Read more...]