When several Southern Baptist leaders visited New York City recently, two residents got lost at tempting to transport them around the town.   There was no World Trade Center towers to serve as a point of reference for the city residents. When several Southern Baptist leaders visited New York City recently, two residents got lost at tempting to transport them around the town.   There was no World Trade Center towers to serve as a point of reference for the city residents.   "(But) Our reference point never leaves," Southern Baptist North American Mission Board President Robert Reccord noted following the visit. "Regardless of what may come or what may happen, the reference point of Jesus Christ stays firm and steadfast, so you don’t have to be lost when the bottom falls out. ...   "We’ve seen the bottom fall out and God’s people stand up," Reccord said after his tour of Southern Baptist disaster relief and chaplaincy sites in New York City. "We saw broken buildings and broken hearts - but not broken spirits."   Southern Baptist disaster relief units from multiple state conventions were in New York almost immediately after the Sept. 11 attack, along with Southern … [Read more...]

Multitudes of images from the tragic events of September 11 course through our minds. Some are indelible. Two of these images seem to summarize the incredible divergence of the motivation of the people involved. Thousands of people had their lives taken from them. Two groups of people gave their lives. Multitudes of images from the tragic events of September 11 course through our minds. Some are indelible. Two of these images seem to summarize the incredible divergence of the motivation of the people involved. Thousands of people had their lives taken from them. Two groups of people gave their lives.   One handful of people gave their lives to inflict physical destruction and damage to the collective psyche of America that before had been unbelievable. They willingly followed the plans of destruction and perverted the heart of their religion for succor in their dastardly deeds. They saw the loss of their lives as inconsequential in comparison to the results of their actions that cost their lives.   They died to bring the deaths of thousands of people they did not know but considered their enemies.   There was another group who gave their lives. While we will not know this side of … [Read more...]

In a meeting short on business, LBC Executive Board considered the nation and its need for prayer In a meeting short on business, LBC Executive Board considered the nation and its need for prayer Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members proposed a record Cooperative Program budget for 2002 last week, but first and last, they focused on an even more urgent matter - the state of the nation. Meeting two weeks after terrorist attacks on America, the board’s meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth last week was short on business but long on prayer and appeals for national repentance and revival. Board members preceded their meeting with a mini concert of prayer, with various persons leading in Scripture readings and prayer. During the session, board members and guests gathered in small groups to offer prayers of praise, confession, repentance and revival, intercession and commitment. "We thirst for forgiveness," board member Wayne Kite prayed. "We have failed to pray, to stand tall, to follow you. ... We yield to your control. ... Refresh us." Kite is pastor at Westview Baptist Church in DeRidder. "Our father, there are so many people hurting," Joe Ratcliff prayed in a subsequent … [Read more...]

In the wake of reported anti-Muslim attacks on Americans of Middle Eastern descent, New Orleans pastor Ken Taylor extended Christian love to area Muslims by personally delivering a card that expressed his heartbreak. In the wake of reported anti-Muslim attacks on Americans of Middle Eastern descent, New Orleans pastor Ken Taylor extended Christian love to area Muslims by personally delivering a card that expressed his heartbreak.   "Dear Muslim Friend: I know that you, along with almost everybody in the world, were horrified by the tragedies of Sept. 11," began the letter from Taylor, pastor at Elysian Fields Avenue Baptist Church and associate professor of urban missions at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   "I believe I speak for the vast majority of Christians who, as followers of Jesus Christ, want to let you know that we are praying for you. We are heartbroken that some, reacting to the evil actions of these past days, are showing intolerance and bigotry toward those of the Muslim faith.   "These actions toward Muslims are contrary to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus told his followers, in a message that applies very much to our present times: ‘A new command I give you: … [Read more...]

For the week of October 4, 2001 Potpourri •DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: fall couples’ retreat; Oct. 26-27; Marvin Douglass, speaker; cost is $60/couple or $45/couple if commuting; to register or for information, call the camp at (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   •HAMMOND - First church: Louisiana Church Building Conference; Oct. 9, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; registration fee is $10 (includes lunch); for information, contact the Church Architecture Department at LBC, 1-800-622-6549 or (318) 448-3402; Matthew D. Wohlfarth, pastor.   •HODGE - Hodge church: Jackson Association annual meeting; Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.; Elvin Wheelis, speaker; fellowship to follow; Dwayne Boudreaux, pastor.   •KROTZ SPRINGS - First church: Atchafalaya Association annual meeting; Oct. 14, 3 p.m; Gerald Roberts, pastor.   •LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: Sandi Lewis in concert; Oct. 14, 6 p.m.; Mark Stagg, pastor.   •LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: Carey Association annual meeting; Oct. 18, 6:15 p.m.; Mark Stagg, pastor.   •MONROE - Highland Park church: Northeast Association annual meeting; Oct. 15, 7 p.m.; Mike McLaurin, pastor.   •NEW IBERIA - Highland church: … [Read more...]

My friend grew up in humble circumstances. That is the politically correct way of saying, "We didn’t have a lot of money." His father worked hard; his mother worked hard. They just did not have a lot of money. He learned early if he wanted something, he would have to work hard to earn the money and buy it himself. And he did. My friend grew up in humble circumstances. That is the politically correct way of saying, "We didn’t have a lot of money." His father worked hard; his mother worked hard. They just did not have a lot of money. He learned early if he wanted something, he would have to work hard to earn the money and buy it himself. And he did.   He wanted a car. He knew his parents, although as generous as possible, would not be able to provide one. He went to work. He worked hard. He saved. He began to shop.   The dollars and cents added up to enough to buy a previously owned - no, really used - Ford Falcon. Remember the Ford Falcon? You will have to remember it, or see it in an antique car show, because Ford Motor Company ceased and desisted making them.   Falcons were generally stripped-down, economy models of a compact line. They certainly were not on the level of the … [Read more...]

For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program failed to surpass the previous year’s total.   Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September 30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history. For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program failed to surpass the previous year’s total.   Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September 30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history.   The final tally also surpasses the denomination’s budget by almost $9 million (5.3 percent).   However, the total falls about $1.3 million (0.8 percent) short of the total from the previous fiscal year. That showing comes after seven consecutive years in which receipts exceeded the previous year’s total.   Prior to 1991, the Cooperative Program had enjoyed 57 consecutive years of increased annual giving. However, receipts fell below the previous year’s total for three straight years (1991, 1992, 1993) before beginning the string of … [Read more...]

Only a handful of events can match the recent terrorist attacks in terms of the shock, outrage and grief they have produced in the American people. Only a handful of events can match the recent terrorist attacks in terms of the shock, outrage and grief they have produced in the American people.   The Public Agenda group has been analyzing surveys from all the major polling organizations since the attacks. Clearly, Americans’ grief is profound, and their resolve is real. For those reasons, policymakers should be careful when considering survey results on specific proposals. When 70 percent of those surveyed admit to weeping about the attacks, survey results must be seen in context - shaped by sorrow and anger.   Striking back: A massive 88 percent of Americans say the U.S. should take military action against those responsible - and yet, 73 percent of those favoring an attack also are willing to wait until specific culprits are identified.   At this point, none of the potential drawbacks seem to deter the public. Two-thirds or more favor military action even in the event of a lengthy conflict, a recession or new attacks.   The most recent CBS/New York Times poll found 68 … [Read more...]

The man was returning home from work on September 11, the day that terrorists attacked America. He stopped at a local convenience store on the way, only to find cars lined up five and six deep at each gas pump.   "What’s going on?" he asked the cashier. The man was returning home from work on September 11, the day that terrorists attacked America. He stopped at a local convenience store on the way, only to find cars lined up five and six deep at each gas pump.   "What’s going on?" he asked the cashier.   "Haven’t you heard?" the woman behind him responded. "Gas is going up at least $2 a gallon tomorrow. My friend’s son said the refineries already have been shut down. You better fill up now while you can afford it."   Have you heard? Nostradamus actually predicted the recent terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers more than four centuries ago.   A picture of the smoke curling out of the trade center buildings following the attack clearly show an image of satan.   The pictures of Palestinians celebrating the terrorist attacks actually were taken from old footage by CNN.   There is significance in the numbers related to the … [Read more...]

Had it not been for a Baptist Student Union in Louisiana, Bob Lee’s life might have been very much different. Had it not been for a Baptist Student Union in Louisiana, Bob Lee’s life might have been very much different.   It is because of the work of such a group that the Louisiana native is a Baptist today. After surrendering to the ministry in a Methodist church, Lee enrolled at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Disenfranchised with his denomination, he became a Baptist through involvement in the campus Baptist Student Union group. From there, he transferred to Louisiana College in Pineville, where he met his future wife, Nancy, the first day on campus.   However, college was not the end of Lee’s involvement with Baptist Student Union. Indeed, this year, Lee is celebrating his 30th year as Baptist Student Union director for Oklahoma Baptists. Lee came to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma just three years after it became a separate department.   Lee was about to graduate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary when he received a call to serve as associate pastor at an Oklahoma Baptist church. Lee spent two years at the church before assuming the … [Read more...]