Being a hero is not easy, but try it parents usually do. The family pooch was heavy with pups. Very heavy.   The mother pup’s family, being the loving sort, wanted to provide the best for its expectant mother. The doghouse was all ready, filled with appropriate materials to make it a birthing place. If that did not suit the dog’s mothering instincts, there were countless other places in the garage, under the carport, on the back porch. Being a hero is not easy, but try it parents usually do. The family pooch was heavy with pups. Very heavy.   The mother pup’s family, being the loving sort, wanted to provide the best for its expectant mother. The doghouse was all ready, filled with appropriate materials to make it a birthing place. If that did not suit the dog’s mothering instincts, there were countless other places in the garage, under the carport, on the back porch. Each location not only provided a wonderful place to birth puppies, but a convenient place at which the loving family could appropriate proper interest and care for the new arrivals.   Maybe that is why the mother chose to make her delivery room a snug place under the front porch of the family’s newly-constructed … [Read more...]

Budget time should mean the time to make sure your church does not short-change its staff in salary and benefits. Every church needs a committed group of advocates for adequate staff member benefits, regardless of how large or small the staff may be or whether or not the staff members are full-time or part-time. Budget time should mean the time to make sure your church does not short-change its staff in salary and benefits. Every church needs a committed group of advocates for adequate staff member benefits, regardless of how large or small the staff may be or whether or not the staff members are full-time or part-time. Ideally, such a group will be the personnel committee or whatever group serves in that capacity. But, if the official committee does not function as an advocate for employees, another unofficial group may need to take up the mantel.   One of the items such a group should be sensitive to is inflation. Because inflation has not been at a rapid rate for the last few years, some churches have tended to cut overall budget expenses by ignoring inflation when figuring staff salaries.   But inflation at a 3 percent a year rate cuts staff salaries if raises are not given at least … [Read more...]

He looks to be about 15 years old. He tries to keep a stern, defiant glare on his face as he shows off his weapons of war - a quiver of homemade arrows tipped with rusty nails, cardboard for the feathers.   His eyes reflect fear. One wants to grab him and say: "You know you’re not going on a turkey-shoot, don’t you? These are people with guns, and they’re shooting back." He looks to be about 15 years old. He tries to keep a stern, defiant glare on his face as he shows off his weapons of war - a quiver of homemade arrows tipped with rusty nails, cardboard for the feathers.   His eyes reflect fear. One wants to grab him and say: "You know you’re not going on a turkey-shoot, don’t you? These are people with guns, and they’re shooting back."   But looking in his eyes, one is pretty sure he understands.   The week has been spent in Ambon, the seat of Indonesia’s Spice Islands. A three-person team - photographer, videographer and writer - spent the time searching for the truth behind the clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Maluku Islands, which have been raging for nearly two years.   It is difficult to prepare oneself for this type of … [Read more...]

Abanner at the airstrip on Ambon, a tiny dot in Indonesia’s Maluku island chain, quotes passages from both the Christian Bible and the Muslim Koran calling for peace.   However, one looks into the charred face of Frendy Nunemete and sees that peace is a concept far from being realized here in the cradle of the Spice Islands, where Muslim-Christian battles have raged for nearly two years. Abanner at the airstrip on Ambon, a tiny dot in Indonesia’s Maluku island chain, quotes passages from both the Christian Bible and the Muslim Koran calling for peace.   However, one looks into the charred face of Frendy Nunemete and sees that peace is a concept far from being realized here in the cradle of the Spice Islands, where Muslim-Christian battles have raged for nearly two years.   The assault on his Christian village happened quickly June 15. Village defenders immediately were overrun by attackers wielding automatic weapons, mortar rounds and grenades.   As his brother fell dead from a gunshot, Nunemete climbed onto a roof to hide. The attackers searched for him below, then tossed grenades into the house and set it afire. To escape the flames, Nunemete dove into a … [Read more...]

On the islands of Indonesia, violence between Christians and Muslims rages on - as observers worldwide wonder what can be done to stop the mayhem and bring peace Christians are being killed in Indonesia - just because they are Christians. They are being beaten and tortured. Their homes are being burned. And it is not just in Indonesia. It is in other places as well. Christians are being killed in Indonesia - just because they are Christians. They are being beaten and tortured. Their homes are being burned. And it is not just in Indonesia. It is in other places as well.   But what does that mean to American Christians, who argue for an equal place in the public square, who look to legislation to ensure a level playing field for competing philosophies, who decry adverse court rulings as signs of bias against them? What can safe - even spoiled - American Christians do?   • Pray. However prayer works, a fundamental belief of Christianity is that it is effective. Prayers are not invalid. They do not represent wasted time.   • Talk. Much of the time, the world hurries on its way, unheedful of the victims lying on the roadside. Christians can change that by telling the story of … [Read more...]

On the sixth day, the Bible says, God made man. Today, scientists say they have put together a book of life roughly mapping out how God accomplished that miracle.   However, by cracking the human genetic code, the line between knowing God and playing God is radically altered. For the first time in human history, scientists can look down the road to the possibility of creating human beings in their own image rather than the image of God. On the sixth day, the Bible says, God made man. Today, scientists say they have put together a book of life roughly mapping out how God accomplished that miracle.   However, by cracking the human genetic code, the line between knowing God and playing God is radically altered. For the first time in human history, scientists can look down the road to the possibility of creating human beings in their own image rather than the image of God.   Not since Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution were introduced has there been a moment in time so rife with the possibilities of tension between religion and science.   "This is a crossroads moment for the human community," said Marvin McMickle of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. "What I … [Read more...]

Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller is a Baptist - and so is the ministry’s most famous volunteer, former President Jimmy Carter.   However, most of the volunteers who work in the ministry to help people get out of substandard housing are not Baptists. Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller is a Baptist - and so is the ministry’s most famous volunteer, former President Jimmy Carter.   However, most of the volunteers who work in the ministry to help people get out of substandard housing are not Baptists.   That needs to change, Fuller stressed.   "Habitat needs the Baptists," Fuller said in an interview during a recent 101-home building blitz in Jacksonville, Fla. "We want a stronger Christian influence at the center of what we do."   Fuller said maintaining a religious focus in the organization is "not by accident." Indeed, he said each Habitat house constructed is "a sermon of God’s love."   The four top people with Habitat are Baptists - Fuller; his wife, Linda; and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. All are members at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.   However, Fuller acknowledged that evangelistic groups like Southern … [Read more...]

For the seventh consecutive year, Southern Baptists have closed their fiscal year with record Cooperative Program giving that also surpass the yearly budget.   The Southern Baptist Convention fiscal year ended September 30, with Cooperative Program gifts totaling almost $178.3 million, an increase of $10.3 million (6.1 percent) from the previous year. For the seventh consecutive year, Southern Baptists have closed their fiscal year with record Cooperative Program giving that also surpass the yearly budget.   The Southern Baptist Convention fiscal year ended September 30, with Cooperative Program gifts totaling almost $178.3 million, an increase of $10.3 million (6.1 percent) from the previous year.   "God has richly blessed the work of Southern Baptists, and I am convinced our future efforts - as we stand together for him - will also be blessed," SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman said of the most-recent giving totals.   This year’s total not only sets a new record but easily surpasses the approved budget goal. The final total closes $18.7 million (11.7 percent) ahead of the $159.5 million budget goal.   Chapman also noted that since the … [Read more...]

Winners of the recent Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament have been announced.   The annual two-day fall tournament was held last month at Cypress Bend Golf Course and Resort in Many. Winners of the recent Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament have been announced.   The annual two-day fall tournament was held last month at Cypress Bend Golf Course and Resort in Many.   Winners in the minister’s division of the medalist round included:   Championship flight: Jeff Cook of Broussard, first; Jim Faull Jr. of Pineville, second; and Ed Adcock of DeRidder, third.   First flight: Rick Henson of Lecompte, first; Randy Tompkins of Alexandria, second; and Glen Whatley of Pineville, third.   Second flight: Donald Smith of Columbia, first; Tim Everett of Alexandria, second; and Tim Hisaw of Lafayette, third.   Third flight: Ed Simmons of Lake Charles, first; Buddy Day of Alexandria, second and Rod Kirby of Lafayette, third.   Fourth flight: Gil Arthur of Leesville, first; Al Marks of Eunice, second; and Beau Colle of Pineville, third.   Winners in the layman’s division of the medalist … [Read more...]

A seven-performance Louisiana Baptist showcase of "Experiencing God ... the Musical" is set to begin this week. The first presentation of the new musical in the statewide tour is set for October 12 at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. The performance is free and set to begin at 7 p.m. A seven-performance Louisiana Baptist showcase of "Experiencing God ... the Musical" is set to begin this week. The first presentation of the new musical in the statewide tour is set for October 12 at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. The performance is free and set to begin at 7 p.m. The musical is to be presented by a 250-voice choir that includes the Louisiana Baptist Singing Women, Singing Ministers and a 100-voice children’s choir. Written by Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhodes, the 70-minute musical work features narration, original songs, along with some classic hymns, praise choruses and contemporary Christian songs made popular by current artists. The presentation also includes sound effects, special lighting and drama segments. The musical is based on the popular discipleship study "Experiencing God," by Henry Blackaby. In its 10-year history, "Experiencing God" has been translated into more than 45 languages, and … [Read more...]