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"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

OLYMPICS: Phelps claims Warren’s ‘Purpose Driven Life’ helped him avoid suicide

By Staff, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life had a profound impact on Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps, ESPN has reported. After the 2012 Olympiad, when Phelps decided he was retiring from swimming, he reportedly sank deep into depression and started drinking heavily. However, not knowing what to do in life was not his only problem. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

OLYMPICS: ‘All glory to God’ after winning historic gold medal

Used by permission from Christian Examiner By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – American Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to medal in an individual swimming event Thursday night, and then immediately gave "glory to God" during an emotional interview. Manuel won the women's 100-meter freestyle, tying Canada's Penny Oleksiak for the gold medal with a time of 52.70 seconds – a new Olympic record. It was a comeback victory for Manuel, who appeared out of the gold medal hunt halfway through the race but passed several swimmers during the final 50 meters. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

George Foreman – fighting the good fight

By Ron F. Hale People got killed every weekend in the bloody Fifth Ward of Houston, TX where George Foreman struggled to find his way as a troubled teenager. With a menacing manner and imposing physique Foreman became a bully and a mugger. Either by fate or the providence of God, Foreman found his way into a new government program called Job Corps. Charles “Doc” Broadus, a counselor and boxing coach, inspired Foreman to turn that big chip on his shoulder into punching prowess. Incredibly, in 20 short months Foreman went from being a no-name novice to becoming the world heavyweight amateur champion. Waving a small USA flag as the new heavyweight boxing gold medal winner was Foreman’s “Kodak moment” at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The 19-year-old came home a champion; however, some called him a “chump” for not protesting with other black athletes. This was a gut-wrenching blow to someone who fought so hard to overcome a life of poverty and pain. That chip on the shoulder returned with a vengeance. Turning professional in 1969, Foreman promptly knocked out 35 fighters, racking up a perfect 37-0 record by 1972. His ring résumé led to a toe-to-toe shot at the heavyweight crown with Joe Frazier on January 22, 1973 in … [Read more...]

OLYMPICS: Nightly prayers keep skeet shooter’s focus on God

By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - Vincent Hancock was so fed up with skeet shooting in 2011 that he almost quit. Despite winning gold in skeet shooting in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Hancock had lost his love for the sport. After a horrible World Cup competition in Slovenia - his worst finish ever - he called his wife Rebekah to tell her he wanted to quit. "No, don't do that," Rebekah told him. "Just get home. Let's talk about it. Let's pray about it." To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]

OLYMPICS: Shawn Johnson, 2008 Olympic gold medalist: Christ is ‘my greatest reward’

The following article is used by permission from the Christian Examiner. By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and the rest of the "Final Five" are this year's American gymnastics Olympics stars, but eight years ago in Beijing, it was Shawn Johnson. Johnson went into the 2008 Olympics as the favorite in the women's individual all-around, floor exercise and balance beam. Her teammates were quite good, too, and many considered the USA the favorite to beat the hometown Chinese for the team gold. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

OLYMPICS: Runner Allyson Felix tells reporters, ‘Faith leads my life’

The following article is used by permission from the Christian Examiner. By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Christian Examiner) – U.S. Track & Field athlete Allyson Felix will compete in several races next week in the Rio Olympics and, while she hopes to win the gold, she's more interested in winning the crown of life. Felix told the L.A. Times last week that her Christian faith is the reason she runs, and she said she knows the ability she has to virtually fly around the track was given to her by God. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

Louisiana College names Mason, Carter associate athletic directors

By Brad Welborn, Louisiana College Sports Information PINEVILLE – Reni Mason and Patrece Carter have been named associate athletics directors according to a news release by the Louisiana College Athletic Department. Louisiana College President Rick Brewer and Athletics Director Dennis Dunn made the announcement Aug. 4 and their new positions become effective immediately. Mason has been named the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Carter will serve as the Associate Athletic Director for Operations. Both also will continue to lead their respective basketball programs. "Coach Carter and Coach Mason bring to these expanded assignments a deep commitment to the college's mission and vision, accompanied by their unique gifts and experiences, which they will use to advance LC's athletic program,” said Brewer. “Expanding LC's NCAA Division III programs from 13 to 18 sports this year amplifies the need for these additional administrative/coaching positions at the college." Mason will be the primary contact for the athletic department in the community. He will assist Brewer and Dunn in the planning and overseeing of marketing strategies for the individual programs and the department as a whole, as well … [Read more...]

Live longer, go to church

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — Many Americans say they attend church because it helps them stay grounded and gives them spiritual guidance. A new study suggests that regular attendance may also help increase their lifespan. Researchers looked at data on nearly 75,000 middle-age female nurses in the United States as part of the Nurses’ Health Study. The participants answered questions about whether they attended religious services regularly every four years between 1992 and 2012, and about other aspects of their lives over the years. The researchers found that women who went to church more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of dying during the study period compared with those who said they never went. Less-frequent attendance was also associated with a lower risk of death, as women who attended once a week or less than weekly had 26% and 13% lower risk of death, respectively. Women who regularly attended religious services also had higher rates of social support and optimism, had lower rates of depression and were less likely to smoke. However, the researchers took into account these differences between churchgoers and non-churchgoers when they calculated the decrease in death rates of 13% to 33%. Going to church could have a … [Read more...]