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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Jeff Iorg – a difference maker

By Rick Lance Jeff Iorg has been unanimously elected as the new president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. In one way, this is not a surprising event. In another way, given our recent past experiences, this is almost miraculous. I see Jeff Iorg as a true difference maker as our new leader in this most important position. He has a resumé that speaks volumes about his leadership gifts. As a longtime president of a seminary and a well-known author and preacher/public speaker, Jeff is well known in SBC life. When he was nominated, I indicated that he and I have been friends and colleagues for almost 26 years. During that time, I have witnessed how the Lord has used him in strategic positions of influence. In my mind, the Executive Committee made the right choice, especially at this juncture in our history. What do I expect of him? Several words come to mind. Faithful is one of them. He is the epitome of faithfulness to God and to his calling. Excellence is another word. In all things, Jeff strives for excellence. Difference maker is my favorite description. CLARITY Jeff will seek to provide CLARITY as to our mission. In this time of confusion, we are in much need for someone — or … [Read more...]

Living in light of God’s truth, ‘our feelings are real, but not reliable’

The human experience often reveals that feelings and emotions are both a blessing and a curse. Emotions can be so wonderful sometimes, but can also make life feel unbearable in other circumstances. And there are countless ways in which people deal with the sentiments we face. Analyzing emotions can fall simply under the category of basic human psychology and apply to anyone. … [Read more...]

Jesus said ‘no one will snatch them out of my hand’

Life can be so tiring. And there are so many reasons why. As believers, we know being a Christian doesn’t equal an easy life. Rather, Jesus promised quite the opposite. He said the world would hate us for our loyalty to Christ, because the world hated Him first. … [Read more...]

The ‘I’ in ideology can be deadly!

Alexei Navalny is dead. This 47-year-old critic of Russian’s Communist dictator reportedly took a walk at his Arctic prison, became ill, lost consciousness, and died. Communist leaders of Vladimir Putin’s ilk have killed millions of their own people, especially detractors like Navalny. … [Read more...]

A squandered life

Jeremiah the prophet watched as the potter patiently formed the clay on the wheel. Obviously, he had a goal and purpose in mind for that piece of clay. But some of it was resistant and inflexible in the potter’s hands. Therefore, he cast it aside for a lesser purpose. … [Read more...]

Wisdom and the will of God

Should we seek God’s will through supernatural signs? So far, we’ve looked at four principles about when and why God gave signs in the Bible. … [Read more...]

NCAA mocks female athletes with trans policies

As a senior in college where I just completed my final season as an NCAA athlete, my unique experiences culminated last week in a face-to-face interaction with the chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, Linda Livingstone. … [Read more...]

ABOUT ELECTIONS: Our political engagement should glorify God

“The Screwtape Letters” is a fictional book by C.S. Lewis that portrays a perspective of how the enemy may operate. Throughout the book, Screwtape, who is meant to represent a demon, writes letters to his mentee, Wormwood. Lewis emphasized in the preface that “the devil is a liar,” and the book is meant to expose those lies. … [Read more...]

FIRST PERSON: Ayann Hirsi Ali finds Christianity

By Ron F. Hale, special to the Baptist Message JACKSON, Tenn. (LBM) -- Ayann Hirsi Ali, a former Dutch politician, apostate Muslim and now a defector from “New Atheism” is professing Christianity as her newfound religion, and the recent change of paths in her journey of belief has shocked the world of elite thinkers and writers. Her recent article, “Why I Am Now a Christian,” does not offer any kind of reference to a conversion experience. The closest she comes to making a declaration of faith in Jesus is to state that “Christ’s teaching implied not only a circumscribed role for religion as something separate from politics. It also implied compassion for the sinner and humility for the believer. “I have also turned to Christianity because I ultimately found life without any spiritual solace unendurable — indeed very nearly self-destructive,” she added. “Atheism failed to answer a simple question: what is the meaning and purpose of life?” Yet, her declaration of being an adherent of Christianity has caused deep discussions in high circles, especially of atheists, around the world. Ayann’s life story began in Somalia in 1969, born to Hiri Magan Isse, a leader in the Somali Revolution. During his imprisonment, Ayann … [Read more...]