By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor Pot-puffers in Washington state celebrated their new ability to smoke marijuana legally on Dec. 6. Colorado joined the Evergreen State and allowed airheads to start getting Rocky Mountain high lawfully on Dec 10. I find it quite ironic that while it seems society has grown more accepting of marijuana, it has at the same time ridiculed, scorned and even shamed those who smoke tobacco. The products have come to be viewed very differently. Tobacco is reviled for the havoc it wreaks on the body’s respiratory system and its propensity to cause lung and other cancers – as well as its link to heart disease. Marijuana is touted by many as being practically harmless to health and void of any negative consequences. Those who puff on cigarettes are viewed by many as flawed and weak in character – especially those who smoke around children. Marijuana aficionados, on the other hand, are deemed to be progressive and open-minded. The opponents of tobacco smoking would probably gladly outlaw all products related to the practice. However, having learned from Prohibition the futility in seeking to ban a product many desire, they have instead gone the route of demonizing those who … [Read more...]

By Joe Alain, pastor Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs After the massacre of 20 children on Dec. 14 at a Connecticut elementary school, people are asking a familiar question, “Where Is God?” Many look for answers and in moments like this, there are no easy answers. What we do know is that God is with the suffering. He identifies with the hurting. When the President addressed the issue he quoted Psalm 34:18, a verse that reminds us that in times of trajedy, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Where Is God? He’s right where He has always been, in the midst of those who hurt and who are suffering. The Nativity story in Luke 2:1-7 is a reminder to us that God and the hope He brings is often found in unexpected places. God chose to manifest His presence in a manger, probably nothing more than a simple cave with a feeding trough. Neville Callam reminds us that wherever God dwells, there is His majesty. “We may discover that God is often found in unexpected places.” Where is God? He is in the midst of the darkness bringing light,he is in the midst of the suffering and pain, bringing hope. Max Lucado noted that there was an eerie irony in the Connecticut tragedy coming just before Christmas, noting that the … [Read more...]

By Skip Rainbolt, Pastor orf Fillmore Baptist Church in Princeton, La. I am somewhat amazed at the level of participation in the observance of Christmas in our increasingly secularized society. Why do people who want little or nothing to do with Christianity still celebrate this Christian holiday? Ironies abound during this special season and 2012 was no exception. During December I read an article about an atheist organization renting a billboard in Times Square in New York which reads “Keep the MERRY – Dump the MYTH.” Interestingly, the Times Square billboard featured two pictures; one of Santa Claus above the phrase “Keep the Merry” and one of Jesus (at least the traditional representation) above the phrase “Dump the Myth.” Santa fittingly represents the materialistic, secularized aspect of Christmas and Jesus represents the religious aspect – the “myth” – which the atheists abhor and hope to liberate us from. Maybe I’m missing something here but isn’t Santa a myth? If their motive is truly to rid our society of myths, why don’t they trash Santa as well? Additionally, the “Merry” in “Merry Christmas” is void of any meaning apart from the good tidings of great joy heralded by the angelic host (Luke 2:10), … [Read more...]

By Archie England, NOBTS Question: What is the appropriate sacrifice to give to God when we have sinned against Him? Archie England Responds: See 2 Samuel 24. King David, against wise counsel, numbered (took a military census) the people of Israel. Not long after, he realized he had sinned by doing so. God’s anger with Israel, in general, was now focused on David, in particular. Though David confessed and repented, God’s anger still burned toward him. On the following morning, the seer Gad relayed to David God’s three options for judgment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of a pestilence throughout the land. In verse 14, David made his choice, “Let us now fall into the hand of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” David clearly rejected the second option. Of the remaining two, God sent the pestilence. During that first day, 70,000 Israelites – from Dan to Beersheba – died. As the destroying angel arrived to strike Jerusalem, the Lord relented from the calamity…. Why? Because David spoke up! When he saw the angel poised to strike down the people (at the same place where Abraham had almost sacrificed Isaac) David claimed his sin! … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:38 Southern Baptist missionary Bill Wallace By Philip A Pinckard, NOBTS Since I grew up in east Tennessee, the birthplace of Bill Wallace, a Southern Baptist missionary to China, his name was one of the first I associated with missions’ service. Jess Fletcher begins his biography on Bill Wallace as follows: “This is the story of an ordinary man, who, in the providence of God, lived an extraordinary life.” Let’s examine the life of a quiet but remarkable man. Bill Wallace made his public commitment to Christ at Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., where he was active in Royal Ambassadors, RA’s. His father, William L. Wallace, Sr., was a well-respected physician. When Bill was eleven years old, influenza took the life of his mother, Elizabeth, so Bill and his sister were raised by his maternal grandmother and father from that point forward . The date was July 5, 1925, in the middle of what was called the roaring 20s, when a 17-year-old teenager who was a good mechanic picked up his New Testament. The questions with which he wrestled were: “What should I do with my life? No, what would God have me to do with my life?” He determined … [Read more...]

By Michael Foust, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) –  The so-called “fiscal cliff” bill signed by President Obama didn’t fully please either political party, but it did contain great news for the adoption community by maintaining a tax credit that makes adoption more affordable for low- and middle-income families. The adoption tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year, and for months the adoption community had been lobbying Congress to extend it. The House and Senate did even better than that, making the credit permanent under the bill passed just before the New Year, according to the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), an adoption advocate. Unlike a tax deduction, which only reduces taxable income, a tax credit actually reduces a person’s tax liability. Last year the adoption tax credit was a maximum of $13,360. “I am pleased with the extension of the Adoption Tax Credit,” said Perry Hancock, president of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries. “It will certainly help many more children find forever families. “The most positive aspect of the new ATC is that it is now permanent rather than an extension of past legislation,” Hancock continued. “The new ATC, however, is not refundable as … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – Arts and crafts store Hobby Lobby apparently is willing to defy the federal government and face huge fines for not covering abortion-inducing drugs following a string of court losses in December. Hobby Lobby’s setbacks in court at the end of the year gained significant media attention, despite the fact that for-profit businesses like the Oklahoma-based business continue to rack up court victories against the mandate. According to a tally by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, nine for-profit businesses – including three in late December – have won injunctions in courts protecting them from the mandate. Only three for-profit businesses – Hobby Lobby among them – have failed to obtain an injunction. Hobby Lobby is the largest business to file suit against the mandate. Its new health care plan went into effect Jan. 1. “The company will continue to provide health insurance to all qualified employees,” said Kyle Duncan, general counsel for the Becket Fund, which is representing Hobby Lobby in court. “To remain true to their faith, it is not their intention, as a company, to pay for abortion-inducing drugs.” A Becket spokesman on Jan. 2 said the law firm was not … [Read more...]

Message website receives makeover Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:47 The Baptist Message new look. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director ALEXANDRIA – The Baptist Message website has received a makeover. Formally introduced at the Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting in West Monroe, the new website for the Baptist Message offers a variety of user-friendly features. Those features include a timely updates of articles, photo galleries, advertising information, an option to scroll between the top stories, and icons that are a link to the newspaper’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Articles also are grouped in one of five categories: Headlines, News and Features, Editorial and Theological thought, LBC and SBC news, and Lagniappe. In the future the website will also feature video footage that will accompany some articles. “We hope the most recent version of the web site will prove to be useful for those who choose to access the news journal via the Internet,” said Baptist Message editor Kelly Boggs. “With much of the paper’s archives accessible via the web site, it is a valuable tool for those wanting to research past articles. ” Access to the website is included in the cost … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:50 David and Christina LeMay are the parents of two children: David III and Aubrey. By Robert Lemoine, Regional Reporter HOMER, LA – The Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship is to feature feature a change of leadership as David and Christina LaMay take the reins. It also will feature, as guest speakers, Jeremy Palmer, former missionary to the Miskito people; Doug and Becky Neel, director of Agrimissions; and David Bryant, executive director of the Mexican Indian Training Center. David LaMay, age 29, and his wife Christina are the parents of two children, David III and Aubrey. The residents of Homer, who attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Minden, say they have a deep desire to see people “authentically helped up and loved.” David LeMay spent the last two years as Beef Cattle Research Associate at LSU Ag Center’s Hill Farm Station and is currently working in the environmental aspect of a crude oil brokerage company. “I began my involvement in the Fellowship in 2008 as a supporting member interested in the agricultural-based ways they were doing work with the Oaxaca indigenous people,” LeMay said. “My wife and I … [Read more...]

By Staff, Louisiana Baptist Arrivals/Departures B.K. Miller, new as interim pastor of First Baptist Dubach. Bruce (wife Mistie) Stephens, new as minister of music at Emmanuel Baptist Minden. Jimmy Pitson, resigned as pastor of Temple Baptist Springhill. Jeremy Spurling, new as pastor of New Ramah Baptist in Castor. Ben Browning, new as pastor of youth and young adults at Oak Park Baptist in New Orleans. Pastor: Bobby Stults. Butch (wife Sue) Rogers, resigned from Trinity Baptist Natchitoches; new as interim pastor of Open Door Fellowship in Coushatta. Joshua (wife Ashley) Currie, new as pastor of Trinity Baptist Natchitoches. Colin (wife Amanda) Trisler, new as youth and family life minister at First Baptist Winnfield. Rocky Brown Sr., recently licensed at First Baptist Head of Island to gospel ministry. Pastor: Mike Smith.   Needed/Giving Gil Arthur available for interims and supply. Call 337-207-5923. Doyle Baptist Livingston seeks bivocational part-time minister of music. Send resume to PO Box 99, Livingston LA 70754 or doylechurch@gmail.com. Pastor: Blaine Stafford. First Baptist French Settlement seeks a youth minister. Call Pastor Louis Palmer at … [Read more...]