By Jason Hiles, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies Louisiana College [img_assist|nid=6011|title=Jason Hiles Professor of Christian Studies Louisiana College|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=78|height=100]The narrative of Daniel begins in the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, which is the year that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captured Jerusalem and carried many of its inhabitants into exile. Among the captives were a number of young men who had no obvious faults, were handsome, and had obtained a measure of wisdom that apparently drew the Babylonians’ attention (Daniel 1:4a). In short, the victorious king took for himself the cream of the crop from among Judah’s youth, robbing an entire generation of its future leaders and wise men. Once chosen, the young men were taken into the king’s palace where they were educated in the literature and language of their captors (Daniel 1:4b). Babylonian literature, as archaeology makes clear, was in no way religiously neutral. The mythology of Babylon was saturated with references to the gods Bel, Nebo, and Marduk, to name a few. The king’s servants even required that the young captives study these writings in the Babylonian tongue so that they would not miss the … [Read more...]

By Archie England, PH.D., NOBTS Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew [img_assist|nid=6013|title=Archie England PH D NOBTS Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=73|height=100]Question: What love is this? God provided a sacrifice. Read Genesis 15-22 for the Old Testament part of this story. Archie England responds: Abram and Sarai had a son, Ishmael, by her servant Hagar. Abram loved Ishmael, so much so that he sought God’s blessing for him. Later, Abram exhibited serious concern over casting out Hagar and Ishmael. Then came Issac. The long-awaited son of blessing, a son of laughter, had arrived. God had kept His word; Abraham and Sarah had the promised son. Then came the day God required a particular sacrifice at a particular place. The promised son was to be offered as a burnt offering. The blessing of that son so long awaited was soon to become a heart-wrenching burden – great loss. This beloved child, conceived and birthed by a mother beyond her years of childbearing, would now be slaughtered as a sacrifice. Every step of those three days traveling toward the mountain brought Abraham closer to the wretched act that his hands were to complete. “Stay here,” Abraham told the … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=6058|title=Paul Daily of Wild Horse Ministries and Andy Myrick team up at the 10th Annual Ropin for the Redeemer evangelist outreach|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66] By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor MONROE – Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association mounts evangelistic campaigns throughout the year. Most recently – Feb. 6-7 – it was eighth annual Ropin’ for the Redeemer, a two-day event targeting country folks and wannabes. The day-long event included a space walk and slide for children and miniature horses from the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. “We’re all here trying to reach the lost person who won’t come to church,” said Andy Myrick, evangelism and a traditional events team leader for the association, and pastor of Loch Arbor Baptist Church in Monroe. “We’re trying to reach out and touch the lives of everybody we can.” That includes cowboy events, 4-wheeling events, fishing events, women’s events and – on a much-smaller basis, and yet with potentially just as much impact, marriage events. Myrick first was named evangelism director in 1978.  He was in Morehouse Baptist Association then; 21 years ago he moved to Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association for the Loch Arbor … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby WEST MONROE and more – Northeast Baptist Association also ministers locally in many ways in addition to its evangelistic thrust, said Jerry Price, director of missions for NELBA and for Morehouse Baptist Association, which stretches upward to the Arkansas border. The Northeast Association focus on ministering through the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Louisiana–Monroe, Northeast Baptist School in West Monroe, Truckstop Ministries, and the Ray of Hope ministry centers in Monroe and West Monroe. The association’s ethnic work reaches out to Chinese- and Hispanic-speaking people. A seminary extension center “ helps prepare church leaders for Kingdom Ministry,” the DOM added. “Ray of Hope is a food, clothing and household items distribution ministry,” said Price, director of missions since 2002. “They also have GED and seminary extension classes, counseling and other ways to assist people in need.” Mission Service Corps missionaries Michael and Karen Sammons are directors. “Two and a half tons of food are distributed weekly,” Price said. “More than 1,000 families are ministered to on a regular basis by the Ray of Hope centers in Monroe and West … [Read more...]

By Michelle Louviere, Director of Counselilng Celebration Church, Metairie [img_assist|nid=6061|title=Michele Louviere, director of counseling, Celebration Church, Metairie|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=90]Question: Overall, I have a good relationship with my spouse, but we struggle with handling conflict. Having a bad argument can quickly rob us of our feelings of closeness. Can you help us? Michelle Louviere responds: Handling conflict is a challenge for all couples. In a few moments, a couple can go from being intimate to feeling frustrated, isolated and wounded. Unresolved conflict can lead to a couple building walls of protection around their hearts that can eventually result in a broken relationship. Learning how to resolve conflict in healthy ways is a key component for success in a relationship. Dr. Sharon Morris May has written a book called How to Argue So that Your Spouse Listens that provides great insight into healthy conflict resolution. One concept that she addresses in her book is the principle of creating a “safe haven” in your relationship. Your relationship with your spouse should be a safe place, where you are able to address and find solutions for any challenges that you face. … [Read more...]

By Gary Chapman, PH.D and Ross Campbell, M.D. Children experience love in a variety of ways. The five primary ways children experience love can be called love languages: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. All children need love expressed in all of the love languages, just as a child needs a balanced diet. However, a child’s primary love language is the language that speaks loudest to the child. Its results are quicker and deeper than the other languages. If you have more than one child, chances are they have different love languages. However, children under age 5 do not tend to exhibit a primary love language. Consider the following practical ways to show each love language to your child. Words of Affirmation In communicating love, words are powerful. Praise for a child should be both true and justified. Affirmation can be spoken, written, or nonverbal. You may have to do so at a time that will not embarrass your child. Try the following: • Say “good morning” and “thank you” in a pleasant voice. • Say “I love you” anytime. • Use a nickname. • Always praise successes. • Place an encouraging note in her lunch. • Maintain a calm voice. • Give your child a thumbs-up … [Read more...]

By Russ Rankin, Baptist Press [img_assist|nid=6066|title=Two Florida nurses keep medications moving through pharmacy area at field hospital in Port-au-Prince|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66]PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BP) – A team of medical volunteers from  Florida hasn’t stopped working since arriving in Haiti on Feb. 3. There is just too much to do. It has been nearly one month since the massive earthquake shook this impoverished nation. Some estimates have placed the death toll as high as 200,000. Following an initial assessment by Florida and Southern Baptist disaster relief representatives, Florida joined South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi in mobilizing emergency medical teams to help lead the Baptist response, following initial medical teams from Arkansas and North Carolina. Each day, Haitians line up to be seen by the Florida medical personnel who are working out of a field hospital situated in the police barracks directly across from Haiti’s presidential palace – a once-proud looking structure whose grand domes now sit slumped in crumbled surrender. Rick Picerno, an orthopedic surgeon and member of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, helped organize and recruit the Florida medical … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press [img_assist|nid=6068|title=A South Carolina Baptist medical team fashioned a clinic at a Haitian church|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66]NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Volunteers are making a profound difference in the lives of Haitians who survived the catastrophic Jan. 12 earthquake – from medical professionals and disaster relief experts who are using specialized skills to relieve suffering, to the multitude of lay people who have been fervently praying and generously giving for the past three weeks. While medical teams from Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina have been joined in Haiti by a leadership coordination team from the North American Mission Board, a Feb. 10-11 meeting in Atlanta charted the course for the long-term response and involvement of general service volunteers, said Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response. Additional medical teams from Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, a multi-state water purification team, chaplains, and a volunteer coordinator from Florida will be among the volunteers leaving for Haiti over the next four days. But volunteers also are playing a crucial behind-the-scenes role in Haiti earthquake relief from … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter [img_assist|nid=6069|title=Greg Hand, pastor of Vieux Carre Baptist Church in the French Quarter has brief encounters with revelers to share the gospel|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100]NEW ORLEANS – Like “boots on the ground” on foreign soil, evangelism teams share the Gospel in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in a difficult and not-so-comfortable setting. The long hours of work bring but few to faith in Christ. Greg Hand, pastor of Vieux Carre Baptist Church in the French Quarter, said brief encounters in tourist-swollen streets make it difficult to track conversions and the long-term results of their work. So, why bother? “We are called to be a light,” Hand said. “It’s an imperative. That’s why we do this.” Though the numbers may be small, evangelism teams report professions of faith every year, said David Cobb, a North American Mission Board Intentional Community Evangelism (ICE) team member and the founder of the David Cobb Evangelistic Ministries. Cobb’s team works alongside churches at events that draw large crowds. This year marks Cobb’s thirtieth year at Mardi Gras, many of which have been in tandem with Vieux Carre. Cobb shared last year with three … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter [img_assist|nid=6071|title=Members of the Global Maritime cruise team participated in the ministries 2010 mission cruise in January|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=73]NEW ORLEANS – Prayer walks can be challenging aboard cruise ships, with the bars, casinos, tattoo booths and other distractions. But that didn’t keep Chaplains Ann and Steve Corbin and 14 others from the Lord’s work during Global Maritime Ministries’ 2010 mission cruise, a one-week Western Caribbean excursion aboard the Carnival Triumph Jan. 16-23. “We all found that very, very difficult to do in that kind of setting because there is so much going on and your senses are all over the place,” Ann Corbin said. “But by the time we left, the whole ship was talking – in the positive. [Steve said] Jesus would go in places like that.” The Corbins, joined by members of First Baptist Church in LaPlace and East Pickens Baptist Church in Pickens, S.C., not only prayed throughout the ship each day of the cruise, but sought opportunities to establish relationships with crew members, seeking to meet their needs and share the Gospel. Corbin said the group made more than 500 contacts, crossing paths with people from 32 … [Read more...]