Question – Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD: Is this an invitation to salvation or a call for restoration? Archie England answers: Strong evangelistic preaching has typically employed Isaiah’s entreaty as an invitation to salvation.  Is that, however, the prophet’s intent (guided by the Holy Spirit) in proclaiming it or reflective of how the original audience would have heard it? Let’s look at the larger context surrounding Isaiah 1:18 to discover its meaning.  The invitation given by Isaiah (1:18) is followed by two options: Obey (and live, 1:19) or Refuse (and die, 1:20). Like Moses and Joshua, Isaiah echos the unchanging conviction of God’s earlier prophets: choose God or die (Deut 30:19; Josh 24:15). Prior to this thunderous demand, Isaiah has crafted his message with great artistry. In 1:2, he calls as witness, the heavens and earth, using common images of “common sense” to condemn ignorant Israel (1:3). But Israel is not merely ignorant; they are stupid, too, because they have chosen the ways of sin (1:4). Isaiah highlights essentially four consequences of their sinful choices. (1) 1:5-6, Israel is likened to a brutally beaten corpse. Why endure more? (2) 1:7-8, the land, … [Read more...]

Ah, the carefree days of summer. Ah, the carefree days of summer. Even those of us who haven’t had a summer vacation from school in years still love the feeling of summertime — the longer days, the slower pace, and more time just to play. The best part of summer is that it’s about making memories more than making plans. But before you know it, fall will be here and the days will be cooler, shorter, and more scheduled. So before summer fades away, make the most of these carefree days. Here are 25 summer memory makers for you and your family: -Pitch a tent in the back yard and go camping. As you lie under the starry sky, try to identify constellations and give thanks to the Creator. Then snuggle up together and take turns telling stories by flashlight. -Create a family challenge and work together to reach your goal. Maybe it’s a 10-mile bike ride, a two-mile run, or hiking a certain trail. What you do doesn’t matter as long as you help one another meet the challenge. -Play capture the flag. Invite a couple of other families to join you. Find a safe woodsy spot, paint your faces, throw on camouflage, and have fun. -Go sledding. What? No snow? No matter. Grab some cardboard, find a grassy hill, and let … [Read more...]

Question: I work in the preschool department at my church. Two Sundays ago, a little girl came into my class. She had bruises all over her arms and legs. When I asked her mother about the bruises, she became very defensive and said that she just fell off of her bike. The child was withdrawn and quiet. This is not the first time that I have noticed marks on the child. What should I do? Michelle Louviere answers: Because children are so vulnerable in our society, most states, including Louisiana, have laws that require certain people to be mandated reporters. A mandated reporter is someone who is required to report any suspected child abuse. Mandated reporters include health practitioners, clergy, mental health workers, teaching or child care providers, police officers, commercial film processors, and mediators. If a mandated reporter does not report suspected abuse, he or she is liable for fines and/or possible imprisonment. If you suspect that this child has been abused or neglected, then you will need to report this to the authorities. Abuse is defined as any thing that seriously endangers the physical, mental or emotional health and safety of a child. This includes sexual abuse, by someone who is 3 years older than the … [Read more...]

The Cooperative Program is among God’s blessings at West Conroe Baptist Church. CONROE, Texas (BP) – The Cooperative Program is among God’s blessings at West Conroe Baptist Church. “The Cooperative Program teaches [West Conroe members] to be givers,” said James T. “Jay” Gross, pastor of the Conroe, Texas, congregation. “I think our people see that our church is investing in the Kingdom of God, so they give. “It’s not like we’re trying to stockpile it for ourselves or to build our kingdom here in Conroe,” the pastor said. “And as a result of this attitude about giving to further God’s work, God has blessed us in the local ministry here, financially. “It’s the law of the sower: You always reap more than you sow,” Gross said. The sowing is continually expanding at West Conroe, where 1,300 or more people attend Sunday morning worship. “We try to think outside the box,” Gross said. “For example, I really have a desire to get a missions center in our church – medical, dental, food and clothing, and folks there to share the Gospel. We do it on mission trips; there’s no reason we can’t do it here.” West Conroe’s heart for ministry that meets people’s needs is reflected in its commitment to give 10 percent of the … [Read more...]

So often individuals, called to the ministry, are put into positions because of their faithfulness to God but often times lack the necessary training or haven’t been fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities. WISNER – So often individuals, called to the ministry, are put into positions because of their faithfulness to God but often times lack the necessary training or haven’t been fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities. Brian Crain can relate. “There is so much to learn … to understand,” Crain said. “But it takes time to gain that understanding and knowledge. Sometimes you just have to turn it over to God and learn all you can on the job.” Crain has gotten his on-the-job training while serving as the youth minister at Wisner Baptist Church for the  past four years, during which time he attended the University of Louisiana-Monroe. He plans on attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth Texas as of Aug. 17. “When students at Wisner began surrendering to the ministry, it got me to thinking about what I could do to help better equip them for the job ahead,” Crain said. “I sat down with a friend of mine – Ryne Hester – and we had a brainstorm session to see what we could come … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Joe David Smith resigns as pastor at Doyle Baptist, Livingston. -Freddie Arnold new as Associate Associational Missions Coordinator of Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. -T. J. Bordelon resigns as pastor at Green Oak Baptist, Merryville. -Tommy Shipp retires as pastor of First Baptist, French Settlement. DEATHS -Walter Mangham, retired minister of music, died June 26. He served First Baptist, Monroe for 32 years. -Inez Weatherford, wife of retired pastor Claude Weatherford, died June 24. She is survived by her husband, a daughter and son. AVAILABLE -Glenmora Baptist has 100 1991 edition Baptist Hymnals available; call Chad Foster at 318.452.7373. NEEDED -Pastor at Green Oak Baptist, Merryville; send resumes to Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 476, Merryville LA 70653. -Bi-vocational Director of Music at First Baptist, Jonesboro; call 318.259.4467 or send resume to First Baptist Church, 500 S. Cooper Ave., Jonesboro LA 71251; Attention: Director of Music Search Committee. HOMECOMINGS -PLAIN DEALING – Salem Baptist: 165th Homecoming 11 a.m. Sunday, July 12; Leslie Creek, speaker; 12 p.m. lunch; 1 p.m. Brad Mount, guest singer; R. W. Brown, pastor. -JONESBORO – McDonald … [Read more...]

The percentage of births to unmarried mothers is increasing worldwide, and nearly four in 10 U.S. births were to unmarried women in 2007, according to a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics. WORLDWIDE (BP) – The percentage of births to unmarried mothers is increasing worldwide, and nearly four in 10 U.S. births were to unmarried women in 2007, according to a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics. Birth rates have risen considerably for unmarried women in their 20s and over, the report said, and nonmarital birth rates are highest for Hispanic women followed by black women. The study, released in May, said births to unmarried women in 2007 totaled 1.7 million, which was up 26 percent from 2002. Sixty percent of births to women ages 20-24 were to unmarried women, up from 52 percent in 2002, and 32 percent of births to women ages 25-29 were to unmarried women, up from 25 percent in 2002. Among the 14 countries analyzed in the report, the percentage of all live unmarried births in the United States – 40 percent – ranks somewhere in the middle. USA Today noted the U.S. figure is up from 18 percent in 1980. The National Center for Health Statistics said nonmarital births are at … [Read more...]

Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are 2.74 percent below the same time frame last year and 1.85 percent off budget for 2009, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are 2.74 percent below the same time frame last year and 1.85 percent off budget for 2009, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. As of May 31, the year-to-date total of $134,612,737.23 for Cooperative Program (CP) missions is $3,789,056.39 below the $138,401,793.62 received at the end of May 2008. Designated giving of $152,197,788.11 for the same year-to-date period is 10.78 percent, or $18,383,632.71, below gifts of $170,581,420.82 received at this point last year. Monthly CP receipts totaled $18,386,153.68, while designated gifts received last month amounted to $19,785,487.42. Month-to-month swings reflect a number of factors, but largely result from the timing of receipts from state conventions. The end-of-month total represents money … [Read more...]

An unclear understanding of spiritual maturity may be an underlying reason why there is so little progress in seeing people develop spiritually in the United States, despite overwhelming access to churches and unlimited products and resources, The Barna Group says. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – An unclear understanding of spiritual maturity may be an underlying reason why there is so little progress in seeing people develop spiritually in the United States, despite overwhelming access to churches and unlimited products and resources, The Barna Group says. “America has a spiritual depth problem partly because the faith community does not have a robust definition of its spiritual goals,” David Kinnaman, Barna’s president, said. “The study shows the need for new types of spiritual metrics.” Barna found that most Christians equate spiritual maturity with following the rules described in the Bible. Also, many churchgoers were unable to identify how their church defines spiritual maturity. Most Christians, Barna said, offer one-dimensional views of personal spiritual maturity, giving answers such as having a relationship with Jesus, living a moral lifestyle or applying the Bible. Most pastors struggle with articulating a specific … [Read more...]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a music professor, created a new counseling specialization and approved a certificate training site during a June 9 meeting of the board’s executive committee. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a music professor, created a new counseling specialization and approved a certificate training site during a June 9 meeting of the board’s executive committee. The trustees elected Gregory Woodward to the faculty as assistant professor of conducting. He also will serve as chairperson for NOBTS’ division of church music ministries. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said of Woodward, “With his vision for the future and his excellent training, we think he will help us prepare students for the 21st century of church music.” Woodward has been director of choral activities at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., since 2002. He also gained teaching experience serving as an instructor at Florida State University from 1999-2002 and as choir director at Pascagoula (Miss.) Public Schools from 1995-99. An experienced church musician and minister and son of a pastor, Woodward has served as minister of music/worship leader at six Southern … [Read more...]