By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- Pat Shaffer’s childhood memories are filled with recollections about backyard Bible clubs and other special times spent with missionaries who lived at the Baptist Friendship House. She has not lived in New Orleans since her family moved to Kentucky in 1953. But Shaffer’s thoughts are not far removed from the fond times spent there with her parents, Henry and Mildred Stein, who founded the ministry 75 years ago. “I hate to use the word proud, but I am,” Shaffer told the Baptist Message. “I’m proud that it’s still there. I’m proud of Executive Director Kay Bennett; and, I’m proud of all the lives that have been touched through the years at this wonderful ministry – so many lives changed for the better.” Shaffer is among several hundred people expected to take part in a September 28 reunion at the Baptist Friendship House in honor of its 75th anniversary. The event, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., will feature refreshments and guests will hear testimonies from Shaffer, Carolyn McClendon, former BFH director and Wanda Lee, former WMU executive director. “I want to celebrate everybody who has worked in this ministry,” Bennett said. “Being here for 75 years … [Read more...]

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 27: John 1-3 (NKJV) ========================= (John 1) The Eternal Word 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it. John’s Witness: The True Light 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) — Louis Husser believes forgiveness is fading as a spiritual discipline among Christians and that this is a reason so many relationship wounds have not healed among families and within congregations. More importantly, Husser says, “forgiving is not an option.” Husser, pastor of the Crossgate Baptist Church in Robert, has written “Forgiving Others” to pass along key lessons he has learned from 35 years of counseling experiences. Moreover, he approaches the issue from the position that “the Bible is the greatest personal/spiritual literature ever written,” emphasizing the text from the Model Prayer that God forgives us if we forgive others, but He does not if we do not (Matthew 6:14-15). Husser told the Baptist Message that he wrote the book from the perspective that every experience is a “learning experience.” “I try to address how to learn and grow from verbal abuse, emotional neglect, abandonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, church ministry abuse and even the suicide of a loved one,” he said. Each chapter includes a practical discussion from his experiences as a counselor, anchored in Scripture, and ends with a set of questions to elicit further … [Read more...]

As Christmas approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the Reason for the reason. Join us in a 24-day challenge to read through the Gospel of Luke to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 24: Luke 23 (NKJV) ================================== Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate 1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” 5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” Jesus Faces Herod 6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for … [Read more...]

As Christmas approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the Reason for the reason. Join us in a 24-day challenge to read through the Gospel of Luke to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 23: Luke 22 (NKJV) ================================== Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus 1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. The Last Supper 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, … [Read more...]

As Christmas approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the Reason for the reason. Join us in a 24-day challenge to read through the Gospel of Luke to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 22: Luke 21 (NKJV) ================================== The Widow’s Offering 1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For … [Read more...]

As Christmas approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the Reason for the reason. Join us in a 24-day challenge to read through the Gospel of Luke to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 21: Luke 20 (NKJV) ================================== The Authority of Jesus Questioned 1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3 He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” 8 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” The Parable of the Tenants 9 He went on to tell the people this … [Read more...]

As Christmas approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the Reason for the reason. Join us in a 24-day challenge to read through the Gospel of Luke to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 20: Luke 19 (NKJV) ================================== Zacchaeus the Tax Collector 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has … [Read more...]