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...]