By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Unless you have been vacationing somewhere in the Tibetan Plateau region of East Asia, you are more than likely aware of the suicide of Robin Williams. The comedian/actor took his own life Aug. 11 at his home in Marin County, Calif. Almost from the moment Williams’ death was announced media talking-heads began to parse the circumstances of his suicide. Speculation has been rampant as to how the man who made millions smile could despair enough to take his own life. Conjecture concerning William’s suicide has run the gamut from depression and debt to addiction and illness. It has been reported he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive neurological disorder that afflicts movement, balance, and speech. Williams’ wife issued a written statement. A portion of the statement said: “Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly. “It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.” At the … [Read more...]

James B. Law, Pastor First Baptist Church Gonzales On a cold November night in the early days of my ministry, I received a panicked call from a family in the church I pastored. The request in between sobs was simple, “Come now.” As I raced to their home and pulled into their driveway, I was stunned by the sight of a young man who had hanged himself in the family barn. The young man had been residing in their home to attend a local community college, and for a reason unknown to anyone decided on that day to end it all. I sought to comfort the family as they tried to process this tragedy and found myself praying for his parents who were coming from out-of-town to the scene of their son’s death. I was asked to preach the funeral. It was a tough assignment and became a refining moment for me as a young pastor. In the crucible of such suffering, the call to gospel ministry is not a call to be clever, but to be faithful. The need was not a multiplicity of words or empty phrases devoid of substance, but compassion coupled with sturdy truth and steadfast promises found in Christ alone. In the struggle to communicate compassion, truth, and hope at this funeral, I was gripped by a conversation between Jesus and his disciples found … [Read more...]

By Joe McKeever,  retired pastor, author, New Orleans Michelle Singletary writes a financial advice column for the Washington Post. Our New Orleans Advocate runs it a day or two later. Ten years ago, a fellow wrote Ms. Singletary for advice. He was planning to marry his fiancée of 18 months as soon as they dealt with her spending habits which were clearly out of control. Her closet contained 400 pairs of shoes, many still new, and was overflowing with clothing. She justified her spendthrift ways by saying she works two jobs and looks for bargains. The man asked Michelle Singletary, “What can I do to help her curb her spending habits without making her feel bad or as though I am putting her down?” Ms. Singletary urged him to postpone this marriage. They were not close to being ready until this was solved. She suggested pulling credit reports, seeing what that revealed and then finding a credit counselor. That was ten years ago. The other day, Michelle Singletary received an email from that guy telling her what happened.  The news is not good. He did none of the things Ms. Singletary had suggested. After getting married, he learned his bride owed $30,000 to the IRS and $15,000 in back taxes to the city.  He took out a … [Read more...]

By Russell Moore, President of the ERLC It is one of the most disturbing articles I’ve ever read. The current issue of Esquire magazine profiles the “abortion ministry” of Willie Parker, a doctor who flies in and out of my home state of Mississippi to perform abortions at the state’s only abortion clinic. The word “ministry” isn’t incidental. Dr. Parker says he aborts unborn children because Jesus wants him to. Parker, the article says, preached in Baptist churches as a young man, before going into medicine. He had, he says, a “come to Jesus” moment where he became convinced that he ought to do abortions. “The protesters say they’re opposed to abortion because they’re Christian,” he says. “It’s hard for them to accept that I do abortions because I’m a Christian.” The profile portrays Dr. Parker as he prepares women for the abortions he is selling them. He tells them to ignore everything but their own consciences, and then, of course, he informs their consciences that abortion is morally acceptable. “If you are comfortable with your decision,” Parker tells them, “ignore everything from everybody else.” Apparently, he knows how to ignore everything else, including the conscience. The article quotes him talking a woman … [Read more...]

By Thom Rainer, President of LifeWay Christian Research Those of you who read my blog or listen to my podcasts know I am a strong proponent of social media. I have seen many good things take place on the various platforms available. I have seen the Gospel clearly shared and embraced on social media. But this social media is a two-edged sword. It can be used for good or great harm. And it can harm the ministries of those in Christian leadership. So, whether your platform is a blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google Plus, or many others, please note these seven warnings. 1. Consider anything you say on social media to be permanent. Yes, you can delete or scrub regretful things you have said on social media but, more times than not, the information can still be retrieved. And countless people take screen shots the moment they see something unwisely posted. 2. You can be misunderstood often on social media. The readers or viewers doesn’t know your humor or sarcasm. If you have any question about something you will post, don’t post it. 3. Emoticons are not sufficient to soften what you have posted. In fact, emoticons are so ubiquitous now that many readers ignore them. 4. Attacks on other people’s character or … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Luter, wife of former SBC President Fred Luter Revival and restoration will begin when we lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. Most of us ministry leaders, if not all of us, are exhausted from providing our finite arms to hold up the flock. Destruction, devastation and disasters are all around. The load of ministry responsibility is getting heavy. We are sacrificed beyond our means. With strategies, gimmicks and games as their focus, ministry leaders have neglected to disciple the flock to withstand this level of warfare. Yes, this is warfare, greater than anything we could have imagined. We invariably arrive at a place called wit’s end. It is at this dark place, wit’s end, where the Lord Jesus starts His greatest works. Nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We know that times past were darker than the ones we’re living in today – consider the plights of Abraham, Noah, Lot, Joseph, Esther, Peter, James and John. Dark times always require deliberate, focused and sincere praying. We have been trained in the church to fight on our feet and in our seats more than on our knees. The Word of God states, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7; Mark 11:17). Go to any church in … [Read more...]

By Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Seminary American feminists have decried the treatment of women in our country for the past 50 years. They have used the phrase “the war on women” to describe how they have been treated. Examples of their complaints include economic discrepancies, educational limitations, career obstacles, and restrictions on birth control choices. Some of their complaints are valid issues and legitimate debate could be made on the relative merits of each. But has there really been a war on women? When a war happens, people suffer and die. It’s happening right now in Nigeria and Iraq – and it truly is a war on women. Christian girls in Nigeria have been kidnapped and are still being held hostage. Reports indicate some have been raped, pressured into forced marriages, forced to convert to Islam, or sold into slavery. In Iraq, ISIS has done the same to hundreds of Yazidi women – as well as burying women and children alive. Where is the outrage about the real war on women? Why aren’t American feminists bombarding elected officials and demanding intervention to stem theses immediate crises and long-term strategies to protect these women? When the Nigerian girls were kidnapped, many prominent women posted … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 08/25/2014 - 10:56 Timothy Ateek of Vertical Ministries was the speaker at this year’s 5th Annual Youth Explosion. By Hannah Boggs, Message Staff Writer JONESBORO – It was a four-night, energy-filled event in which the Holy Spirit showed up and showed out. A ministry of  North Central Baptist, Shady Grove Baptist Associations and area churches, the 5th Annual Youth Explosion is designed as a regional event with a high-energy evangelistic thrust says Michael Brakefield, First Jonesboro student minister and event coordinator. “Bringing together students from across north Louisiana right before school begins gives them a sense of urgency to get to their campus and share Christ,” Brakefield said.  “I think this event is worth all the time and effort because of the decisions that are made.” Having just completed its fifth year, the annual event has seen more than 400 decisions during that time. And while it did not draw the big crowds of previous events, the Youth Explosion was still considered successful. “Our numbers were down a little but it’s progressing,” said Brakefield. “A lot of people have come to the event during the past five years and even more know about it, which is why we … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor PINEVILLE – Louisiana College’s H.O. West Fieldhouse is getting some much needed TLC. Thanks to the generosity of a private donor, contractor Gentry and Holder Floors Inc. of Shreveport has already begun work on replacing the lower set of bleachers and putting down a new floor. The cost of the project is $300,000. “They started tearing out the bleachers at the end of July,” said Louisiana College athletics director Dennis Dunn. “And they are now removing the floor. They have given us Nov. 1 as the target date for completion of the job.” Dunn said the basketball teams would practice in the Henry Walden Gym until the renovation work is completed. “They don’t open the season until mid-November. The first home game is not scheduled until Nov. 17,” said Dunn, “so we feel we have enough of a cushion between the completion date and the start of the season.” The Wildcats and Lady Cats both begin their seasons on Nov. 14 on the road. The men will square off against UL-Lafayette in Lafayette while the women travel to Lake Charles to face McNeese State. The first home game will be on Nov. 17 when Centenary squares off against the Lady Cats. Dunn said one of his top priorities after being name the … [Read more...]