Unlike ministers in some faiths, Baptist preachers do not perform last rites for the dying or offer prayers for the dead.   However, pastor Fred Raney spent nearly two weeks walking the woodlands of East Texas recently, reading Scripture and praying over the recovered remains of each of the seven Columbia space shuttle astronauts.   The goal was to treat the deceased with dignity and provide comfort for those left behind, said Raney, pastor at First Baptist Church of Hemphill, Texas. Unlike ministers in some faiths, Baptist preachers do not perform last rites for the dying or offer prayers for the dead.   However, pastor Fred Raney spent nearly two weeks walking the woodlands of East Texas recently, reading Scripture and praying over the recovered remains of each of the seven Columbia space shuttle astronauts.   The goal was to treat the deceased with dignity and provide comfort for those left behind, said Raney, pastor at First Baptist Church of Hemphill, Texas.   "My main purpose in going was to be able to let the families know we were there for the people they loved - that we remembered them and honored them," he says.   Raney served as a chaplain … [Read more...]

For the week of March 20, 2003 Abortion ban The U.S. Senate has approved a federal ban on partial-birth abortion, apparently clearing the way for the measure to become law after several years of struggle. The Senate approved the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act in a 64-33 vote. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to easily pass the legislation, which outlaws a procedure that involves the killing of a nearly totally-delivered fetus in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. If so, the bill will arrive on the desk of a president who is committed to signing it into law. Indeed, immediately after the Senate’s action, President George Bush said he looked forward to endorsing the ban. Pro-life leaders applauded the vote. Twice before, Congress has approved bans on the procedure - only to have them vetoed by President Bill Clinton. In both 1996 and 1998, the U.S. House of Representatives achieved the two-thirds majorities necessary to override vetoes, but the Senate fell short. Easter crosses For several years, Gene and Lynda Murray of Hoover, Ala., celebrated Easter in a way that displayed their faith to their neighbors. They erected a six-foot cross in their front yard, testifying to passersby that Easter … [Read more...]

For the week of March 27, 2003 Relief for Iraqis   Baptist workers in Jordan have begun ministering to refugees who are fleeing hostilities in Iraq. Working in cooperation with the Baptist Society of Jordan, Southern Baptist workers have distributed diapers, formula for babies and blankets in camps set up along the Iraq/Jordan border. The workers also plan to address hunger, nutritional and medical needs as the situation unfolds. In addition to money to purchase relief supplies, the team is seeking volunteers at this time, leaders report. "We call on all Southern Baptists to join in fervent prayer for the peoples of Iraq, that this time of turmoil and uncertainty might cause them to seek God," a Southern Baptist missions official said. "We ask them to give generously to relief efforts. ... We also call on them to give themselves for work in the region - as living examples of God’s love for the Iraqi people." Contributions for relief may be mailed to: Iraq Response, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767. Make checks payable to International Mission Board and designate "Iraq Response - General Relief." Medical professionals interested in volunteering for medical outreach projects should e-mail … [Read more...]

The live images of the sights and sounds and courage and carnage of war come right into our homes and offices as never before.   The televison news coverage of the Vietnam conflict was at its time astounding. Americans saw the vivid videoed news reports of that war on the evening network news as they relaxed after a day’s work. The live images of the sights and sounds and courage and carnage of war come right into our homes and offices as never before.   The televison news coverage of the Vietnam conflict was at its time astounding. Americans saw the vivid videoed news reports of that war on the evening network news as they relaxed after a day’s work. The images gave Americans direct images of war. They knew although the war was occurring halfway around the globe, they were watching reports of battles that had been fought only hours or a couple of days earlier.   Now, we watch live battles via television. The lens of the television camera become our peephole to war as it occurs.   It is not pretty.   Regardless of the reasons for war, W.T. Sherman was right when he said in a speech, "There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is … [Read more...]

Baptist youngsters and adults have walked the hills of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center near Woodworth for decades.   If they would confess, many of those young people - and maybe even some adults who attended the conference center - have slinked through the woods and waded the waters of Indian Creek that flows on the north side of the land, pretending they were Native Americans stalking game or hiding from an approaching party. Baptist youngsters and adults have walked the hills of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center near Woodworth for decades.   If they would confess, many of those young people - and maybe even some adults who attended the conference center - have slinked through the woods and waded the waters of Indian Creek that flows on the north side of the land, pretending they were Native Americans stalking game or hiding from an approaching party.   They might be surprised to know that their imaginations were not so far from what actually happened in that area almost 2,000 years ago.   Louisiana Baptists are not the only ones - nor were they the first - to think the site was an ideal camping spot.   Folks have been camping on the Tall Timbers … [Read more...]

On the outskirts of Rome, the greatest story ever told is being recreated on the backlot of a legendary studio.   Directly across from the decaying wooden sidewalks and fake storefront sets from "Gangs of New York" sits the city of Jerusalem - or at least Mel Gibson’s 2.5-acre scaled-down replica of it. On the outskirts of Rome, the greatest story ever told is being recreated on the backlot of a legendary studio.   Directly across from the decaying wooden sidewalks and fake storefront sets from "Gangs of New York" sits the city of Jerusalem - or at least Mel Gibson’s 2.5-acre scaled-down replica of it.   For his third directing project, Gibson has chosen a story about the last 12 hours of Christ’s life, primarily focusing on the betrayal, trial and death of Jesus and culminating with his crucifixion and resurrection.   Gibson describes "The Passion" as his "labor of love." He co-wrote his ode to Christ, using Scripture from the Gospels. He spent 10 years writing, rewriting and waiting for the right timing - only to find no studio interested in the project.   The major problem cited was the most unusual feature of the film - it is shot entirely using the Aramaic … [Read more...]

When Dean Doster decided to check breakdowns related to Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program giving, he figured he knew what he would find.   He was wrong.   Understandably, state Cooperative Program giving is an area of key interest for Doster, who serves as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. When Dean Doster decided to check breakdowns related to Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program giving, he figured he knew what he would find.   He was wrong.   Understandably, state Cooperative Program giving is an area of key interest for Doster, who serves as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   And understandably, with giving somewhat stagnant, Doster was anxious to check trends.   He acknowledged that he expected to find something, some discernible shift in giving patterns from churches.   Instead, Doster said he found nothing.   "My observation is there are essentially no changes in Cooperative Program giving and special missions giving except for the normal incremental increases," he said.   That is both good news and bad news for the state convention, which has seen relatively flat … [Read more...]

There is certainly some merit to Wade Williamson’s letter in the March 20, 2003, Baptist Message. Who can question that the church belongs to Christ and that he is the head of it. However, it seems to me that it depends on the attitude of the one who refers to the church as "my church." There is certainly some merit to Wade Williamson’s letter in the March 20, 2003, Baptist Message. Who can question that the church belongs to Christ and that he is the head of it. However, it seems to me that it depends on the attitude of the one who refers to the church as "my church."   If we refer to the church as "my church" in an arrogant or controlling manner, this is obviously wrong. If, however, a person refers to the church as "his church" in an affectionate and loving attitude, I do not think that Christ is displeased. It simply indicates that the person’s feelings are very personal and caring toward his church.   In these days when controversy is so prevalent in many churches, it is refreshing when I hear someone who is so pleased with "his church" that he says to others, "Come to ‘our church;’ we want it to be yours also." Then, together, let us give Christ first place in … [Read more...]

Hours before a U.S.-led war to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appears poised to begin, Iraq’s small Christian minority were expressing fear of more than American bombs. They also expect to be targeted by a growing tide of Islamic militancy now being encouraged in the secularized Arab state. Hours before a U.S.-led war to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appears poised to begin, Iraq’s small Christian minority were expressing fear of more than American bombs. They also expect to be targeted by a growing tide of Islamic militancy now being encouraged in the secularized Arab state. Numbering less than 400,000, Iraq’s Christian community has become the object of overt discrimination by Islamist elements in recent months. The attacks have ranged from verbal abuse and graffiti campaigns to stone-throwing and even brutal assassinations, reports indicate. Although Saddam Hussein initially kept religion out of Iraq’s political life, he began to encourage devotion to Islam after the 1991 Gulf War, emblazoning the Muslim slogan "God is great" on the Iraqi flag and claiming descent from the family of the prophet Mohammed. Four years ago, he launched a campaign to promote a revival of Islam, building scores of … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist leaders responded to news of the onset of the American war with Iraq with appeals for persons to come together in prayer.   Fighting in Iraq began March 19.   Soon after the war against Iraq began, Southern Baptist Convention President Jack Graham described the military effort as a "last resort" and called for concerted prayer. Southern Baptist leaders responded to news of the onset of the American war with Iraq with appeals for persons to come together in prayer.   Fighting in Iraq began March 19.   Soon after the war against Iraq began, Southern Baptist Convention President Jack Graham described the military effort as a "last resort" and called for concerted prayer.   "America will continue to respond to threats of evil with courageous resolve," said Graham, pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas. "Southern Baptists will embrace and engage this global challenge with faith and renewed commitment to evangelism and missions.   "We will unite in prayer and faith."   Graham called for pastors and churches to designate days of prayer and fasting. He also encouraged families to join together in personal and private … [Read more...]