Is the climate in your home a bit chilly - where words of love and warmth are rarely uttered?   Steve Pettit has a one-word solution for the problem - affirmation.   "I don’t know anything in family enrichment you can do that can more richly affect the climate than practicing affirmation consistently in your home, ..." said Petitt, pastor at Centerpoint Christian Fellowship in Gainesville, Fla., and a leader of discipleship and family life conferences. Terri Lackey, LifeWay Christian Resources   Is the climate in your home a bit chilly - where words of love and warmth are rarely uttered?   Steve Pettit has a one-word solution for the problem - affirmation.   "I don’t know anything in family enrichment you can do that can more richly affect the climate than practicing affirmation consistently in your home, ..." said Petitt, pastor at Centerpoint Christian Fellowship in Gainesville, Fla., and a leader of discipleship and family life conferences.   "Christian families have a lot of work to do in the area of affirmation," Pettit said during a recent conference sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "According to … [Read more...]

That’s it. I’m suing myself.   Early morning fishing demands coffee, and really early fishing demands lots of strong, piping hot coffee.   The alarm began its obnoxious reveille. Did I really mean to set the alarm for 3:15 a.m.? That’s it. I’m suing myself.   Early morning fishing demands coffee, and really early fishing demands lots of strong, piping hot coffee.   The alarm began its obnoxious reveille. Did I really mean to set the alarm for 3:15 a.m.?   Staggering to the kitchen, I found the coffeepot standing at ready, just as I had left it. The water was poured into the top of the contraption that produces coffee quicker than one can retrieve the morning paper.   As a serious dark-roast coffee drinker, this adopted and adapted Cajun understands why the Good Lord spewed out the lukewarm drink. Nothing less appetizing than coffee colder than almost boiling.   The stainless steel quart-size thermos had been filled with boiling water the evening before. It would maintain the heat of the coffee for hours.   As soon as the coffee was brewed, I put it into the microwave to superheat it. Three minutes on high does the trick for the … [Read more...]

Although the next primary election for the state’s highest office will not be until October 2003, the air is filled with politicians’ hats flying toward the ring.   This means it is not too early for citizens to begin thinking about what to ask candidates, and then which candidate to support. Although the next primary election for the state’s highest office will not be until October 2003, the air is filled with politicians’ hats flying toward the ring.   This means it is not too early for citizens to begin thinking about what to ask candidates, and then which candidate to support.   There are several key issues most concerned Louisiana Baptists will want to ask. Certainly abortion will be at the top of many Baptists’ lists, although that issue has pretty well been settled in the state. There may be some differences about so called "exceptions," such as rape, incest, severe fetal deformity and the life of the mother, but overall, Baptists will want a candidate who is pro-life. Baptists who demand a pro-life position by a candidate will not be alone. Anti-abortion forces are strong in the state and there is not much chance of a gubernatorial candidate’s race including a pro-choice … [Read more...]

At the dawn of the 1980s, young people from across several states gathered in Dallas.   On the night of football bowl games and New Year’s Eve celebrations, they pushed their way into a crowded assembly hall to sing and listen to a man speak of Christ.   Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright spoke to those young people that night, opening his message with an unmistakable challenge that some never have forgotten. At the dawn of the 1980s, young people from across several states gathered in Dallas.   On the night of football bowl games and New Year’s Eve celebrations, they pushed their way into a crowded assembly hall to sing and listen to a man speak of Christ.   Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright spoke to those young people that night, opening his message with an unmistakable challenge that some never have forgotten.   "If half of all the people in America are Christians - where are they?" he asked.   "Where are they?"   In other words, why are they not making a difference in their nation?   More than 20 years later, the same question could be asked, especially when one considers the findings of recent Gallup … [Read more...]

For the week of August 8, 2002 Potpourri   • MONROE - Thomas and Reba O’Neal were named Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Cottage Parents of the Year. The O’Neals have served at the Children’s Home for eighteen years. During that time, they have provided care for more than 130 children, ranging in ages from 4-19; John Williams, executive director.   • WISNER - First church: Nathan Roberts, Christian illusionist, to perform Aug. 12, 7 p.m.; Thomas Peoples, pastor.   • WISNER - First church: Chosen in concert; Aug. 19, 7 p.m.; Wiley McClary, minister of music; Thomas Peoples, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Northeast Associational "Church Leadership Planning Supper and Workshop," Aug. 22, supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by sessions beginning at 7 p.m.; supper requires reservations made by Aug. 15, call (318) 322-6760; Jerry Price, director of missions; David Uth, pastor.   • SULPHUR - First church: Carey Associational Quartet in concert; Aug. 11, 6 p.m.; Higher Faith in concert; Aug. 18, 6 p.m.; Donald W. Dukes, music minister; David Holder, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - First church: Jennifer Robertson Memorial PraiseFest; Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.; sponsored by Brothers in … [Read more...]

Robert Nelson has just arrived at the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia - but he is coming home, in a sense.   "I wouldn’t have imagined when I graduated from Louisiana Tech that I’d be back near my alma mater," says the new Baptist Retirement Center administrator. "God works our paths mysteriously." Robert Nelson has just arrived at the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia - but he is coming home, in a sense.   "I wouldn’t have imagined when I graduated from Louisiana Tech that I’d be back near my alma mater," says the new Baptist Retirement Center administrator. "God works our paths mysteriously."   A graduate of the Ruston university, Nelson’s first day on the job was July 1. He says that he finally has found his purpose in life.   "It’s nice to get up and know I’ll be getting up in an environment I enjoy and have a purpose," Nelson says. "I’ve found my purpose in life, which is to be a nursing home administrator and be entrusted to care for (the patients)."   His path to this job was an interesting journey.   Raised a Mennonite by his grandparents on a Kansas farm, Nelson says he learned quickly the value of a strong family. … [Read more...]

Fourteen years ago, Leamon Best inherited a Baptist Retirement Center in need of a few improvements.   When he finished his final day as the administrator this past June, Best had more than tripled the value of the facility and added 24 independent suites.   "The business itself is a tremendous challenge," says Best, an ordained deacon at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, where he has been a member since Jan. 1965. Fourteen years ago, Leamon Best inherited a Baptist Retirement Center in need of a few improvements.   When he finished his final day as the administrator this past June, Best had more than tripled the value of the facility and added 24 independent suites.   "The business itself is a tremendous challenge," says Best, an ordained deacon at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, where he has been a member since Jan. 1965.   "I’ve always said there are no problems but just challenges. I like to resolve people problems, like dealing with families and staff."   During his tenure, Best says the facility grew from a $2.5 million to a $7.5 million facility.   During those years, the independent living suites were added, the grounds were … [Read more...]

The reporter has joined the team of young people about to go into the streets of Lake Charles to knock on doors and share the gospel.   The day is hot - sweltering, humid, South Louisiana hot.   The van is air conditioned cool for the students and adults scattered across the seats. They include a reporter who is tagging along with a team of three for an article. The reporter has joined the team of young people about to go into the streets of Lake Charles to knock on doors and share the gospel.   The day is hot - sweltering, humid, South Louisiana hot.   The van is air conditioned cool for the students and adults scattered across the seats. They include a reporter who is tagging along with a team of three for an article.   He is talking to the young people, asking their names, where they live and such. One of the teenagers asks if the reporter works for the Baptist association.   "No, the state paper," he responds.   A minute or so later, she follows up on the thought. "So, do you have a personal relationship with God?" she asks.   "Yes, I do," he says.   "Well, I was just wondering," she responds. "You said you didn’t … [Read more...]

For the week of August 8, 2002 Religious freedom bill Two high-profile senators from opposite ends of the political spectrum have come out in support of a proposed law aimed at giving religious freedom a boost in America’s workplaces. U.S. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) announced their co-sponsorship of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act during a June 26 press conference at the U.S. Capitol. The bill has the backing of a diverse coalition of liberal, conservative and moderate religious leaders. The bill would clear up questions about how far workplaces have to go to protect the religious rights of employees. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 required employers to accommodate the religious practices unless doing so imposes an "unreasonable" burden. A 1977 Supreme Court ruling, however, said that workers can be denied accommodation of any religious practice that creates more than a "minimal" hardship on the employer. Labor groups initially opposed the concept behind the Kerry-Santorum bill, but have dropped their opposition, the senators announced. Homelessness ruling A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a New York church that has permitted homeless persons to sleep … [Read more...]