I really have to take offense with the article written about the Baptist Women in Ministry in the July 20 issue of the Baptist Message. I was offended with just about everything they said. I really have to take offense with the article written about the Baptist Women in Ministry in the July 20 issue of the Baptist Message. I was offended with just about everything they said.   First of all, I do not read in my Bible that a woman should be in a pastor’s role in a church. Secondly, to say "her grace" is enough for them is a slap in God’s face. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not a "her." Thirdly, we shouldn’t put the Bible on a pedestal and leave it there. It was written by humans but inspired by God. Either you believe this or you don’t. If you don’t, "travel on, sister."   The last point I have to comment on is Ms. Yeatts’ view on abortion. She said, "We should be careful when we take the life of a child, but the decision is the woman’s." So, be careful when you kill a child, but it still is the woman’s decision? Is that what she believes? This is murder - period, period, period.   My dear sister, please know that you can leave the family farm. If you feel like this, you should … [Read more...]

What has happened to the grand old name, Baptist? Why are some Baptist churches distancing themselves from the name "Baptist?" Why has the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board changed its name, leaving the word "Baptist" out? What has happened to the grand old name, Baptist? Why are some Baptist churches distancing themselves from the name "Baptist?" Why has the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board changed its name, leaving the word "Baptist" out?   Over the years, Baptists have picked up lots of negative baggage, much of it deserved. Many Baptist churches trying to overcome this negative image are offering a smorgasbord of religious services. You can now have charismatic or traditional preaching, contemporary music or hymns, dress codes from casual to Sunday best.   People don’t automatically join the church or even the denomination where their parents hold membership. This has brought on a new trend, "church shopping." You visit churches until you find one you like or feel comfortable with. Billy Graham, who, incidentally, is a Baptist, recommended this.   Our Baptist Sunday School Board and its affiliates have changed their name. Their new name is "LifeWay." They have already … [Read more...]

Years later, McKinney stood in front of 10,000 Baptists to lead them in singing "Wherever He Leads I’ll Go," one of the many songs he had penned.   As the singing ended, McKinney leaned toward the microphone and whispered the lesson he had learned well.   "Be sure that you mean the words you sing," he reminded Baptists. Years later, McKinney stood in front of 10,000 Baptists to lead them in singing "Wherever He Leads I’ll Go," one of the many songs he had penned.   As the singing ended, McKinney leaned toward the microphone and whispered the lesson he had learned well.   "Be sure that you mean the words you sing," he reminded Baptists.   Tim Boyet recounted the instance in a 1962 article in Home Life Magazine.   "That is a presence that has got to be awesome - just to stand in front of 10,000 people and speak softly," says Boyet, who serves as minister of music at Bistineau Baptist Church in Heflin.   Boyet recently joined McKinney’s family and friends in honoring the famed Southern Baptist musician at the annual B.B. McKinney hymn sing on July 22 at Bistineau Baptist Church. McKinney was a Louisiana native who became a prominent Southern … [Read more...]

Filadelfo Pavón was bitter and suspicious. He was bitter that Hurricane Mitch ripped through Honduras and washed much of the countryside where he lived toward the Caribbean Sea.   His suspicion arose from weekly waves of Southern Baptist volunteers who arrived to build his house and more than 100 other houses for others in the area.   "What could they possibly want?" the Honduran native wondered. "We’ve lost everything." Filadelfo Pavón was bitter and suspicious. He was bitter that Hurricane Mitch ripped through Honduras and washed much of the countryside where he lived toward the Caribbean Sea.   His suspicion arose from weekly waves of Southern Baptist volunteers who arrived to build his house and more than 100 other houses for others in the area.   "What could they possibly want?" the Honduran native wondered. "We’ve lost everything."   Pavón escaped death in late 1998, when Hurricane Mitch leveled communities, crops and lives as it ripped across Central America. Honduras took the greatest blow - and thousands lost their lives in the hurricane’s wake.   Now, thousands like Pavón are finding life as well - eternal life - as Baptists have … [Read more...]

He may have been prouder when his son and daughter were born. If he was, it was a sight to behold.   This day has been months in the making - about the same length of time his children were in the making. Anticipation could not have been higher. All his friends knew this day was coming - that is about all he talked about. Most of his friends by this time sort of turned away when they saw him coming; they did not want to hear any more about it. He may have been prouder when his son and daughter were born. If he was, it was a sight to behold.   This day has been months in the making - about the same length of time his children were in the making. Anticipation could not have been higher. All his friends knew this day was coming - that is about all he talked about. Most of his friends by this time sort of turned away when they saw him coming; they did not want to hear any more about it.   We had been out of town for vacation, and then I was at the Southern Baptist Convention when the day finally arrived. I wondered if he had passed out cigars, or at least pink bubblegum cigars.   "Lynn, I’ve been waiting for you to get home," he said as soon as I answered the phone. … [Read more...]

God’s will stands as one of the most vital concepts in Christian living, yet, no other term seems more commonly misused and abused.   Every person who claims the name of Christ should desire above all else to do what God wills or what God wants. This goes for every part of a Christian’s life. God’s will stands as one of the most vital concepts in Christian living, yet, no other term seems more commonly misused and abused.   Every person who claims the name of Christ should desire above all else to do what God wills or what God wants. This goes for every part of a Christian’s life.   To hear much Christian conversation, one would think that God’s will only bears on momentous decisions or incidents. Certainly, God’s will should bear strongly on these, but it has far broader bearing. It is an all encompassing concept that means seeking to do what God wants us to do in all circumstances and all situations.   Most conversations about God’s will make it seem as though God always hides his desire and finding it proves to be one of the greatest tasks faced by believers. Yet, for 99.44 percent of life, we have a certain word from God about knowing his will. God’s will is to follow … [Read more...]

Louisiana College alumnus Sheila Thompson-Johnson has been named one of Louisiana’s all-time greatest college basketball players.   Johnson was ranked 14 on the All-time Collegiate Women’s Basketball Team compiled by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and released last month. The team includes the top 20 Louisiana players of all time, as determined by association members, coaches, athletic administrators and former players at colleges and universities throughout the state.   Louisiana College alumnus Sheila Thompson-Johnson has been named one of Louisiana’s all-time greatest college basketball players.   Johnson was ranked 14 on the All-time Collegiate Women’s Basketball Team compiled by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and released last month. The team includes the top 20 Louisiana players of all time, as determined by association members, coaches, athletic administrators and former players at colleges and universities throughout the state.   Johnson played for the Lady Wildcats from 1977 to 1981, during which she helped lead the team to a fourth place finish nationally. She was inducted in 1990 as a charter member of the LC Sports Hall of Fame. She now serves … [Read more...]

Apparently, this is one specialty license plate that will not go unnoticed. A specialty Louisiana license plate bearing the words "Choose Life" and depicting a pelican carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket may soon be the target of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Apparently, this is one specialty license plate that will not go unnoticed. A specialty Louisiana license plate bearing the words "Choose Life" and depicting a pelican carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket may soon be the target of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The "Choose Life" license plate featuring Louisiana’s state bird was approved unanimously by both the Louisiana House and Senate in 1999 and signed into law by Republican Governor Mike Foster. People who buy the specialty license plates pay the $3.50 cost of the plate (a cost paid for all license plates) plus an additional $25 charge for the specialty design, money that is collected by the state treasury. From those funds, an advisory council established under the Louisiana law then recommends the awarding of grants to private adoption advocacy groups. The money must be targeted to help women who have a crisis pregnancy. The help can be financial, … [Read more...]

I enjoyed Lynn Clayton’s July 13 column On Second Thought about the Senior Olympian named Runner "from another state" who prepared for the last National Senior Olympics but missed the events because he went a week too late. I enjoyed Lynn Clayton’s July 13 column On Second Thought about the Senior Olympian named Runner "from another state" who prepared for the last National Senior Olympics but missed the events because he went a week too late.   Runner and all would be Senior Olympic participants put on your calendar now: the next National Senior Olympic Games are July 24-28, 2001 in Baton Rouge, La.   The Louisiana Senior Olympic state qualifying games will be held September 9 through October 28, 2000 in Baton Rouge, La.   Men and Woman aged 50 plus, if you are interested in any of the 26 sports (58 different events) from archery to shuffleboard to washer pitch, call 1-800-799-8309 or (225) 925-1748 at Louisiana Senior Olympic Games for information and entry forms. Entry deadline is August 18, 2000. Mary Williams New Orleans … [Read more...]

A recent article in the Baptist Message was entitled "failure to forgive results in living hell." I certainly agree with that up to a certain point. I would say that a Christian should always be willing to forgive if the proper conditions are met. A recent article in the Baptist Message was entitled "failure to forgive results in living hell." I certainly agree with that up to a certain point. I would say that a Christian should always be willing to forgive if the proper conditions are met. The proper conditions would be for the offender to be sorry for his action and apologize for it; that is, ask for forgiveness. The Scriptures indicate that God does not forgive unless there is repentance and faith on the part of the offender. God always stands ready to forgive if the proper conditions are met. God did not forgive me until I repented and trusted Christ as Savior. The Christian should have no hatred for the offender nor do anything to hurt him. However, to forgive him for his wrong without sorrow and apology on his part is to give him an excuse for what he did and perhaps lead him to commit other offenses. Wayne D. Bryan Baton Rouge … [Read more...]