TOGETHER Trust God with questions about suffering

Posted: 9/30/05

TOGETHER:
Trust God with questions about suffering

Hurricane Katrina drove a young Tulane student from New Orleans to Texas, where she enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington. “It's just frustrating, feeling like you don't have control over anything,” she said.

Many who fled the Gulf Coast can identify with that response. They are grateful for the kindness they received, but they don't like having to depend on other people. That is understandable. We all want to take responsibility for our own lives and our families. Still, it is worth noting that human pride is a deceptive thing.

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

We think we are in control when we really aren't. We act like we have the world at our feet when we really don't. We are quick to judge how other people respond to crisis when we really don't know how we would respond. Some people escape life's floods on some occasions; others do not. Rains fall on the just and the unjust, Jesus reminds us (Matthew 5:45).

09/30/2005 - By John Rutledge

Urgent–not chronic–needs tend to prompt much charitable giving

Posted: 9/30/05

Urgent–not chronic–needs tend
to prompt much charitable giving

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–As Americans set new records for charitable giving in response to Hurricane Katrina–and donations for Hurricane Rita begin to arrive–some fundraisers are seeing a principle confirmed: When the sufferers are perceived as innocent victims, donors respond generously.

09/30/2005 - By John Rutledge

Wooldridge to be nominated for BGCT second vice president

Posted: 9/30/05

Wooldridge to be nominated
for BGCT second vice president

By Marv Knox

Editor

GEORGETOWN–A Central Texas pastor with a passion for evangelism and missions will be nominated as second vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas this fall.

09/30/2005 - By John Rutledge

Rita forced Katrina victims and volunteers on second exodus to sanctuary in Tyler

Posted: 9/27/05

Rita forced Katrina victims and volunteers
on second exodus to sanctuary in Tyler

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

TYLER—Some Texans who volunteered in shelters for Hurricane Katrina evacuees talked about how they could be displaced themselves one day.

09/27/2005 - By John Rutledge

TBM needs volunteers, funds, prayer for hurricane relief

Posted: 9/26/05

TBM needs volunteers, funds,
prayer for hurricane relief

With disaster relief volunteers serving in 11 Texas cities—as well as continuing cleanout and victim relief in Louisiana—Texas Baptist Men leaders noted several urgent needs.

—Volunteers to do manual labor. TBM has an immediate need for volunteers at the disaster operations center at 5351 Catron in east Dallas. No special training is required. Call (214) 381-2800.

—Volunteers for cleanout. Operations continue in Slidell, La., and additional volunteers will be needed in East Texas in coming weeks. Contact Ernie Rice at (214) 212-9891.

09/26/2005 - By John Rutledge

Cyber Column by John Duncan: God and Katrina

Posted: 9/16/05

CYBER COLUMN:
God and Katrina

By John Duncan

I’m sitting under the old oak tree, pondering the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The name Katrina sounds like a cute name for a little girl who might take dance lessons or tape crayon pictures on the refrigerator door or wear frilly dresses with pink silky ribbon wrapped around the waist. This Katrina was, as one child who showed up in our town with her family seeking to rebuild their lives, said: “A monster is coming! A monster is coming! A monster is coming! Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

TBM teams in place for Rita landfall

Posted: 9/23/05

TBM teams in place for Rita landfall

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS – Texas Baptist Men disaster relief teams are moving into strategic positions where they can begin serve as quickly as possible after Hurricane Rita makes landfall.

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

Cyber Column by Jeanie Miley: No cotton-candy faith

Posted: 9/23/05

CYBER COLUMN:
No cotton-candy faith

By Jeanie Miley

When I was a child, my parents took me to the Texas State Fair, and quickly, I spotted the cotton candy.

Finally, my dad gave me some money, and I got in line at the cotton candy stand, hardly able to contain myself with the anticipation of that pink confection. Apparently, the ecstasy on my face turned to disbelief as I filled my mouth with what I thought was going to be the best thing I’d ever tasted.

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

Full text of Jimmy Carter’s address at Baptist World Alliance meeting

Posted: 9/23/05

Full text of Jimmy Carter's address
at Baptist World Alliance meeting

This is the complete text of an address by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to delegates at the Baptist World Centenary Congress in Birmingham, England, in July 2005.

By Jimmy Carter

Many of you may be asking why a former politician is giving a Bible lecture to an assembly of highly qualified Christian leaders. My only credential is experience. I began teaching Bible lessons as a young midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, and have continued this practice for the past 62 years now as a deacon at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

BaptistWay Bible Series for Oct. 2: God gives victory when given the opportunity

Posted: 9/23/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Oct. 2

God gives victory when given the opportunity

• Joshua 9:3-15; 10:6-14, 40-42

By Ronnie Prevost

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

Family Bible Series for Oct. 2: Living a holy life in an unholy world

Posted: 9/23/05

Family Bible Series for Oct. 2

Living a holy life in an unholy world

• Ephesians 1:1-14

By Donald Raney

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge

Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 2: No boasting, salvation comes through grace

Posted: 9/23/05

Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 2

No boasting, salvation comes through grace

• Romans 3:21-28; 4:1-2,18-25

By Trey Turner

09/23/2005 - By John Rutledge