Posted: 2/04/05

On the move

Amanda Bludworth to Salt Creek Church in Early as minister of youth.

Joe Brady to First Church in Centerville as minister of music/ education.

Thomas Brisco to First Church in Haskell as interim pastor.

Terry Colley to the Baptist Church of Driftwood as pastor.

James Heflin to First Church in Munday as interim pastor.

Brandon Hixson to First Church in Dawson as minister of education.

Ken James has completed an interim pastorate at Cedar Shores Church in Morgan and is available for supply and interim at (254) 867-6257.

Brad Moreland to Petty's Chapel in Corsicana as minister of youth.

Rusty Mott to Memorial Church in Corsicana as minister of youth.

O.E. Permenter to Faith Church in Corsicana as interim pastor.

Floyd Petersen to Trinity Church in Corsicana as pastor.

David Reaves to First Church in Kerens as minister of education and youth.

B.F. Risinger to Westside Church in Corsicana as interim pastor.

Scott Shaw to First Church in Hillsboro as music minister.

Carl Shroyer to Elm Grove Church in Lubbock as pastor.

Linda Smith to Shady Oaks Church in Hurst as preschool/ children's minister.

McRae Sullivan to New Life Church in Covington as interim pastor.

Posted: 12/13/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 25

For the Christian, ‘neighbor’ is a broad term

• Luke 10:25-37

By Christina Harvey

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

Who is your neighbor? Who is sitting next to you right now? Who lives next door to you? As you think about these questions let us continue to discuss how we can be obedient disciples of and for Jesus.

Our lesson begins with an expert in the law standing to ask Jesus a question. This would suggest Jesus was teaching, and the others were sitting around listening. The expert in the law asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus, as usual, asked the man a question in return. Jesus knew the man was an expert in the law, so he asked the man to interpret it. Of course, the man knew what the law said about loving the Lord our God with all our hearts and with all our souls and all our strength and with all our minds. And he knew the law teaches us to our love our neighbors as we love ourselves. After the expert in the law responded, as if to try to prove Jesus wrong, he asked who was his neighbor.

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Jesus continued his teaching to the expert in the law and to the crowd that was listening. He shared the story of the Good Samaritan. As we take a look at this story, let’s look at the cultural aspects of the characters.

First of all, the man going from Jerusalem to Jericho who was left for dead was probably Jewish. No stress is put on his nationality because it is not important; his need for help is.

The first man who walks down the road is a priest. We all should expect the priest to quickly come to his aid, but are surprised when he does not. During this time period, it was written in the law that if you came in contact with a dead person or blood you would become unclean or impure.

If the priest were to become unclean, he would not be allowed to serve in the temple. Further, he would be required to go through ceremonial rituals to regain his purity. Those rituals took time. The priest was not willing to take the time to help this man in need because he was following the law of staying pure. So, to stay pure, he crossed to the other side of the road and continued on his way.

Next came a Levite, another religious leader. He was curious and walked past the injured man, but just like the priest, he did not help. The Levite probably chose not to help for the same reason—he did not want to become impure.

Last, we see a Samaritan pass by the man. This would not have been the character the expert in the law or the crowd listening to Jesus would have expected next. There was a deep hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans.

The Jews saw themselves as pure, direct descendents of Abraham, whereas Samaritans were Jews who intermarried after the exile to other people within the kingdom. The Samaritans were considered impure. The Samaritans shared many traditions with the Jews, but did not use exactly the same Scriptures nor worship in the same place or way as the Jews. The Samaritans likewise disdained the Jews.

This Samaritan not only stopped to help the man dying alongside the road, he went out of his way to care. The Samaritan cleansed and bandaged the wounds, thus preventing further complication of infection or pain. He then placed the man on his donkey. Now the Samaritan had to walk to Jericho. He came to an inn and paid two denari—enough for a two month stay—for the injured man’s care. He also promised the inn keeper to reimburse him for any addition costs.

After Jesus finished sharing the parable, he asked the expert in the law which was a neighbor in the story. Not willing to even say the word “Samaritan,” the expert in the law replied, “the one who showed mercy on him.”

Throughout the whole discussion with Jesus, the expert of the law never got it. He knew the law and knew he needed to love his neighbor, but he believed his neighbor was whoever he felt like helping.

As we look at this story and reflect on who is our neighbor, we must remember Christ showed love to all people. Christ calls us to show love and mercy to those around us whether they are black, white, brown, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, atheist—or whatever. Followers of Jesus who are obedient and genuine reach out in generous, unselfish, impartial loving concern to all others in need.

Romans 3:23 reminds us “all have sinned.” That means all of us need God’s mercy. In Matthew 5:7, Jesus taught that God is happy with the merciful. He has shared his mercy with us in abundance. How can we, as his disciples, fail to share care and mercy with those around us? You see, as Jesus teaches us in the parable today, the question is not “Who is my neighbor?” Instead, we must ask ourselves “Whose neighbor am I?”

Discussion questions

• Which character in the parable do you most represent? Why?

• What keeps us from helping those in need around us?

• Who is the person in need you find it hardest to help? Why?

Posted: 12/13/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Christmas

The story of Christ’s birth is a story of love

• Luke 2:1-20

By Jeffrey Lee

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

“It’s a boy!” “I got the promotion!” “I’m getting married!”

These all are wonderful things and good news, but the greatest news of all is, “Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (v. 11).

That truly is the gospel. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel was born in a stable with shepherds and livestock as the only witnesses, and was placed in a manger.

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We have an account of the birth and infancy of our Lord Jesus: having had notice of his conception, and of the birth and infancy of his forerunner, in the preceding chapter. The first-begotten is here brought into the world; let us go meet him with our hosannas, blessed that he came to save us.

If ever there was an opportunity for God to enact his plan with a majestic flourish, it was at Jesus’ birth. But God did not presume upon humanity when he stepped in to redeem it. There was no pretense in this arrival.

Rather, God chose to identify in the humblest way with those made in his image. The story of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke mixes praise with simplicity. Its contrast to the birth of John the Baptist is remarkable. John’s birth was announced in the capital, at the temple, in the center of the Jewish nation. But Jesus arrives in rural anonymity. John is the child of a priest and his righteous wife; Jesus belongs to Jews of average social status.

Yet it is Jesus’ birth that draws an angelic host. Once again, appearances are deceiving. As humble as the setting is, his birth is accompanied by the attention of the heavenly host. The shepherds who are privileged to share in the moment become bearers of a story full of wonder. Jesus’ birth is more than a cosmic event; it is the arrival of divine activity that should provoke joy, reflection and attentiveness. That is why Mary ponders these events and the shepherds return glorifying God.

Jesus’ birth sparks joy, surprise and wonder. All these emotions flow from the experience of the shepherds, who observe with amazement as heaven confesses the child’s identity (vv. 10-11). The major offices of Jesus are confessed in one sentence: he is Savior, Lord and Christ—that is, deliverer, master and anointed king.

As unbelievable as it may seem, the one with authority over salvation spends his first nights not in a palace but in the open air among simple people like the shepherds. Born in the ancient equivalent of a tent village, Jesus arrives to fulfill God’s promise.

All the imagery shows God’s concern for people regardless of their social status or vocation. He cares for all and identifies with all. The praise of the heavenly host offers honor to God and peace to “men on whom his favor rests” (v. 14).

In addition, there is the shepherds’ “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (v. 20). This birth is no mere arrival of a new life, as poignant as each such event is.

The story is not told so that hearers can identify with the new mother and father or enjoy a story of hope, of a touching birth in humble surroundings. This birth has value because of whose birth it is.

The shepherds have found the angel’s words were true, that events have transpired “just as they had been told” (v. 20). God’s word is coming to pass; his plan again is strategically at work. They break out in praise to God because he has sent Jesus, the Savior, Lord and Christ.

When Mary came to be “with child” it was before Joseph and she were married. According to Jewish custom, this was very inappropriate, but Joseph married her even though it was not his child. This is an incredible portrait of family. Jesus was born into a wonderful loving family that shaped his childhood and had an integral role in His ministry. It is a blueprint of family and ultimately the family of God.

When we become members of God’s family a miraculous transformation occurs in us. We move from selfishness and being selective on who we care about to loving others fully and unconditionally.

We are to love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Family is a meaningful thing that should not be broken easily. Friends come and go, but family is constant.

We know many people come from difficult family situations. We, the church, are Christ’s family. We may disappoint each other—and Christ, but Jesus does not disappoint us. He loves us with an unadulterated and unconditional love.

This love we find in Jesus is the greatest gift: “For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16). Christmas is a story about God’s love for us, his children. And he offers us a chance to join his family. It is he who brings us into the family of God.

We are to love as Christ loves, with every breath that we take. This is how we spread light into a dark world. Christ’s love shines through us and we proclaim as the angels did, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (v. 14).

Discussion questions

• Why does Christ’s birth bring such joy?

• How should we as Christians live as family and community with one another?

Posted: 12/13/05

Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 25

Good news: Jesus Christ is born

• Luke 2:8-20, 36-38

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

My wife and I have three children under 10 years of age. The youngest recently turned 2, so Christmas is a new set of joys for him.

After the house was decorated, both inside and out, Garrison began to explore the newness of trees, ornaments, lights, fireplace tools and a dancing snowman which he torments hourly. The snowman’s small black stovepipe hat had been hot-glued on, so some black remains in three conspicuous places. Now the joyful singing and dancing fool is looking quite stressed and appears to be pitifully balding underneath that hat. Doubtless, his song is the favorite Christmas song for our son, Garrison.

I am glad my children remind me of Christmas surprises. Christmas must keep its surprises—its freshness. Christians are most filled with the meaning of Christmas when they are reminded of the good news of Jesus born at just the right time.

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Mark Twain recalled a story about when he seemed to go unrecognized on a train. On it, he saw a man who was reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain asked what he thought of the book. The man replied, “I wish I had never read it.” Shocked, Twain inquired why. “Because, I can never read it for the first time again.” Let us pray for the surprise of Christmas this year, again.

Receive good news (Luke 2:8-14)

Both good and bad news breaks into life. Here, the shepherds are surprised by the brilliance of God’s glory present with this messenger. The messenger from heaven tells the shepherds to calm themselves; he has come to announce good news, not bad. The long-awaited anointed one had now been born.

This gift is good news because God’s offer of salvation begins in his heart and his will. It is a gift delivered to humanity and now gloriously announced to society’s seemingly insignificant ones. God’s glory and peace coming to rest among ordinary people. The surprise is that it is not first a message to high religious officials or seekers. The message is given to the forgotten. This is the height of grace.

Report good news (Luke 2:15-18)

The shepherds had received God’s wonderful announcement and believed it, running now to see for themselves. Good news puts the one receiving it on a new course. The shepherds could not simply do what they had been doing. They went to see what God had announced. The shepherds found everything just as the angel had said.

They did not keep this wonderful news for themselves. If it is worth receiving, it is worth sharing. The shepherds astonished everyone who heard them tell what the angel spoke to them about this child. The hearers must have been astonished about what the shepherds were saying, but equally astonished that their lives were so profoundly affected.

Like the shepherds, we communicate so much with our gestures, facial features, excitement and other visual cues. Doubtless, Christians are to verbally tell the good news, but we also show proof of that life changing relationship.

Praise God for good news (Luke 2:19-20)

There seems to be two example praises for God in these verses. First, there is the praise to God as Mary reflects on God’s word and action. She considered what God said and treasured his promises in her heart.

The psalmist says treasuring God’s word in our hearts can make an eternal difference in avoiding sinful behavior (Psalm 119:11). God is pleased when believers crowd out wrong values replacing them instead with God’s values.

Similarly, there is the outward and expressive praise from the shepherds. They were not simply joyful, but expressing joy in God’s wonderful gift. Critical reflection of God’s activity brings inward and then outward joy and trust.

I hope that through the Christmas season people can see the results of inward reflection—that is outward joy and praise to God.

Thank God for good news (Luke 2:36-38)

Joy is pleasing to God—especially joyful praise to God, but direct thanks is important. Anna had been serving the Lord and waiting on his fulfillment of the promised one. Upon seeing the Christ child, she thanked God for the long awaited fulfillment.

Lord, thank you for my redemption. Thank you for your continued work to let your salvation work its way out as I hear you speak, I believe and act on that belief and I express joy in light of your faithfulness. Let me always come back to say thank you.

Of the 10 lepers Jesus sent away healed, he gave a special gift to the leper who returned to express gratitude for his being made well. His reward was that he was made whole—internally (Luke 17). Maybe gratitude will reveal its own blessing this Christmas.

Discussion questions

• How have you seen joy this Christmas? What has been a joy for you this season?

• Does Christ remain a source of joy for you? If so, in what way do you experience him as good news?

• What do others miss by not knowing the meaning of this message? If all people have is Christmas and no Christ, what do they have?

• How can you share with someone the Christ of Christmas?

• How have you praised God this Christmas? How have you thanked Father, Son and Holy Spirit for their presence and work?

Posted: 12/13/05

Family Bible Series for Dec. 25

Jesus is our conduit to the realm of heaven

• Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-2, 11

By Donald Raney

Westlake Chapel, Graham

There is within humanity an inherent sense that there is more to reality than what we experience in the physical world. We seem to instinctively know that there is a supernatural spiritual world beyond our senses from which we have become disconnected. There seems to be a spark of that spiritual world within us which creates within us a longing to reconnect with the spiritual realm.

The history of religion is a history of humanity’s quest to find the path that would lead to such a reconnection. Today, each of the great religions of the world attracts millions of adherents who firmly believe they have found the path that leads to God or to a reconnection with the spiritual source of all life.

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Over the past several decades, it has become widely accepted that, since all religions claim to lead to the same place and since all religious claims are inherently based on faith, no one religion can truthfully claim to be the only true path. Yet this is exactly what Christianity claims.

What is the basis of such a claim and how should one respond to this claim? There is perhaps no better time to examine these questions than on the day when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of the central figure in all of Christianity.

Matthew 1:18-20

While each of the gospels record the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in different ways, each of them maintains his birth was the work of God. All four gospel writers clearly assert Jesus is indeed the Son of God. Here in these three verses, Matthew states twice that Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit.

For Matthew, whose gospel was written specifically for Jewish believers, this point especially was important to establish Jesus as the promised Messiah. Yet these gospel writers also were concerned that their readers understood that Jesus also was fully human. He chose a human mother and went through all of the normal parts of a human birth.

This was indeed what made this story unique. When God chose to come and live among us, he chose to live as one of us. He took on human flesh with all of its limitations and frailties. He had earthly parents and experienced all of the stages of human childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Jesus was thus fully human and fully divine. Only by doing so could he truly know our experience of life. By becoming one of us, he also was able to give us a concrete example of a life lived in full righteousness before God.

Matthew 1:21-25

Today, children primarily are named after a highly regarded relative or family friend. During biblical times, the naming of children was a sacred act. The name given was seen as a prophetic statement regarding the child’s future character or purpose.

In announcing the birth of God’s Son, Matthew records two names by which he would be known. These two names correspond to the two names for God found in the Old Testament.

The first name is Immanuel. This name is first found in the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah and means “God with us.” This name incorporates the divine name Elohim which most often refers to God as the Almighty transcendent Creator. Thus the name Immanuel assures us it is the power and authority of the transcendent God that resides in this child.

The second name is Jesus which is the Greek form of the name Yeshua. This name means “God saves.” This name is based on the divine name Yahweh which is the personal name of God and is most often used to speak of God as the God of the covenant. Thus the name Jesus assures us that through this child, God is seeking to establish personal relationships with humanity. In these verses, God is declaring that the fullness of God as both Elohim and Yahweh is present in this son of Mary.

Matthew 2:1-2, 11

Sometime after his birth, magi from the East come to see Jesus. While these men were likely not royalty, they were likely members of royal courts. It appears they may have been astrologers paid by a king to study the stars and offer advice based on their study. They had noticed a new star and assumed it marked the birth of a new great king. They had thus traveled with gifts from their royal courts to pay homage to this new king.

By including this account of their visit, Matthew clearly is demonstrating that Jesus came not only for the Jews, but for all peoples of the world. The salvation he brought was not to be limited to his own people, but was to be for all humankind.

Matthew also makes note of the gifts these wise men brought to Jesus. The identity of these gifts is significant not only because they were widely associated with royalty, but also because they were gifts that held great value to the one giving the gift.

Thus while Matthew was writing primarily to Jews, he was clearly affirming that Jesus was recognized from birth by people from differing backgrounds as a king sent from God. Today, he offers salvation to anyone who would surrender whatever they consider valuable, kneel before a manger, and worship him as King and Savior and Lord.

Discussion questions

• Do you tend to think more of Jesus’s divinity or humanity? Why? Take a few moments to ponder the union of his divinity and humanity.

• Considering what each of them mean, what do the names Immanuel and Jesus mean to you personally?

• What would be the “gold, incense and myrrh” which you would bring to the baby Jesus this year?

Posted: 12/09/05

Judge rules prayer in Indiana
legislature violates Constitution

ABP Washington Bureau

INDIANAPOLIS (ABP)—A federal judge in Indiana has said that state’s practice of allowing explicitly Christian prayers to open legislative sessions violates the Constitution.

Federal District Judge David Hamilton ordered a halt to official sectarian invocations in the Indiana House of Representatives.

“If the speaker (of the House) chooses to continue any form of legislative prayer, he shall advise persons offering such a prayer (a) that it must be nonsectarian and must not be used to proselytize or advance any one faith or belief or to disparage any other faith or belief, and (b) that they should refrain from using Christ’s name or title or any other denominational appeal,” Hamilton wrote.

The decision came in a lawsuit filed against Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (R), who coordinates the prayers by picking Indiana clergy and laypeople recommended by legislators.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of four Indianans—a Quaker, a Methodist minister and two Catholics—who were offended by the practice of government-sponsored sectarian prayer, even if they were prayers of their own Christian faith.

In 1983, the Supreme Court affirmed the Nebraska Legislature’s practice of paying a Presbyterian chaplain who opened the body’s sessions with a prayer. However, those prayers did not include specific references to Christ.

Hamilton cited that decision, Marsh v. Chambers, as well as other Supreme Court and appeals-court decisions in asserting the Indiana practice impermissibly endorses Christianity over other religions.

He noted that, of 45 prayers recorded in the 2005 legislative session, 29 were made in Jesus’ name.

The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit shortly after the April 5 invocation, when Bosma, according to court papers, invited the minister who led the prayer to “bless us with a song.”

The minister then sang a song called Just a Little Talk With Jesus and asked legislators and visitors to stand, clap and sing along. Several walked out of the chamber in protest.

“The current legislative prayer practices of the Indiana House, as shown by evidence from the 2005 session and when viewed as a whole, are well outside the boundaries established by the Supreme Court in Marsh v. Chambers,” Hamilton wrote. “A substantial majority of the prayers were explicitly Christian, offered in the name of Jesus Christ or with similar phrasing. Several used repeated references to specifically Christian beliefs and doctrine, and some can fairly be described as proselytizing efforts. … On the whole, the legislative prayers were used to advance the Christian religion.”

Bosma called the decision censorship but has not yet said whether he will appeal it.

“I find the court’s unprecedented decision disturbing in that it directs me, as speaker, to advise people that they are prohibited from using ‘Christ’s name or title or any other denominational appeal’ when offering the invocation in the Indiana House of Representatives,” he said in a press release. “It is intolerable that a court in this free society would ask a person to censor the prayer they offer in the tradition of their faith.”

The case is Hinrichs v. Bosma.

Posted: 12/09/05

Court ponders use of RICO
law against abortion protesters

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—On a day when anti-abortion protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court’s building, the justices inside concerned themselves with a decades-old case on whether federal law can ban certain protests at abortion clinics.

The Nov. 30 arguments in two combined cases were highly technical and served as a prelude to the much more highly publicized case on a New Hampshire abortion law that followed, during the day’s second argument session.

At issue in the first set of cases is whether the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and related legislation, originally aimed at the tactics of mobsters, can be applied to ban protests at abortion clinics.

The high court already ruled in 2003 that the law, known as RICO, cannot be used to ban protests that simply interrupt business at abortion clinics. However, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said other parts of the law may allow abortion providers to sue protestors.

The justices are expected to decide the cases before the end of their 2005-06 term next summer.

The dispute had its beginnings in the 1980s, when a series of coordinated protests by anti-abortion-rights groups such as Operation Rescue caused havoc at abortion clinics nationwide. In an earlier ruling, the court invalidated a federal jury’s finding that the Pro-Life Action Network had violated anti-racketeering laws in 117 incidents. The justices said the protesters did not extort goods or money out of the clinics.

But the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, reviewing the case, ruled four other incidents involved threats of violence by abortion clinic protesters rather than the interruption of commerce—and that those threats still were punishable under federal law. The abortion protesters appealed that ruling back to the Supreme Court.

In the latest arguments, the justices seemed most concerned with whether a phrase in a related federal law, the Hobbs Act, applied to the behavior or not. At question is whether a proper interpretation of the law made the act applicable to all threats of violence associated with interstate commerce or only those associated with extortion or racketeering.

“It is the position of the United States that the physical-violence clause of the Hobbs Act” must be tied to extortion or racketeering activities, said Lisa Blatt, an assistant solicitor general who argued on behalf of the Bush administration in favor of the abortion protesters.

Justice Stephen Breyer expressed concern that the 7th Circuit’s reading of the law was so broad that it would endanger picket-line activities by labor unions that could be interpreted as violent threats.

Breyer cited a friend-of-the-court brief the AFL-CIO filed in favor of the abortion protesters, which said the 7th Circuit’s interpretation of the Hobbs Act would turn “virtually every threat of violence anywhere in the United States into a serious federal crime” and open striking workers and social activists to lawsuits.

Posted: 12/09/05

HBU students distribute presents
for single moms at Gracewood

Children at Heart Ministries

HOUSTON—Houston Baptist University students joined other volunteers in making sure single mothers and their children will have colorfully wrapped presents to open Christmas morning.

The HBU students—together with teenagers from a local high school and church volunteers—distributed presents and helped mothers and children at Gracewood wrap gifts for each other.

Gracewood—affiliated with Texas Baptist Children’s Home—was established in 2001 as a residential program for single mothers with children. Both Gracewood and Texas Baptist Children’s Home soon will become part of a family of agencies known as Children at Heart Ministries.

Three-year-old Simon wraps his mom's present during a Christmas party provided by Houston-area volunteers.

During their stay at Gracewood, mothers learn parenting, job and budgeting skills. Some residents arrive at Gracewood to escape abuse, financial struggles or homelessness.

Fifteen families—both current and past Gracewood clients—participated in the Christmas celebration. Volunteers set up gift-wrapping stations at two locations on the campus. As each family arrived, volunteers handed out bags with presents—one for mothers and one for children—donated by Chinese Baptist Church of Houston, Wildewood Baptist Church in Spring and a Sunday school class at Second Baptist Church of Houston, as well as Lakewood Church.

One church held a fundraiser to purchase the gifts. The event was so successful, money left over from gift buying was given as a general donation to Gracewood’s operating fund.

Without such generosity, some of the mothers admitted they would have struggled to find funds for the simplest of presents.

“It’s nice to have things to give to my son,” said Elida, a current client with a toddler. “It will be a good Christmas this year.”

After the wrapping was complete, participants gathered under a large white tent for a catered meal and musical entertainment.

Gracewood Executive Director Mike Hammack described the event as an opportunity to show the love of God to the mothers served through the program.

“We’re supposed to be the hands of Christ,” he said. “This sort of thing allows us to do that. We are blessed when we give.”

Posted: 12/09/05

Deadline approaches for
abducted Chistian peace activists

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—As everyone from Jesse Jackson to a radical Muslim cleric pleaded Dec. 7 for mercy, abductors holding a British Baptist and three Christian peace activists hostage in Iraq reportedly extended the deadline for their demands to be met.

An Iraqi militant group calling itself the Swords of Righteousness kidnapped London grandfather Norman Kember, 74, on Nov. 26, along with three other members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams working in Iraq. The militants announced Dec. 2 they would execute the four Dec. 8 if American and British officials did not meet their demand to release all Iraqi prisoners.

However, late in the afternoon of Dec. 7, the Arabic satellite news network Al-Jazeera reported that the kidnappers had extended their deadline to Dec. 10.

Dec. 10 marks International Human Rights Day—just one of the story’s many ironies.

Friends and family of the hostages noted that they were in Iraq to oppose the very war and alleged treatment of detainees that their abductors do.

“My husband, Norman, doesn’t believe in violence, and neither does his family,” said Pat Kember, in a Dec. 7 statement released from her London home. “We believe as he does that everyone should live in peace. This is an extremely worrying, stressful time for all of Norman’s family. We are praying with people from all faiths for the safe release of Norman and his friends.”

Ken Sehested, who served as the longtime executive director of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, described Kember as a “friend of 20 years” who is “a gentle-spoken, dry-witted and life-long British Baptist.”

BPFNA is one of the Christian Peacemaker Teams’ supporting organizations.

Christian Peacemaker’s co-chair, Carol Rose, said Dec. 7 the group long has opposed alleged abuses of Iraqi detainees by U.S. and other allied authorities, as well as what it describes as the U.S. “occupation” of Iraq.

“It’s not unusual in the world for people who are not the ones doing the evil to bear the brunt of the reactions of those who are hurt by that,” she said, adding that it shouldn’t surprise Christians that suffering sometimes comes along with doing God’s work.

She also said she hoped the situation would inspire thought and action among Christians in the United States and across the globe.

“Part of what we’re hoping for is not only the swift and safe release of our friends and for the reuniting of those detained under such horrific circumstances all over the world and especially in Iraq, but also that this can be a moment when the church moves into determined and courageous action for following the Prince of Peace,” she said. “So, that would be a way to honor and to partner with the lives of our co-workers, as well as just give witness to the truth that we live out of.”

Religious leaders from vastly different ideological persuasions have called for the hostages’ release. Jesse Jackson, the Baptist minister and civil-rights activist, appeared on Al-Jazeera and CNN early on Dec. 7 urging their captors to free the peace workers.

Later in the day, British news agencies reported that one of that nation’s most high-profile Islamist radicals, Abu Qatada, also called for the hostages’ release.

“I urge them to release the four prisoners in Iraq. This is a merciful act according to the principles of Islam,” the cleric said, according to an English translation of his Arabic statement published by the DeHavilland news service. Qatada has been imprisoned by British officials since 2002 on suspicions that he has ties to the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

The other hostages detained with Kember are Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; and American Tom Fox, 54. The activists were abducted shortly after they left a Baghdad house, headed for a meeting with a Muslim group.

Unlike the vast majority of Westerners currently working in Iraq, CPT team members do not travel with weapons, bodyguards or armor for protection. They also, in the event of just such a kidnapping, agree to oppose any attempts to rescue them by violent means.

Christian Peacemaker officials released a statement Dec. 8 calling for Christians and others around the world to mark International Human Rights Day with prayer vigils for the hostages and for peace.

“Christian Peacemaker Teams calls for all people of conscience around the world to initiate non-violent public actions for peace and for prayer on December 10th in support of international human rights and in support of ending war and occupation,” the statement read. It asked vigil leaders to highlight the following phrases: “Love your enemies,” “End the occupation,” and “Free the captives.”

The group announced organized vigils in several nations and at least 15 states, including New York, California, North Carolina, Texas and Kentucky.

Posted: 12/09/05

House lambasted for
cutting benefits for the poor

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—A diverse group of religious leaders lambasted the House of Representatives for its narrow passage of a deficit-cutting bill that makes many of its cuts in programs that benefit poor people.

The House passed the measure on a 217-215 vote after some moderate Republicans were persuaded to support the bill. The vote already had been postponed by Republican leaders because of lack of support for some of its provisions, which included billions of cuts to programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and student loans.

The package was designed to begin making a dent in the federal deficit, which has been driven up by the cost of the Iraq war, recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, coupled with a series of deep tax cuts. Many liberals and moderates have criticized the cuts because they have been heavily beneficial to the wealthiest Americans.

Savings with the cuts are estimated at around $50 billion over the next five years. That would represent less than half of one percent of the $14.3 trillion in federal spending planned for the same period.

House leaders also plan to propose a further tax-cut package—estimated at $70 billion.

A wide coalition of moderate and conservative religious leaders decried the coupling of service cuts and tax cuts as anti-biblical.

In his statement on the cuts, Jim Wallis quoted a passage from the book of Isaiah regarding legislators failing to do justice to the poor.

“It is a moral disgrace to take food from the mouths of hungry children to increase the luxuries of those feasting at a table overflowing with plenty,” said Wallis, the progressive evangelical who founded the Call to Renewal anti-poverty movement. “This is not what America is about, not what the season of Thanksgiving is about, not what loving our neighbor is about, and not what family values are about.”

He echoed words spoken by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the House minority leader, who attacked the conservative Republicans who pushed the program cuts while simultaneously pushing the tax cuts.

“Republicans give new meaning to the words, ‘suffer little children,’” she said on the House floor, alluding to the gospel passages where Jesus asks his disciples to bring children to him. “The Republicans are taking food out of the mouths of children to give tax cuts to America’s wealthiest. This is not a statement of America’s values.”

All House Democrats voted against the bill, and were joined by 14 Republicans. About 15 other moderate Republicans had expressed strong reservations about the bill, but were convinced to support it by last-minute deal making.

Republicans who supported the bill said the cuts were necessary to begin balancing the budget—ultimately ensuring a better future for all Americans.

“We will continue to fund our priorities in a fiscally responsible way and ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely—or not spent at all,” President Bush said in supporting the House vote. “I urge the House and Senate to reach agreement promptly on a spending-reduction package that I can sign into law this year.”

Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), one of the moderate Republicans who ended up voting for the bill, said his vote was driven by a concern for the deficit.

“I voted for this legislation because I am deeply concerned about the record deficit and debt our country faces,” he said. “Budget reconciliation is one of the few tools Congress has to drive reform of entitlement programs. The savings targets in the budget are simply a way to stimulate this process; it’s the fundamental reforms themselves that really count. Without reform or restraint, our true priorities will suffer: education, veterans’ benefits, health care, homeland security and more.”

Nonetheless, Castle added, “the choices made in this bill are not the choices I would have made.”

The House version of the bill must be reconciled with a much more modest version already passed in the Senate. That version includes smaller cuts to programs for the poor.

Posted: 12/08/05

CYBER COLUMN:
Hope at Christmas

By John Duncan

Christmas comes with the hope of merriment, joy and wonder. This year as the world waits for Christmas, we realize, in the words of C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia, that many people wake up each day in a world where “it’s always winter, but never Christmas.”

Imagine a child waiting for Christmas in the dark, dismal, dreary days of an ice-cold winter with no days of sunshine and in anticipation of a Christmas that never arrives—no joy, no gifts, no hope. I fear that’s the world people live in today. It’s a world of war, where suicide bombers kill the innocent; a world where worry over flu pandemics and societal troubles destroy the joy of daily life; a world of airport security that puts a lump in your throat each time you board an airplane; a world where the pressures of raising kids and paying the bills drain life of its meaning; a world of political bickering that makes the news less than inviting; a world where life hurts in its sickness; and a world where storms and hurricanes and global warming cause the daily weather report to possess more drama than it should. Life feels like a frozen winter that never ends in the dark hearts of many people this Christmas.

The good news of Christmas, however, is Light bursts through the darkness like a flashing meteor, Christ’s joy overshadows dismal days and Christ’s love arrives to reinvest our dreary days with hope.

When I think of the great need this Christmas, I think of the need for hope in people’s lives. A single parent raising three children needs hope to pay her bills. An unemployed person needs hope while filling out job application while seeking employment. A cancer patient sitting in a padded chair while chemotherapy drips in the veins needs hope of a better tomorrow. A young man who loses his wife in a car accident needs hope to endure grief. An elderly man whose health fails and locks him in a wheelchair needs hope for a meaningful future. A teenager worried about terror in the aftermath of 9/11 needs hope for security. A man whose financial disaster brings him to the point of self-destruction needs hope for pennies to feed his family. The victim of a hurricane needs hope for giving Christmas to the kids. Christmas arrives with hope.

When Matthew announced the birth of Jesus in his gospel, the encouraging word was one of hope—for God’s presence, for salvation from our sins and for a star that would shine and lead to the Christ to be worshipped. When Luke recorded the message of angels, their wings glistening like glitter, his gospel proclaimed an angelic announcement of hope that lights up the night sky. When John in his gospel philosophically introduced the child born in Bethlehem as the Word, his words became a message of hope to all the people of all nations. Hope reigns at Christmas. Hope sings. Hope shines. Hope hums in the heart.

This Christmas, I will drive by houses and look at Christmas lights with the blare of seasonal music echoing in my ears, and I will think of hope. I will shop for gifts at the mall while poinsettias form a Christmas tree, and I will think of hope. I will light candles at our Christmas Eve services and think of hope for our world.

The Apostle Paul might well have been imaging Christmas—a pregnant Mary riding on a donkey with her aching back and Joseph leading her to Bethlehem; the innkeeper making room for them in a stable stall with cattle and goats and a stable with hair as a crib; the star filling up the night with sparkle that arrests your sense of wide-eyed wonder; and the babe screaming at birth, Jesus arriving on earth while heaven held its breath in awe. Paul might well have been imagining Christmas when he poetically penned words of “the riches of the glory of mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

That’s what Christmas means to me—hope, the mystery of glory shining like a star that sparkles in the heart where Jesus lives.

Rosa Parks died this year. One December day many years ago, she sat on a bus, refused to budge, and the rest is history. Near death, she spoke softly, “I try to keep hope alive, but that’s not always the easiest thing to do.” For some, it’s always winter and never Christmas, no hope. For me, Christmas comes with the birth of Christ to remind me that hope is as real as the tip of my nose and as genuine as the dust beneath my feet and as full of glory as a star glowing like a Christmas light in the western sky. Hope lives! Christmas keeps hope alive! May Christ and Christmas and hope live with wide-eyed wonder in your heart and in our world this holiday season!

Merry Christmas with hope to you.

John Duncan is pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas, and the writer of numerous articles in various journals and magazines. You can respond to his column by e-mailing him at jduncan@lakesidebc.org.

Posted: 12/07/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for Dec. 18

Disciples follow Christ in his mission

• Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

By Christina Harvey

Logsdon Seminary, Abilene

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” As we look at this phrase, I am sure we can recall sermon after sermon that has been preached to get us to our feet and start proclaiming the gospel to all.

As we take a look at the passage that encompasses the above-mentioned phrase, think about the mission in which you find yourself. Are you on a mission for your family? Are you on a mission for your job? Are you on a mission to make more money? Are you on a mission for more power or a higher status? Most importantly, are you participating in Jesus’ mission?

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Our lesson opens with the Lord appointing 70 people to go in to each town before him to preach the gospel. Some translations suggest that 72 people were appointed for this task. The number may be symbolic to the nations of the world.

Let us not get caught up in the number as to whom the people were. Who were the 70 people Jesus sent out to preach his gospel? These 70 were not the original 12 disciples. The 70 people sent in pairs to preach the gospel were ordinary people just like you and me. Jesus chose these 70 because they had been following him and learning from him. He chose them because they could relay the gospel to others just as well as his 12 disciples could have.

As far as we know, they had no special talents accept for those the Lord had given them and their willingness to take part. But they did have him and the promise of his presence!

After Jesus had chosen his 70 people, He gave them instructions. His first instruction was to pray for more workers to join them in their work. He instructs the pairs not to bring along too many items with them because he will supply for all of their needs. He also tells them not to speak to others as they are making their way to the towns.

He does not do this because he does not want them to be polite, but because he wants them to stay focused on their task at hand, rather than getting sidetracked by conversations with others along the way.

As they enter the towns, the pairs are to bring peace to the home they enter. They are to stay in the same home throughout their entire stay in that town. The pairs are to accept all forms of hospitality the family shows them. They are to eat whatever is laid before them. As the pairs are staying in the town, they are to heal the sick and share who Jesus is and what he is doing. They are doing this to prepare the way for Jesus later. They are to tell them that God’s kingdom is right on their door step.

If they entered a town and were not welcomed, they were to go into the street and wipe the dust from their feet, saying that the only thing they received was the dust and even that was being returned. They also were to tell the town that God’s kingdom was right on their doorstep and they had turned Jesus away. Because he had been turned away, he would reject them on the day of judgment.

Some time later, the 70 returned to Jesus. They were so excited because they had seen many people moved. They were able to see people healed. They were excited because they realized even demons moved in the name of Jesus. Jesus responded to the 70 by saying he had seen Satan defeated. And he had given them the authority and power that would overcome the power of the enemy. Jesus reaffirmed them and reminded them to rejoice in the fact they have a place in heaven because they are participating in Jesus’ mission.

Jesus rejoiced and thanked God that the spiritual truth is for everyone and not just those who are leaders or in positions of authority. Jesus was grateful that God had been revealed through his actions, stories and life. This, too, had been made possible by the power God had given to him and to those who proclaimed him and believed.

This also can be seen later in John 13:3. There we read Jesus knew God had put all things under his power, that he was sent by God, and that he would be returning to God.

Are we participating in Jesus’ mission? Those 70 people dropped everything to share the love of Christ with others. They used the talents God had given them to serve and tell the story of Jesus. How do we use our time and talents?

Often we are too busy with other things and preoccupied with other missions. In so doing, we cheat ourselves of the opportunity and blessing of serving God. Jesus promises us the same power and authority he gave the 70.

Will we follow as they did? We will, if we are his disciples. After all, being a disciple means following Jesus and participating in his mission.

Discussion questions

• Many things in our lives can get in the way of participating in Jesus’ mission. What are you letting get in your way?

• What is Jesus asking you to do to participate in his mission?