Archives
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EDITORIAL: A peace-full gift for a war-weary world
Posted: 12/15/06
EDITORIAL:
A peace-full gift for a war-weary worldLet us celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Do we ever need peace now.
If you doubt it, fly on an airplane. You’ll ponder peace—or the possibility of its polar opposite, violence—as you fulfill all the requirements to board a plane in safety: From double- and triple-checked identification, to X-ray machines, to metal-detectors, to drug-scanners, to pat-downs and delays, such is the time-consuming price of peace in the airways.
Since Cain murdered Abel in the first case of religion gone wrong, the world has experienced precious little peace. The prophets railed against heart-wickedness that produced cold malice and perversity, and they predicted military annihilation as divine punishment. I just read a fascinating article about the revolt of the Jews against Antiochus Epiphanes, a vile dictator who sought to impose Greek religion on the whole world and sacrificed a pig in the Temple in Jerusalem. Led by the brilliant general Judas Maccabeus, the Jews rose up and won a measure of victory. It was one of their finest hours. And it was bloody.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Evangelicals apply the ‘good news’ in diverse ways
Posted: 12/15/06
Dave and Veronica Commire attend a thriving megachurch and proudly call themselves evangelicals. (RNS photo by Dave Raczkowski/The Grand Rapids Press) Evangelicals apply the ‘good news’ in diverse ways
By Charles Honey
Religion News Service
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—If you want to serve me, Dave and Veronica Commire heard God saying, paint this guy’s house.
So, the couple rounded up about 15 of their church friends and beautified the home of a neighbor who had lost a son and was angry at God. Telling him about Jesus had not worked; painting his house did.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Green named interim president at BUA
Posted: 12/15/06
Green named interim president at BUA
By Brad Russell
Baptist University of the Americas
SAN ANTONIO—Baptist University of the Americas has named Jack Green—a veteran institutional leader and lifelong South Texan—interim president of San Antonio-based theological university.
Green served as president of South Texas Children’s Home in Beeville from 1973 to 1998. He assumes his duties Jan. 1, concurrent with the departure of President Albert Reyes, who is leaving BUA to become president of Buckner Children and Family Services.
Jack Green 12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Dallas homeless choir hits all the right notes
Posted: 12/15/06
Choirmaster Chris Snidow (right) accompanies members of the homeless choir at the Austin Street Centre in Dallas. From left to right are (front row) Mike Ricker, Heather Butler and Rufus Barnes; (back row) Debbie Whiddon, George Alexander, Ronald Butler and Harold Baker. (Photo by Marcia Davis-Seale) Dallas homeless choir hits all the right notes
By Marcia Davis-Seale
Religion News Service
DALLAS (RNS)—It’s Wednesday morning at the Austin Street Centre. The bell in the tower clatters harshly against the cold wind, beckoning people from the streets for a pious word or two, a prayer, perhaps a cracker crumb dipped in the Communion cup.
Up in the low-ceilinged chapel loft, Chris Snidow is shifting gears from psychiatric nurse to choirmaster as his proteges straggle in for a midweek worship service. Sun streams through beveled cuts of glass, splashing stains of hot color against the smooth white walls.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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‘Low food security’ masks hunger in U.S.
Posted: 12/15/06
‘Low food security’ masks hunger in U.S.
By Rebecca U. Cho
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided Americans who go without food are no longer hungry. Instead, they possess “very low food security.”
In an annual report that measures Americans’ access to food, the word “hunger” was omitted in favor of what the department has decided is the more scientifically accurate term.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Violence deters Nuevo Laredo missions
Posted: 12/15/06
Violence deters Nuevo Laredo missions
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
SAN ANTONIO—The number of Texas Baptist mission trips to Nuevo Laredo is down significantly this year, due in large part to violence between drug cartels there.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas Border/Mexico Missions office facilitated fewer than 10 mission trips to Nuevo Laredo this year, down from nearly 30 in 2005.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Child learns early lesson about selfless giving
Posted: 12/15/06
Megan Simmwell, age 7, sits among the 100 arts and crafts supplies she received for her birthday. Simmwell donated all the gifts to children served in STARRY’s emergency shelter program. Child learns early lesson about selfless giving
By Miranda Bradley
Children at Heart Ministries
ROUND ROCK—Most adults find it hard to be selfless, no matter how many sermons they hear about it being “more blessed to give than to receive.” But Megan Simmwell, age 7, learned the lesson early—and has become hooked on giving.
Recently, she gave her own brand-new birthday presents to children served by STARRY’s emergency shelter program. STARRY is a community-based agency of Children at Heart Ministries that serves children, teenagers and parents in crisis.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Protestants decide there’s something about Mary
Posted: 12/15/06
Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem in The Nativity Story. Protestants decide there’s something about Mary
By Sarah Price Brown
Religion News Service
LOS ANGELES—Scot McKnight, a religious studies professor, was teaching several years ago when he had an “aha” moment.
McKnight had just read aloud the Magnificat, the Virgin Mary’s hymn of praise from the Gospel of Luke.
12/14/2006 - By John Rutledge
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