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?

For a printer-friendly version, click on the printer icon at bottom of page.

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?

Posted: 12/07/05

Family Bible Series for Dec. 18

All Christians are to help share the gospel

• Romans 15:14-32

By Donald Raney

Westlake Chapel, Graham

As we come to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we certainly come thankful for all the peace, hope, love and joy that came into our world through that single unique birth.

Yet as we approach the Bethlehem manger, we also hear the child calling each of us to a mission task. We all are divinely commissioned to spread the news of Immanuel, God has come to live among us.

We likely can agree that the moral and spiritual climate of the world increasingly is falling away from God and is in desperate need to hear this news of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ.

For a printer-friendly version, click on the printer icon at bottom of page.

Yet many see the tremendous size of the mission field and are intimidated into thinking that they lack the ability to make any significant difference. Others may be willing to try, but do not know where to begin or how to proceed. Because of these factors, they fail to be involved in advancing the gospel.

Yet, as we learned last week, every believer is called to active involvement in proclaiming the message throughout the world. At the end of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul provides the reader with insight into how each of us might go about making a significant different in helping to spread the gospel.

Romans 15:14-16

Paul is writing to a group of fellow believers he has never met. Yet he has clearly heard good reports concerning this young church. In verse 14, he states he has heard enough to be convinced they have received good instruction in the gospel message. They need not feel that they lack the ability to teach, but should instead be working to instruct one another in strengthening the body and sharing the message.

Paul explains he has written this letter to reaffirm and possibly clarify those things they already had learned. Paul refers to his mission as a “priestly duty” into which God had called him to deliver the message to the gentiles.

Paul seems to be suggesting it is into this same role as a “minister of Christ Jesus” that God had called each of them. He is thus writing to encourage them to join him in this effort.

This also is the same calling each believer has today. We each are called to be priests in proclaiming God’s message to those around us. This is not some special calling reserved for a few, nor does it require any special training or knowledge. All it requires is a willingness to serve in telling others what you know about God’s offer of salvation.

Romans 15:17-19

The power to step forward and do this comes not from our own strength but from God. Paul clearly states he takes no credit for his service. It simply is Christ working through him to accomplish his purpose. Verse 18 affirms the fact that Paul did not rely on any special training, ability or knowledge. He simply spoke concerning those things which Jesus had done through him.

Indeed, as we look at the speeches which Paul made for his actions in the book of Acts, we see he did not base his defense on his knowledge of Scripture or ability to recite lengthy theological arguments. The vast majority of his defense simply was based on his encounter with Jesus and the things that God had revealed to him personally.

While this should in no way be seen as diminishing the importance of personal Bible study and memorizing Scripture, it should encourage us and remind us the most important thing we can share with people is the difference knowing Jesus has made in our life and the difference that it can make in theirs.

Romans 15:20-32

While Paul did have a special calling to go to those places where the message had never been proclaimed before, he also seems to have understood his mission as including sharing the message wherever he happened to be. While Paul’s ultimate goal was to preach in Spain, that did not mean he waited until he got there to begin to share the message. Paul understood that he was called to proclaim the good news everywhere he went.

Paul also understood the importance of churches and individuals working together to accomplish the goal of spreading the gospel. He shares with the Romans the story of how the various churches in Macedonia and Achaia had voluntarily made monetary contributions to support other churches and encourages the Roman church to do likewise.

Paul tells them he plans on visiting them on his journey to Spain and expresses a desire that they assist him on that journey.

Most of us are not called to travel to far lands as pioneer missionaries, but we all can still be actively involved by sharing the gospel in our own areas and as we travel. We also can participate by financially supporting those who are called to distant lands. Southern Baptists always have believed in cooperation and pooling of resources in accomplishing the Great Commission. At Christmas, we especially are reminded to support those serving as missionaries on foreign fields.

As Paul reminded the Romans in verses 30-32, as important as the tangible support is, there is great power as God’s people pray for those in God’s service. Paul asks that they pray not only for his physical safety from his enemies, but also that he would be faithful to his calling and that his service would be found acceptable.

We have a great message to share and the call to share it. As we are willing to share that message with our neighbors, give to support mission causes and pray for the faithful spread of the gospel, we participate in fulfilling God’s call.

Discussion questions

• What are the main factors that hinder or limit you from sharing your story with those around you?

• How are you staying informed about specific needs on the foreign mission field?

• To what degree do you personally financially support and pray for specific mission causes?

Posted: 12/07/05

Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 18

Sending Jesus showed God’s love and concern

• Romans 11:1-32

By Trey Turner

Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple

My family and I went to a fast-food restaurant for a quick bite, placed our order and put the car in drive as I said, “Thank you.” The answer came back, “My pleasure.”

I do not know why the phrase caught my attention except it seemed so gracious. It reflected the concern of the company. When we received our food, I listened for the response when to another person I said, “Thank you.” The person who handed us our food said, “My pleasure, sir.” Now it was verified in my mind, this wasn’t simply a person’s values shining through, it was the the company’s customer concern.

For a printer-friendly version, click on the printer icon at bottom of page.

The Apostle Paul clearly wants to challenge believers to have a sympathetic view of the Jewish people. They are chosen and God is not yet finished with them. Christians today also are challenged to follow God’s patient attitude toward the Jewish people and all people who seem closed and may initially reject the gospel message.

None are rejected (Romans 11:1-2)

Christians would have much more patience if they heard God’s favor was based on God’s love and not behavior. One man said, “It is the ones who deserve love least who need it most.” God is steadfast in his love for his people. They are not immediately rejected, even though they reject him.

This does not mean God gives universal salvation to everyone even when they reject him. It simply means God is patient with people. Christians would be a much more magnetic group if they showed God’s concern for people—the same concern Jesus showed while he was walking this earth.

Remember, Jesus was labeled as one who gallivanted with sinners; he was their friend (Matthew 11:19). His friendship to sinners was sometimes misrepresented. The Pharisees were happy to play the “guilt by association” game as is done between churches, groups and in convention politics.

Some are saved (Romans 11:5-6)

As people show God’s compassion, they experience grace and may be saved because of that compassion. Paul must be grateful for his own encounter with God’s compassion on the road to Damascus when Jesus called him to service. Jesus could have judged his actions and struck him down. Instead, from his love, God redeemed Paul. Paul speaks as one of those who initially rejected the gospel—one from a closed group of Jews.

How many more people are won because others love them to Christ rather than cast judgment from a distance?

Some are jealous (Romans 11:11-15, 25-26)

Paul seems to envision a time when, as if blinders were removed, a greater number of Jewish people come to faith. This is exemplified in the tremendous phrase, “all Israel” as it relates to salvation (v. 26). This hardening (v. 25) will only be for a time, then God will finish with the Gentiles.

The jealousy he speaks of may be that God will use the witness of the Gentiles to bring the Jewish people to faith. Nonetheless, the great promise from Isaiah 59:20-21 is anticipation of the great fulfillment Paul cannot even imagine. Today, believers hope that by looking at the difference God makes in the their lives, those who are not Christians will, in a sense, be jealous and want to be saved themselves.

All can be saved (Romans 11:28-32)

By saying “God’s call is irrevocable,” Paul reminds his readers of God’s love for his people. He has chosen them and will stand by them until the end. He will continue to extend his mercy waiting for them to receive salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. People everywhere have the chance to receive Christ. The emphasis in verse 32 on “all men” shows that God is faithful with all people. He is not showing favorites for salvation. He does not give favoritism to anyone.

The Jewish people have the same chance for salvation as do the Gentiles because God wants to show favor to all. Paul writes, “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom” (v. 33). Let Christians show God’s concern. As with the fast food example from the first paragraph, workers put on the values of the company.

May Christ’s church show God’s love and concern to people who are lost. Since God is not quick to give up on anyone, I do not protect my reputation by being quick to judge my friend or neighbor. On the other hand, I do show God’s mercy when I extend the gospel to people who have already rejected it.

Discussion questions

• What is the most difficult part of being kind and showing mercy to people who are put off by your Christianity? What kind of feelings does it raise? How does it harm you or your relationship?

• What are other ways to build bridges to people who have been soured by Christians “shoving Christ down their throats?” What are some reasons for giving up? What are some reasons for finding new bridges and opportunities?

• Is there someone you can pray for and build bridges toward?

Posted: 12/05/05

Kyle Lake: A tribute

I met Kyle Lake twenty years ago while on a church youth choir tour. His hometown of Tyler, Texas was the second stop for us. The Lakes with their 3 boys and one girl had offered to be a host family and my best friend, Colleen and I were thrilled at our good fortune of winding up in a house with three good looking boys. That was the epic stuff that teenage girls dreams are made of.

I met my husband, John, through them. They were all hunting buddies and attended church every time the doors were even slightly open.

The last time John and I saw Kyle was a Christmas Eve service a few years ago in Tyler. He told us all about his church in Waco with a thrilled look in his eye, unusual for a pastor in the throes of Christmastime. His church was for people who didn’t fit in at other churches, he explained.

Out of every pore, Kyle communicated to people the hope that God actually liked them. What a concept. Approachable, funny and friendly, Kyle was a shining manifestation of God’s acceptance. He was a personalized invitation to God’s grace.

When we got word this Sunday that a freak accident had snuffed out his life it was very hard to believe. About to baptize a young woman, he was electrocuted by a microphone; a bizarre incident which in 15 years of my being in ministry I had never heard of happening. Here was this incredibly vibrant man with three small children and a loving wife, taken in a second.

We arrived at the funeral in Waco and when I rounded the corner, hot tears shot down my cheeks. There were pictures as far as the eye could see of Kyle and his children, his wife, his friends, his family. It suddenly hit me that this man would never walk on earth again. What a senseless tragedy.

It has made me think. Funerals always do, I guess. Here was this beautiful person so full of love for God and mankind taken in an instant.

I think I do a decent job of seizing the day but admit I am often too preoccupied to truly live. I get caught up in the hamster wheel of paying bills, getting everyone to activities on time and ensuring that we all have clean socks and signed permission slips. In constant motion, yet getting no where.

If I have been impacted by anything it is Kyle’s legacy of living each day to the fullest. It’s a tired cliche which is often said, rarely attempted and almost never incarnated. We are warned to stop and smell the roses but unless they’re being distributed in a Chick-Fil-A Kids Meal, it’s just not going to happen.

How often with my faux-listening skills do I nod at my own children while being barraged by 38 additional bits of stimuli and then wonder why the cat got placed in the dryer? I zip through bored board games of "Sorry!" fighting back the urge to swiftly move everyone’s pawns to hasten the end of the game, rushing my kids along instead of watching them. How I needed this reminder to, as Robin William’s character often quoted in Dead Poet’s Society, “to suck the marrow out of life,” not just give it a listless lick now and then.

Overwhelmed by time demands, I wonder how my Heavenly Father does it. He’s never in a hurry and he has way more children than I do. Yet, he is always available. I know that he wouldn’t ask if He could move my pieces or draw a card for me to hasten the game’s end and get to the important stuff. His word says that you and I, as his creation, are the important stuff.

If the Tsunami, Katrina, Bird Flu threat on the horizon and now the loss of our very young friend in the act of loving others has taught me anything it is to live in the moment with the sunroof down and the wind blowing through the smiles of my children. To reach out in love as I am loved, to soak in the sun and revel in the grasp of my daughter’s hand while she’ll still hold mine and give band aides to my son while he’s still young enough to want one.

Many others knew Kyle far better than I did but you certainly didn’t have to know him well to be inspired by him.

Nov. 1, when Kyle was buried, was All Saints Day. As all saints do, he lived a life of love to God and service to man. That, I have to believe, was no accident.

Posted: 12/05/05

COMMENTARY: A lesson from Leroy

The last spoon of cornbread dressing and giblet gravy sat on my plate, and I realized Thanksgiving was almost gone. So soon, the sights, sounds and smells of another beautiful Christmas season will be upon us. Before we move on to candy canes and cinnamon pinecones and honey-glazed spiraled hams, I still want to cherish my Thanksgiving. I want to live that attitude of gratitude for God’s many blessings of life.

Recently, my wife, Andrea, and I traveled to Austin for the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. This was going to be an unusually hectic year for us, with added meetings both before and after the convention. So, with the help of Internet specials, we decided to fly to Austin.

When we arrived, we hailed a taxi to get to our hotel, and that’s when we met Leroy.

Leroy seemed upbeat and jovial, and he had a big smile on his face. Once we settled into his cab, I decided to discover the deeper meaning of Leroy’s smile. I just knew he had to be a believer. So, I jumped right in and asked, “Leroy, has the Lord been good to you this year?”

Wow, did I miss it by a thousand light years. I’d never be a good palm reader!

“I guess it all depends on how you look at it,” Leroy said. Then he added: “I’m still here. I’m still breathing. I’m still pushing this sorry machine down the road another day.”

Well, there it was hanging in the air—thicker than grandma’s giblet gravy! I searched for a quick seminary answer, but none was at the ready. I just tried to think like Leroy for a minute. What deep hurt had come to Leroy today, or how had it added up day after day until this day?

Someone has said, “If you scratch anyone deep enough, you will discover great pain.” By now, I realized Leroy was in a bigger hurry to get us to our hotel than we were to get there ourselves. But my heart hurt for a man I barely knew, who was just days away from Thanksgiving with no one to thank.

I did all I knew to do. As Andrea and I observed Texas’ beautiful hill country, we thanked God for it. As we thought of our church family back home, we thanked God for their love and encouragement. We thanked God for an amazing crop here at harvest time in West Texas. We thanked God for our three daughters, and we named them and thought of each special blessing they have brought to our family this year. We recounted the daily blessings of our faithful Father and “gave thanks with a grateful heart.”

When we arrived at our hotel, I remembered reading Gordon McDonald’s line: “The older I get, the more I realize my single mission in life is to bring people to Jesus and leave them there.”

Leroy taught me a valuable lesson just days away from Thanksgiving—be thankful, but also stay thankful. Every day is a precious and priceless gift from God.

David Harp is pastor of First Baptist Church in Stanton

Posted: 11/18/05

On the Move

Drew Allen to Calvary Church in Mexia as student minister, where he was interim.

Bill Blackburn to First Church in Junction as interim pastor.

David Bristow to New Life Church in Covington as interim pastor.

Cody Burris to First Church in Bay City as minister of students/outreach.

F.M. Byford to Temple Church in Hereford as interim pastor.

Michael Carter to Hillcrest Church in Amarillo as pastor.

Adam Crawford has resigned as associate music minister/instrumental at First Church in Longview to serve as worship pastor of a new church in Keller.

Dee Ann Doherty to Victory Church in Groesbeck as children's minister.

James Evans has resigned as pastor at Forest Glade Church in Mexia.

Patrick Faircloth to Memorial Church in Corsicana as co-worship leader.

Jonathan Forse to First Church in Palacios as minister of youth.

M.J. Gallop to First Church in Valley Mills as minister of music.

Wes Hinote to First Church in Bastrop as minister of youth from Leona Church in Leona, where he was minister of music/ youth.

Pete Houtt to Trinity Church in Pleas-anton as pastor.

Joe Kendrick to Central Church in Luling as youth minister.

Mark Lasater to Greggton First Church in Longview as minister of education and music from Calvary Church in Gladewater.

Peter Marshall to Calvary Church in Harlingen as pastor from Bella Vista Community Church in Bella Vista, Ark.

Donnie McCarter has resigned as pastor of First Church in Big Wells.

Julie McClure to Cana Church in Burleson as minister of children/preschoolers.

Dale Moore to Mambrino Church in Granbury as music director.

John Parker to Immanuel Church in Odessa as youth minister from Tolar Church in Tolar.

Malvin Patterson to New Bible Fellowship in Texarkana as pastor.

Matt Reynolds to First Church in Texarkana as minister of students.

Jonathan Richie to Great Oaks Church in Richmond as minister of music.

Taylor Rogers to Harris Creek Church in McGregor as minister of youth.

Gene Russell to Central Church in Bellaire as pastor, where he had been interim.

Bobby Starling to Genesis Church in Hereford as assistant pastor.

John Swedlund has completed an intentional interim pastorate at Calvary Church in Harlingen.

Benito Villareal to Genesis Church in Hereford as pastor.

Nathan Wade to First Church in Hubbard as music minister, where he had been interim.

Posted: 12/02/05

Kentucky approves Georgetown partnership

By Trennis Henderson

Kentucky Western Recorder

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP)–Kentucky Baptist Convention messengers voted overwhelmingly to approve a new ministry partnership with Georgetown College.

In other action, messengers meeting in Frankfort, Ky., elected conservative pastors to the convention's top three posts, including President Paul Chitwood, pastor of First Baptist Church of Mount Washington. The new officers defeated three moderate pastors endorsed by Mainstream Baptists of Kentucky.

The Georgetown agreement, which will be implemented over four years, came in response to Georgetown's decision in September to establish a self-perpetuating board.

A detailed “memorandum of understanding” about the new relationship was produced by a 14-member joint workgroup of convention and Georgetown representatives.

Major provisions of the agreement specify Georgetown will elect its own trustees beginning in 2006, and the convention will phase out Georgetown's $1.3 million Cooperative Program allocation over the next four years.

The plan also specifies 75 percent of Georgetown's trustees will be Kentucky Baptists, Georgetown students will remain eligible for state convention-funded scholarships and the convention and Georgetown will continue to jointly fund a campus minister position.

The action comes one year after messengers rejected a proposal to allow all four Kentucky Baptist college boards to include up to 25 percent of trustees not affiliated KBC churches. That was among recent decisions that prompted Georgetown's board to revert to its pre-1942 status of naming its own trustees.

Georgetown President Bill Crouch emphasized that during dialogue with convention leaders, “the Spirit of God was felt in our meetings together and prevails even today.”

While “some may view this agreement and proposal as a divorce,” Crouch said convention leaders “join me in viewing it as a relationship of love and respect going forward.”

In other business, messengers adopted resolutions opposing gambling and addressing the role of Christian parents in public education.