Opinion

Editorial

Holy huddles and cursing the darkness are not Christian options
Editorial

It seems like every day brings a new headlines about the neglect and abuse of the most vulnerable in our society – our children. The nation’s news cameras are focused regularly on our own state as another child has gone missing from the Department of Children and Families or one has been abducted, assaulted and murdered by predators who have failed to be adequately punished and removed from the public.

Point of View

Fractured lives need faithful folks at Children’s Homes
Point of View

In honor of Mother’s Day, let me share with you some honest and witty insights found in a recent article.

Suppose you are a liberal critic of the Bible
Point of View

Suppose that you are a liberal critic of the Bible. By liberal, I mean unfettered by commitment to the inerrancy and authority of the Bible. And suppose that you find in an early letter of the apostle Paul these words: "Concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge." And then suppose that you find in a letter written near the end of his life the words, "You are able to admonish one another." And suppose that, as a liberal, you are not inclined to find old-fashioned unity in Paul's various teachings, but rather are somewhat excited when you can construct new theories about how the diversity of Paul's teachings emerged.

BREAKPOINT: A constitutional travesty: Why the filibuster must go
Point of View

Over two hundred years ago, a man who wrote under the name of Publius was hunched over his desk one evening. He was attempting to convince New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. After a moment of thought, he dipped his quill into the ink and wrote the following: The President “is to nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint ... judges of the Supreme Court.”

Let your children learn from their own mistakes
Point of View

QUESTION: My children love to do things for themselves, but they make such messes that it’s easier for me to do the things for them. I just don’t have the patience to see them fumble with stuff. Do you think I’m wrong to step in?

Florida

Florida News

Vines announces retirement plans from First Baptist Jacksonville
SBC leaders praise pastor’s integrity, pulpit ministry

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – Jerry Vines announced May 1 he will retire next February as senior pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, stressing that he is retiring from the pastorate, not the Gospel ministry.

First Baptist Orlando search committee names co-pastor candidate
Louisiana pastor David Uth to eventually become senior pastor

ORLANDO (FBW) – A search committee of First Baptist Church of Orlando announced May 1 that Louisiana pastor David Uth received its recommendation to become co-pastor at the historic Florida Baptist congregation. Uth, who will preach May 15 in view of a call, will share pastoral duties with long-time pastor Jim Henry for an indefinite period of time after which Henry will retire and Uth will become senior pastor.

Florida drillers, speakers qualify for national tourney

APOPKA (FBW)–Teenagers from Orlando and Pace will represent Florida in the third annual National Bible Drill and Speakers Invitational Tournament June 10 in Orlando. Winners were selected during the youth final competitions April 24 at Trinity Baptist Church in Apopka.

Baptist Communicators honor Convention PR staff

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—The Florida Baptist Convention Public Relations Division received twelve awards presented by the Baptist Communicators Association (BCA) during their annual meeting in Denver, Colo. April 20-23.

Florida News Briefs

Seminar for pastors, Christian counselors set for May 21 at Palm Beach Atlantic University

Solutions: E/S Conference emphasizes improving church outreach

FAITH Clinic to be held at First, Perry

Sunday School directors meet in Kissimmee for national conference

Learn to develop safety, security policies that prevent the abuse of minors

Abortion clinic survivor dies

National

National News

Study: SBC’s ‘conservative resurgence’ failed in evangelism
Church growth expert projects ‘much worse’ results without denominational change

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FBW) – Southern Baptist evangelism statistics are grim, but they could be far worse.

National News Briefs

P&G boycott lifted after advertising changes

Features

Celebration of Missions

Celebration of Missions challenges women to reflect on ‘faces’ who have never heard

MELBOURNE (FBC)—Testifying to the cost of being a true “Christ Follower,” speakers at the April 15-16 Celebration of Missions related stories of personal sacrifice, moving nine persons to accept Christ while others publicly committed to increased missions involvement.

Disaster Relief panel shares experiences
Q & A session explores readiness and resources

MELBOURNE (FBC)—Exhibiting a brotherly kindness after the 2004 hurricanes, Southern Baptists and Florida Baptists enacted the scriptural mandate to love others as themselves through a readiness to give time and resources to families in storm-ravaged communities.

‘Who will fill our shoes?’ missionaries ask conference women

MELBOURNE (FBC)—Tossed by waves of confusion and indecision, Gary Clifton struggled with a call to the international mission field for 20 years.

Mother's Day Focus

Neglected, abandoned children loved through FBCH
First Person

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

The ripples unfold

To be able to tell you how your services have blessed me is a great honor and I praise God for the loving hearts He has given each of you. I am blessed not by the material things you are able to supply me with, but by how far His giving goes through your services, which is farther than our understanding of life.

Promotion includes current, former residents

LAKELAND (FBW)—For the first time, the Florida Baptist Children’s Home 2005 promotional materials for its Mothers’ Day offering features current and former residents. Autumn, 14, a resident of the Lakeland campus, is shown receiving a hug from Sarah Johnson, a former resident of the FBCH’s original Arcadia campus.

Florida Baptist Children's Homes
How you can help...

Children’s Homes Mother’s Day Offering promotion underway

Autumn, 14, a resident of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes Lakeland campus receives a hug from Sarah Johnson, a former resident of the Arcadia campus.

Media Montage

Nettles defends biblical identity of Baptists versus soul-liberty

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—What makes one a Baptist?

Billy Graham Bible bold on hot-button topics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The Billy Graham Training Center Bible doesn’t run from hot-button issues. Abortion. Cohabitation. Homosexuality. They’re all covered, along with more than 100 other topics covering less controversial issues like depression, love and loneliness.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

MAY 15: AVOID SIN'S CONSEQUENCES
GENESIS 19:12-13, 15-17, 23-29

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

MAY 22: DECIDE TO OBEY GOD
GENESIS 22:1-14

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College  of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

MAY 15: DODGE DISASTER
JEREMIAH 44:2-10, 18, 28

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.

MAY 22: AVOID ARROGANCE
JEREMIAH 50:11-13, 24-25, 29-32

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.