In the Witness this week
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Young woman triumphs over debilitating disease
Published May 3, 2007 - MYRTLE GROVE (FBW)?Snatches of feelings lie scattered across Stephanie's bedroom, randomly tucked into pages of old notebooks and stuffed away in dresser drawers. Some scraps of paper contain lyrics to songs, others bear words expressing deep pain and a longing for understanding. Sixteen-year-old Stephanie Williams is all too familiar with trying to put into words the effects of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a debilitating, incurable rare disease which causes inflammation and swelling of the body's joints and other organs. Stephanie is not alone in her illness, however; her 12-year-old sister, Hannah, also suffers from the same disease. Their red-headed younger sister, Rebekah, 10, does not have the disease. The girls' mother, Michelle Williams, said each of them is not only affected in different ways, but each deals with pain very differently. "What works for Stephanie does not work for Hannah," Michelle said. "What works for Hannah does not work for Stephanie."Vivacious and outgoing, Stephanie, with big blue eyes and soft blond hair, is more outspoken?while Hannah, a brunette with a tall, military bearing is more stoic. "Hannah has a tendency to get real quiet," Michelle offered. "Stephanie likes for everyone to know that she's hurting. "Stephanie's symptoms were undetected for years as she pursued running and then swimming, even making it to the Junior Olympics in elementary school. When she was in the fifth grade, things began to take a turn for the worse and she ended up being able to attend school only part of the time. Now nearly 17, she continues schooling from home with Hannah, who is also unable to attend school.
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Baptisms increase in Florida; ACP shows overall decline
Published May 3, 2007 JACKSONVILLE (FBC)?Florida Baptist churches ushered 33,461 new believers into baptismal waters in 2006, an increase of four percent over the 32,126 baptized in 2005. Added to the statewide total are another 5,687 new converts baptized by Florida's partnership churches in Haiti, bringing the total of baptisms to 39,148.
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Baptist chaplain to Blue Angels on deck for 'ministry of presence'
Published May 3, 2007 PENSACOLA (FBW)?For Lieutenant Michael Peyton, being on deck to offer a hand of comfort, a Kleenex or a word of prayer in tragic times is all part of his assignment.
Opinion
Editorial
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A legacy worth leaving
If we were to be honest with ourselves, we all would have to admit that there are times in our lives when we wonder if we are making a difference. Does what we do on a day-to-day basis have eternal consequences that matter in the Kingdom of God? What is the legacy that will remain when we leave this world?
Point of View
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A challenge to pastors
Without question some of my favorite people in the world are the pastors of the Florida Baptist State Convention! I love being with them; visiting them; preaching in their churches; talking on the phone; bumping into them in airports and restaurants; and having them come to the Baptist building for appointments. Our pastors in Florida are without question God's finest.
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Event evangelism can help churches go into community
Does this statement describe your church's plan for evangelism?
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Are God & Allah the same?
In some far-flung field around the world a Southern Baptist missionary enters a territory which has remained hostile to the Gospel for some time. Upon entering the mountainous village, he is able to speak to some of the villagers about eternal matters. They are uninhibited to speak about their faith, although reticent to accept any other opinion, and this missionary quickly gains a cursory understanding of their god.
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Coming to schools near you: Normalizing homosexuality
- NOTE: This commentary may not be suitable for young children. Please use parental discretion.
Letters to the Editor
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Letters to the Editor
Published May 3, 2007 Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.
Florida
Florida News
- Baptisms increase in Florida; ACP shows overall decline
JACKSONVILLE (FBC)?Florida Baptist churches ushered 33,461 new believers into baptismal waters in 2006, an increase of four percent over the 32,126 baptized in 2005. Added to the statewide total are another 5,687 new converts baptized by Florida's partnership churches in Haiti, bringing the total of baptisms to 39,148.
- Baptist chaplain to Blue Angels on deck for 'ministry of presence'
PENSACOLA (FBW)?For Lieutenant Michael Peyton, being on deck to offer a hand of comfort, a Kleenex or a word of prayer in tragic times is all part of his assignment.
- Florida's women celebrate missions joy & action
PLANT CITY (FBC)?Nearly 600 Florida Baptist women, representing 133 churches, gathered at First Baptist Church in Plant City April 20-21 for the Women's Missions and Ministries 113th annual Celebration of Missions.
- Mother's day offering expresses love for children
- How you can help
- Glen St. Mary couple celebrates 76 years of marriage
GLEN ST. MARY (FBC)?During their 76 years of marriage, John and Mae Chesser of Glen St. Mary have sought to live their lives as an example to all, modeling their Christian faith in their relationships with each other and their children.
- Bibliocipher, Witness provide clues in re-uniting women separated by more than 50 years
PALM HARBOR (FBW)?Florida Baptist Witness, a source of information for Baptists since 1884, recently provided information that was instrumental in re-uniting friends after 50 years. Like the weekly bibliocipher which provides clues to spell out a mystery Scripture verse, the name of the puzzle's author furnished the clue for a Clearwater woman to find a long-lost friend.
Florida News Briefs
National
National News
- SBC Committee on Committees includes Passmore, Pollock
SAN ANTONIO (BP)?Appointments to the Southern Baptist Convention's Committee on Committees have been announced by SBC President Frank Page. Page, pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church of Taylors, S.C., announced the appointments in accordance with SBC Bylaw 19 which requires that their names be released to Baptist Press no later than 45 days prior to the annual meeting.
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Midwestern trustees elect four new professors
Florida pastor elected as board first vice-chairman KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)?Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees learned of an increase in full-time equivalent enrollment, passed a $6.3 million budget and elected four new professors during their March 19-20 meeting.
- Kelley calls New Orleans seminary's recovery 'a miracle'
NEW ORLEANS (BP)?Though many question marks still dot the city of New Orleans and its recovery, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley's State of the Seminary address April 12 pointed confidently to God's provision and providence, which continue now 20 months after Hurricane Katrina.
Missions News
- Florida collegians take part in NAMB's Ohio PowerPlant
CLEVELAND (BP)?While others may have swarmed U.S. beaches, 120 collegians ventured to Cleveland, Ohio, for the North American Mission Board's first-ever PowerPlant project for college students in March.
National News Briefs
Features
Godly Women
- Young woman triumphs over debilitating disease
- MYRTLE GROVE (FBW)?Snatches of feelings lie scattered across Stephanie's bedroom, randomly tucked into pages of old notebooks and stuffed away in dresser drawers. Some scraps of paper contain lyrics to songs, others bear words expressing deep pain and a longing for understanding. Sixteen-year-old Stephanie Williams is all too familiar with trying to put into words the effects of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a debilitating, incurable rare disease which causes inflammation and swelling of the body's joints and other organs. Stephanie is not alone in her illness, however; her 12-year-old sister, Hannah, also suffers from the same disease. Their red-headed younger sister, Rebekah, 10, does not have the disease. The girls' mother, Michelle Williams, said each of them is not only affected in different ways, but each deals with pain very differently. "What works for Stephanie does not work for Hannah," Michelle said. "What works for Hannah does not work for Stephanie."Vivacious and outgoing, Stephanie, with big blue eyes and soft blond hair, is more outspoken?while Hannah, a brunette with a tall, military bearing is more stoic. "Hannah has a tendency to get real quiet," Michelle offered. "Stephanie likes for everyone to know that she's hurting. "Stephanie's symptoms were undetected for years as she pursued running and then swimming, even making it to the Junior Olympics in elementary school. When she was in the fifth grade, things began to take a turn for the worse and she ended up being able to attend school only part of the time. Now nearly 17, she continues schooling from home with Hannah, who is also unable to attend school.
- God's grace covers woman's sin in a way clothes could not
ROCKLEDGE (FBW)?For Cathleen Gray, "becoming a new creation" began with her salvation in 1996. She gladly now testifies that indeed "old things pass away" and "all things become new."
- Perry author finds joy in her life's suffering
PERRY (FBW)?In her 71 years, Patricia Taylor has endured tragedy around almost every corner, but she maintains she can be a happy, joyful person because she sees the Heavenly Father working through her suffering. Her recently published memoir, Joy in the Midst of Life's Storms, recounts her experiences so that others will be encouraged, she said.
- Florida authors inspire, offer tips for everyday living
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)?Recently published works by Florida Christian women offer readers suggestions to improve their personal appearance, spiritual health and home organization. The experienced writers employ both Scripture and personal experiences to inspire their readers.
Bible Study
Family Bible Study
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May 13: Accept Responsibility
Matthew 7:1-5; James 4:1-3, 6-12 - Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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May 20:Confront in Love
Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5 - Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
Explore the Bible
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May 13: God's Word Establishes Truth
2 Peter 1:12-21 - Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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May 20: The Spirit of Satan and the Nature of a Pig
1 Peter 2:1-22 - Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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