Wednesday, January 31, 2018

• Trump urges unity, but response divided

  by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- President Trump called for unity across party lines in his first State of the Union speech following a contentious opening year for his administration.

  Speaking to a joint session of Congress and a national television audience, the president told Democrats and Republicans, "[I]t is not enough to come together only in times of tragedy. Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people. This is really the key. These are the people we were elected to serve." Read More

• Twin Cities churches mobilize around Super Bowl

  by Tim Ellsworth, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  Darb02 via Wikimedia Commons

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (BP) -- The hometown Vikings may have fallen just short of playing in this year's Super Bowl, but that hasn't diminished the enthusiasm of Twin Cities churches and Christians in their evangelism efforts surrounding the event.

  "Here's a great opportunity for the Twin Cities, for Minnesota, to share the love of Christ," said Chris Reinertson, lead pastor of Southtown Baptist Church and also the director of missions for the Twin Cities Metro Baptist Association.

  Reinertson said area churches have mobilized in an effort to obey the Scriptural command in Ephesians 5:15: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Read More

• Views on Trump 'not a distraction,' pastors say

  by David Roach, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- In the wake of President Trump's first State of the Union address, the presidents of five Baptist state conventions say believers in the churches they lead hold diverse views on the commander-in-chief, but such diversity has not distracted or divided the congregations.

  When queried by Baptist Press, three of the state convention presidents said church members appreciate at least some of Trump's policies. Four mentioned misgivings about the president within the church body. All five said diverse opinions of Trump are no barrier to church unity. Read More

• In prison, NFL star Michael Vick returned to faith

  by Timothy Cockes/SBC of Virginia, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  Liberty University screen capture

  LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) -- Michael Vick recounted the recovery of his relationship with God during his time in prison, beginning with the 23rd Psalm, in addressing students at Liberty University Jan. 29.

  "My mom told me before I went in Psalm 23 will get you through," Vick said at the Lynchburg, Va., campus. "When I went to Psalm 23, [God] gave me strength."

  The former pro quarterback, now an NFL analyst with FOX Sports, served 23 months in jail on a federal conviction in 2007 for his role in a dog-fighting operation. Read More

• Keep halftime 'friendly, safe,' PTC urges Timberlake

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  Photo by Georges Biard, via Wikimedia Commons

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (BP) -- The last time Justin Timberlake headlined a Super Bowl halftime show, host broadcasting company CBS was slapped with a federal fine for indecency.

  Ahead of Timberlake's halftime performance at Super Bowl LII on Sunday (Feb. 4), the Parents Television Council (PTC) is urging him to steer clear of any moves that could rival the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" of 2004. That was when the highly acclaimed artist was dancing a choreographed routine with Janet Jackson and somehow ripped off part of her top, exposing flesh. Read More

• GuideStone: Don't panic over stock market volatility

  by Roy Hayhurst, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  

  iStock

  DALLAS (BP) -- Volatility in 2018 may buffet the financial markets, which have grown feverishly since the election of Donald Trump in November 2016, according to retirement account assessments by leaders of GuideStone Financial Services.

  Such was the case Jan. 30 when the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4 percent, or 363 points.

  During 2017, however, all three major equity market indices -- the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ -- set record highs more than 60 times. The Dow climbed 28.11 percent; the S&P 500 climbed 21.83 percent; and the NASDAQ climbed 29.64 percent. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Let us pray

  by Waylon Bailey, posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (4 years ago)

  Prayer matters to God, Waylon Bailey writes, recounting key reasons to pray and key elements of prayer. "We need to pray because the Lord is God," Bailey writes, "and besides Him there is no other." Read More