Wednesday, September 25, 2019

• Greear delivers prayer before U.S. House

  by Seth Brown & Liz Tablazon/Biblical Recorder, posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  Image captured from PBS video

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The words of Psalm 16:1 are located inside a prayer room of the United States Capitol: "Preserve me, O God, for in thee do I put my trust." A similar prayer was spoken on Capitol Hill today (Sept. 25) as Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear opened the afternoon legislative session for the House of Representatives.

  "May You grant that this body rule in a way that directs the men, women and children of this country toward Your goodness, and enables them to respond in thankfulness to You," said Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area. "May we perceive the love that You have for us, and may that translate into love for one another, especially the most ... Read More

• No global right to abortion, Trump tells U.N.

  by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  iStock photo

  NEW YORK (BP) -- President Trump decried efforts within the United Nations to establish a global right to abortion in a speech Tuesday (Sept. 24) to the U.N. General Assembly.

  Trump delivered the remarks on the same day the U.S. House of Representatives initiated an official impeachment inquiry. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced she is instructing six committees to investigate the president. Read More

• University's new program to lower cost, build character

  by Caleb Yarbrough/Arkansas Baptist News, posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  Photo by Caleb Yarbrough

  WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (BP) -- With the cost of higher education on the rise, graduating debt-free has become increasingly difficult for many students. But a new initiative announced by Williams Baptist University could provide students an affordable path to earning a degree while building character along the way.

  At a press conference Sept. 16 outside of WBU's Swaim Administration Building in Walnut Ridge, Ark., WBU President Stan Norman introduced "Williams Works," a program with the goal of making "an academically excellent, Christ-centered university education affordable for all families -- with a real possibility of students graduating debt-free." Williams Baptist University ... Read More

• Mattel launches gender-fluid dolls

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  Mattel photo

  EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (BP) -- Mattel's new gender fluid Creatable World doll can be harmful to children confused about their gender and will likely flop on the market, Christian experts told Baptist Press.

  "These are dolls created by adults for adults to make them feel good about their radical gender theories," Focus on the Family's (FOTF) Glenn Stanton told Baptist Press. "You're going to be able to find these toys on the discount table in about four months, after Christmas." Read More

• Religious liberty gaining momentum in court?

  by Steve West/WORLD , posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  iStock photo

  PHOENIX, Ariz. (BP) -- The Arizona Supreme Court last week rebuked states and municipalities that overzealously enforce anti-discrimination laws.

  The state's highest court said the city of Phoenix cannot apply a nondiscrimination ordinance to the designers of custom wedding invitations. In a 5-3 decision, the court found Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, owners of Brush and Nib Studio, have the right to decline to create custom invitations for same-sex weddings. Justice Andrew Gould, writing for the majority, put forward a sweeping defense of free speech and religious liberty. See related Baptist Press story. Read More

• Lessons in disciple-making

  by Mick Mocha, posted Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  IMB file photo

  NORTH AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST (BP) -- I first met Khalid* through an online follow-up request, a way some people seek answers for their troubled souls.

  We have seen our opportunities to share the Gospel in our area gradually change over the past couple of years, with a new openness that has not been present for many generations. We are now increasingly having open conversations in coffee shops, malls, or while sitting on park benches, about the hope that lives within us and how that allows us to live and serve with joy. Read More