It was a defining moment. Though I’d been a Christian for years, the question loomed in my mind for days. “Do you believe in the goodness of God?”
The pastor even made the statement that if in all of our Biblical knowledge and years of study we still doubted the “goodness” of God in our own lives, we needed to go back to Christianity 101. It is the foundation of all other beliefs.
We struggle with that belief because of the bad things that happen in our lives or those of our loved ones. “If God is good, why did He allow this to happen?” While a valid question, we must believe that He is at work in all circumstances, both good and bad to bring about His will.
What is goodness?” In Galatians 5, Paul lists the fruits of the spirit. As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes. Where we had harbored selfishness, cruelty, rebelliousness, and spite, we now possess love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol. Everything in the list reflects the character of God, and goodness is one that relates directly to morality.
Bad things have happened in my life and yours. Bad things have happened to people I love. That has caused heartache and I’ve cried out to God, asking “why?” Sometimes I get a glimpse of understanding, yet in many situations I can simply lift those concerns to the throne of grace and choose to trust God to bring about something that brings Him glory.
It’s easy to see God’s goodness in the lives of others. Yet behind every door is a story; a mom on her knees, a father praying for guidance, or a family in turmoil. We all need grace. We all need healing. We all need direction. We all need God.
Is God good? Yes! He is goodness. He is forgiveness. He is grace. He is redemption. He is healing. He is wisdom. He is Love. He is savior and Lord. He is good. Let Him have your heart and teach you about His goodness in your life and how you are to be goodness in your world.
Why? Because God is good.
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vickie Williams-Tillman is a hardworking wife, devoted mother and proud grandmother of six. she works as a clerk at st. Jude the Apostle school during the day, cleans offices at night and divides her spare time between church, family and friends. on the surface, her life seems relatively normal, but she is a certified hero.
On the morning of Sunday, February 19, while headed to the grocery store, she turned off Airline Highway onto Harry Drive. She suddenly noticed something near the roadside. A bloodied police officer was struggling to subdue a suspect in an empty church parking lot. In a split second, WilliamsTillman followed an impulse that wound up saving that officer’s life.
The embattled policeman was Billy Aime—a twenty-one year law enforcement veteran. When Williams-Tillman found him, he was trying to subdue an aggressive man who had just taken a hit of heroin. The situation was wild, and the suspect was desperate to avoid arrest—biting, hitting and even using his fingers to tear at the inside of Aime’s mouth.
Aime, who stands well over six feet tall, said, “First, he hit me with my baton, and I don’t know how many times I got hit with it. I also got hit with my flashlight. He kept grabbing stuff off of my belt. I even felt the blunt force of my radio on my head at least two or three times. And he had his hand on my gun the entire time.”
Aime did everything he could to keep the suspect from gaining control of his weapon. Unable to call for backup, he kept the assailant pinned against his cruiser. But the repeated blows to his head made it difficult for Aime to maintain his equilibrium.
Williams-Tillman came across the scene just as Aime and the suspect had reached a stalemate. Instinctively, she pulled into the parking lot and rolled down her window, asking, “Do you need help?” Aime said yes, and she quickly dialed 911. After calling for backup, Williams-Tillman turned towards Aime. She said, “I asked Billy, ‘are you going to be okay?’ And we just locked eyes. He never said anything. I saw in his eyes that he couldn’t carry on with his task, and that’s why I got out of my car.”
In what she described as an “out of body experience,” Williams-Tillman walked over to Aime and pried the suspect’s hand from his gun. She said, “I grabbed his hand and jumped on his back, everything happened so quick.” The attacker, franticly trying to break free, clawed at her. She used her body to support Aime, helping him restrain the suspect until reinforcements arrived.
For Aime, the whole experience was a blur. His mind was wholly focused on keeping his weapon in its holster, but he said, “I remember the moment she pulled in. I even remember the direction she pulled in from. Did I expect her to get out of her car? No. But she got out, and the next thing I knew, I felt her hand come across my hand and pry the suspect away from my gun.”
As soon as reinforcements placed the assailant under arrest, Aime lost consciousness. The blows to his head caused a serious concussion. In fact, Williams-Tillman’s physical support was the only thing that kept him from collapsing during the attack. Aime spent several days in the hospital, and it took three weeks of recovery before he was able to return to duty.
Meanwhile, the day after the incident, Williams-Tillman was back at St. Jude school. Her close friend and coworker, Pat Yoches, was amazed when she heard about her colleague’s heroism. Williams-Tillman and she have worked side by side for nearly a decade, and Yoches said, “I was shocked. She’s always helping people at work, but I couldn’t believe she responded the way she did to that attack. It’s just absolutely incredible.”
Aime, too, was astonished by Williams-Tillman’s bravery. He credits both God and her for rescuing him that fateful morning. He said, “There’s no doubt she saved my life.”
Aime, who stands well over six feet tall, said, “First, he hit me with my baton, and I don’t know how many times I got hit with it. I also got hit with my flashlight. He kept grabbing stuff off of my belt. I even felt the blunt force of my radio on my head at least two or three times. And he had his hand on my gun the entire time.”
Williams-Tillman placed her own safety at risk by coming to his aid. But—like the Good Samaritan in the Bible—she selflessly responded to Aime’s dilemma because it was the right thing to do. The Holy Spirit fortified her with courage, and she allowed Him to use her as an instrument for good. She said, “At the time, it was all about Billy. It wasn’t about me.”
Since that first accidental meeting, Aime and WilliamsTillman have formed an incredibly tight bond. She said, “Those few moments together have connected us forever.” They now consider each other family, and if she doesn’t hear from Aime every couple of days, Williams-Tillman checks on him. She said, “I’m always concerned about his safety, and he’s in my heart. He’s like a little brother to me.”
As citizens, we are all responsible for supporting our local law enforcement’s efforts to keep our communities safe. And it’s important for us to remember that a uniform and badge do not make a man indestructible. As WilliamsTillman said, “Police officers are only human.” In truth, they need our consideration and encouragement as badly as we need their protection.
The story of Williams-Tillman’s courage serves as a shining example of Baton Rouge solidarity. Her actions remind us that—no matter who we are—we all play an important role in uniting our city. She said, “You can’t look at people for their color. We’re all brothers and sisters. We all share the same Father. That’s what I taught my children, and it’s what I teach my grandkids.”
For Aime, his relationship with Williams-Tillman represents the spirit of the Body of Christ. She came to his aid not just as an African-American woman assisting a white man, but also as a Christian helping a fellow human being. Likewise, he and his colleagues endeavor to serve justice without partiality. He said, “BRPD doesn’t care what color you are. If you call, we’re coming. If people need us, we’re always going to come.”
No one in Baton Rouge could have predicted how God would use a local grandmother to save the life of a police officer. Aime still can’t wrap his mind around it. He said, “I’ve never been assisted before like I was by Ms. Vickie. It was a total shock. She went above and beyond what any other citizen would have done. It was almost like a family member seeing you on the side of the road and jumping into action.”
Vickie Williams-Tillman and Billy Aime are just two ordinary people God happened to bring together through an incredible circumstance. Their paths likely never would have crossed if he hadn’t been patrolling on Harry Drive or if shehadn’t stopped to check on him. Aime said, “Several other cars passed me that day. I saw them go by while I was pressed up against my unit.”
We often fall prey to distraction, and our busy modern lives make it easy to overlook important details. However, it is vital that we take the time to look up from our devices and set our routines aside. By doing so, we become vessels through which God’s love can flow outward into the community. Williams-Tillman said, “It just takes a minute to help somebody. Don’t worry about what other people think, because that holds you back. As long as I’m doing what I know God wants, I’m completely satisfied.”
Fear, hesitation, and self-interest keep many of us from doing the right thing. What makes Williams-Tillman so remarkable is her willingness to serve the Body of Christ no matter the cost. Consider how many times a day the Lord opens doors for you to help your neighbor, and reflect on how often you seize those opportunities.
Human beings—regardless of their age, race or situation—have great potential to effect positive change. All it takes is a little compassion for our fellow man and a great deal of willingness to act when we see a need. WilliamsTillman said, “I wouldn’t advise somebody to do something like I did, but when God says move, you move.”
Trapper was born on the lip of Lake Pontchartrain. He was raised there, reading in the salt-flecked breeze on a splintered wharf that jutted into South Pass. Never bored, he divides his time between trying to raise organic chickens in the Livingston Parish piney woods, traveling to different time zones, and exercising his mind by steadily learning as much as he can. He graduated from LSU in 2013 and Wayne State University in 2015. He is a busy fiction writer and contemplative naturalist. He has a great time living life.
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Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine is adding a new monthly section that focuses on topics of interest to men. MAN UP features articles written by men, for guys and their families. Each future issue of the magazine will provide inspiring and practical information on a variety of subjects, including Being a Godly Husband, Fatherhood, Men Leading Their Families, Men in the Church and Special Men’s Events. Another goal of MAN UP is to encourage men to live godly lives by being genuine followers of Christ. Statistics show that when a man commits to follow Christ, over 90% of the time his family will do likewise. MAN UP will be written by people who are active in ministering to men and others with knowledge on a wide range of manhood issues.
Bax Kegans, Mike Grace, Dayshawn Russell, Dr. George Howard, Clayton Hays, Bruce Lininger Parkview Baptist Church, st. Andrew’s UNC, New Gideon Baptist Church, United Believers Baptist Church, Community Bible Church
Men’s UNITY Breakfasts
by Elmo Winters
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psa. 133:1, KJV
How fitting it is for the first installment for MAN UP to feature an article on a new initiative in the Baton Rouge area for men. The Men’s UNITY Breakfast, a monthly gathering of guys for food, fellowship and fun is the brainchild of two local ministries, the KINGDOM Group and Gulf South Men. It is hosted to inspire and motivate men to be the leaders in unifying the capitol city of Louisiana in Christ. This free event is open to all area men, regardless of racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds. In fact, the UNITY Breakfast promotes bringing guys together by bridging racial and cultural barriers.
Men find Christian comraderie and lasting contacts at each breakfast. Michael ecuyer, Ron skains, elmo Winters and Mark Lubbock
Men gather monthly to discuss ways to bring unity to the Body of Christ.
Enjoying breakfast together.Winters announces the upcoming Men’s UNiTy Breakfasts.
After the racial unrest and division in Baton Rouge last year, ministers Mark Lubbock of Gulf South Men and Elmo Winters, head of the Kingdom Group International conspired to address the issues in a practical manner. Both men serve in organizations that minister to men and believe that the key to solving many societal problems rests in strengthening male leadership in the home, church and the world. Mark and Elmo agree that getting guys together is one avenue to bridging the racial, ethnic and cultural barriers that separate people globally. The UNITY breakfast is hosted monthly by varying churches and denominations. The different venues serve as godly settings that encourage and promote dialogue among the races.
The response by local pastors, ministry leaders and men of all denominations to the breakfast has been extremely positive. Support for the monthly gatherings continues to increase as churches are requesting to host one of the events. Thus far, four ministries, Ministry of New Life, New Gideon Baptist Church, St. John’s Methodist Church and Broadmoor Methodist Church have successfully held Men’s UNITY Breakfasts. The Church of Baton Rouge is scheduled to host the July event. Ministries interested in being a part of this tremendous work of unity in our city should contact Elmo Winters, (225) 305-3006 or Mark Lubbock (225) 252-3331.
Men from various denominations, races and socio-economic backgrounds take the lead in “Manning Up” and coming together as men of God.
The Men’s UNITY Breakfast, a monthly gathering of guys for food, fellowship and fun is the brainchild of two local ministries, the KINGDOM Group and Gulf South Men. It is hosted to inspire and motivate men to be leaders.
The simplicity of the Men’s UNITY Breakfast confirms that it is truly a God thing. Guys gather at a venue, usually a church’s fellowship facility, a host prepares and serves a simple breakfast meal (eggs, grits, sausage and the like), prayer is offered and men talk to each other. The beauty of this is in the fact that people who ordinarily would not be talking to each other are brought together, and dialogue happens. Men have conversations where they learn about each other. The venue provides a safe haven for asking the challenging questions and for providing the difficult answers. Real unity can only happen as is directed in scripture, “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together.” Dwelling together starts with us coming together. Coming together opens the door to us learning how to live together. It starts with talking to one another. We accomplish nothing by talking about or talking at each other!
Arnold Bourgeois and Aaron Hillard
The next Men’s UNITY Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, July 29th at The Church of Baton Rouge, 2037 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. This event will start promptly at 8 a.m. and promises to be a blessed time.
Come and join us?
Anyone interested in providing a future article should contact Beth Townsend at beth@brclm.com or Elmo Winters at elmo@brclm.com. We welcome your comments and suggestions, as well.
Reverend Elmo Winters has been in ministry for nearly 40 years, as an Apostle, pastor, church planter, hospice chaplain, Bible Institute instructor, and short-term missionary. He is the Executive Director of the Kingdom Group International, LLC, and author of two books, “Going by Going” and “OVERCOMING RACIAL AND CULTURAL BARRIERS, to Disciple Men”. Reverend Winters serves on the board of Gulf South Men and is active in Iron Sharpens Iron and other men’s ministries. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). He is married to Therese Winters and father of 5 children.
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Angela Wolf and her band, Soul Salvage Project, are divine messengers
by Lisa Tramontana
Her voice is deep, soulful and unforgettable, often drawing comparisons to Janis Joplin or Melissa etheridge. Her songs describe heartbreak, struggle, and the desire for redemption, all feelings with which she is intimately acquainted. Angela Wolf, lead singer of soul salvage Project, touches people with her music, a combination of Country, southern Rock and Delta Blues. Her style is based on the music of her youth, but the message has definitely changed. As the name of her band suggests, Angela and her bandmates are working to save souls.
She didn’t always have such noble aspirations. Originally from Virginia, Angela grew up with a talent for singing, and even studied classical voice in college. But she left school to join what she calls the “easy money music scene” as the lead singer in an ever-changing procession of pop, rock and heavy metal bands. Along with the easy money came a rebellious lifestyle. “My mother had a deep faith and wanted so much for me to be a strong Christian, but I was always disappointing her,” said Angela. “Even though I grew up going to church, I still got involved in drugs, sex, even criminal activity. At one point, I could have actually gone to prison. I guess I had this idea that my mother’s faith was so strong, her prayers would somehow get me into Heaven someday. God (and my mom) tried to get my attention so many times, but I just didn’t take it seriously.”
And then one day, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, Angela was living in Atlanta just trying to get by. “That’s when it hit me,” she said. “That was the end of my rope. I thought, ‘She won’t be here anymore. Who will pray for me now? Who else loves me like that? What will I do without her?’ I would have done anything for her at that time, and all she asked was for me to please go to church … any church … and just listen.” She went to one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the city — a church where she could be anonymous. She sat in the back row and listened, hoping to hear some remarkable message from God. But as the service was ending, she didn’t hear anything life-changing. And then the preacher reminded the congregation that ‘God loves you.’
“It was something my mother always said to me. And I started to think about what it really means — to know that God loves you in spite of everything you’ve done. It didn’t change my life that day, but the words stayed in my head and I found myself going back to that church every Sunday.” Eventually, Angela was saved and her life turned around. She met a wonderful man, got married and had a son. Her mother lived long enough to see Angela finally find happiness, and more importantly, find Christ. Angela and her husband had a second son and later settled in Hammond, La. when she began to feel the urge to perform again. But this time, her music was dedicated to Christ.
Today, she works with Bill Glass Prison Ministries (TX), Fly Right, Inc. (AL), and The Winning Edge (TX), flying to prisons around the country with other performers and speakers who share the Gospel with inmates, juvenile offenders, and individuals in drug and alcohol rehab programs. Soul Salvage Project is proud of the many people, inspired by their music, who have surrendered their lives to God.
Soul Salvage Project is not the stereotypical Christian band. Their sound is rooted in rhythm and blues, country and southern rock.
“When you look around and see how God is using you to help heal the brokenness and pain in people’s lives … when you see them opening their hearts … it sets you on fire and you don’t want to ever stop.”
Even though Angela is strong in her faith, it requires daily attention, including prayer and scripture study, she said. “I have found that it only takes a second to slip away from the Lord and His Church, so I am committed to being in church every Sunday, whether I am helping to lead worship or not. I make myself go even after an exhausting weekend of ministry because I believe in setting an example for other believers and I want to know what the Lord is going to reveal to me each week.”
She is also committed to setting an example for her sons. “Faith is the foundation that we return to when life gets crazy,” she said. “Thankfully, my sons have developed compassionate hearts and ‘kingdom eyes.’ They have been privy to the details of every evangelistic event in which I have participated and they have witnessed God’s incredible power. I’m convinced that the Lord is blessing my life not for my own fulfillment, but for the benefit of my sons’ futures … to someday do work for the Lord that will far exceed anything I have ever done.”
In spite of the challenges and the pain of her past, Angela is thankful that God never stopped pursuing her and that she finally surrendered to him. She understands, probably better than most people, the struggle to find meaning and happiness in life.
Soul Salvage Project, based in Hammond, La., includes musicians Russ McDaniel, Daniel Foster, Riley Blackwelder and Jason esler. For videos of soul salvage’s performances, and information on contacting the group, visit the website at soulsalvageproject.com.
“I have been in valleys more than I have been on the mountaintop,” she said. “When I find myself in these low places and cannot hear or see the Lord, I have been taught to praise Him. As difficult as it sounds, if you will thank the Lord for your hurts, challenges, and disappointments, He will begin to reveal to you His perspective.”
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:9.
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
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If you’ve struggled to get pregnant or know someone who has, there is a decent chance that a common hormonal disorder played a role. PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is the most common reason why many women have trouble getting pregnant. It affects 1 in
12 women around the world, which translates to 15 percent of women who are of reproductive age. “It can be incredibly frustrating for families who are trying to conceive and aren’t able to get pregnant,” said Dr. Leanne Redman, who studies maternal and infant health at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. She is
leading up a study with scientists and endocrinologists around the country aimed at better understanding PCOS. PCOS develops when patterns of hormone signals from the brain become irregular and the ovaries make more testosterone than they should. Insulin from the pancreas can also contribute to this process which is why many women who suffer from PCOS are also insulin resistant. PCOS commonly results in irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain and increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Because of the elevated testosterone, many women with PCOS also experience unwanted hair growth. “I’ve talked with many women throughout my career who have dealt with PCOS and it’s heart-wrenching for them, particularly after many months and sometime years of trying to conceive. If we can better understand the genes behind this disorder, then we may be able to develop better therapies to help women prevent a diagnosis or to better treat PCOS,” Redman said. “We already know that PCOS runs in families, so genes play an important role in the disorder,” said Redman, who holds the LPFA Endowed Fellowship at Pennington Biomedical. The PCOS Gene Mapping Study is underway right now and its goal is to identify specific genes that increase the likelihood of a woman developing PCOS. To add to the already thousands of women we have studied, Redman and her team are now looking for women of African American heritage between the ages of 18 and 40 to participate in the PCOS Gene Mapping study. “We also know that the number of women affected differs by ethnic groups, so by studying the genes of large groups of women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, this research study hopes to identify the specific genes that increase PCOS risk, so we can better understand how the disorder develops.”
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Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, & True Tales from Home:
stories from Residents and staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries
Written by the Residents & Staff Edited by Julie Cupples and Marc Eichelberger Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight
Do you love a good story? If you’re like me, and you are thoroughly entertained by amazing, actual accounts of everyday people, then you will thoroughly enjoy Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home: Stories from Residents and Staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries
I happened upon this jewel of a book and was drawn in by the title. The book is a collection of remembrances from the children that lived at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, the staff, and photos over the years. The stories are simply charming. One account from Allen C. White, who lived there from 1918-1930, is told by his daughter and she tells the story of when the home was moved from Lake Charles to Monroe. The children had to ride the train. She says according to her father it was the fastest he had ever gone and he fretted that the train might crash due to the rapid speed! So many other stories have just as much personality. During the early years, many of the children worked in cotton and sugarcane fields to help support the ministry. As they think back to those times, their memories are overtoned with goodness and appreciation, not tainted with any bitterness. They felt fortunate to be influenced by Christian values and learn life skills through education and work.
The children’s home is still a vibrant ministry that fosters many children in tough situations and is still located in Monroe.
Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home was independently created and published. It can be found on amazon.com.
Kelli is the owner of illuminated Designs Studio, specializing in graphic design services. She received her Liberal arts degree from LSU and has lived in Baton Rouge for the majority of her life. Kelli loves great stories, so reading and writing have always been passions of hers. over the course of her career she has written for several publications throughout Southeast Lousiana. Find her on facebook: facebook.com/kellissimeauxk
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Jacob Zumo prepares to study at sacred Art school in italy
by Sharon Furrate Bailey
photos by Jacob Zumo
Q: When did you first discover you were an artist?
A: Well, I remember I loved drawing on the class carpet in kindergarten and doodling under my bunk bed as a child, so maybe that was when it all began for me in terms of enjoying art. However, my high school art teacher, Carol Hackler, really taught me to appreciate art. I took art at Dunham thinking it was an easy A, like most tend to think, but I realized then it was a constructive way to release any tension or anxiety I may have had inside me. Carol was without a doubt our artistic psychiatrist. Through her direction and encouragement, my art oozed out of me. The more I look back at my career, I see that my paintings are created due to the emotions housed inside me. This can be a downfall and a blessing! Anyway, aside from art, I was a college basketball player, but my coach did not believe I had room for both art and basketball. Due to ongoing nagging injuries that year, I returned home and completed my marketing degree. I also started dabbling in art again and several years later, I was driven by celebrity art. It has allowed me to travel the world and that is a true blessing.
Q:What would you say is your artist statement, why you create?
A: In a world of spiritually, politically, racially driven differences, I try to create a platter of things anyone can understand. Most people walking by my art may not be spiritual people, but molding pop culture/everyday situations into a spiritual underlining is my goal. For the most part I’ve gotten the two down separately. It’s a matter of coinciding them in a subtle way that some may not see at first but connect to a piece that they notice.
Q: Do you feel painting is a spiritual gift?
A: Absolutely. Being able to create for a living is the most special gift God has given me. Being able to create as he did. He spoke the world into existence — the ultimate Creator — and I feel he has given me a gift of expression. I like to think I follow in His footsteps in some way. Our world and the society we live in needs beauty. Beauty and love will save the world. To me, it seems that the art world has gone from completely Christian driven to today’s view of a secular art being the only ‘good’ art. This is something I plan to change. I have truly seen how much of a sense of humor God has and how fruit comes from skill, prayer, and loved ones, but also how quickly he can humble me in the process of creating. Art is a very emotional and spiritual battle. Through prayer and discernment of his grace and mercy, great work is made. God gets all the glory. The church and our world today is in desperate need of spiritual sacred artists. Da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Caravaggio … just look at their work and you will see a glimpse of heaven. These are a few of the Renaissance artists I admire.
Q: Do you have a favorite book of the Bible or scripture that you have always enjoyed or reflected on?
A: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, His love is everlasting … His Mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118: 1-2)
Q: You have been selected to go to sacred Art school of Firenze in Florence which is quite an honor. Please share how this all came about for you?
A: Norman, my future brother-in-law, was talking about this opportunity. Norman’s work is specifically “sacred art” and I felt he was a shoo-in to this program. On the other hand, I did not think I would get accepted. My works range from rappers to weddings and spiritual themes. God had other plans for me. “His ways are much higher than our ways.” I prayed about it for over a month and decided He wanted me to go learn in Florence. This would give me an opportunity to not only learn art for the first time, but become more spiritually sound in my everyday life and career. We had to submit a portfolio of our art and write an essay of why we wanted to attend the school. Well, I was ecstatic to receive notification that I was one of 12 accepted into this program.
Q: Share anything you would like our readers to know about your journey:
A: To be able to fully engulf myself in the program, I will not be able to work as a full-time artist. I am seeking donations to help with the load of living costs and school tuition. Donations will be tax deductible. Please visit my website, artbyjzumo.com, and if you are led to give to help me on this “sacred” journey, I will never forget your generosity or kindness.
Sharon Furrate Bailey grew up in Alexandria, La., and moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU. She earned a B.A. in English Literature in 1990. She attends Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Sharon has been in the field of marketing, sales and public relations since 1996. She is a gifted artist and has been a columnist since 2005. She can be reached at sharon@brclm.com.
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Last winter, the Diocesan Racial Harmony Commission met for a workshop on racial sobriety. Pictured here are (from left) Father Clarence E. Williams; Bishop Muench; Father Josh Johnson of St. Aloysius; Deacon Alfred Adams, Director or the Diocesan office of Black Catholics; Father Tom Clark SJ, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, and Sister Adele Lambert CsJ. Photo provided by Deacon Dan Borné
It’s hard to believe, that a year has passed since Baton Rouge made national headlines as a city beset by violence, unrest, frustration and sorrow.
Last July, Alton Sterling was shot and killed by a Baton Rouge Police officer, a tragedy that sparked weeks of protests and accusations of racism. Just two weeks later, a gunman shot six law enforcement officers, killing three.
Hoping to promote peace in the community, Bishop Robert W. Muench founded the Diocesan Commission on Racial Harmony, which includes priests and laymen to collaborate with other faith groups in promoting mutual understanding and respect. The bishop’s goal is to involve churches from across the city to work with each other and within their own congregations to break down barriers of racism.
“The people in our diocese have experienced so much pain and suffering because of the sin of racism,” said St. Aloysius’ Father Josh Johnson, one of the commission’s co-chairs. “Prejudice and hatred oppose God’s plan for us and it’s our Christian duty to foster unity wherever and whenever we see an opportunity.”
The commission was established last fall with a dozen members evenly divided among white and African-American individuals. Rev. Tom Clark of Immaculate Conception Church is the group’s second co-chair.
“We are already focusing on prayer, fasting and dialogue as ways to achieve our goal,” Father Josh said. “We will be inviting people of different backgrounds to meet and share their experiences, tell their stories, and really listen to each other. It will inspire us to collaborate on ways to eradicate the forces that are perpetually dividing us.”
Already, the group has participated in a racial sobriety workshop and hosted an educational event for those affected by the flood. The commission also designed a special prayer card that was distributed to churches in the area. The group’s focus now is a proposal that will establish new initiatives, including a lecture series and special community outreach events.
“This commission touches the heart of what it means to be a Christian,” he said. “Just as Jesus brought healing and renewal to the world 2,000 years ago, we have the ability to bring healing to our world today.”
For more information on the Bishop’s Commission on Racial Harmony, contact the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge at (225) 387-0561.
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According to the Word of God, believers in His Christ of the Scriptures have been declared righteous by God and are His saints; and NOW, His Saints are the beneficiaries of God’s continuing Work, the “riches of His divine GRACE” NOW. (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7, 10)
The believer is light in the Lord – (Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:5)
The believer is reconciled – (2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Romans 5:10; Colossians1:21)
The believer is related to God through propitiation – (1 John 2:2;1 Peter 3:18)
The believer is vitally conjoined to Christ for the judgment of the old man “unto a new walk” – (Romans 6:1-10)
The believer is called a child of God – (John 1:12,13;3:16; 1 Peter 1:23)
The believer is justified – (Romans 4:5; 3:24-26; 5:1)
The believer is glorified – (Romans 4:17;8:30; Colossians 3:4)
The believer is complete in Christ – (Colossians 2:9-10)
The believer is crucified with Christ – (Galatians 2:20)
The believer is buried and risen with Christ – (Colossians 2:12)
The believer is delivered from the powers of darkness – (Colossians 1:13; Act 26:18)
Informtion provided by Radio Bible Courses, Ltd.
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In our January 2016 edition, we shared the story of two young missionaries who chose to begin their future together on the mission field… “Jennifer and Donald Hartung were still newlyweds when they packed their belongings, left their Baton Rouge families, and headed to Phnom Penh, Cambodia in December 2014. They were on their way to work as missionaries through their church, River Ministries international, based in Addis, La. Preaching the gospel was a shared dream, but one that started with separate callings.” since that story was published, we wanted to update our readers. Recently, Jennifer and Donald came home to Addis to update their supporters, visit with family and continue to raise awareness of the needs and accomplishments of their work in Cambodia.
From Jennifer: “since our last visit in 2015, a lot has changed. • The village churches are now pastored by a local Khmer pastor. • We moved to a new city. • We have been part of the birth of an international church.
God is doing such great things. We’ve seen missionaries grow to a place in their relationship with God they never knew possible, locals come to know the living God who hears their prayers,
and business people find a deeper purpose in their work through this church. We’ve put a priority on personal evangelism and discipleship. everything we do is for the end goal of new souls heading towards the Kingdom and helping those precious brothers and sisters along that path. This past year, we’ve taught 2 semesters of english to the local community 18 years and older. These classes have turned into a small church body in and of themselves. shy students who started out unwilling to participate are now
boldly sharing the gospel to new students. it’s really amazing. Through these classes we’ve seen the need for a teen ministry. so, when we get back in June, that will be one of the first things we get started on. Revival is coming to Cambodia and we are so excited to be a part of it. if you’re ever in southeast Asia, we’d love for you to visit The River siem Reap. you can find us on Facebook or email us personally at itsahartunglife@gmail.com.”
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The SAVE LIV35 Foundation (pronounced save lives) held its first Gala on April 22 in Ponchatoula. It was a huge success in spreading awareness of the foundation’s six initiatives. Founder Stacie Triche was especially grateful to the local community for helping to save lives by sharing her nephew’s story. Her 14-year-old nephew, Charlie, died from inhalant abuse after inhaling keyboard air duster, thinking it was as harmless as sucking helium from a balloon.
“My goal is to warn as many parents, administrators and children as possible of the dangers of inhalants so no other family has to suffer the horror my family has suffered in Charlie,” Triche said.
Founder Stacie Triche with the Tebow sisters
Sally-Ann Roberts, a co-anchor at Channel 4 in New Orleans and a guest speaker at the Gala, said, “I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have been involved with this foundation since its start over a year ago. They are truly saving lives through their six initiatives, through anti-drug and anti-bullying awareness, providing aid to sex-traffic victims, and teaching our youth to give back to their communities.”
Katie Tebow and Christy Tebow Allen (sisters of former football player Tim Tebow) spoke at the gala and are actively supporting the foundation through their FAITH CAR35, LOVE INSPIR35 and TRAFFICKING-ABUSE CRI35 Initiatives, which grant wishes for individuals with special needs and provide aid to single mothers and victims of sex-trafficking.
Katie and Christie Tebow
“I am grateful for the love and support the LOVE INSPIR35 Initiative provides to single mothers as I became a single mother two years ago,” said Katie Tebow.
Christy Tebow spoke on behalf of the TRAFFICKING-ABUSE CRI35 Initiative. “It has been a blessing to see these young girls and boys who are trapped as sex slaves brought into safety and to see mothers reunited with their families,” she said. The sisters thanked SAVE LIV35 Foundation for its support of the Tim Tebow Foundation through Night to Shine, which provides a prom-like experience each year for individuals with special needs.
Comedian Johnny Rock, Channel 4 News Anchor Sally-Ann Roberts and News With A Twist Reporter Jabari Thomas
Others in attendance include Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, SLU Football Head Coach Ron Roberts, LSU 2012 MVP Placekicker Drew Alleman, News with A Twist Host Jabari Thomas, TV Talk Show Host Jeff Crouere, Comedian Johnny Rock, and countless other media members, politicians and community leaders.
Before I began seminary, I was involved with a prison ministry. This ministry takes place over a weekend. The days are long, starting at 7 a.m. and not ending until 9 p.m. The agenda for the weekend is packed, start to finish. It consists of talks, followed by small group discussions that center on God’s goodness and love for the 42 incarcerated participants. The team that makes these weekends possible consists of 45 people from the “free world” and 30 inmates, or “inside helpers” who have previously attended one of the weekend events and continue to demonstrate service and leadership within the walls of the prison.
During one particular weekend, between talks, while the participants were outside in a large tent having group discussions, I was sitting by myself in the chapel. It was springtime so everything was blooming and the air was full of pollen. As a result, I was suffering from a terrible sinus headache — one of those right behind your eyes, which makes you feel like your eyes could pop out at any moment. As a visitor inside the prison, I was not allowed to bring any medication in and the dose from earlier in the morning was wearing off. Instead, I asked that the lights be turned off for a moment. I just sat there with my head down and my eyes closed, wondering if I was going to be able to make it until the end of our activities.
While I sat there, one of the inside helpers asked, “What is wrong?”
I responded, “Hey, it’s no big deal, I simply have a headache.”
“Well in that case, I am going to say a prayer for you,” he replied.
Before he began praying, he motioned for the other three inside helpers, who were working to set the chapel up for the next activity, to come and pray with him. There we were, me sitting in a chair and these four inmates standing over me, laying their hands on my head and shoulders.
I found myself lost in the words of the prayer, and to this day, I have no idea how long the prayer was. While he was praying, unseen by me, others began to quietly join the circle. By the time he had finished, I was surrounded by the entire group — 44 men from the free world and 72 prisoners. When the leader finished praying, the group’s resounding “Amen” startled and surprised me. This act of service and kindness was completely unexpected and it changed the tone of the rest of the weekend.
Reflecting upon these events, a few things have emerged for me. First, the Book of Genesis, after six days of creation, reads: “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Gen 1:31) God’s creation is rooted in God’s goodness. As the author of the Acts of the Apostle writes, “in [God] we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) This was certainly true for me that spring day inside the chapel surrounded by prisoners. The goodness of God is not limited to our particular religious views, political opinions or any other notion we may have. The goodness and love of God is the underpinning for the whole of creation and is often encountered in unexpected and surprising ways.
Second, one of the primary ways in which we encounter and participate with God’s goodness and love is by serving others. This also was true that day in the chapel. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.” (Eph 3:7) Like Paul, the prisoner’s willingness to be a servant allowed him to receive God’s grace, which empowered him and everyone present to experience God’s goodness and love in a powerful way.
This experience, along with others, has taught me that when we are willing to be servants first, we are swept up into the work that God is doing — allowing us not only to experience the goodness and love of God but also empowering us to be that which we were created to be — expressions of God’s goodness and love in the world.
The Rev. Ashley Freeman lives in Zachary, La. with his wife Annie and their three children, where he is the rector of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. He attended Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where he graduated in 2015. Ashley grew up in Fairhope, Alabama and was active with the Kairos Prison Ministry while living there, from 2007-2012.
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But lifestyle changes can help you manage the disease
The incidence of diabetes has increased nationwide, but it has become especially worrisome in Louisiana. Two major risk factors for diabetes are obesity and sedentary lifestyle, which explains why Louisianans are so vulnerable.
Our food is famous, but far from healthy, and although we are called the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” our top “sports” — hunting and fishing — don’t burn many calories. Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, which is necessary to store and process sugar or “glucose.” When the amount of glucose builds up in the body, it can damage the organs and nerves, and interfere with blood circulation, leading to heart disease, stroke, blindness and other complications.
You should make an appointment with your primary care physician if you notice the following symptoms. Not all of these symptoms indicate diabetes, but it’s best to be tested by a medical specialist.
Frequent urination
Feeling thirsty all the time
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Tingling/numbness in hands or feet
Early detection is important because your physician can help you make lifestyle changes that will immediately reduce your risk of complications. Simple changes such as eating healthy, losing weight, quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, and checking your blood sugar often can help you manage the disease.
Recent reports from the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show these statistics:
Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and a third are unaware they have it.
In Louisiana alone, 32,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes each year.
Nearly 13% of adults in Louisiana have been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 36% have prediabetes .
In 2015, the National Institutes of Health invested nearly $10 million in diabetes-related research in Louisiana.
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spent nearly half a million dollars on prevention and educational programs in Louisiana.
Hispanic, African American and American Indian adults are twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. For the health of yourself and your family, a good place to start is by adopting a healthier diet. It’s easier than you think. Here’s a healthy, but delicious recipe that will make the whole family happy. And for more information on diabetes, visit diabetes.org.
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A new academic year begins next month, and tens of thousands of students will flock to Louisiana’s universities. The population of Baton Rouge will swell as freshmen from across the globe enroll at Louisiana state University, southern University, and Baton Rouge Community College. Most of those students will seek to enhance their college experience by joining extracurricular teams or organizations, and as a result, many of them will be hazed.
Hazing is the act of subjecting someone to abuse, humiliation, and psychological ridicule as part of an initiation. These days, hazing is so pervasive in American universities that according to Dr. Elizabeth Allan and Dr. Mary Madden’s study, Hazing In View: College Students at Risk , more than half of all post-secondary students are involved in some form of on-campus social intimidation
Also known as peer-inflicted trauma, hazing affects students of all genders, races, incomes, family backgrounds and ages. No demographic is immune. Social intimidation/ abuse is most often associated with men, but a 2006 article on HealthResearchFunding.org, titled “38 Dramatic Hazing Death Statistics,” suggests women are hazed just as often as their male counterparts in academic environments. Research conducted by Dr. Colleen McGlone found that half of all NCAA Division 1 female athletes reported having been hazed.
In general, athletes experience peer-inflicted trauma more often than any other student group. Social violence typically occurs in athletic departments under the pretext of “team-building” or developing “mental endurance,” and the problems associated with sports hazing have spiked in recent years.
Hazing In View found that peerinflicted trauma in college athletics grew by 300% in years between 1978 and 2006. Hazing takes many forms and typically manifests through varying degrees of physical, psychological, and/or emotional abuse. Coercion and intimidation are used to force students into humiliating and dangerous situations. “38 Dramatic Hazing DeathStatistics” found that 67% of all hazing episodes are humiliation-based, and most of those incidents involve alcohol.
Hazing in any form, or the use of any method of initiation into fraternal organizations in any educational institution supported wholly or in part by public funds, which is likely to cause bodily danger or physical punishment to any student or other person attending any such institution is prohibited. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days, or both, and in addition, shall be expelled from the educational institution and not permitted to return during the current session or term in which the violation occurs.
Louisiana is actually one of 44 states that has laws explicitly prohibiting hazing on high school and college campuses. If caught, perpetrators and participants face jail time and heavy fines. Meanwhile, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska offer no legal deterrent to on-campus social violence. So universities in those states are forced to rely on individual administrative policies to handle cases of peerinflicted trauma.
Louisiana’s colleges take hazing very seriously, and when incidents are reported, consequences are usually administered swiftly. For example, in 2015, LSU’s chapter of Acacia Fraternity was suspended from campus for three years due to evidence of forced alcohol consumption and physical violence against some of its members. Likewise, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was removed from campus in 2012, returning in 2015 after charges of hazing, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and endangering the safety of others were brought against the chapter.
Even though universities are well equipped to handle problems associated with hazing, incidents usually go unreported. According to Hazing in View , 95% of hazed students do not file reports, making it incredibly difficult for universities to track
statistics on social abuse and intimidation. The same study reported that 36% of affected students said they did not alert officials because “there’s no one to tell.”
Some students are unsure where to turn after being hazed, because occasionally, university employees ignore acts of social intimidation. “38 Dramatic Hazing Death Statistics” found that 40% of college students said their coach or professor knew when specific hazing practices were occurring on campus. In some instances, faculty members actually participate in on-campus social violence. Twenty-two percent of students said that a coach or advisor instigated peerinflicted trauma.
Reporting abuse can be especially tricky for victims of on-campus social violence in Louisiana because people who submit to being hazed can legally be prosecuted under the law. Therefore, after being abused or intimidated, many students remain silent in order to avoid disciplinary consequences. Laws established to protect students sometimes discourage victims from coming forward and the cycle of peer-inflicted trauma perpetuates itself.
Young adults who submit to hazing are typically in search of inclusion. Adjusting to life in college can be difficult, and acclimating to the complex social landscape of adulthood is tricky. As
students seek independence and develop personal identities apart from their parents, they often fall prey to peer pressure.
Many freshmen have already experienced peer-inflicted trauma before ever enrolling in their first college course. It is estimated that 1.5 million children are hazed every year in American high schools. Hazing In View points out that roughly 47% of students enter college having already experienced some form of social violence.
Even though the effects of peer-inflicted trauma are mostly psychological and emotional, hazing is sometimes fatal. Hazing In
View indicates that since 1970, at least one hazing-related death has taken place on an American college campus every year. That research also concludes that 82% of deaths from on-campus social violence involve alcohol.
In February, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died of injuries from alcoholrelated Greek hazing at Pennsylvania State University. In the months since his death, Penn State has taken control
Jim and evelyn Piazza stand next to a photo of their son, Timothy Piazza. photo credit Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com (ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com)
Sadly, alcohol use is the number one contributor to social violence in on-campus fraternities. HealthResearchFunding.org found that 75% of fraternity members engage in heavy drinking compared to 49% of the rest of the male student population. And fraternity men are significantly more likely to commit sexual assault due to alcohol consumption.
Hazed students are often coerced into drinking extreme amounts of alcohol, which has led to increased reports of hazing-related sexual violence. The first recorded incident of hazing involving sexual abuse occurred in 1983, and according to Hazing In View, episodes of peer-inflicted trauma linked to sexual intimidation, nudity or stimulation have increased in frequency over the past 20 years.
Hazing takes place in every type of on-campus organization. Students don’t have to be athletes or members of a fraternity to face social intimidation or abuse. In fact, Hazing In View found that 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams and organizations experience some form of peer-inflicted trauma. Visual media plays an increasingly important role in modern hazing. We live in a digital age and according to “38 Dramatic Hazing Death Statistics,” more than 50% of peer-inflicted trauma is documented through
LSU Greek Life General Policy on Hazing
No individual student, group or student organization shall conduct or participate in any activity, occurring on or offcampus, which includes hazing. Hazing with or without the consent of the student being hazed is prohibited, and a violation of that prohibition renders both the person inflicting the hazing and the person submitting to the hazing subject to discipline.
photographs and posted online via social media. So the shame, pain and humiliation of hazing often has lasting digital imprints.
There is no government agency that tracks statistics on hazing, and reports of on-campus social trauma are usually filed as “accidents.” Universities and sociology departments are independently responsible for conducting research on hazing. Most available studies are over a decade old, and there’s no way of knowing how deep the problems associated with on-campus social violence really go. Therefore, as Christians, we are responsible for trusting the discernment of the Holy Spirit and doing our part to shine a light on student coercion, humiliation and violence.
The symptoms of hazing are usually easy to detect. Signs of bodily harm (cigarette burns, lacerations, bruises, etc.), depression (self-imposed social isolation, anxiety, extreme levels of stress, etc.) and poor academic performance are three typical indicators of peer-inflicted trauma. So whether you are a student, friend or a parent, alert college officials if you suspect someone close to you has been hazed. University administrators are well equipped to investigate acts of social violence and are prepared to respond quickly when a student’s safety is at stake. With a little help from our community, the Baton Rouge 2017-18 academic year could see on-campus hazing eliminated. But it’s up to each of us as individuals to recognize the signs of social violence and act accordingly.
Trapper was born on the lip of Lake Pontchartrain. He was raised there, reading in the salt-flecked breeze on a splintered wharf that jutted into South Pass. Never bored, he divides his time between trying to raise organic chickens in the Livingston Parish piney woods, traveling to different time zones, and exercising his mind by steadily learning as much as he can. He graduated from LSU in 2013 and Wayne State University in 2015. He is a busy fiction writer and contemplative naturalist. He has a great time living life.
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