Resources from 2014

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- It was a simple concept -- write one thing that happened because Southern Baptists give to international missions. Missionaries in various regions of Africa, Asia and Europe wrote on chalkboards, spoke via video or audio or posted to #becauseyougive on Twitter to record their "thank you" for support they receive from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.

On the first Christmas, God willingly entered enemy territory disguised as a helpless child. Have you encountered the Lord in a "distressing disguise"?

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The angels' proclamation to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus included the phrase "Peace on earth" in Luke 2. Indeed the birth of the Prince of Peace ushered in the possibility of a new era of peace and tranquility. While it has been seldom realized in the political realm here on earth, in hearts of those who know and follow Christ there is a peace "which surpasses every thought" as highlighted in Philippians 4:7.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Addressing human sexuality and defending freedom of conscience gained high profiles in the work of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission in 2014.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

PADUCAH, Ky. (BP) -- Israeli archeologists have uncovered an impressive entrance to Herod's palace at Herodium. Located only three miles southeast of Bethlehem, Herodium played an important part in the events surrounding the early life of Christ. The December announcement by Hebrew University archeologists Roi Porat, Yakov Kalman and Rachel Chachy dovetails well with the seasonal interest in the nativity accounts of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament.

Do we vote our convictions with our pocketbooks? Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page exhorts us to teach our children what matters most by giving our biggest gifts to support God's eternal vision expressed in Acts 1:8.

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Beginning in 1940, select households began receiving the American Community Survey, or ACS. This is the census "long form" with more detailed questions about Americans, their households and their socio-economic circumstances. Included on this form are four simple questions related to marriage. Questions 20-23 ask respondents to indicate marital status and marital history in very generic terms. There is no invasion of privacy or prying in these questions. This year, the Census Bureau has suggested the deletion of these questions, an omission that has the potential to hurt families.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- On Christmas Eve 1914, Austrian soldier Leo Spitzl sat in a military fortification opposite hostile British forces. At dusk the usual sounds of gunfire ceased and an enemy soldier called out, "Hey, Red!" -- a reference to Spitzl's hair color -- "Remember me from London?"