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PANAMA CITY (FBC)—Panama City is a microcosm of cities, towns and communities across Florida and Florida Baptists’ partners which are touched by the generosity of Florida Baptists as they give to the Maguire State Mission Offering.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Although giving by Florida Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program for the first six months of 2009 is lagging nearly 9 percent behind for the same time period in 2008, convention officials attribute the poor showing to the economic recession binding churches in the state.

DAYTONA BEACH (NAMB/FBW)—While most teenagers spent their summer watching TV or playing at the beach or swimming pool, more than 1,000 students and adults invaded Florida with the mission of providing free labor for low-income housing and spreading the love of Christ.

RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)—The air was crisp in the Blue Ridge Mountains as about 100 runners gathered behind the starting line of the Downhill@Dawn half marathon.

Although much attention has been given to efforts to reform health care in America in various media, few citizens seem to be aware of the peril current proposals before the United States Congress pose to the protection of the sanctity of human life—and especially the possibility of taxpayer funded abortion on demand and rationed care that will result in the denial of care to the vulnerable in our society.

Thankfully, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission with its Washington, D.C., office is standing watch for Southern Baptists on this vital issue. The ERLC calls the bill “dangerous” and urges Southern Baptists to express their concerns to their elected officials.

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German theologian Martin Kahler once said, “Missions is the mother of theology.” In my experience, missions assisted me in clarifying the theological message communicated rather than giving birth to theology. I, therefore, prefer the opposite expression: “Theology is the mother of missions.”

Dave Says is a column featuring the financial advice of nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey, the Dave Says column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual calls on Ramsey's radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show.

Maybe the single biggest issue in the debate over health-care reform is cost. By “cost” most people mean how we are going to pay for the president’s and Congress’s proposals.

LAKELAND (FBCH)—The children are lined up anxiously waiting their turn for a motorcycle ride with one of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders members who have volunteered on a Saturday morning to give rides to kids at the Lakeland campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.

MIDDLEBURG (FBW)—More than 1,200 hunters and anglers and their families attended the Clay County Sportsman’s Expo July 18. The event, sponsored by First Baptist Church in Middleburg, was designed to reach those who are passionate about hunting and fishing but who may be apathetic about church, according to Associate Pastor Tim Martin.

LIVE OAK (FBW)—Children of First Baptist Church in Live Oak recently participated in a Service Training Week planned to make children more aware of the church’s involvement in missions. According to Children’s Director Debbie McCall, an average of 140 children and parents heard Bible lessons, played games, and completed service projects in their north Florida city June 21-25.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—“It is never too late to learn,” observed Anna Guy. She is the first student to complete five new web-based courses, How to Involve (Preschoolers/Children/Students/Adults/Your Church) in Missions, offered by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Women’s Missions and Ministries Department.

FANNING SPRINGS (FBW)—For teenagers in rural central Florida, Joppa Baptist Church in Fanning Springs is the place to be the third week in July. While some of their friends may while away summer hours sleeping in or lounging by the pool, 130 Baptist youth worked around homes, churches, nursing homes and day care centers during hot days, and slept on Sunday School classroom floors at night.