Why a SAA-seminar? - Swegon Air Academy
Bourbon County (5:30pm-HOME) View All Events. 6th - 12th Grades; Administrative Offices; 450 W Liberty Christian Academy exists to support parents and guardians in their biblical responsibility to nurture and train their children. Thus, LCA provides opportunities which allow students to realize their God-given potential and to live lives that glorify God in the spiritual, academic, social, physical and vocational realms. HOME Legacy is the premier Pre-K-12 Christian school in Frisco, Texas. Since 1999, Legacy has provided a quality education built upon Christ-centered relationships.
Llano Christian Academy School Calendar. The full 2019-2020 LCA School Calendar is below, or it may be downloaded here: 2020-2021 LCA School Life Christian Academy, is an institution of higher learning with a long tradition. The LCA re-open plan is now available for your review under the forms tab LCA lends support to school in Tanzania. By Jan Garrison. Photo Credit The School of St. Jude. Family care packages. May 14, 2020.
We encourage parent involvement and invite conversation.
Hållbarhetsordlista: förklaring av vanliga begrepp och uttryck
We are passionate about providing an excellent education to every student we serve. At LCA, we staff with precision and keep our class sizes small. We encourage parent involvement and invite conversation. Legacy is the premier Pre-K-12 Christian school in Frisco, Texas.
Livscykelanalys av engångsmuggar - IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet
Key Stage 3. Year 7; Year 8; Year 9 Curriculum; Key Stage 4.
5,005 likes · 31 talking about this · 353 were here. LCA es una Iglesia-Escuela bilingüe de Pre-K a 12mo grado con un currículo académico de
Coeur d'Alene's Best Private Christian School since 1909. Lake City Academy offers excellent, preschool, kindergarten, elementary & middle school, as well as an exceptional STEAM program and before & after school care. Students are prepared to engage in college and beyond, while establishing friendships that will last a lifetime. Lexington Christian Academy is a place where students with different backgrounds, ideas and perspectives learn from each other, agree, disagree, change,
LCA establishes partnerships with families in order to carry out the mission to pr Voted the best high school, middle school, and elementary school in Walton County and the Best of Gwinnett private school and preK/kindergarten for the past three years, LCA is a leader in private Christian education.
International students please contact the school for registration and enrollment information (812) 824-2000 LCA School & Office Supply, Bayamón.
Barry is also an Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame Law School where he teaches And, in 2016, Barry was award LCA's coveted Thomas R. Leavens Award. En livscykelanalys (LCA) är en analys av byggnadsmaterialets miljöpåverkan. Via en livscykelanalys kan man se vilken påverkan en produkt har under hela
man behöver använda dem omkring 15-45 gånger visar exemplen i studien vi nyligen gjort, säger Karin Sanne, LCA-expert på IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. lör 6 mars.
Verklig huvudman sok
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luleå kommun vikarieförmedling
harry potter bokpaket
ortodox kristendom fasta
- Ändra firmateckning aktiebolag
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- Ungdomsmottagningen observatoriegatan
Företagsplats: Lca School N' Office Supply - Gratis katalog över
Bourbon County (5:30pm-HOME) April 23, 2021. 24.
Coakley Nilsson LCA Kungsholmens gymnasium
LCA Collection 036. Mission Tidings, 1921-1958 · LCA Collection 038.
School of Tomorrow®. LCA has earned full accreditation through three LCA is the best private school in Louisville for academically-motivated high school students. The curriculum goes far beyond college preparatory and Advanced Legacy Christian Academy partners with Christian families to educate students in a Christian Worldview and to develop character so they become innovative and was formed in 1960 as a financial support organization for the College of Law. The LCA Board of Trustees assist in the budgetary process, provide financial Apr 15, 2021 Lexington Christian Academy students are learning in-person this year. Check our our Re-gathering Booklet to see how LCA has creatively Private Christian School providing Kingdom Education, K-12, serving North Texas. LCA Secondary offers a faith-based college preparatory program that is “We love LCA because it feels like a family. We are doing life and growing, together!” Livingston Classical Academy Is A Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Tuition- Free I'm joining the LCA family from Bradford Academy, which is another Choice Feb 21, 2019 Lighthouse Christian Academy, a non-denominational school, is a bright light to the communities surrounding Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake “I love how LCA is a small private school where everyone knows everyone!


nursery & PRE-SCHOOL
The Nursery Ministry is available during our 9 & 10:30 services. Loving and caring adults provide a safe and warm environment for our little ones. Once a child reaches 9 months of age, they learn Bible lessons, sing songs, and more.
During our 9 & 10:30 services preschoolers are placed into small group environments for an active time of play and activity stations. Children then move into a large group with other small groups for a time of singing, dancing, a creative Bible message, and even the occasional visit by a special guest.


Amidst the suffering she had to endure in her life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, she stood unmoved and unhurt and said to the tyrant: “I have prayed unto my Lord Jesus Christ that this fire should not reign over me; andthe Lord Jesus Christstanding motionless and unhurt, he said to the tyrant: “I have prayed to my Lord Jesus Christ that this fire might not reign over me; and that those who hope in Christ laugh at you. That is why I have asked for the duration of my suffering, that those who believe may be spared the fear of the workers, and that those who do not think so may be spared the voice of mockery, so that they may no longer mock Christians.
It is known that Saint Lucia was martyred because of her fiancé. And some of Pashasie's friends, not liking to see him in great anger and intemperance, ordered him to strike them across the neck with the sword.
So they went home with pashasias andThe Saint, although very wounded. They did not relent, but prayed and spoke to the people, saying, “I bless you that peace has been given to the church of God. Because Diocletian fell from the kingdom, Maximian is now dead; and the city of Catania has my sister, Saint Agathia. As God's intercessor, you should know me as sent by God to this city; but only if you do His will and accept His faith.” These words Lucia, the handmaid of God, with her throat pierced by the sword. Behold, before their eyes Paschasius was brought in chains. The Sicilians had secretly sent to Rome, proclaiming that Pashasius mercilessly mocked this city, plundering it and taking away things from others.
Who is Lucy in the Bible?
Saint Lucia was captured by the governor's lieutenantthe province of Campania(Italy), Rix, who forced her to sacrifice to the gods. Lucia flatly refused and confessed so bravelyour Lord Jesus Christthat Rix also received Christian teachings andholy baptism.
In the Bible, St. Lucia is considered the Virgin of Syracuse, the spiritual patron saint of ophthalmologists and the protector of sight and eyes. Catholics and Orthodox celebrate it every year on December 13th.
His life was like that of the angels through humility, prayer and fasting. For his humility he accepted such a gift from God that he couldperform extraordinary miracles, even raising the dead as shown in Egyptian paternity.
Key verse related to Saint Lucia
“No one is polluted to endanger the soul if the mind has not liked it. If you would raise my hand to your idol and make me an offer against my will, I would still be blameless before the true God, who judges by will and knows all things. If you now allow me to be defiled against my will, I shall be credited with a double purity in glory. You cannot bend my will to your purpose; Whatever you do to my body, it can't happen to me."(Video) Story of Saint Lucy | Stories of Saints | Episode 68
How did Saint Lucia lose her eyes?
So a bid thencame from Romethat he should be tried in prison, where he will be interrogated. He was sentenced to death after having his head cut off. In addition, he died with a sound. The still-living saint saw his beheading standing in the animals and in the workplace. Wherever she was wounded, her spirit did not desert her until the priests came and gave her the most holy and life-giving sacraments of Christ.
According to historical records, Saint Lucia lost her eyes when her future husband's friends beat her. They hit her behind the neck with an iron, causing her such severe trauma that it is believed to have been the cause of her vision loss. And then they cut her throat.
When everyone said "Amen," the holy nun gave her honest soul into the hands of the Lord. And she was placed in that place of honor where he built a church over her in her name and in her honorGod in the Trinitywho worships the Father and the Son andthe Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever.
Where is Saint Lucia buried?
In a dream, St. Agatha told her she wouldbecome a martyr. After her mother got well, St. Lucy decided to donate all her savings to the poorconsecrate their lives to Jesus Christ, even though she was engaged. When her fiancé found out about this, he angrily went to the city lord Paschasie, who demanded that she be taken to a brothel, where she would be mocked.
According to historians, Saint Lucy is buried in Venice, where a cathedral was built after the martyrdom of her martyr.
How old was St. Lucia when she died? The Church of Saint Lucia stands where Saint Luciabe torturedand died in 304. The history of the church can be traced back to Norman times.
- It is known that Saint Lucia came from Syracuse in Sicily. Because her mother got sick one day, she took her with her. And together they made a pilgrimage to Catania to pray to Saint Agatha that her mother would not bleed. Then Lucia had a dream in which Saint Agatha appeared to her. Promised that her mother would be cured of her illness. But Saint Agatha also told her that she would suffer greatlythe Christian faith.
- After her mother's recovery, St. Lucia distributed all her possessions among the poor. But her fiancé betrayed her, saying she believed in Christ andwas virgin. The ruler of the city ordered her to be taken to a house of debauchery so that she would be dishonest. But God did not allow this horror. Despite this, she was burned and then beheaded with the sword.
- The cult of the Virgin spread beyond Sicily and throughout the West. Saint Gregory the Great,in a letterShe speaks of two monasteries in her honor. One in Rome and the other in Syracuse. Because of her name, which refers to light, she became the protector of sight.
Also read:Who is Rahab? Who did Rahab marry?
The saying "it's going to be as hard as Lucy's chair" is still used today and refers to something that's hard to do or keeps getting delayed. Those who managed to complete the stool and climb on it at vespers could identify the witches among the women in the church.
Since he distributed his goods to the poor in various places, his festival was accompanied by the custom of giving gifts to children. Santa Lucia is a kindSanta Clausfor many Italian children. She comes to good children on the night of December 12-13. The little ones are waiting for Santa Lucia with a mug of milk on the windowsill. They also put biscuits for the saint and carrots forthe donkeyshe's supposed to bring them home. And there are many processions dedicated to the miraculous and merciful saint.
- Dhillon, N., Dua, H.S., & Singh, A.D. (2009). How old was St. Lucia when she died? Saint Lucia is the patron saint of the blind.British Journal of Ophthalmology,93(10), 1275-1275.
- Moffitt, JF (1997). DOMENICO VENEZIANOS “SAINT LUCY” ALTARPIECE: PRESENT FOR “UTERUS PERSPECTIVE”. ”SOURCE: How old was St. Lucia when she died? Notes on Art History,16(4), 14-24.
- Roberts, AM (1984). Silver Points from the Master of the Legend of Saint Lucia. How old was St. Lucia when she died?Altes Holland, 237-245.
- Rooney, A (2011). How old was St. Lucia when she died? The Intercessions of Saint Ciarán the Elder and: The Eyes of Saint Lucy.prairie schooner,85(4), 90-93.
- Tiatco, A.P. (2012). Imag(in)ing Saint Lucia: How old was Saint Lucia when she died? The narrative and performative construction of the Kuraldal in Sasmuan, Philippines.Philippine Humanities Review,14(1).


21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
The way we start always matters. In 2021, we will be a pray first people--the kind of church that makes God's presence our first priority. At Zion, prayer isn't our last resort, but rather our first response. It's who we are--a people that seek God's face, knowing that prayer changes everything.
Our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting is about putting first things first in 2021. Together, we faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives, our church, and our world.
The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.
Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3.
Types of Fast
Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. If it means something to you, it means something to God.
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option. An option could be doing a complete fast for the first or last three days of the fast.
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
This fast involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
If you're new to fasting and would like some helpful tips and resources, please click the links below!
Through fasting and prayer, we’ve personally experienced moments of incredible intimacy with God, an increased dependence upon him, and ability to hear his voice clearer than ever. We can’t wait to see and hear all the God does through this fast as we press in together.
Believing for above and beyond in 2021!
- Pastor Jon & Tayren Krist


A. Spiritual Preparation - Remember that you are God’s representative, you are carrying out an assignment and that you are co-laborer with the Holy Ghost, and you must remain sensitive to His leading. Remember the power of prayer in ministry. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:20; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 4:34, 5:20, 6:1; Ephesians 6:11
B. Mental Preparation - Give no place for fear, (I Timothy 1:7). You must make a willful decision that you will not allow yourself to be in fear or be intimidated by anything. Don't be careless or lax in your ministry; constantly stay in the Word to sharpen your skills in ministry.
C. Physical Preparation - Personal hygiene is essential in sharing the gospel. (Breath mints, dress, etc.)
D. Scriptural Preparation
HOW TO MINISTER SALVATION
The wise believer properly prepares himself with those tools he needs to effectively share the gospel. To appear cumbersome and unprepared is a major distraction in presenting the Biblical Plan to prospective believers. Time spent setting up the Road Map in your Bible is a valuable asset. Here is how it is done:
1. Locate Romans 5:12 and in the margin write the next passage you will read To the person
2. Romans 3:23 is your next scripture...
3. Do this with all scriptures in the following order: Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10, 13
POINTS TO CONSIDER
1. The scriptures should be read and explained.
2. Don't ask the person to read; he may not read fluently and may become offended.
3. Use your Bible to show that you can move smoothly through the presentation.
4. Stay in control of the presentation; don't get sidetracked.
5. Lead them into prayer, don‘t wait.
1. Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23 - Sin is the missing mark. Man is not a sinner by virtue of what he has done, but by his birth. To be a Christian does not mean that you are a member of certain church. A Christian is a person who has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ in his life and is actively developing a relationship with God. A person is born again when he becomes spiritually alive to God.
2. John 3:16 - From the scripture, the minister should explain that God gave His son as our substitute without charge. The gift of salvation is for whosoever, regardless of age, background, etc.
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation is by faith, not feeling. Faith is believing what the Bible says, saying and doing it, in spite of how you feel. Stress to the person that he can never earn salvation through his work, but that salvation is by faith alone. Receiving salvation is like receiving a gift. Unless you reach for it, it will not become yours. By faith, confidence and trust in God’s Word, you will receive salvation.
4. John 1:12 - The gift of salvation must be received. Jesus cannot be forced on anyone. He must be received willingly.
5. Romans 10:9-10, 13 - The minster should stress that the key to receiving Jesus is in this verse. To make a confession is to say with your mouth that you “agree” with the principles of God’s Word concerning you life and about Jesus. The person must have that trusting belief in the finished work of Jesus for his sins. Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.
6. Prayer - You must be sure to pray with the candidate and not just for the candidate. Instruct him in prayer, let him repeat after you...
PRAYER/CONFESSION FOR SALVATION & HOLY SPIRIT
Dear God, I know without Jesus I am lost. I believe your Word.. That if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved; I now invite you into my life & heart and receive you by faith as my Lord and Savior. I am sorry for my sins and I thank you for your forgiveness. Jesus, you are my Lord & Savior; I am now a new creature in Christ and a child of God. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus’ name. AMEN
...and now Father I ask that you prepare my heart to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit...Your Word says out of the belly will flow rivers of living water...I receive & thank you for your precious gift of the Holy Spirit now into my life in Jesus' Name.


I would love to see some commentary on this post. I am going to offer it again in the hope that it will generate some discussion on your part. Anyone wanting to comment???…
I was reading Cross Roads, a church paper, the other day and came across an article by Fr. Paul Prabell who attended a recent ministerial association training, in his area, focused on the need to, and ways to, reach out to persons with addiction. I was impressed by the fact that the suggestions given for opening church congregations and ministry to serve persons with addiction were well thought out and should be quite helpful. An early comment in the article, however, kept me coming back to it and trying to understand how it fit. As I have said in previous posts, I am an addict enjoying long term recovery. Something about this sentence in Father’s article upset me: [The presenter] “then described the physiology of the brain and that addiction may begin because of a choice, but it quickly becomes an illness, an issue of scrambled brain chemistry rather than a weakness of character, a desire to do wrong, or a choice to live addictively.” (Cross Roads, April 10, 2011, page11.)
While I understand society’s need to ascribe responsibility for this problem to the persons who have it—I have never found much truth in that assumption, nor much utility when it comes to assisting an addict to make the necessary changes that will ultimately yield recovery. Don’t get me wrong, if I drove my car over your foot while drunk, charge me with DUI and sue me for damages. There are things that people who use substances should not get away with—but choosing to use is not something most can be convincingly lured into believing. By the time most admit the illness, accepting full responsibility starting with the first pill, fix, or toke is an admission of powerfulness that few can honestly claim. Those who do tend to be consumed with shame and guilt. As soon as they pay their fines and their dues, and can hold their heads up and look you in the eye—they are preparing for a bender to end all benders.
My concern is that the article did not make clear that one out of five of today’s young folk have addiction issues. Anyone who picks up a drink or takes a pain pill is making that first choice—since we have no litmus test for those with compromised brains. The writer had it right in so many ways, but when it came down to saying the things that might move everyday folk to evaluate personal use attitudes and practices for addiction risks, he chooses to lump addiction in with “…weaknesses, flaws, sins, addictions, and foolishness.” Oops, missed the point of the training; or if that is not true: the training missed the mark. Flawed choice as carelessness in action is the common “belief” held by the man on the street in our culture. This has remained so from the day when one out of 26 “who choose to use” (a 1950s statistic) to today when one out of five of today’s youth (as an entire cohort) is in need of services.
I fault churches for their role in keeping the lepers where we can see them, so the rest of us, chosen people, can feel good (and safe) about ourselves. Addiction is a relapsing disorder of the brain. In all probability, it is that before the first use of a substance occurs. The reality is that everyone who chooses to use makes the same choice, just as every heart patient and most of the rest of America choose to eat meat with too high a fat content. Only the heart patients suffer much from it–but we don’t typically call them down for those choices as if they are willfully intent on self-harm. All of us know how difficult a healthy diet is when we are intent on having one. We aren’t always sure that the advertized content of something is what it says. Or we get hungry and there is nothing else to eat. Or more simply, bad habits have bad partners and it is hard to get them all to go away at once.
So, too, with drug use. Gone are our grandparents’ days when there weren’t any alternatives to severe pain but grinning and bearing it. Nearly all of us use something for a headache or a backache and we “choose” to do it without considering that the consequence might end in addiction. Not everyone thinks this way. But those who don’t, those who reflect on most of the risks and possibilities they face in taking a mediction have done far more thinking and choosing than most of us. Most of us just grab the closest alternative to pain…and nothing in our education tells us that we are in dangerous territory. And our churches who insist that “addiction is a choice–” a bad choice, an evil choice–fail to take responsibility for pointing out to their congregations that every choice to use is the same choice that every addicted person makes with crushing regret when s/he takes that first pill, fix, or drink for the day.
Nothing and no one in our culture, or experience, has warned us that drug use is never a simple choice. Drug use is weighted with factors none of us controls entirely: hereditary predisposition to addictions, unpredictable side effects, emotional influences on choices (who hasn’t wanted a drink to deal with some life event? & what if one had been available?), peer pressure to use (think of the annual festival and the beer booth–a real golden goose–or think of the donation to the poor fund by the local bootlegger). Traditionally, the church upheld the value of suffering in building character and seeking the truth. Now, Jesus might well ask the American church, when it talks about addiction, “Where is the truth I entrusted to you?” Far from having compassion on those suffering from addiction and offering to bind their wounds, the church often walks aside so as not to get close enough to smell their messy lives. The church goes on by, clucking over their “self-chosen” misfortune. I want to thank Fr. Prabell for having the courage to start his congregation on the road to looking at addiction in their midst. Careless positioning of this disease on the sinners’ prayer list. missed by a mile when it suggested that addiction in today’s culture is a chosen path. Sort of like saying to a congregation standing in a plowed garden in the rain, “Getting mud on your shoes is a choice. Don’t make it.” Offering suggestions about how we might avoid that choice, or clean up after it makes more sense. I am happy to say that Fr. Prabell did start that discussion in his article.


PALINDROME : a word or phrase which can be read backward and forward, LEVEL or RADAR.
ORIGIN : c.1620-1630; Greek palíndromos recurring, equivalent to pálin again, back +dromos running
FOLLOWING PALINDROME : a personal concept that expresses a human being’s action toward, or relationship to a perfect, symmetrical, examinable constant, that may be inflected for mood, voice and agreement, with the subject: God.
The concept of God has been the subject of my work for the past 9 years; at the same time it continues to be the subject of debate and conflict throughout the post-modern world. For me, God continues to be multifaceted, personal and yet an examinable constant.
As time passes, the Bible continues to surpass trends of thought while seizing the hearts of many. This fascinates me. How is it that such an ancient concept continues to be controversial and relevant worldwide, as well as an internal impetus for many today?
With this in mind, my images address basic issues of the relationship of the human and the divine, in the person of Jesus Christ, and the applicable nature of “God” to post-modern thinking.
Upon looking at my work you will notice that it is devoid of emotion, to suggest the pure nature of God, as He continues to present Himself to me. The art is meant to be fact and not fiction. Each image is a palindrome, which represents the covenant that God has made with Himself, symmetrical in nature and can be understood from all directions. A palindrome is the closest construct that represents the infinite nature of God. It has 3 parts, a beginning, a middle and an end, which for me is symbolic of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as one. Therefore, a palindrome depicts an actual reality that is spiritual, yet physical within the soul of each believer.
Some of my palindromes are still lifes, created in pairs that flank a central space. The objects signify the before and after affects of God entering a person’s life. When you look at a Christian, you cannot see his or her transformation to Christianity, but the internal structure of the soul has been altered. Thus, there is the slight change from the first image on the left to the second image on the right. The second image, the conversion, has become more in focus and more detailed. The empty space, the dark framing between the two drawings becomes the actual reality within the soul of each believer. God is flanked by the objects which serve as occupied territory in our hearts, separating us from our former transgressive nature. This territory is empty, depicting where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reside.
In my artistic practice, I seek to represent several facets of God’s character and how He changes people’s lives through personal relationships with Him. Working with biblical concepts over the past few years has lead me to believe that when our eyes see absolute truth, we are forever changed, even when that change cannot be detected. I hope to present a contemporary interpretation of the relevant and personal God of the Bible; Jesus Christ working in and through our lives today.
I thank God for His wisdom and the opportunity to translate His teachings into pictorial form.


Understanding Your Spiritual Gifts
God wants us all to function in our gifts with the goal of being unified in God's Body. Knowing and understanding your gifts will transform the believer to mature in their spiritual walk and experience the "fullness of Christ".
This mini-course is a must
for every Christ-follower. It is very important for Christians to tap into their specific spiritual gifts. Understanding your unique gifts positively affects the church; and we'll show you how easily your gifts can translate to your vocational and everyday life.
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Lily Santiago has 10+ years of leadership and recruiting experience working with national Healthcare Practice Management Organizations. Since the age of 26, she managed multiple Emergency Departments leading recruiting and implementation projects for new practice start-ups. She is a hardworking self-starter who wants to share what she's learned with you! Lily is currently a Team Lead Professional Recruiter, a licensed Youth Minister, and an active member of the National Association of Christian Ministers. She is a Certified Professional Life Coach (CPCLC) by the International Board of Christian Care (a branch of the American Association of Christian Counselors); the highest credential for the specialty.
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This is the third and final installment of my short series on the Chronica Adefonsi Imperatoris (for part I: https://ballandalus.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/the-coronation-of-1135-and-the-question-of-empire-in-kingdom-of-castile-leon-in-the-12th-century/ and part II: https://ballandalus.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/the-chronica-adefonsi-imperatoris-ca-1148-cluniac-historiography-and-imperial-sovereignty-in-12th-century-iberia/) which has sought to explore some of the implications of Alfonso VII’s imperial coronation in 1135 in both contemporary chronicles as well as modern scholarship. In this piece, I want to look a bit more concretely at how the Chronica seeks to represent the authority of Alfonso VII by looking particularly at two elements: the role of military leadership and the role of Alfonso VII as a “holy warrior” against Islam in the Iberian peninsula.
Royal Authority and Rebellious Nobles: Alfonso VII as Virtuous Christian Prince and Pacifier of the Realm
From the outset, it is important to note that the Chronica Adefonsi Imperatoris is not the only source in which Alfonso VII is designated as imperator, since this title appears to have been utilized quite regularly from 1126 onwards in royal charters issued in the kingdom of León.  However, the Chronica is perhaps the most important twelfth-century text which clarifies in concrete terms what this title was intended to convey with regard to royal sovereignty. The chronicler declares that God worked His will through Alfonso VII “so that the salvation of the people of Christ in the midst of the earth might be achieved” in order to underscore the relationship between his sovereign’s reign and the divinely-ordained destiny of the Christian peoples in the Iberian peninsula. Alfonso is also depicted as succeeding his mother, Queen Urraca (r. 1109–1126), and acceding to the throne of León with divine endorsement. He is represented throughout the text as a just sovereign who is concerned with peace and security throughout the realm since it was conducive to Christian unity in the face of an increasingly-powerful Muslim threat.
The emergence of the unified monarchy of León-Castile in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries is perhaps one of the most significant developments in the history of Iberia, and one which was to have long-lasting consequences for the religious, political, and cultural configuration of the Iberian peninsula. While traditional Spanish (national) historiography has tended to depict this political development as an inevitable reemergence of a “united Spain” following the rupture inaugurated by the Muslim conquest, more recent scholarship has tended to be wary of such an essentializing approach in which there is institutional and ideological continuity drawn between the Visigothic monarchy and the Christian kingdoms of northern Iberia. Rather than viewing the emergence of the kingdom of León-Castile as a natural political evolution, modern historians have emphasized the importance of the Muslim-Christian frontier in Iberia and the process of Christian conquest and settlement, known as the Reconquista, at the expense of al-Andalus (Muslim-ruled Iberia) as central to the rise of the Christian kingdoms of northern Spain between the tenth and twelfth centuries.


The first Sunday after Easter is called Thomas's Sunday. The Bright (Easter) week ends with this day, which is like a replacement (repetition) of the Easter day itself, and therefore it is called Antipascha (Greek for "instead of Easter"). The divine service of this day remembers the appearance of resurrected Jesus Christ to the disciples on the "first day of the week in the evening" and the assurance of the apostle Thomas on the eighth day after Easter. Based on the Gospel reading of the feast (John 20: 19-31), the whole service of this day encourages believers to awaken from the sinful sleep, turn to the Sun of Truth, Christ, to strengthen the faith, and together with the apostle Thomas sincerely, joyfully exclaim: "My Lord and my God."
Troparion of the day
From the sealed tomb, You did shine forth O Life! / Through closed doors You did come to Your disciples, O Christ God! / Renew in us, through them, an upright spirit, / By the greatness of Your mercy, O Resurrection of all!
Kontakion of the day
Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God, / When You did come to Your apostles through closed doors. / He cried out with all: You are my Lord and my God!


I suppose being brought up in a Christian home where separation from the world was a pronounced theme, I was a bit naive when it came to understanding the powers of the heathen world of darkness.
I had missed a lot of ‘western’ heathendom, hence my jungle experience with evil practices profoundly impacted me.
I was just a 21 year old single guy; a little naive but intrigued by adventure and passionate to share my faith in Christ.
I went to Papua New Guinea as a missionary with a Bible, a Camera and a Theory!
I remember my curious ventures that perhaps I would have been better to avoid.
The photos in this article were taken during this period in the 1960s.
I visited a large village that was notorious for its heathen initiation practices.
It was during a period of cultural festivity that I, with trepidation, ventured into a darkened heathen arena and saw for myself a cruel practice that left an indelible memory.
Foolhardily, I wanted to subjectively immerse myself into the culture, thinking of the people to whom I was called to minister the Gospel.
I had been told about a large initiation ceremony that was about to take place in a large village near Maprik which was my home base.
Hundreds of tribal warriors were gathering. Some travelled from surrounding villages to witness what to them, no doubt ,was an important tribal event.
I was about to witness the cruel and crude practice of the initiation of young teenage boys and men into their manhood and the ultimate viewing of the “Gwaldu” (spirit entity) of the Tamberan cult.
Little did I realize at the time the true significance of this event, nor did I fully appreciate the demonic power, fear and spiritual influence that surrounded the whole event.
However, I was determined to make myself acquainted with these people, for I had come to minister life to them and not death, joy and not sorrow, peace and not war, love and not fear
As a Christian missionary I had come to bring Christ into their society and so with my camera in hand instead of my Bible, I foolishly entered into the arena of a dark heathen ceremony all in the name of ‘anthropology’.
After all Margaret Mead, the great anthropologist, and others had written about these people and they were somewhat critical of the work missionaries were doing in trying to convert them from their traditional & cultural practices.
I was determined to prove for myself that these people needed the Gospel. I wanted to know what made these people do what they do.
Later I thought and sought forgiveness for being so naive in my approach but not my message.
Did these dear people need to hear about the transforming power of the Gospel? Yes, of course and particularly after what I witnessed that day, when I ventured into the very heart of a ‘Haus Tamberan’!
The Bible says “– the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of cruelty.” Psalm 74:20
As I looked into their darkened eyes and gazed upon their painted faces, their mouths, stained by the chewing of blood-red beetle nut, their teeth blackened by this habit, I thought to myself, “Is it possible for fear and cruelty to be replaced with love and trust.?”
Is it possible to see this culture turn from an animistic, ancestral and evil-spirit worship, to worship the one true God?
In fact a whole lot of questions went through my mind that day as the clash of the cultures invaded my thinking.
It was a day that finally convinced me that all peoples need Christ as their Saviour.
I stood by in that milling mob and could hear the war-cries of enemy villages as they came through the jungle to witness and take part in this sing-sing!
Hopefully I thought, they came in peace and not war.
From near and far they kept coming. Jungle warriors danced round and round, feigning war. Some, their bodies blackened, and others painted brilliant colours.
Not a woman was to be seen in this male only initiation event (for fear of death.) Women are forbidden to be present at this ceremony and strictly forbidden to look upon the Tamberan’s image.
By this time hundreds of men had packed into the village square in front of the large spirit house or House Tamberan.
I stood by cautiously and watched as the scripture came to my mind, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
As the initiation groups came into the arena a shiver went down my spine as a roar of demonic approval thundered through the jungle.
Immediately I was aware that the people were not acting out of their primitiveness, but were intelligently inspired and spiritually directed by what felt like an evil force of demonic power.
I strained to get a glimpse of the young men and boys who were to be taken through the final act of initiation. Their faces seemed expressionless, their eyes glaring, their lips tight.
They had been through experiences of cruelty, too graphic to mention in this post.
They were brutally flogged and beaten with stinging nettles and sticks as they were carried through the gauntlet.
Now they would become real men and their powers of procreation and success was validated.
Violently now they pushed and shoved, seeking entrance to the House Tamberan. Inside was a large idol called “Puti,” which to them was the ultimate in their spiritual superstition.
It was the “Gwaldu” or spiritual entity they had learned to fear.
Suddenly the jungle drums began to beat and echo from within the spirit house. The fear-torn group was led on hands and knees through the small opening in front of the House Tamberan with the initiating group.
With my Agfa camera and flashlight, I was discretely ushered into the Tamberan through a back entrance and crouched in the darkness to see what would happen.
Frankly, although I was trying to be objective I was “scared spit-less!” Excuse the terminology but fear doesn’t quite describe the apprehension I felt!
Heathen warriors were dancing and singing songs that sounded evil to me and were monotonously minor in their key.
In the semi darkness of the flickering naked bamboo flame, the initiated group crawled around on hands and knees gazing up at an image 12 to 18 feet high. I snapped this picture!
The sudden flash of light brought a roar of disapproval that echoed through that towering edifice.
It is a significant fact to note that no matter what society one finds oneself in, men tend to use semi darkness to create atmosphere. In this case an atmosphere of fear and awe of something supernatural.
I could only describe the atmosphere in the large spirit house as “demonic.” Painted and perspiring bodies danced near me. Naked men danced to the throbbing beat of the jungle drum.
A low suspended ceiling above me moved in eerie motion. I sensed the evil spirits and the satanic power that hovered in the building.
Yes, the god of this world, the god of pleasure, the god of deceit, the god of lust, the god of cruelty all of these seeking to create an atmosphere of fear and destruction. I felt shaken!
Shortly after, I had my opportunity to see for myself what it was that drew such crowds into believing a lie – there it was. A giant coloured monster image, the “Gwaldu,” an idol carved out of wood, a symbol of animistic deity, a false god.
In the semi-light of the flickering bamboo flame, this grotesque sightless image which was over 15 feet in height, shimmered with its brilliant colours creating an atmosphere which could be described as “fearful” and “evil.”
Later that night, as I drove home to the mission station in my old jeep, I felt that I had wilfully immersed myself into the spirit of heathendom.
I felt I had violated my spirit by my inquisitiveness. I repented and asked the Holy Spirit for cleansing from sin.
I’ve been living back in Australia now for many years and through the media I find that the same spirit of evil, also pervades our society with drunken and drug induced festivities.
With the rejection of the Gospel by so many in are western culture, few realise that our society is slowly being destroyed by the evil one.
The Scripture clearly states “that we wrestles not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against powers.” Ephesians 6:12
The Amplified N.T. renders it such that we are not contending only with physical opponents but against the despotism’s, against the powers, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the supernatural sphere.
Heathendom is generally relegated to people in so called “third world countries;” yet hypocritically in our own cities of Australia walking through the streets of our concrete and steel jungles, we find thousands of benighted souls bound by the power of Heathendom.
Our Night Clubs subtly create a licentious atmosphere whereby patrons are often drawn into behaviour that they regret later.
Drunkenness, violence and sexual immorality often reflect our willful heathenism.
The hedonistic counterfeit to the Kingdom of God, tries to hem us into our little church circle, to our small christian social groups, yes even to our mission station, lest we go out and share the good news of the gospel and bring salvation to the heathen.
Our governments try to legislate and control it, while in the homes of our villages, towns and cities, thousands are captivated by its spiritual power and its subtle intent to destroy families and send people to Hell.
The answer of course is found in the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16
What I witnessed in Papua New Guinea was nothing short of amazing.
From a heathen culture that had for millennia been influenced by the powers of darkness, was slowly turning into a Christian civilisation which was influenced by the power of the gospel.
In thousands of villages across Papua New Guinea you will find churches of many descriptions, that have taken root and are slowly turning a darkened heathen world into a culture with a Christian worldview.
Can Christianity make a difference?
Perhaps not if it is of a religious kind! However the Christ of the Gospel has the power to change not only individuals but whole societies through the grace of God.
I have had the privilege of witnessing in my life time, thousands of peoples changed by the power of Christ and the message of the Gospel. Your life can be changed also!
The video below which I took during the Jubilee celebrations of the Church in Papua New Guinea will show you what I mean.
Is the job completed?
By no means but the seed has been planted and the harvest is underway – as the indigenous church under the direction of the Holy Spirit continues the work until Jesus comes.
For the Word of God is quick and powerful. Our spiritual weapons are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.


Priestly celibacy - prietly celibacy a theological look at its history and doctrinal fittingness. Voice of the faithful a brief history of celibacy page 1 introduction fifty years ago in vatican ii, christianity, especially roman catholic christianity, held its. Celibacy is one of the most widely recognized characteristics of a roman catholic priest but though it is well known, celibacy itself is often misunderstood.
10 reasons for priestly celibacy stephen beale as a matter of fact, most converts who are married catholic priests tend to be more orthodox than the celibates. Why not married priests the case for clerical this was because the catholic priests were right why not married priests the case for clerical celibacy. A new report by the australian church's truth, justice and healing council has claimed that the vow of celibacy taken by catholic priests.
Celibacy and the catholic church research papers overview the history of celibacy and the priesthood in catholicism paper masters suggests that students explore celibacy for priests and determine if the practice is out of date and if the catholic church needs to change its policy for priests. Priests in ‘barbarian’ lands who live in continence are required to separate despite the pressures on the catholic church to relax the law of celibacy,. Priests to fully commit to god and their priesthood, without the distraction of a wife, kids, and family yet, many have begun to question this practice. Clerical celibacy is the discipline within the catholic church by which only exceptions to the rule of celibacy for priests of the latin church are sometimes.For example, eastern catholic and orthodox priests can be married, celibacy is a sign to others of an even greater commitment to live a chaste life,. Posts about pope francis and celibacy written by consequently the tide in favour of married priests in this conservative catholic country is gaining. Celibacy is the formal and solemn oath to never enter the married state in the catholic church, men who take holy orders and become priests and women who become nuns take a vow of celibacy. The pope's recent suggestion that the catholic church discuss celibacy vows harks back to an earlier version of church practice.
The editor, sir:congratulations to my friend, father michael lewis, former roman catholic priest, for renouncing his vows of celibacy and taking the beautiful patricia moss-solomon for his bridei met father michael while he was rector of holy. With the news that pope francis might relax the rule of priestly celibacy in certain regions, there has been much celebration in certain quarters of the catholic world. Why did celibacy become mandatory for priests declaring celibacy the rule for all catholic priests from that day forward to be fair to innocent ii.
So how did the catholic church end up with married priests it’s the episcopalians there is disagreement over exactly when priestly celibacy started in. As the number of catholic priests dwindle, many also wonder whether celibacy is the cause, celibacy forces priests to live lonely life bad for church ann bain. Recent comments of pope francis suggest an openness to priestly marriage a scholar shows how early church practices did not include mandatory celibacy for priests.
Yes, most roman catholic priests take a vow of celibacy this has been the norm since 1139 at the second lateran council,. In an interview with a german magazine earlier this month, pope francis suggested that he would be open to the idea of allowing married men to become priests. For it makes clear that the celibacy that the catholic church continues routinely to demand of all who want to become priests is a strain even for the best of them. Clerical celibacy is the requirement in certain religions that some or all members of the clergy be laicized catholic priests are allowed to marry by special.Download


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Nov. 1, 1964 - April 11, 2018
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Gordon Walz, 53, Mitchell, S.D., died Wednesday, April 11, in Sanford Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a scripture service at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.


What Is the Darakbang Evangelism Movement That Began in Mark's Upper Room?
This movement started in Mark's upper room ("darakbang" in Korean) in the early church and is a "life movement" in which believers realize God's purpose and plan for the field where they live and go to spread the gospel.
What happened in Mark's Upper room?
In Mark's Upper room, the disciples gathered to pray and share what they had learned and realized during their 3 years with Jesus. They also proclaimed the Lord's resurrection and the things that would take place in the future. This meeting was not organized intentionally, defiantly, commercially, or religiously. It was a meeting that gathered naturally and became the field of true testimonies and evangelism. Because God was with them, this "life movement" struck a heavy blow to Rome. Although Rome could not be defeated with power or knowledge, Rome was completely conquered in 250 years (A.D. 313, Constantine, Roman Emperor).
This is evangelism, and it seems that the believers misunderstand it the most. Normal believers are those who receive answers to their prayers and continually have the fruit of evangelism (life). It is similar to a living tree bearing fruit. Evangelism is not about you going everywhere to evangelize, but about those people thirsty for the gospel coming to you to hear about Jesus and accepting Him as their Savior. When this happens continuously, the scripture in Matthew 28:20 is fulfilled in your life. Because it is God's will for this "life movement" to be spread all over the world, the Darakbang Evangelism Movement is about raising workers and sending them out to other fields.
Then what was their message?
They testified that Jesus was the Christ, whom the whole world and all the people in the Old Testament waited for. As the early church testified Christ, all their problems were solved. We know that Christ means "anointed one." The Jews knew the meaning of the word but did not know it was truth, so the Jews failed to be saved; but the early church saved the world because they understood the reality of this meaning. In the Old Testament, only prophets, priests, and kings were anointed. Jesus is the true Prophet who is the way to meet God (John 14:6), the true Priest who solved our problem of sin, and the true King who overcame the power of the world and Satan. Therefore, Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and receives him as his personal Lord and Savior meets God. This is the message of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12, 14:16-17, 1Corinthians 3:16). If you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can realistically experience the evidence of salvation and peace. Jesus will free you from all superstitions, sin, Satan, hell and all darkness as evidence that He has all the authority as the true Priest. That is what they testified.
This is the movement that testifies that Jesus was resurrected and is working even now by the Holy Spirit. They experienced and testified that God was with the believers and the church, and that He worked in them through His word. They testified that Jesus reigns over all creation and that He will return as the second coming Lord (king of kings). Many evidences and works of salvation appeared in the early church and are continually taking place today. We must know and relay these facts, for heresies are still eating into our evangelism fields. (Matthew 9:36-39)
Why must we evangelize?
1. Just as the Bible reveals, during these end times, religions are actively rising all around the world. In Korea, Buddhism has spread to every level of society, establishing outstanding preschools and educational programs. Buddhist priests have entered into military fields and are systemically recruiting, increasing their number of followers. Other religions have raised their own institutions and universities and have plowed into even middle and high schools.
2. Religions and cults are invisibly confusing Christians as they seize the institutions of higher education.
3. Why must we evangelize at this time?
(1) Many people of the world are suffering spiritually and wandering in life. This is because they are lost without God (Genesis 3:1-6). As a result of this separation from God, sin and corruption are rapidly increasing (Romans 3:23).
(2) The people who cannot find the way to meet God, easily fall into idolatry and are afflicted with realistic diseases (Exodus 20:4-5).
(3) As a result, mental problems have rampantly increased throughout the world (Matthew 11:28). For example, the World Health Organization reports that approximately 10% of the world population receives aid from mental institutions.
(4) Consequently, physical diseases and incurable illnesses such as AIDS are rapidly spreading.
(5) And more importantly they don't know the spiritual problem, the existence of God, and the problem of the after-life and are unable to find rest.They cannot attain happiness because they are engrossed only in the physical things.
(6) They get caught up by this world while following superstitions, religious rituals, heretic ideologies, and ancestor worship.
4. So naturally, this world is lost in suffering, disasters, and corruption.
(1) The only way to survive is through life movement.
(2) We must realistically proclaim the way to meet God, which is accepting Jesus Christ.
(3) We must reveal how people can be healed from their superstitions, divinations, idols, curses, and sins when Christ is realistically proclaimed.
Evangelism is easy! (Matthew 16:13-20)
Evangelism is the most important thing to God, his greatest concern, and his ultimate goal. That is why He gave us His word, sent Jesus Christ to the world, and granted us His church. All events in this world revolve around God's work of salvation. If you understand evangelism, it will become easy and empowering. It will be the enjoyment of blessing for the church and believers. Those who know God can enjoy and experience the evidence that God is with them through evangelism. When God is with you, evangelism is the easiest thing to do. However, if God is not with you, it is the most difficult thing to do. Evangelism is God's direct work through his saints.
Then what kind of workers did God use for his evangelism ministry in every age?
God used the people who correctly knew Christ. Regardless of how upright, legalistic, ethical, sensible, or exemplary a person may be, if he does not know Christ, God does not use him. The Pharisees were the most ethical people in the world but God judged them as a brood of vipers. The reason was because they did not know Christ.
That is why the first thing Jesus asked his disciples was who the people thought He was. They gave him incorrect answers (Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets). Peter, however, gave him the right answer, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." The Lord then blessed him with the blessing of evangelism and the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does it mean to correctly know Christ?
(1) You must know that Christ solved the problem of our separation from God (Genesis 3:1-20) by being the True Prophet.
(2) You must believe that Christ solved the problem of our original sin (Romans 3:23) by being the True Priest and dying on the cross.
(3) Correctly knowing Christ means you believe He is the True King who solved the problem of Satan's control (John 8:44)
For the ones who know Christ correctly, all their problems have been solved. Regardless of a person's individual strength, when one accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within him. He has received salvation and is forgiven of all his sins. He has been set free from Satan's authority and snare. God opens up all the doors for the one who knows this fact and lets him meet other people who will receive salvation everywhere he goes (read through the Book of Acts carefully)
God uses the ones who know Christ and have the correct experience.
(1) I, who was once a sinner, will experience the fact that I was forgiven through Christ.
(2) Christ answers the prayer of those who accept Him, and His continuous evidences will come which can not be stopped by persecution, opposition, or criticism.
(3) They must realistically believe that the Lord Jesus resurrected, is with the saints through His Holy Spirit, is the head of the Church, is in control of the universe, and will return as the Lord of the Second Coming. With this faith, evidences continually arise because the Lord is with them although they may lack knowledge, merit, or power.
The Bible reveals the evangelism method in an easy way.
The Early Church began to meet in Mark's upper room. One by one, nonbelievers were invited and saved, and everyone witnessed the work of Christ.
The believers gathered in secret because of persecution and testified that the One prophesied on the Bible was Jesus. To the people afflicted with religion, the way to meet God was explained to them through the Word of God.
People lost in idolatry, sin, demon-possession, and suffering accepted Jesus and experienced the guidance, inspiration, conviction, and power of the Holy Spirit. This ministry of the Word spread throughout Jerusalem (Ac. 2:41, 46-47, 6:7). The number of people who were being saved increased greatly. To say that evangelism is difficult is entirely incorrect and are merely the words of the one who does not know the mystery of Christ.
Therefore, evangelism has no choice but to take place. This Darakbang Evangelism Movement is: The restoration of the movement of the Early Church's Mark's Upper Room. It is the restoration the ministry of the Word of Pastor John Calvin and Martin Luther. It is the Jesus movement of D.L. Moody. And it is the Jesus movement of Wesley. No one was able to block these evangelism movements and no one will ever be able to in the future.


There seem to be two people who get the spotlight at Christmas time: Jesus and Santa. Ever wondered what they have in common.... this little video looks at that question.
At Christmas, many people remember the birth of Jesus. Jesus however didn't remain a baby. And as he grew up his life was filled with unbelievable joy and pain. People often say that Jesus is the reason for the season. But you are the reason for Jesus.
Many trace the origins of Santa Claus back to a bishop called Nicholas who lived in Myra. His recognition as a saint is said to have come in a popular and unofficial way by the common people well before the process of canonising people (giving them the status of a saint) began.
"Saint" by the way means, "holy" and is the word which the Bible gives to describe all Christians. This is because all Christians have been made holy in the sight of God; cleansed of sin by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and his blood shed for them. There is no biblical command to venerate certain Christians giving them the status of "saint".
In contrast to the belief that a person called Nicholas of Myra actually existed, the Encyclopedia Britannica says that, "Nicholas’s existence is not attested by any historical document". So what follows must be understood in the light of these things.
Saint Nicholas is believed to have been the 4th century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He is said to have been persecuted and imprisoned for his faith under the rule of the Roman emperor Diocletian. In many countries children receive gifts on December 6 which is called Saint Nicholas Day. This day was chosen because December 6, 343 AD is proclaimed as the day of his death. Stories tell of the generosity of St. Nicholas in giving gifts to the poor, and even of miracles. Gifts were given secretly by means such as tossing coins through open windows.
The source of Nicholas' riches came from a generous inheritance that he received from his parents who died at an early age.
One of the most popular stories about St. Nicholas claims that he gave marriage dowries of gold coins to a godly man's three poor girls who without his help would most likely have ended up in a life of prostitution. Some sources state that this gift of gold was dropped down a chimney, an option he is said to have used when the windows were closed. Another version of this story says that the gold coins were dropped through an open window and some of the coins fall into a boot drying by an open fire. Can you see the connection with leaving out stockings by a fire for Santa to fill.
Another story tells of how St. Nicholas brought back to life three children who had been dismembered and put into a tub of brine.
Because Myra (where Nicholas lived) was a sea port, many sailors heard the story of his generous giving. They took the idea of secret giving to the poor and needy (in contrast to the commercial hype of the modern day Christmas) back to the lands they came from and so the stories of St. Nicholas (true or not) spread all over that part of the world. At the start, people followed the example of giving gifts to the poor in secret but over time, this changed to what we see today.
Moving on from 4th century, the Dutch referred to St. Nicholas as Sinterklaas. When Dutch colonists arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in America in the 17th century the name Sinterklaas was changed by the English speaking people to Santa Claus. The legend of Sinterklaas (now Santa Claus) was then combined with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents.
Santa Claus has also been associated with the Nordic God Odin who at Yule time is said to lead a hunting party through the sky lead by an 8 legged horse. This horse is said to have been able to leap great distances and this has led to comparisons with Santa Clause’s reindeer. Tradition says that children would leave items like carrots, straw and sugar in boots by the chimney. Odin would reward good children and punish the naughty. Good children received gifts or candy. Santa has also been traced to the Norse god Thor who traveled through the sky on a chariot pulled by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher). Fire and the colour red are associated with Thor. The fireplace in every home was sacred to him and he was said to come down through the chimney into the fire which did not harm him because it was his element.
A number of myths about Santa say that he had a dark helper who came with him. In Scandinavia the dark helper was known as Black Pete. One of the reasons he was given the name Black Pete was because he had the task of punishing naughty children. Another was that he was the one who came down the chimney, not Santa! Black Pete was also known as Old Nick, thought to be the derived from the Dutch word Nikken (the devil) which comes from the Anglo-Saxon nac-an.
The image of Santa Clause being a fat, jolly fellow wearing a red and white suite and hat developed over a period of time (his suite was originally green) and was strongly influenced by a 1931 Coca-Cola advertisement (where he isn’t actually wearing his hat) by Haddon Sundblom. From the 19th century onwards, this image of a fat, jolly, children loving, gift giving of Santa has continued until today.
Is Santa another name for Satan?
Some have even said that Santa is the devil because his name spells, "Satan"! But while the myth of Santa has been used for capitalistic gain, and has caused a lot of unnecessary pressure and unrealistic expectations for families, etc. etc. it is simply childish to say that because one can make the word Satan from the word Santa, that Santa is Satan. You can make the word 'rats' by reversing the letters in the word 'star'. Seriously folks, while Santa's image is tarnished and while he doesn't belong in any Christian celebration of the birth of Christ, and while is really has very little in common with the person he is suppose to have evolved from (see below) and, yes, while his image is even used by Satan to draw attention away Christ, Santa is not Satan. We only raise this because it comes up on the internet and it given more attention that it deserves, which is none!
What's the difference between Santa and St. Nicholas?
If you compare the modern day Santa with St. Nicholas, it does give some food for thought.
By the way, the Bible calls ALL Christians "saints''. If "St. Nicholas" actually existed, he would be no more a saint than any other Christian.
|No adult believes in his existence |
(true, we haven't surveyed all adults)
|Some adults believe he existed but have |
no historical document to back this up
|Secular (non-religious)||Spiritual (a Christian leader)|
|Gives gifts to all even if they don't need them||Gave gifts to the poor and needy|
|Makes a show of giving||Gave in secret|
|Appeals to children||Appeals to everyone of all ages|
|Gives once a year||Gave throughout the year|
|Gives magically and never runs out||Gave of his own until he had nothing let|
|Encourages Consumption||Encourages Compassion|
|Seriously overweight||Healthy build|
|Gate crashes someone birthday - December 25 *||Is celebrated on the day of his death - December 6|
|Proclaims the Sale||Proclaims the Saviour|
In some places in the world, there is renewed interest in St. Nicholas because of the differences above. The main difference being that stories of St. Nicholas' life portray him as being dedicated to one thing, living for and pointing people towards Christ, the Saviour of the world. For this very reason, he would not have wanted to have been put up on stage for all the world to look at and venerate, even given the differences between himself and Santa. He probably would have echoed the apostle Paul's words, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me (Galatians. 2:20).
* Note: the actual date of Jesus birth is not actually December 25 but the early Church decided to remember his birth on this date. For more on this, go to the "Christmas" page.
The Bible has many prophecies about a coming messiah who would be the Saviour of the world. The Bible also teaches that these prophecies were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Listen to the video below describe the chances of Jesus fulfilling just 8 prophecies.
The video to the left explains the chances of Jesus fulfilling just 8 prophecies. It's pretty mind boggling getting your head around this.
If that is not mind boggling enough, then consider the chances of Jesus fulfilling 48 prophecies, are around 1 in
This is not a coincidence, this is divine fulfillment of things predicted by God himself about the Messiah he would send to die for the sins of the world.
CLICK HERE to see a list of prophecies Jesus fulfilled.
Question: "Who is Jesus Christ?"
The problem is that the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.
The Jews understood Jesus’ statement as a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, “I did not claim to be God.” That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). John 8:58 is another example: “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” Again, in response, the Jews took up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59).
Jesus’ announcing His identity as “I am” is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14).Why would the Jews again want to stone Jesus if He had not said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God?
John 1:1 says “the Word was God.” John 1:14 says “the Word became flesh.” This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. The apostle Paul describes Him as, “…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). The apostle Peter says the same, “…our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). God the Father is witness of Jesus’ full identity as well, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
The above article is printed with permission from our friends at www.gotquestions.org


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"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."


The Church will not host any gatherings at the church including Sunday worship (see below for more details), Sunday School classes, Vespers Worship, Committee or Department Meetings, Logos, Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir Rehearsals, Support Groups, Civic Clubs, Discussion Groups, Book Club, MDO, CMF or Disciple Women, Youth Groups, ChARM, or any other gathering previously scheduled.
Sunday Worship will be livestreamed at 10:45am, with only the ministers and a musician or soloist present but no congregation.
The livestream worship can be accessed from computer, tablet or smartphone. To watch, simply search Facebook for "First Christian Church of Norman" or if you aren't on Facebook, point your browser to http://live.fccnorman.org for links to stream on YouTube and other social media platforms.
With Courage and Hope,
First Christian Church - Norman