Rev. Aaron Slack
Grace Community School’s educational ministry, the ministry you will learn to operate as a Grace Community School Apprentice, has a focus: preschool. Why preschool, and not elementary, middle, high school, or college, you might ask? It is a good question.
Preschools are not taken very seriously by the Christian education community. They are pretty much lumped together with Sunday School and VBS – something nice for the church to do with the youngsters. A decent outreach program, but not too important. Predictably, the selection of homeschool curricula for preK is minimal. The preschool grades, if they are done at all by a Christian school, are an afterthought. The weighty upper grades are the crown of the school.
Many excellent books have been published on the topic of what is wrong with the public schools. Hardly anything has been written on what is wrong with typical preschools from a Christian perspective; this is because preschools have been ignored by the Christian community. Some small preschools are started by local churches, of course, but these are little more than mother’s day out programs, or just a stepping stone to starting a “real” school. They are not set up with the goal of advancing God’s kingdom the way elementary and higher Christian schools are. Christians do not want to start preschools!
A school that does not have upper grades is not considered by most people to be a “real school”. Grace Community School does have upper grades, but that is not our primary mission. We maintain that the pre-K grades are actually the most important. This is where the good fight is being fought, or would be but for the fact that most Christians have utterly abandoned the battlefield! Or rather, they never reported for duty in the first place.
Preschools are not prestigious. They will not earn you any academic respectability. Your students will not be renowned for their scholarship or athletic achievement. In fact, many people (especially Christians) will refuse to believe that the work you do is of much importance at all. If you are like us, your critics will deny that it is even possible to teach kids to read and have them understand the Ten Commandments. No, preschools will not get you the praise of man. No matter how much you teach the children, people will always disparage it as nothing more than glorified babysitting. Some “Christians” will even call you wicked and accuse you of luring mothers out of the home for profit.
Why do we do it? There are many reasons. As Dr. McIntyre explains in his book, there is an under served market in the preschool area. This is where the customers are. With the free schooling available for kindergarten and higher grades in the public school, competition for those ages is fierce, and those looking for private schools are often more interested in obtaining a status symbol than in getting a good education for their children. Grace Community School does not seek to be considered a status symbol.
The government makes the private school’s job very difficult by offering schooling free (or, at least seen as free). It’s hard to compete with free. Even if the free product is terrible, it’s still free! But daycare, that is different. People still have to pay for daycare; the government does not quite have a monopoly here. Parents footing the bill for childcare will at least make some pretense at shopping around and comparing educational programs. This is an area in which you can excel with much fewer resources than you could with older grades. This is because the higher the grade level, the more resources are required to “adequately” teach to fulfill parent’s expectations. One benefit of dealing with younger children is that, despite the best efforts of early childhood educrats, educational degree requirements for teachers are much more relaxed (read: less government interference). Unfortunately, elementary and higher grades become focused on the trappings of school – sports, after school clubs and the like. It’s not that there is something necessarily inherently wrong with those things, but parents and teachers tend to see them as the main point of school, to the detriment of actual education.
A small school attempting to satisfy those kinds of demands while charging modest tuition will run into problems, and to what end? The children you teach will have already, to a large degree, had their basic attitudes, prejudices, and religion formed by others. Parents will place more and more demands upon you and your faculty. You will also have to deal with a growing body of complaints from parents and discipline problems from kids – God forbid you harm the self-esteem of one of those perfect angels! Parental demands for preschool are much simpler, enabling the small preschool operator to compete on a more even level. What this means is that the Christian entrepreneur can excel, make money, and at the same time make much more of a spiritual impact than a regular Christian school could ever hope to.
All of the preceding is true, and important, but it is not the primary reason.
Children are most impressionable while they are young – very young. Piaget, Rousseau, and their humanist disciples have understood this very well. “For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” (Luke 16:8) This is a great opportunity wasted by Christians. Young children are largely left out of real education, whether that be religious training or academics. Just as childcare experts claim that children are too young to learn to read, many in the church believe children are too young for “serious” theology. They probably would not say that out loud, but you do not have to look further than the concept of “Children’s Church” to see in what low regard children are held. On this topic the church and humanistic early childhood gurus agree. I and my fellow Grace Community School missionaries have been told many times that the Ten Commandments are too complicated and abstract for four-year olds to understand, and so should not be taught. Grace Community School knows different.
If you want to truly reach children and really change them, the preschool years must be the focus. We are given a brief window to make a lasting impression on children, a few years in which they accept what they are told with far less skepticism than older children do. We are occasionally asked by thinking children, “Are the stories in the Bible real?” It does sound a bit hard to believe – a talking donkey, a man who survived three days in the belly of a fish, dead people who came back to life, an omnipotent and omnipresent Creator – but it is all true. And children will accept the truth. Try telling the average adult that! Furthermore, the children are at an age in which they will accept the morality of the Ten Commandments. Not that they follow them perfectly, nor does anyone, but they accept the truth of them. They will believe in a world of right and wrong governed by God and His law.
In almost every case, those wanting to establish Christian schools have as the primary emphasis elementary or higher grades. They forbid the little children to come. Reality is that the thick of the battle is being waged in the early years of our children’s lives. Do not be surprised that the government has poured billions upon billions of dollars into programs like Head Start. The enemies of Christianity know how important the early years are. You may have heard of the “Birth to Five” movement. Those in early childhood education want ever greater government involvement in young children’s lives. Large numbers of supposedly private advocacy groups and think tanks are lobbying for more funds to this end. Those who have read Brave New World can guess where this is heading.
Hitler famously said, “When an opponent declares, ‘I will not come over to your side,’ I calmly say, ‘Your child belongs to us already… What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.'” Hitler understood what God’s people do not seem to. Humanist preschools begin indoctrination in the cradle; Christians need to do the same. It is very hard to convince Christians that preschool is where the battle is being waged, even when they should know better. If changed lives are your goal, the earlier you teach children the better. How many Christians unknowingly give up the reward that could have been theirs for a bit of academic prestige?
Do you want to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of children and in society, and at the same time earn a great reward? Start a Christian preschool. The Grace Community School Apprenticeship program will show you how.
Rev. Aaron M. Slack is the manager of a family-run Christian school in Fort Myers, Florida, along with his wife, Amy, and five children. He is the son of a pastor, and has lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. He moved to Florida in 1994 and has worked for Grace Community School since 2001. He has a Masters degree in Christian Education from Patriot Bible University. He enjoys computers, science fiction, reading, and coffee. Find out more about the Grace Community School Apprenticeship Program at www.gcsapprenticeship.com


Jesus in Kashmir
Christianity is a central pillar of western civilisation but the Christian edifice seems to be crumbling by the day. In addition to clerical scandals and declining church attendance, central beliefs are being questioned and historical foundations challenged.
On 8 September 2004, the BBC presented a programme entitled Did Jesus die on the cross? There was some new thinking in the programme.
The Gospels - varying accounts
Christianity is based on the belief in the Resurrection of Jesus and in the truth of the Gospels. But today many theologians and scholars doubt the accuracy of the Gospels. Of the four alleged auithors, Matthew and John were among the original disciples of Jesus. Luke was a physician and a companion of St Paul. Mark was an interpreter who worked with St Peter and possibly his son.
The four Gospels are claimed to be written 40 to 100 years after the Crucifixion but we are not sure who really wrote them. The original texts are full of inconsistencies. For example, did Jesus feed 5000 with five loaves and two fishes or 4000 with seven loaves and a few fishes? Or was it both as suggested in Matthew? The four Gospels all agree on the Crucifixion. Death on the cross takes place over several days but Jesus is said to have died after 6 hours. Mark says crucifixion began at the 3rd hour, Luke says it was the 6th hour while Matthew says it was about the 9th hour that Jesus cried out in a loud voice and soon died.
The reports of the resurrection in the four Gospels are like accounts of a football match by four papers - they vary about those who were at the tomb. Mark's original gospel reports no appearances. It simply ends with the discovery of an empty tomb. The resurrection stories were added 200 years later in Mark as chapter 16, the last. The others have resurrection stories but they don't agree in the details. John has many different stories not to be found in the other Gospels. The inconsistencies suggest that the Gospels (and additions made) were written with a political motive.
Why for example did Jesus appear to just a few people and not to a large mass? It seems the church wanted to exercise control and authority over the people by deciding on Gospel content and interpretation. The official church teachings were enforced by a brutal Inquisition that lasted 300 years. Today people find it hard to believe in the miracles and the resurrection. No modern theologian takes the resurrection as a historical fact.
Jesus survives the crucifixion
The Gospels affirm that Jesus was alive again and, the church adds, in a glorified state. Thomas was able to touch his wounds. Jesus is believed to have hung on the cross for six hours and presumed dead. So they didn't break his legs to speed up death. His body was brought down and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus collected the body, wrapping it with some 75 pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes in strips of linen. Aloes is not an embalming but a healing herb. So it seems Jesus was resuscitated rather rose form the dead.
But a condemned man could not be seen in public - he was a wanted man. The Gospels deal with the problem by the device of the Ascension - this appears in the same last chapter 16 of Mark added 200 years after the original version. The Ascension is briefly mentioned in Luke - the last chapter (24:51): 'While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven'. It is believed to be a later insertion from the Acts chapter 9 (Luke was also the author of the Acts).
There is no Ascension in Matthew while John concludes the last verse (25) in his last chapter (21) with: 'Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.'
Jesus in the age period 14-29
What are these many things that have not been recorded? One record that is glaringly missing is the period 14-29 years in the life of Jesus. One theory is that he went to India to be trained as a Buddhist.
The story of the Wise Men is surprisingly similar to the traditions of Buddhism, a religion 500 years older than Christianity. When a great Buddhist holy man (lama) died, wise men consult the stars and go on a long trek to find his incarnation. When he is found, he is taken from his parents when old enough and trained in the Buddhist faith. Could Jesus have been identified as an incarnation and taken to India?
The Russian explorer, Nicolai Natovich travelled to northern India in the 19th century and found a manuscript in a Tibetan monastery which he translated as 'The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ'. It tells of a divine child called Issa born to a poor family in Israel. he learnt the teachings of Buddhism before returning to Israel at 29. The later teachings and miracles of Jesus have an uncanny parallel with the Buddhist counterpart. For example, the injunction to love your enemies and the promise that the meek will inherit the earth have no precedent in Judaism but they are found in Buddhism.
1. Mark 6:48: he went out to them walking on the lake.
Anguttara Nikaya 3:60: He walks upon the water without parting it, as if it were solid ground.
2. Mark 10:25: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven.
Jatakamala 5:5 & 15: Riches make a man greedy and so are like a caravan lurching down the road to hell.
3. Matthew 6:20: Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where
thieves do not break in and steal.
Kuddakaptha 8:9 Let the wise man do righteousness; a treasure that others cannot share, which no thief
can steal, a treasure which does not pass away.
Jesus after the crucifixion
One story is that Jesus went to live with Mary Magdalene (together with her sister Martha and brother Lazarus) in France but this is unlikely as France was a Roman colony and he risked being spotted and arrested.
More likely, Jesus escaped to another country. The Jews are the tribe of Judah and according to the Hebrew Bible, there were 10 others that were banished by the Assyrians to the North East. One theory is that Jesus might have wanted to introduce himself to the the other tribes. It was easy to travel to the East either via the Silk route or the Spice route. Thomas the disciple followed the Spice route and landed in South India where he established a church.
In Kashmir, there is a tribe calling themselves Ben-i Israel; they claim to be descendants of the lost tribes. There is a story that in the first century a man from Israel called Issa (known locally as Yus Assaf meaning healer or Shepherd) returned to Kashmir. In a local temple called the Temple of Solomon, there used to be an inscription that told of Yus Assaf's claim in 50 AD to be Jesus.
Abdullah Assiz Kashmiri of the University of Srinagar says according to Kashmiri history books, Yus Assaf came from Israel; he claimed to be a prophet and messenger and spread his teachings. He continued to teach until he died around the year 80 AD. There is a modest building that claims to house his tomb. The first shrine was erected at the site around 112 AD and is now a shared gravesite shared with a Muslim holy man, Syed Nazir-ud-din, buried there in the 15th century.
Unless Issa's body is exhumed, we can't be sure that the body is a man who survived the crucifixion. However, next to the sarcophagus are the carved footprints that have marks or scars on them. Kashmiri said: "'The footprints were carved as a sign - the scars are clearly visible, as if he was nailed to the cross.. this must be the same person who came here from Israel... You won't find any footprints like these in Kashmir."
The position of the scars just behind the toes don't match each other but they would align if a single nail was driven through both feet with the left foot placed on the right.
If this is indeed the tomb of Jesus, then he spent most of his life in the kingdom of Kashmir. That means he did not died on the cross, there was no resurrection and he did not ascend into into heaven.


Reformation Organ Concert | Hope Lutheran Glendora
Name: Reformation Organ Concert | Hope Lutheran Glendora
Date: September 24, 2017
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM PDT
Hope Lutheran Glendora invites you to join us for a Reformation Organ Concert in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation! "A concert of organ music based on the Hymns of the Reformation" Dr. Scott Anderson our guest Organist will perform Works by Bach, Brahms, Distler and others. Light refreshments provided, please join us for this wonderful FREE event! Hope Glendora on Facebook!


We, first and foremost, are followers of Christ, and secondly, family men/women. We are answering the call using skills acquired over our lifetimes in programming, art, and music to create the first ever true Christian video games that people of all walks of life will enjoy. Please help us complete a most unique undertaking for the Kingdom of God World-Wide! Help us bring Bible based high quality video games to MILLIONS of gamers around the WORLD!!!
You can assist us by prayer, downloading our $0.99 App (Bible Wheel Challenge), or with MUCH appreciated donations!
Hi My name is Tony Martin. I have been in video game development since the early 2000’s. I was able to Co-create the internets very first ( from the Ground up flash animated games) For Christians called MyBIBLE Games! Since that accomplishment, the Lord has seen fit to allow me to Prartner with a TERRIFIC and AMAZING young Programmer in Justin Elms! To attempt to take Christian Video Games and Apps to the NEXT LEVEL… With Jesus Is Lord GAMES! We thank you all for your kind interest in our site and , any and all PRAYERS , for this Undertaking for our Savior and HIS KINGDOM !!!
Hi, my name is Justin Elms, an independent developer that has recently joined forces with Jesus is Lord as the lead developer to spread a message of hope and the love of God through video games. I am a husband and a father to the two most wonderful people in the world; my wife Jennifer, and my son James. I want to give you all a feel for what I do and work with! So for the next few minutes, I will be explaining just that!
_______WHAT I DO_______
I lead the video game design aspects of the team in terms of level design, character design, special effects, and the largest part in the programming area of our games. Yes, you can say I have a busy schedule! BUT, I absolutely LOVE what I do! So no complaints here! Especially when doing it to further the kingdom of God!
-Video Game Development:
–Unreal Engine 4 — (For all 3D or 2.5D work)
–Game Maker: Studio Pro — (For 2D mobile apps)
-3D Model Design
–Autodesk Maya 2014
–Anime Studio Pro10
–Visual Studio 2014(C++)
I freelanced after a short career in IT (2 years) programming. Simply put, creating things was my true passion! A passion I have always wanted to use for the kingdom of God. It was two years ago, after working on many jobs! I was hired for EXACTLY what I was praying for… doing a ministry for God! The answer I got shook me. I was told to step out on faith and follow this path… to create video games as if they were parables that people could experience in real-time. As over 90% of all of my freelance work was people hiring me to develop video games, I feel God has been directing me through the training I needed, and now we are ready to take off!
Justin E. and Family


Pastors George and Marlene are elated that you have chosen to visit our web site! We welcome you, and pray the Word of God delivered from this ministry becomes a testimony you can share with friends and family.
Our goal is to teach the Word of God in a practical manner so that you not only gain understanding, but you can apply the wisdom to your daily life. We appreciate the opportunity to minister a timely Word that gives you the answers you've been searching for.
We invite you to join us as we praise and worship together as priests unto our God and receive revelation from God's Word. One Word from God can change your life forever!
We look forward to having you come and worship every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Victory Christian Center has an Adult Bible Study in the sanctuary every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
The prophetic word for 2014 is The Year of Greater Victory and the Manifestation of Love. Manifested Love is Jesus Himself! 2014 will also be known as the year of the greater! Here at Victory Christian Center, we have been enjoying the Grace of God over the years with undeniable proofs, and God is bringing us to the realm of Exceeding Grace in this year of 2014. Ephesians 2:7 states "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." We're in it now -- the exceeding grace! Exceeding Grace can be defined as Exceeding Favor which further implies unspeakable favor; unimaginable favor; and supernatural favor. 2014 marks Victory Christian Center's 20th year in ministry in Carson City. We are believing for more souls coming into the Kingdom and for miracles, signs and wonders. The manifestation of Jesus and His Love is going to draw the people. If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, click on the heading "Salvation" and pray the prayer from your heart, and you will be born again. Let us know if you prayed that prayer for salvation, and we'll send you a little booklet called "Welcome to the Family" to help you get started in your new found faith in Jesus Christ. We'll be looking for you at Victory Christian Center.


When my wife would spend time in Ohio caring for her mother, a day would seem like a week. I missed her. I made sure that the house stayed clean, the clothes got washed, the bills were paid and everything was in its place. I was looking forward to her return and I wanted her to be pleased. How do you think she would have felt if on her return she found the house a mess, the bills unpaid and me with another woman? Would the way I was living reflect love or a longing to be reunited? Trust me, I love my wife.
My devotion to Jesus should overshadow my love for my wife.
Luke 14:26-27 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Mark 13:24-27 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mark 13:32-37 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Are you looking forward to the return of Jesus?
Does your life reflect the anticipation of coming face to face with your Savior?
Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful to my first love, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t want to become complacent in my faith but I want to grow in your grace and be found faithful when Jesus returns.


In 2018 America’s favorite Gospel music family, The Hoppers, celebrate 61 years of delighting audiences with soul-stirring, uplifting music.About Us
Have you pre-ordered your copy of The Hoppers: Honor The First Families Of Gospel Music CD and DVD? Preview it now!WATCH THE VIDEO
The Hopper Heritage Foundation was established for and is working to raise the awareness of Southern Gospel Music. The foundation seeks to educate and train new artists in the industry. Also, the foundation is working to penetrate new markets and establish a broader fan base.


The archives of the GCAH exist to promote and care for the history of the United Methodist Church. The archive is located on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
Internship Spring 2012
Jonathan Lawler: Processing the personal paper collections of two prominent Methodist leaders. Alfred Waller Jr. and the Reverend Lynn James Radcliffe. The majority of my internship at the United Methodist archives consisted of arranging and describing two collections. I completed two EAD documents during the course of the semester. Alfred M. Waller, Jr. (1948-1987) was an American United Methodist minister and Drew University faculty member. The collection of his personal papers contains reference material, various artifacts, publications, sermons, and correspondence largely pertaining to anti-apartheid activities and African American history and issues. I arranged the material by genre for this rather small collection (1.26 cubic feet) which is contained within one series.
The much larger Radcliffe Papers contain three series by genre: paper sermons, other writings, and audio taped sermons. The Reverend Radcliffe was a well known pastor in Cincinnati who donated hundreds of sermons to the UMC Archives. In addition to organizing the material, I had the opportunity to digitize two of his audio taped sermons which were recorded on ¼ inch tape. In addition to these activities, I learned to digitize photographs, records, and micro-film while also learning various preservation techniques from the staff at GCAH.


Last month I had the great privilege of photographing Troy & Renee’s wedding day. This was my first solo wedding (second wedding ever!). It was a beautiful day, the rain held up and we even had some beautiful sun at the end of the day. From the beginning of our time together until the end of the night, their smiles and love for each other were so evident. They are best friends and you couldn’t help but smile when looking at them. The testament of God’s faithfulness in their lives was openly shared during their day. Troy and Renne, again congratulations and I wish you God’s blessings and love as you continue on this journey together!
And I just had to add– Troy and Renee planned this wedding in a matter of a few weeks. They worked so hard on all the details– their home was beautifully landscaped and made ready for their reception. I loved all the little details that they put into the day- my favourite though was the cake as you’ll see below- the cake captured specific words that mean so much to their family- it was amazing and a great summary of their day!


New Life Christian Church
2019 Sermon Videos New Life Christian Church: 1/6-4/21/19
Please note: No sermon video for March 17 due to technical difficulties.
for 2018 Sermon Videos dated October 21 through December 30
ould love to have you visit soon!
Directions to Church
4701 E. CR 462 - Wildwood, FL 34785
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Friday 8:00 a.m. to Noon


WISCONSIN RAPIDS RESOURCE CENTER
320 Oak St., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(in the basement of Saint John the Evangelist
Episcopal Church; enter through the RED DOOR)
Open Mondays and Wednesdays Noon to 7:30 p.m., and by appointment.
WAUSAU RESOURCE CENTER
300 N. First St., Wausau, WI 54403
(on the first floor of the Marathon County Public Library)
Open by appointment.
MARSHFIELD RESOURCE CENTER
149 N. Central Ave. Marshfield, WI 54449
Marshfield (Inside St. Vincent de Paul Building)
Open Tuesdays Noon to 7:30 p.m., and by appointment.


Brewton-Parker has been committed to helping students find God’s purpose for their lives.
We Call, Prepare, and Inspire our students to be effective members of society while being ambassadors for Christ.
Therefore, Brewton-Parker College wants to create more opportunities for students to attend college and pursue their calling into the Christian Ministry. We believe in the pastoral mission to equip the Saints; that is to prepare and equip students with the tools to fulfil God's calling to ministry on their life. Therefore, we ask you to nominate a student or students (one form per student) at your church to receive a scholarship when they pursue Christian Studies at Brewton-Parker College. Please list the student's information below.


by Jerry Shugart
One of the foundational teachings upon which Traditional Dispensationalism has been built is the teaching that the Body of Christ is an intercalation or parenthesis in the divine purposes toward Israel. The founding President of Dallas Theological Seminary, Lewis Sperry Chafer, correctly understood that the Body of Christ is "wholly unrelated to any divine purpose which precedes it or follows it":
"But for the Church intercalation -- which was wholly unforeseen and is wholly unrelated to any divine purpose which precedes it or which follows it. In fact, the new, hitherto unrevealed purpose of God in the outcalling of a heavenly people from Jews and Gentiles is so divergent with respect to the divine purpose toward Israel, which purpose preceded it and will yet follow it, that the term parenthetical, commonly employed to describe the new age-purpose, is inaccurate. A parenthetical portion sustains some direct or indirect relation to that which goes before or that which follows; but the present age-purpose is not thus related and therefore is more properly termed an intercalation" [emphasis added] (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology [Dallas: Dallas Seminary, 1948] 4:41; 5:348-349).
In the 1980's a group of dispensationalists who had started to question the teaching of the Traditional Dispensationalists such as Chafer and Charles Ryrie denied the Church parenthesis and asserted that those in the Body of Christ partake of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) promised to the nation of Israel.
Ryrie says that progressive dispensationalism "has modified or clouded the classic, normative, dispensational dictinction between Israel and the church...by abandoning the concept of the church as an intercalation or parenthesis. Classic dispensationalism used the words 'parenthesis' or 'intercalation' to describe the distinctiveness of the church in relation to God's program for Israel. An intercalation is an insertion of a period of time in a calendar, and a parenthesis in one sense is defined as an interlude or interval (which in turn is defined as an intervening or interruptive period). So either or both words can be appropriately used to define the church age if one sees a distinct interlude in God's program for Israel (as clearly taught in Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks in 9:24-27)" [emphasis added] (Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism [Chicago: Moody Press, 1995], 134).
The dispensationalists who questioned the teaching of Chafter and Ryrie came to the conclusion that those in the Body of Christ partake of the spiritual blessings of Israel's New Covenant and thus they rejected the idea of the Church parenthesis.
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., wrote that "when Israel and the church were viewed as sharing one and the same covenant the possibilities for major rapprochement between covenant theology and dispensationalism
became immediately obvious" (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., "An Epangelical Response," in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, ed. Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock [Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992], 369).
That so-called "major rapprochement" reared its ugly head in the form of Progressive Dispensationalism, as witnessed by the title of the book authored by Robert Saucy:
The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism: The Interface Between Dispensational and Non-Dispensational Theology.
It will be easily shown that the teaching of the Progressive Dispensationalists in regard to Israel's New Covenant is embedded with a multiplicity of errors.
The people mainly responsible for Progressive Dispensationalism movement are Craig A. Blaising, Darrell L. Bock and the one person who could be regarded as the father of this movement, Robert L. Saucy.
Bock wrote that "in the Old Testament the fulfillment of the new covenant is tied to the inauguration of the kingdom (Jer. 31-33; Ezek. 36-37)" [emphasis added] (Darrell L. Bock, "The Reign of the Lord Christ," in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, 43).
Since the Progressive Dispensationalists say that the New Covenant is operational today then if they are right then the Messianic Kingdom of God must have already have been inaugurated and the Davidic Covenant has been fulfilled with the Lord Jesus now reigning from the throne of David. We will see that these Progressive Dispensationalists are unable to make their case and in their failed attempt they make blunder after blunder.
II. The Throne of David and Progressive Dispensationalism
Two Distinct Kingdoms
Robert Saucy identifies two different aspects of the kingdom of God, one being the eternal rule over all creation and the other being the eschatological, Messianic kingdom which is to be established in history:
"The kingdom of God thus refers to the sovereign rule of God over His creation. Although there is, in the ultimate sense, one kingdom of God, the Scripture uses this term for two distinct aspects of
this kingdom. On the one hand, it signifies God's universal, eternal rule over all creation: 'The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all' (Ps 103:19). On the other hand,
it refers to the eschatological Messianic kingdom which is to be established in history, which Christ announced as at hand, and for which He taught His disciples to pray" [emphasis added]
(Robert L. Saucy, The Church and the Kingdom, Part 2; https://verticallivingministries.com/2013/11/07/dr-robert-l-saucy-on-the-church-and-the-kingdom/).
Of course the throne of the Father in heaven (Rev.3:21) is the throne of Psalm 103:19 and that throne is in regard to God's universal, eternal rule over creation. Since that throne existed in the eternal state and
it existed at the time of creation it is certain that throne is not the throne of David because that throne did not even come into existence until the tenth century BC.
The following verse identifies the abode of the LORD God:
" For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa. 57:15).
The Lord Jesus is now at the Father's throne and not at His own throne:
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev.3:21).
When the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven He was at the throne of the Father. Later, Stephen saw a vision of the Lord Jesus still at
the right hand of the Father:
"But he, being full of holy spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of
man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-56).
The Scriptures will be searched in vain for any evidence that the Lord ever moved from the throne of the Father or that there are are two heavenly thrones.
Robert L. Saucy
Let us look again at the following verse where we see the location of the throne where the Lord Jesus now resides after ascending into heaven and being set down at the right hand of the Father:
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev.3:21).
Here we can understand that the Lord Jesus is speaking of two different and distinct thrones. In regard to the throne the Lord Jesus describes as His throne Robert Saucy says the following:
"The Scriptures frequently promise that the saints will reign with Christ in his kingdom (cf. Da 7:27; 2Ti 2:12; Rev 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-5; cf. also Mt 19:28; Lk 22:30; 1Co 6:1-3). This coreign with
Christ, as Revelation 3:21 indicates, is with him on his throne ('on my throne'), which surely includes the messianic reign" [emphasis added] (Robert L. Saucy, The Case for Progressive
Dispensationalism, [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993], 282).
From Revelation 3:21 alone Saucy should know and understand that the Lord Jesus is not now at His own throne, the throne of David, but instead on the throne of the Father. Despite that at another place Saucy inexplicably declares that the Lord Jesus is now on the throne of David:
"The 'right hand of God' is the position of messianic authority. Taking 'throne' in its metaphorical sense as a 'symbol of government,' the right hand of God is also the Messiah's throne. It is probably in this sense that we are to understand Peter's reference to Christ as having been raised to sit on the throne of David (Ac 2:30)" [emphasis added] (Ibid., 71).
I find it impossible to comprehend how Saucy can look at the Lord Jesus' words at Revelation 3:21 and admit that the Lord Jesus' throne is the throne of David and therefore Christ is not now sitting on the throne of David but instead on the Father's throne and then turn around and say that the Lord Jesus "has been raised to sit on the throne of David." Besides that, how is it possible that the Father's eternal, heavenly
throne is the throne of David since the heavenly throne existed before the world began and the throne of David didn't even come into existence until the tenth century BC? It isn't possible and it is evident that the Lord Jesus
is not now reigning from the throne of David.
Since Saucy mistakenly has the Lord Jesus sitting upon the throne of David he says that the kingdom promised in the OT finds its fulfillment in the present church age:
"The kingdom promised in the Old Testament, with its central features in the Davidic covenant, thus finds its fulfillment according to the New Testament teaching both in the present church age
and in the future" (Ibid., 110).
The Lord Jesus is now at the throne of the Father and not at His own throne, the throne of David. The whole scheme of Progressive Dispensationalism is totally dependent on the idea that the Lord Jesus is now reigning from the throne of David but since He isn't then the New Covenant promised to Israel is not now in force.
Craig A. Blaising
Craig Blaising wrote that "it is the 'Root of David' who is sitting on the Father's throne. But the fact that it is said to be on the Father's throne, far from presenting a problem to our interpretation, actually affirms it. For this
is one of the ways in which the Old Testament spoke of the throne inherited by the Davidic king; it is in fact the throne of the Lord" [emphasis added] (Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, Progressive
Dispensationalism [Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993], 183). Here is the verse to which Blaising makes reference:
"And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel" (1 Chron.28:5).
According to Blaising the fact that the throne of David is referred to as the throne of the LORD means that the throne of the Father where the Lord Jesus now sits is the throne of David. However, the Scriptures
reveal that in the Universal Kingdom the LORD is sovereign over all and therefore all things belong to Him:
"Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD,
and thou art exalted as head above all" (1Chron.29:11).
So the fact that the Scriptures reveal that the Davidic throne belongs to the LORD does not in anyway support the idea that the Father's throne where the Lord Jesus now sits is the throne of David. From the following verse we know that the throne of David belongs to the LORD because only the owner of that throne can give it to the Lord Jesus:
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Lk.1:32-33).
Like Saucy, Blaising
fails to understand that the eternal throne of the Father has always existed but the throne of David did not even exist until the tenth century BC. It is impossible that the Lord Jesus is now at His own throne, the throne of David,
because He Himself says that He is at the Father's throne. Besides that, Blaising says absolutely nothing about the throne to which the Lord Jesus says belongs to Him:
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev.3:21).
That is the elephant in the room and Blaising doesn't seem to even notice it.
Darrell L. Bock
Bock says that the Lord Jesus "sat down with the Father on the Father's throne":
"A crucial text is Revelation 3:21. Here the one who conquers is granted the right to sit on Jesus' throne, just as Jesus 'conquered and sat down' with the Father on the Father's throne" (Darrell
L. Bock, "The Reign of the Lord Christ," in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, 62).
However, Bock then speaks of a throne of the Lamb which is set next to the Father:
"The image of sitting on the throne is clearly an image of rule, and the description of being seated next to the Father accords with the language of Psalms 110, a messianic Psalm. The previous texts in Revelation
make it clear that this is an already bestowed authority. Furthermore, this throne of the lamb, set next to the father, is alluded to again in Revelation 22:1...Jesus is neither passive nor inactive from his right
hand throne" [emphasis added] (Ibid, 62-3).
According to Bock "the Davidic throne and the heavenly throne of Jesus at the side of the Father are one and the same, but there are two stages to the rule from that throne" [ emphasis added] (Ibid., 64).
Here Bock speaks of a throne of the Lamb which is set next to the Father. But is there evidence of a second heavenly throne, one set next to the Father? In the following passage John is given a vision of a scene set in heaven and he only sees one throne, not two:
"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne...And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain" (Rev.4:2;5:6).
If there is a heavenly throne at the right hand of the throne of the Father then why did John only see the one throne?
The throne seen by John is the same throne which is the "throne of God and of the Lamb" in the following passage:
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads"(Rev.22:3-4).
There is only "One" on the "throne of God and of the Lamb" and that is God. In the following passage John speaks of that very same throne and it is clear that it is the throne of God:
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Rev.21:5-7).
Later we see the Lord Jesus saying that He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" so He is on the one heavenly throne as God:
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev.22:12-13).
John certainly understood that those words are the words of the Lord Jesus:
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev.22:20).
Since only God can be the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" then it is certain that the "Throne of God and of the Lamb" is the eternal throne and not the throne of David.
Although Bock asserts that the Lord Jesus is now at a throne which is at the right hand of God he has failed to give any convincing argument that such a throne actually exists. Besides that, the Lord Jesus said that it will be not be until He returns to the earth when He will sit upon His throne:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory" (Mt.25:31).
The failure of the Progressive Dispensationalists to place the Lord Jesus Christ on the throne of David is a dagger into the heart of their teaching that the Davidic Covenant has been fulfilled and the Messianic kingdom
has been ushered in. Since the Lord Jesus is now sitting at the Father's throne and not on His own throne, the throne of David, then the theology of Progressive Dispensationalism comes tumbling down like a child's house
of cards. Besides that, since the Messianic kingdom is not now in existence then the New Covenant promised to Israel has not yet been fulfilled. Bock wrote that "in the Old Testament the fulfillment of the new
covenant is tied to the inauguration of the kingdom (Jer. 31-33; Ezek. 36-37)" [emphasis added] (Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, 43).
The blunders found in the scheme of Progressive Dispensationalism in regard to the Davidic Covenant have been exposed and it is obvious that the theology offered by the
Progressive Dispensationalists is bankrupt. Next, we will look at many of the passages from the Scriptures which are employed by them in their failed attempt to prove that the Messianic Kingdom is now in place.


Patron SAINT of Ireland - Saint Patrick
On March 17 each year, Ireland celebrates their patron saint, St. Patrick. This day is typically celebrated by people of Irish origin and Irish at heart around the world.
St. Patrick's Day, also known as St. Paddy's Day or St. Patty's Day, is a global celebration and particularly remembers St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. This day is not a federal public holiday in the US, but St. Patrick’s Day is a large celebration that comes with festive and colourful parades, gifts and lots and lots of alcohol.
Who is Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick was born around 385 AD in the United Kingdom. His real name is believed to be Maewyn Succat (he took on Patrick, or Patricus, after he became a priest). When he was 16, he was kidnapped by a group of Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Gaelic Ireland. During his six-year captivity as a shepherd, he began to have religious visions and found strength in his faith. He finally escaped to France and became a priest - and later a bishop. When he was about 60 years old, Saint Patrick returned to Ireland to spread the Christian word. He used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the Christian concept of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
How Is Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated?
On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast – on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
St. Patrick's Day was a pretty tame holiday in the beginning. In fact, it was a minor religious holiday in Ireland until the 1970s. Irish laws mandated pubs be closed on March 17 in Ireland every year until the 1970s. We can trace some of the modern revelry associated with St. Patrick's Day to the fact that prohibitions on eating meat, drinking and dancing during Lent were lifted for the day.
However, America is responsible for turning St. Patrick's Day into the big party we know and love today, which is not totally surprising. There's some debate over when the first St. Patrick's Day parade took place, but early celebrations happened in Boston in 1737 and New York in 1762. St. Patrick's Day celebrations continued to grow as more and more Irish immigrants came to the US, especially after the Irish potato famine hit in 1845.
Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. New York's St. Patrick's Day parade is the world's oldest civilian parade and the largest parade in the US, according to History.com. Chicago is also famous for dyeing the Chicago River green every year for its St. Patrick's Day celebration.
There are celebrations in many small towns, big cities and bars across the country as in Canada and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore and Russia.
What’s with the colour Green and Leprechauns during Saint Patrick’s Day?
There isn't really one reason why this is the official colour of St. Patrick's Day, but the colour green has a lot of connections to Ireland and springtime. It's featured in the Irish flag, Ireland is nicknamed the "Emerald Isle", it represents spring, and it's the colour of shamrocks, The Christian Science Monitor points out. And remember, if you don't wear green, you risk being pinched. That wholly American tradition comes from the idea that people thought wearing green helped ward off being pinched by leprechauns (seriously), according to The Christian Science Monitor. Leprechauns would pinch anyone they could see, i.e. anyone not wearing green.
Leprechauns are not real but leprechauns do have a rich history in Irish folklore. Tales of these little fairies were passed down from generation to generation. They were said to be "shoemakers who socked away their profits in pots at the end of rainbows, or scattered them around in mountains, forests, or rocks", according to TIME. It is said that people have looked for leprechauns to get a piece of that gold and because they're rumoured to bring good luck. Oh man. If only these little guys actually existed, how rich we all could be. Having said that, you could make yourself a Tropical Leprechaun to celebrate St. Paddy's Day!
Gift Ideas for Saint Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is huge on gifts. Since this is of Irish tradition, it also becomes a reunion of sorts for those friends and relatives of Irish blood. You do not have to have Irish blood to celebrate and give gifts on St. Paddy’s, though! As people say,


Peace Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
ODE TO MARCH
April showers bring May flowers, but what about March?
We are reminded to return to nostalgia, tradition, nature as we anticipate the celebrations to come and the changing of the seasons. Shakespeare would have us “beware the Ides of March,” but instead, there are some things to look forward to that make March a great time of the year minus the mud. April showers bring May flowers, but what about March? March is an in-between month and the final winter month with spring just around the corner.
March is officially Women’s History Month and on March 8th, we will celebrate International Women’s Day, a day set aside to appreciate the progress of women’s rights and the outstanding achievements of women from around the world. March is also a time of reflection, faith, and tradition for many as Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer marking 46 days before Easter Sunday. We finally ‘Spring Forward’ on the 13th bringing extra sunshine to our days. Followed by the celebration of all things Irish on the 17th with the Worm full moon on the 18th and then officially becoming spring on the 20th of this month at 11:33 am to be precise.
It is a month of transition, where we begin to shake off the lethargy of the winter and begin to plan for the glorious coming of spring yet again. Moments to come where we hear the first birdsong of spring or find the first sprout in our garden. It is a time of rebirth as we bid farewell to winter and so much to look forward to.
As with every month, March is an excellent time to explore our beautiful region. Be sure to find some time in your day to enjoy an afternoon walk/hike, leave your devices behind and catch the signs of spring’s coming approach.


- What are the 10 Commandments in simple terms?
- What are the 10 Commandments in the seven deadly sins?
- Is there any sin God will not forgive?
- What are the 7 sins God hates?
- How do I stop being so lazy?
- What does Jesus say about the law?
- What is the law of God?
- What is Meliodas race?
- What are the 10 commandments in the Bible?
- What are the 2 greatest commandments of God?
- Is it a sin to be lazy?
- What does covet mean in the Ten Commandments?
- Who changed the Ten Commandments?
What are the 10 Commandments in simple terms?
The Ten CommandmentsYou shall have no other Gods but me.You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.Respect your father and mother.You must not commit murder.You must not commit adultery.More items….
What are the 10 Commandments in the seven deadly sins?
CurrentDerieri the Purity: Combo Star (52,000)Drole the Patience: Ground (54,000)Estarossa the Love: Full Counter (60,000)Fraudrin the Selflessness: Full Size (31,000)Galand the Truth: Critical Over (27,000)Gloxinia the Repose: Disaster (50,000)Grayroad the Pacifism: Curse (39,000)More items…
Is there any sin God will not forgive?
Several passages in the New Testament are frequently interpreted as referring to the unforgivable sin: Matthew 12:30-32: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, any sin and blasphemy can be forgiven. But blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
What are the 7 sins God hates?
According to the standard list, they are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth, which are contrary to the seven heavenly virtues.
How do I stop being so lazy?
Here are some tips to help you get rid of laziness and get a grasp on your productivity.1. Make your goals manageable. … Don’t expect yourself to be perfect. … Use positive instead of negative self-talk. … Create a plan of action. … Use your strengths. … Recognize your accomplishments along the way. … Ask for help. … Avoid distraction.More items…•
What does Jesus say about the law?
The World English Bible translates the passage as: “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the. prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
What is the law of God?
“The law of Christ” (ὁ νόμος τοῦ Χριστοῦ) is a New Testament phrase most likely referring to the two commandments mentioned by Jesus: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and “You shall love your neighbor as …
What is Meliodas race?
Despite his adolescent appearance, Meliodas is actually a Demon who is over three thousand years old. Meliodas is later revealed to be the son of the Demon King and original leader of the Ten Commandants, possessing the fragment of his father’s soul embodying Love.
What are the 10 commandments in the Bible?
Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. … 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
What are the 2 greatest commandments of God?
The Lord Our God, The Lord is One; Thou shalt love thy Lord, thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”, before also referring to a second commandment, “And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Most Christian denominations consider these two commandments …
Is it a sin to be lazy?
It is the most difficult sin to define and credit as sin, since it refers to an assortment of ideas, dating from antiquity and including mental, spiritual, pathological, and physical states. One definition is a habitual disinclination to exertion, or laziness.
What does covet mean in the Ten Commandments?
You shall not covet”You shall not covet” means that we should banish our desires for whatever does not belong to us. Never having enough money is regarded as a symptom of the love of money. Obedience to the tenth commandment requires that envy be banished from the human heart.
Who changed the Ten Commandments?
SamaritansSamaritans changed the original Ten Commandments Methodologically, he analyses them in their smallest linguistic details such as changed letters, syllables or repositioned text sections, and he elaborates variations from the two biblical versions of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21).


Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Jeremiah 1: 4-10
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, “I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.
8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Sermon Can a Fire Engine Be Green?
Do you remember what it was like to be a child
and no one would listen to you?
I remember one time seeing a fire engine
racing down the road with its siren blaring
and lights flashing . . . and guess what . . .
it was a green-colored fire engine.
That’s right . . . green.
But when I told my parents that I saw
a green fire engine . . . they just laughed at me . . .
because, according to them . . .
fire engines can only be red.
There’s no such thing as a green fire engine.
And no matter how I argued with them . . .
it didn’t matter . . . they said I was mistaken.
And to make matters worse . . .
my sister even started to tease me about it.
But sometimes, children do have important things
to tell us . . .
much more important than the color of a fire engine.
Do we listen to them when they tell us
they have something important to say?
Or do we laugh at them . . . and tell them
they are mistaken.
The prophet Jeremiah had something to say . . .
God had even put the words in his mouth . . .
but Jeremiah didn’t think he was qualified
to speak for God . . .
after all . . . who would pay attention to him . . .
he was just a young boy?
Can’t say I blame him . . . after all,
who would take the word of a child
who was trying to tell you that the nation
was heading in the wrong direction
and God wanted things turned back around . . .
who would listen to words of such a prophet . . .
such a young child.
Do you think the king of Judah would pay any attention
to one of God’s prophets?
Makes you wonder about today . . .
do you think the leaders of this country would pay
any more attention to a young prophet of God?
Do we really want to hear the words of the prophets
any more than the king of Israel
wanted to listen to Jeremiah.
Would you listen?
When you think of a prophet . . . who comes to mind?
I suppose being here in a church
you might naturally think of prophets
in the Hebrew scriptures like Jeremiah . . .
and Isaiah . . . and a whole bunch of those
minor prophets like Micah and Obadiah . . .
and then if step over into the New Testament
you might remember the disciples
and John the Baptist and, of course, Paul.
But not all prophets are just in the Bible.
Think about it . . . who would you call
a prophet in today’s world . . .
who do people pay attention to
when they have something to say?
I can think of several . . .
John Lewis speaks a prophetic word or two . . .
younger generations pay attention
to Shane Claiborne and Brian McLaren . . .
Dr. William Barber is often called
the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. . . .
the Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu are considered
by many as prophets of the 21st Century . . .
then there are prophets that I don’t really agree with
such as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell . . .
some even claim Donald Trump
is a modern day prophet . . .
but he prefers to tweet his prophetic words.
But is it a requirement to be rich and famous
before you can be considered a prophet
and people will stop what they are doing
to listen to you?
Are there other prophets in the world . . .
even here in the United States . . .
who you’ve never heard . . . never paid attention to?
Well yes . . . there are.
Actually there are lots of them . . .
it’s just that we don’t pay much attention to them . . .
we don’t hang around with them long enough
to hear their stories that might want to share with us.
We might label these kind of prophets as misfits . . .
or illegal . . . or the wrong color . . .
or uneducated . . . or lazy . . . or criminals . . .
and there are plenty of other labels I could mention,
but I’d rather not.
They are the prophets who are powerless . . .
they are the prophets who are forgotten . . .
they are the prophets who are oppressed . . .
they are the prophets the dominant culture
ignores and continues to abuse . . .
but they are still prophets . . .
and their voices need to be heard . . .
because they, too, speak the word of God to us.
Someone once wrote these powerful words . . .
and they hit the mark . . .
“When the prophet Jeremiah protests,
“Truly, I do not know how to speak,
for I am only a boy,”
he gives voice to the language
of internalized oppression—
that sin-sick chorus of voices saying some of us
don’t matter that inundates us
until it becomes nearly synonymous
with our self-understanding.
I am only a boy. Or a girl.
I am only an illegal immigrant
or minimum-wage worker.
I am just another black life. Or gay runaway.
Or foster child that no one
has been able to really see, truly love.
It is so easy to diminish voices
speaking from the margins.
They are periphery voices, too long neglected
in the halls of power and pulpits of our churches.
These voices are difficult to hear,
because they are thick with a pain
in which we are complicit.
They are inconvenient, because they ask us
to do things like rework an entire service,
center the experiences of the suffering
in our sanctuaries,
and march in the streets with those
disrupting the status quo.
(Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Land of the Sky UCC, Asheville)
So today . . . I am going to ask you to listen
to the words of two prophets . . .
two prophets who are going to bring their story to us . . .
and out of their stories . . . if we listen hard enough . .
.we, too, might feel a bit unsettled . . .
maybe even uncomfortable . . .
and they might just ask us to do something
we’d rather not do . . .
maybe even disrupt the status quo.
But you know . . . those good prophets in the Bible
did that a whole lot . . .
and another prophet . . . Jesus Christ . . .
my Lord and Savior . . . did that all of his life.
But you have to take time to listen . . .
to really listen.
I invite you now to listen to the stories of two prophets .
. . both students of Freedom University . . .
both DACA recipients . . .
both who have already given so much to this country . .
. and still have so much more to offer . . .
Alma Ol-Fer and Rafael Aragon
will now share their voices and their prophetic words . . .
let us welcome them.
TO HEAR THEIR STORIES . . . WATCH THE VIDEO
Can a fire engine be green?
Yes it can.
Can two DACA students from Freedom University . . .
who have been told by the government
that they aren’t welcome here . . .
be a blessing to you and me and to this country.
Yes they can.
Let us pray:
Lord of all . . . Creator of everyone out of the dust of the cosmos . . . we pray for all of your children . . . all of our brothers and sisters . . . who are one in your family . . . a family that knows no borders . . . a family that stretches from one end of this world to the next . . . a family that finds joy in diversity and differences . . . a family that gathers at your table where there is enough for everyone . . . where there is hope and plenty of grace for everyone . . . where there is love and acceptance beyond measure. Soften the hearts of those who would exclude others . . . so that one day . . . we might rejoice as that one family in your holy and magnificence presence.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Share


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Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.
Key information about the church...
Where & when does the church meet?
Our Regent Hall Salvation Army Church meets every Sunday at 11:00am for our Sunday Service. Our open-air meeting on Oxford Street is at 10:00am.
We meet at:
275 Oxford Street
You can see a map on our contact us page.
What should I expect when I visit the church?
You will receive a very warm welcome particularly from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go. We have a time of worship with congregational singing and items from our musical sections. We have periods of reflection, when we pray and read the Bible, and our Bible message is brought to us by one of our officer team.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions.
What happens to the kids at church?
We have a great programme for the kids at Regent Hall for:
Explorers (4-7 years)
Kids Zone (8-10 years)
We also have an active youth group, including Pulse - a Sunday session learning about faith, as well as regularly getting together for worship and just meeting up socially and for sports.
For more information about what happens in the children's and youth work please visit the relevant age groups for you under church life.
Is there a dress code?
Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes. Our corps officers (Church leaders) and Salvationists do wear Salvation Army uniform to be visible in our ministry and witness.
Will I have to join in?
Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.
We have more information for you specifically if you…
I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.
Please feel free to contact us.
If you want to know who works in the church office, check out our Staff and Leadership page.


This is a reprint of five sermons delivered by Leslie D. Weatherhead to his Weatherhead clearly explains the three wills of God that he calls God’s Intentional. 10 Feb February The Three Wills Of God. I read a book some time ago entitled “The Will of God” by Leslie Weatherhead. Will Of God Revised: Leslie D. Weatherhead: Books – Amazon. ca. Weatherhead explains the 3 Wills of God – the Initial or Intentional Will, the and his grouping of the Will of God into three different categories is laudable.
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Jan 05, Shelley Huber rated it it was amazing. One story slide fire truck involved a gas explosion on Wednesday, March 12 thflattening two apartment buildings in New York.
Overall, very useful in explaining the will of God to those who often are troubled about why bad things happen.
The Will of God (Part 1)
If it was God’s intended purpose for this man to die before he ever got on the operating table, were the doctors fighting against God’s will by trying to save his life? The examples and illustrations that Weatherhead uses are also becoming increasingly outdated and not very relatable to a more modern audience. Having read this book four times and used it in an Adult Sunday School class about three times I can recommend it to anyone who questions outcomes in life that seem to be outside the will of God.
Do weatherheda sense the confusion?
God’s ultimate will, in spite of our attempts to work mostly for our wills, is “the redemption of man. It is my daily reminder that although Satan can win battles, God will win the war. There happens to be a deck around an in-ground pool.
For example, I am assuming many of you heard these three stories that hit the news this past week. I believe this is really, really wrong. A life changing book!
My church pastor led a study on this book.
And a reckless driver, who is speeding and has been partying too much, collides into the car in front of him causing a chain reaction of multiple collisions.
God cannot be finally defeated. However, because of real life events, they ended up trading an operating room for a clinic. But, lease God, a willls years hence or descendants will turn back and become incredulous that we ever called ourselves by the name of Christ when his body was torn asunder in ur churches, trampled on in our streets, exploited in big business, left to disease when medical knowledge and skill were within reach the human family, and mutilated by bombs and burning steel we dropped on one another’s cities.
The Will of God by Leslie D. Weatherhead
Had heard of this long ago and only read it now after wilks recommendations. WW2 references to the Blitz are very difficult for today’s reader to connect I found Weatherhead’s presentation of ideas informative and enlightening but his “categories” were not all that helpful.
Please approve, because I want so badly to do it. Weather conditions are slippery. Intentional – by God’s direct intentions 2. I find this most helpful when Content consists of 5 sermons preached by Leslie Weatherhead in London during heavy German bombing in Very thought-provoking and helpful although one should be aware of the historical context in which it was written God needed another little angel. How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! We turn back a hundred years and wonder that Christian men could sign humans to Weatherheaad while slavery was rife.
He views God’s will as one of the following: The doctors do all they can and while in surgery, he dies. One of the most frequent questions I have and get asked is, how do you know the will of God?
The Will of God (Part 1)
One answer we may quickly come to is sin and the presence of evil and I would agree with that as part of the answer. A husband is in the hospital fighting for his life after a massive heart attack. Major theological questions go unexplored, in the interest of time no doubt, but are nonetheless used to support a point being made.
As an adult, can I scar a child emotionally from what I say and physically by what I do? Oct 24, Karen Hartley rated it it was amazing. Outside of that this is as I have said a wonderful quick, short, and provocative book.
He gets right to the point: This book helps to understand what most people question their entire lives. An excellent little book on a big subject.
Any Christian who has questions about what God “wills” for people. God would not allow cancer if of itself it had the power to defeat him.
I really loved this book, this could definitely be leslir life-changing book. Return to Book Page. Excellent exposition on an off misused phrase. Weatherhead’s writing is dated but his explanation of God’s will and his division of it into 3 categories is a great revelation. Remember that we cannot pretend to know His will. God ideally has good plans for us.


Michael's has a strong musical tradition which forms an important part of our worship. We also offer occasional events such as Choral Evensong or organ recitals which are listed in our Diary.
Organist and Director of Music
The Choir supports our worship at all main services and is available to take part in weddings and funerals when requested. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7.00-8.30pm. Individuals may study for RSCM Awards and enquiries from potential new members are always welcome.
For our Sung Eucharist the musical setting is the Mass of St Thomas composed by David Thorne.
'But thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.'
Listen to the Choir sing John Rutter's The Lord is my Shepherd. Holy Communion of Requiem for All Souls, November 2015.
Our organ was built in 1905 by Harrison & Harrison of Durham. The original pneumatic action was restored in 1979 by the Pendlebury Organ Co. of Cleveleys. During May 2017 it underwent professional repair and restoration by David Wells Organ Builders Ltd.
In 2013 the organ was awarded a Grade I Historic Certificate by The British Institute of Organ Studies. There are only 18 Grade I certified Harrison organs in Britain.