Celebrating the Love of God
I want to share with you today a word that has really blessed me. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” (New King James Version). Although a common scripture, it is new everyday.
The original word “loved” used in the preceding text is “Agapao,” meaning unconditional love of God, when He had no reason to love us, He loved us anyway! I am overwhelmed by this love of God that culminated at Calvary. Calvary is prove that God loves you and me. How He loved us! We should recognize daily by faith that God has proven His love to us by sending His Son to die in our place.
In Jesus now, everything we will ever need has been provided for; our past, our present, and our future needs have been taken care of through the representative work of Jesus Christ. Now in Jesus we are quickened, raised, seated with Him in the heavenlies, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Beloved, I want to encourage you today, no trouble can hold you down, you are anointed, you are too slippery for the devil and his cohorts to hold you down, Jesus death and resurrection destroyed every legal claim that the devil had over you, it is your time now.
According to Isaiah 10:27, it is clear that the yoke of the enemy is destroyed, not broken but destroyed because of the Holy Spirit anointing on your life. This destroying of the yoke of the enemy by Jesus is clearly portrayed in Colossians 2:14-15 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.
And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it“(NKJV). Hallelujah, victory at last!
Dearly beloved, take courage as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, make a concerted effort to live in the reality of such an amazing love of our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let nothing move you, the one in whom everything consists loves you unconditionally.
By Pastor Dr. Pennie Kako


Journey of Hope Fellowship, located in Pawling, is excited to host an event for the teenagers in our community and the surrounding area. One of our goals as a church is to build relationships with the young people of our community, be a support to them and show the teens we care about them. The “Live For More Tour” event will be presented by students from the Word of Life Bible Institute on Saturday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Lathrop building at Lakeside Park in Pawling. They are an amazing group of college students who have a heart to reach out to teens. In addition to the rigorous studies of college, they take time out to travel every weekend to a different city to share what God is doing in and through their lives. They will perform live music, provide fun games and great food. This event is for all teens ages 13 through 19. It is our hope that you would encourage the teenagers in your life to come out and experience a wholesome fun night with young positive role models. It could be the beginning of what might be a life-changing journey. For more information, visit our website www.journeyofhopefellowship.com or contact Kelly Liffland, Outreach 845-629-2121.


Your daily goal should be to live a happier life. In today’s world, there are very many things that can be very frustrating making your day unbearable but you can actually choose to enjoy your day. This is because happiness is a choice and there are very many things you need to understand to make it possible. If you are a Christian, one of the things you can do is endeavor to create a spiritual lifestyle for yourself. Research that has been done in this website indicates that spiritual people tend to feel happier because your beliefs bring meaning to their lives. Therefore, it is good for you to realize that, including spiritual practices can be very helpful in living a happy life. If you are interested therefore in living a happy and creating a spiritual lifestyle, here are some helpful tips to help out.
One of the recommendations is to practice gratitude. There are very many things to be grateful for a sacristan including the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed himself so that you can find forgiveness. One of the things you realize about buying grateful in all things as the Bible recommends, is that it draws near to God and that is the testimony of many Christians that have done this. Everyday, there is always a miracle to be thankful for, including the gift of life and therefore, be sure to practice gratitude.
It is also wise of you to remember that giving is one of the ways to create a spiritual and meaningful life. Jesus practice giving in all his days and there is a lot to learn from him about giving because it is an essential aspect of spiritual growth. One thing that is for sure is that giving will give great meaning to your life, especially knowing that you are fulfilling Scripture. In the now society, there are very many people in need of one thing or the other and that is an opportunity for you to give.
You can donate to a cause within your local community and you can also look for nonprofits organizations where you can do so. When it comes to giving, but forget that it is not always about money and other items because you can also give your time to charitable organizations and make a lot of difference. If you are interested in volunteer work, you can visit this online page andget more info.
If you want to learn more on how to grow as a Christian and build spiritual disciplines, then you can read more books and articles on this. There are many other opportunities for you to learn including coaching and attending seminars. Also, don’t forget to engage yourself in songs and dance as recommended in Psalms 149.


Go share the Good News of Jesus Christ making disciples locally and globally.
SUNDAYS @ LIVING HOPE
Connect on Sundays with God and His Church
With an open heart and God given gifts you can serve the local church and the community.
To help you grow in your faith you can join a HOPE Group for Bible study, encouragement and great fellowship.
Welcome to Living Hope!
Everyone is welcomed at Living Hope no matter where you are on your spiritual journey! We are a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church that reflect the beauty of the body of Christ. It is our sincere desire that all men, women, boys, and girls come into a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and experience daily the power of His eternal love. A believer can increasingly grow into an intimate, vibrant relationship with Christ as he or she is being transformed by God's word. We invite you to connect and grow with us. Join us Sundays at 12 noon.
We exist to produce passionate followers of Jesus
LIVING HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH ` Pastor Rodney Martin


My dear friends,
Easter celebration is not only about finding and eating chocolate eggs or enjoying a nice roast, it is also about maintaining the tradition. Especially in Mallorca, tradition is of particular importance to the mostly catholic population.
The Passion of Christ processions are celebrated in many towns, as well as in the capital of the island, Palma. It is exciting to visit this event and it gives a special meaning to the Easter celebration.
Here are some highlights for you:
Let’s start with the Passion of Christ procession “Crist de la Sang”, which takes place Maundy Thursday (29.03.) in Palma. Many people admire this procession, which goes through the streets of Palma. It moves slowly and with humble music, incense and many religious accessories in penitential garment with pointed hoods and nothing but slits for the eyes.
Various events take place in the cathedral “La Seu”, also in Palma, on Good Friday from midday until evening. Especially impressive on this day is the descendent from the cross, which takes place in Pollenca and is celebrated atmospherically with thousands of candles.
Easter Sunday is dedicated to the encounter, the reunion of the risen Jesus with his mother. The joy can clearly be seen in the movements and the faces of the procession.
But Holy Week is not only about spirituality, it is also about culinary delight. The Majorcan families enjoy going outdoors and having a nice picnic. Very typical are the “panades”, which are filled with lamb meat and peas. The sweet “robiols” and “crispells” are also a special Easter treat. Naturally, many restaurants on the island also offer Easter breakfasts, brunches or special menus.
With this in mind we wish you all a pleasant time on our beautiful island.
Christine & Salvador


Mercy can be defined "loving and sympathetic heart" and compassion means "to pity
and help one who is in distress." There are three expressions that describe Jesus' heart in the Bible: "Compassionate," "Sympathetic," and "Merciful." We can see from these that Jesus, understanding people's situation, had compassion and mercy.
1. Jesus had compassion on those who are wandering, having lost the true way.
In the synoptic Gospels, we can see that Jesus had compassion and mercy on the multitudes that were following Him. He witnessed the Word to those who were gathering to hear the Word of Life to the point where He did not even have time to eat(Mark 3:20). He did not reject those who were coming to Him with all sorts of sickness and problems; rather He healed their sicknesses and solved their problems(Matt. 12:15, 19:2). From the dawn to late night, Jesus' days did not even have a little time to rest because He was with the people. One day, He got on a boat, wishing to go somewhere quiet and rest. However, the multitudes of people that were following Jesus somehow knew where Jesus was going and went there first. Seeing that, Jesus had sympathy as for shepherdless sheep. That's why He said to them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He is the Lord who introduces to those who seek His Word and need His healing a correct faith and way of life through the Word of life with compassion and mercy! That's why Jesus guided people to the right direction and way of life in His ministry. When we also have this heart of Jesus in our relationships with other people, we will receive the blessing of mercy and compassion from God.
2. He cared for the souls that lost hope and lived in distress
In Luke 7, Jesus saw a funeral march of a son of a widow in Nain. Seeing the grieving soul of the widow, He stopped the march and raised her son from death. This is a miraculous event where Jesus gave hope to one who had lost hope. This Jesus came to our church and gave us the same hope. That's why He comes to those who are in distress and says, "Don't cry."
As we look at the event where Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain, we can realize that Jesus' mercy and compassion are the foundation of solutions to all problems. Only when Jesus felt sympathy and compassion in His heart, a miracle occurs and solutions to problem are given as blessing. Thus, we should also have a good heart of compassion and mercy like Jesus. The reason why Jesus forgave our sins on the cross is so we can also share that love with our neighbors. In the Beatitudes of Jesus, He speaks of those who are merciful(Matt. 5:7). In the General Translation(Korean), it says, "Those who are merciful are happy because they will receive mercy." In other words, those who are merciful to others will receive the blessing of prosperity in all things. On the contrary, those who are not merciful will receive merciless judgment(Jas. 2:13). Apostle Paul describes the heart that Christians must have as the following: "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you"(Eph. 4:32).
3. He shed tears when He saw those who were troubled with broken heart.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we can read about the compassionate and merciful heart of Jesus. As we can see in that parable, one who approaches a person in trouble with a sympathetic heart is a true friend. That is a compassionate and merciful heart: and that is the heart of our Lord. He did not avoid those who are suffering physically and/or mentally, but rather had compassion and sympathy on them. This kind of heart became apparent in the form of "forgiveness." That's why the parable in Matt. 18:21ff. the king forgave his servant who had ten amount a person cannot possibly pay back. The Lord cleared away all that debt by having a compassionate and sympathetic heart. The debtor was finally freed from pressure and suffering. Now, the Lord wished that he would also testify of the love, compassion, and mercy of the Lord to those who are indebted to him by forgiving them; "forgiving from the heart"(Matt. 18:35). When he does not do that, he sits in the judgment seat. A true believer's heart reflects on the love that he received from God and shares that love with others in the like-manner.
Joseph was a character in the Bible who returned evil with good and truly forgave(Gen. 45:8, 50:19-21). As Joseph truly forgave his brothers with love, mercy, and compassion, we should also live a life of mercy and compassion toward our neighbors through forgiving and loving heart.


Halaman: 140 * Kulit Nipis * Tebal: 0.9 sm
"What is the good news message that Yahshua spoke about? Because of false replacement theology, most of Christianity has lost this true message for almost 2,000 years. I would like to reveal to you, in this book, the beautiful message of the Everlasting Covenant given to Abraham over 3,800 years ago, and promised from generation to generation through the 12 tribes of Israel."
Harga tokobukumaya: RM 30.00


It seems like a lot of people I know are becoming pregnant, which makes me more aware of the other pregnant woman in the world. I can't help myself when I pass by them at a doctors office, or grocery store. It simply amazes me. It's profound. Creating life from love with the love of your life. Just try to wrap you mind around how amazing that is. You carry this form of life inside of you for 9 months.You need to intake 300 more calories a day. As time goes by, it continues to develop. Your body naturally provides food for when it's born. Then when the baby is ready to come out, your body knows. Everything about it is purely a miracle. Do you know what else is a miracle? It not being an accident, under any circumstances. God creates life through us. God is love. Love creates life. That is one of the many ways God symbolizes His love for us.
Jeremiah 1:5 is one of my favorite verses.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."
Wow. This verse is so powerful. It says so much. Not only is it saying that God gave you this life, but that your life has purpose. He knew you before you were born. We were created in God's image. God knew each of us. He knew what our strengths and weaknesses would be, He knew what our limitations would be. He knew us in this way even before we were born.
I never thought so deep into this topic until I really grasped on the fact of how fragile our life here on earth is. It reminds me how blessed we are to have such an amazing God who provides us with these unexplainable miracles. He is a God of life.


This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Free Vision Forum Download
Download a free copy of The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision audio message when you 'like' Vision Forum On Facebook. Click the 'free download' tab at the top of their Facebook page and follow the instructions.


Jesus’ point in Mt 5:38-42 appears to be that we are not to retaliate for evil done to us, and when someone imposes on us, we are to accept the imposition and even go beyond the minimum demanded.
That Pope Francis consciously chose “nonviolence” as the theme of his message to the world on New Year ’s Day, 2017, is in itself a powerful fact. The Pope unabashedly pointed out that “(Jesus)… taught his disciples to love their enemies and to turn the other cheek. … Jesus marked out the path of nonviolence. He walked that path to the very end, to the cross.”


Russia · St. Basil’s Cathedral
Pokrovsky Cathedral which is better known as the Cathedral of St. Vasili is Orthodox church, an architectural monument which is one of the most famous symbols of Moscow and the whole Russia due to its distinctive architecture and prominent position on the famous Red Square. Discover hidden surprises inside its walls. St. Basil’s Cathedral is located at the end of the Red Square opposite the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin.
The origins of the St. Basil’s Cathedral date back to Russia’s battles against the Mongol Tartars. In 1552, Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible won a decisive battle against the Tartars near the city of Kazan. Upon his return home he commissioned a new church to be built to commemorate this victory. The construction works lasted six years from 1555 till 1561.
Because the victory over Tartars took place on the feast day of the Intercession of Virgin, the Tsar chose to name the new church Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat (after a nearby moat that ran across the Kremlin perimeter). The Cathedral is better known by its nickname Saint Basil. The “holy fool” Basil the Blessed was very popular at the time with Muscovites and with Ivan the Terrible himself. The grave of Basil the Blessed is located meters away from the Cathedral.
St. Vasili’s Cathedral is a balanced ensemble of eight column churches which surround the ninth one, the highest temple that is topped with a marquee. Each of the eight churches was named in honor of the saint on whose day Kazan campaigns of Ivan the Terrible brought something remarkable. The central church is dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God. This day Kazan was taken by storm. Column church are decorated with onion domes. Each of them is unique; none of them repeats the others. Each dome is decorated with cornices, innovative features, windows, niches.
In 1918, St. Basil’s Cathedral was among the first Russian buildings to be taken into custody of the Soviet Government as the monument of Russian and world heritage.


Arabic bible download pdf
It is commonly abbreviated SAB (Sharif Arabic Bible). Zip package (187 MB) for essential reading and listening: Contains PDF files and MP3 audio files Can be downloaded and is then available for offline use.
30 Jul 2016 Arabic Bible الكتاب المقدس & Arabic Audio Holy Bible - . . : . . . Old Testament. Genesis Exodus Leviticus- Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua
Arabic Bible Download Software Arabic Keyboard Layout Support v.5 This software lies in the internationalization field, this is mainly written to enable the people who don't have Arabic enabled windows to write Arabic . CopticChurch.net now offers the entire searchable Arabic Bible online with diacritics for the first time on the internet. The Arabic translation is Smith & Van Dyke version which is the most commonly used Arabic Bible. We hope that you benefit from this project and please let us know if have any suggestions. HolyBooks.com – download free PDF e-books Download PDF's: holy books, sacred texts and spiritual PDF e-books in full length for free. Download the Bible, The Holy Quran, The Mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. Read the reviews and download the free PDF e-books.
بدء الخليقة. 1فِي الْبَدْءِ خَلَقَ اللهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، 2 وَإِذْ كَانَتِ الأَرْضُ مُشَوَّشَةً وَمُقْفِرَةً وَتَكْتَنِفُ الظُّلْمَةُ وَجْهَ الْمِيَاهِ، وَإِذْ كَانَ رُوحُ اللهِ يُرَفْرِفُ عَلَى سَطْحِ الْمِيَاهِ، 3 أَمَرَ اللهُ: «لِيَكُنْ نُورٌ».
الصوت الكتاب المقدس Arabic Audio Bible - Playlist. محاولة لدينا التطبيق ل'أندرويد'. الكتاب المقدس الصوت باللغة العربية و 35 لغات أخرى. Dear Internet Archive Supporters, Thank you for helping us reach our fundraising goal. Egypt Arabic Bible. Publication date 1992 Topics Arabic, Standard Genesis Translation, arb Publisher United Bible Societies Collection PDF download. download 1 file HolyBooks.com – download free PDF e-books Download PDF's: holy books, sacred texts and spiritual PDF e-books in full length for free. Download the Bible, The Holy Quran, The Mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. Read the reviews and download the free PDF e-books. The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon Of The Bible Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. Nabatean, Arabic Script, Jewish Script, Ancient Manuscripts, Sacred Books of the East, Nabateans, Qumran Scrolls, Israel PDF download. download 1 file Ancient Versions of the Bible Concerning the reverence by eastern Masoretes for the holy text of the Tanakh, in relation to the Targums, Pinkhos Churgin says in his Targum Jonathan to the Prophets, “The Aramaic rendering of the Prophets belongs to the earliest translations of the Bible which have come down to us. The books of the Bible are listed in order and by chapter so you can find verses quickly. The New World Translation (1984) is an accurate, easy-to-read Holy Bible.
The following fonts are needed for proper display of the Arabic text in PDF In order for you to read the Arabic Bible in PDF format, you need to download the
Bible League's Easy-to-Read™ translations are available for free in PDF format for download (below) or visit You can also download our ERV Reader App, Bible League International's new mobile app, which delivers God's Arabic Bible 1 Jan 2016 In telling the story of the Bible in Arabic, this book casts light on a crucial transition in the cultural and religious life of Jews Download PDF The Sharif Bible is the complete Bible in modern Arabic. It is a dynamic Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App. Amharic (AM) – አማርኛ1, New Amharic Standard Version, PDF only. Amuzgo Guerrero (AMU) – Amuzgo de Guerrero1, Amuzgo de Guerrero (AMU), NT. Arabic These pdf files include portions of Torah, Psalms, and Writings of the Download the Uyghur Bible in modified Arabic script (used in Xinjiang Province, China). Session VII - Biblical echoes in the Qur'an. Chair: Camilla Adang, Tel Aviv University. 10:00-10:30 │ Uri Rubin, Tel Aviv University. “The Book of Jubilees and THE HOLY BIBLE. TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN VULGATE. DILIGENTLY COMPARED WITH THE HEBREW, GREEK, AND. OTHER EDITIONS IN DIVERS
Islamic books in pdf format. ISLAM Its Foundation And Concepts. download pdf book LET THE BIBLE SPEAK. download pdf book
To help ensure that the first Bible people receive is one they understand, Bible League International’s translations of the Scriptures are written in everyday language. Bible League’s Easy-to-Read™ translations are available for free in PDF format for download (below) or visit our Bible Store to purchase available printed books. download [Arabic Holy Bible]رض المقدسة . download [Bengali Holy Bible] পবিত্র বাইবেল . download [Bulgarian Holy Bible] БЪЛГАРСКА БИБЛИЯ . download [Burmese Holy Bible] မြန်မာသမ်မာကမျြး . download [Cebuano Bible Holy Bible] BIBLIYA In 1847, the Reverend Eli Smith began a literal translation of the Bible into Arabic. However, he died before its completion and his colleague, Dr. Cornelius Van Dyke, finished it in 1860. The Van Dyke has since become the most popular translation of the Bible in the Arabic-speaking world. Read and listen to the Bible online, or download free audio recordings and sign-language videos of the Bible. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is an accurate, easy-to-read translation of the Bible. It has been published in whole or in part in over 160 languages. Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Phone 8. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Arabic Bible (الكتاب المقدس).
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Apostolic nuncio in the Baltic States: archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana
T. Kosciuškos g. 28
LT 2001 Vilnius
Tel: (00) 370 5 212 36 96, 22 34 46
Fakss: (00) 370 212 42 28
I-V: 9.00 - 13.00, 15.00 - 18.00
VI: 10.00 - 12.00
Secretary: Giovanni Gaspari
Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Latvia started in 1921. That year in Latvia arrived first apostolic delegate Antonino Zecchini who represented the Holy See also in Estonia and Lithuania. The Nunciature was situated on Jura Alunāna street 2, Riga. After the occupation period (1940-1991) diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Latvia was officially restored on October 1, 1991, defining the representation in the level of embassy and nunciature. The residence of apostolic nuncio in Latvia is located in Vilnius, Lithuania. As apostolic nuncio in Lithuania, he also represents the Holy See in Latvia and Estonia.
Papal legates and apostolic nuncios in Latvia
Achille Ratti, later known as Pius XI, was the first papal legate who arrived in Riga on 20 March 1920 as apostolic visitator, nuncio in Poland. During his visit the principles of Concordat between the Holy See and Latvia were worked out.
Antonino Zecchini was the first apostolic administrator in Latvia. From 1922 to 1926 he was a papal legate, from 1926 to 1928 - apostolic internuncio and from 1928 to 1935 - apostolic nuncio in Latvia. Permanent nunciature in Latvia, at the time when they were established only in powerful nations, shows that Pope considered Latvia as an important Catholic centre. Nuncio was awarded with the Order of the Three Stars, First class. Inscription on his tombstone at St. Michael's cemetery in Riga ends with the words: "... I love Latvia and wish to stay here forever".
Antonino Arata was the second apostolic administrator from 1935 to 1940. He was forced to leave the occupied country in the summer of 1940.
Latvia was without apostolic administrator from 1940 to 1991.
Justo Mullor Garcia was the third apostolic administartor after Latvia restored its independence. He was apostolic nuncio in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia from 1992 to 1997. Nuncio was awarded with the Order of the Three Stars, Second class in 1997.
Erwin Josef Ender was the fourth apostolic nuncio from 1997 to 2001.
Peter Stephan Zurbriggen was the fifth apostolic nuncio from 2001 to 2009.
Luigi Bonazzi was the sixth apostolic nuncio from 2009 to 2014. During his mission three bishops were nominated: metropolitan archbishop of Riga Zbigņevs Stankevičs, bishop of Jelgava Edvards Pavlovskis and bishop of Liepaja Viktors Stulpins. L. Bonazzi was taking active part in various Church activities in Latvia where he always was heartly welcomed. He also visited religious communities and led retreats.
Pedro Lopez Quintana is the seventh apostolic nuncio who started his mission in March 2014.


The last several months I’ve been ruminating on many issues that have deeply impacted my heart and soul. The dissonance I’ve experienced is unsettling and left me craving a resolution. As I’ve sought to make sense of the mess, everything seems to be returning to one central idea over and over again. This idea won’t dissolve or magically fix my heartaches, but love goes a long way toward prevention and resolution. So I began to focus on the idea of love and the question of what did it mean for me, a person who identifies as a Christian, a Student Affairs practitioner, a family member, a person in a dating relationship, a friend, a mentor, a person who wants to make a positive difference in the world. There are no instant solutions, even if I wish there were.
For now, here is what I know. As a Christian, I am called to love others. This defines and supersedes pretty much all the rest of it. I believe I am expected to love others well. While not an all inclusive list, some of the groups of people who the Bible asks me to love well are orphans, widows, the hungry and thirsty, those who need clothes, the sick, strangers, and the least of these. There are varying layers of loving people well; I know this isn’t all sunshine and roses. When you love someone well, you sometimes have to tell them there is spinach in their teeth or a booger in their nose so they don’t go around all day looking goofy. Sometimes you have to tell them that you think they are making unwise life choices and you are concerned for them. Sometimes you listen to the same story nine times because it’s their favorite story to tell. But always you do these things with the other person’s best interests at heart and without malice or joy at their pain. Love is not about hurting people.
As a Student Affairs practitioner, I am called to advocate for others and so I do this out of love for them. I admit, this place can get complicated, but I am not here by mistake. I am privileged to have the blessings of majority for the bulk of my identity. This privilege comes with responsibility to be a voice for those whose voice is silenced, mocked, ignored, or judged. Our voices might both say the same things, but because I carry privilege with my words, mine are more likely to be heard. So out of love for those who fall into the category of the least of these, I advocate. Sometimes I advocate for the sick or the strangers in my work. I don’t always have to know you or know you well to love you as a Christian. To be frank…that’s the hardest kind, but still it is what I believe I must be about. That is how I make a difference. I may not be able to stop the roiling waters of ugliness in the world that break my heart, but if I can make a difference for one, if I can speak and be heard by one, then one-by-one-by-one, my voice matters. And, to be fair, my voice speaks for the “other” in many situations. I will do my best to advocate for the one being judged in nearly any situation because I just can’t get on board with the judgment. It is not my place and there is always more to the story.
In my relationships, as best as I can, I want to role model love and be known for my love to others. There is a song that sticks in my head some days called, “They’ll Know We Are Christians” and part of the lyrics say, “And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” I’ve wondered lately if the world would know and be able to identify Christians by their love and guarding of other people’s dignity and pride, or not. It’s a tough bar to be sure. But I want to be a person who loves my family well when they make me crazy, who guards their dignity when we fight. I want to be a friend who is known for respecting the pride and dignity of my friends by not gossiping or taking sides. I want to be held to that bar, loved when I fail, and encouraged to try again. I can’t do it alone nor do I expect to. I know I need to rely on my faith and the strength that God provides me through that. But I also believe we are designed to be in community, so won’t you join me?
We can make a difference loving people, whether you are a faith-based person or not. Be known for your love. Guard the dignity of your friends and family; help save their pride. Care for sick, strangers, orphans, people whose voices are weaker than yours for whatever reason. Just love them well and one at a time, but together, we will raise a banner of love that just might turn the tide of hate away.
Take four minutes and watch this video? It resonates so deeply with me.


How To Be Born Again
This simple plan of how to be “Born Again” is to help you share Jesus. It is so simple that an eleven year old boy used it to win five of his friends to Jesus. It is so profound that all Hell cannot destroy it.
Jesus and Nicodemus
Origin Of The Term ‘Born Again’
The term ”Born Again” is over 1900 years old. One night, in the ancient city of Jerusalem, Jesus turned to an intellectual who was a religious leader of his time. Jesus said to him, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 KJV) In that statement, Jesus told us both the necessity and possibility of the new birth-spiritual transformation.
“Born Again” is a familiar term in today’s world, whether the society is Christian or otherwise. It has become the most discussed term in the language of man.
Throughout the ages, untold millions from every continent, race, creed and color have attested to the reality and power of Jesus Christ in their lives. They have become new creatures. Being “Born Again” is not something you do; it’s something God does for you the moment you accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour of your life.
Most people would rather risk catastrophe than ask directions. Nicodemus asked directions. “How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked, can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?… How can these things be? “Nicodemus asked, (John 3:4,9 KJV) In John 3:14, Jesus tells of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Although this was a familiar story to Nicodemus, even his brilliant religious mind could not understand that this illustration symbolized Christ being lifted up on the Cross for his salvation. It’s easy to talk over the heads of those who are not Biblically oriented. This is why Jesus used so many parables and illustrations. However, we must also use scripture effectively. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 KJV)
How to Be “Born Again” Jesus said, “YE MUST BE “Born Again.” (John 3:7)
Man was created in the image of God to have fellowship with God. But, man chose in his rebellious self- will to go his own independent way. Fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive in-difference, is the evidence of what the Bible calls sin. “Sin entered into the world through one man…” (Romans 5:12)
Sin is the reason every man must be ”Born Again”. Man is sinful; “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 KJV) Therefore, man in his sinful state cannot know and experience the love of God through Jesus Christ.
Why Be “Born Again”
Throughout the ages, man has tried to bridge the gap that exists between God and man because of sin. Man has tried to build a bridge to God through good works, self-imagined philosophy, religious cults, the luxury of materialism, traditions, the church and social acceptance.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: Who can know it?”
(Jeremiah 17:9 KJV)
How to Be “Born Again” The Way…
When Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave, He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap from God to man. His death and resurrection made a new life possible for all who believe. God is on one side and the unbeliever is on the other side.
However, Jesus Christ can come between these two when man believes in Him and can bring the two together. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5 KJV)
Why Not Be Born Again?
Is there any reason why you will not receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour right now?
What you must do to receive Jesus as your Saviour:
- Admit to God you are a sinner. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10 KJV)
- Be willing to turn from your sin and repent.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the dead.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life.
- Receive Him as Saviour and Lord.
God’s Provision For You To Be “Born Again“
The Bible says,
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. “(Romans 5:8 KJV)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Provision What it means…
God has provided the only way. We must make a choice.
We must make the choice to receive Christ. We must trust Jesus Christ, and receive Him by personally inviting Him into our lives.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12 KJV)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Roman 10:9 KJV)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 KJV)
What Happens When You Are “Born Again”
First, there will be a divine change. God performs this change when we accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of our life. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Second, there will be a complete change, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
The desires and attitudes of your heart will change, resulting in an outward change of actions and words.
Third, there will be an inward witness. The Spirit of God will bear witness “with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16 KJV) This inward witness will cause an outward confession.
Here Is A Sample Prayer
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I am turning from my sins. I am inviting You to come into my heart and life. I trust You as my Savior and will follow You as Lord. Amen.”
There is nothing magical about these words apart from a genuine repentant heart. If you prayed a prayer similar to this and meant it in your heart, the Bible says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:13 KJV)
We rejoice with you if you prayed this prayer for the first time—
We rejoice with you if this is a time of re-commitment to our Saviour and Lord—
All heaven stops to rejoice with you—
Now That I Am “Born Again”
This is the beginning of a new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:
1. Remember that you must become a Christian before you join a church. Joining or choosing a church does not make you a Christian. Inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your life as your Saviour and Lord makes you a Christian.
“As many as receive JESUS. He gives the power to become the sons of God.” (John 1:12)
The Biblical pattern is, “The Lord adds to the church such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47)
The church is for saved people. If you are sure you are saved, then choose a church that takes Jesus seriously.
2. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
3. Talk to God in prayer every day.
4. Tell others about Christ.
For People Sharing Jesus
“Go Tell” Mark 5:19, Acts 4:31
The famous preacher and soul winner, Dr. R. G. Lee said, “One soul is worth a thousand worlds.” Spurgeon said, “The greatest thing a human being can do is to bring another human being to Jesus Christ.”
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, not from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezekiel 3:18, 19 KJV)
Am I my brother’s keeper? These are solemn words. Am I responsible for everyone with whom I have dealings? Emphatically the answer is “Yes!” We are to share Jesus with every human being we come in contact with if we are Spirit-filled Christians.
Christian, Jesus Said…“GO TELL”
Mark 5:19 – Acts 4:31
The purpose of warning the sinner is to save his life through Christ — the purpose is not to condemn the sinner. There are some who seem to take delight in condemning the sinner with a holier-than-thou attitude. A doctor never announces with glee that a man has cancer and is about to die. Christians should be just as considerate and gentle in soul winning.
The apostle Paul said, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26,27 KJV) Paul was urgent in these verses. He could say, I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I never shrank from telling you God’s plan. No one could point a finger at Paul and say, you never told me about Jesus.
“Born Again”of incorruptible seed.


The power of an early morning routine
Journal entry - Tuesday 6th June 2017
I've found that my most powerful days are those that begin with my early morning routine.
3-4:30 am - I wake up at 3 am and sit in silence for a while ( Usually 1 to 1 1/2 hrs ).
4:30-5 am I may choose to pray in tongues as well. ( This goes on for 30 mins to 1 hr )
5-6 am - And I follow this by listening to audiobible or reading my physical bible.
6-7:30 am - Rest. Because I am still in the midst of training myself to accept this routine for life , I do find myself falling asleep at 6 am and then waking up once more around 7:30 am . Interestingly, it is during this 6 am nap that I receive most of my most powerful dreams.
*This is the general outline, though it may vary on some days.
During this season of my life, I am not always able to keep this routine as we have a ministry travel schedule that is quite rigorous. It involves a lot of activity & meeting new people.
I enjoy the travel, but when I return home I eagerly look forward to retreating to my precious morning schedule. (My aim is to eventually have this regimen so deeply ingrained that I can maintain it even amidst hectic travel.)
Now let's look to the scripture for our morning routine inspiration!
Abraham is shown to have kept an early morning schedule.
Being the Father of Faith, he's a great example to look to.
Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; ~ Genesis 19:27
But it is our Lord Yeshua, who demonstrates our greatest example.
He is seen to have his early morning times of prayer as well.
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. ~ Mark 1:35
One of the most important practises I have found are those moments when I sit in silence before the Lord.
This was a time a few years ago, when I was studying the life of an amazing Christian saint named Madam Jeanne Guyon. Much of her teaching revolved around quietism as a means of entering into the Lord's presence. I will share some of her quotes to better present the meat of her teachings.
After you have been meditating in the Word and praying it out to God for some time, you will gradually find how easy it is to come into His presence. You will remember other Scriptures with less difficulty. Prayer has now become easy, sweet, and delightful. ~ Guyon
All who desire to pray may pray without difficulty as they are strengthened by those universal graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which all men and women possess. ~ Guyon
Do not turn to prayer hoping to enjoy spiritual delights; rather come to prayer totally content to receive nothing or to receive great blessing from God’s hand, which ever should be your heavenly Father’s will for you at that time. This will enable you to live close to God in times of sadness as well as in times when you are being comforted by God. ~ Guyon
The closer the soul draws to God, the further she travels from her own wishes. In this way the influence on her life from her passions diminishes. The soul should have a pure and disinterested love, as it seeks nothing from God, but only to please Him, and to do His will. ~ Guyon
There is only one requirement that you must follow at all times [in prayer]. This simple requirement is you must learn to pray from your heart and not your head. ~ Guyon
We must forget ourselves and all self-interest, and listen, and be attentive to God. ~ Guyon
God, is only to be found in our inner selves, which is the holy of holies where God dwells.~ Guyon
Know this fundamental truth as you begin [praying]. When Jesus prays for God’s Kingdom to come, remember that He said, ‘the kingdom of God is within you. ~ Guyon
When at any time the passions are turbulent, a gentle retreat inwards to a present God, easily deadens and pacifies them. ~Guyon
Prayer from the heart is not interrupted by the thoughts from a person’s mind. Indeed nothing can interrupt this prayer except for ungodly inclinations ~ Guyon
In a similar way when our emotions are set on fire, if we try to stir them up even more, we extinguish the flame, and the soul is deprived of its nourishment. We should, therefore, in stillness and quiet, with respect, confidence, and love, swallow the blessed food that we have tasted. ~ Guyon
Prayer is nothing more than turning our heart toward God and receiving in turn His love.~ Guyon
During this time of deep study into Guyon's teachings, I was highly inspired and motivated to enter into the practise of quietism that she speaks of.
Soon, I felt led by the Lord to be in relative solitude for a few months. It was an extreme experience for me, as I had to intentionally become an introvert during that time.
This was a season where I trained myself to enjoy the pleasures of silence ....
Though the beginnings were a challenge.
It's amazing how the mind of man resists this so fervently. I would find myself checking the time, wondering if my time was being used productively, mentally running through all the various things that I needed to do ...
I have to admit it did take quite a while (a few weeks) to get comfortable with simply enjoy sitting and "being".
And when I did arrive at that sweet spot, it was like winning the ultimate lottery.
"Be still and know that I am God."~ Psalms 46:10
Suddenly I began to feel "FULL" and "RICH".
It was as though I had suddenly stepped on new territory that was altogether delightful.
I felt complete in ways I cannot fathom.... But it was wonderful!
A great joy and gratitude began to pour out of me, even for the little things.
I realized how much I had been in heavy pursuit for so much that seemed to now mean so little.
It is so true that the most valuable things in life truly can be freely attained!
It's a simply a choice and decision on our part.
I feel such a warmth in my heart as I remember these early days when I first began to enjoy the depths of silence. I cannot help but smile. :)
Stand in awe and sin not;
Commune with your own heart upon your bed,
and be still.
~ Psalms 4:4
Currently when my schedule gets extremely busy and hectic, I find I need to re-train myself to return to this state. It doesn't take as long as it does when I first trained myself ( It took weeks/months to get there!)
Thankfully now, it simply takes a few nights sitting in His presence for my mind to return to a state of deep peace.
You see there is a compound effect to our actions.
When we lay a foundation, training ourselves in a new way, that foundation is a bedrock that always remains. And even the smallest actions in the future go very far because they have been established on a firm rock.
If you're drawn to beginning an early morning routine and perhaps you're also drawn to experiencing this joy of sitting in silence before the Lord.. Know this. It will be challenging at first. But keep at it, forgive yourself for the mistakes you may make, and keep moving forward. Whatever you do, don't stop.
Eventually it sticks ... and becomes so enjoyable that you will crave your early morning experiences with the Lord. They may likely become the very best part of your day. :)
Love & Shalom,
Ahava Sarah Fischer
In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. ~ Psalm 5:3
- KEEP YOUR ALARM FAR AWAY FROM YOUR BED
- BEFORE GOING TO BED, BRIEFLY SCHEDULE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT DAY
- SLEEP EARLY
- KEEP A TUMBLER OF WATER BESIDES YOUR BED. AFTER BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, DRINK UP TO HELP YOU WAKE UP. :)
Isaiah 58 lists the rewards of the true fast.
When we sit and wait upon the Lord, devoting our time and every thought unto Him, we are engaged in the true fast; the fast that He acknowledges.
These are our rewards upon doing so.
- The bonds of wickedness will be cut (v. 6).
- The oppressed will go free (v. 6).
- The yokes of oppression will be broken (v. 6).
- Your light shall break forth like a daily sunrise (v. 8).
- Healing will come speedily (v. 8).
- Your righteousness will be your reputation preceding you (v. 8).
- The glory of the Lord shall follow and guard you (v. 8).
- Your prayer will be answered immediately (v. 9).
- The Lord will manifest Himself in your midst (v. 9).
- Your light will shine in the midst of darkness (v. 10).
- Your darkest times will still be like noonday sun (v. 10).
- You will have continual guidance from the Lord (v. 11).
- You will be full in time of leanness (v. 11).
- You will be filled with strength in the very center of your life (v. 11).
- The Holy Spirit will water you and make you fruitful and beautiful (v. 11).
- The Holy Spirit will fill you daily and make you like a spring that never runs dry (v. 11).
- You will be a repairer of the breach, a restorer of streets in which to dwell (v. 12).
- You will be delighted with God (v. 14).
- You will have authority with those in authority and have power in difficult times (v. 14).


June 25, 2023 starts the 120th year of “Church Island”.
The schedule will be posted early spring of 2023
June 25—The Reverend
July 2—The Reverend
July 9—The Right Reverend A. Robert Hirshfeld
Tenth Bishop of New Hampshire
The Episcopal Church of New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
July 16—-The Reverend
July 23—The Reverend
July 30—-The Reverend
Aug. 6—-The Reverend
Aug. 13—-The Reverend
Aug. 20—-The Reverend
Aug. 27—-The Reverend
Sept. 3—The Reverend
New to the Island pulpit this year*
In the event of rain, services are held in the Playhouse at
Rockywold-Deephaven Camps. If the weather is uncertain, please
call 603-968-3313 after 8:00 AM for information.
The information will also be posted on this website.
+ New to the Island pulpit this year


My name is Richard Matteson and I'm part of the Christian Contemporary band, Stand on the Rock. On the left is a photo (click to enlarge) of us performing at Faith Lutheran Church in Jeffersonville at a picnic.
Our band features Kirsten McCoy on bass (left)and vocals, Travis Arbuckle (right) on acoustic guitar on guitar and vocals and me (middle) on guitar and vocals. We usually play with drums and have played with a variety of drummers over the last year.
Travis and Kirsten are great Christian friends and they are talented. We are currently based out of Highland United Methodist Church in Louisville and usually practice once a week. We have a few videos on youtube and I'll post the links soon.
Please contact me at Richiematt@aol.com if you'd like to have us play for you.


By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Last week Saturday, June 5, we heard from Catherine Butcher (PhD) on the topic, “Governance, Transparency and Accountability for Strategic Planning”.
Butcher made the following conclusions: “The laws and regulations – provide a legal framework in ensuring good governance practices, transparency and accountability measures. However, Regulations alone will not solve all the challenges of the Church.
She asserts that the principle of accountability goes way back to the beginning of times. “Accountability is the tool that God uses to make Christians better. The Bible admonishes the Church to “submit to each other out of respect for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). There must be a commitment by the church at all levels to implement good governance, transparency, and accountability measures.
“There must be a collective will of parishioners, the leaders, to work towards the true purpose of the church which is to draw souls to Christ through your deeds and actions which would lead to expansion and growth of the church as God Commanded His disciples to “go out into the world and preach the gospel to all men”.
On Saturday, June 12, Embert Charles, a communications expert and the current president of the World Association for Christian Communication will speak on the topic, “Organisational Development and Effective Communication in Strategic Planning”.
DATE : Saturday, June 12, 2021
TIME : 10: 00 AM
VENUE : Holy Trinity Church, Castries. (COVID-19 protocols in effect).
Please make an effort to attend as this remains for the benefit of a) the entire congregation which include Anglicans nationwide and overseas, b) officers of the Parochial Church Council and c) the respective church groups ACWA, Brotherhood of St Andrew, and the Mothers Union as well as d) our young people who are specially encouraged to attend.
While the strategic planning team is conducting its work, Brother David and Brother Cecil are also inviting suggestions and comments from anyone who wishes to make a contribution towards the attainment of the strategic plan for the Church.
The strategic planning team members can be reached at +1 (758) 285 3260 or +1 (758) 730 0286.
In the work of Christ Jesus.


OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We exist to cultivate CHRIST-centered, COMMUNITY-committed, and COMMISSION-commanded people for the glory of God.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
We desire to be a church that passionately
loves others to Christ.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Meadowview Baptist Church is located just north of Chattanooga, Ooltewah and Harrison, Tennessee. Meadowview exists to worship God through Jesus and Him alone, to be led by His Word and empowered by His Spirit, with the mandate to share His hope to everyone we meet everywhere! Whether you are checking out God and church for the first time or are looking for a new place to call home, Meadowview has a place for you!
We would like to personally invite you to join us for one of our services or ministry events. The atmosphere is family friendly and the messages are relevant to your daily life. Through meaningful Bible study and worship, our goal is to help you grow in your relationship with God each and every week. We have ministries designed specifically for all ages and every member of your family. There are lots of opportunities to exalt Christ, become equipped through the Word of God and extend His hope throughout our community and the world. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Hope to see you soon at MBC!


We welcome you to FCC where we believe in Jesus,
belong to a family, and we strive to
build God’s kingdom.
First Christian is having "in-person" worship services at 9:45 on Sunday mornings.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
FCC Worship Radio
FCC is providing FCC Worship Radio. At 9:45 on Sunday mornings, FCC members and friends will park, stay in their cars, and tune their car's radio to 90.5 FM.
Join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 11:30pm on December 24th. We look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior!
On Wednesday, December 30th, we will have a Fireside Chat with the Elders and Ministers.


Welcome to the Illinois-Missouri Association of Regular Baptist Churches!
Our purpose is to spread the Gospel, establish local Baptist churches, advance missionary enterprise, promote a Christian camping program, promote evangelism, and provide fellowship for independent, fundamental Baptist churches serving the states of Illinois and eastern Missouri.
Please take a look at the links to the right for current information.
- This year’s Talents for Christ is Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Naperville, IL. Download the registration documents here.


Recently Darden Architects had the opportunity to work on a very special local project for CrossCity Christian Church. The new Student Center building will serve the growing “Youth 330>” for Jr. High and High School aged kids. The following excerpt is from the CrossCity Youth 330> website: “330 is the student ministry of CrossCity Christian Church. We exist for one purpose, to make Jesus greater, and for us to become less. The idea comes from John 3:30, which is why we call ourselves 330.”
5 years ago Darden architects was retained by CrossCity Christian Church (formerly Northside) for a series of planning and design projects. The effort began with the completion of a master plan for the campus. This included meetings with staff and church elders as well as comprehensive growth planning for the site. The first project to be come out of this planning effort was the recently completed Preschool Administration office remodel. The scope of this work was modest, but has provided for the efficient operation of the Preschool program.
This new 2-story Youth Building is approximately 10,922 SF and includes a roof deck for gathering and events. Design integrates the message of the youth programs taken from the bible verse John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.” The color scheme and furniture selections provide for varied programs and age groups to utilize the building. Now that the New Youth Building is constructed and complete, the current youth building will be remodeled to house the General Church Administrative office, who are currently in portable trailers, per the Master Plan.
The roof deck is well suited for evening events
The mezzanine in the main sanctuary overlooks the stage and includes soft seating for small gatherings and study or prayer.
This project was a Design-Build with Christensen Construction. Through the progress we learned how important for all parties to be actively involved throughout in order to effectively manage design-build projects. This starts with selecting a team that has experience with this project type and works well together. The goals and expectations for the project should be clearly defined from the outset. Regular planning and progress meetings should be conducted to evaluate project risks and devise ways to manage project challenges.
Big thanks to the leadership and congregation at CrossCity Church, as well as our partners at Christensen Construction for the opportunity to work on this amazing project. We are looking forward to see what a well-suited venue this will be for youth worship!
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We'll See You There
We are looking forward to attending the CASH 44th Annual Conference at the Sacramento Convention Center on February 22-24, 2023


In the past, when someone would ask me to define myself, I would speak my roles. I am a mother. I am an employee. I am a daughter. I am a friend. I am a marketer and business developer. Truth is, none of those words define me because I am not speaking who God says I am.
God's Word says I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. My name is written in the palm of His hand. Even though my mother may forget me, He will never forget me. I am whole. I am healed. I am more than a conqueror. I am creative. I am loved. I am His. I am redeemed.
This is my journey of walking from Glory to Glory. Walking in what He has called and ordained me to be. Seeing myself as He sees me. This is my journey of me be hidden in Him. And being changed from Glory to Glory.


Originally posted August 5, 2009 at Gaia.com
Last March, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a report condemning Reiki and directing that it should no longer be used in Catholic hospitals or institutions. Many people in the Reiki community and the rest of the world of healing practitioners were shocked. A number of them wrote eloquent and well-reasoned responses. Unfortunately, reason does not seem to have had much effect thus far. I’m going to quote from the bishops’ presentation here and explain why it made no sense. I am attempting to feel love and empathy toward the bishops, who I’m sure think they’re properly doing their job as they see it, but as you’ll probably notice, I’m still in a major snit about this.
Why would a group of bishops feel that they needed to weigh in on a medical issue like this, which is obviously not part of their area of expertise? Their answer: “From time to time questions have been raised about various alternative therapies that are often available in the United States. Bishops are sometimes asked, ‘What is the Church’s position on such therapies?’ The USCCB Committee on Doctrine has prepared this resource in order to assist bishops in their responses.”
And why do I care about this? I’m a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and the Ki, or Qi, that the bishops don’t believe exists is the center of my practice and my life. I’ve taught Reiki, and I have many years of experience doing it and other forms of what we loosely term “energy medicine.” I had 12 years of Catholic school, and while I’m as lapsed as a Catholic can possibly get, I have a certain respect for some of the people who are sincerely working within the Church, and do not wish to see them harmed by this kind of ignorance.
And if the bishops can dictate what medical treatments can be done, I might as well talk about theology.
“The Church recognizes two kinds of healing: healing by divine grace and healing that utilizes the powers of nature.”
“As for the first, we can point to the ministry of Christ, who performed many physical healings and who commissioned his disciples to carry on that work.” Exactly. A number of Reiki practitioners who identify themselves as Christians (some of whom are clergy themselves) have pointed this out. “In fidelity to this commission, from the time of the Apostles the Church has interceded on behalf of the sick through the invocation of the name of the Lord Jesus, asking for healing through the power of the Holy Spirit, whether in the form of the sacramental laying on of hands and anointing with oil or of simple prayers for healing, which often include an appeal to the saints for their aid.” In a footnote, the bishops add: “Some forms of Reiki teach of a need to appeal for the assistance of angelic beings or ‘Reiki spirit guides.’ This introduces the further danger of exposure to malevolent forces or powers.” Amazing– I was taught, as a small Catholic child, to ask for help from my guardian angel, but now apparently this is a horrible and non-Catholic thing to do. And it’s fine to appeal to saints, who are dead human beings, for help, but to ask for the help of spirit guides, who are often also dead human beings, is dangerous. Now, I’ll give the bishops a point for this one; it certainly is possible to find oneself in contact with beings who are unsavory and not working for our good. However, the attunements and procedures of Reiki are intended to create some protection against such an event.
“As for the second, the Church has never considered a plea for divine healing, which comes as a gift from God, to exclude recourse to natural means of healing through the practice of medicine. Alongside her sacrament of healing and various prayers for healing, the Church has a long history of caring for the sick through the use of natural means. The most obvious sign of this is the great number of Catholic hospitals that are found throughout our country.“
“The two kinds of healing are not mutually exclusive. Because it is possible to be healed by divine power does not mean that we should not use natural means at our disposal. It is not our decision whether or not God will heal someone by supernatural means.”
“As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, the Holy Spirit sometimes gives to certain human beings ‘a special charism of healing so as to make manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord.’ This power of healing is not at human disposal, however, for ‘even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses.’ Recourse to natural means of healing therefore remains entirely appropriate, as these are at human disposal. In fact, Christian charity demands that we not neglect natural means of healing people who are ill.”
What is the distinction, exactly, between “natural” and “supernatural” healing? I would say, along with most workers in the vineyards of energy medicine, that the power to heal is innate to human beings, as to all living things. This working of the Source of all is natural in every sense, yet many people would identify it with God. What the bishops refer to as divine power is not something that exists somewhere “out there,” separate from the world that we normally experience. The dichotomy between “natural” and “divine” is ultimately not very meaningful in the context of healing (or anywhere else), but the bishops, spiritual leaders though they are, seem to believe that the material world exists apart from spiritual reality.
“As we shall see below, however, distinctions between self, world, and God tend to collapse in Reiki thought. Some Reiki teachers explain that one eventually reaches the realization that the self and the ‘universal life energy’ are one, ‘that we are universal life force and that everything is energy, including ourselves’ (Libby Barnett and Maggie Chambers with Susan Davidson, Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice[Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1996], p. 48; see also p. 102).” I’m having a lot of trouble understanding why this is a problem, especially since the most venerated Christian mystics, such as Saint Teresa of Avila, have spoken of their experience of oneness with God. I was under the impression that official Catholicism considered this a state greatly to be desired, but the bishops seem quite uncomfortable with the idea. At any rate, physics has made it clear that everything is indeed energy, and everything is interconnected and interpenetrating. Sorry, bishops.
“Although Reiki proponents seem to agree that Reiki does not represent a religion of its own, but a technique that may be utilized by people from many religious traditions, it does have several aspects of a religion. Reiki is frequently described as a ‘spiritual’ kind of healing asopposed to the common medical procedures of healing using physical means. Much of the literature on Reiki is filled with references to God, the Goddess, the ‘divine healing power,’ and the ‘divine mind.’ The life force energy is described as being directed by God, the ‘Higher Intelligence,’ or the ‘divine consciousness.’ Likewise, the various ‘attunements’ which the Reiki practitioner receives from a Reiki Master are accomplished through ‘sacred ceremonies’ that involve the manifestation and contemplation of certain ‘sacred symbols’ (which have traditionally been kept secret by Reiki Masters). Furthermore Reiki is frequently described as a ‘way of living,’ with a list of five ‘Reiki Precepts’ stipulating proper ethical conduct.”
The Reiki symbols have never been presented to me as “sacred.” While I would say that everything is sacred in some sense, I would find the idea of these symbols having a religious meaning or being venerated in themselves rather bizarre. It’s possible that some teachers present the symbols this way, but that hasn’t been true of anyone I’m familiar with. Likewise, the attunements have not been spoken of as “sacred ceremonies” in my experience. It’s true that the symbols used to be kept secret, but they have been so generally published and disseminated that by now they are a very open secret indeed.
“Nevertheless, there are some Reiki practitioners, primarily nurses, who attempt to approach Reiki simply as a natural means of healing. Viewed as natural means of healing, however, Reiki becomes subject to the standards of natural science. It is true that there may be means of natural healing that have not yet been understood or recognized by science. The basic criteria for judging whether or not one should entrust oneself to any particular natural means of healing, however, remain those of science.” Yes, and that’s fine– the science on Reiki looks good from what I’ve seen of it.
“Judged according to these standards, Reiki lacks scientific credibility. It has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy.” If Reiki has not been accepted by the “medical community,” how can it be that those nurses are using it in hospital settings? Are nurses and hospital administrators not part of the medical community?
“Reputable scientific studies attesting to the efficacy of Reiki are lacking, as is a plausible scientific explanation as to how it could possibly be efficacious.” This is simply not true. There is a body of research on Reiki, as well as similar types of healing, that supports its effectiveness. Some of this research was described in responses to the bishops from the American Holistic Nurses Association and practitioner William Lee Rand. I am not going to attempt to recap it myself; please check the applicable websites.
“The explanation of the efficacy of Reiki depends entirely on a particular view of the world as permeated by this “universal life energy” (Reiki) that is subject to manipulation by human thought and will.”
“Reiki practitioners claim that their training allows one to channel the ‘universal life energy’ that is present in all things. This ‘universal life energy,’ however, is unknown to natural science.”
Apparently the bishops are completely unfamiliar with Qi Gong, Therapeutic Touch or the like, or even with acupuncture. They must never have read about the work of Valerie Hunt, Rosalynn Bruyere, or others who have participated in measurements of the human energy field.
“Some people have attempted to identify Reiki with the divine healing known to Christians. They are mistaken. The radical difference can be immediately seen in the fact that for the Reiki practitioner the healing power is at human disposal. Some teachers want to avoid this implication and argue that it is not the Reiki practitioner personally who effects the healing, but the Reiki energy directed by the divine consciousness. Nevertheless, the fact remains that for Christians the access to divine healing is by prayer to Christ as Lord and Savior….” Apparently non-Christians have no access to divine healing whatsoever; the only access available requires a not only prayer to Christ but a specific viewpoint about Him. And God is such a limited being that the Divine does not work through anything except this one kind of prayer.
“… while the essence of Reiki is not a prayer but a technique that is passed down from the ‘Reiki Master’ to the pupil, a technique that once mastered will reliably produce the anticipated results. Some practitioners attempt to Christianize Reiki by adding a prayer to Christ, but this does not affect the essential nature of Reiki. For these reasons, Reiki and other similar therapeutic techniques cannot be identified with what Christians call healing by divine grace.”
“Reiki Masters offer courses of training with various levels of advancement, services for which the teachers require significant financial remuneration. The pupil has the expectation and the Reiki Master gives the assurance that one’s investment of time and money will allow one to master a technique that will predictably produce results.“ I don’t know that anyone teaches that Reiki will give predictable results. The Reiki classes to which I’ve been exposed have emphasized the idea that the body and the energy transmitted will do whatever is most needed by the person being treated, which may not be what either the patient or the practitioner consciously expects at a given time. The practitioner is not the source of Reiki, nor the commander of it. We are taught to get out of the way and let the healing happen on its own.
This issue is difficult to think about clearly, however. While healers do not and cannot truly control healing, and while trying to be in control usually makes our work less effective, we also know that intention (including prayer) has great power. I intend to write about this in a separate article.
“The difference between what Christians recognize as healing by divine grace and Reiki therapy is also evident in the basic terms used by Reiki proponents to describe what happens in Reiki therapy, particularly that of ‘universal life energy.’ Neither the Scriptures nor the Christian tradition as a whole speak of the natural world as based on ‘universal life energy’ that is subject to manipulation by the natural human power of thought and will.” A reading of such “apocryphal” writings as the Gospel of Thomas would give quite a different perspective on early Christian tradition, but the bishops wouldn’t pay any more attention to those than they would to me.
“In fact, this world-view has its origins in eastern religions…” Ki/Qi is simply a fact, and observations of it in ancient times did not depend upon religion. “…and has a certain monist and pantheistic character, in that distinctions among self, world, and God tend to fall away.” Again, why is this presented as an objection? Were we not taught that God is everywhere? Isn’t this dissolution of the distinction between God and self the essential experience of mystical Christianity? Ah, but here is that dichotomy between the “orthodox” Christians and the “heretics.” Any suggestion that individual humans can experience union with God, without the mediation of the Church hierarchy, must be squelched immediately.
In their conclusion, the bishops state: “For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems.” It is so very tiresome to hear references to energy healing couched in terms of belief. There is no requirement to believe or disbelieve. Reiki works, and is a fact. One does not speak of believing in aspirin or erythromycin; one simply uses them as appropriate.
“To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science.” This is another highly questionable statement, since a case can be made that to do healing is to perform a quintessentially Christian act, and since Reiki is as subject to natural science as any other human endeavor.
“Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, however, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no-man’s-land that is neither faith nor science. Superstition corrupts one’s worship of God by turning one’s religious feeling and practice in a false direction.” The bishops’ definition of “superstition” appears to be anything that does not fit their specific dogma.
“While sometimes people fall into superstition through ignorance, it is the responsibility of all who teach in the name of the Church to eliminate such ignorance as much as possible.” And some of us are taking responsibility to try to eliminate ignorance from the Church itself, but this appears to be a gargantuan and probably impossible task.
But here is the punch line, or shall I say the punch to the gut: “Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.” This is where we leave the realm of theological speculation, where real harm is being done to real people, including those involved with a program of free clinics for seniors for which I volunteer. A Reiki practitioner who worked with us had to leave the program. Fortunately, since I am seen as an acupuncturist and the powers that be have no idea what else I do, I have not been molested. But knowing that patients all over the country are being denied treatment that could make a huge difference for them is intensely painful to me.
I am also utterly astonished, and deeply offended, to see the entire basis of my profession ridiculed by people who have made no serious effort to learn about it. The bishops have no experience or training as healers themselves, yet they feel qualified to proclaim that those of us who work every day in this field are benighted idiots, that we are merely deluding ourselves and our patients, that we are caught in the grip of “superstition.” How do they think nurses are trained– do they believe that nurses not only have no concept of science or intellectual rigor, but that they are so stupid that they can’t even tell when their treatments are useless? Do they think that we would all keep doing Reiki year after year, and teaching it to others, because we simply imagined that it helped people? Do they think that patients, as well, have no idea whether a treatment is benefiting them?
Ah, but I forget– individuals know nothing, understand nothing, and can perceive nothing, except by the grace of those who have put themselves at the head of the Church, the one and only arbiter of truth.
I cannot imagine voluntarily giving authority over my own beliefs, thoughts, and activities to such people, but there are thoughtful, serious, intelligent human beings who do work within the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, and quite a few of them do Reiki. The bishops referred to websites created by some of these practitioners, largely in order to ridicule them. It did not appear to me that they actually read the contents. I did, and I found these writings valuable, although in many ways they are not consonant my own point of view. I encourage you to take a look:
For the American Holistic Nurses Association, including their response to the bishops, see http://www.ahna.org


Myrna Alene Morris April 16, 1939 - November 10, 2012 Graveside funeral services for Myrna Alene Morris, 73, of Clovis, NM, formerly of Lovington, will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:00 am at Lovington Cemetery with Dale Rhodes officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Myrna was born in Hatch, NM on April 16, 1939 to Emmett and Lorene (Allison) Buntin and passed away on November 10, 2012 at Clovis Healthcare and Rehab. Myrna moved to Lovington in 1956 and was a long-time member of Third & Central Church of Christ. She became a member of 16th & Pile Church of Christ in Clovis when she moved there two years ago. She liked petting animals and gospel music was the ultimate enjoyment of her life as she was not able to see. She married Bobby Joe Morris on September 30, 1957. She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant daughter, Vickey Lynn Morris. She is survived by her husband, Bobby of Lovington, four sisters: Chris and husband Foye Dudley of Clovis, NM; Ina Baxter and Linda Wiggins, both of Lovington, NM and Evelyn and husband Garland McDougle of Post, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her family very much.


The Catholic Leader's headline "POPE REAFFIRMS LATIN...but its not for the masses" pretty much sums up the rest of the article. Much of the article is sourced from the National Liturgical Office executive officer Fr Peter Williams who stresses (my comments in italics):
- since 1969 Catholics had used the Missal of Pope Paul VI (well -dah)
- the Mass used at the time of the Council was never legally abrogated
- The Holy Father stresses that above all the unity and cohesion of parish communities should be the primary outcome of the celebration of any form of the liturgy (got to make sure that we keep that emphasis on community above God)
- it is not expected that there will be any considerable change to the pattern of worship established in most Catholic parishes in Australia (got to give comfort to the communities and liturgical elites that things will remain the same no matter how badly the liturgy is celebrated)
The reaction of the Liturgical Commission education officer Elizabeth Harrington was actually quite well balanced, but then goes into a lot of barriers that would prevent the older rite being used. That is true, but there is enough of the pre-Conciliar church around that could put these things back into use again. Considering the the Liturgical Commission has tried its best like 20th century William Dowsings to wipe out all this heritage. I note her concern that "...marriages, baptisms and funerals might be celbrated according to older ritual. They are a wonderful outreach opportuity for the Church that could be lost" mmmmm - most weddings and baptisms that I have been to in the modern rite were not particularly good advertisement for the church either (ie. all the emphasis was about looking good in church rather than any reference to God).
The sentiments of Fr Peter Williams was reported in the Catholic Weekly of last Sunday as well. However in this newspapaer Fr Williams was given a small article on page 6. Both articles were sourced from the Austrlain Bishops Conference website http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bc/liturgy/20070707507.htm.
A much better and informative article was given by Fr Tim Deeter Director of the Liturgy Office of the Archdiocese of Sydney. This article is in the form of 8 FAQs, and appears not to betray any biases, and is quite supportive.
Elizabeth Harrington has a further article on the matter in this weeks Liturgy Lines published in the Catholic Leader. First the article's actual title is incorrect "The Pope's Statement on the Use of the Tridentine Rite" Of course we all know that there is no such thing as a "Tridentine Rite". After brushing over the tradition stuff (no we wouldnt be interested in any of that would we), she makes this strange statement:
As in the terms extra-ordinary and ordinary ministers of communion, ‘ordinary’ here means usual or normal, while ‘extraordinary’ means outside the usual or normal.
Now in her previous articles on ministers of Communion (the latest being 14 March 2004) the tack was quite different.
They are call extra-ordinary or special because the ordinary ministers of communion are bishops, priests and deacons, that is, those who have been admitted to holy orders. At most celebrations of Mass there is only one priest and no deacon. Now that most people receive communion every time they come to Mass and communion is usually under both kinds, special ministers are needed so that the time taken for communion is not disproportionately long in comparison with other elements of the liturgy. Special ministers are not used for the sake of speed or efficiency, however, but to ensure that sharing communion is a genuine experience of eating and drinking together.
The statement is very clear that extra-ordinary means "special", but does not refer to the frequency of use. This must be why extra-ordinary ministers have developed into the norm, and Masses celebrated without them are considered unusual. However when it comes to the Missal of bl John XXIII she is clear that this meaning of extra-ordinary is quite different; that it means, not special, but that it is outside the normal.
So already within two weeks we are being given local interpretations of Summorum Pontificum. depending how some people in unique positions are trying to sway the public. Most of these interpretations appear to be damage control exersizes, with the role of the Motu Proprio being downplayed, as it is clearly at odds with the way the more liberal liturgy commissions want to see liturgy.
My hope is that the extra-ordinary form of the Roman Rite is interpreted the same as the ministers of Communion ie. that it does become regular, and a "special" experience for all who attend.


What is Discovery Kids?
A place where children are given the opportunity to discover the gifts that each one has been given by God, the chance to use those gifts and talents in the body of Christ, here at New Life Church and in the world and community that surrounds them. We provide classrooms and teachers that provide and opportunity for all learning styles and levels of development with love and care for each individual child to assist in their spiritual journey to maturity in Christ.
10:30 Sunday Mornings
Babies are ministered to through stories songs and play time.
We use the “Hands On” curriculum published by Group. We teach the major characters of the Old and New Testament through story time, activities, and teacher-led play
Early Elem. (K-3rd)
We use the “What’s in the Bible?” curriculum by Phil Vischer (Creator of Veggie Tales®). In this class we cover the whole bible through a comprehensive and chronological format. It is bible 101 with a fun twist; the story of God told through puppets, animation, music, and more.
Late Elem. (4th-5th)
We use the “Action Bible” curriculum published by David C. Cook. We take the students deeper into the heart of God’s Word to discover an active faith that they can claim on their own. Students will go on an adventure through the Bible as they explore who God is and who they are in Him.
All volunteers for all classrooms have been through a screening process of interviews and background checks
All classes are available at 10:30 Sunday mornings
We have a secure check-in and check-out procedure to ensure children’s safety
Step-Up Sunday is the first Sunday of September where students will move up to the the next level classroom (children do not move up during the year on their birthday
Interested In Volunteering?
Click the link below:
Contact Debbie Mode by phone at 541.673.7828 ext. 205 or by email at email@example.com


A few words to the Christian concerning time
How time flies! It seems not long ago that the last year began, and now we have already greeted another new year. Not an hour but a whole year has passed! During this year so much has happened: there have been many births and many deaths; in one year many have experienced joy while others have endured much sorrow; many new things have been accomplished in the field of science and in the arts. My dear reader, have you and I done anything really good and useful this year? Are we thankful to God that He has preserved us to this day? That He still gives us time? Do we treasure this gift? Do we understand why we are given time? Have you seriously thought about the answer to this question? Here is a chance to think about it now.
What is time? It is an undeserved gift of God’s mercy; it is a talent entrusted to us by the Lord which is to increase and acquire for us an entire eternity. Truth, as much as it comforts the soul, can at the same time be fearful and terrifying. In a few years spent in a fitting way, one can acquire mercy and enjoy unending blessedness in union with God Who is the source of happiness and blessedness: or, in exchange for a short period of earthly life which has been misspent, to receive never-ending afflictions of soul and body, anguish and torment, the pangs of conscience and the burning of hell-fire. Who can disregard such a prospect? But it is a real one. According to the teaching of our holy Faith, temporal life is given precisely that through it is obtained eternity. The Lord gives nothing to anyone without express purpose; and how infinitely more important, 0r course, is the purpose He has in assigning the term of life on earth for the being created as the best and most perfect of all that surrounds him.
What constitutes this purpose, and what defines the true meaning of our temporal existence? Our innermost strivings speak of this for never and nowhere finding any ultimate limit, they evince another existence, higher and more perfect. The word of God speaks of this most clearly, assuring us that here in this temporal life we are but strangers and pilgrims, that our true homeland which we must seek is in heaven, in an everlasting kingdom of glory. Such is the true and essential meaning of our temporal life.
This life is a school in which each of us must prepare himself to be an inheritor of the eternal kingdom of glory, purchased for us by the sufferings, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He Himself regarded His own life on earth as a time of labor, of constant activity to the glory of God, for the salvation of sinners. For this labor, since for this reason He was sent into the world by the Father, He expected from Him the highest and most perfect reward: I have glorified Thee on the earth, He says to God the Father as He ends His earthly sojourn, I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, 0 Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was (John 17:4,5). Therefore, look upon each minute of your existence as upon a treasure; if you make good use of it, it can bring you incalculable profit. At the same time, imagine yourself to be a student assigned for a certain period of time to the school of temporal life; do not neglect a single lesson, a single opportunity which may instruct you and instill in you good thoughts, feelings and desires; keep in mind that every hour that you live, depending on how you use it-either for the benefit of the soul, or for the satisfaction of the flesh-, has an important influence on your eternal destiny, perhaps even greater than you can imagine.
Remember, and do not forget, that in our present sinful state the time of our life is a period of intense warfare, sorrows and privations, chastisement and trials. You may say-what a gloomy view of life! But what is to be done? It is not life that is at fault, but we ourselves. Quietly and harmoniously, in peace, happiness and undisturbed rejoicing, our days would pass one after another were it not for that warring element within us which the Apostle Paul so lamented (Rom. 7:23), and which constantly, at every minute, demands that we be vigilant towards ourselves and often calls us to outright warfare. None of us can avoid this warfare because the unsleeping enemy lies within us. This enemy is-our passions which constantly oppose the spirit which strives to ascend. This is the weakness of our flesh, raising everywhere obstacles to the positive impulses of the soul. Woe to him who would try to excuse these weaknesses! And do not think to consider yourself fortunate if you do not notice this inner warfare in yourself, if you are living peacefully or, to be more precise, carelessly, indulging yourself in those pleasures to which you are attracted by the world and to which you are disposed by your sensual nature. This only means that you have not understood your calling; you do not know the purpose for which you have been given life. It means that you do not value eternal blessedness and do not strive to acquire those blessings which have been purchased at the price of the sacred blood of Christ the Savior. In a word, this means that there is no love in you for Him.
Understand or, better still, ask the Lord to make you remember that the imagined happiness which comes from earthly, sensual pleasures causes a ‘certain coldness in the heart of a man who desires to love God. Believe the word of God which says that the end of such pleasures will be tears which no one will be able to wipe away, and pain of heart which no one will share. Do not forget our Lord’s parable about the rich man and Lazarus, and learn to look upon life as a path strewn not with roses but with prickly thorns, as an arena where you must struggle as befits a Christian, with total self-denial, in the spiritual warfare. This warfare is first of all called forth by the inner battle of the spirit with the flesh, the battle of the old, sinful principle with the new one placed in us by grace; secondly, with those failures, set backs, privations and sorrows so often and so easily met with wherever there are people and not angels, when through sin we drive away our Guardian Angel and open the way for him who, like a lion, walks about seeking whom to devour, who dared with his seductions to approach the Lord Himself.
O Lord our God, teach us to bless Thine all-holy Name at all times and in every place. Teach us to value time, and to use it unto Thy glory and for our salvation.
(Translated from Dushepolezny Sobesednik, periodical of St. Panteleimon’s Monastery on Mt. Athos; December, 1899, pp. 371-74.)


Baptism & Christening
At Dress Kids, baptism and christening symbolize purity, innocence, and new beginnings for your kids. Our selection of baptism and christening outfits like baptism dresses, christening gowns, boy’s baptism & christening suits, shoes, and socks are guaranteed to make your child stand out and look their best on that memorable day. We also have baptism & christening accessories like hats, bonnets, and headpieces that will add a formality to their look.
Our Baptism & Christening outfits come in various styles, from traditional and classic to modern and contemporary. Some traditional choices include floor-length gowns and vintage-inspired baptism and christening suits with lace, embroidery, and other embellishments. At the same time, our modern options are shorter dresses, clean-lined suits, and casual and minimalist styles.
Here at Dress Kids, we have everything you’ll need for your kids to have a remarkable baptism and christening, from cultural and ethnically-inspired outfits like Irish and Celtic baptism attire to Greek and Russian Orthodox ceremonial clothing. These clothing are made from natural, organic, and eco-friendly materials, such as cotton, linen, and silk. We also have elegant, luxurious, and durable choices made from fabrics like satin, tulle, and lace to give your kids an elegant and delicate look that is perfect for the celebration.
Choose the best baptism and christening outfit for your little one on their momentous day!
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