Just as the other sites we have studied placed heavy importance on the notion of the afterlife and their burial traditions, Saint Denis does the same, having had it’s origin as one of the earliest necropolis. Saint Denis becomes a site of more importance though, because here many of the sarcophagi that were revealed had writings or some sort of inscription that gives us insight on the individuals that were buried. Hunus the monk, for example, had two engravings on his tomb, the first of which described him, and the second that said the “young monk was of noble origin”. This gives us insight on his social status within the church, as well as the notion that this was important enough to note in his tomb. The importance of keeping a ranking within the church had already been established and we can see the further development of a social hierarchy or system.
The division of wealth that was caused by the church sometimes baffles me because today it is churches and religious organizations that are supposed to bring people together such as Saint Denis did, but I see the opposite happening. Although one of the most important things to strive for in Christianity is humbleness, it is ironic to see the materialistic ways this has transformed into today. In those times, the religious officials in power, such as Hunus the Monk or Abbot Suger, were making decisions that would benefit all of Saint Denis. They were able to establish a community that was sought after and traveled to from far away. Their community brought people of many different places together for multiple reasons. The town had establishments for various types of trades such as bakers, leather workers, potters and shoemakers, to name a few, but it was with the guidance of the abbots and monks that helped pave the way. Today we see people with religious power (although I’d rather call it influence, because I don’t think we should see it as a power source) in many situations but their actions are completely different than those of an abbot or a monk of those times. Which leaves me to wonder how ‘God’ could put such people in power.


Take a look at the Jesus Christ Superstar Extended Preview of the Arena Tour.
View video footage of the current Broadway production.
Jerome Pradon, who played Judas in the 2000 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar, performs ‘Superstar.’
Glenn Carter performs ‘Gethsemane,’ taken from the 2000 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Renee Castle as Mary performs ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ to Glenn Carter’s Jesus in this clip taken from the 2000 film of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Starring Renee Castle as Mary and Glenn Carter as Jesus.
Catch up with Andrew and our leading cast members…
Channel 5 will be airing Jesus Christ Superstar featuring Tim Minchin, Melanie C, Chris Moyles and Ben Forster.
We could never have expected the incredible reaction to the new arena production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar.


“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5)
We tend to look at the cross only from the side. That is a tragedy. Tragic because it fails to behold glory; tragic because it fails to wonder at love; tragic because it fails to see the heart of the Gospel.
A “horizontal perspective” of the cross will not reveal the deepest sufferings of Jesus. Of course the physical agony from nails thrust into Jesus’ hands was real. And the emotional suffering of man betrayed and abandoned by His closest friends was real. And the anguish of being unjustly condemned and mercilessly mocked was real. But to see only these pains is to fail to see the Gospel.
What we need is a “top-down” look at the cross, that is to say a “vertical perspective.” The most important question we can ask ourselves when we are gaze at the agony that is happening on the cross is not how big the nails are, or how lonely the Savior felt after being abandoned by His friends, or how traumatic it was to be unjustly condemned. The most important question we can ask is “what is happening between the God the Father and His Son at the Place of the Skull?”
What does this “vertical look” at the cross reveal? It reveals the Savior “Smitten of God.” It reveals the Father pouring out furious, righteous wrath on His Son. It reveals the Son suffering the torment for our sin. Jesus is not like other men when He dies on the cross; He is not like the thieves on His right and on His left. His suffering is not like their suffering; His pains are not like their pains. On the cross the Savior is absorbing infinite wrath; crushed in the hands of an angry God.
Why? Because “The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah informs us that the wrath poured out on Christ was wrath reserved for sinners. But Jesus dies in their place. He is tormented for their sin. He suffers the penalty of wrath as a substitute for sinners. He endures what we could not and He conquers what we could not overcome. And by all this “we are healed.” What a tragedy to see the cross only from the side. But when we look at the sufferings of Calvary from the top-down we can, with awestruck wonder, say with Paul, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).


One morning, I was sitting outside my home, when I lived in the desert. I sat outside to enjoy the quiet of a cool morning, before the scorching noon sun would compel me to go inside. As I sat languidly in my comfy chair, I caught glimpses of the wildlife moving around me. I had to squint to see the birds perched on branches in a tree near me. I looked in the direction of the pool and saw a rabbit moving towards there and how the animal blended with the surrounding foliage. I glanced and saw a lizard painted with the same green and tan colors of the stucco wall that made it difficult to distinguish him from the wall.
I thought, “Wow Lord, you designed these animals to be camouflaged, to hide them from the predators in their environment. Sometimes Lord, I just want to be able to hide from my environment.”
Then a Rhema (the a-ha moment or catharsis) came to my mind; ”But Sharon, I haven’t designed you to be camouflaged. As a Christian, you weren’t made to be hidden from the world; you are to be seen. You were made to stand out and to face your supernatural predators, which are the gods of this world. You were made to live your life openly and in the integrity of what you believe as a Christian”.
This revelation brought about a time of unplanned reflection. I reflected on a very important, thought-provoking quote:
"Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary use words.”
-St. Francis of Assissi
I know this saying to be true. Clients have come to me and said,” I know you’re a Christian because you don’t act like anyone else.” I was witnessing Christ without opening my mouth.
We are called to be the light in the midst of this dark world. We cannot be the undercover Christians. We have no choice; God didn’t give us a camouflage suit.
And this is Truly Said™
The Sword: Matthew 5:16 (NLT) “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
The Application: Integrity as a Christian; is to act and talk like a follower of Christ; even when you don’t think you are being observed. People are people watchers; you will be surprised who is watching you.


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Rationale: Need for Biblical Realism and Balanced Biblical Interpretation
The Eclipse of the Biblical Narrative by Yale scholar and theologian Hans Frei in 1974 was one of the first attempts to systematically document the major limitation of historical criticism, the dominant method of investigating the biblical texts for much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.1 What Frei found is that an interpretative model based heavily on historical criticism (see chart at right) failed to appreciate the narrative (story) character of the biblical texts. The effect of this evolutionary model has been a loss of realism2 when reading the biblical story due to a shift of meaning outside the biblical texts. This negative outcome results from an emphasis on determining the texts’ origins and reconstructing their historical situation (“world behind the text”).3
More recently numerous scholars, such as author and blogger Ben Witherington, have been outspoken in their criticism of the various postmodern methods of biblical interpretation. The essential effect of these methods, such as radical reader-response approaches, again has been a shift of emphasis away from the biblical texts to the reader, who is presumed in these approaches to give them their ultimate meaning ("world in front of the text"). In many cases, this process has led to a deconstruction of the biblical texts and their meaning.4
It is evident that there exists a need for a balanced, holistic approach to biblical interpretation, one that utilizes the best of the various biblical disciplines and hermeneutical methods. No particular field or discipline of biblical studies can truly answer all the questions uncovered in reading the texts. Rather the various fields conceptually build upon each other and have a role to play in the process of biblical study. The chart at right summarizes that process, including the role of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics and exegesis).
Process of Biblical Studies *
(fields that deal with the development, organization, and application of text's theology)
(field that pertains to the theory and process of interpreting the text)
(field that determines what is the framework of the text: author, date, circumstance, etc.)
(field that determines the original wording of the texts)
(field that determines which texts exhibit divine authority)
To that end, Sowers of the Seed attempts to assemble a non-denominational team of specialists and teachers representing
the best of biblical scholarship to offer a balanced critique and a positive step forward in the current discussions pertaining to biblical interpretation (hermeneutics and exegesis). The hope is that the hermeneutical principles advanced will help students arrive at their own conclusions once they are applied to the biblical texts.
* For a fuller discussion of this process, see Henry A. Virkler and Karelynne Gerber Ayayo, Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007).
1 Hans W. Frei, The Eclipse of the Biblical Narrative: A Study of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Hermeneutics (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1974). The same comments could generally apply to a biblical interpretative model based on the sub-disciplines of source, form, tradition, and redaction criticisms.
2 Realism occurs on both literary and philosophical levels. On a literary level, realism is the degree to which a text truthfully portrays or represents real life and applies to the reader. On a philosophical level, realism is the notion that universal principles exist outside of the mind and represent independent realities. In biblical interpretation, realism involves both levels: Do the biblical texts truthfully represent the story of God's dealings with humanity and do they exist as common communicative acts between people, in which their authors' intended meanings can be sufficiently decoded (understood).
3 In addition, those who would insist on the absolute historicity of the story without consideration of the theological intent of the historical author also relocate the meaning outside the text by finding it in the historical events themselves.
4 Deconstructionism is a philosophy and a theory of literary criticism that attempts to show the contradictions in the text, an outcome that ultimately leads to its loss of meaning. See Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), for a serious response to modern deconstructionism and a view of the biblical text as a common communicative act that involves the author, text, and reader.


Refuge is a Person…the God who reveals Himself as “Father”
He is the father and friend we have all been looking for and
He invites us to come to Him through Jesus Christ and to bring
all our joys and pains, praises and questions, faith and doubts.
Refuge is People… followers of Jesus Christ are called to be a people of refuge in a dangerous world.
Refuge is a place… any place becomes a refuge if God’s people are found doing God’s buiness there.
We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is
His “Agape” love, which is greater than any differences we
posses and without which we have no right claim ourselves Christians.
We believe worship of God should be Spiritual
We remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the
Holy Spirit to direct our worship.
We believe worship of God should be Inspirational.
We give great place to music in our worship.
We believe worship of God should be intelligent.
Our services are designed with great emphasis upon the
Word of God that He might Instruct us in how He would be
We believe worship of God is frutiful.
We look for his love in our lives as the supreme manifestation
that we have truly been worshipping Him.


( click the image above to enter the gallery )
Bethany and Zach were married on a warm September afternoon at Chapel Hill Church In Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The very strength, spirit of servitude, and love this couple has for each other and the Lord is so very evident in their story, and the beautiful way they endured distance. While Zach served in our armed forces overseas, Bethany was using her nursing skills in Tanzania and Haiti. Her beautiful arrangement of flowers for her bouquet was created by Kim Fulton of Cornflower Florist. Their rings were from Helzberg and Zach and his groomsmen sported suits from Men's Warehouse.
Bethany's gorgeous dress is Mori Lee by Madeline Gardener, and her shoes were from Elegant Park. The bridesmaids dresses were from Emmas Bridal formerly Eden Bridal.
Their touching cermony included the following reading in John ( John 15:1-7)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
A bubble send off created a romantic mood and whimsy that matched the personalities of this amazing couple. God has truly blessed them with a love that transcends time.
Bethany and Zach held their reception at Happy Days Lodge in Peninsula, Ohio. She had many unique DIY pieces that brought the hall to life. The glittering strands of lights from the ceiling danced above the centerpieces, which were made from wine bottles she cut in half and painted. The place card holders on the tables were formed from wine corks molded together. Along with the personal details at the reception, Bethany and Zach had the most delicious pies from The Pie Factory in Akron, Ohio. In addition to the fabulous food catered by Old Carolina Barbecue, the music and entertainment were provided by the incredible DJ Domininic Donatelli of Donatelli Entertainment.
Dustin and I are so excited for you both and look forward to getting to know you better and seeing the wonderful work Christ does in your marriage. Thank you so much for allowing us to celebrate your beautiful wedding with you!


From: Demetric Muhammad, Student Minister, Nation of Islam Research Group
Re: Your U.S. House Resolution condemning Minister Farrakhan, the Office of the Pope and the Jewish ideas that have created animosity and anger toward Black Americans
Congressman Rokita, I have read the draft of your resolution to condemn the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in the U.S. House of Representatives. And based upon Minister Farrakhan’s profound history as a beneficial presence in the Black community, I am highly offended and greatly disturbed by your resolution.
I am also amazed by your inability to see the connection between Minister Farrakhan’s passionate words delivered in his 2018 Saviours’ Day address and the sacrosanct words of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
As a Roman Catholic, you, sir, are a Bible-believing Christian. Roman Catholicism exists as the parent denomination of all of Christendom. The Roman Catholic Pope is the Bishop of Rome and is considered to be the Vicar of Jesus, the Christ. The Holy Book of Catholics is the Catholic Bible. One of the books found in both the Catholic and the Protestant Bibles is the Book of Revelation. In Jesus’ letter to both the Church at Philadelphia and the Church at Smyrna he uses the phrase “synagogue of Satan.” This phrase is found in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9. Revelation 2:9 reads, in the Online Catholic Bible version:
“I know your hardships and your poverty, and—though you are rich—the slander of the people who falsely claim to be Jews but are really members of the synagogue of Satan.”
In your resolution, you identified Minister Farrakhan’s use of the phrase “Satanic Jews” as problematic and cited it as the reason for your resolution, stating that our beloved Minister was guilty of “promoting ideas that create animosity and anger toward Jewish Americans and the Jewish religion.” Yet based upon the Catholic Bible’s English translation of New Testament Greek, the Minister’s phrasing clearly arises out of the prophetic words of Jesus.
Is it safe to say, then, that a resolution condemning the New Testament as “promoting ideas that create animosity and anger toward Jewish Americans and the Jewish religion” is something that we can expect you to author sometime in the near future?
Congressman Rokita, did you know that the same thing that you condemn Minister Farrakhan for is the same thing that the Pope has been condemned for? As a Roman Catholic, I would expect you to defend the Pope, but maybe you have decided to prioritize your politics over your faith. I don’t think that is wise for any believer to do. I think commitment to spiritual principles and our commitment to the truth should be the priority for all believers whether they are Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
Brown University professor David I. Kertzer wrote a book titled The Popes Against the Jews: The Vatican’s Role in the Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism. In it Kertzer presents “shocking revelations about the role played by the Vatican in the development of modern anti-Semitism.” His book promo states that while “working in long-sealed Vatican archives, Kertzer unearths startling evidence to undermine the Church’s argument that it played no direct role in the spread of modern anti-Semitism.”
How would you respond to Mr. Kertzer’s book? He is blaming the office of the Pope for the rise and spread of modern “anti-Semitism.” Congressman Rokita, the same folks who have sent you out to condemn Minister Farrakhan are the same people who have routinely condemned the Pope.
The sad fact is that the words of Jesus and the story of his life are widely condemned by the Jewish community as being anti-Semitic. So to condemn Minister Farrakhan for using the phrase “satanic Jews” is to condemn Jesus for using the phrase “synagogue of Satan,” because “satanic Jews” is only a reference to those who are the members of the group your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ dubbed as the “synagogue of Satan.”
Congressman Rokita, did you know that according to the Jewish Virtual Library,
“The gospel story, which has generated more anti-Semitism than the sum of all the other anti-Semitic writings ever written, created the climate in Christian Europe that led to the Holocaust. Long before the rise of Adolf Hitler, the gospel story about the life and death of Jesus had poisoned the bloodstream of European civilization.”
What do you think about that? Do you know that it was reported that one of your Israeli counterparts who is a member of the Knesset, Michael Ben Ari, was gifted with a copy of the New Testament by the Bible Society of Israel? Afterwards he was photographed ripping it apart and throwing it in the trash, calling the New Testament Bible a “despicable book”! Do you know that it was reported that on March 23, 1980, hundreds of copies of the New Testament were publicly and ceremonially burnt in Jerusalem under the auspices of an Orthodox Jewish organization subsidized by the Israeli Ministry of Religions?
I am sure your friends at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) are behind your sponsorship of H.R. 772. But did you know that the former head of the ADL Mr. Abraham Foxman said the following:
“For almost twenty centuries . . . the church was the archenemy of the Jews—our most powerful and relentless oppressor and the worlds’ greatest force for the dissemination of Anti-Semitic beliefs and the instigation of the acts of hatred. Many of the same people who operated the gas chambers worshiped in Christian churches on Sunday. . . . The question of the complicity of the church in the murder of the Jews is a living one. We must understand the truths of our history.”
So just to summarize this issue for you: you have placed the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in the company of the Pope of Rome, the New Testament Scriptures and Jesus the Christ. How then, sir, are you able to condemn the Minister, when he has done nothing more than lift words from a book you hold to be sacred and given it a necessary modern context and application?
I have enclosed a copy of my latest article for you to read, which also addresses your concern over the promotion of ideas that create anger and animosity for Jewish people.


September 12th 5:00-9:00 PM
September 13th 5:00-9:00 PM
September 14th 8:30-4:30 PM
Lutheran Church of Hope
The Bridge to Somewhere: Teaching Accessible Choral Music from Many Traditions to Our Singers
In this course, the musical material in choral octavos and other choral sources will serve as the basis for music reading activities and games. We’ll extract this material from the score (“the way in”) and present it in a way that simultaneously honors the culture of origin and helps our students become better musicians!


Mission of Riverbend Academy’s Athletic Program
The mission of the Riverbend Academy Athletics’ Program is to glorify God through the pursuit of athletic training and interscholastic competition, and to always point our student athletes towards Christ in all things. The reflection of Christ will be exemplified at every level of Riverbend Academy’s Athletics Program, to include the athletic department staff, coaches, student athletes, and even extends to parents.
Characteristics to Exemplify
Commitment to Christ: In Philippians 4:13, Paul states “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Through athletics, our student athletes are expected, in both victory and defeat, to compete in a way that honors Christ who gives us our physical abilities, and in a way that lifts up their fellow teammates and serves as a witness to others who may not know Him.
Discipline/Hard Work: Paul writes in I Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Through athletics, student athletes will be assisted by our coaches in learning the skills and facets of each respective sport, which will require discipline and hard work. While student athletes will compete for an earthly prize through scholastic competition, coaches will always point the student athletes towards Christ as He alone is worthy.
Excellence in Athletics and in Godliness: We are reminded in I Timothy 4:8 that “…while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Student athletes will strive to pursue athletic excellence as competition in athletics provides life lessons that reach far beyond what can be learned in the classroom alone. Student athletes will learn to work hard, to face adversity, to play within the rules, to work well with their teammates, to win and lose graciously, and to respect authority given to us. While there is value in these things, the highest value we seek is to exemplify Christ.
Finishing Well: Paul also uses another athletic analogy in 2 Timothy 4:7 when referencing his walk with Christ, when he said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Honoring Christ through scholastic competition does not require passiveness. On the contrary, it should be the desire of all student athletes to pursue excellence in athletics, to work hard at all times, and to be able to say at the end of competition that they finished well. Whether we win or lose, we will honor Christ in all things.


The ‘Little Hagia Sophia’ mosque (Turkish: Küçük Ayasofya Camii) was formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus. The Greek Eastern Orthodox church was converted into a mosque during Ottoman times in the early 16th century.
- The original church was built between 527 and 536 CE to service the palace of Hormisdas, and was originally named after two Roman soldiers, Sergius and Bacchus. They were martyred for their faith and later became the patron saints of Christians in the Roman army. It was commissioned by Justinian shortly before the erection of Hagia Sophia and believed to have been designed by the same architects.
- The church remained untouched for sixty years after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 CE. It was transformed into a mosque by Hüseyin Ağa who was the Chief Black Eunuch in the Topkapi Palace. The portico and madrasah (school) were added at this time.
- Like most Byzantine churches of this era, is exterior is unassuming brick, and only once inside the proportions can be properly appreciated. It is basically an octagon with semicircular niches at its diagonals, inscribed in a rectangle. Nothing remains from the original church interior decoration, which was said to be covered in mosaics. During the conversion into a mosque, the windows and entranceway were changed, the floor level raised, and the interior walls plastered.
- As the first domed church, just preceding Hagia Sophia, it is regarded as one of the most important buildings in the development of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul.
- Opposite the mosque entrance is where the madrasah was located. The courtyard now serves as a shady tea garden.
References: The Rough Guide to Istanbul, Wikipedia


Christian: adj.1. of Christ’s teaching or religion. 2. Believing in or following the religion of Jesus Christ. 3. Showing the qualities associated with Christ’s teaching. 4. Colloq. (of a person) kind, fair, decent. n. 1a. a person who has received Christian baptism. b. an adherent of Christ’s teaching. 2. A person exhibiting Christian qualities.
Rogue Christian: Rogue = adjective, Christian = noun"An non-indoctrinated adherent of Christ’s teaching, driven away or living apart from the church/community."
Living apart from traditional church has it's implications and complications. In addition to being a Rogue Christian it also makes me an Abbaian, a follower of the Father.
Abba: father, customary title used of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the New Testament it has the Greek interpretation joined to it, that is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee "ABBA" through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek speaking Jews added the name from their own tongue.1
-ian: suffix var. of –an. Forming adjectives and nouns, esp. from names of places, systems, zoological classes or orders, and founders.Abba + ian = Abbaian: Follower of the Way of God the Father.
As far as church membership goes, I am not a member of any local visible church or denomination (which is not to say I am not active within any local church or churches). Denominational background really doesn't apply. I consider myself a member of the Invisible Universal Church, which transcends denominations. I belong to a Postdenominational Christianity.
However, another implication is an apparent lack of doctrine. What's my views on soterology? Am I a Trinitarian ? Am I an Evangelical?
I am often asked, Calvinist or Armenian? Are those the only options? I find the question somewhat limiting. To be honest I agree with both and neither. I think - from a very simplified perspective - Calvinism and Armenianism are the same thing, but from two very different perspectives. If a man's life - from birth to death - were a movie, we would perceive it as an audience watches a movie. we're experiencing it as the movie "plays" or "flows" forward. However, from a divine point of view - from God's perspective - the movie reel is unrolled and the entire film, every static frame, is viewed at once. "Time" doesn't flow. For the occupants "in" the movie, choices and free will exists. From an omnipotent perspective, God can view the beginning, any and every choice made via free will, and the end and it's consequences, at once. Even though free will choices were legitimately made, God still knows their outcome.
I have a problem with predestination and God's chosen elite. It's the inverse implication that bothers me: We have a loving God who has also created people for damnation and without hope.
Some have told me I'm more Armenian because I do believe you can shipwreck your faith and lose your salvation. I don't think I really am Armenian though. You see, both Calvinism and Armenianism share their defaulted starting positions. In both, man is born in original sin, fallen and condemned. At some future point, salvation occurs. They differ on the point of whether that salvation is permanent or not.
Although I believe you can lose your salvation, I'm not convinced we begin in a default state of being "fallen" anymore and I'm not convinced we "accept" salvation but rather (potentially) choose to opt-out of it.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The Darkly-Enlightened Brothers
Secular-Atheism and Fundamentalism were born from this forced erroneous dichotomy. Christian Fundamentalism was one byproduct of The Enlightenment. I believe the Evangelical is a child of Christian Fundamentalism.
Who are these “Enlightened”? Granted, there are two schools of thought (at least), but both are children of The Enlightenment. These two children are both The Darkly-Enlightened and it has become obvious (to me at least) that both are mistaken. Both schools of thought/belief (Secular-Atheism and Christian Fundamentalism) have been “enlightened” darkly.
A pastor friend of mine has suggested the possibility that the story of Jonah being swallowed by a fish for 3 days could possibly have been a parable or a metaphoric truth. Apparently some people in his congregation (including an elder) didn’t agree with even allowing this possibility. I suppose the argument might have been that since Jesus quotes or refers to Jonah it must be (literally) true (Mat. 12:40-41). Huh? I like quoting Harrison Ford as the President of the United States in Air Force One:
“Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but also the presence of justice.”
It is a great line and absolutely true, in spite of the fact that the movie is a work of fiction.
If we are going to go by this odd standard, than anything Jesus quotes, says as a parable, or refers to must be a literal-factual-historical truth. If this is the case, then there are some pretty big issues that must be re-addressed, because Jesus also quotes from books of the Apocrypha.
The Darkly-Enlightened are not going to dictate the criteria or boundaries of the truth to me. I do not accept their dichotomy of Secular-Atheism (Naturalism) or Christian Fundamentalism. I openly reject The Enlightenment’s (modernity’s) either/or-paradigm. I do not accept that Reason and Faith, & Science and Religion are incompatible!
I embrace the both/and-paradigm. Not only do I believe that Reason and Faith are indeed compatible, I believe they are necessary; the absence of one weakens and cripples the other.
It is interesting that some denominations lack mysticism. We all have natural facilities, innate abilities, or learned methods to help us seek, explore, and "experience" God. These are "methods" of man reaching out to God.
1.The Philosophical method (using our facilities of Reason and Logic)
2.The Academic method (using our facilities of Knowledge and Theology)
3.The Empirical method (using the scientific method)
4.The Mystical method (using our facilities of Creativity, Symbolism, and Imagination)
All of the above listed 4 “methods” are man searching or reaching out to God. There is a 5th, but it isn’t really a method and relies on absolutely none of our natural facilities. We cannot practice this 5th method nor do anything to improve it. But I’ll list it only to make this more complete. The 5th “method” is Revelation (through the “facility” of prophecy), but this isn’t man searching or reaching out to God. This is God reaching out to man.
The Darkly-Enlightened have crippled or outright killed the Empirical, the Philosophical, and the Mystical methods. If Reason and Science cannot be compatible with Faith and Religion, then little is left but the Academic and the Mystical. But if our facility of imagination is made synonymous with pretending, then the mystical experience is also lost. One of The Darkly-Enlightened brothers (Christian Fundamentalism) has embraced the Academic only, which I believe is manifested within most of Protestantism by Sola Scriptura (Scripture only). The other Darkly-Enlightened brother (Secular-Atheism) has laid claim to the Empirical only, which is manifested within modernity’s Naturalism. And both of these dark brothers make their warfare at the expense of all other methods, in essence blinding us and blocking our paths to God.
Catholicism is rich in the mystical. It is the reason why I’m looking more and more seriously into it. It is also right to assume that Orthodoxy is also rich with symbolism and powerful icons. These are not idols and for those who ‘write them off’ as idolatry and ignore them as such, a rich source of powerful spiritual ‘connectiveness’ is lost – deliberately abandoned.
When this Mysticism is used at the abandonment of other methods, it crosses the line between Imagination into pretending or the “make believe”. The Pentecostal’s regular and necessary use of Speaking in Tongues, I feel, is a perfect example of this. Tongues used regularly and by necessity are pretending and make believe.
When the Empirical is used at the abandonment of other methods, you get results like Young Earth Creationism (at the expense of established science), or, the other side of the coin, a sort of Richard Dawkinian-Evolutionism (atheism)(and you’ll notice I didn’t say Darwinian).
When the Philosophic is used at the abandonment of the other methods you get results like the Greek Stoics. God has become abstract and disconnected. God becomes some supernatural entity “out there”, detached and indifferent - a Clockmaker God. There is no “presence” within our world, our lives, nature, our services, churches, or masses. God has become an abstract.
When the Academic is used at the abandonment of other methods you ultimately get Fundamentalism and Biblical-Literalists. Father John Whiteford, of the Orthodox faith, has this to say about the problem with Sola Scriptura:
"An assumption is something that we take for granted from the outset, usually quite unconsciously. As long as an assumption is a valid one, all is fine and well; but a false assumption inevitably leads to false conclusions. One would hope that even when one has made an unconscious assumption that when his conclusions are proven faulty he would then ask himself where his underlying error lay. Protestants who are willing to honestly assess the current state of the Protestant world, must ask themselves why, if Protestantism and its foundational teaching of Sola Scriptura are of God, has it resulted in over twenty-thousand differing groups that cant agree on basic aspects of what the Bible says, or what it even means to be a Christian? Why (if the Bible is sufficient apart from Holy Tradition) can a Baptist, a Jehovah’s Witness, a Charismatic, and a Methodist all claim to believe what the Bible says and yet no two of them agree what it is that the Bible says? Obviously, here is a situation in which Protestants have found themselves that is wrong by any stretch or measure. Unfortunately, most Protestants are willing to blame this sad state of affairs on almost anything — anything except the root problem. The idea of Sola Scriptura is so foundational to Protestantism that to them it is tantamount to denying God to question it, but as our Lord said, "every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a bad tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17). If we judge Sola Scriptura by its fruit then we are left with no other conclusion than that this tree needs to be "hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 7:19)."
If allowed to run to its natural conclusion you end up with a belief-system that puts the bible in its center and not God. This is biblio-idolatry.
In short, not only do we have a great deal to gain and learn from one another, only collectively do we have the keys to God. Only through unity do we have any hope to combat the devestating effects of the Darkly-Enlightened Brothers.


- About MCC Washington
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Faith and politics
Christian political advocacy is a form of public witness and a tangible way of loving our neighbor. As Anabaptists, we believe that Christ walked in love and peace on this earth and that the mission of the church is to demonstrate this love.
Christian advocacy can take many forms, including praying for government officials, writing letters to policymakers, meeting with legislators, raising awareness of issues through the media, and participating in public events.
Advocacy that reflects Anabaptist values should:
Click here for FAQs: Why does MCC have a Washington Office? What does the Bible have to say about advocacy to government?


Sunday, 24 August 2014
New Season, New Director
Now we extend a warm Céad Míle Fáilte to our new Musical Director Paul Flynn, who has sung with us in the past (Bass and Barbershop). Here is his current CV!!
He has extensive experience of the choral genre not only through composition but also through conducting and singing with many choirs including the Mornington Singers, Trinity College Dublin Chapel Choir and St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir, Dublin. In 2006, he won the Christ Church Cathedral Festival Composition Competition. He received the International Composer Honourable Mention in the 2009 POLYPHONOS competition with The Esoterics choir, Seattle, USA. In 2013, Paul was awarded first place in the Corpus Christi Chorale Composition Competition in Texas with his setting of Sub Tuum Praesiduium. He has had works performed in many venues both in Ireland, Austria, USA, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, including recent performances by the men of St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Recently, his work Hymnus Sancti Camelaci was selected to represent Ireland at the 2014 ISCM World Music Days Festival in Poland.
He currently directs the Choir of the RC Parish of St. Michael’s, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. He acts as a music advisor, liturgical music consultant and has directed many music events and concerts. He is represented by the Contemporary Music Centre (www.cmc.ie) and is an active member of the AIC (Association of Irish Composers: www.composers.ie).


Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction
September 2 @ 3:00 pm - September 3 @ 5:00 pm
The Ohio Haiti Benefit will be hosted at the Mt. Hope Event Center on September 2 & 3, 2022.
Schedule to be announced.
Mission Statement: This is a cooperative effort of many churches and individuals to bring relief to the hungry, the sick, the naked, and the homeless people of Haiti. Our ultimate goal is to bring them to Christ. Relief is given without regard to race, religion, color, or creed. The Haiti Benefit Auction is held once a year on Labor Day weekend. The Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction was born in 1987 by brethren who, seeing the great need, had compassion on the poor people in Haiti. We are a channel through which people can contribute with auction items, or by helping. All labor is donated; all workers and board members are expected to pay for what they eat. There are no salaries and no commissions. All auction proceeds go 100% to the many missions in Haiti which are required to give a financial report, meet certain standards, and show proper use of funds in the past. It is a serious responsibility and wisdom is sought from the Lord for guidance in this task.


The Mission & Vision
Our mission, vision and process of discipleship is simple! We create an atmosphere for you to encounter God's presence in weekly corporate worship, and help you discover how you best connect with God for your personal daily encounters. We want you to get connected with God and other believers within the church through Life Groups and serve opportunities. We will help you discover God's purpose for your life as you discover the gifts and talents that He has given you, as well as how to use them for His glory. All of this will equip you to make a difference in the sphere of influence that God as given you personally.


Since 2000, God has been using The Barnabas Group to make a powerful impact on ministries around the corner and around the globe.
In contrast to many great individuals and organizations who support ministries primarily with the checkbook, The Barnabas Group realized ministry-minded people could provide so much more if given an opportunity to use their network, time, unique abilities, giftings, or resources to help ministries that reflect their true passions.
We have found one of the greatest values our partners receive from being a part of Barnabas is the opportunity to meet, network and get to know like-minded Christian entrepreneurs! God uses these connections in many unique ways to build His Kingdom!
Read below or go to our chapter site for more details.
If you work with a ministry and would like to start the process of presenting at the Barnabas Group – Greater Houston, then use the button below to start the application process, please.
If you are interested in donating to The Barnabas Group, please use the button below.


- About Us
- Pricing and Services
Jean Elaine QuickApril 18, 1920 ~ September 11, 2017 (age 97)
Jean Quick began to experience the joy of resting in God's eternal presence on September 11th, 2017. She pursued a life of faith and service as she was always willing to lend a helping hand with activities at South Congregational Church and at the different schools that her children attended. Her husband, Charles, preceeded her in death as well as her daughter, Judith Tosch, and her brother, Keith Bartlett. Jean graduated from Battle Creek School of Nursing in 1942 and worked in her later years at Porter Hills Retirement Home. She enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and volunteering for many service organizations. Jean will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marlene Heemstra (Al Heemstra), Keith Quick (Wendy Quick; her grandchildren Paul Tosch, Amy Dykstra, Scott Heemstra, Justin Quick and Andrew (Gloria) Quick; and great grand children Zachary Dykstra, Cassidy Heemstra, Ridge Jones, and Lylah Quick. In keeping with Jean's wishes she has been cremated and will have a private graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Alzheimers Association.


Faith and freedom in Ghana
Fighting child slavery from the pulpit
Recently, Challenging Heights (CH) has partnered with Walk Free to call on faith leaders from Ghana, in every church and mosque, to speak out on the issue of child labour and child trafficking in the fishing industry in Ghana. CH also held a press conference in the hopes that local media will share the story. The press conference raised many questions about child trafficking, Challenging Heights, and child labour on Lake Volta.
Many children get physically and emotionally abused; given little food, no pay and denied access to education.” James Kofi Annan
There are currently 49,000 children in child labour on Lake Volta; 21,000 of those children are to be considered in hazardous child labour. Many children get physically and emotionally abused; given little food, no pay and denied access to education. Most parents, completely unaware about the truth of Lake Volta send their children, believe the lies traffickers tell them. They are told that their children will be given a better life with a secure career. While others are knowingly sold to a life of modern-slavery.
They are told that their children will be given a better life with a secure career.” James Kofi Annan
We have created the Send No Child campaign to spread awareness about the issue of child trafficking in Ghana by reaching out to faith leaders. We believe that if ministers, pastors, and preachers allocate just three minutes of their sermon to forbid all members of their congregation from sending any child to Lake Volta; instruct followers to report absent children suspected of being trafficked to the police or social welfare; and teach their congregation about the reality of the conditions for children on Lake Volta, we can prevent children from being sent to Lake Volta.
In order to end child labour in the fishing industry of Ghana we need to prevent children from being sent to the lake; there needs to be more public awareness of the issue and the conditions of Lake Volta. Faith leaders have the opportunity to reach a high population of people, helping spread the truth about these conditions. With the help of these influential leaders we hope to see the day that no child is sent to Lake Volta.


Renewing Our World is a campaign for clean and renewable energy, as it is for sustainable agriculture for the world's poorest communities.
Warmis as part of this movement; We are articulating through prayer and actions to make climate justice a reality, as well as choosing life for our generation and for future ones.
Farming families in the countryside can have their homes running on renewable energy, with better access to health, with organic ferptilizers, with better crops, without deforestation and with solar panels for their electricity.
This project can also work in rural schools, and with the students organic gardens are formed.
Through providing workshops to farmers, we are improving the economic wellbeing of 100 families a year.
We focus on improving these families’ incomes through our Sustainable Agricultural Management programmes: bringing food security to the households within three years.
The 100 participants improved the management of their smallholdings with new techniques to control erosion; consider their water and seed usage, create organic fertiliser; and search for more suitable ways to market their produce.
30 Smallholdings are now growing crops, with improved yields. Three community members have been trained to take over and lead the projects that Warmis has implemented. This now benefits their entire community.
We work with Christian leaders and pastors in their quest to respond effectively to the specific social needs in these communities. In turn, we work with young people and church leaders within Cajamarca city to fight against urban poverty. We also have a Christian leadership training programme.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Warmis forms part of the global movement of Christian men and women who aspire to see God’s world renewed. We believe that God’s plan for this world is that hunger, thirst and oppression do not exist.
We work in: Cajamarca, Chota and Bambamarca.
With the aim of promoting the use of renewable energy and organic agriculture, we install community biodigestors for the production of biogas, biol and biosol.
We install solar panels for rural schools, allowing boys and girls to have access to computers and internet in their own schools.
We train and organise the local church to prevent and respond to natural disasters.
Sudden disasters require an immediate response and the church should be well positioned to provide it since it has valuable resources such as: facilities, land and people. The church should also be well equipped to help disaster survivors to face the emotional affliction of losing family members, friends and possessions. It can provide spiritual consolation, emotional support and hope for the future irrespective of race, religion, gender and nationality.
We strengthen the skills of farmers of the high Andes improving their capacity to adapt to climate change and connecting them with local markets.


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Jonathan is an amazing author and person. He has written a book full of gold. I was very impressed with the level of detail, which I know took many hours and is the product of a life up close and personal serving people as a coach and trainer in Newark and our church, New Life Fellowship over many years. He tackled many topics in a down to earth and very accessible way. I know his book will help many people. It’s incredible!!
Teaching Pastor and Founder of New Life Fellowship Church, Queens, NY, Author of Bestselling Book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Over 500,000 copies sold)
I have to say, I have read many books on this subject, but by far this is the best I have read. This book is so amazing to me! The cover reveals exactly what is in it. It's full of well-written content, lessons, tools, and strategies on self-awareness, self-development and self-care, which are all necessary for healing, wholeness and fulfilling our God-given destiny. I love that it is not just informative but includes action steps because information alone will not heal us. Jonathan is a very anointed, gifted, and unique man of God, in touch with not only today's culture and generation, but also in touch with the very heart of God. His passion is easily felt on these pages to help the next generation overcome their adversities and exceed the present generation by giving them the tools needed that the previous generation did not provide. THAT IS THE HEART OF A TRUE COACH!! I believe everyone should have a copy of this book, wherever you are in your journey of discovery.
Reverend Dee Verhagen
Director of Life Guidance Center
Calvary Temple, Wayne, NJ
We, the advisors of the African American Club, were very pleased to have Jonathan help us celebrate Black History Month. The students, staff and faculty were impressed and captivated by his inspirational words and the message of encouragement, enlightenment and uplifting statements that mesmerized our students. I spoke with some of the students after the program and they were amazed to hear someone speak in a way that relates to them and understand their issues and concerns. He embraced the theme of the program “Empowering Yourself” by letting the students know that you can turn your negative situations into a positive incentive and use it to strive towards a better goal.
Mrs. Bobbie Wilson-Buie
Co-Advisor African American Club
Dickinson High School, Jersey City, NJ


NSW schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics. Approved providers deliver these, where available.
Write to the school if you wish to withdraw your child from special religious education, sometimes known as scripture. Special education in ethics is an option for your primary-age child if you withdraw them from special religious education. For more information, visit Religion and ethics.
At Shoalhaven Heads Public School, SRE is delivered on Wednesday from 10:30am to 11:05am.
On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notivication of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE should be given to our school office, writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at our school:
Catholic SRE is provided by Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. More information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong website https://www.dow.org.au/
Protestant SRE is provided by Anglican Diocese of Sydney. More information about Protestant SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Anglican Diocese of Sydney website https://sydneyanglicans.net/
SEE is provided by Primary Ethics. For more information about SEE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the Primary Ehtics website https://primaryethics.com.au/, unfortunately this option is unavailable at our school.
During the time that SRE classes are being held, sutdents not attending will be located in a separate space and will participate in meaningful activities, reading.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians from the lands of the Jerrinja people. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the various lands on which you all work today and pay respect to Elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people.
Copyright for this website is owned by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Education. For more information go to https://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright.


Paul and I and the girls went to Dale's and then to Beka's we ate and visited and had a blast. We also thought about our little Ethiopian princess, Aleena, wherever she may be. Next year we hope to have a new little addition take to Thanksgiving dinner.
There is so many things to be thankful for I can't even put them all down but here are some...
- My Lord Jesus, my best friend
- My husband a wonderful Godly man and my best friend on earth
- My three girls Abigayle, Anna, and our soon to be Aleena
- The breath that I breath
- Our health and home
- Our family
- Our friends and church
My God shall supply all of our needs...praise his name!!
Happy Thanksgiving 2008!!!!


One of the reasons I read so many academic works is to broaden my knowledge, but also to challenge my world view and see if it can be turned on its head.
Whilst reading “The Ancient Jewish Mysticism” by Joseph Dan recently, one such a moment of “oh wow!” occurred. If you don't want to read the whole extract, just skip to the third paragraph.
“The Ancient Jewish Mysticism” by Joseph Dan
“...The study of the Nag-Hammadi library has brought about a series of changes in the conception of the spiritual world of the Gnostics. It became clear, for example, that the extreme dualistic view, which opposes the good, concealed of with the wicked god who created the world, is not shared by all Gnostic sects. In many of the works this conception is totally absent. The divine world of the Gnostics, it has become clear, is much more complex and varied than one might have assumed from the polemic works of the Church Fathers. The Gnostic literature is one with many shades and different literary forms, to an extent not imagined before the discovery of the library.
However, the most important discovery in this library, as far as we are concerned, is evidently the fact that not all of the Gnostic literature is Christian. There is no doubt that all of the Nag-Hammadi writings which we have were written centuries after the emergence of Christianity- evidently in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Yet a number of striking occurrences in this library show that not all these Gnostic writings were composed under Christian influence or in the Christian domain.
The most striking example relates to two works in this library. One is known as The Sophia (i.e. the supreme wisdom) of Jesus Christ, and the second as Eugnostos, The name of the second work is derived from the name of the author of the epistle which is the major part of the work, and has no special theological significance, The first work, as its name indicates, is clearly a Christian/Gnostic work, which quotes various sayings in the name of Jesus. In the second work there is no hint of Christianity or its views (studies which have tried to prove a Christian influence on Eugnostos have only proved the opposite – their authors have had to resort to marginal and insignificant points, which have reinforced the view that this work is far removed from Christianity.) However, the most surprising thing to emerge from the study of these two texts is that they are but a single work. The Sophia of Jesus Christ is nothing but a reworking of Eugnostos to make it Christian, by addition at the beginning and end of a number of clearly Christian elements.
We therefore have the choice of deciding whether a certain editor deleted the Christian parts of The Sophia of Jesus Christ or the reverse: that a certain editor took a non-Christian gnostic work and added an external veneer to it in order to give the work a certain Christian character. As it would be more logical to assume that in the 3rd or 4th century an editor would attempt to impart a Christian character to a non-Christian work than the reverse, it is very likely that here we have clear proof that the Christian Gnostics used non-Christian works that preceded them, and imparted a Christian character to these works. This implies that a non-Christian gnostic literature existed, which to a certain extent served as a source and basis for the literature of the Gnostic Christians. This is enough to undermine to a large extent the belief in the conception held of the Gnostics by the Church Fathers, namely that they were a heretical movement which grew out of Christianity. Eugnostos is not a work that denies Christianity, but one which belongs to a religious movement which did not know of the existence of Christian scriptures, and the Christian doctrine was simply not within the spiritual purview of its creators...”


Hier sind ein paar Beispiele für unterschiedliche Ressourcen und Materialien zu finden, die Pais anbietet. Mehr Informationen dazu gibt es auf unserer speziellen Website, auf der es Materialien und Videos kostenlos zum Download gibt: MYPAIS.
Buch: The Line and the Dot
Hast du eine Idee, eine Vision oder einen Traum, wie du die Welt verändern kannst? Wenn ja, dann solltest du dieses Buch unbedingt lesen. In diesem Buch erfährst du mehr darüber, wie du deine Vision umsetzt und welche vier Stufen dir dabei begegnen. Anhand der Geschichte von Pais, beschreibt Paul Clayton Gibbs die Herausforderungen bei der Umsetzung deines Traums. Dieses Buch warnt dich nicht nur, sondern bereitet dich vor, damit deine Vision zur Realität wird.
Leseprobe auf Englisch
Let me explain.
One day as Jesus walked the dusty road stretching between the old and new cities of Jericho, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, called out:
Son of David, have mercy on me!
Why? Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph.
‘Son of David’ meant more than being a son of a man called David. It was a label. Specifically, it was the title given to the One who would be known as the Messiah. Bartimaeus’ statement was incredible because this visually impaired man saw something that many other people had been searching for and missed.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
A number of groups in Jesus’ day were searching for the Son of David.
The Zealots thought the Messiah would be a militaristic hero. They believed if they could stir up Israel to fight the Romans, God would send the Messiah to free them.
The Essenes had given up on Jerusalem and the Temple and had run for the hills. They lived in a holy huddle, having nothing to do with the rest of the Jews. They had their own schools, their own shops . . . essentially their own community. They believed the Messiah would recognize that only they were the sons of light.
The Pharisees were looking for a Messiah sent by a Holy God. If they could only get Israel to clean up her act and eliminate the sinners, then surely God would send the Son of David.
Yet they made the mistake so many of us make.
We miss God in our lives, not because we do not know what He looks like, but because we have decided what He looks like in advance. Then, when He arrives, we are so busy investing our time, energy, thoughts, and finances in what we expect Him to achieve, that we fail to see what He is really up to.
We invest in the wrong Jesus.
For us to see, we first have to become blind.
Bartimaeus saw with his own eyes the miracles of Jesus, but only after his blindness helped him recognize the miracle that is Jesus.
When Bartimaeus called out to Him, Jesus asked him a question.
What do you want me to do for you?
This seems like an unusual thing for Jesus to ask. Surely it is obvious. Unusual? Yes. Uncommon? No. Some Bible scholars estimate that Jesus was asked 300 questions during His ministry and that he gave a straight answer to three. They also say that Jesus asked around 125 questions, many of which were in answer to questions He was first asked. In other words, if you asked Jesus a question, you had a one-in-three chance of being asked one in return!
Jesus was a pioneer but He was also a rabbi, and rabbis answer by asking.
The Cloud and the Line
The Line and the Dot
Eine Dokumentation über Pais in Spielfilmlänge.
Werde Teil der Bewegung
Pais existiert, um eine weltweite Bewegung zu entzünden, in der das Reich Gottes das erste Anliegen der Gläubigen ist und in der sie dafür befähigt werden, das Reich Gottes in ihrer Umwelt wachsen zu lassen. Möchtest du mehr darüber erfahren, wie du ein Teil dieser Bewegung werden kannst?


Reveal worship nights were birthed in the hearts of a group of female worship leaders from Lexington KY. God's desire is real for women. When women encounter the love of Jesus, they are forever changed.
In worship, Jesus reveals Himself to us and we reveal our hearts to Him. This dance is a beautiful exchange... the greatest love story ever told. Our personal stories are powerful and reveal the rescue and love of our God. Our stories call us back to the feet of Jesus. It is our desire that we meet in unity, and allow Him to release us from the past, release us to express our hearts to Him, and restore us to wholeness. We recognize the move of God to free and empower women to reign with Jesus.
Reveal worship nights will be a time of Holy Spirit led praise and worship with women coming together sharing stories of healing and freedom. Join us as God is glorified and hearts are set free by the love of our King. There's power in worship...and there's power in your story.
"All of us reflecting the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces..." 2 Corinthians 3:18.


Mary, mother of Jesus appeared in a vision to the Pope and accused Roy Moore, who is running for the empty Senate seat in Alabama, of another case of sexual harassment.
The Virgin Mary explained that she appeared to Roy Moore in an effort to convince him to be a true christian and accept blame and forgiveness for molesting an innocent girl. Instead Roy grabbed the Virgin Mary’s butt and made a lewd suggestion about her virginity.
As the news broke, Hannity, Brietbart and Republicans accused the mother of Jesus of being part of the liberal deep state and using her “religious” pulpit to drag a good man down.
Beitbart Editor Joel Pollack:
“Mary, Mother of Jesus, is of the age of consent. We shouldn’t be disturbed by Roy Moore making advances to a known Virgin. my question is: was this consensual?”
“Let’s not rush to judgement of a good man. Should we be taking the word of a supposed vision to the Pope? This is a very shaky argument for condemning Roy.”
“Who is this Mary person? Is she even a person? I thought she died a long time ago. I am going to need more than this to even think about condemning a good man.”
Covington County GOP Chairman William Blocker:
“Roy is being persecuted just like Jesus. How dare his mother make this accusation without proof.”
When asked to comment, Mitch McConnell shrugged his shoulders and said he had no power over Roy Moore and what could he really do. Besides, it is a senate seat and we have already proven many times, that Republicans have no souls.


A really good Candid Observation that follows the same line of logic and reasoning that I have talked about here in some of my other posts. Please do yourselves a favor and give it a look.
It amazes and bothers me that we in this country are so reluctant to talk about race and racism.
I spoke this week at an event which I thought would be predominantly white; the sermon was about how we who love God ought to choose God and serve God over racism, sexism, militarism, materialism, homophobia …I didn’t say it, but those things in the list could be, and should be, classified as “sin” since sin is anything that separates us from God.
The audience turned out to be predominantly African-American, and I am more than sure that, while the message resonated with the African-Americans, many of the white people in attendance were probably offended.
I know by now that we all see things through different lenses, lenses tinted by our life experiences, but in this, the 21st century, where racism is as ugly and as…
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|KOTIČEK NAŠIH MLADIH|
Zivio! What a month it has been! Well November is on us and it is time we start preparing for the end of the year. I would like to ask anyone who has any ideas on how to make this section better to contact me. email@example.com
The 2001 Sydney Youth Concert On the 6th October 2001 the annual Youth Concert took place at Merrylands, Sydney. It was a very entertaining night filled to the top with quality acts, from Melbourne, Woolongong & Sydney. There were a very wide variety of performances; from singing to dancing, to live bands to plays and many other pleasing acts. All of the acts were of a very high standard and all performers should be congratulated on their fantastic efforts. On behalf of the people from Melbourne, I would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Sydney for being so hospitable and so welcoming to all of us. We really appreciate it. The people of Melbourne have the pleasure of hosting this great event next year and we would like to welcome you all there. See you next time! A lost love…
"I would love to hear from you!" My name is Mathew Bratina. I am 6 years old and I traveled to Sydney for the Youth Concert and I also performed there. I meet a girl younger than me she was 5 years old. Her name was Alana. I miss you and I cannot forget you. Please write to me and tell me your address.
P.S. Moj ocka so mi rekli, ozeni se moj sin! Kako se bom ozenil, nobene ne poznam! Sedaj pa sem eno lepo spoznal. Yu-Hu-Hu! Mathew Bratina xxxxx
Thanks again for reading the corner. I hope that you have enjoyed it. I would really like a few letters to suggest anything that can make this section more enjoyable.
Na svidenje. The Editor
Catholic Bishops speak to the Young People of Australia Dear Young Catholic of Australia, We live in exciting times. At this moment, as one millennium gives way to another, Christians must set the future course of the Church for the twenty-first century. Drawing on the grace and energy of the Jubilee, Jesus is calling us to "launch out into the deep' of a new millennium. Like the apostles who first met Jesus on the shores of Galilee, we trust that our efforts will result in a 'great catch' (cf Luke 5:1-11). To be effective in this task we need the gifts and leadership of young people. Some terms explained Last year the Church celebrated 2000 years of Christianity. That's two millennia since Jesus Christ came into our world. Known as the Great Jubilee this celebration was perhaps the biggest Christian party of all time. To be a young Australian today involves both blessing and challenge. On the one hand, you are living in a land of great promise and hope. Australia, a civilization both ancient and young, is a diverse gathering of cultures living together in peace. We Australians enjoy a degree of freedom, opportunity and prosperity unknown in many parts of the world. On the other hand, our nation also knows suffering and sin. Many of you, your friends or families have no doubt been personally touched by problems such as racism, alcoholism, drug addiction, child abuse, unemployment, family breakdown and suicide. We share your concerns and urge you to acknowledge that, whatever practical solutions may be sought, ultimately the answer to these concerns is found in Jesus Christ. The Spirit-filled life and message of Jesus is Good News because it is the gift of peace that can penetrate the deepest sadness and anxiety of every heart. Perhaps you have already discovered this truth for yourself. Perhaps you are still seeking and testing its authenticity. Your questions, posed and pursued with integrity and a thirst for what is good, right and true are a precious part of your Christian journey. Be both vigilant and discerning. In our society many lies and half-truths are cloaked with promises of happiness, yet deliver only sadness and destruction. Such deception is part of the 'culture of death'. Do not fall for it! Rather choose life! Guard against superficiality: never settle for less when it comes to seeking the greatness of God's plan for your lives. The Cross of Jesus Christ sets us free and offers fullness of life, now and eternally. Choose this life! Claim spiritual values over materialism, generosity before self-gratification, loving commitment before sexual irresponsibility, family and strong relationships before personal gain. A Special Word We are conscious of those young people who, for whatever reason, find themselves distant from the Church. For the times the Church's own membership may have contributed to that distance, we ask your forgiveness and warmly invite you to discover afresh the abundant gifts of our Catholic faith community - our people, our traditions, our spiritual riches.
OCETU V SLOVO
Kako lepo je, ce imajo otroci dobre starše. In kako zelo so starši ponosni na svoje otroke. Želel bi, da bi lahko vsak naš otrok nekaj podobnega povedal o svojem ocetu ali svoji mami, kar sta pri pogrebni maši 4. septembra letos povedala o svojem ocetu Rudiju njegov sin William in hcerka Tanja:
My Dad was a husband, a father and a grandfather. My Dad was an active member of the Slovenian Club Committee and Slovenian Choir Group. My Dad was a fisherman, carpenter and builder. As a teacher, I was his student. As a master, I was his apprentice. He was, and always will be - my Dad. We stand here today and although our hearts are heavy with tears we are also happy and proud to be celebrating our dad's life with all these wonderful people WHO WAS OUR DAD? He was a man who thrived on life itself, an ambitious young man who came to this country with his beautiful wife, a passion for living, a head full of dreams and the best of friends to share this all with. Dad never dwelled on the hardship or struggles that were endured by himself or those around him, he always seemed to take the good from all of these times, and always wanted to make the best of every situation... Our dad loved life... He was never bored, there wasn't any time to be. He thrived on the simple things and indulged in his passions. He loved to travel... Being outdoors was important, and exploring his beautiful adopted country in the company of family and friends makes our childhood memories rich with stories and happy times. Dad wanted us all to see, experience and enjoy what this wonderful country had to offer. He loved to fish.... Not for the catch, just to be out on the water, or pier... spending countless hours with his mates. He loved his work. There wasn't a thing our dad couldn't fix, build or repair,working with his hands was not only work for him,it was a joy. He loved his friends, of which he was never short of. Many people came and went in his life, all of which I'm sure were touched by him in some way, just as he was touched by them. But above all, my dad loved his family. He found the girl he wanted to spend his life with, our mum. I believe they were each other's gift. Dad, you experienced a wonderful, full and rich life which I couldn't even begin to talk about, but you knew none of this was possible without the love of your friends and family. For us, we saw a man who loved his wife, was proud of his children and inspired by his grandchildren... Mum, Dad left us happy knowing that you have the best of friends and family that will always be there for you.Your strength, will and courage gave dad the power to overcome all his challenges. He wanted us all to be strong, look to the future and enjoy our lives. Just as he wanted us all here today to 'celebrate' his life, smile, shed no tears and remember him as we travel with him on his final journey. Sleep peacefully dad.


I talk about generosity everyday. I talk to church leaders everyday. I answer the question “How can we increase giving in our church?” almost everyday in some form or another.
I am learning to answer that question with a statement and a question. “People give to life change. Is your church’s vision statement facilitating life change?”
Working with churches over the past 12 years has taught me a great deal about how a church’s vision is connected to financial giving. Here are 3:
- People give to a clear, compelling and communicated vision.
- Giving mirrors the way your church is achieving its’ vision.
- People do not have a giving problem; they have a giving to your church problem.
Here are three ways you and your church can cast or re-cast the vision to the people of your church before school gets out.
- In worship tell the history of your vision statement (remember a vision statement is different than a mission statement). How did it come about? When was it created? Who was a part of the team that created it? Why did the leadership feel it was time to create a new vision statement at that time? Doing this through video will allow you to have more information communicated in a shorter period of time.
- Write it down! Write the vision statement on as many things as possible and promote it for four weeks. Posters on doors and the back of bathroom stalls, in the bulletin, on the website (you should also post the video you used in worship on the website), on the church sign by the street, on a banner placed in the church yard, in the children’s discipleship materials, from the stage during youth worship (the senior pastor should do this), and anywhere else you can communicate. WARNING: Only do this step if you plan to consistently connect the vision statement to everything that the church does from this day forward. If you are not willing to continually communicate the vision after going through this intense awareness campaign, you will eventually lose credibility among your people. Be careful.
- In public (whatever that looks like to your church) celebrate a life change moment from your church which easily and directly reflects the vision statement of the church in action. Tell the back story, include all of the involved people, and if possible connect the life change event to the generosity (time, talent, treasure) of the people of the church. This sounds difficult and tricky but it is quite easy with practice.
Implement these three changes before school gets out this year. Will you do it? Have questions about to how to implement the changes? Contact me. I’ll walk you through it.
If you decide to implement the steps please tell me about it.


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This site seems to have helped lots of senior dating sites due to the users, and continues to do today. There is also a number of helpful tools for their users and provide them with methods for getting the most out of their queries. There are several different senior online dating sites to choose from as well if you want to look for other similar thinking senior available singles. They have religious coordinated matches as well. Whatever the reasons for making use of this service, I am sure you will concur that it can be extremely helpful.


What We Offer
The Men’s Ministry helps men experience the love of God through relationships by ministering to others. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — Prov. 27:17
Sierra believes that God calls men to be leaders and servants. Whether at home, church or in the community, we strive to be men that lead with integrity, transparency and with servants’ hearts. Our Men’s Ministry meets each week for an outstanding meal, prayer and Bible study. There are a number of men’s accountability groups that meet at various times each week. Each month, the men gather for our Men’s Breakfast. If you have any questions or want to find out about getting more involved, contact the Men’s Ministry leader listed below.
Wednesday Night Men’s Study
Our mid-week Bible study, dinner, fellowship, and communion has ended, we will resume this coming October.
See you then, when we start again, plan for Wednesday nights at 6:30!


Thank you for partnering with Dynamic Church as we seek to transform everyday people through active faith in Jesus Christ. Without your generosity, we could not pursue the vision that has been set before us. So, thanks for being part of the journey!
Giving Just Got Easier.
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How to Send in Checks
If you would prefer to mail in your gift, please send to…
7430 Shallowford Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421