Mission Verse: Acts 26: 17-18
“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God”.
It is estimated that there are over a hundred million people in the world that need vision correction who will never own a pair of eyeglasses in their entire lives. God's Eyes is a 501c3 non profit corporation which exists to eliminate this statistic.
The vision of God's Eyes is to demonstrate the love of Jesus in a very tangible way. We improve the quality of life of the worlds’ poorest people by dispensing free prescription eyeglasses in the name of Jesus to those people who will never have the resources to obtain the correction their vision requires.
How We Accomplish This Mission:
We provide prescription eyeglasses by working closely with medical missionary doctors whose clinics are already established around the world, and by partnering with existing Christian relief organizations such as Operation Mobilization, and ( FAME) Fellowship for the Advancement of Medical Evangelists .
In the past, medical missionaries relied heavily on donated used eyeglasses which were categorized into two basic groups, either near-sighted or far-sighted. The doctors then attempted to fill their patient's needs with one of these sparsely donated old pairs of eyeglasses that were in the relative vicinity of the needed prescription. God's Eyes takes this several steps further; we supply these medical missionary clinics with new eyeglass frames. This allows patients to choose for themselves the style they prefer. Then by working directly with the doctors via email, we are able to provide the exact prescription for these patients in the frame they chose. The frame, and lenses are provided free of charge by God's Eyes. All of the eyeglasses are dispensed in the name of Jesus, and patients are prayed for and invited to attend the local church associated with the mission.
In isolated areas where no medical clinics exist, God’s Eyes works directly with pastors in local Christian churches. We will bring in the necessary medical equipment and personnel to examine and then dispense the eyeglasses right at the church.
Imagine how different your life would be if you never had the resources to correct your own vision needs. With the eyeglasses God’s Eyes provides, some patients have learned to read, to find work, while others are seeing their families clearly for the first time in their life. In a tangible way these eyeglasses bring light to their life.
In August 2005 after his pastor gave a compelling sermon, an optician from Peachtree City, Georgia. Bryan Kaiser, felt led by God to leave a legacy of sharing the love of Jesus in a very tangible way. He would use his 27 years of experience of owning three optical businesses and his expertise derived from making over 60,000 pairs of prescription lenses, to supply eyeglasses to the world’s poorest people. By December 2006 Bryan had started the non profit company of God’s Eyes. Since that time this quest has taken Bryan to some of the poorest and most remote areas of Peru, Honduras, and Haiti. To date God’s Eyes has currently distributed thousands of new frames, prescription lenses and eye drops to medical missionary clinics and churches for needy patients in the name of Jesus.
God’s Eyes has partnered with FAME to provide eyeglasses for Dr. Valerie Colby, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and also works with Drs. Shelly Kaluf, and Ryan Price in Christianville, Haiti.
“I highly value the relationship FAME has with Bryan Kaiser and God’s Eyes. This ministry does a wonderful job in providing eyeglasses for those in developing nations that cannot afford needed glasses. Just as Jesus miraculously healed the blind, God’s Eyes has restored sight to the blind by providing needed lenses. I have served with Bryan in Honduras and have witnessed first hand his humble spirit of service to God and the Kingdom.”
Rick Wolford , Executive Director
FAME (Fellowship of Associates for Medical Evangelism)
“Please tell Bryan how proud I am of him and the ministry you both lead through God’s Eyes! It never ceases to amaze me what faith can do, and your faith has led you both to be a light in the eyes of people in many unique and challenging places all over the world. This is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg for this ministry! God’s plan for God’s Eyes is so much bigger than what we can see! I can’t tell you how proud I am of you both for all you’re doing in the lives and hearts of people!”
God Bless You Both!!!
Pastor Roy Roberson
Heritage Christian Church, Fayetteville, Georgia


St. David of Wales Church & School, Richmond, CA
Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7PM in the Rectory
In Attendance: Roland, Bruce, Paul, Barbara, Andy, Fr Joyzy & Fr John
Opening Prayer: Led by Fr John
Review of minutes for August 16, 2016 parish council meeting: Minutes approved.
Continue discussion on number of parish council members, term, frequency & length of meetings:
Present members have served for a number of years and are willing to continue to serve. We agreed that registered parishioners who are interested in joining the parish council are welcome to apply. All parishioners are welcome to attend or submit items for the agenda. We will meet the third Tuesday of the month every other month from 7 to 8 p.m.
Parish Survey on proposed new Mass schedule:
105 surveys were submitted. 3 options were given for consideration on changing the Sunday Mass schedule;
Option A was 8 am English Mass, 9:30 am Spanish Mass, 11 am English Mass
Option B was 8:15 am English Mass, 9:45 am Spanish Mass, 11:15 am English Mass
Option C was 8:30 am English Mass, 10 am Spanish Mass, 11:30 am English Mass
Option D was to submit a schedule other than A, B or C.
Results: Options A & C received the most votes and were close in total. Option D suggestions included Mass times from as early as 7 am to 7 pm, with 4 requests to start a Latin Mass. Option D suggestions varied and received the least number of votes, but we agreed to continue discussion on some of the proposals at our next meeting. We decided to go with Option A for our Sunday Masses.
The survey for daily evening Masses received 67 responses, with the 1st and 3rd options receiving the most votes. We decided we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday through Friday at 5 pm, Eucharistic Adoration until 6:20 pm which will include communal prayer of the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 5:30 to 6:20 pm. At 6:20 pm we will have Benediction, followed by Mass at 6:30 pm. Our morning Masses will continue Monday thru Friday at 8:15.
Andy Lojo, former finance council member, reported that all former finance council members have had to resign for various reasons. He knows of 2 or 3 people who might be interested in forming a new council. We agreed that 3 or 4 members should suffice and that we will each invite parishioners to consider this ministry. We agreed we will attempt to start a new finance council by November.
Fall Festival on Saturday, September 24th, 11 am to 6 pm:
Parish will sponsor a Book Sale. A parishioner has donated a large number of beautiful books to our parish. We will use the funds collected to help support our parish school.
Parish Roast Beef Dinner will be Saturday, November 12th, at 6 p.m.
Next Parish Council meeting: November 15, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Rectory.
Closing Prayer: Fr Joyzy


For too long the radical left has forced people of faith to ignore their principles. Remember the Oregon cake shop owner that was vilified for standing up for her beliefs? In places like Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC, some Christian adoption agencies are told to stop providing care for orphans because they place children in families consistent with their sincere religious beliefs.
That’s why Bill Hightower sponsored the bill to protect faith-based adoption agencies in Alabama. It forbids state government from discriminating against adoption agencies based on their religious convictions. This fight is about protecting religious liberties and protecting Alabama’s most vulnerable children.
If you agree, sign the petition today!


495 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, SC 29910Maps & Directions
Located in the heart of Bluffton, South Carolina, Cross Schools was established in 1998 to serve a growing community which was then void of an independent grade school. In 1999, we welcomed our first students to 1st grade. Since then, we have expanded to our campus on Buckwalter Parkway and now educate over 400 students in Preschool through 8th grade. In addition to our day school program, we offer after school and summer camp programs. At Cross Schools, we strive to uphold an atmosphere that is constantly stimulating children and creating a love of learning. Small classes, rigorous academics, various enrichment courses, community service, sports, and faith-based learning, help prepare our children to grow into collaborative thinkers with moral and spiritual principles. Please contact us to learn more about Cross Schools, or to schedule a visit.


Ireland has the lowest percentage of evangelical Christians in all English-speaking countries in the world.
■Only 30,000 (that’s less than 1%) are evangelical Christians.
■Ireland ranks in the top of the European lists in reference to teenage suicide, drinking alcohol and unwed mother rates.
■Cocaine and heroin use is rapidly on the rise amongst all socio-economic levels.
■Divorce (previously illegal until 1997) is a new difficulty for families, with a 70% increase over just four years.
■Many evangelical churches today in Ireland consist of just 20 people, most of which meet in homes. There is a hunger in Ireland to know the grace of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, so it is time for us to start the harvest in Ireland and stop sitting on the sidelines.
■Ireland is young, growing, and global.
■40% of the population is under the age of twenty-five, and 60% is under age 40. Due to the now-defunct economic boom known as the “Celtic Tiger” many had experienced new-found wealth and jobs, which attracted others from the European Union and various nations. Construction, employment, and immigration rapidly changed Ireland in 15 years into a cosmopolitan nation.
■Ireland’s history with the Catholic church has cause many to question faith and a mass exodus from attendance in the Catholic church. While 30 years ago, Ireland would have claimed extremely high mass attendance that has totally turned upside down, leaving many people with more questions than answers when it comes to their faith.


We are approaching the season of Lent. Actually it's less of a season, more of an interruption.
It interrupts our habits with the challenge to pray and fast, to study and to give. It interrupts our complacency by beginning with Ash Wednesday when we face the truth that we are mortal, that is, that we will die. Then it interrupts our despair by leading day by lengthening day to Easter Sunday, when we see new life explode from a grave as Jesus rises from his own death and invites us to rise with Him from ours.
Here are some ways in which Lent will be interrupting us at St Michael's Wandsworth Common.
- Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is on 14 February. We will have an Ash Wednesday Holy Communion service in the church at 12noon and then we will be taking our ashes out on to Northcote Road as we, once again offer 'Ashing on the Street.' This is the offer to pray for people and to mark them with the sign of the cross on their head or their hand as a sign of God's presence in the midst of our mortality.
- As well as our usual midweek pattern of worship, in Lent the Lady Chapel will be open for private prayer Monday - Wednesday 10am-3.30pm. We will have a range of resources to inspire your prayer.
- Join in our monthly prayer meeting on the first Tuesday of the month on Zoom.
For those who love to pray and walk, why not plan to meet up with others to do that in a more intentional way in the season of Lent as the spring arrives?
- In the Monday Bible study and in a weekly evening group that will meet on a Tuesday at the Vicarage, we will be studying "Borders and Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan. The authors were the leaders of the Corrymeela Community in Ireland. This book focuses on the Old Testament book of Ruth. He's what the Church Times review says, The authors present Ruth's story as a four-part drama. She is not only a widow, like her mother-in-law, Naomi, but a Moabite, regarded by Israelites as hostile and immoral. Can she overcome the stereotyping and be seen for who she really is rather than what she is thought to represent? She achieves this by showing how law and tradition can be overcome or reinterpreted by the power of kindness, what the Bible calls 'hessed'. She demonstrates that personal and human encounter are more important than ethnicity. That all sounds very nice, but the value of this book is that it does not gloss over the difficulties. Ruth's story is about destitute and marginalised people learning to survive, challenging inherited understandings of purity, hearing the voices of the ignored, and seeing the gaps where compassion may thrive, and the need for people to take the kind of risks which she and Boaz took.
Please join in either on Mondays at 9am in the church or on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the vicarage from 19 February until 26 March.
- On Sundays we will be using the Church of England's set readings for the season to focus on some discipleship commands. Namely to be baptised, to follow Jesus, to love, to share Holy Communion and to be generous. These services will be especially designed with children and young people in mind as we hope to see some come to baptism and to receive Holy Communion for the first time at our Easter Sunday Celebration. If you are a parent of a young person who might like to take this next step or you yourself would like to, please prioritise Sunday services in Lent. And please let me know.
- We will have a Giving Sunday on 3 March when we will encourage thought and prayer into individual and family giving to this church and to charitable causes more generally.


SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018
HOUR OF POWER MIDDAY SERIVCE- Is held Wednesdays 11:45AM-12:45PM
PRAYER MEETING & BIBLE STUDY- Are held Wednesday at 6:15PM & 6:30PM.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th, 2018- VBS volunteers and Competition Captains will be having a meeting at 5:30PM.
JUNE 25th-JUNE 29th, 2018 - Macedonia will host our annual Vacation Bible School classes. Our theme this year is Jesus the Kingdom Builder. Registration will be June 10th & 17th, after service in the gym.
SATURDAY, JULY 7th, 2018- MBC Women's Fellowship will be hosting breakfast at Town & Country Diner in Bordentown, NJ at 10:00AM. All ladies are welcomed to attend.
SATURDAY, JULY 14th, 2018- The Pastor’s Aide will be hosting a Pop-Up Shop from
9AM-3PM. Vendors are needed. If you are interested please see Sis. Sylvia Montgomery,
Sis. Michelle Jordan, or Sis. Lashonda Green for more details.
Macedonia Baptist Church
1300-1310 Greenwood Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08609
Phone: (609) 393-2239
Fax: (609) 396-0102


To African-Americans, what is the value of Christianity and the Bible it derives from? As it relates to the early experience of slaves in this country, it seems insufficient to suppose that the influence of Christianity was all positive or all negative. It has been both a stagnating and lethargic force, as well as a liberating and compelling one. In this first part of a two part series, taken largely from “The Talking Book: African-Americans and the Bible”, we begin to get a sense of what a double edged sword Christianity really was to black slaves.
1.) Most Africans who came to the New World had yet to read the Bible for themselves: “Catholic priests catechized illiterate African slaves in the Spanish colonies to accept their lot as God’s will.”
“No one on the place was taught to read or write,” recalled former slave Silas Jackson. “On Sunday the slaves who wanted to worship would gather at one of the large cabins with one of the overseers present and have their church, after which the overseer would talk. . . . No one read the Bible. Sandy Jasper, Mr. Ashbie’s coachman, was the preacher. He would go to the white Baptist church on Sunday with family and would be better informed because he heard the white preacher.”
2.) The desire to read the Bible did give rise to an accompanying desire among blacks for literacy.
“…..the slave Peter Randolph “became impressed that I was called of God to preach to the other slaves . . . but then I could not read the Bible, and I thought I could never preach unless I learned to read the Bible.”
3.) It also gave raise to a few slave rebellions:
The reaction that followed in the wake of the Nat Turner rebellion in August 1831 was a veritable crackdown on African-American Christi- anity. Between 1830 and 1834 Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana all enacted legislation making the education of slaves punishable by fine or imprisonment and completely prohibiting unsupervised slave gatherings and slave preaching.
4.) Some white preachers gave slave preachers snippets that they could use while in the pulpit preaching to black churchgoers:
Slaves were rarely introduced to the Bible through the medium of the printed page. For many slaves biblical literacy began with sponta- neous aural memorization and oral recall. Slaves mimicked what they heard in sermons from white preachers and readers,
5.) Negro spirituals, such as “O Rock Don’t Fall on Me”, focused heavily on the Judgement Day.
6.) The Quakers were the only Christians to consistently and vehemently condemn slavery.
Quaker founder George Fox:
“Consider with yourselves if you were in the same condition as the blacks are, who came strangers to you and were sold to you as slaves; I say, if this should be the condition of you or yours, you would think it a hard measure, yea, and very great bondage and cruelty. And therefore consider seriously this, and do you for them as you would willingly have them do or any other do unto you were you in the like slavish condition, and bring them to know the Lord Christ.”
7.) “The African Church of Charleston, South Carolina, was a congrega-tion of black Methodists founded in 1818 after several thousand blacks had withdrawn their memberships from white Methodist churches in Charleston following a dispute over a segregated burial ground. It became the venue of another abortive revolt that received inspiration from the Bible.”
8.) Frederick Douglas wanted no parts of the Bible later in his life, as he saw that the Bible was used as a vindication for slavery:
“I have met many religious colored people, at the South,” Frederick Douglass wrote, “who are under the delusion that God requires them to submit to slavery and to wear chains with meekness and humility.”4 Bitter experience had taught Douglass and other slaves and former slaves that the master class of the United States bore a whip in one hand and a Bible in the other.
“Douglass anticipated that the Bibles sent to the South would become raw material for proslavery propaganda. The master, holding the Bible and the whip, would now wield each in the service of the other. This biblical Christianity would be the only religion of the book that the slaves might know.”
9.) “How much for this woman? She is a good cook, good washer, a good, obedient servant. She
has got religion!” was a refrain commonly used by slave traders to sell slaves.
Certain verses in the Bible condone slavery:
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. (Eph. 6:5)
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. (Col. 3:22)
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God be not blasphemed. (1 Tim. 6:1)
10.) Some blacks followed these teachings literally, as is evidenced by Jupiter Hammond, an eighteenth-century slave poet and essayist, who was the first African American to have his writings published in the United States. He who wrote, referring to slave references in the Bible, “Here is a plain command of God for us,” exhorts Hammond, “to obey our masters. It may seem hard for us, if we think our masters wrong in holding us slaves, to obey in all things, but who of us dare dispute with God!”


You have probably heard the anecdote about the frog in boiling water. If you put a frog in hot water it will immediately jump out, but if you put a frog in a pot of room temperature water, then start to boil it, the frog won't notice the temperature change and it will boil to death. Besides this being not true, it's also cruel (it's "frogal" abuse!) so please don't try it. Yet this remains a popular metaphor for the fact that, very often, we fail to notice gradual changes and thus fail to recognize when we are in a dangerous situation. This is precisely what happens in abusive relationships. They often start out fine but slowly become more abusive to the point where neither the abused nor the abuser realize the extent of the abuse. This leads to rationalization on the part of the victim or even a flat out denial of the abuse. Thankfully, many organizations exist to help both men and women who find themselves in abusive relationships and people, in general, are becoming more aware of the signs of abuse—at least when it comes to abuse by mortals. But what about the Christian God, or at least the idea of the Christian God? Without question, some interpretations of Christianity and God are more benign than others, but it is those "others" that we need to worry about. I will argue that Christianity is, at its core, a system that promotes this abusive relationship where God is the abuser and his flock is the abused. The psychological and emotional abuse one experiences can often be more devastating than physical abuse because while physical abuse is often apparent and causes immediate suffering, it is the psychological abuse that occurs slowly and can cause a lifetime of suffering through emotional trauma.
Social psychology deals with interactions of two or more beings, real or imagined. This is because the idea of others can affect us just as much as the people themselves. For example, one can be miserable if they feel that another hates them, even if that other person has no such feelings. It is not the hatred that is being "beamed" outwardly from a person that affects others; it is what is going on in the mind of the person affected, that is, the interpretation by the person affected. God is not actually doing any abusing here, but the imaginary being has been given power over the abused. This is all that is required for an abusive relationship.
A system can be abusive and make use an object or a figurehead. There have been many detailed arguments about Christianity being constructed as a system of control, that is, a system to control the behavior of others. In the absence of a physical God, those who claim to speak for God wield this control and power over others. These can be kings, presidents, political groups, churches, religious leaders, or individuals who claim to know the will of God or even speak on his behalf. In these cases, God is not the abuser, but those who claim to speak for God are.
Abuse, in this context, is a pattern of behaviors used by one person in a relationship to maintain power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. Intimacy can certainly refer to one's "personal relationship with Jesus." Abuse includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation (“Abuse Defined,” n.d.).
Abusers abuse for many reasons. One of the reasons is control. The warning signs below all reflect one or more specific psychological techniques that are quite effective for controlling and manipulating others. In the art and science of persuasion there are many effective techniques that range from ethical to extremely unethical. Those below, the ones used by psychological abusers, are certainly on the extremely unethical end of the spectrum.
I am using some common signs of domestic abuse published by The National Domestic Violence Hotline found at www.thehotline.org. To avoid cherry-picking, I will use all of the warning signs. As we will see, some apply more than others, and some should be quite alarming to any Christian.
1) Using Coercion and Threats. "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:5). Coercion is the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats. Abusive husbands might threaten to physically abuse their wives. This is insignificant to the ultimate threat—an eternity of suffering. It is common for abused spouses to rationalize their spouse's abuse in order to protect the relationship out of fear of leaving it. They say things such as "He (or she) just had a really bad day" or "I deserved it." Likewise, Christians who believe in the doctrine of Hell rationalize it by saying things such as "I deserve Hell because I am a sinner." In addition to an eternity of suffering, the Bible provides many examples of threats if you don't do what God says.
2) Using Intimidation. "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies." (Nathum 1:2). An abusive partner might wave a gun around, tell stories of how they once took revenge on a someone who wronged them or otherwise make a clear display of their power over the victim. This might as well be the theme of the Bible. It is full of stories of God's power and wrath taken against those who disobeyed him from Noah's flood to the plagues of Egypt to commanding the slaughter of the Amalekites (men, women, and infants). The message couldn't be more clear: don't even think of disobeying God or face his wrath.
3) Using Emotional Abuse. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). A common tactic of an abuser is to tear the abused down emotionally so that they feel they deserve the abuse they are getting and certainly don't deserve anything better than the abuser they are "lucky" to have. Guilt and obligation are common weapons of choice of the abuser. The entire foundation of Christianity rests on the claim that we are all sinners deserving of Hell (whether that be eternal torture or just a "separation from God"). If we do what we are told, God will extend his grace on us and "save us" from his wrath that we deserve. You're a sinner. You are nothing with God. You owe him everything. Consider the crucifixion of Jesus. God sacrificed his only son for your sins. Guilt and obligation. Of course, according to the doctrine, Jesus was at the right hand of God after three days, so it wasn't much of a sacrifice.
4) Using Isolation. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers … for what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" (2 Corinthians 6:13-15). Abusers control who the victim socializes with and what information they consume by using jealousy to justify his or her actions. The Bible is full of verses and parables establishing a clear rule to stay away from those who don't believe as you do, with the exception of preaching to non believers for the purpose of conversion. Justification is established by creating a dichotomy of just two kinds of people in the world: good God fearing people and those under the influence of Satan (see GotQuestions.org). When the abused are isolated, they are less likely to see how they are being abused.
5) Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Abusers attempt to minimize and deny the abuse they dish out, or simply blame the abuse on the victim. Christianity teaches that all the suffering we experience on earth (childhood cancer, natural disasters, horrific deaths, etc.) is nothing compared to the paradise that awaits. Suffering is our punishment by God that we deserve because our ancestors (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God, in other words, this is being sold as "justified abuse."
6) Using Children. "For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD" (Exodus 12:12). It is common for the abuser to use children to maintain power over the abused. This can come in the form of threats, guilt, or harassment. In the Bible, God is the one responsible for "blessing" parents with children (Gen 20:17, Gen 25:21, Gen 30:22) as well as punishing by making one's womb barren (1 Samuel 1:6, Leviticus 20:20, Jeremiah 22:30). There are few Christians today that would claim that their fate as parents is NOT all part of God's plan.
7) Using Male Privilege. "Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:24). "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet." (1 Timothy 2:12). This part I will take directly from the domestic abuse website: "Treating her like a servant, making all the big decisions, acting like the "master of the castle," being able to define men's and women's roles." This describes the Bible as close to perfect as one can get. The Bible often uses language that we are servants of God (2 Peter 2:16) here to serve him. Most Christian theology says that we need to "turn our lives over to God" and let him make all the big decisions in our lives. He is the master of the castle. The authors of the Bible speak frequently on the roles of women and how they are expected to behave, which is clearly in a subservient position to men, despite the token example of a few women with power in the Bible.
8) Using Economic Abuse. "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps" (Genesis 32:10). Abusers can control the financial status of those they abuse in order to maintain power over the abused. While there are many examples of both rich and poor Godly characters in the Bible, just like fertility, financial well-being is quite often credited to God by believers.
The idea that abusers are evil people who hate those they abuse in intimate relationships is the exception to the rule, not the norm. In fact, most abusers at least claim to love their victims, and who are we to say they don't. One might argue what abusers are experiencing is more of an impassioned jealous rage then true love. That's a fair argument, especially if true love is unconditional and the person doing the loving wants nothing more than the happiness of the person they love, even if that love is not returned. Does God offer that kind of unconditional love or is his love more like impassioned jealous rage? What happens, theologically speaking, if one doesn't return God's love? Does God give that personal eternal happiness anyway? Or is his love conditional, that is, based on the condition that you love him back and if you don't, he will either sentence you to an eternity of nothingness (the annihilationist view) or an eternity of suffering and misery (the standard Christian view). I know, those of us who don't believe choose to go to Hell. And women who don't obey their husbands choose to get punched in the face. Praise be.
Not every Christian is in an abusive relationship with God. Those "cultural Christians" or "cafeteria Christians" as they are sometimes called by the fundamentalists, use their own moral compass to pick and choose the parts of Christianity that already align with their values, political beliefs, and worldview. Maybe you are a Christian, and these signs are disturbingly familiar to you. Maybe you know someone who is a Christian, and you think this would be disturbingly familiar to them. Victims of abuse must reach the point where they say "enough," not because they are demonstrating another sign of obedience to the person that told them they are a victim of abuse, but because they are deciding for themselves.
It is unknown what percentage of people remain in abusive relationships because those who see a greater benefit of staying in than getting out seldom report the abuse. I know that most Christians are happy to be a servant and part of God's "flock." A victim of abuse can not always see what life outside of the abusive relationship looks like, and not only might settle for the abuse, but revel in it (see this clip from Jesus Camp). Just like the there are countless stories of people who left abusive relationships with intimate partners and can now see the abuse for what it was, there are countless stories of people who left Christianity and express the same kind of freedom being free from abuse—abuse from the Church, abuse from religious leaders, and what they imagined to be God, all supported by the text in the Bible.
Imagine ultimate freedom. Freedom from continual celestial observation and judgment. Freedom from divine purpose where you can define your own purpose. Freedom from the threats of eternal torture and suffering. Imagine true self-worth. Not the kind of worth you are said to have because you were created to worship and serve a master, but the kind of worth you earn by being a person who loves and is loved by others. You are a human being that is not inherently evil or morally corrupt, but whose goodness comes from your own actions and not the actions of your ancestors of 6000 years ago. You are responsible for your own goodness. You are in control. Your actions and behaviors such as romantically loving another human of the same gender or different faith, as well as other victimless crimes called "sin" in Christianity, are no longer something for which you need to feel guilty and "repent." Imagine a world of true cause and effect where your fertility is not the will of God, but a fact of nature that, with the help of scientific and technological advancements, can reward you with children. A world of cause and effect where your financial success is largely dependent on your own desire and persistence. Imagine a world where women have just as much power as men and are not denied opportunities. No guilt. No shame. Imagine a life where you choose to be a moral person for the sake of goodness itself, rather than an obedient servant following commands, many of which deep inside you know are just wrong. Imaging all this is one thing, but living it, is another.
Reason: Book I - A Critical Thinking-, Reason-, and Science-based Approach to Issues That Matter is based on the first two years of The Dr. Bo Show, where Bo takes a critical thinking-, reason-, and science-based approach to issues that matter with the goal of educating and entertaining. Every chapter in the book explores a different aspect of reason by using a real-world issue or example.
Get the book, Reason: Book I - A Critical Thinking-, Reason-, and Science-based Approach to Issues That Matter by Bo Bennett, PhD by selecting one of the following options:
Enroll in the Daily Doses of Reason Online Course. This is passive course where you are sent one lesson per day by e-mail. There is no required interactivity. Each lesson averages just a few minutes.
Enroll in the Psychology of Woo Online Course. This is a crash course, designed to help you understand why your brain favors magical explanations over rational ones.
Have a podcast or know someone who does? Putting on a conference? Dr. Bennett is available for interviews and public speaking events. Contact him directly here.


Have you ever come across something that makes you stop and stand still? That is what happened to me today. I was listening to a book this morning, and I wanted to share something the author said and my thoughts regarding his words.
“We want outside success like in a marriage, our relationships or a successful career, but the universe doesn’t care about our external successes. The universe wants us to have internal success. We care about what we do on the outside the universe cares about who we are on the inside.”
I interject God in the places where he says universe because that is my belief, but the universe, your higher power, God whatever your belief structure is this passage is one that can create pause.
Sometimes we get frustrated because things aren’t happening fast enough for us. I was thinking this morning; maybe the journey isn’t about getting to the beautiful house, fast car, financial freedom, and the living the dream status we speak so often about. Maybe this journey is for molding our inner soul so we can be better human beings, to love harder and more freely, to give grace, to pray more often, to have compassion for mankind.
I get so focused on the success of my brand, my book, and my personal life I forgot that through this 15-year journey I’d been internally molded to be a powerful, loving, selfless, compassionate, empathetic woman. My soul is stronger. I realized that some of the scars I’ve accumulated along the way are not just from falling on this path when things didn’t work out the way I wanted, maybe some of these scars are from falling on my knees in prayer. We typically seek higher guidance when we are in trouble, in need, scared or unsettled. Maybe we struggle on this journey not to get closer to the peak, but so we can stay on our path for our internal growth. Although it has become a cliche to say you cannot take your material things with you when you go, it is so true. In the end, your internal success is all that really matters.
That to me is an extraordinary revelation.


Dear Parents and Carers
It seems that everyone is in agreement that we are about to conclude the most challenging, drawn out year in our lifetime. I was recalling that the year commenced with Canberra still blanketed in the residual smoke from the bushfires, was quickly followed by a hugely damaging hail storm and moved seamlessly into a global pandemic.
Through all of this trial and tumult though our school community has remained largely positive and resilient. This resilience was evident in the attitude and behaviour of our children and is due in no small part to their parents largely shielding their children from the worst of all the bad news.
I would particularly like to thank, on your behalf, the staff of St Matthew’s who worked very hard to keep school as normal as possible. Despite all of the interruptions children continued to learn and flourish and when it’s all said and done, we really could not wish for any more!
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of several staff who will be leaving us at the end of this year. I thank them very sincerely for their contribution to our school and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Thank you to Clare McPhillips, Kel Hathaway, Rosemary McIntosh. Melissa Tuite and Ana Zaja
Those families whose Year Six child is leaving our school were farewelled and thanked during the Year Six Farewell Dinner. There are also several other families who will be leaving our school from other grades. On behalf of our community I would like to thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them every blessing as they begin this new chapter in their lives.
School resumes for all children on Monday February 1st. A reminder that our Kindergarten children will not attend school on the Wednesdays during February.
I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy a restful break with your family.
May the peace of Christ surround your family during the festive season.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers 2020
A massive thank you for your generous donations to our Christmas Hamper Appeal. Our Conference Members as well as all our staff were blown away by your generous contributions. In total we made over 28 hampers for our 14 families. It will bring much joy to those in our local community who are in need this Christmas season.
This week is the third week of advent. On Sunday we lit the third Advent candle, the candle of Joy. The candle is pink and symbolizes the joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. We find true peace and joy by following God’s word. As we light this candle each day, we reflect on the joy that the coming of Christ will bring.
As a part of their unit of Inquiry, Matthew the head of Youth at The St Vincent de Paul Society came to speak to the students about being social justice super heroes and making a difference in our world through active citizenship. The students were able to see how their good works through their donations to the Christmas Hampers truly make a difference in people lives.
“Lost, cold hungry…. Must go further…..Ouch!”
I stepped on a pointy bone. “Fred, Fred!” I called.
Fred is my weasel, but my name is Freddy. We are in a forest, but I’m used to it. I grew up in the forest. I’m friends with all the animals in the forest except for the Coo Coo bird.
“Fred!” I called.
The little red weasel was amongst the lush open grass. “Hop on!” I cried.
He ran up and sat on my shoulder.
“Hey croc!” I shouted to the massive crocodile lazing in the water.
It shot out of the river. I clambered onto the croc’s back and it slithered back into the river.
“Now this is the way to travel!” I said.
Soon we entered a river that was crossing the wide-open plains.
“Slow down, slow down!” I cried, “I’ve seen a shepherd!”
“Why are you here young boy?” said the shepherd with a shocked look.
“I’m going into a town.” I replied.
“What’s your name?” The shepherd asked me.
“My name is Freddy, but where are you going?” I asked the shepherd
“I’m going to see baby Jesus.” He replied.
“But why?” I asked.
“People say you become kinder and more generous by knowing the baby Jesus.” said the shepherd.
“Forward.” I said to the croc and soon we were in a mountain stream. “Alright stop!” I said. I got off the crocs back and said goodbye. This is where I left him. He turned around and slithered back into the stream.
“Kaa Kaa!” I screamed knowing it would bring them to me.
Instantly, two massive eagles flew into sight. I stretched out my arms and the eagles picked me up with their talons and lifted me up off my feet.
“Nothing can stop us now,” I shouted, “Nothing can stop me from getting to Jesus!”
One minute later……
“Oh man, it’s raining and I’m flying through the sky!” I whined.
“Ok Fred.” The weasel nodded his little head as he was clutching my shoulder.
“Go down there!” I shouted, over the fresh clap of thunder.
The eagles landed on a lush green plain. The rain stopped and soon I saw it. I saw the special barn. I knocked on the door and it was answered by a woman.
“Who are you?” she said.
I answered and she told me to come in. I saw a basket and in the basket was a baby. I spoke to him and when I came out, my life had changed in many ways.
Now I want to follow him forever.
The holidays are upon us after what has been a long and challenging 2020. Our school community has worked together to support and uplift each other in times of need. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do
Religious Education Coordinator
Happy birthday wishes to Tijana S, Phoebe C, Shourya s, Charlotte W, Aston P, Benjamin F, Luis D, Jack T, Owen N, Sasha N, Scarlett S, who recently celebrated birthdays and to the following children celebrating brithdays in the December holidays, Michael B, Luke D, Thomas F, Liam M, Frankie R, Lucy D, Nokutenda D, Zara C, Emmy P, Leo L and Bella C.


Ite, inflammate omnia.
That’s how St. Ignatius Loyola sometimes ended his letters to fellow Jesuits – a Latin expression that translates to, “Go, set the world on fire.”
After being wounded in battle, Ignatius experienced an awakening that was the result of spiritual explorations while recuperating. The journey led him to found the Society of Jesus in 1540, also known as the Jesuits. He wanted his followers to be passionate about God and their mission.
The Jesuit tradition places great importance on education, particularly one that blends academic knowledge with spiritual learning. A Jesuit education aims for the development of the whole person by reaching the mind, heart and body.
At The University of Scranton, founded in 1888, Jesuit principles are intertwined through all courses and assignments, instilling a set of core values that nurture a passion for learning.
“We embrace the five traits or characteristics of a Jesuit education,” said Debra Pellegrino, Dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the regionally accredited and nationally ranked university.
Pellegrino described the five traits as:
“The ethos, to me, means going for a deeper depth of understanding and first it starts with finding out about the God inside of you,” Pellegrino said. “That’s what it’s about at The University of Scranton. You don’t have to be Catholic, but to be at The University of Scranton, you’re seeing God in all things and everything that you do is for the greater glory of God, and with that comes a passion for learning and understanding and excellence.”
Sandy Pesavento, faculty specialist and professor of educational technology, agrees that ethics are an important part of the university’s ethos.
“When I think of ethos, I think of ethics or credibility, and here at The University of Scranton, our Jesuit background is to have excellence for all students in learning,” Pesavento said. “So that’s something you see throughout our instruction.”
Nationwide, there are 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and dozens of high schools educating young men and women, and Scranton’s purpose is to help form those men and women “for others,” Pellegrino wrote when she was named dean of the Panuska College.
“It is a great experience to have a Jesuit Catholic education,” Pellegrino said.
Through the work of dedicated instructors and administrators, The University of Scranton is preparing its students to go out and set the world on fire, just as St. Ignatius wrote to his followers almost 500 years ago.


Merry Christmas, everyone! I can’t believe it’s here already. I feel like time is flying! I’ve had so much fun talking Christmas all month, and I hope you have too! Today I’m going to spending time with my family, opening presents, eating yummy food, and focusing on what this season means to me. If you celebrate, I hope you have a very lovely Christmas and that today will be everything you’ve wished and hoped for it to be.
What are some of your Christmas Day traditions?


Why is the Christian Church so concerned about the nation of Isreal and the Jews?After all,it was the Jews who caused Jesus to be crucified wasn't it?Well,no it was not.It was you and I,in addition to all the rest of humanity, who are responsible for the crucifiction of Jesus.He willingly went to the cross for all of our sins.
Make no mistake,the Jews were,and still are,God's chosen people.There are those today who claim that the church has replaced the Jews.This is absolutely not true.God does not lie nor change his promises.See Psalms 89 verses 34 through 37 My covenant will I not break,nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips.Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever,and his throne as the sun before me.It shall be established for ever as the the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.
More than ninety percent of the Bible is about the nation of Israel and the Lord Jesus Christ.The oracles of God were given to the Jews.All 66 books of the bible were written by Jews as inspired by the Holy Spirit.Romans ch 3 vs 1 and 2 What advantage then hath the Jew?or what profit is there of circumcision?Much every way:chiefly,because unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Genesis ch 12 vs 3 vs we are given God's promise to Abraham;I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.(the promise that the Messiah would come from Abraham's descendants).This promise was to continue through the ages.If you doubt this promise then just follow the Jews through history.Every nation that has turned against the Jews has paid a terrible price.
As a rule God dealt only with the Jews up to,and including,his earthly ministry.
There were exceptions but they were few.Now the Gentiles and Jews are saved the same way.Romans ch 10 verse 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:for the same Lord over all is rich unto those that call upon him.If saved,we are all part of the church,or Body of Christ.During the coming Tribulation period,God will again deal with the Jews as he causes them to accept Christ as the Messiah.
Now the following is my two cents worth and is not backed up with scripture.
The United States was founded by people trying to escape religious persecution in Europe.In other words on belief in God.For most of our history we have sent thousands of missionaries to foreign fields,and have supported the nation of Israel.God has blessed our nation for doing this.We are now trying to straddle the fence by continuing to support Israel while at the same time supporting her enemies.Get your bible and read again the land that God gave to Abraham and his descendants(Genesis ch 13 beginning in verse 14).Our nation is now trying to help others to take part of Israel's land.Keep an eye on the Middle East.We are headed for trouble.


Y.W.C.M. will evangelize families who do not attend church and lead them to a relationship with the Lord. Y.W.C.M. will strengthen the bonds between husbands and wives, parents and children by showing them the Love of Christ; as we mentor, teach, and pray for them. Y.W.C.M. will equip young couples with the necessary tools to raise children in the 21st century.
Y.W.C.M. will build strong functional families one couple at a time. Y.W.C.M. mission is to build strong functional communities which will produce strong functional towns, cities, states, and nation. Our goal is to establish Y.W.C.M. in the metro east and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.


The Current is a new series I am doing with my good friend Mario Quezada.
Mario runs the MadeXMaker studio in Hawaii and has a heart for God. In this series we talk about things we are grappling with and what God is teaching us now.
My faith plays a huge role in my life and my business. Thankful for friends like Mario who I can have conversations like this with.
The Current is a weekly conversation with Mario Quezada about how our faith plays a role in our lives and businesses.
To learn more or receive coaching from Mario, find him at https://madexmaker.com/coaching-landing
FOLLOW him on instagram @themarioquezada


Ringing the Bell June 2014 The Waterbury Observer
Ringing the Bell
By Reggie Beamon
In the spirit of the “Gathering,” thousands of Waterburians with roots from various parts of the globe assembled, paraded, performed and connected with each other. The impetus of this event promotes the belief that every person, no matter where they might have come from can excel, while highlighting the values we uphold and the importance of cultural contributions to the entire society.
Recently, our city also celebrated a day of prayer at City Hall. Days of prayer unite various religions under one umbrella, acknowledging the importance of belief in an entity superior to oneself. Day of Prayer celebrations are faith based programs which uplift through the calling on a higher spirit, armored with belief and faith that change will come.
Reverend Leon H. Sullivan in Build Brother Build stated, “If a man has a religion to believe in, and a faith to hold on to, then, some how, in spite of the most crippling and oppressive circumstances, he will overcome; properly motivated a man can do almost anything.”
Without spiritual guidance, most OIC programs and Centers would have floated around like ships without compasses.
When Sullivan designed OIC, he felt the church, primarily the black church, at that time, had an integral role to play in job creation and opportunity. Organizing the OIC movement, he insisted that each OIC site develop a “clergy support committee”. Since then each OIC has does its best to have a member of the clergy prominently seated on its Board.
At WOIC, we are blessed to have the Reverend Dr. Leroy Perry, heading our effort. Reverend Perry, is a Waterbury native and Yale graduate. His education and pastoring appointments took him away from Connecticut, until he returned to us to become pastor of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church. Reverend Perry understands the mission of self-help and opportunity. Providing the space of his church, he hosted a forum on black business. Reverend Perry embraces a theology of empowerment. As a WOIC board member, he keeps our focus on uplifting this community.
We do not “preach” at WOIC, yet we urge, occasionally incite and stir up those who also embrace our vision and mission to assist in overcoming their obstacles. Training people for life to succeed, “faith” as Sullivan wrote, is a motivating factor.
At WOIC we believe that the spirit should be joined with hands-on experience of learning skills and training, and so at WOIC we are developing a pilot program on wellness, exercise, nutrition, financial awareness and citizenship, to compliment and assist, in a holistic method, those who seek training opportunities.
Over our 40 years, WOIC has discovered it really does not matter how many programs this non-profit or other non-profits or the government might start, without individualistic faith in one’s self, tangible long term impact of these programs will not develop the whole person. Those clients who fail or may not complete a program, typically do not express or practice an earnest and genuine effort. Unfortunately, we realize that everyone who comes through our doors to begin a program will not be a success story.
However, those who have the vision to see the end result and apply a constant attentive approach, usually are the ones who, despite whatever roadblocks encountered, keep a faith that endures the length of the journey.
We ring the bell today for Reverend Leroy Perry, WOIC Board member Reverend Thomas Mallory and all the clergy who understand how OIC empowers.


The old hymn first sings of a common grace, what we call general revelation. The created order gives witness to its creator. With eyes to see and ears to hear, the human creature, above all others, is made to know its Creator. The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 1 when he speaks of all humanity: For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
In the midst of lockdown, grieving, pain, and sorrow, this spring has been, remarkably so, a common grace spring. All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. Continue reading


After the Easter Holidays, most classes will be exploring a Creation unit in their RE learning.
Christians believe that in the Bible they can find out about God and what he wants the world to be like. The Bible is made up of lots of different books and the first book of the Bible is called Genesis. Christians believe that God made the world and everything in it, Genesis tells the story of how this happens. Chapter one tells Christians that: ‘God saw what he had made and it was good’.
It would be lovely if you could come back to school with some CREATIONS of your own to start off our Creation displays. You can work on your own, or as a family team. Choose from one (or both) of these activities. Mrs Huggins


Wine BrotherhoodFebruary 15, 2021
Commanderie du Bontemps - Mass of Saint-Vincent 2021 & wine of the new year blessed - Press Release
This year, the feast day of Saint-Vincent, which celebrates the patron-saint of winegrowers, was not able to create the traditional festive event that normally brings together 700 people in a most convivial atmosphere.
Nevertheless, the Commanderie du Bontemps and its members wished to carry out the new year’s blessing, a tradition perpetuated for the past 50 years.
The ceremony, which took place on 27th January 2021, was marked by two very important facts: it was held in the Church of Saint Rémi of Bacalan, recently renovated and established in the Bordeaux wine trade's historical district of the city, and the mass was said by Monseigneur Jean- Paul James, assisted by Father Francis Ayliès.
The feast day of Saint-Vincent
Deacon and martyr of the 4th century, Vincent of Saragrosse is the patron-saint of winegrowers. The feast day celebration of Saint Vincent is held, depending on the year, either in the Médoc, the Graves region, in Sauternes, or even in Bordeaux. Always a warm and friendly occasion, this event brings together men and women who work throughout the year in vineyards, in winemaking facilities, in the various departments of wine estates, Wine Trade firms and Brokerage companies.
The Church of Saint Rémi of Bacalan
Situated just a stone’s throw from the Cité du Vin, the Church of Saint Rémi of Bacalan has been renovated. It wishes to show the vast abundance of references to wine in the Bible. Through this “language of parables”, the words speak of God, his bond with each one of us, his project for humanity, our faith, our daily life.
Beyond the Christ’s words in chapter 15 of the Gospel according to John : “I am the Vine, you are the shoots and my Father is the Winegrower”, there are also numerous other references : the cluster of Grapes in the Valley of Eschol, water turned into wine at the marriage in Cana, the exultation of Noah and of life in the Spirit of the Pentecost, the Chalice of the everlasting Covenant of Christ’s Blood.
Through these works of art, these biblical texts are presented as invitation to take time for thought. The Church of Saint Rémi will also be a place of cultural expression : singing, acting, reading, concerts and conferences will all be welcome here.
PRESS CONTACT: MCG Communication firstname.lastname@example.org - Telephone 01 41 10 49 49
Commanderie Contact : email@example.com - Telephone : 05 56 56 30 38 38


It is absolutely amazing what happens when Christians become embroiled in politics on either the left or the right. “Faith” and what we have learned concerning faith is left conveniently behind and filed under “Sunday: 10 – 11:00 am”.
Take for example this little piece being emailed around:
Kareem Shora Arif AlikhanWell, boys and girls, today the fox is guarding the hen house.The wolves will be herding the sheep!Obama appointed two devout Muslims to homeland security posts.Feel’n safer ??Obama and Janet Napolitano appointed Arif Alikhan, a devout Muslim, as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development.DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano swore-in Kareem Shora, a devout Muslim, who was born in Damascus, Syria, as ADC National Executive Director as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). NOTE:Has anyone ever heard a new government official being identified as a devout Catholic, a devout Jew or a devout Protestant…? Just wondering. Devout Muslims being appointed to critical Homeland Security positions?Doesn’t this make you feel safer already?That should make our home land much safer, huh!?Was it not “Devout Muslim men” that flew planes into U.S. buildings 9 years ago?Was it not a Devout Muslim who killed 13 at Fort Hood ?Please forward this important information to any who cares about the future of our Country.
Of course the intent is for you to declare your patriotism by mailing this hateful piece of garbage on to people in your mailing list and perpetuate the presumption that these two men who are Muslim and devout – that is practice their religion faithfully – are just like the major at Fort Hood , who was also a Muslim, are exactly like him and will fly airplanes into buildings and will shoot soldiers whenever they see them.
Of course, devout Christians would never do that. They would never pick up a child and smash the child’s head into a brick wall because the child was Jewish. A devout Christian would never beat and torture prisoners, defecate on them, urinate on them and make them perform all sorts of obscene acts on their fellow prisoners at Abu Grab. And of course a devout Christian would never take an evening stroll and slaughter old men and women, mothers with babies in a village near where he is stationed. A devout Christian who is the leader of a nation would never sanction the telling of lies to move the nation he was elected to lead into war.
What happens to ordinary people of God who in other circumstances would help their neighbor, feed the hungry, kiss their children on their head and tuck them in at night, and they turn into ideologues who are blinded to some of the deepest tenets of their faith and go on a rant stereotyping people of a particular race or religion as evil?
In Grade seven my pastor had us memorize what he called “God’s Ten Words” to us. I was raised in the Swedish Lutheran Church in the United States. We were encouraged to work with all people of similar good will. We were especially taught Commandment 8 in the western catholic tradition which goes: ”You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.” Now this is not just about lying. Luther teaches thus:
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our
neighbour, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
There is not only a “shalt not” for Luther; there is also a “shall” – you shall defend your neighbor, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way. This is one of those ‘household rules’ that the rich man said he kept when he asked Jesus what he had to do to live the kingdom life. The story goes on of course to say that Jesus looked at him and loved him saying, But you lack one thing: sell all you have and give the money to the poor and then come and follow me. I am sure that if you are Christian and reading this I do not have to answer the question: who is neighbor?
So that simply leaves the words: follow me. Now the ME here is of course Jesus. And we are to follow and followers are always learners. They know who the master is. Then why, when we come to the practical matter of living the ‘following’ out in this world, we muck it up so badly and leave the ‘household rules’ in ruin on the floor? Is it amnesia or is it something more.
I would suggest it is more. It hearkens back to the first commandment: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20.1). Clearly this is a commandment which first tells us “Who” the God is in whom we believe. WHO God is is defined by what this God does. This God liberates. Anything else we set up as more important to define our life and the world in which we leave is idolatrous. All the commandments which follow,two through ten, define those areas which lead us into idolatry.
So – number 8 and bearing false witness means that we set ourselves up as “God” and rather than liberate and free for life, we act to dominate, control and limit a person or persons in their life by lying and creating sterotypes. We can effectively kill a person with our lies or perpetuation of lies. We kill another by limiting their future through telling lies.
But of course devout Christians learned this in Sunday School. Richard Nixon was raised in a devout Quaker family but he turned out not so well in living what he was taught – though he lived what he believed – and it wasn’t following Jesus. George McGovern was the son of pastor and lived what he believed and was rejected by the students and faculty of Wheaton College in 1972 – the premier “evangelical” institution in this country – and they endorsed Nixon. So much claiming to be ‘evangelical’ and devout.
So “people in glass houses should not throw stones”. What happens when Christians become embroiled in politics? They lose their focus, their sight, their future which is the Kingdom of God; and they lose their way – the way is Jesus – the way as Jesus defined it is loving God above all things and your neighbor as yourself – which was taught by a rabbi earlier than Jesus.
It is also taught amongst Muslims – something we forget and something Muslims forget. Funny that – we forget – an amnsesia which is sin, the desire to be as God and be gods.
So to all of you who forward emails – ask yourself: does this email enhance the life of another or tear them down; will it build up my neighbor or tear my neighbor to rubble? Am I losing the sense of whose I am that makes me who I am? Am I selling myself out to the world?
This forwarding of emails is becoming endemic and no one takes responsibility. It has become part of our moral landscape to hit and run; to lie in anonymity. It is very uncivil. It lacks respect for others and even more so it reveals our own lack of self-respect. Time to build people up and not tear them down.
The House leadership in Washington DC made it there goal to limit President Obama to one term. Such a waste of time and energy and such damage to our nation. Time to end the the lies and the racism.
The day after the election I went to record a program at a local church. I met the pastor in the hallway and we walked together. I asked how his day was going and he replied: “Simply awful. I am fretting for the future with Obama’s re-election and what it will means – four million more abortions . . . ” He went on and on. he asked me and I said not bad at all. “Are you happy he got re-elected?” I said yes and was assaulted with a barrage of lies and innuendos covering over a racism I thought I would never hear from a pastor. I looked at him and said that he better go learn what this means: ”You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.”


"Equipping Youth and Children's Leaders for Christian Service"
Equip Youth and Kids Multiply is a training conference for youth and kids ministry leaders and senior high schoolers to be equipped for Christian service with Bible in hand.
Dates: Friday 20th September 2019 5:30pm - Saturday 21st September 2019 6:00pm Venue: Temple Christian College, 2 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End, SA
Cost: $50 for the weekend including all meals and resources.
Bible Talks Speaker: Ken Noakes
Ken has been involved in youth and kids ministry at several churches as a leader or minister since becoming a Christian at age 20. He has a passion for seeing people engage with the word of God at a deep level and then seeing them apply that word to their lives and ministry.
He is an experienced preacher, pastor of a church in Sydney, and co-author of a number of books, including 'Youth Ministry on the Front Foot.' Ken is married to Naomi and they have four kids, two of whom are helping Ken to love Marvel movies.
In 2019 Ken will be helping us to explore the book of Ruth during the main sessions.
- Strand I (Youth and Children's Streams) - What is the gospel? How the good news of Jesus shapes ministry leaders
- Strand II (Youth and Children's Streams) - What does the Bible passage say? How to unpack the scriptures and explain them to other.
- Strand III (Youth and Children's Stream) - How does God's plan Unfold in the Bible? Following the story of God's plan for the world from cover to cover
- Strand IV (Youth Stream) - How to understand key Bible Truths in the Bible. Exploring the summary of what the Bible teaches systematically
- Masterclass - Putting it into Practise. A chance to explore ideas and thoughts with other leaders who have finished all four strands, with high level input on the book of Ruth in the Biblical canon.
Available on Saturday afternoon, our workshops are led by experienced practitioners.
- Servant Leadership in Youth and Children's Ministry - Jesus instructed his disciples to be servant hearted in their leadership (Mark 10:44-45), and the rest of the business world is catching up. What does servant leadership mean for kids and youth ministry? Find out more here!
- Running Great Small Groups for Youth Ministry - Small groups are the bedrock of many churches' discipleship structures. How can you help your youth to engage around God's word in small groups and still love youth group? Come along to be equipped to lead great small groups.
- Writing Kids Talks - It's Sunday morning, the kids have been called down the front of the church, and the gathering leader says, "Now we've got a special guest for all the kids!" And now all eyes are on you. How do you prepare and deliver a kids talk that teaches God's word faithfully and with fun? Come along to get a crash course in kids talks.Register Now!
Equip Multiply 2019 will be held at Temple Christian College, 2 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End.
Parking is available in the surrounding streets.
Temple Christian College can be reached by public transport either via the Adelaide Metro Trains (Seaford Rise line) to Mile End Station.


Write the first paragraph of your page here.
Heinrich Schutz was considered one of the great German composers of the 17th century, and one of the first to achieve international recognition. He composed in a variety of genres: madrigals, motets, sacred concertos, requiems, histories, and passions. The Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi was composed and published late in his lifetime, around 1664. It was a musical setting of the Nativity story, written for choir, soloists, and orchestra.
The Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi, also known as “The Christmas Story,” was composed when Schutz was in his 70s. It includes text taken from the Bible, concerning the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The choir is written in up to 6 parts, and the soloists consist of an Evangelist (who is the narrator and a tenor soloist), wise men, an angel, and some shepherds. The piece intersperses the solos and choral parts in eight interludes. Vaccaro and Fineman have written an article with an interesting analysis, that Schutz composed this piece with metrical symbolism: “In the oratorio, the musical language used by the human characters is expressed through binary means and the language of the supernatural characters through a ternary metric.”
Schutz came a generation before Bach, and laid the foundation for Bach, who composed his Christmas Oratorio in 1734. Bach continued many of the traditions that Schutz began, including using secco recitative for the tenor soloist. Bach divided his Oratorio into six parts, however they were meant to be sung during different feast days, as opposed to Schutz’s Historia that was composed to be sung in one setting. No doubt Bach was familiar with Schutz and influenced heavily by him.
It is interesting to see the chain of influence, over the course of music history. Schutz was influenced by Gabrieli and Monteverdi, and Bach was influenced by Schutz. Each composer has taken those influences and formed something uniquely their own, that has caused them to stand out in the canon of Western classical music. It is important to remember this thread when considering the works of the “great” composers, and through critical study and analysis. The Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi by Schutz and the Christmas Oratorio by Bach are excellent examples of this phenomenon.


Your First Visit
Take a good look and see if we are for real. At Comstock Church of Christ you will find that "most of us are like the rest of us." We're real people (with real problems) who have found a real hope in a real relationship with a real God through Jesus Christ.
Isn't it amazing that somewhere along the way "church' people are no longer regular/ normal people? How did that happen? You will find that the people who attend here are no different from those you work with, play with and live with. We have struggles, insecurities, difficulties, and discouragements. Who doesn't? What we do have is a community of people who accept us where we are, support us as we stand, encourage us as we go, love us through thick and thin, respect us for trying to do the right thing and serve us while we serve others.
There is something enslaving about excuse . . . self-pity, victim syndrome, addiction, personality defect, dysfunctional childhood . . . you won't find us enabling such hearts. You will find ministry, instruction from God's word and power through the Holy Spirit. Real life-change is what our hope is based on.
Is our relationship with God the #1 priority in our life? The Sunday school answer is always the easiest . . . but real relationship is visible, isn't it? This isn't religion built on ritual that makes us feel we have been to church. This is relationship built on real intimacy of give and take.
We believe in a heavenly Father who is personal and desiring a close intimate fellowship with each of us. We don't buy into the cosmic gunslinger or the long bearded old man image of God. We see His fingerprints all over this created world and especially in the lives of those among us. We don't set out to prove His existence but to show it.
Much in our culture is skin deep/ superficial. Sorry to say, this also includes churches. Why? Too many churches fail to "keep it real". So, you tell us: What's missing?


You can trust God. Message from Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society and other helpful resources that will encourage you to trust in the Lord.
It seems with all that Satan, through the world and it's system and the wicked hearts of evil men, has been throwing at us politically, in terms of health, and with all of the pressures of fear in American cities, many are losing hope and turning else where for relief. However, if indeed you are a true Christian, then you should "fear not" nor lose hope.
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
"So that night I said, 'Lord Jesus show me the truth of what happened that day.' I opened my kindle up to the Bible and I put my finger and it said, 'Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay.'
A serious note. Christian, just how much of the world do you need to read about? How much is going to be enough? How many opinions of men do you need to read, need to like, need to respond to, before it's enough? The so-called knowledge of the world is no knowledge at all. Do…
There is a great tide of evil rising up against Gods people. You know it, you sense it in your spirit, no one needs to tell you. And yet you also know that God has a people that He has established and strengthened in the fires of affliction. He has separated a people from the system of the world and called them to Himself.
Loving God. Paul Washer is founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society. Visit heartcrymissionary.com for more information, updates, and resources!
Have you been unsure and worrying, maybe even locked up in fear, maybe even more, gripped by the chains of anger and rage? What about mental darkness and deep depression? You may want to check out this new message by Victor Marx.
We read that in the Bible that in the "last days there will come times of difficulty." (2 Tim. 3:1-9) The times we are in are without doubt dark, but in comparison nothing as to what is coming. Having said this, I see so many people exactly as the Scriptures says...


The funeral services for Mrs. Marie O. Skarke, age 91 of Schulenburg, Texas, will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11 am from the St. Rose Catholic Church in Schulenburg, Texas. The Parish Rosary will be recited prior to the funeral mass at 10:30 am. Visitation will begin to the public after 9:30 am from the St. Rose Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery.
Survivors include: 3 daughters--Janis Pipilas and husband, Dan of Schulenburg, Kathy Stiles of Dallas, Paula Watson and husband, Scott of San Antonio; 4 brothers--Alfred Schindler and wife, Cathy of Columbus, Leroy Schindler and wife, Rosemary of Schulenburg, Frank Schindler and wife, Jerelyn of Bastrop, Doc Schindler and wife, Hilda of San Antonio; 3 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Rosa Kasper Schindler and by her husband, Wilbert Skarke.


WITNESS OF THE STARS. BY THE. REV. ETHELBERT W. BULLINGER, D.D.. "HE telleth the number of the stars ;. He giveth them all their names.". The Witness of the Stars has ratings and 22 reviews. interest to students of Christianity and astrology alike, E.W. Bullinger uses astronomy, celestial charts. The Witness of the Stars. E. W. Bullinger. Preface. Some years ago it was my privilege to enjoy the acquaintance of. Miss Frances Rolleston, of.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. In he was ordained in the Church of England.
The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger
Bullinger’s premise is that the Heaven’s pictorially proclaim Psalm stats Bullinger the Swiss Reformer. English Choose a language for shopping. If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? Fantastic book by E. Clearly the Word of God is written in the stars — not the Mystery held secret from ages and generations — but the gospel of Jesus Christ which was revealed in encapsulated format in Genesis 3: The fold and the flock.
Gementria in Christ’s Geneaolgy. I found it intriguing, inspirational, and thought provoking. Quotes from The Witness of th To ask other readers questions about The Witness of the Starsplease sign up. Introduction To Acts Each sign has three constellations.
Those interested in correlation between zodiac and biblical story. Based on the information that the author bullinber at the time he did a fairly remarkable job gathering and using the sources that were at his disposal.
To paraphrase Aristotle, these Zodiacs, the imagery only slightly different over the worldwide cultures, were weak representations of a once objective truth proclaimed by the stars. Do we not hear that through the flag of grace By faithful messengers of God unfurled, All men will be converted, and the place Of man’s rebellion be a holy world?
This book is amazing! Once upon a time, people did not have paper.
The Witness of the Stars E.W. Bullinger “With Foldout chart!”
The Redeemed in their bondage and affliction. What is never explained is how the constellation pictures that bear little resemblemce to ztars clusters of stars came to be in the first place. Jan 28, Yan rated it really liked it. Alexa Actionable Analytics for the Web.
This is the hope. The Bride and The Body. This book renewed my interest and wonder if the stars and constellations. No trivia or quizzes yet.
Not that the content itself wasn’t worthy — it was. Adam, who first heard that wondrous promise, repeated it, and gave it to his posterity as a most precious heritage— ground of all their faith, the substance of all their hope, the object of all their desire. It was an intriguing concept that he was trying to prove In spite of the shortcomings, this book is an eye-opener and a goldmine for anyone with interest in the subject, and can inspire a desire to look closer at the constellations and to dig deeper into their significance.
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. You can “see” the gospel told through the 12 major constellations in our night sky. A must-read for anyone interested in Biblical Studies. I found an old hardback edition that was sent to me from London. In a work of profound interest to students of Christianity and astrology alike, E. Read it and I defy you not to be amazed at least once.
Yes, so we hear. The goat of Atonement slain for the Redeemed. The Witness of the Stars by E. Obviously there were graphs and pictures in the hard copy but most of these are left out of this e-book so sentences like “as witmess in the graph above” are meaningless.
The Witness of the Stars by E.W. Bullinger
Consuming fire prepared for His enemies. The despised sin offering. No one can dispute the antiquity of the signs of the Zodiac, or of the constellations. This was wtiness exciting book to read, full of facts and ancient history. His reasoning fluctuates – and indeed it is much stronger in the beginning of the book compared to the latter part.
The blessings quickly coming. With the psalmist one discovers that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork” thus encouraging Bible students to look upward for the coming of Christ. There are no discussion topics on this book yet.


There has been a reoccurring pattern in the life of my family that goes something like this: Dan and I prayerfully make decisions and plans and then watch as God totally changes them. To some extent, this is true of everyone, but in the past year or so for our family it has seemed kind of extreme. Housing. Jobs. Babies. Not to mention the little things in life.
I haven’t been handling our “temporary” housing situation very well lately (I put temporary in quotes because that is another one of our plans). Maybe it really is a difficult situation, or maybe it’s just that there have been a lot of difficult situations and I’m getting burnt out. I’m not sure.
One of the agreements to our living in this basement (in the home of a family from our church) is that every Tuesday our church hosts a Bible study. Here. In our little “temporary” home. Combined with the Bible study we normally attend on Wednesdays this makes for two very late nights in a row.
Well, this week the Bible study turned out to be a very good thing. Between conversation and prayer, I was reminded (for the millionth time and I know I’ll need it again) to rejoice.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
…we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
So it was as the clock approached 11, the last stragglers were about to leave, and the girls were very sleepy. I was encouraged and had a new resolve to rejoice and trust that this crazy, windy road God is taking us on is not without purpose. And then, as if to test my new resolve, Lydia threw up. I had given her a couple of slices of a summer sausage during snack time and, as we don’t normally eat pork or sausage, the combination didn’t treat her very well.
We said hurried goodbyes and I cleaned up the floor while Dan cleaned up Lydia. I’d say we handled the episode relatively well and soon enough Lydia was tucked in watching an inning of baseball with Dan while she fell asleep. I set out a (literally) midnight snack for Dan and I to enjoy together so we could actually have a few moments to talk before going to sleep. Just as I was about to take my first bite, Lydia threw up again.
Well, we made it out ok. I was still rejoicing and lighthearted despite the surprise attack by that summer sausage and we finally got to go to sleep. Dan was up at least once more with Lydia during the night but I didn’t know that until morning because a couple of hours after resting my head on the pillow I found myself running to the bathroom wishing I hadn’t eaten that sausage either.
It was bad. The sort of bad where you spend an hour in the bathroom just praying your stomach would surrender and empty itself so you could go to bed in peace. But, do you know what? By God grace I kept rejoicing.
I think if you could have been there (I’m glad you weren’t) to see me and hear my thoughts, it might have been almost funny. I was sick and in pain and tired and completely convinced that God loves me and is going to use this all for good. I may have even been smiling there in the bathroom at two in the morning. It was crazy. Knowing trials have a purpose, even if you don’t know what the purpose is, makes them so much more bearable.
The next day we were well enough to eat some breakfast, at least a rather bland breakfast of plain oatmeal, bananas, and tea. By Wednesday night we were all well enough to go to our own Bible study. And so far I’m still doing well in my new resolve. I know this is a lesson I’ll have to learn again. And you’ll probably hear about it when I do. For now I will keep on rejoicing, trusting God’s good plan, and staying away from summer sausage.


Definition of “Ekklesia”
An Explanation of the Greek word ekklesia translated church in the New Testament.
Today the word church has a wide variety of meanings from referring to a building to performing a religion service. Although we need to understand the modern use of the word it is of little significance in understanding the use of the word in the New Testament. It is essential that we understand its original meaning as it was used in New Testament times. In order to establish a New Testament church we must first know what the word “church” means in Scripture.
In our English Bible the Greek word, “ekklesia” is translated in most places “church.” The word “ekklesia” is found in one hundred and fifteen places in the New Testament. It is translated in English one hundred and thirteen times “church” and the remaining times it is translated “assembly.” In classical Greek the word “ekklesia” meant “an assembly of citizens summoned by the crier, the legislative assembly.” The word as used in the New Testament is taken from the root of this word, which simply means to “call out.” In New Testament times the word was exclusively used to represent a group of people assembled together for a particular cause or purpose. It was never used exclusively to refer to a religious meeting or group.
An examination of the Greek word “ekklesia” reveals that the word is properly translated into English as the “assembly” or “congregation.” It is used to refer to a group of persons that are organized together for a common purpose and who meet together.
Based on the above, another way of defining the word “church” in today’s world could be “The Called Out Ones.”


ChurchesNon Profit - EducationSchools
Sunday Worship: 10:30am
Church Office: M-Th 9am to 4pm
ELC: 8:30am-3pm M-F & 7:30-4 extended hrs.
Just east of HEB on Bandera Road.
Our mission is to glorify God, and provide opportunities for all people to know, love, & follow Jesus Christ. The Early Learning Center is a nationally accredited preschool for children 18 mos-5yrs.
Director Early LearningCenter
- Phone: (830) 816-3000
- Send an Email
- 208 W Bandera Rd Boerne TX 78006


These videos show the journey of Jesus from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. They are aimed at Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils and are designed to retell the Easter story, but more importantly help children experience the story in new ways through practical responses.
- Maundy Thursday (4 Videos) – Jesus Washing the Disciples Feet, The Passover, The Garden of Gethsemane & Peter’s Denial
- Good Friday (2 Videos) – Jesus’ Trial & Good Friday
- Holy Saturday (1 Video) – Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday (1 Video) – The Resurrection
These videos are based on the Easter Experience resources found here:


Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, Crosspointe is a place where you can feel right at home right away. We hope that you will come and join us as we discover what it means to know God personally and how having a relationship with God impacts our everyday lives and our community.
CrossPointe Church exists to impact the Austin area and beyond with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Sunday Worship 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday Education Classes 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
For the Youth…
Sunday Morning Bible Study at 9:30
Youth Group Gathering— meets the same times as Mens and Womens groups - Wednesdays 7:00-8:30
The fastest way to begin feeling at home at CrossPointe is to join a Community Group. These groups meet in homes throughout the week. Information


The enemy of Jesus was not the devil, but the religious establishment of his day. Jesus could handle temptation and the devil. The target of his ire, and those that sought his destruction, were those of the religious hierarchy. By them, he was condemned and turned over to the government for execution.
And through his death, he demonstrates that those in power sacrifice the innocent to serve themselves, not God. He openly attacked those that used God’s name to fulfill selfish ends, the hypocrites, those that offer themselves up for praise and worship by others.
But what man has right to stand before others claiming to speak for God? None, as man cannot reach God through man. And to prove this point, even his body was defiled and disgraced lest there be any doubt that what is flesh should not be worshiped.
Before crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated God’s love for man, showing that life is for living, that sickness and suffering are not the point of this world, but rather communing with others in celebration, partaking in merriment without judgement, even with those considered unworthy by society’s standards.
Jesus exposed the temples to be not houses of God, but of deceit, maintained by ravenous wolves. The doorway to God’s temple is birth, life is the service, and every man a parishioner. The roof is the very sky, all those under brethren, and all within sacred.


10. Art Thou That Prophet?
The Jews sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist to ask who he really was. (John 1:20-21): "And he [John the Baptist] confessed and denied not; but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.' And they asked him: 'What then? Art thou Elias? 'And he saith: 'I am not.' 'Art thou that prophet?' And he answered: 'No."'
The crucial question here is: Art thou that prophet? Who was then the long-awaited prophet after the advent of Jesus and John the Baptist? Was he not the one like unto Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18) who is Muhammad (pbuh)?
11. Baptizing with the Holy Ghost and with Fire
(Matthew 3:11): "I [John the Baptist] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
If Jesus was alluded to here, John the Baptist would not go back to live in the jungle again, but to cling to him and be one of his disciples, which he did not do. So another powerful prophet was here alluded to, and not Jesus. The one coming after John the Baptist could not be Jesus as both were contemporaries. Here again, was it not Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) alluded to by John the Baptist?


Palm Sunday in Florida always involved palm branches. I wondered this morning what they would use for palm branches in Alaska. We drove to Wasilla Church of the Nazarene to join them for worship. As we came in we were warmly greeted, by greeters and members alike, even the teens. It is definitely a younger crowd than our church. Other differences? The worship band was center stage, drums, guitars, and ukelele. The Old Rugged Cross accompanied by the Ukelele, was really well done, it reminded me of our trip to Hawaii, while we were in Alaska. I loved it. The interim pastor brought his coffee up to the podium. Never seen Pastor Joey do that. A more casual church than ours, but God wants us to come to him as we are. Which is what these people were doing. The pastor spoke about the expectations we have of what God is going to do. Like the Jews had of what the Messiah would do. Or, the expectations the disciples had of Jesus. Are we looking at the expectations we have and missing the reality God has for us? Oh, the palm branches? They didn't have any. Wish I'd have packed some in my suitcase for them. After talking with more of the church members, and the youth Pastor, and interim Pastor we went out to look at the lake behind the church. These trees were blooming...
I've never seen a willow blooming before, beautiful.
After lunch at KFC, a stop at Target for some supplies, and then a grocery shopping trip to Fred Myers (awesome store, a cross between Fresh Market, Publix, and World Market) we took a different road home. Glad we did because Ryan spied this on a side road, we made a U turn and came back. There we 3 all together, 2 adults and 1 smaller moose. Really something to see.
This just shows how bright it still is at sunset, love the reflections in the window.


Lavington is a suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. It is a high-income residential estate located northwest of the city centre. Lavington belongs to the Westlands administrative division of Nairobi. The bulk of the area now known as Lavington was originally the St Austin's Mission established by the French Holy Ghost Fathers.
The Strathmore School, Saint Mary's, Loreto Convent School, St. Austin's Academy, Braeside High School, Nairobi International School, Lavington Primary School and Rusinga School are located in Lavington.


Who’s the dreamer here? Well, I am not a public policy maker, nor a skilled nursing facility administrator, nor a specialist in early childhood education or gerontology, nor a naturalist, nor an architect, nor a city planner. At the time of this release I am a middle-aged, caucasian seminarian finishing up four years of a multi-religious theological graduate education at Starr King School for the Ministry, a seminary at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA with a focus on countering oppression and creating just and sustainable communities. I am dreaming from this orientation.
The launching of this blogsite is my way to further the conversation after a year of interviewing and reading on subjects of nursing homes, nursery schools, and nature. The blogsite is my “Representative Work” given to my school as a parting gift, intended to share the accumulation of the gifts of learning that I received from others who learned and shared before me.
I am also honored to say that I will soon be ordained into ministry by my home congregation – The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, presided by Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake and Rev. Dr. Kathryn Benton. Founded in 1944 by Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman and Rev. Dr. Alfred Fisk, “The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples is an interfaith, interracial, intercultural community of seekers dedicated to personal empowerment and social transformation through an ever deepening relationship with the Spirit of God in All Life.”
San Francisco, California


February 1, 2014 3:00, 5:00 & 7:30 pm
St. Thomas' Anglican Church, 383 Huron St
As part of the weekend celebrating 60 years of professional choral singing in Canada, Soundstreams presents three choirs in intimate recitals at Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church.
Tickets are $25 each or $60 for all three recitals.
Feb 1 3:00 pm: Elmer Iseler Singers: Lydia Adams, conductor
Leonard Enns: Nocturne
Estacio: Raymond’s Disappearance
R. Murray Schafer: Sun
Peter Togni: Requiem et Lux
Feb 1 5:00 pm: Vancouver Chamber Choir: Jon Washburn, conductor
Stephen Chatman: Five British Columbia Folksongs
Willan Healey: Behold, the tabernacle of God
R. Murray Schafer: Alleluia
Harry Somers: God the master of this scene
Feb 1 7:30 pm: Pro Coro Canada: Michael Zaugg, conductor
Ugis Praulins: Lux Beatissima (North American premiere)
Frank Martin: excerpts from the Mass for double choir
R. Murray Schafer: selections from Magic Songs
Veljo Tormis: Curse upon Iron
Unfortunately Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church is not a wheelchair accessible venue. Should you require assistance attending this concert, please call Soundstreams at 416-504-1282.
Friday, January 17, 2014 7:00 pm
Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen's Park, Toronto (Canada)
February 2, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning
Soundstreams celebrates sixty years of choral singing in Canada.


Music at a service at Little Fork Episcopal reflects the intergenerational nature of our congregation. As music director, a typical service I program includes a mixture of Gospel, Traditional Hymns, Contemporary Christian music for congregational singing.
As a pianist I am a big fan of both jazz and classical music, and I like to weave those into preludes and postludes and other music we have. My philosophy is that whether sacred or secular, there are many pieces of music out there that can prepare our hearts and minds for worship with the attitude and moods they offer. Some of my favorites to set our minds to gather for worship are preludes by Bach, Debussy, and Chopin and character pieces by Moussorgsky and Grieg. As we leave the doors of the church and go out into the world to serve God, I like to draw inspiration from Gospel songs and hymns and use my improvisation skills to create a joyful, jazzy, departure.
One of my favorite things about Little Fork is how much of our congregation is engaged in the service. While we don’t have a standing “choir,” we frequently coordinate small group performances by congregation members for important occasions, and compared to a larger congregation, our musical participation at Little Fork is proportionally strong. I think this reflects our desire to make a joyful noise for The Lord at Little Fork. Regardless of your musical talent, you are always welcome to join us in lifting up our God in song! -Ben Grove
Pop-Up Choir March 3, 2024Sunday, Mar 03, 2024, 9:00 AM
Pop-Up Choir March 10, 2024Sunday, Mar 10, 2024, 9:00 AM