REALLY?????? COME ON NOW.
I had a friend from twitter send me this subject for a blog… and after praying about it, I felt that I might be able to shed some light on the subject and so I began to write this. The short of it is that this person had a friend say that she didn’t like church worship because it was “ALL FAKE”. This is the best response I could drum up to that thought process…. hope you enjoy:
Worship being fake is a weird statement. Of course there are always people who have a talent for being more dramatic than the rest of us, but at the same time there is a truth that no man can know the intentions or heart of any other person… no one but God knows the true intentions of our hearts. I do think that this raises a very good point. Is worship real anymore or is all just an exercise? Something that we just do. I submit that worship is both. Now before you die of a heart attack let me explain.
Would you say that a person who spends time in their bible even though they don’t really want to is a fake? No, you would say that they are exercising discipline so that they may better know the God that they serve. Likewise, what about a person who studies for an exam even though they don’t really enjoy the subject matter… so that they can get the degree that they want. Are they a fake or extremely wise in working through the difficulty to gain what they desire… a knowledge of the subject. What about a person who hangs out with people that they are nothing like in an effort to know them and therefore share the gospel with them?
I find it funny any time a person uses the idea of “hypocrites” as there thesis for their frustration with a group of likeminded people… especially when it comes to the church. Ultimately when a person goes to the extreme of saying that ALL people are one thing or another, they are completely off base… it’s an impossibility for all of us to carry the same beliefs…. “They are all just hypocrites in there just fake worshipping Jesus.” Then I have to ask… how is anyone in the room more hypocritical than you?? If you’re a believer trying to make sure that the hearts of all people in your church are pure, then you have already become one with a heart that isn’t pure…. after all the bible does specifically say not to judge lest you be judged. That’s the thing… we can’t get around our fallen state. We all know that we are all guilty of sin in our lives…. and when we start pointing the finger at worshippers because they are all in when it comes to worship time, but they are obviously sinners when it’s not worship time, we actually become the very thing that we hate. We become the judge… we become the jury, and we become the modern day pharisees. When we judge people based on our opinions and our established laws then that is exactly who we are.
I get it “hypocrites” are everywhere and in our eyes there are always people who are more hypocritical than others, but truly I tell you… we are all guilty. If we wanted to get God’s judgement of others to be in acted here on earth immediately so that we could weed out the problem… we would be weeded out as well. That’s right God’s judgement will not be based on how bad a person is…. no, God cannot stand the sight of any sin. He is perfect and without blemish, and as such all sin…. even the slightest cannot be in the presence of God. If not for the blood of Jesus Christ we would all be banished from His presence forever.
One cannot say all Christians are fake when they worship… that’s simply not true. Because worshipping when one doesn’t want to is even a part of the bible. Job worshipped the Lord even in his despair.
One cannot simply say all hypocrisy should be rooted out….. that’s impossible, because the person who spoke would have to be dissolved as well. We are all hypocrites… yes ALL OF US. Good thing that our faith is in a God who is pure, holy, and always consistent.
The truth is that worship is required, in good times and in bad times. When we feel like it AND when we don’t because worship draws us into the presence of God, where He begins to mold us, shape us, and realign us to His will. So, when a person says that all worship is fake, they are missing the point… worshipping even in the hard times is exactly what we must do to continue to be drawn into the presence of God who will lead us out of our despair.
Finally, when a person is emotional in worship…. it may be the truest, least fake thing that they can be… after all when we consider the Gospel…. how God incarnate became a child born into the world in lowly Bethlehem in a manger… lived the perfect life…. was crucified for our sins and died… only to be raised 3 days later to conquer death in this world…. FOR YOU….. maybe we should be a bit emotional.
Here’s my best shot at illustrating what I’m saying:
If you won the lottery and they came to your door with millions of dollars just to say… this is yours… just accept it…. you would freak out wouldn’t you?? Our responses would all be different to that circumstance, but we would all go nuts in our own way. A woman who’s been desperate to pay her bills might just fall on her knees crying and lift her hands to heaven. A man might literally run around the block screaming. Responses unique to that person, true…. but not fake… just pure unfiltered JOY.
Obedience requires that we worship the Lord. Obedience also requires that we NOT judge others. 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Obedience may be the truest form of worship.
There is no good EXCUSE for not worshipping the Lord…unless you don’t have a saving knowledge of the Lord. His love for us requires worship…. which is why we do it… whether in sickness, health, love, or hurt…. in plenty, and in little… God’s sacrificial love has saved us and there is no other response but worship when we consider His goodness and mercy which endures forever. So there it is… we’ve all won the LOTTERY, all we have to do is accept it… so go ahead FREAK OUT… and don’t judge other people when they do the same thing.
What are your thoughts???? I’d love to hear them!!
I fully agree that obedience is worship and you can see it all through the old testament. One of the first verses that really “spoke” to me was when Abraham said, “You men stay here with the donkeys. My son and I will go over there and worship the Lord and then return to you.” What was Abraham going to do? Yea…kill his son. He was going to be obedient. He was worshipping.
Great commentary bro… and by the way… I’m proud of what you’re bringing to Grace team every week. You’re killing it man!
I have this discussion all the time with people. My response is…worship is inevitable. It’s what you were created to do. If you, as a “worship leader”, LEAD them there, the natural reaction is to respond. I do see a lot of worship “cheerleaders” though. Church services become a dance of sorts. People know when to stand up and when to sit down, when to raise their hands and when to grab their wallets. I believe this is a cycle that needs to be broken.
A worship leader has a huge responsibility. I don’t even like the term worship leader…that portrays the concept of something being forced. I prefer the term “lead worshiper”, because like I said, if you take them there and create an atmosphere of reverence and humility, the natural reaction is to respond. It’s woven in our DNA. We are created to give honor and worship to our creator.
I know, personally, leading worship can be discouraging. I have walked off of stages before thinking “what’s wrong with these people…they just stood there.” It wasn’t until I came to the realization that I can not let the response of the crowd dictate how I worship. I have to be the lead worshiper.
All in all, it can’t be forced. It has to be experienced.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
Thank you so much for writing this blog, it hits home for me. I have struggled with depression for quite some time, I have a hard time to worship. When I do I put my heart into it, I love to sing worship songs when I am happy but I need to do it when I am down as well, I have a really hard time with this. Your songs have helped me, especially songs like Where I Belong, You Carried Me, Glory Defined. I love all of your songs. Thanks for all that you do, you guys are awesome. God bless you. Marjan
I find the most precious times of worship is when I’m alone. Just God, my guitar, and myself. There is a point however where you have to ask yourself why are you doing it? Are you trying to please man or God? I feel if we lose the reason we are worshiping in the first place, and we are more concerned with the performance and not the heart we are only making noise.
Good words Jim… I definitely think that thinking about what is appealing to someone else as you worship is not the best thing to do… Ultimately humility in worship and remembering that its not about you or what others think about you will always lead you down the right path.
Love this!! I know when I don’t feel like worshipping God and put on some music, it always redirects my mind back to how good God is..and isn’t that what worship should do?? I think everybody has their own style…just like God created us, there are no two alike, so totally agree with what you say about how we should not judge others…we have no idea where their heart is, that is God’s job.
That is why I close my eyes when we have worship time at church..then it’s just me and God…..and I don’t worry about what everybody else is doing:)
Love you guys..keep on putting out that amazing music!!
That statement bothers me everyone worships in their own way and to say it is fake is judging. God knows when it is fake, you can not fake with God.
My thoughts are, it is in those times when our hearts are breaking and we don’t “feel” like worshiping God, that it is most necessary. It is our faith that pleases God and when we begin to worship (whether it is in a public place with our hands held high or alone on our knees with our face in our hands) it is for God and God alone that we pour ourselves out. Then He who sees everything & knows our thoughts and the intent of our hearts, lifts us up and gives us joy in time of sorrow. Let’s not even begin to try to judge whether someone else is worshiping in spirit and in truth. We are all different and people worship in different ways.
So here is the deal. If I had chosen not to worship because I was angry or hurt or confused by God over the past three years while going through cancer treatments and surgery after surgery after surgery, then I would not have worshipped at all. But when I came into His presence in a group of like-minded people, I had no choice but to praise His name for getting me there week after week despite my circumstances. I think back and some of the purest and truest times of worship were when I was sick from the chemo and in pain from the surgeries because I knew that no one could make it any better except for my Savior.
Thanks for this blog post Jason. We miss you guys!
Kelly… I’ve watched you live out a life of worship in the toughest times… Your faith inspires me and so many others!!! You are amazing. Proud to know you!
As a pastor, there have been many times that I have not been “into it” when I had a job to do. Do I just tell the people that I just don’t “feel it” this morning…y’all go home?. Or, do I spend some more time with The Lord and let Him handle it. Come to think of it, isn’t that what I should do anyway? Thanks for the good word Jason.
When I came to my church a few years ago I experienced a type of worshipping that I had never experienced before. Worshipping usually just meant singing along, the few times I had been to Church in my Life. I loved the teachings of the Pastors and that would make me accept that kind of worship. There were times when I thought that some people are a little bit to crazy and times when I wondered if all of that was for real. I have become a deeper understanding about God and experienced His Awesomeness and Love throughout the years and now I am as crazy as the people I sometimes considered crazy. Crazy for the Presence of God.
I concur completely good sir. There are times when i dint feel like worshiping God. But by faith, i did so anyways. Then I would see God move. Every time I worship I see God presenting himself in different ways. Weather it be singing, or talking about God with friends and have strangers jump into the conversation. God moves regardless. He’s touching the hearts of those around us. but we are just blessed to be able to be used in the master plan. 😀
Good one. I admit I’m a pretty big hypocrite, too, and I do judge people. I make a lot of mistakes. I used to think worship was weird, even as a Christian, because I didn’t know God very well. He always struck me as overbearing, but I later learned this wasn’t true. Now, every time I do his works…I feel a sense of purpose. Every time I connect in worship…his presence comes in, and the best moments are, yes, when I feel emotional. I’m actually an extremely emotional person. I thought that was a bad thing, but it really isn’t. It just means I have strong feelings–especially when it comes to others. That’s a gift. Like you said in your last post, Jason, your weakness could be your greatest strength.
It’s true–worshiping in the middle of trouble even when you don’t even know what in the world is going to happen to you is sincere faith. I have a lot of experience of this kind of thing, especially lately.
Let me give everyone a quick testimony here: For the longest I was the shallow-rooted seed Jesus spoke of that sprang up and then immediately shriveled. I’d be happy one day, then down in the dumps and complaining the next. I couldn’t bring myself to praise him in these dark times. It was easy when I was feeling good, though. In the last 2-3 years I excessively fought with a lot of strife, anger, resentment, and other miserable feelings of the sort. That was only 2-3 years ago! Long story short, God got a hold of me and I improved from there, but it wasn’t until this year that I learned early in my life to appreciate life’s challenges. Yes…the bad times. Appreciate them. What?? Yes!! Without a test, there would be no testimony, nor strength of character. Blessed are those who learn it early.
I just got out of one of the biggest challenges of my life and I discovered the journey was more crucial than the destination. I finally believed that God was a faithful God who WOULD see me through. With that in mind I finally stood up to my problems, gave them to God, and listened to hod. He walked me through everything. During this hard time I chose to worship even when I didn’t want to.
The next time I’m faced with a massive challenge, or even something small, I may fall, but I will worship him anyway. Life isn’t comfortable, as we all know, but if we choose to praise him in the little things…it will change our lives.
Thanks for another great post. Sorry my comment is so long-winded…I hope my testimony will encourage somebody today.
I have never heard anyone say that when we worship it is fake. If I did I would ask them what right they had to judge anyone? I am not perfect I judge people and know that I shouldn’t however, when it comes to worshiping, the way I see it is that if they are worshiping then they know who Jesus is and isn’t that what God wants from us,to know his son so that they can be saved and live in eternity with him? God loves all of us regardless of how we worship or why we worship. I have heard it said that there are pastors, priests and other teachers out there that preach for selfish reasons like envy or selfish ambition. I found this disturbing until today when I was working on a study of Philippians. Philippians 1:18 says ” But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” I never thought about it in that way thus judging someones motives that are not for me to judge. God is the one and only true judge. As I work through the my many Bible studies I learn so much and it just makes me want to learn more so that I can be closer to Jesus. My favorite is definetly the New Testament, the life of Jesus, what an inspiring perfect man.
I just became an official member of my church after 21 years. Let me explain why. Twenty years ago I met a man who was the youth pastor of my church now. I went to his youth group for three years and moved away after I grduated from high school, I fell away from the church but never lost touch with my youth pastor. In the years that I fell away from the church and god my life was in chaos. I had three children all boys, which one died at birth however my 14 and 8 year old boys are perfect.My marriage has been failing for 14 years due to his infidelity and probably won’t last another year. Last year I started going back to my church full time, my sons youth pastor is the same one I had and I love my life because I know that God loves me no matter what. I know serve my God faithfully. I teach children at our AWANA program, I am now the youth pastors assistant and love to hang out with the middle and high schoolers two to three times a week, and I also coordinate my churches homeless program. My spiritual life has changed so much that I have no fear of divorcing my husband, I know that I will make it on my own. There is so much more but the point is that God has helped me find peace in my life and I will serve him for the rest of my life and can’t wait to see him in heaven. Until I do I will keep reaching for his wisdom, reading my Bible, praying and singing my heart out to him. I wish for all of the world to know how amazing God truly is and that he brings peace to their hearts as he did mine. God Bless all of you..
So sorry to hear about your marriage but I know that I speak for everyone when I say you will be in our prayers. So thankful that in the midst of the struggle you have the wisdom to continue worshipping the Lord. I hope that you are seeing a counselor about your marriage and that God can rescue it like he rescues souls around the world every day.
Thank you Jason, I appreciate all the prayers that I can get. I have been talking to a therapist and my pastor as well as the elders in my church, they have been God sent for me. I know that God is big and can do anything but I think that my marriage is over I have no doubt about it, but it is okay I know that God will get me through it as he carry’s me through everything.
I want to also thank you for your awsome music, it has saved me from going nuts. When I am down, sad or even just need to clear my head I put on my head phones and turn on Building 429.
I am hoping you guys will be at the Alive fest in June but so far you aren’t. Our youth group along with Cross Roads farms (a ministry that our church supports) are planning to go to it in the Summer.
Again thank you so much for the prayers, I know that God will pull me through all of this and I will persevere because of him.
Yes…you’re in our prayers. God bless you, too.
Praying for you Sandy!
Great blog post! This really hit home because well for Ike okay you probably heard of this church because its the fastest growing church in America. I used to attend elevation church ya know the people who make elevation worship? And the pastor Steven Furtick? Well I had been at the church since 9th grade and recently switched churches because I honestly felt like the worship leaders weren’t in it for God they were in It for their own fame. After reading this blog I know they are actually in it for God, all churches just have a diff way of showing it weather it’s buy making church feel like a concert.
My son, Joshua, will be 30 years old next month. He was born with Down Syndrome when I was only 30 years old. Josh loves going to church every Sunday & you will always find him in the front row praising God. He really feels the worship music and he does hand motions to every song. He sometimes dances from side to side to the beat of the music; he has been seen doing forward lunges from an exercise program he watches. Josh feels free to move, dance, exercise & raise his hands during worship and he loves praising God. Many people have told me they wish they could praise God like Josh does, in an uninhibited way. There have many times over the years that I felt sadness about my son not being “normal”. I have come to realize that “normal” is just a setting on the dryer! God gave me this precious gift & I see child like faith in action every day.
Mary, I think you said it best when you said “they wish they could praise God like Josh does, in an uninhibited way.” That’s the biggest issue in worship, humility. Surrendering to the Lord and knowing He honors your praise, “however it sounds, looks”. Worship is a very intimate thing and looks very different to everyone. I know some of my best praise and worship to the Lord is in the middle of a pasture at home. But when we stretch ourselves to be a little bit uncomfortable when we worship corporately, we edify the body and invite the presence of His spirit that brings healing, joy and rejuvenation for all the saints!
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Great blog jason. I really got i love the points. keep it up 😀
Late to the party in reply to your post, Jason, but I wanted to tell you that the whole “won the lottery, crying out for joy, worshiping with emotion, all you have to do is accept it” describes my faith exactly. After 48 years, at the absolute lowest point in my life, Jesus said “take My hand” and in that moment my entire being changed so astoundingly I sometimes have no words to describe it — and yet how can I not try to find words I can use to share it with anyone and everyone who will listen? Thank you for your ministry — Building 429 touches lives every single time you all write a lyric, utter a note, step foot on stage, greet a fan with genuine kindness. Thank you, thank you for sharing His love with so many who just need to know all they have to do is reach out and TAKE it!
i am also late to the party. Worship is what you make it. i grew up in an old one room church, later i left God and thought i was a big shot, late to the hippy movement too. traveled the country by thumb and all the way i denied God. God showed me, so if i get to worship him now i give my whole self to him. i don’t care if others around me worship differently, i owe God, my life literally and i am not ashamed of him


Messy Church is this Saturday 23rd January at St Mary’s Church, Bures, 4pm until 6pm. The Church will be looking at the delightful cross-generational story or Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple. The baby, the teenage mum, the older dad and the comparatively ancient Anna and Simeon. Join in for crafts, games, stories and song, followed by a cooked meal for all the family. You will be very welcome, see you there!


Refinersfire is proud to introduce Missa Brevis from composer, conductor, and choir director Daniel Shaw. The artistry of Mr. Shaw and The Composer’s Choir has been a featured element on several previous releases from Refinersfire, and it is a particular pleasure to present the unique and beautiful voice of his original compositions along side of them. Serene and gently, The Composer’s Choir flows under the baton of the composer and the brevity of this delicate and beautiful Mass is a fine example of the all-important unwritten rule of “just enough” that is so often found in great art; it makes you want to listen again and again and again.
In addition to his post as Artistic Director of the New Haven Oratorio Choir, Shaw serves as Minister of Music at the St. Augustine Church in Seymour, CT. Previously held positions include Assistant Conductor of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Minister of Music at Middlefield Federated Church, Director of Choirs at the Zion Lutheran Church (Pittsburgh), and Director of Middle School Choirs at Trevor Day School (New York City). He has served on the faculties of Duquesne University and John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.


| Read the Other Top Book Reviews:
The Left Hand of God Our Endangered Values
God's Politics The Christian Right is Wrong
Spirit Matters Rescuing the Bible...
MisQuoting Jesus Living In Sin?
The God We Never Knew Liberating the Gospels
For Praying Out Loud Progressive Christians Speak
Progressive Christian... Understanding The Bible
A Chosen Faith
Click here to Return to The Book Store
|Jesus was a Liberal
How the Conservative Agenda is a Rejection of Christ’s Teachings
In Jesus was a Liberal, Jerry Wilde takes on conservatives who have “stolen Jesus” and used (and abused) Christ for
political gain. He uses Jesus’ words and deeds to demonstrate how the conservative philosophy has very little to do
with the way Jesus wants people to live. He cites specific examples to support his beliefs.
For example, President Bush signed the death warrants of 11 juveniles while he was governor of Texas. During his
tenure, Texas led the world in the executions of minors. The next closest country was Iran. This is from a man who
claims that his favorite philosopher is Jesus Christ.
In the chapter “Blessed are the Poor,” he addresses the ways in which the policies of Republican administrations have
harmed the underprivileged. The Right speaks of “compassionate conservatism” but that’s just a marketing phrase.
Wilde addresses how conservative policies have consistently benefited the powerful and harmed the weak.
Liberals have been doing Christ’s work when they advocate for the poor and powerless. Jesus was a Liberal also
addresses topics such as racism, the lies leading up to the Iraq war, the environment, and the mistreatment of
Jesus was a Liberal is a call to arms. He urges liberals to take back our country and our Savior. The conservative
agenda is a falsification, and even a rejection, of Christ’s teachings. Jesus said, Then you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free. Well, the truth is Christ was no conservative, Jesus was a Liberal.
About the Author:
Jerry Wilde is an associate professor at Indiana University East and a member of Central United Methodist Church in
Richmond, Indiana. The loves of his life are his children, his family, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Diet Mt. Dew, and Jesus – but
not necessarily in that order.
|Fair Use Notice: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights,
economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed
without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
|Home Page Articles & Opinions T-Shirts, Stickers & Stuff Our Book Store Faiths, Friends & Links
Contact Us Link To Us Good Christian Hate Mail FAN Mail Photos Liberal Blog Site Map
Copyright © 2004 - 2006 WWW.JesusIsALiberal.org All Rights Reserved.
Link Your Website to Us! Help Support Our Website


Did it ever strike you how much God loves multiplication?
From Genesis 1 and the creation story, through to Noah and Abraham, Moses and the prophets, God is continuously blessing His people and telling them to “be fruitful and multiply” through the male and female of every living thing. Unfortunately, disobedience in every generation caused men and women not to multiply God’s glory but to multiply their own wickedness, continually. Yet God never gives up on His desire for a people who will worship Him and glorify Him on the earth. Only when God sent Jesus was there hope for God’s people to multiply His glory through the earth as He provided the means through Jesus for hearts to be transformed by His blood and His Spirit living in us to make us into His image.


THE CONCENTRIC THREEFOLD PRINCIPLE OF THE ELOHIM YHVH GODHEAD – THE FATHER, SON, HOLY GHOST/HOLY SPIRIT
THE SONS & DAUGHTERS OF YHVH GOD
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The Holy Bible is a Compilation of Books, Scriptures and Verses Delineating a Narrative about the Creation of the Earth and its Creatures including the Crowning Glory of the Creation – Mankind who was Created in the Image of the YHVH GOD – the FATHER. The Bible Narrative begins with Creation and Ends with the Chief End of Mankind which is To Be Reconciled and At One with his Creator as Sons and Daughters and to Love HIM, Glorify HIM and Enjoy HIM Forever.
The Bible Narrative Delineates the History of Mankind and his Relationship with his Creator from the Beginning In Innocence to the End of the Sin and Carnality to his Redemption in Salvation, Exaltation and Glory through >> YEHOSHUA HA`MASHIACH (in Hebrew) JESUS THE CHRIST (in English). <<
COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Disciples are Consecrated to YHVH GOD. They are Set Apart from the World and are Conformed to the Image of YEHOSHUA JESUS who is the Image of YHVH GOD and they are made Sons and Daughters to YHVH GOD and are Filled with the Indwelling of the Spirit of YHVH GOD, the HOLY GHOST/HOLY SPIRIT. They are called out of the World from the Power of Darkness by the FATHER who has Translated them into the Kingdom of HIS Dear SON.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE – THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
The History of Mankind is Delineated to Demonstrate the Perfectness and Longsuffering of YHVH GOD and HIS Eternal Purposes for Mankind which HE has Purposed in YEHOSHUA JESUS as the Manifestation of the Concentric Threefold Principle of the ELOHIM YHVH GODHEAD, Manifested in the Flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen of Angels, Preached to the Gentiles, Believed on in the World, and Received up into Glory to Make All Men See What is the Fellowship of the Mystery which was Hid In YHVH GOD from the Beginning of the World.
Before the World Began YHVH GOD Initiated HIS Divine Plan and the Grand Design which is Delineated from the Book of Genesis to the Book of the Revelation of YEHOSHUA JESUS. To be able to Understand the Revelation of YHVH GOD a Person must be a Disciple of YHVH GOD through YEHOSHUA JESUS and must Diligently Seek YHVH GOD through HIS Spirit and have the Mind of the Spirit of YHVH GOD and the Mind of YEHOSHUA HA`MASHIACH JESUS THE CHRIST who is the Disciple’s High Priest, Savior and the Perfecter of the Disciple’s Faith enabling Disciples to be Perfect as Commanded by YHVH GOD who is a Spirit and Seeks Disciples who will Worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth. The Disciple who is Born of the Spirit of YHVH GOD Becomes a Partaker of the Divine Nature.
1Jn 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according, to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Heb 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? USE FORM BELOW.


Five days into Christmas and nothing at all stirred in me. Given any other year, I would be giddier than my seven-year old cousins ready to receive their countless Santa-given presents on the twenty-fourth. Christmas spirit was a Dana trademark, my friends knew. To see myself now in this phenomenally Grinch-y disposition is an alienation that I haven’t realized until today.
I blamed December traffic, work related stress, people-from-work related stress, the RH Bill debates, the Miss Universe 2012 tragedy, the fact that things at home seem impossible, loneliness, unhappiness, financial crises, sickness, uncertainties of all shapes and forms, the very absence of passion in my life—and I still do. How can one see Christmas when each and every day of your life unsettles you more and more? Looking back, I often welcomed Christmas with unbelievable joy characteristic of a Smurf’s because I was on top of the world: in high school, there was my group of friends; in college, I was living THE dream, among other highs. But now, my life has never been more lonely, more stressful, and more incomprehensible than what it is at present, and because of this fact, I began to see Christmas “for what it really was” and I condemned this season: bumper-to-bumper traffic is infernal; thirteenth-month pay is not even anything because the cash’ll all vanish anyway to gifts that I felt obligated to give to certain people; this house, for many weeks, had seemed like a black hole where the light of Christmas joy goes through and disappears; I had been shooting mucus in very diaphanous quality from every facial orifice for seven days and counting. In short, I was not happy with my life, and therefore, fuck Christmas.
I did away with all my holiday rituals: the Christmas movies, the songs, the carols, the spirit of giving, and even the dawn masses. I was too stubborn; for the first time, I didn’t want to chase after some goody-giddy feeling just because I felt like I wanted to. I had myself think that this was a part of that process of “growing old.” After all, I had a job, and people with jobs aren’t supposed to go giddy at the thought of December 25th. This was a phase in the evolution of the Dana. I was ready to welcome this new version of me that would feel numb or neutral to this particular season for years to come.
And yet again, God (believe me, I had been trying to avoid Him) in his goodness and lovingness decided to hit me in the face. I was not evolving; I was merely tolerating the evil that I didn’t know was starting to eat at my very soul. I didn’t want Christmas this year because I wasn’t good enough, and I haven’t been trying to BE good enough. I have given up trying to avoid my compulsions from defining who I am. I was harsh, I was evil, and I was a bitch, period. For the first time, I did NOT want Christ to enter into the stable of my heart because it was filthy and it reeked of sin and I was not doing anything to clean it up for when he arrives. It was not that every previous Christmas I was a spotless saint, but I have always, always tried harder, and it was in the attempt that I was made to feel what Christmas was.
The mystical emotion of happiness was what I had always equated Christmas with. Because I was happy with my bearable life, the chilly weather, the noche buena and the gifts and the Christmas songs, Christ was here; because my family is complete and isn’t fighting, Christ is here. Because ladidadida and I can’t express where this sudden cheery joy comes from and why, Christ was here.
Things are different now.
I am confused with what I want to do with my life, Christ is here. I am insanely afraid of my family’s health, financial, and personal problems and the fact that I do not know how to deal with any of those, Christ is here. I feel alone and friendless all the time, Christ is here. I do not know where I want my life to be headed towards, Christ is here. I have no money, Christ is here. I am weak and sick, Christ is here. I don’t believe in him, Christ is here. In the unbearable chaos of my heart, Christ is here.
And Christ is here not only because this year, my family will still be celebrating Christmas together, or that I’m still alive and still hold the will to do whatever it is in my life that I feel destined for, or that Francis and I are still together despite so many heartaches, or that I actually have friends who care for me; he is here for reasons that are so much more than the things that I still can be thankful for, for reasons that go beyond my realization that I am still blessed despite what I see and what I feel, for reasons that escape my very capacity to understand.
Nope, I’m still not giddy about Christmas. I don’t think I can ever be happy the way I was during past Christmases, but tonight I realized that it’s okay. I don’t think I have ever felt this thankful in my life ever before, and it’s not only because I still have reasons to thank God for despite my crappy life situation. I am thankful simply because I can choose to be, and this state of giving thanks, of choosing to see my being blessed, is all I need for me to try harder at being good. Tonight, finally, there is gratitude. And there is peace.
(Thank you for teaching me how to count, and in counting, realize that I count to you. How can I ever have the stupidity to not feel Christmas with this? Yes, Jesus, this is the first Christmas I am saying this: you ARE annoyingly persistent, but I love you just the same, and I am more grateful now for you arriving than I have ever been. Thank you, bro, and keep going at coming here. Merry Christmas.)


Living Water Kids meets every time we worship and provides a worship opportunity geared specifically for those grades 5 and under. With songs, games, activities and lessons, each child walks away knowing more about who God is and what He wants for their lives.
Current Series - EMOJI PRAYERS
Saturdays at 6:00 PM and Sundays at 10:30 AM
Prayer is simply talking to God. It's as easy to understand as an emoji face. Each week, we will focus on something specific we can talk to God about in prayer using emojis as helpful reminders.


Sundays at 9am
Worship will be available on Facebook Live on Our Saviors Lutheran Facebook Page. You can also access previous Sundays in the video archive.
Wednesday Bible Study at 7pm (Every Wednesday)
Preparing for Sunday Worship: Is a daily devotional which centers around our given theme for the following Sunday. It is a time to gather our thoughts as we come for worship to give thanks and our praise to our gracious God. May God bless us each day.
Youth Worship: Children and youth are a vital part of our worshiping community! There are special parts of each worship devoted to them including a Children’s Message, serving as acolytes, and important faith milestones like 3rd grade Bibles, First Communion, and the Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation).


It is everyone’s desire to live their dream. When one gets the chance a moment of truth arrives. It tests what you are made of. Will you allow fear to force you to take a step back or will you jump into the unknown? Since I was ten, being a missionary was my wildest dream. It seemed impossible, yet my heart told me that is what I was made to do. 11 years later the opportunity arrived to go to FTLT. What did I do? I jumped.
After an entire year of training we were finally ready for the big outreach. Excited and prepared we headed for Malawi. We found a land of freedom, safety, rich soil and Islam. My heart broke.
Ministry started on a lovely Sunday. David and I traveled to a remote area, where a church had recently begun. In the midst of their challenges, they persevered and gathered to hear the Word. Inspired by an earlier teaching we did this year called Chronological Approach, I started teaching the Bible from the Genesis. The message led to the mighty sacrifice our Lord made for us. It expressed how it was vital that the Son of God was the one to sacrifice his own life for us. One of the biggest question Moslems have is: How could God be man? How can God have a Son? They Holy Spirit just took over and I pray that the newly converted Moslems faith in God’s Son was reaffirmed and strengthened.
Farming God’s Way… An ordinary glance at these words, doesn’t show how it makes a girls’ dreams come true. But there is no turning back. It’s time to wear my heart on my sleeve. I had a dream that I would be a farmer’s wife on the mission field. Hard work, living with the seasons and depending upon the Lord for rain is part of my dream. Learning how to farm has been a great gift that I truly want to use. Damien and Erika taught a group of pastors how to farm in Molange. They were so excited they prepared the field beforehand and did experiments based on examples they got from a book. They have such a thirst for knowledge. They have a desire to learn and apply! God has native people working in the field who are capable, hardworking and willing. Praise the Lord!
We travelled up the lake, visiting rural churches that needed encouragement and help. We never expected how much they would appreciate our visit. We arrived by boat at Nalungu and were greeted by a choir of kids. They were singing about Paul and Silas praising God in prison. Something clicked into place at that moment. Although those great giants are in heaven right now – their work has not stopped. Not only do we still have their letters in the Bible, but we are following in their footsteps, encouraging each other in Christ’s love. We are youngsters just getting started in ministry. We are unimportant, inexperienced… Why would God use us? I feel like Moses, saying: “Oh Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Ex 4:10. Yet God put me in this team and sent me, knowing the mistakes I would make. He entrusted his precious people into our team’s hands, knowing that we are all ultimately in the PALMS OF HIS nail pierced hands! Will we fall? Will we fail? No, for love fills the holes of his hands. Nothing will ever be able to separate us from his GREAT love!
While we were there, we shared our testimonies and preached. Adults and children gave their lives to the Lord and they were saved! A lady had rheumatism and couldn’t make it to a crusade we had. She however listened to what was being said over the loud speakers. The next day she came and said that she believes in Jesus and she has been healed! She walked all the way to share her testimony. She could walk when only a few hours earlier she was bedridden. Wow! During children’s ministry I showed them pictures about the war that is taking place within their hearts. I showed them how God wants them to be his children, but how the Devil is fighting for that not to happen! Part of the illustration shows how the Devil uses witchcraft to ensnare us. They gave their hearts to the Lord, denouncing those evil snares and welcoming the Holy Spirit into their hearts! Shortly thereafter the kids joined the main service. The pastor said: “Any children who have been to a witchcraft school come forward.” All the children went forward. He prayed for them again – reaffirming how Jesus is the Lord of their lives now! One of the kids described how a witch came to him just before he was prayed for. The witch took back muti she had placed within him, afraid that it would be destroyed by prayer. Soon after that, that child was set free. That witch has no more power over him. He is free in Jesus’ Name!
My team became my family. Pastor Peter and his wife became our spiritual parents. I cried when I said goodbye. They mean so much to me. I love them. This chapter of my life is called “Chitenge”. A woman’s most valuable possession in Malawi is a chitenge. She brings her children into the world with one. She serves her family with a chitenge wrapped around her waist daily. It was my greatest desire to have one! A woman came forward, a chitenge folded neatly in her hands. “This is for you Amayi (my mother).” My heart pounded with thankfulness.
God created each of us with a unique purpose. Before creation he knew us by name and placed gifts within us. These gifts were designed to be shared with the world for his glory! I could see how he used our team individually and how their purpose in Christ was a glorious reality. I have finally understood why I am who I am today. It is not a surprise that I love music, drama and dancing. Dancing and singing with the Malawians to the Creator of the world under a magnificent starry sky, is what I was made for.
Teaching the youth a drama, expressing how Jesus freed us from sin was so much fun! Preaching and illustrating how David chopped off Goliath’s head, being mimicked by my translator was super! Who we are is not a mistake – it’s part of God’s glorious plan. He wants to use us to his glory and reveal a part of himself through us, to the world!
All my hopes and dreams will be captured in one look at Jesus’ face. I can hardly wait for that sweet day when I’ll be swept away to be with my King forever. In the meantime, I’ll make sure my lamp keeps on burning. My heart’s deepest prayer is that Malawi will put their trust in Christ and join me – living in anticipation for the sweet moment, when we will see him face to face!


BRIAN SCHMALKUCHE’S WALK 4 CHRIST – LINKING THE PARISHES
Thursday morning 29th of April 2021, Trundle.
Up, dressed, and ready to Walk at 5am. Looked outside to see a beautiful moonlit morning, a pink moon no less. So I signed out of Saint Augustine’s Anglican Church and headed out. What an amazing hour and a half walking in the moonlight! I have always loved God’s creation, but walking from moonlight into the gradual daylight as the light of the sun connected to the moonlight was a revelation. Along with the musical sound of bird life waking up it felt like a lot like I imagine heaven. Listen to me waxing lyrical!
Linking the Parishes of Trundle and Condobolin is very important. Sadly the days of a Priest in both Parishes has gone. I believe a priest shared across both Parishes with determination and funding can be achieved.
At 8:55 I walked into the Lachlan Shire wondering where the Parish boundary might be. After much discussion with many people I am still not sure but I believe it’s about 38, kilometres from Condobolin on the Fifield Condobolin Road. Once I reach this road it was heartening to have everyone waving and all the truckies giving me a toot. Mail boxing prayer cards and praying for all the farmers along the way was a great feeling. God certainly has covered my efforts with his love and prayers!
I finally stopped walking on the Thursday about 5:30 pm. I felt a bit like Forrest Gump when he stopped in the middle of the nowhere!
I began again on Friday morning at 5:30 walking into Condobolin with Sandra O’Brien and Sue Thomas at 11:30. We had brunch together and I was delivered back to my vehicle. On Saturday evening we had a great get together in the church hall. A barbecue meal some raffles and sponsors.
Please feel free to contribute to send your sponsorship into the Box 148 Condobolin. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way.
Contributed by Father Brian Schmalkuche.


Are you struggling? Are you curious to find out more about Christ our Lord and Savior? Do you want to see what God is doing here at Grace Bible Fellowship Church? Are you looking for a new church home: No matter the reason, we welcome you and we are here for you.
We would like to get to know you better, understand your needs and how we can serve you. Take a moment to tell us about you.
Knowing God’s word leads you to a life that is a blessing to others. Listen to our sermons and messages on issues important to you, as Jesus is proclaimed and God’s words are taught. Explore our ministries to see how these programs can help you grow closer to God and learn His ways.
Join us for Worship on Sunday’s at 10:00 AM and Wednesday nights for our weekly Prayer Meeting. Find opportunities to get involved by participating in one of our ministry programs for men, women, young adults and married couples.


Christmas is a difficult time with toddlers. Conceptually, it is a difficult time for the best of adults. But trying to tie Santa Claus, a pine tree, snowmen, presents, candy and cakes and the Jesus story into one tidy little story is nearly impossible. We have told Helen that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. She gets birthdays. She wants to make Jesus a cake. And she gets presents. She is perfectly happy to get some more. Why SHE gets presents on JESUS' birthday? Well, we will cross that bridge when we get there.
In the meantime, we are doing the advent calendar. Helen calls it the Jesus Book. Actually, every night before bed, she asks to "eat the Jesus book." And last night while reviewing the information we have learned about the story of baby Jesus, Luke asked Helen, "And what was Jesus' mommy's name?" And after thinking very hard about this, Helen answers, "Chocolate." So I can't say we are making very much progress.
Helen is also scared of Santa right now. A big thanks to the people at our mall for hiring a really creepy looking guy to be Santa. So there was a lot of crying and screaming and "NO, NO, NO!!!" going. When we got home and tried to talk about it, she told us that there would be "No cookies for Santa, I don't like him." And Santa could not come down our chimney because he is "scaaaarrrry." I am over-compensating now by letting her watch the Polar Express about 3 times a day. It is changing her mind about Santa. Animated Santa with his kind, Tom Hanks voice is not nearly so bad as creepy mall Santa.
Philip on the other hand is just content right now to pull ornaments off the tree and hurl them at the cats. He also likes to take bows off the Christmas presents, stick them on his head and say "Hat!" Then he laughs a lot. He has an appreciation for the simpler things in life. But he has learned to say Jesus and when we look at the Advent calendar before bed, he shrieks "JEEEEZ!!" and claps his hands. Then he opens his mouth like a baby bird and waits for me to stick chocolate in there.
At any rate, my kids sure do like Jesus. He is about chocolate and presents and singing and joy. And that is mostly correct, even if the three wise men forgot to include chocolate for the baby Jesus. The joy and singing and a really great present part they are getting right. I'll just wait a couple of years before really telling them that the greatest present ever doesn't have a picture of Dora on it.


I make icons for my generation – in that we are psychologically complicated, troubled, ashamed, and insecure. We struggle to find the sobriety and courage to turn our true faces to God in faith. The Church’s icons are here to help us in this struggle.
I am an American iconographer based in Austin, Texas with my wife and children. I am currently enrolled in the 3-year Icon Painting Programme with the Prince's School of Traditional Arts in the U.K., studying under Aidan Hart. I also previously studied with Vladimir Grygorenko in Dallas. I am a tonsured reader at my parish of St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church in Cedar Park, Texas. In addition to working on icons, I work at a church architecture firm.
I am now accepting commissions for icon panels (painted using traditional egg tempera with earth and natural pigments) for individual families, parishes, and monasteries. If you would like to discuss a potential project, or simply say 'hello,' please use the email form on the contact page.
I ask for your prayers,
Also on Instagram @bakergalloway:


Tool Kit: "Stewards of the Bay"
In conjunction with the National Council of Churches we have developed a toolkit for churches . This toolkit contains a variety of reources to help you get started.
Why churches care about the Bay
Water: a source of life
Creation in the
Chesapeake Chesapeake Congregational Life
Education and outreach
5 week adult education curriculum
Appendix, with additional educational and worship resources
Copies of the toolkit may be obtained from the NCC Eco-Justice Program
On the World Wide Web
Links to Religious and secular organizations and resources promoting a healthier environment, sustainability and stewardship of natural resources.
Resources for Worship
GreenFaith provides excellent resources for faith communities, including this guide to "green worship."
Resources for Bible Study
Stewardship of the Earth
Keynote Address from the Chesapeake Covenant Community-Chester Valley Ministers Association gathering, May 12, 2011, by Roderick Miller
Congregational Covenants, Committments and Minutes
Many congregations have chosen to express their committment to loving and caring for creation by adopting a declaration, variously described as a "covenant," a "pledge" or a "minute." We provide links to some of those here.
The Ecological Crisis In the Chesapeake Bay


What kind of pastor is the promised pastor?
In the Bible, there are 4 kinds of pastors and they belong to 2 different groups. There are pastors of prophecy, promised pastors and general pastors who belong to God. And, there are also false pastors who belong to Satan. These are the pastors in the Old and New Testament of the Bible.
Pastors of prophecy
A pastor of prophecy is chosen by God to foretell things that will be fulfilled in the future.
When God's promise is fulfilled, God chooses a promised pastor. This promised pastor rules and speaks on behalf of God.
A general pastor is chosen by the Lord to preach the Word to future generations and in the world.
A pastor of Satan is chosen to persecute and disturb God's pastors and His work.
Who is the promised pastor of the New Testament?
Jesus made a covenant with the believers. The promised pastor is a pastor chosen when that covenant of Jesus is fulfilled (Refer to Rv 2,3).
Cheonggyesan Mountain in Gwacheon, Korea.
Saints of the Tabernacle Temple.
What is the content of the covenant?
To fight against the Nicolaitans of Satan and to overcome them.
Why was this covenant made?
To give full authority to the pastor who speaks on behalf of Jesus and have him testify the revealed word and what he saw to the servants.


Above is the Martyn Turner cartoon that got pulled by the Irish Times. Why was it withdrawn? Others have pointed out that the Irish Times’s stated rationale for its withdrawal is inconsistent with its approach to other cartoons by the same artist. The Irish Times said that Turner had ‘taken a sideswipe at all priests‘, ‘suggesting that none of them can be trusted with children’. That, however, is merely the Irish Times’s interpretation of the cartoon. It is also, no doubt, an interpretation shared by whatever constituency of Catholics objected to the cartoon.
A different reading of the cartoon might conclude that Turner -since he is the regular cartoonist in the Irish Times and knows the readership is sentient beings, more or less, with a knowledge of Irish society- has already credited the readership with the awareness that not all priests are the same. That would be a normal enough assumption. There is no need, for example, for a cartoonist who draws a caricature of Enda Kenny or Gerry Adams to include a caption identifying them. What Turner is concerned with here is the way the Catholic Church as an institution -the priests are wearing vestments- has its clerics all ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’, a figure of speech Turner presents in his image.
The allusion to Meat Loaf’s “I would do anything for love (but I won’t do that)”, for me, is a suggestion that the Church’s position on mandatory reporting and the seal of confession is shrouded in histrionics. There is a neat contrast suggested by Meat Loaf’s thunderous pomp and the unctuous twee of official Church rhetoric with regard to children.
One might also interpret the under-the-breath afterthought, about staying away from children, not as a suggestion that all priests are paedophiles, but that the Church has a harmful effect on children’s development more broadly, in light of the control it still exercises over the education system, for example.
It might also be a suggestion that one of the reasons certain paedophiles were able to operate in the way they did within the Catholic Church was the degree of closeness, often unmediated closeness, between priests and children. It is hard to see how this could be interpreted as ‘a sideswipe at all priests’ unless you considered all priests collectively responsible. It is far from clear that Turner’s cartoon is saying such a thing.
That is only one reading, mind you. The point is, this is a reasonable alternative interpretation to the one put forward by Turner’s employers. But the Irish Times interpreted the cartoon in a particular way. Instead of saying, we will leave the interpretation of an ambiguous image -a great many cartoons are ambiguous- to our readers, they validated the interpretation of those who complained, and then they allowed the irrepressible Breda O’Brien of the equally irrepressible Iona Institute to slobber forth on the subject in her weekly column.
What this shows, I think, is the extent of the influence of a certain constituency over the Irish Times, or, at the very least, an obligation felt by the Irish Times to treat that constituency with respect, and even deference.
If this is true, why should it be so? What does the bastion of liberal opinion have to fear from publishing an ambiguous cartoon? Some people with whom I was in contact last week were not that impressed with the cartoon. They thought it was singling out Catholic priests as a facile target. One person said to me: if it was an image depicting all imams as bombers, there would be an outcry. I don’t think, however, that such a thought experiment works that well here.
There is a particular context for Turner’s cartoon: its publication in a society where many people are well aware of how the Church works and of the fact that only a small minority of priests are paedophiles. Crucially, in judging whether the publication of the cartoon is justified, we are also dealing with a society with a Catholic majority in which the Church exercised, and continues to exercise, a great deal of influence, over the education system, over the health system, and over questions of public morality and social teaching that extend well beyond the bedroom. The Iona Institute, but also the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (see David Begg lauding Catholic social teaching as the Church’s best kept secret). There are grounds for subjecting the Catholic Church to robust social critique, lampooning and ridicule. The absence of such things in Ireland would mean an absence of democracy. By contrast, the religion of Islam and its clerics have had very little role in Ireland, and Muslims have been a demonised minority in Western societies for a long time.
Or to put it another way: you will get articles demonising Muslims in the Irish Independent, but you won’t get articles demonising Catholics. And whilst many of the excesses of the Catholic Church have been well documented -the child abuse, the child abuse cover-ups, industrial schools, slave labour laundries, censorious teachings on sexual morality- it has only ever been the excesses that have been subject to public scrutiny. The role of the Catholic Church in sabotaging the prospect of universal health care because of its fanatical anti-communism, for instance, is treated with indifference by Ireland’s media establishment. Certainly, there is no reason why Denis O’Brien, now the proud owner of a private hospital, should commission his minions to examine the influence of the Catholic Church in this regard.
There are parallels here with the treatment of Ireland’s banks. Just as conventional wisdom in Ireland would have it that there is a fundamentally good banking sector that has been perverted by the greedy machinations of a few, so there is also a fundamentally good Catholic Church that has been tarnished by hierarchical arrogance and individuals unable to keep their urges under control. This fundamentally good organisation is personified by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, among others, and finds expression in organisations such as Trocaire and Social Justice Ireland, and, indirectly, in the particularly high esteem accorded to charitable organisations and voluntary groups, and, occasionally, in lay Catholics such as former President Mary McAleese (whose unqualified husband was handpicked by the government to investigate the Magdalene Laundries, an appointment that drew little scrutiny in the press).
And the thing is, there is very little critical treatment of this ‘good’ Church, whether with regard, for example, to the conformity imposed by its schools, or the preference it gives to private property and charity over social rights (its support for private schools and hospitals, for instance) and how this perpetuates consensus and social quiet. Of course, we shouldn’t expect much critical treatment of these things, since they are of service to Ireland’s ruling class. It isn’t hard to understand, in this scenario, how there is already a reservoir of sympathy for the average priest -who is not a paedophile but a member of the ‘good’ Church- in Ireland’s political and media establishment, even before the phone calls start coming in from Catholic lobby groups. From the perspective of ruling elites, this good Church is still a vital pillar of Irish society, pulling together the people needed to hose down the rabble with holy water if it gets too hot.


Luke 5:1-11 Fishing for Jesus (A Fishing Trip to Remember)
Sea of Galilee is probably my favourite place on earth. If I could retire somewhere
abroad it would be to Galilee. When I return there it feels like I am going home.
It is an awesome place, and usually a tranquil place also. Its also the place
where I caught my largest fish… with my bare hands… The Sea of Galilee is an oval–shaped
lake of fresh water about eight miles wide and thirteen miles long, and nearly
700 feet below sea level. Josephus, the Jewish historian, tells us that in the
first century some 240 boats regularly fished the waters from 30 different villages
of which Capernaum was the largest. Perhaps that is why Jesus made it His lakeside
base. Maybe He liked fishing. That is what Simon Peter and Andrew his brother
were doing when they met Jesus, casting a nets into the sea.
That particular day however, they were going to learn about a whole new kind of fishing, and maybe, today, we will too.
‘Gone fishing’ means different things to different people.
1. Fishermen with Amnesia
Ask them what a fisherman is and they’ll scratch their heads. Ask them why they go fishing and they’ll probably says its because their parents did it, or their grandparents. They feel they ought to go fishing but they don’t know why.
2. Agnostic Fishermen
You meet them on Sundays in places like Brighton or Hastings or along the River Thames when the sun is shining. With their rubber boots, waxed jacket and fancy fly hooks in their straw hats. In good weather you may even see them close to the water. When pressed they would say with the greatest of respect that you don’t have to believe in fish to be a fisherman.
3. Socialite Fishermen
For them, fishing is a hobby. About being a member of a fishing club. About getting up early, filling the flask, making the sandwiches, meeting up with friends and exploring a new stretch of river. At the end of the day they’ll be down the club telling tall stories about the one that got away. To the socialite fishing is a means to an end. Unlike the agnostic, socialite fishermen do believe in fish. Its just they wouldn’t know what to do if they ever caught one. Fishing to the socialite is all about believing in fishing, joining a club and having a good time.
4. Competitive Fisherman
competitive fisherman must have all the latest gear and belonging to the right
club. They love to tell you the latest book on fishing, the make of their rod,
the breaking strain of their line and how far they can cast. To them fishing is
all about winning. Competing, comparing themselves with other fishermen. What
matters is how big the fish are, how much they weigh. What matters most is catching
more than others and belonging to the largest club. Fishing is all about the photos
and the trophies on the sideboard.
Four kinds of fisherman. The amnesiac, agnostic, socialite and the competitive fisherman. There is a fifth kind, and I’d suggest it’s this kind Jesus was talking to that day by the lakeside of Galilee.
5. The Professional Fisherman
The professional fisherman respects the weather and the elements but he knows if he doesn’t catch any fish, his family will not eat. He may enjoy fishing. He may enjoying fishing with his friends. But he is a fisherman first and foremost because it’s his trade, and because he’s learnt to be good at it. He knows about fish. He has studied their habits; knows their favourite food; where they feed. He knows where and when they will be found. He doesn’t expect the fish to come to him. He searches for them, even at personal risk and hardship. To the professional, fishing is neither a club, a game or a sport. It is his life.
I would suggest to you that it was to professional fishermen, that Jesus spoke. It was professional fisherman Jesus called to be his disciples. And it was the trade of the professional fishermen that Jesus uses as an illustration for Christian ministry. Because Jesus has called us to be fishermen. He has not asked us to name a club after him or sponsor a trophy in his name. He does not allow us the luxury of redefining fishing. He calls you and I to follow him and serve him by fishing.
The primary role of the church is to enlarge his church in the same way that professional fishermen catch fish. It is as simple and as profound and as final as that. But what happens when we settle for one of these four substitutes? When Churches choose priorities other than fishing - you know what happens? If you don’t go fishing, you won’t catch anything. The church is in decline in so many of our communities because Christians are not fishing, don’t see it as a priority or have forgotten how to. But its worse than that.
What happens when fishermen don’t fish? When Christians don’t share with others what God has done for them? Answer: They find other things to do. When fishermen, don’t fish, they began to fight. When fishermen don’t fish, instead of casting nets, they cast stones. When fishermen don’t fish, instead of holding out a helping hand, they point accusing fingers. When fishermen don’t fish for the lost, they become critics of the saved.
So lets examine how Jesus got these seasoned fisherman into the only fishing that matters. A fishing trip to remember.
1. The Call to Deeper Commitment to Jesus (Luke 5:4-7)
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." “Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." (Luke 5:4-5)
Simon had been washing and mending his nets, keeping one ear listening to what Jesus was teaching. Jesus’ request for Simon to launch out into deeper water is a picture of was about to do in Simon’s life. Jesus calling Simon Peter to a deeper, more personal commitment to Himself. And that is his intention for you. But when we hear the call to launch out deeper we are tempted to listen to other voices.
Guided by friends?
are so often tempted to be guided more by what our friends think than by what
God says. Undoubtedly the advice of his friends, the other fishermen who overheard
what Jesus said would be, “Peter don’t do it. You have you nets all cleaned and
stored. If you go back out you will have to do it all over again, for nothing.”
How often are we influenced more by friends to compromise our faith, our morals,
our priorities, our use of time?
Guided by experiences?
We are tempted to be guided by our experiences instead of what God says. The Lord asks Peter to do something contrary to his own expertise in fishing. The best fishing on the Sea of Galilee was at night close to shore in the shallows. Jesus asked him to launch out into the deep in the middle of the day. Are we too guided more by experience or is God asking us to trust Him.
Guided by circumstances?
Simon Peter replies “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…” The word “toiled” indicates very hard work. They had not slept all night. They were very tired, exhausted. Now Jesus was asking them to take those freshly cleaned nets and row out to the deep water and go through strenuous process of letting out and taking in the nets all over again. Obedience to Jesus does not hinge upon favorable circumstances. Do you allow circumstances to dictate your obedience?
Guided by fears?
Perhaps Peter was reluctant because he was afraid of failure.
was in effect asking Simon to try again even though he had failed in the past.
This of course would be an important lesson for Peter in the future, not to allow
past failure to keep him from serving the Lord. God may ask you to try again even
if you have failed in the past. Will you allow past failure to keep you from following
Jesus? Its very tempting to be guided by our fears instead of what God says. The
greatest obstacle in life is our own fear. The fear of being inadequate, the fear
of failure. What is fear keeping you from doing for God?
In Peter’s reply he reveals his respect when he calls Jesus, “Master”. Underline the word. This word means master or teacher. Peter showed his love and respect for Jesus by acknowledging he was teachable. How does Jesus take us from where we are to where he wants us to be? By calling us to a deeper commitment. Maybe its time for you today to obey God and try things His way, even it you don’t understand where, why or how it’s all going to work out. Launching out into the deeper water is scary and it is less familiar but it were God’s blessings are usually to be found.
“When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” (Luke 5:6-7)
The results of obedience are always spectacular. As they harvested their catch, the two boats, over 7’ wide and 27’ long, were filled to overflowing and began sinking. Several tons of fish were hauled ashore that day in the midst of a delighted if stunned crowd. All because Simon said, “Because you say so, I will”. (repeat). God is not looking for excuses, for alternatives, for explanations or for shortcuts, but for obedience. Because Simon obeyed he witnessed a miracle. The call to a deeper commitment to Jesus, led secondly to,
2. The Confession of Greater Intimacy with Jesus (5:8-10a)
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.” (Luke 5:8-10)
At first Simon’s request seems strange. But we have to understand the scene in the light of what has happened. This new revelation of the power and glory of Jesus has given Peter an acute sense of his own sinfulness. Peter was not really trying to get rid of Jesus; he was simply overcome with a sense of his own unworthiness. When he calls Jesus, “Lord” it is an entirely different word than used previously in Luke 5:5. Lord or (kurios) is reserved by the Jews for God alone.
Peter was not overcome by the size of the catch of fish but by the one who caught them. For the first time he saw and understood for himself who Jesus really was. He cried out just as Isaiah had done when he encountered the living God,
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." (Isaiah 6:5)
Confession, if it is genuine, is from the heart and not just the lips. It arises out of a deep awareness of our sin and need of forgiveness. Job had much the same experience; “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)
the Apostle John would write of his experience on the Island of Patmos “And when
I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead….” (Revelation 1:17). When introduced to
the power and majesty of the Lord we are immensely aware of our own sin, and will
often try to escape from his presence. Simon asked Jesus to leave him, not because
he did not want to be in his presence but because he felt unworthy of being there.
But as our experience deepens; as we realize that he died in our place, has forgiven
our sins, and gives eternal life, we find ourselves drawn to him. This is how
it happened for Peter. In John 21 we read that after the Resurrection, Peter,
distraught over his repeated denials of Jesus, went back home to Galilee and decided
to go fishing - perhaps to clear his head and sort things out. He and his old
friends fished the night away without success.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize it was Jesus. He called to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water (John 21:4-7).
Peter stood before Jesus, hair and beard dripping, breathless from his swim to shore. Peter dashed to Jesus because he knew himself for what he was (a weak, frail sinner) and also because he knew so much better now who Jesus was and what he had done for him. The call to a deeper commitment to Jesus led not only to a confession of greater intimacy with Jesus but thirdly to,
3. The Commission to Wider Service for Jesus (5:10-11)
“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:10-11)
The word translated “catch” in 5:10 is literally “to catch alive” - as taking fish alive for an aquarium. Yesterday Mike and I caught 8 fish - or rather we bought them - for his aquarium. Sometimes it seems there are two kinds of Christians: those who catch the fish and those who come to look at them. But the church is not an aquarium for entertainment but rather a life-saving station. “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch people.”
Catch people alive, rescue people, save people. So they pulled their boats to shore and turned their backs on the biggest catch of their lives and followed him. The word “followed” is a word which also signifies the deepest inward attachment. The mission of the church is ‘catching people.’ That is why our mission statement is “To know Jesus and make Jesus known”. We exist “To turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” Our strategy is “Win, Build, Send - to win people for Christ, to build them in the faith and then send them to do the same.
The Seven Step Strategy
help us do so I want to commend to you a simple seven step strategy,
tried and tested in 100s of churches which help us identify where we are ourselves,
and help us become more fruitful assisting sinners become saints.
1. Build a Relationship
The first step is to reach ‘unchurched Harry and Mary’ personally. That is why Jesus began by asking Simon if he could ride in his boat. Rather than beginning with the message of Christ, we should seek to build relationships so that when we do share the message, we have credibility. People are more inclined to consider a radical message from a trusted friend than from a stranger. The love and interest we show cultivates the ground in preparation for sowing the seeds of the gospel.
2. Share a Verbal Witness
A witness in a courtroom simply describes what they have seen and heard. That is what it means to witness. We describe the life we knew, how we encountered the Lord Jesus, and the changes he has made in us. Seekers need to hear how we once were, who can save them and how. That is why having your testimony written and memorized will help you be ready.
3. Invite to a Seeker Service
Every month, we arrange services that are ‘seeker friendly’ like the All-age Family Service at 10:30 on the first Sunday of the month. We present some facet of the message of Jesus in a simple clear way that is intended to lead people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Other occasions include our festival services on Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Christmas, and the special events such as the performance of Mary Magdalene in July. Experience shows that people need time to process information. When that process is honoured, the commitments made take root better than poorly informed impulse decisions.
4. Become Part of Christ Church Community
At some point, unchurched Harry and Mary receive Jesus as their Saviour and Lord and begin to attend weekly Sunday services and our fortnightly mid-week Community. Through in-depth Bible teaching they gain a better grasp of God’s word. These services are designed to help believers grow up in the faith, so Harry and Mary - now Believer Bob and Betty - experience community and learn to worship through song, prayer and communion.
5. Participate in a Small Group
Life change happens best in a small group where you can know and be known, love and be loved, celebrate and be celebrated - where you can be known authentically and where you share your spiritual journey with others. Jesus modeled the small group principle the day he called Simon and his friends to follow him. Our mid-week small groups of between 6-12 members meet at least twice a month to learn from God’s Word in a discussion format, to pray for one another, support one another and share one another’s burdens.
6. Serve in the Body of Christ
Every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit in order to help build the church of Jesus Christ. We expect and encourage every member of Christ Church to discover their gifts and invest them through one or more of our serving teams. As individuals and as a church, we are under construction, and together, we will only truly experience what it means to be members of the Body of Christ when we are serving, participating, building up his church and extending his kingdom influence in our community and beyond.
7. Steward Financial Resources
When God becomes master of our spending and giving habits, we can be confident He is master over one of the most personal areas of our lives. All our resources have been entrusted to us to use for God’s purposes as well as to meet our personal needs. The last step in the Seven Step strategy for personal maturity is to allow God to have freedom in this area of our lives.
Because of the Tsunami tragedy, we have held back launching our 2005 Budget challenge until today. Please read the leaflet carefully and prayerfully and invite the Lord to guide you in deciding how much of all he has given you, he would have you reinvest in the ministry here at Christ Church. Then we will be able to not only maintain our evangelistic and disciple making ministries but expand them as we believe the Lord is prompting us to do in the year ahead. Lets commit to ensuring what in the stewardship of our financial resources we honour God in every respect.
Seven steps to fishing, seven steps to personal maturity, seven steps to sustained church growth. In the months to come we are going to unpack these seven steps in more detail. We are going to focus much more on what membership of Christ’s Church really means; on how to live a purpose driven life; on how we can become a purpose driven church, on what it means to be servant followers of Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known is not just a catchy mission statement - its the purest, truest, most essential role we have as a Church. Everything else is secondary, everything else is optional. Christ mandates us be fishermen. This morning God is calling you to a deeper commitment to Jesus, to a confession of greater intimacy with Jesus and to a commission to wider service for Jesus. Will you answer the call?


Shincheonji Church of Jesus sets an emphasis on loyalty above all others. Both Wednesday and Sunday, the church holds worship services. Their worship actions are often divided into three and two sessions per day, accordingly. Shincheonji’s devotees are supposed to combine any of the prayer sessions. For those who cannot attend their daily worship services, a substitute worship session is available. But if a member of a congregation is frequently absent from all church events, the neighborhood may become wary of that person. Shincheonji is principally related to loyalty and proselytizing.
In regards to hiring associates, Shincheonji is very famous for doing something and all. Shincheonji participants use a variety of methods to entice new members of their own tribe. They also go through the trouble of learning what they can about the individual they want to integrate. Shincheonji members typically devote a significant quantity of attention and time to learning about a person’s issues, fears, faith, and pursuits, and so on to persuade them to input their congregation. They usually approach people who have a great deal of free time in their hands.
Shincheonji participants secretly attend other sects. They disguise themselves as loyal members of one congregation to enter it from within. If they’ve gained other church members’ confidence, they start to covert members together with one church into the Shincheonji church. Shincheonji implements it as one of their most powerful methods for attracting new followers for their congregation. In addition they hold networking events under the guise of reaching out to potential people. But, no alcohol is served at such media events.
Shincheonji’s supporters often use a recruitment booth on the streetwalk to attract new followers. Shincheonji would often disguise themselves as volunteer organizations, high-tea groups, and curiosity societies, among other things, in order to draw new members to their tribe. They utilize those recruitment drives to request people’s contact info. They also recently devised strategies to reach out to many more people by using online personality tests and surveys to cast a broader net.
The church’s doctrine state that Lee Man-hee, the creator and leader of the church, is that the pastor promised from the New Testament within the Holy Bible. It states that the current world is living in the time prophesied from the Book of Revelation. It further talks about how salvation or eternal life lies inside true religion together with the members. Everybody who is not a part of the church will be denied forgiveness and destroyed during the last judgment.


♦ Please join us at 9:45 am, Sundays, in the Chapel for an Adult Bible class. Dick Baldwin and Dave Spencer lead the Bible Study.
♦ There is a Prayer List on the back table; please feel free to take one home to include these requests during your prayer time throughout the week.
♦ Hearing devices are available on the back table. Please use them, if needed, to enhance your worship experience at Elkton Presbyterian Church, and please sign in when you borrow one and sign out when you return it.
♦ January 13th – Lisa Chase will lead both the Praise and Traditional services. Her sermon title is “Come to the Water”, scripture readings will be Isaiah 43:1-7; Acts 8:14-17.
♦ Souperbowl Sunday – Mark your calendars. The Souperbowl Sunday celebration is Feb 3rd following the 11am service.
♦ Deacon’s Soup & Sandwich –Mark your calendars. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 17th after the 11am service in Fellowship Hall.
♦ Addendum to EPC building usage – EPC does not have the facility or staff to facilitate emotional support animals. For the health and safety of all involved, we must require that these animals will not be permitted in the building. This change will have no effect on certified service support animals, wearing proper identification and harnesses.
♦ READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR: As you consider goals and resolutions for 2019, you can make Bible reading a daily part of your life. There are many plans to choose from on the table in the narthex. Please stop by and take a look. You can use your apps on your phone, IPad, computer or your Bible to read God’s Word daily. Questions: Mary Ellen Beck at 302-750-9360 or firstname.lastname@example.org. “As Christians, we must learn not to trust our own efforts but daily sink our roots deeper into Christ and to make the secret personal fellowship with God our priority. Then true godliness will flourish. If the root be holy, so are the branches.” Andrew Murray
♦Help Needed Food Pantry – on Jan. 18th at 1pm at EPC, help is needed to unload a very large gov. shipment of food. If you can spare about an hour to assist Judy with the unloading, it would be most appreciated.
♦ Thank you from Barb Williams & Family –“thank you to the Youth and to Lisa for their visit to sing carols and their “gift” of a handmade wreath. We enjoyed the singing very much”
♦ 2019 Member Offering Envelops – the new envelops are now available and boxed in the Narthex. Please pick yours up at your earliest convenience.
♦ Reminder – Pastor John and Kathy are currently out of the country and will return on Jan. 15th. Please contact Lisa Chase at 302-242-0182, or email@example.com, if you need pastoral assistance.


Striving to Help
You Connect With Jesus
POINTS OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND WITNESS
Soul Food Bible Studies continue this Wednesday at 5.45 p.m.
POINTS OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH & WITNESS JAMAICA CALLS: Jamaica is calling for her sons and daughters of God to rise up with their mighty weapon of warfare: PRAYER! In turn, the congregation is called upon to join the WEBSTER PRAYS FOR JAMAICA (WPFJ) initiative! The approach: For the next three months, each person is asked to set aside a few minutes everyday to pray for the parish of his/her birth and then join forces with other parishioners every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.in the Sanctuary for more prayer!. LET’S JOIN IN! THE BATTLE IS OURS TO WIN! FWO ENVELOPES - Have you requested envelopes? Collect them in the foyer PRAYER REQUESTS: A box is provided for Prayer Requests. If you desire someone to pray with you, leave number with your request. Please share answered prayers. Confirmation Class & Discipleship Training Sundays at 3.45 p.m. and Thursdays at 5.00 p.m. THE BOOKSTALL is open after the services. Copies of the Daily Bread are now available. New books and bibles are also available. Get one or two copies of these brand new booklets which form a series intended to open interested minds to an understanding of simple Biblical principles. Written by Elaine Commissiong, they seek to give an easily-understood response to questions related to Worship. Beautifully illustrated, they are perfect for all ages and especially so for children! Topics include: "Who God is", "Who is Jesus", 'The Holy Spirit'' 'The Bible, - God's Word', "Stewardship", 'The Spiritual Disciplines", "The Marks of the Church", "The Sacraments" and 'The Creeds". Available at the Bookstall.
This Tuesdayat 7:50, Jean Shaw continues a conversation with Ms Joyce McKenzie, member at Webster for 57 years (Part 2). You can't afford to miss this 75th Anniversary feature. Catch it on TBC Radio 88.5 FM orwww.tbcradio.org


Freedom Church Cincinnati is a place where people can meet Jesus and engage in a life-giving community. We believe in creating a space where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their gifts and use them for God's glory. Join us for our Sunday services!
When we Meet
9 am and 10:30 am
What To Expect
A typical service will last about 75 minutes. We sing a good mix of contemporary and traditional music that is led by our worship team. There is childcare available and activities for all age groups.


"Your life was designed for far more than just the accumulation of things or the accomplishment of daily tasks. You were created for an adventure of trust. The adventure begins by letting go, taking a leap of faith and saying YES to the God who deeply loves you." ~Kay Warren
"You have a plan for the rest of your life. God has a plan for the rest of your life. Are they the same? What if God’s plan for your life is far bigger, far more risky, and far more fulfilling than what you had planned?"
"Sometimes God will call you to do a work – a work that He has planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). You may not want to do it. You may feel that you are not smart enough, talented enough, strong enough, or bold enough. You may even argue with God like Moses did (Exodus 3-4). You may laugh at God like Sarah did (Genesis 18:12). But if you obey God and depend on Him to work through you, amazing things will happen. People will be blessed. You will be blessed. You may never know the people who are changed by your obedience to speak a word, to lend a hand, or to give a hug. You may never know the lives that are impacted by your obedience to do what God has called you to do. But know this. There will be abundant fruit with your name on it – if you choose to obey." ~Sharon Jaynes
When I think about this adoption process the ways I have been blessed, because we said YES to God, is sometimes overwhelming. At first, naturally, I didn't really want to say yes. "We cannot afford another adoption" and "A child with Down syndrome?" were a couple thoughts that ran through my head constantly. But the more God spoke to me, the easier it was to take the leap and say YES once again.
Although this is our third China adoption, this process has been totally different than any of the others. The costs to adopt have increased over the years but I have had such peace and faith that God would be the provider of everything we need. And boy has He shown up! We have been blessed tremendously by the love of others who have sacrificed and donated towards bringing Karsynn home. We have had random amounts of extra money in our bank account after paying our bills that we were able to use for the adoption. And the thing I am most excited about are my necklaces and Handmade Hope. Thanks to Matt and Paul, this has been such a huge blessing (a lot of work but a huge blessing) not only to us but to other families adopting as well! It has been so fun to see it grow and to be able to help other families and organizations raise money as well. I am very much looking forward to coming home and being able to pick an organization or family each month to donate proceeds to and bless. It has truly been amazing and I couldn't have done it without the many people who have helped get it going and who have shared with their friends and family! We have also been blessed with a couple adoption grants and I truly believe that God has used my past hurts and how He has turned them into our amazing story to help us earn these grants (we had to write letters with our applications). Because of all these things, we have been able to pay every fee due and are just a few thousand (out of the, I don't even know, like $28,000 it costs to adopt from China)! Only God can do such a thing! Are the costs of adopting holding you back from doing so? DON'T LET IT!
Saying YES to God this adoption has also introduced me to so, so many new friends! I have absolutely LOVED "meeting" these new friends, watching their own adoption processes, and learning about them and their families. The Down syndrome community has been very welcoming and so helpful to answer any questions and it has been so neat to see all the families stepping up to adopt these wonderful children. Being involved in these circles has also allowed me to use my past and story to counsel a couple women who learned their child has Down syndrome and were considering aborting. These women I didn't even know personally, but what a huge blessing!
I have such an overwhelming sense of peace with this adoption (unlike any before) and I cannot wait to get on that plane to China (even though I am TERRIFIED of flying!)! I am so excited to meet our girl and learn all about her. I know without a doubt she will impact our family, those around us, and the world...and the blessings of saying YES to God will only continue! We are waiting to get official approval from China and from that point it is an average of 8-10 weeks till travel! The country of China is, of course, closed from October 1st through 7th. There is a very slight possibility (miracle, really) we could travel in September before the closure but it will most likely be right after the closure. So it's coming quickly!
Is there something God is asking you to say YES to? You can say "no" because He doesn't force you to say "yes". You can say "maybe some other time" or "maybe in a couple years when my bills are paid off" or "how about you ask me to do something else God?" The answer most pleasing to God has got to be "YES"! Will it be risky? Yes. Will it require sacrifice? Most likely. Will it be scary? Often. Will it be worth it? YES! Don't wait, you'll be amazed at what He accomplishes!
If you feel inclined to help get us fully funded, you can click the Reece's Rainbow link to the right of here (the one with Karsynn's picture on it) and donate or we still have about $1000 left on our matching grant (contact me if you want information on donating towards that). Thank you for the continued support and prayers for our journey. You all mean the world to us!