We are a body of believers desiring to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and to make Him known in an ever-increasing measure. We are a non-denominational fellowship affiliated with Calvary Chapel and associated with all who are in the body of Christ. Our vision as a church is to glorify God through lives that have been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We hold a single service on Sunday at 10 AM (kids ministry available).
To get the latest announcements, including service times, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram OR sign-up for SMS updates .
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.


New Legacy Centre is a mission of Christ Church which is a charitable organization. It is operated by an enthusiastic group of volunteers from the community.
We welcome financial donations to enable us to keep New Legacy Centre open. All monetary donations of $20. or more will receive an Income Tax Receipt.
With Donations of:
New Legacy Centre has Charitable Status as a ministry of Christ Church. 1) Cheques made out to Christ Church and designated for New Legacy Centre can be dropped off at New Legacy Centre or mailed to P.O. Box 269, Tamworth, ON K0K 3G0. 2) Donations may be made through www.canadahelps.org under “Get Started Find a Charity” type Trinity Parish New Legacy Centre (Canada Helps will issue your tax receipt) 3) At this time Cash donations may not be made in person at New Legacy Centre, but arrangements can be made for a volunteer to pick up. A tax receipt will be issued for any gifts of $20. or more and the end of the taxation year. * Please use the “Contact Us“ tab if you would like a volunteer to pick up your one-time donation or to make arrangements to support us on a monthly basis.


American Interiors was humbled to work with Christ Community Chapel in Hudson, OH on the renovation of their existing main lobby/commons area. CCC was looking to provide their members with a more inviting space to socialize before and after worship as well as a comfortable place for the community to host outside events. CCC came to American Interiors for a full solution. They asked for our guidance on graphics, finishes and furniture selections and wanted to create a space that was more modern with a cafe/living room aesthetic. The new space has been open since early 2017 and CCC and it’s members could not be more pleased and inspired with the results.
Client Testimonial from: Pete McQuillen, Christ Community Chapel, Hudson, OH
On behalf of Christ Community Chapel, I wanted to thank you and your team for the wonderful job you in our church atrium to make it the warm, inviting place we so wanted it to be! We even named a section of thear the “Living Room” because of the feeling you helped create in that space. We are all about loving God and loving people and your passion and expertise were just what we needed to convey that vision. Your enthusiasm to try new ideas while staying within budget constraints blessed us so much. Hats off to you and team for a job well done!


Who we are
Adelphi is a small church. Yet, Adelphi has a big heart, embracing people from all walks of life, from all nations in the world, and from all social and ideological backgrounds. Adelphi is a witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ that though we are many, we are one body in Christ. Our common denominator is the triune God - the Creator and Holy Parent; Jesus, Son of God, our Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor. We journey together seeking to know who God is and who we are as children of God and Disciples of Christ. Adelphi always extends her welcoming arms to embrace you.
Welcome Rev. Michael Cory McNamara!
It is with great joy that we announce that Reverend Michael Cory McNamara has accepted the call to serve as our next pastor! Rev. McNamara was ordained on March 25th 2012 in Rochester, New York, and is a graduate of Ithaca College and Union Theological Seminary. He was serving as the Pastor at the Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church when we decided to call him.
Rev. McNamara is a
wonderful Preacher, Teacher and Christian. He possesses all of the attributes
of a loving, energetic and visionary leader. Rev. McNamara also possesses
a strong spiritual background with the ability to share his spiritual
life with our congregation. He has a unique balance of spiritual, physical,
relational and emotional strengths that we absolutely love. Read
more about Rev. McNamara.
Rev. Michael McNamara - Pastor
here to submit comments about the website


Net worth: $10 million – $15 million
Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN)
With an estimated net worth of $10 million-$15 million, this Nigerian televangelist, humanitarian, minister and faith healer belongs to the top 5 richest pastors in Nigeria. He is the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, he is considered as the most philanthropic and controversial churchman. Through the years, the church has expanded to Greece, South Africa, Ghana and United Kingdom with over 15,000 worshipers on regular Sunday service. He owns a Christian television network named Emmanuel TV, and for over 3 years, he has given up a total of about $20 million to help a number of causes including healthcare, education and rehabilitation programs for the militants of Niger Delta.


Dayna Wheatley’s Publications:
- Crimes That Will Make an Immigrant Deportable
- Immigration Risks of Pleading Guilty or No Contest
- How Falsely Claiming to Be a U.S. Citizen Can Make You Deportable
Wheatley Immigration Law LLC Appellate Decisions
In this case, the USCIS denied the petition for special immigrant religious worker by a church member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance because it decided the religious worker was only a “trainee.” The religious worker was provisionally licensed to minister on an annual basis, and not yet ordained. The Administrative Appeals office sustained the appeal, holding that the position met the definition of a minister according to the Immigration and Nationality Act, the USCIS could not require ordination, and the religious worker was qualified for the position according to denominational standards.


Welcome to Geneva Christian College
Geneva Christian College was founded in 1967, and has over forty five years of history in the Latrobe community. The school is located on the outskirts of the town, ideally situated on 50 hectares of farm and bush land. It has a well-established and fully accredited co-educational program. As a Christian school, personal character, self-discipline and responsibility are considered equally as important outcomes as academic learning. The aim is for students to live by Biblical standards and make worthwhile contributions to society and the wider community. These Biblical standards, traditional family values and moral principles are integrated into the curriculum. Classroom teachers are qualified and registered. Staff share the Christian ethos, are committed to Christian education and demonstrate care for each child as an individual. Students may graduate at Year 10 or Year 12 levels and are able to enter a range of employment options or continue with further studies.
We are different from conventional schools in that our curriculum is prescribed for the individual. This individualized curriculum is offered full time and through distant education. These two options have the same objective, which is to equip students with the ability to fulfill their God given direction in life. Our curriculum is based on a Christian ethos that reflects Biblical principles, truths and values.


Hurting Moms Mending Hearts is a 10-week support group being led by Sue Heath and Tracy Derry. The group's focus is to help hurting moms find freedom in Christ and healing from their pain. Please remember them in prayer.
Tithes and offerings
Thank you for not forgetting your tithes and offerings. Interac e-transfers may be e-mailed to firstname.lastname@example.org. Please remember to include your name and/or envelope number and any special designation in the message. If interact e-transfer is not convenient, please call the church office to make arrangements.
We are looking for people who are willing to lend a helping hand! We need ushers and greeters, as well as more people on our technical support team. If you would like to assist with any of these activities, please sign the list on the bulletin board under the appropriate heading. If you would like more information, prospective ushers can speak with Jamie Hafenbrack and prospective greeters can speak with Tracey Derry. Anyone interested in playing a role on our tech support team can speak with Don Hartley.


Youth 2000 seeks to draw young people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, lived at the heart of the Catholic church. It does this primarily through weekend prayer festivals, where young people are introduced to the essentials of the catholic faith: Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, scripture, devotion to Our Lady. These festivals are opportunities for young people to experience the love of God, to receive the grace of conversion and to begin living anew the Christian life.
Youth 2000 has been active in youth ministry in the UK for the last 20 years, and has played its part in the new evangelisation of this time. We have been delighted and privileged to welcome many members of the hierarchy to our events, including Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Kevin MacDonald, and Bishop Thomas McMahon. Youth 2000 was even mentioned in Pope John Paul II’s ad limina address to the Bishops of England and Wales in 2003. Fr Stephen Wang is the chaplain to Youth 2000.
Priests are warmly welcomed at our events. We would be delighted if you brought with you a group of young people from your parish, and wished to concelebrate at Mass or hear confessions.
If you are planning on attending, it would be very helpful if you could let the National Office know in advance. If we do not know you personally, we ask you to bring a celebret with you.
Youth 2000 is a member of CSAS – the national agency for safeguarding within the Catholic church in England and Wales. Child protection is a high priority at all Youth 2000 events, and a child protection officer is appointed for every event. A copy of our child protection policy, which has been approved by CSAS, can be requested from the National Office.
Youth 2000 events are designed for young people between the ages of 16 and 35. However, young people either side of this age range are also welcome to attend. Those under 16 require a parent/guardian to accompany them. Please note that we are only able to offer accommodation on site to attendees who are 35 or under.
Families are always very welcome! Please contact us to let us know you are coming and we can make the necessary arrangements.


The Meteora Monasteries and Nunneries, built on top of the rocks are the most important monastic complex in Greece second only to Saint Athos.
The Meteora monuments are among the most important historic monuments of the world and belong to the UNESCO World heritage monuments.They are the most important monuments in the area of Thessalia (Central Greece) and the most distinguished monuments in Greece second only to Saint Athos.
The rough, once hardly accessible peaks of the imposing rocks were reached by the first hermits in the 11th century. The first monastic commune was set up by Saint Martyr Athanasios the Meteoritis in the 14th century on top of the Megalo Meteoro.
For more than 600 years there had been a flourishing community of 24 Monasteries and a number of individual “sketes” and hermitages. Initially monks used to asend the rocks using scaffoldings supported by beams embedded in the rocks and later nets and rope ladders were used.Nowadays there are only 4 Monasteries and 2 Nunneries.Monasteries:
- Of The Transfiguration of our Saviour
- the Holy Trinity
- The Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas( the one who Rests)
- The Varlaam
- Agios Stefanos (Saint Stephen)
- The Roussanou
The Monasteries and Nunneries are nowadays easily accessible through a well- maintained road network and staircases carved inside the rocks ensure a safe ascent to the top of the rocks. Visitors can get acquainted with the monks’ and the nuns’ everyday life, indulge in the overwhelmingly magnificent landscape, the Byzantine architecture and iconography and study invaluable religious manuscripts.
Kalambaka- a small town- and Kastraki- a small village are situated at the foot of the Meteora rocks: Picturesque and attractive with hospitable inhabitants, a rich cultural life and modern tourist infrastructure.


“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” - Proverbs 17:22
I recently found a picture of me around the age of 13 or 14 standing outside of my parents house with my arms crossed. I looked, well, cross.
My mind tracked back to figure out what was wrong with me that day.
Crazy how in one moment my mood was high--reminiscing on the good ole’ days and when I came across that picture, I was brought to a somber state.
I sucked the life out of my own party.
It makes me think of how often people have sucked the life out of my party and how many times I’ve done the same to others, because of my bad attitude.
I remember a situation in college. I was frustrated about something and I found myself in the Student Center being abrasive to everyone I encountered. Then one guy said, “yo, take your miserable a** somewhere else please. Don’t bring me down with your drama.”
A lot has changed since then. Now people wonder why I am always upbeat.
I’ve learned that my attitude can give life or take life. Think about it; my own picture brought my mood down.
What about you? When people encounter you, are you giving life or sucking the life out of the party?
Have you ever said anything like this to excuse your bad attitude? “I am not a morning person”; or “I haven’t had my coffee yet”; or “this weather brings me down”; or “I am dealing with a lot right now.”
While all of these may be valid reasons for mood changes, we should know that our attitudes give life or take life. We can be real without being real depressing.
Here’s the bottom line:
The value of our relationships will be determined on our deposits and/or withdrawals.
My encouragement is that we make more deposits by reminding ourselves to be positive when we encounter people. We will feel better, our relationships will be healthier and we’ll find ourselves giving life to the people around us which, in the end, will increase the quality of our own life!
In the next post, I will share a few ways we can create positive encounters with others that bring joy and don’t suck the life out of the party!


wit and Wisdom
I preface the following with the acknowledgement
that one of my pet peeves is when people take the written word for granted. I
love language, and when I see it mutilated and mangled, painfully crying out to
be deleted from the page, there is an overwhelming need for a red felt tip pen
that takes over my very being...
My friend Scott, who knows me very well, sent me this list
of things found in Church Bulletins across the country. I hope you find it as
amusing as I, and get the lesson. Slow down and pay attention, and when those
inevitable errors do occur, do be able to laugh at yourself.
the Bulletin Said...
1) Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and
other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
2) The outreach committee has enlisted 25
visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
3) The Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday
morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the
B.S. is done.
4) Evening massage - 6 p.m.
5) The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies
of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake
breakfast next Sunday morning.
6) The audience is asked to remain seated until
the end of the recession.
7) Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet
Thursday at 7 to 8:30 pm. Please use the back door.
8) Ushers will eat latecomers.
9) The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be
sung without musical accomplishment.
10) For those of you who have children and don't
know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
11) The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to
the delight of the audience.
12) The pastor will preach his farewell message,
after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
13) During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed
the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our
14) Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for
the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible
15) Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's
healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
16) Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It
17) The music for today's service was all
composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of
18) Remember in prayer the many who are sick of
our church and community.
19) The eighth-graders will be presenting
Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation
is invited to attend this tragedy.
20) The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a
great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored
the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
21) 22 members were present at the church meeting
held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and
Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
22) A song fest was hell at the Methodist church
23) Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK?
with hymns from a full choir.
24) Hymn 43: "Great God, what do I see
here?" Preacher: The Rev. Horace Blodgett Hymn 47: "Hark! an awful
voice is sounding"
25) On a church bulletin during the minister's
illness: GOD IS GOOD. Dr. Hargreaves is better.
26) Potluck supper: prayer and medication to
27) Don't let worry kill you off - let the church
28) The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell
May 10 and 11.
29) Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given
to church secretary...
30) 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due
to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older
31) The choir invites any member of the
congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
32) Please join us as we show our support for Amy
and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.
33) Weight Watchers will meet at 7 pm. Please use
large double door at the side entrance.
There are a few topics on which I would love to hear your opinion. Stop here, and tell your truth. Respond to what is online, or add a new question. Let the thoughts flow....
Webmasters! Add a link to your site!


New York Giants OT Nate Solder has announced that he has opted out of the 2020 season. This comes just hours after websites reported that he wouldn’t be opting out.
Here is the message he posted to Twitter:
My family and I have been praying, wrestling and listening to God about our current circumstances and whether it is best that I play football this season. Our primary goal is to pursue God and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. As hard as that can be and as daunting as what He asks us to do can seem, we have come to believe, trust and wait on the Lord. That is why we have chosen to pause for this season.
Our family has health concerns, most notably our son’s ongoing battle with cancer, as well as my own bout with cancer. We also welcomed a new addition to our family this spring, a baby boy. With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football. We fully recognize that being able to make a decision like this is a privilege.
I will deeply miss my teammates, coaches and everyone in the Giants organization. I want to thank them and all my friends and fans who continue to support me and my family through the highs and the lows. As scary and bleak as it can be, we know that the God of the universe has all things under His control, and His plans are and will always be for our good.


If you are looking for a way to get connected or be sent into mission and ministry in Prairie Grove, AR or around the world, then we have the job for you. Check out our list below for current job openings and volunteer positions available.
We Feed People Ministries
Our church feeds children during the school year through the Prairie Grove Backpack Program, we feed food-insecure families in the summer through Samaritan’s Cupboard, and we partner with the local food bank and food pantry to feed those in need.
The Community Gardens in the back of our church are used to supplement our feeding ministries with fresh produce. The people that volunteer to help in this area have green thumbs and dirty fingernails. They can always use help tending to the gardens.
Children & Youth Sunday School Teachers
Teachers help lead our classes for our children and youth with a provided curriculum on Sunday mornings. Classes usually involve a lesson, a craft, and prayer.
Our nursery is available during worship services and other church events for parents to safely leave their children with qualified staff that can attend to their needs. Our nursery has games, TVs, toys, and places for babies to nap. Volunteers must be able to pass a background check in order to be SafeSanctuary compliant.
Ground Maintenance Workers
Our church has a large lot and a large building that requires several volunteers to mow, clean, and maintain. The church has all the hardware and supplies needed to maintain the grounds but always needs volunteers able to commit to a schedule.
Life Ministries Workers
Life Ministries is a local outreach that supplies clothes, funds, and other needs for sale and donation to families around Prairie Grove and Western Washington County. This ministry was started and is still supported by people from our church. They are always looking for volunteers to help sort through items and serve customers.
See Life Ministries website for details.
Sunday morning at PGFUMC is an exciting time of worship, scripture reading, fellowship, and teaching. We are always looking for adults and children to help provide a fluid worship experience for our many members and guests. Available areas include Ushers, Acolytes, Psalm Readers, Worship Band Musicians and Singers, Choir Members, and Technical Team Members.


I thought I'd be ready to blog by April 1st. I was mistaken. Life has thrown a few curve balls my way. I'm still speaking. But for now, writing is on hold. The time I generally devote to writing is being devoted to God. I have many things to share with you. All in due season..
I want to return by the end of this week. But I can't say for sure.
When I do make it back to the keyboard. I endeavor to take the topic of forgiveness and broaden the conversations we have about it. I do walk my talk. Trust me, I have the stretch marks to prove it!
I continue to pray for you. And I appreciate your prayers for me.
P.S. I recently got a new computer and for reasons I do not understand, certain words automatically highlight and provide a link to an advertisement. Ugh! Please be patient as I remedy this. I promise I'm not inserting commercial ads.
Published on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 12:33 PM CDT
Hospice care arrived for my friend last week. Now I wait.
Counseling has begun regarding a crisis in my family. More waiting.
Lots of praying.
I'll resume blogging in a few weeks.
Do you struggle to forgive?
Meet me here April 1st.
I continue to pray for you and appreciate your faithful visits to my website.
Published on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 10:02 AM CDT


ShareMeCards is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in existence to help Christians everywhere easily and effectively share the good news about Jesus—through the use of everyday gift cards. The process flow is simple: Christians purchase gift cards at ShareMeCards.com and then give them away. Gift card recipients register their cards at ShareMeCards.com and have the option to hear the gospel through dynamic multimedia.
Design efforts were focused on website usability and the overall user experience. Despite complex, interwoven functionality, including robust ecommerce, social interaction, card tracking, and multimedia, “the interface provides users with a light and easy experience.”


To Christians: When you pray, do you pray on your knees or just in whatever position you happen to be in at the time it hits you to pray?
moorrbrt1 "In God we Trust" 2009/03/29 01:01:03
I believe that God hears all of our prayers no matter where we are or what we are doing at the time, but there are times when I feel like praying on my knees is more respectful.
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I'm glad you're here!
To describe myself in one word? I'm an activator. In one sentence: I like to start stuff that makes a difference in peoples lives.
A little background about me? I grew up in the home of a pastor and we actually lived in a church for five years as a family. Then in 1983, my parents moved us to Haiti to start a mission where we lived in tents for three months.
I serve as president of New Missions, educating over 10,000 children from Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
LISTEN now to my new podcast show: Tim and Friends helping you live life to the fullest, serve others, and leave a legacy.
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It's better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
MedTour Kiev and explore the ancient Pechersk Lavra monastery.
Take a MedTour to Kiev where you'll receive VIP treatment packages for cutting edge stem cell therapy for diabetes, anti aging, and a host of other conditions. While your there, explore the ancient Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery of the Caves. A historic Orthodox Christian monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site established in the year 1051, with 100 monks resident.


The Billy Graham Rule and Its Inadvertent Degradation of Women
If you grew up in an evangelical setting, you must have heard of white American globe-trotting evangelist Billy Graham. If you are unchurched but alive today, chances are, you’ve heard of Billy Graham. Graham was for the white American evangelical world what Elvis Presley was for white American Rock n Roll in the 50s. A myth, a legend, a star, and also, many forget, human.
Billy Graham traveled the world over speaking about the restorative and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and preaching a gospel of personal transformation. You too, he would say, can be born again. Your sins will be forgiven if you will accept Jesus into your heart.
“Come as you are.” Was quite the famous line in his crusade. Always a welcoming environment for people seeking change, seeking religious reformation.
A very personal gospel message that beckoned the individual to turn her life over to Christ for eternal security and reconciliation between the person and God.
Graham’s sermons were beautiful and if you listen to them today you’ll find they are just as convincing and powerful as they were then. If the man had anything he had conviction.
Thankfully, I am not here to discuss Graham’s gospel preaching or his evangelistic efforts. For that, the man deserves credit because his ministry has produced a plethora of testimonies, many of which, we shall only understand and rejoice over in Glory.
But I am here to discuss how white American culture, more so, how white American 1950s and 1960s culture and its understanding of gender norms and expectations formed a set of social rules then that impact us in the evangelical sphere to this day — negatively so. Around the same time, Billy Graham and his team, assisted by Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea, and Grady Wilson, met in Modesto, California to develop a ministry morals standard for themselves and other evangelists and leaders in their vocation. This was put together to reduce the number of scandals in the evangelical world and produce an inner and outer appearance of moral rectitude, which had been missing or compromised by felled religious leaders of the day.
Now, considering the acceleration of Christian circle scandals that riddled the news, it seemed appropriate for a group of believers to come together with a better understanding of what is required of them in modern times throughout their ministerial undertakings and personal responsibilities. And in this meeting, the men came up with four ideas or metrics by which to judge the health of their ethics and ministry.
The Modesto Manifesto
The first was financial transparency in an age of Christian greed; the second, sexual purity in an age of sexual liberation; the third, ecumenical efforts in an age of fundamentalist tribalism; and the fourth, the accuracy of events, numbers, and credentials in an age of duplicity, lying, and dishonesty for popularity’s sake.
Again, these are honorable efforts put forth by the group to make sure that their ministries, and their personal lives, were above scrutiny, as the Bible demands of followers of Christ.
But sometimes, not always, sometimes, certain corrections, without nuance or clarification, when they generalize and offer little explanation as to how those corrections were formed over cultural and traditional, national and racial lines, can become over-corrections, thus, creating even more problems for those who adhere to them.
The second rule in Graham’s Modesto Manifesto deals with sexual morality, or rather, one that grapples with the temptation of sexual immorality. It is the rule that this entire segment became known for, a rule Billy Graham followed to the very end, if it was up to him, while he was in control of his mind. This rule would be followed by numerous evangelical leaders and ultimately make national headlines again when Donald Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence, would celebrate it from the White House.
“We all knew of evangelists who had fallen into immorality while separated from their families by travel. We pledged among ourselves to avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion. From that day on, I did not travel, meet or eat alone with a woman other than my wife. We determined that the Apostle Paul’s mandate to the young pastor Timothy would be ours as well: “Flee … youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 1:22, KJV).”
It’s interesting to note that from that day forward, Graham did not travel, meet, nor did he, according to him, eat alone with a woman other than his wife ever again. This is revealing, one, because of the level of commitment, it takes a man to avoid being alone in a room with someone of the opposite sex, whose sex estimates well over three billion people on the planet. There being three billion of anything is cause enough for awareness, but isolation and separation? Impossible.
Graham’s second rule, where a man is not to be alone with a woman other than his wife, is ripe with condemnation without even knowing it.
One, this rule generalizes women as sexual deviants who, left alone with a man in a room, no matter the room or the setting, work, campaign trail, lunch meeting, or as a nurse in a doctor’s office, will, without that man’s consent, ravage him. This notion is asinine because it portrays women as agents lacking self-control, moved by licentious desires, unashamedly promiscuous, according to those who adhere to Graham’s line of reasoning.
Women are not vessels of unrestrained lusts. Women are entirely in control of their thoughts, actions, compulsions, and desires. They’re not animalistic brutes who descend to sensual madness at the opportunity of being alone in a room with a member of the opposite sex.
What a farce.
Two, this rule, again, places the blame on women. This is age-old escapist nonsense men have plagued women with for centuries, if not millennia. If something does occur between the two individuals who are left alone in a room, it must have been the woman’s fault. As the only one able to consent or resist — because men are unable to restrain their boyish desires — if they fail to scream out for help or fail to stop things from progressing, they are solely at fault.
Once the ministry leader’s sexual scandal makes the airwaves, he’ll peg the woman as a “seductress” whose “promiscuous” advances were too powerful for him to resist. Resembling the work of a “she-devil” she entrapped him, grabbing him by the “unmentionable,” and from there, it was all history. And that’s why we are taught to forgive the man because he’s the victim here, his assailant, a 110 lbs sex witch that caught him alone in the lunchroom and proceeded to violate him while he sipped his tea and read his Bible.
It’s nonsense. I’m using sarcasm and humor here because blaming women for men’s inability to control themselves is a sad and resilient virus that refuses to die in our culture. So to cope, I make light of a grave and grievous situation.
Three, a man ought to be in control of his moral compass. In control of his faculties. If a man, especially a man of the cloth, cannot control himself when alone with a member of the opposite sex, then, by God, he ought not to be in ministry. He should not be in a position of influence, power, or authority ever again. He’s a predator in the making.
I cannot imagine Jesus, meeting the Samaritan woman at the well and thinking to himself, “Maybe I should wait for my apostles to get back before conversing with this woman. I mean, she might trip on that bucket l and land in my arms, where we kiss, romance, wed, make dozens of babies, until, the next woman I meet at the well comes around and trips on something else.”
That’s so stupid. No, I’m not sorry.
Jesus met with that woman alone because He had integrity, even if, EVEN IF she did not, He would have remained integral. And I’m not suggesting she was a sexual deviant or a saint, she could have been one or the other, it would not have changed Jesus’ posture toward her while the two sat and conversed by the well about faith, God, life, water, worship, and relationships. Jesus upheld His part of the ethical bargain, independent of the same being reciprocated or not.
Therefore… therefore… there… fore…
As I conversed with a friend via Instagram about the Billy Graham Rule, specifically rule number two, we got into discussing that the rule would have been more helpful and wise if it required individual integrity over distanced suspicion and isolation.
You see, when someone is integral, they’re complete, whole, satisfied, undivided in their attentiveness to honoring people made in the Image of God. They’re honoring, just, and kind, in the face of someone else’s vulnerability.
Dr. Diane Langberg, a psychologist and author, wrote an eye-opening book, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church. In this book, she mentions a question she lays before the countless ministers she has counseled over the years. And I’ll paraphrase her quandary.
“If you, being a pastor, are counseling a woman who is experiencing a great deal of trouble in life and in the middle of a counseling session she stands, begins to undress, is nude and vulnerable before you, and the two of you are alone, where does your mind go? Where does your heart go?”
The question, I admit, is answered in two different places.
One, we answer this question publicly and openly, “I would tell her to dress up and get out of my office! That temptress! Damn her!”
The other, we answer in our hearts, in the place no one but us and God can see, and God knows what our answers tend to be. Too often, we have read reports, cover-ups, and lawsuits concerning what happens in these situations. Men in power, men with influence, men with authority, instead of portraying the likeness of Christ in the presence of the vulnerable, become the devil, ravaging and devouring people looking for help.
“Come to me,” Says the morally complicit pastor counseling the vulnerable woman. “And I will give you rest. But keep this between the two of us or else…”
So we must admit that Billy Graham’s Rule is problematic. It’s an over-correction, not a solution. It’s an escape, not a confrontation. It displaces blame, shifts blame, and generalizes women as sexual deviants, who, as I said earlier, given the opportunity, according to Graham’s rule, will devour men whenever alone with them.
There is, of course, wisdom in not placing oneself in a situation where, without a doubt, it seems suspicious.
Houston, We Have A Liquor Problem
Hillsong’s main pastor, Brian Houston, has been caught in hot water because he attended a meeting of some sort and after this meeting, he went for drinks and after drinking himself nearly blind, he went up to his hotel room for the night. Once there, he either misplaced his room keycard or was unable to properly use the keycard he had in hand to access his room. Under this fog of inebriation, Houston proceeds to a church colleague’s room, a woman, knocks on her door and then enters. There they remain alone for more than forty minutes. Both denied anything happened. And we have no evidence of anything having happened, because, no evidence was ever produced. Nor has the woman admitted or come forward with the fact that the two engaged in anything even remotely sexual.
But this scene, of course, is the extreme any married AND single person has to avoid because it does create an aura of suspicion. I mean, considering our current hook-up culture and the history of evangelical sex scandals, Houston should have known better. It is without a doubt that it was possible, in those forty minutes, that one’s moral compass could have wavered, their ability to resist temptation, dissipated, and there, a sexual act or several, could have taken place. And the truth, no one knows.
Brian admitted to the idiocy of his choices that night, having drunk too much, and then mixing sleeping or anxiety pills with his liquor, before proceeding to his coworkers’ hotel room. The two of them alone. His wife was nowhere in sight.
The curiosity here, and I’m being frank, not critical, even if I do end up sounding critical, for that I apologize, because there are certain things I do not understand and that’s fine because my intelligence is limited and finite. But here’s the thing, why blame moral failings on alcohol, drugs, anxiety, mental illness, and the opportunity of that woman being there.
Listen, Dr. Wade Mullen goes into detail on how men (and women, sometimes) use certain tactics to divest themselves of responsibility once they commit a predatory crime. In his book, Something’s Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse-And Freeing Yourself from Its Power, he offers insight into why abusers, predators, malcontent power-hungry, sex-crazed, and responsibility-for-wrongs-committed-averse leaders give us such excuses.
“Abusers and abusive organizations may concede the basic reality of the wrong-”Yes, this happened”-but quickly add statements that either soften their responsibility or promote their integrity: “We value all people and only want what is best for everyone involved.” If these concessions do their job, the accused will stay in power, stay in favor with the community, and stay far from the shame their actions deserve.”
And listen, I’m not here to say that people are beyond redemption and reconciliation, but we must better understand what those things mean when people fail, morally, I mean.
One, take responsibility for your failings, instead of, say, blaming some agent or narcotic. Or worse, blaming your victim.
Here’s a healthy, albeit imperfect example I’ve come up with in my mind:
“Listen, everyone, I was sexually repressed or sexually uncontrolled and I enticed my coworker (or classmate, students, etc), under the guise of trust, bypassing the reality of our power-dynamic relationship, and I engaged in what I now understand as a non-consensual act with her. I am now resigning from my position to seek counsel, professional counsel, and I do not look forward to returning to leadership, but to fellowship, in God’s time. I’m sorry to all, and most all, I apologize to the victim of my uncontrolled passions. You did nothing to deserve this. It was my fault.”
Now, that sounds dreamy, almost, to consider someone admitting to the reality of their intentions and the gravity of their actions with such brevity and transparency, and that would do wonders for us instead of covering our mistakes over with alcohol, Ambien, seductresses, etc.
Graham’s Rule would and could be revised to state:
“No matter what situation you are in and who you are with, for however long, you must reflect the character of Christ in that environment. If the person you are with fails to live up to Christ’s calling, more so, His admonishments on sexual ethics, that is not an excuse, nor a vote of confidence, for you to forego your integrity. In every situation, interaction, relationship, friendship, and meeting, whomever you are with, man, woman, or child, reflect Jesus.”
That seems more prudent. More wholesome. That way, whenever someone does step out of line, should they ever, it will not be a woman’s fault or society’s healthy understanding of social interactions’ fault.
Every woman we meet, no matter the situation, deserves to see Christ reflected in us. And this does not mean we proselytize or evangelize every woman we meet, say, a woman stopping by a vending machine for grape soda only to have Mr. Jenkins show up to ask her if she has sipped from the fountain of life yet or not.
No. That’s creepy.
It means we reflect Christ’s integrity in every interaction. We befriend, we respect, we listen, we learn, and we… well… we act like normal people. There’s no need to sexualize everything in the world, conversations with co-workers, colleagues, classmates, and strangers of the opposite sex.
If you’re afraid that any or most interactions with a member of the opposite sex will devolve into a sexual act, then, my friend, the issue here is within your heart, not with socially acceptable interactions and meetings between two people of the opposite sex.
You need professional counseling and spiritual advice to help you determine why you see women (or men) as sexual objects to be perverted and abused by you. From there, professionals will guide you further toward recovery.
And we must, at all costs, as Dr. Diane Langberg states, combat the notion that we must return flawed characters to power. We must strive and strain to hold wrongs and sins accountable in hopes of restoring that person to fellowship, not power.
We’re often plagued by this lust for power and results that once our most talented advocate succumbs to a scandal we want nothing more than to see them forgiven, celebrated, and restored to their position of mass production. It’s the temptation of the evangelical industrial complex.
But that is unbiblical and to be honest, it fails to bring that person to a state of true repentance and change. They’re just re-platformed and given a new license through which they will abuse and tarnish the sheep again.
In all, allow Christ to be in your heart and mind when with friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Do not, under any circumstance, use that situation as an excuse to compromise your morals, ethics, and faith, for the sake of fleeting passions, only to then blame a substance or a woman for your very personal and spiritually compromised decisions.
“Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1–2
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. — Proverbs 31:8 NLT


Getting involved in the Christian Peoples Alliance
The Christian Peoples Alliance was the first modern British party to adopt a consciously Christian identity in the tradition of European Christian Democracy. In 2002 Cllr Alan Craig made history by becoming the first person to be elected as a Christian Democrat in a principle UK local authority. Federal President David Campanale explains:
- why become involved in a Christian political party;
- the organisation and policy of the CPA;
- electoral strategies and successes;
- partnerships and relationships with other parties.
PDF download, A4, 5 pages
Credits & Copyright
- SUSA - the video
- Biblical, missional, and possible
- Susa booklet 'A City on a Hill'
- One Nation but Two Cities - Christianity and the Conservative Party
- Prayer resources
- World's smallest political quiz
- SUSA individual resources manual
- Building Jerusalem? - Christianity and the Labour Party
"You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time."


The Philippines is not just known for its prolonged celebration of Christmas, which starts as early as the month of September. The country also happens to have long-living traditions during the Christmas season - one of which is the famous Simbang Gabi.
Misa de Gallo (Mass of the rooster) as also mostly known, are pre-dawn or night masses in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It begins 16th of December, the 15th for the evening masses, and ends on the 24th. A tradition where Filipino Catholics are bound by their faith and gather together. But what are the things one must know about such a famous and rich tradition?
An advent to honor the newborn Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary
Simbang Gabi is more than just a practice that is needed to be celebrated yearly. It is, most importantly, a spiritual preparation for Christmas that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic church dedicates these nine masses to honor the Virgin Mary. But as time passes by, and as the church also evolved, Pope Sixtus V has added additional intentions of the mass, these are:
- Glorifying Holy Mother Church
- Having the True Faith of the newly baptized natives preserved and;
- Spreading the Holy Catholic Faith
Moreover, the most important intention of the mass is by allowing the Filipinos to reflect on the challenges that they encountered in the past year, allocate time to invoke a peaceful nation and give gratitude to all the blessings they acquired during the whole year.
Simbang Gabi in a Pre-modern Era
Simbang gabi during the olden days is far way more different from how we practiced it today. This long-lived custom was first introduced and brought by the Spanish friars from Mexico into the country. The initial purpose of such an early time is to allow the masses, especially the farmers, to hear mass before going into the fields early in the morning.
The church bells start ringing as early as three o’clock to wake the people in the community for them to get ready. Some records say that parish priest would personally knock on doors to gather people. In urban areas, on the other hand, a brass band will play some Christmas music - so if such practice is still alive, then solemn music at an early time is great to start the day, or a priest knocking every condo in the Philippines will probably take effort to do.
Why is it banned for 9 years?
It was an unknown fact that Simbang Gabi was once banned in the country, along with other nations like Spain and Mexico, during the 1600s. Manila Archbishop Felipe Pardo implemented the Vatican decree disallowing the staging of the mass. This prevented Filipinos from attending the Simbang Gabi at that time. The reason for the banning is to prevent choirs and churchgoers from singing Christmas songs in their own languages as it is deemed to be perverse. The discontinuation also suppressed the mass services.
The ban lasted nine years, from 1680 to 1689. The tradition then continued after the death of Archbishop Pardo. The reason for banning is kind of shallow and is petty, but given the strict and conservative era of such times makes the decision unsurprising.
Completing the 9 masses for wishes to come true
It is not only the Misa de Gallo a tradition in itself, there are also numerous beliefs that became long-lasting. Another reason why Filipinos are so invested in attending and completing the nine masses, either in the dawn or in the evening, is because of the belief that wishes will come true if one completes them.
Although the church strongly condemns this reason, saying that simbang gabi is more than just that, people still have such an inevitable faith. After all, there is nothing wrong with that belief. What matters the most is that Filipinos share the same faith and are bound with such spiritual beliefs. It is a yearly historic moment where people in all forms of life gather to celebrate as one. This reflects a peaceful and wholesome Christmas season. Also, if one happens to live in a ready for occupancy condo that is so close to churches, attending the Misa de Gallo will be a perfect way to start a new tradition.
How is it celebrated today?
With the modernization of the Catholic church and the undeniable trends constantly happening, simbang gabi also had changes in order for the tradition to survive.
One salient change is that churches allowed an evening mass. This caters to those who cannot attend the pre-dawn masses like young professionals, students, and the workforce who work up until early in the morning.
The religious architecture also became more decorated compared to the old days when it is just like a normal mass. Today one can feel the distinction of attending a normal mass and a simbang gabi - thanks to the instagrammable Christmas displays inside and outside the churches.
Manila is a city full of heritage and culture. It can be seen with various Hispanic churches like the Quiapo Church, Sta. Ana Church, Malate Church, San Agustin Church, the Manila Cathedral, and many more. Staying in a condo in Manila will definitely give the best simbang gabi experience and a convenient condo living (it's the capital city after all!).
878 España by Vista Residences, a ready for occupancy condo in Manilla, is the ideal destination for condo living and for those who plan to complete simbang gabi with the presence of nearby churches to choose from. This vertical community is known for its friendly neighborhood that upgrades one’s condo living experience and active lifestyle, making it comfortable and fun.
Tradition beyond the celebration
Aside from the instagrammable displays and fulfillment of wishes, the aroma of smoking delicacies awaits the people once they step out the doorsteps of the church. It is a tradition wherein every simbang gabi there should be treats like bibingka, puto, puto bungbong, suman, and pandesal which definitely excites every church goer. As a matter of fact, even such delicacies already evolved through time like adding toppings, fillings, and various flavors. The warmth of Filipino Christmas, added by these smoking and freshly cooked treats compliments the cold breeze of air during the dawn.
The Christmas spirit is truly alive most especially for the Filipinos with these preserved cultures that deserve to be taken care of for future generations.
If you are thinking of moving into a new condominium, check out Vista Residences!
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations and developed business districts.
At Vista Residences, unit owners can take advantage of the property’s centrality. The properties of Vista Residences are strategically located near the country’s premium universities and CBDs, making them an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.


"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil .4:13
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Episode 3: Race Critical Consciousness – Asian/Asian North American
March 01, 2020
The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts scholars of the Asian Diaspora for a conversation in the third episode of Dialogue On Teaching. This episode’s guests include Dr. Susan Abraham (Pacific School of Religion), Dr. Boyung Lee (Iliff School of Theology), Dr. Roger Nam (Portland Seminary), Dr. Sharon Tan (Eden Theological Seminary), Dr. Mai-Anh Le Tran (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary), and Dr. Tat-siong Benny Liew (College of the Holy Cross).


Organization of religious tours
At Forocio we have over 20 years of experience organizing customized religious tours in Spain and Europe.
During this time we have organized pilgrimages attending the call of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, we have visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, we have followed the footsteps of the Old or New Saints (Saint Teresa of Avila, St. Francis of Assisi , San Juan Vianney , etc. ) and have attended the events organized by the Church as the World Youth Day or World Meeting of Families, always offering an unforgettable and spiritual experience. In addition, as active members of the Church, we live and enjoy these experiences as participants.


PARK RIDGE, N.J. – First Congregational Church of Park Ridge member Ray Hutchison received the Park Ridge Service Award at Tuesday’s town hall meeting at borough hall.
Hutchison was nominated by the church for his work as chairman of the property team. He was responsible for the installation of a new kitchen in the church parsonage, the commission of a community garden on the church property and had various work parties to repair and maintain the rooms in the church.
Hutchison also is a volunteer fireman for the Montvale Fire Department and a past Cub Scout leader.
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Stand Fast in the Lord (Philippians 3:20-4:1)Rev. Christopher Lensch, August 7, 2016
2016 Synod - Stand Fast series
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (ESV)


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The Bible says “Don’t be afraid.” But sometimes anxious thoughts and feelings seem to overtake your heart and mind even when you don’t want them to. There are plenty of helpful scriptures for overcoming fear and anxiety. Cooperating with God to overcome worry will involve many things; caring for your physical health, optimizing your lifestyle, learning to take charge of your thoughts, and practicing standing firmly on God’s side in the controversy between good and evil.
And without question one of the most powerful tools you can use in this journey is God’s Word. Here are some scriptures for overcoming fear and anxiety to put in your mind and heart, with some brief commentary. Meditate on these Scriptures, and your mind and emotions will become freer and more positive. There are plentiful bible verses about being scared.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV
Fear is a natural human reaction to a variety of situations, but it is not a gift from God. You can tell when you’re afraid that it’s not God speaking. God has promised you a mind that is clear, strong, and capable of dealing with everything He allows into your life. Today, you can claim that sound mind. This verse is undoubtedly one of the most important bible verses about not being afraid when you feel alone.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6 MEV
Anxiety is the most frequent human mental health issue, but you don’t have to stay there as a believer. This is in God’s hands! His shoulders are broad enough to hold whatever you require. Most of your worries are unchangeable, so why not put them in the hands of the One who can provide whatever you require?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34, NIV
We can’t see into the future, and the uncertainty can be frightening. Keep your primary attention on what God has called you to perform today rather than ruminating on matters over which you have no control. When you arrive tomorrow, everything will be ready for you because God, who resides beyond time, will have already arrived. All of your tomorrows are in His capable hands.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 MEV
Hundreds of “Fear Not” admonitions can be found throughout the Bible. God must have foreseen that we, as humans, would want such a reminder! Would you be terrified if Jesus stood right in front of you? He has sworn to constantly remain by your side. He is present with you now, just as if you could see Him with your physical eyes. There’s no need to be concerned.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
The Greek word for “cast” is quite descriptive. It’s the same word that the disciples used to describe how they flung their cloaks over the donkey Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on. (19:35) (Luke 19:35) (Luke 19:35). That’s what you should do with your anxiety right now. If required, write your concerns on a piece of paper and then throw it in a river or leave it at your church’s altar. This physical act represents casting all of your troubles on Jesus and letting them go.
“Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 MEV
Fear and worry can keep your head whirling and upset while you’re trying to make a critical decision. Is there a place, even if it’s a small one, where you sense a sliver of God’s peace? What decision would you make if you were in that situation? That sort of thinking can help you quit worrying about things you can’t control or what others might think. It will assist you in moving away from fear and worry and toward deliberate action.
Summing It Up…
“Fear not…” is a recurring lesson in the Bible, because we are prone to forgetfulness and sometimes try to predict the future before it occurs… resulting in a great deal of tension and fear. We can trust God as our good Father, as Jesus tells us. He is going to battle for us. He will safeguard and cover us. He will provide peace to our minds and hearts. All he asks is that we look away from our worries and toward Him.


Luke 4:18, ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
TSPI’s Discipleship Program was designed to help TSPI MBAI members grow and deepen their relationship with God and their fellow brethren. It encourages TSPI MBAI members to become passionate followers of Christ and have strong commitment to building health relationship with a Christ-like approach as revealed in the scriptures
This program also aims to:
- Usher TSPI MBAI members to know Christ and give them an opportunity to accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
- To help members in their spiritual growth for them to develop into being more like Christ.
- To aid members to be a beacon of love, peace, joy and hope by sharing the Gospel with their families, co-members, communities, etc.
The Discipleship Program is an interactive sharing among TSPI MBAI members on Bible based principles. The activity is conducted during weekly center meetings and facilitated by the TSPI NGO Account Officer or TSPI MBAI Insurance Officer. TSPI MBAI members uses Usapang Paglago kay Kristo (UPK) materials as guide during their weekly meetings. The weekly sessions run for 30 minutes with topics focusing on Spiritual Disciplines, Family Matters, Stewardship, Voter’s Education etc.
To date, there are more than 11,000 members who have journeyed with us as we expand our Discipleship program to “conquer” the communities for Christ and give back all the Glory to God alone!
We were also able to spread the Good News to more communities with the establishment of the Sambayanihan Centers where we conduct our weekly Usapang Paglago kay Kristo. As of June 2022, we now serve 54 communities and our goal is to be present in all 120 branches of TSPI.


Guide on Christian SEO Company
For your church website to be successful, then there is need to be consistent in finding a way to rank it. There is need to ensure that you achieve the desired traffic for the people visiting your church website. It is recommended that there is need to find the best church websites company. You will realize that a Christian SEO company will offer different services. It is paramount to learn that churches are nonprofit organizations and for this reason, you will realize that the churches aim at spreading the message. Since the churches are nonprofit organizations, most of them don’t have a website.
You will realize that the church websites are colorful and they have messages, gospel and even gospel songs. For the Christian website, then it is recommended that you need to include the keywords church to ensure that it appears in the search engine results. After hiring the Christian SEO company, you will realize that they will conduct a search on the words that are mostly used. In addition, they will use the words in your content to ensure that it appears first when a person is on the search engine. This helps to generate traffic ad make the church visible to help spread the message. For more facts about SEO, visit this website at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF515-0Tduk
Since there are many websites that are on the internet, then it is advisable there is need to hire Christian SEO services. An expert Christian SEO consultant will ensure that it brings a higher position for your websites. It is important to learn that SEO services usually vary from the various companies that offer them. For this reason, there is need to ensure that you hire a Christian SEO company that offers article distribution, social media marketing and even directory marketing, among others. Choosing a Christian SEO company that has many services will ensure that they are able to drive more traffic hence your visibility is increased. See the Church SEO Videos: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions today!
There is need to always have room for improvements and this is to ensure that you good rankings with the church website. You will realize that your website might be having complications and there is need to consider hiring a Christian SEO company to ensure it is made better. You will realize that your website has good content, then there will be many visits. In addition, you need to consider linking your website with other church websites. This will, in return, offer a better search engine ranking.


Here’s a super easy wooden holy family craft to add to a Nativity Display and other Christmas Decorations. (First published December 6, 2016; this post is updated and republished to improve the content.)
Add a touch of magic to your Christmas decorations with this simple wooden holy family nativity craft for kids and adults. Make this easy DIY holy family craft to display in a Nativity Scene with your Christmas home decor this season. Wooden peg dolls make creating this simple Christmas nativity craft super easy!
Easy DIY Holy Family Craft for Christmas
This easy Christmas nativity scene craft requires a few wooden peg dolls, a walnut, and a scrap of fabric. My family is lucky to live across the street from an almond and walnut orchard. There are always strays that don’t get picked up by the harvesting equipment.
So they don’t go to waste, the farm owner has told us that we are welcome to pick up and take any stray walnuts we find after harvest. Of course, we are happy to help. So, my daughter and I decided to make a few crafts with them to share with you.
After we finished our simple stone advent calendar and craft stick nativity stable, we decided to make a minimalist nativity scene to go with it. And we think placing baby Jesus in a walnut half-shell is the perfect way to complete this easy Christmas nativity scene.
How to Make Baby Jesus Craft for DIY Holy Family
There are two ways to make the Baby Jesus craft for the nativity scene, depending on your available supplies and how you will use them. If you want to make Baby Jesus with a small wooden peg doll, as shown in the photographs for this post, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
If, however, you want to learn how to make a Baby Jesus craft with a wooden bead instead of a wooden peg doll, click the link to read the DIY tutorial. It shares how to make a Baby Jesus Ornament in a half-walnut shell with a wooden bead. Skip the step of adding a twine hanger if you won’t be hanging it as a Christmas ornament.
Or make one without the hanger for your Christmas Nativity Scene and several more with the hanger to hang on the Christmas tree. You might also enjoy these DIY Christmas Ornaments for kids and adults.
DIY Wooden Holy Family Craft Supplies
- Wooden peg dolls
- 1/2 walnut shell (you might need a walnut cracker or walnut opener)
- Scrap of Ivory or brown burlap
- Glue gun with glue sticks
The wooden peg doll set recommended on the list above contains enough peg dolls to make this holy family craft, peg doll elf ornaments, rainbow peg dolls, and winter fairy peg dolls! The rainbow peg dolls and winter fairies make great gift ideas for the kids.
Safety note: Glue guns are hot and dangerous tools. When using a glue gun, children should always be under direct supervision.
How to Make a Wooden Holy Family for a Nativity Scene
Please read through the step-by-step instructions to make wooden holy family crafts before getting started so you know the steps involved and what to expect.
1. Crack Walnuts for the Baby Jesus Craft
- Follow the easy walnut cracking instructions HERE to get two usable halves for your Baby Jesus crafts. (The walnut cracking tutorial has a DIY video tutorial to make it easy to learn how to crack a walnut to get two whole, usable halves for Baby Jesus crafts.)
- Or, pass the walnut cracking off on the kids. Cracking walnuts is an excellent hand-strengthening activity.
HOW TO CRACK WALNUTS FOR Baby Jesus WALNUT CRAFTS
- My daughter loves cracking and eating walnuts, so the first time we made Baby Jesus crafts, I placed a bowl of walnuts in front of her and let her have it. When she was finished, she had a tummy full of walnuts, a pile of shells, and a handful of useable halves.
- If you try this option, just be sure to leave a few walnuts aside in case the kids don’t have any useable halves to make crafts with when they are finished. You can always use this walnut-cracking tutorial to crack the walnuts you left aside into useable halves for the Baby Jesus crafts.
2. Cut burlap squares (Or Another Fabric)
- You will need one square or triangle of burlap (or another type of fabric) approximately three by three inches.
- Ensure each fabric scrap is big enough to swaddle the tiny baby Jesus peg doll for each walnut half.
- In the photo below, you can see my daughter cutting a square of burlap from a burlap scrap from the remains of a sewing project, but any fabric scrap large enough will work!
3. Swadle or Wrap a Small Baby Peg Doll in Burlap Or Other Fabric.
- Wrap up the most petite wooden peg doll from THIS SET (or use THESE baby peg dolls with rounded edges) in burlap or another fabric scrap.
- We tried this a few times in a few different ways using different types of fabric scraps, and they all worked perfectly.
- All you need to do is swaddle the wooden peg doll in burlap or another fabric and glue it down using a glue gun in any way that works.
- It doesn’t need to look pretty because you will shove the swaddled baby wooden peg doll into a half-walnut shell, messy side down, to complete the Baby Jesus craft.
- You can see an example of how we wrapped one of our Baby Jesus crafts in the photo below.
- Once again, if you want to learn how to make this craft with a wooden bead instead of a peg doll, look at the directions to make Walnut Shell Manger Christmas Ornaments.
4. Glue Baby Jesus into the Half Walnut Shell
- First, add a big dollop of glue to the inside of the 1/2 walnut shell.
- Next, place the swaddled Baby Jesus craft into the walnut shell before the glue begins to dry.
- Put the fabric-wrapped peg doll into the half-walnut shell and tuck the ends of the fabric into the walnut shell.
- Please ensure children are taught how to safely handle a glue gun before inviting them to help make this peg doll baby Jesus in a walnut shell manger.
- I held the walnut shell for my daughter, so adding glue to the baby Jesus was easier for her.
5. Add a Peg Doll Couple to Represent Mary and Joesph to the Holy Family DIY
- To complete this easy wooden peg doll holy family craft, select a peg doll couple to represent Mary and Joseph.
- Leave them in natural, raw, unfinished wooden form as shown in the photographs, or decorate them however you wish.
- Put Mary on the left and Joseph on the right.
- Next, place the baby Jesus in a walnut shell manger with Mary and Joseph so that he sits in front of and between them so Mary sits to the left of Baby Jesus’ right hand.
6. Display the Wooden Holy Family Craft in a Nativity Scene (optional).
- Set up a Nativity Scene Christmas Display. (Click the link to learn how.)
- We also made a nativity stable craft with popsicle sticks to display with our DIY wooden holy family in our homemade Nativity Scene.
- You might also enjoy making a stone advent calendar or an advent spiral to go with it. (Click on the links to see all the fun pictures and learn how to make your own!)
Easy DIY Holy Family Christmas Craft for Kids and Adults
Add this beautiful, easy DIY wooden holy family craft made with wooden peg dolls to your Christmas craft list this holiday season. Both kids and adults will enjoy this easy Christmas nativity craft!


This was such a great week. We are teaching the cutest family and
I just love them so much but they need to come to church and so far
no luck. We will keep working with them. Well this week i ate liver
for the first time and I also ate some meat with little hairs in it still...
YUMMY.... And this week we are having cow tail, I will let you know
how that goes. We had a great meeting about bringing others to
Christ... Made me want to work even harder, it is just that important.
I am about to finish the book of Mormon again, I truly love the
scriptures and I love this gospel!!!
have a great week and I love you all so much :)


I’m taking care of the pets while my parents are out of town, and my mother’s list of instructions for the dog features the line, “Hot dogs are rewards for pooping.”
Gertrude de Nivelles (circa 621-659)
Art by Ohthirdplanet (tumblr)
After the death of Gertrude’s father Pepin of Laden in 640, Gertrude’s mother Itta founded a Benedictine monastery in Nivelles, a town in present day Belgium. According to some sources, Gertrude wanted to take religious orders from a young age. Other accounts suggest Itta built the convent to protect her youngest daughter from the political instability of the region at the time. Abbesses held great power in medieval Europe and their lands were generally safe from seizure.
Itta and Gertrude monastery’s housed nuns and monks in neighboring buildings. It was part of the growth of monastic life in seventh and eighth century Europe. Itta ran the monastery until her death in 650, after which point Gertrude took control. As abbesses, Gertrude built an extensive library and her monastery became known as a center for knowledge.
Gertrude died in 659 and although she was never formally canonized, Pope Clement XII declared March 17 her universal feast day. Gertrude is the patron saint for traveler and cats and the patron saint against rats and mice.
"Abbesses held great power in medieval Europe and their lands were generally safe from seizure" SO COOL.
"Don’t you lift him—let him drown alive,
The good Lord speaks like a rolling thunder.
Let that fever make the water rise,
And let that river run dry.”
My favorite kind of music is the kind that makes me feel like I’m walking away from a burning building in slow motion.


“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Num 6:24-26 (New International Version)
“Lights, Camera Action!” The tape was rolling as I confidently fired away in glowing tones, passionately expressing my concepts on Positive Thinking. Then my thoughts were disturbed by the cold words of the director, “Cut!! Her face is shining!” The make-up crew rushed onto the set, powdering and wiping my face, so as to rid me of the shine. It was then I learnt that a shining face is not a welcoming attribute, when you are on camera.
However, on New Year’s Eve, as I sat in church, being inspired by the sermon done by my favorite pastor, the concept of a shining face took on a new and positive flare.
In his closing remarks the pastor proposed for us the same wish that Moses proclaimed for the children of Israel, encouraging us to ‘Keep God’s face shining’:
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
It took just a few moments for the enormity of that challenge to sink in, the realization that God’s face was always on me was not very comfortable. To make matters worst it was shining on me, illuminating my being.
It’s all right to have God’s undivided attention when you are in need of His provisions, protection and assistance, but what of the off times? Repeatedly being on camera, made me acutely aware of how careful one needs to be when the lights are on you. At such times, you must profile your best words, actions and poise for as long as the lights shine on you, then breathe a sigh of relief when they are off and you can be yourself again.
However, with God, the lights never stop shining! That can be frightening; there is no off time. So herein lays the challenge, Can I be constantly on my best behavior? The challenge intensifies when I recall that not even my thoughts are hidden from him.
Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought.
(1 Chron 28:9 TLB)
It is not only what I do that is on display to Him, but more so ,who I am at the core.
I was almost washed away in despair until I pondered the remaining portion of the wish, “the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Is it really possible to be under God’s unswerving scrutiny and be at peace? It is possible, only because He gives you His peace.
- His peace reminds us that it is by His power that we can be good. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil 2:13 NLT)
- His peace reminds us that if we err, he will always forgive; “But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (1 John 1:9 TLB)
- His peace reminds us that he will direct our every move if we allow him; “…you will hear a Voice behind you say, “No, this is the way; walk here.” (Isa 30:21-22TLB)
So I embraced my pastor’s closing wish, not with anxiety as often accompanies an impossible challenge but with excitement and anticipation. I am excited that God never turns His face away from me and I anticipate the drama that lies ahead in the power of his enabling peace that perpetually shines on me. So, confidently I say, “Camera, lights, Action, let the show begin!”
©copyright Patrice Williams-Gordon


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Parts Two and Three
April 9, 2017, 3:00pm
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
This year, for the first time in about 25 years, we did not host our traditional holiday Sing-along of the Christmas Part of Handel’s Messiah. Instead, we produced “God Bless Us Everyone,” a semi-staged version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, intertwined with a beautiful selection of carols by John Rutter and his contemporaries at King’s College. “God Bless Us Everyone” was a great success, but we heard from many of you that you missed the annual Messiah Sing and hope it will return. We promise that it will be part of our next season. In the meantime, we decided to make amends by hosting a Spring Messiah Sing-Along, covering the sections of Messiah that deal with the Passion and Redemption of Christ (Parts 2 and 3). Fittingly, we are inviting you to join us on Palm Sunday, April 9th, as we all read through this magnificent music.
The Sing-Aong will take place at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (here is a map) at 3:00pm in the afternoon. BCS Music Director Gerald Sousa will conduct, and Charles (“Chuck”) Prestinari, organist and choirmaster at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, and a Lecturer in Collaborative Piano at the Jacobs School, will play the score with us on the Sanborn tracker organ in the St. Mark’s sanctuary.
We invite everyone to come out and participate in this FREE event. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the 2017 Interfaith CommUNITY Habitat for Humanity Build. Singers should bring their own scores; a limited number will be available for purchase or loan at the door. Everyone who wishes to sing can join us for the many choruses; soloists chosen from BCS will sing the recitatives and the arias.
So come out and sing, or come and listen as we begin a new community tradition–a Spring Messiah Sing.


"For everything there is a season..." There are seasons in our lives that can only be viewed from the lens of retirement.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Eye Upon the Sparrow
June 21, 2008
In the reading from Jeremiah today is a passage that many preachers identify with. The translation as it was read this morning is a bit more elegant that the Hebrew actually intends. The word enticed really has a more earthy sense to it. It would be better translated seduced. Jeremiah feels that he has been seduced into being a prophet by God. He has had to proclaim the doom that God will bring down on Judah to the scorn of those who laugh at him. Jeremiah in this passage laments his lot. He complains that he has to cry out to the people that the Babylonians will come and take Judah captive, but he cannot do otherwise. He tries to keep silent, but the truth burns in him until it must come out.
I understand Jeremiah’s lament. I know what it means to be seduced by God’s truth and love and to almost naively point out flaws or lack of integrity. Folks do not really like whistle blowers. The majority of folks do not appreciate those who find the chinks in the constructs of their businesses, political systems, organizations or churches. We like our world to be comfortable. And even though it doesn’t work quite the way that we want, we are willing to put up with the chinks if we don’t have to look at them too hard.
When I was a child living in Jim Crow South, there were two different colored water fountains in stores—one for white folks and one for “colored people”. For most white folks in Ft. Worth, those 2 drinking fountains were just part of the construction of society. For me, even when I was young, those 2 drinking fountains were signs that there was something radically wrong with society. Even as an 8 year old, I would drink from the “colored” fountain much to my mother’s embarrassment. As I grew older, that construct of society became more and more a sign of what was wrong about my society rather than something that I could ignore. I got kicked out of a high school history class because I was not outraged that white women didn’t get to vote before black men did. My radically southern and bigoted world history teacher was horrified that I might believe that black folk should be equal. After all she was a good Christian woman who went to church every Sunday! Something burned in me—it was not just orneriness. It wasn’t just a matter of being different. Something inside of me claimed a priority of Truth with a capital T.
Truth is a mysterious thing. We sometimes think that we know the truth of something because we recognize the facts about something. But the kind of Truth that Jeremiah had to deal with—the kind of proclamation that he had to make was not something that he could explain. It was something that burned inside of him. It allowed him to speak the truth that no one wanted to hear—that the leaders of his country were selling his nation down the primrose path. He had to proclaim like Jonah that if the people of Judah continued in the path that it would be to their destruction. He could not be silent even when he wanted to be.
One of the major criticisms of mainline Protestantism these days by the younger generations is that we don’t practice what we preach. We preach love and kindness, but often time our churches quarrel viciously. We say we are welcoming and big happy family, but we tend to include only those who look or act like us. I am not talking of St. Luke’s or even the Lutheran Church. But I am quoting what I am hearing from surveys of the 40 and younger crowd by various organizations about mainline churches throughout the country.
Part of the problem is that we are not familiarizing young people with what Truth is. We are not teaching people of all ages that what is honest is part of their own relationship with God. When we are baptized we enter into God’s understanding, God’s holiness and we will forever struggle with what is Truth, what is Holy, what is Right.
In today’s Gospel reading we hear those words that give us all pause:
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household.
Jesus understood the call to integrity. He knew the call to be a whistle blower in the name of God. Jesus knew his disciples when they went out to spread the Gospel would not have to know exactly what to say or how to preach. But he did know that if they could be true to the voice inside them—be true to what was honest and true, that they would serve God as did he, as had Jeremiah, as had Moses or whatever saint that had preceded them.
We have all been seduced into believing that we can walk the Christian path simply by being good. But that is not what Jesus teaches us in this passage. Sometimes we have to color outside the lines. Sometimes we have to step outside of what is acceptable behavior to follow the Lord of Life. We must demand of ourselves a willingness to pay attention to the holiness that God has opened up within us. We have to be willing to not accept a lesser form of living than the integrity that Christ holds out to us.
For those of us who have embraced Christianity we must be willing to practice what we preach—we must be willing to look at how we respond to the Truth we find within us and how we live it out in out lives. The cost of discipleship can be severe. It may mean rejection by those we love the most. Peer pressure is not just a phenomenon of the young, you know. Peer pressure is “keeping up with the Jones”, “being part of the team”, “fitting in”, “go along to get along” or “just being one of the guys.” It is as much a problem for adults as it is for kids.
Paul reminds us in Romans that in our baptism we have died to all that is not of God. We have been renewed by God’s love in baptism. We have opened that space so that we can know what Truth is and we can live in the promise of that baptism here and now. Yes, it may cost us, but the reality of God’s promise is much greater.
I serve here at St. Luke’s because I spoke the Truth to my bishop. He did not like the Truth that I spoke and has forbidden me work in my own church. The cost of that truth telling almost broke my heart. And the loss of access to my beloved denominational home is painful to me still.
At the same time, God has called me here. God has opened new truths to me in a way that I could not have imagined 10 months ago. God has promised that his eye is on the sparrow. We need not fear what comes from being a disciple. The Gospel is the promise of new life every day—it may not be the life you were planning, but it is the life of living with integrity the life that God has given us in baptism.
I would charge you to look at the places in your lives where you are just “fitting in”. I would invite you to challenge yourselves to live the lives that God has opened for you in your baptism—lives that are drawn to the Truth that resonates within you. And I would invite you to live those lives with integrity, boldness and love. Our world needs to hear that Truth —the truth of our beings, the truth of our baptism, the truth of the Gospel. AMEN
Posted by Muthah+ at 6/21/2008 06:17:00 PM
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Bible Study, Nursery .
Victor Valley Bible Church was established in 1981, in Victorville, CA - San Bernardino County and is a business listed in the categories Bible Church, Pentecostal Churches, Independent Church, Churches, Independent Fundamentalist, Churches, Pentecostal, Churches Bible, Church & Religious Associations & Organizations, Churches Independent and Churches Pentecostal.
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15028 Seventh St Ste 6
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We are still waiting for callings in our new ward. Another couple moved in the same week as us, if not later, and they already have callings. We do have a speaking assignment for the last week of August. I'm glad they gave us so much time to prepare but I fear I will most likely wait until the last minute anyway. I don't know why I think that, but I know myself pretty well.
This month is going to be very exciting! This Saturday, my nephew, Tayen, is getting baptized! Then the next day, my cousin is giving his homecoming talk. He is a stud and I can't wait to see him! He served in the same mission as Glen so they may have some families and areas in common that they will need to discuss. Then, of course, the next Sunday, we are speaking in church. Hopefully by then we will have callings.
8-yr old nephew Tayen.
My cousin, Chas, with his eldest brother, Justin, on his way home to Mesa, AZ!
In the meantime, we are reminded each Sunday of how awesome our ward in Cedar is. We miss it. We had friends and people who cared about us. Although, the bishop here did call Glen on his way to the church to see if he wanted to go practice the organ which was extremely thoughtful. We were touched. And we are often reminded of the beauty and weather of our beloved Cedar City. It's hot here. The end.


GFA World is seeking caring individuals who are committed to serving as behind-the-scenes missionaries at our US Headquarters in Wills Point, TX. Our staff members fulfil a vital role in supporting the work on the field in Asia and Africa. We hope God is calling you to this unique opportunity to put your talents to use in a Christ-focused ministry with an enormous eternal impact. Those who serve here don't see this as a job; they see this as a calling!
As a behind-the-scenes missionary, you will:
Think back to the men and women God has used throughout history to do great things for His name. Behind each one, you will find dedicated individuals who labored alongside, prayed for, or financially supported their cause. God is powerfully moving through GFA-supported workers in Asia and Africa, who are ministering to some of the neediest people in the world.
“Everyone who does ministry understands the critical importance of logistical and administrative support. The less visible jobs should have no less honor and support in the church (to make reference to 1 Cor. 12). When we all do our part, the unity of the body is complete. I am happy to support those who support. It is an honor to be a servant of God’s servants.”
—Fred and Janet, from Iowa
*** Please Note ***
All full-time staff members are considered behind-the-scenes missionaries and, as such, are expected to raise financial support, which enables GFA to provide more resources for the work on the mission field. We will provide training, guidance, and coaching on how to raise financial and prayer support for your very own mission support team. There are exceptions to this policy, and those will be considered on a case-by-case basis. May the Lord give you His guidance and wisdom. You can learn more about being a behind-the-scenes missionary on staff here: https://www.gfa.org/mission-support-team/
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Biblical Discipleship - Chapter 3
Sin and Change
When we act naturally, as a result of the selfish nature with which we are born. We inevitably sin and displease God (Rom. 3 v 23). Sin not only displeases God, but also separates the people he created from the glory he intends for them. See also (psalm 51 v 5).
Some consequences of sin:
It grieves God = (Gen. 6 v 5 — 7).
It brings guilt = (Psalm 51 v 3 — 4).
It brings separation from God = (Isaiah 59 v 1 — 2).
It brings judgement and everlasting punishment = (Mt. 25 v 46).
It enslaves = (Rom. 6 v 17).
It causes spiritual blindness = (2 Cor. 4 v 4).
It causes spiritual death = (Eph. 2 v 1).
It brings lack of hope = (Eph. 2 v 12).
It corrupts = (Titus 1 v 15).
It condemns = (James 5 v 12).
Four main types of sin and their biblical names:
1. Deviation from a norm or standard
Chatag: to miss the mark or go wrong (Judges 20 v 16).
Pasha: Trespass (Psalm 51 v 4).
Avah: to bend or pervert i.e. to deliberately do what is wrong (Job 33 v 27).
Shagah: to go astray (Job 19 v 4; Lev. 4 v 13).
Parabasis: swerving from a straight line i.e. stepping over a boundary. (Rom. 4 v 15 = Gal. 3 v 19).
Hamartia: to miss the mark (Mt. 1 v 21; Rom. 6 v 23).
Paraptoma: to trespass or fall off a path (Col. 2 v 13; Eph. 2 v 13).
2. Description of a state: (it is a fixed state in which men are trapped)
Rasha: often translated wicked or ungodly (Psalm 1 v 6; Psalm 37 v 28).
Asham: to offend or be guilty Gen 26 v 10; Lev. 5 v 15 - 16).
3. Deliberate rebellion: (this is a state where people think they can do without God i.e. pride)
Persha to shake the fist at God (Isaiah 1 v 2; 1 Kings 12 v 19).
Anomia: N. T. Lawlessness or rebellion (2 Cor. 6 v 14; 1 Jn. 3 v 4).
4.Devious: actions or attitudes:
Marah: rebellious or stubborn (Psalm 78 v 8).
Marad: to rebel (Num. 14 v 9).
Ra‘ah: to be evil or bad (Gen. 19 v 7).
The very idea of sin carries with it the reality of something that has been lost, diverted or broken.
The Ten Commandments: God‘s detectives!
It is important that we realize, that many people today believe they are going to heaven (both Christian and non-Christian) because they have followed the commandments. If we examine ourselves, I doubt very much that anyone has attained this?
(Hebrews 7 v 19) For the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (Jesus) Any one, who believes they have done no wrong, deludes themselves and calls God a liar. (Rom 3 v 23) We cannot be saved by the commandments, if we could Jesus would not have had to die (Rom 3 v 21 - 22). So what are the Ten Commandments therefore?
(Rom 3 v 20); Tells us that by them we will become conscious of sin, in other words they are God‘s guide lines (our boundaries) without them we would not know or recognize sin. (Rom. 7 v 7). They are God‘s detectives (Rom. 3 v 19) Say‘s• that the whole world will be held accountable to God. 20, therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law. (James 1 v 24 — 25) Here James describes the Ten Commandments as a mirror; dare we take a look at ourselves?
Four of the Commandments:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (2 Cor. ch. 4; Mt. 22 v 37)
6. Thou shalt not kill (1 Jn. 3 v 14 - 15)?
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (Proverbs 6 v 16 - 19)?
10. Thou shalt not covet (desire) your neighbour's house, wife or anything belonging to your neighbour?
(Rom. 6 v 14) Not under law but under Grace, Praise the Lord. However we cannot disregard the commandments, as many today seem to (Mt. 5 v 17 - 20) but to use them to help us to recognize sin, and then to put it to death. We cannot do this naturally so we need the help of supernatural power, The Holy Spirit who will help us with the renewing of our minds (thoughts and actions) (Rom. 12 v 2).
There are many today who continue to walk in sin because of ignorance, in God's eyes this is no excuse. We need to study the word of God and pray for spiritual discernment and wisdom. It is important to understand that although the law no longer justifies us, we still need to fully understand them in order to identify our sin and confess it. God wants us to know Him, to know His will for us and, out of love for Him, be prepared to fulfil the purpose He has for us. He wants us to be a part of his kingdom and become His children.
First, our sins must be forgiven. Second, the sinful nature with which we were born must be put to death and we must be born again (Jn. 3 v 5 - 7), then we will have a new nature and be able to know God and enjoy fellowship with Him.
Questions and Discussion points:
What is the universal consequence of sin? (Isaiah 59 v 1 - 2).
Why don‘t most people recognize that they are displeasing God?
Why are God‘s commandments important?
Who is responsible for your sin? (Rom. 14 v 12).
How can we change our sinful nature?
Summary and Application
All people are born with a sinful nature. As humans our natural bias is towards things that displease God. Everybody is responsible and will be held accountable for their own sin. God the Father sent Jesus to take our sin into Himself. To avail ourselves of the work of Jesus we need to ask God to forgive us for all that we have done to displease Him and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We must be truly born again and allow The Holy Spirit to transform our sinful nature.
Key Scriptures: (Read and Meditate on)
Rom. 2 v 12 - 16;
Rom. 8 v 5 - 6;
Rom. 12 v 2;
1 Jn. 1 v 9 - 10;
Mt. 5 v 17 - 20