Thank you for applying to serve in the Worship Arts Ministry!
This application process is designed to help us learn more about your character and Spiritual maturity, as well as to make sure you understand the physical, relational, and Spiritual commitment that it takes to make this ministry happen.
It is always our goal to:
- Grow closer to Christ and mature in our understanding of God.
- Improve ourselves musically and creatively.
- Be accountable and faithful to our commitments.
We believe in the importance of our team members being actively involved in the life of this church on Sunday mornings whether serving or not. Your effort in upholding this value is appreciated.


Jesus Christ Was Born On Christmas Day Song Lyrics
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. . Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today. . "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
Christ was born on Christmas Day wreathe the holly, twine the bay; Christus natus hodie; the Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary. He is born to set us free,
Lyrics to 'Mary's Boy Child' by Christmas Carols: Long time ago in Bethlehem So the Holy Bible say Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ Was born on Christmas Day.. of Christmas Day. Song Discussions is protected by U.S. Patent 9401941.
Read or print original Mary's Boy Child lyrics 2018 updated! Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. / And man will live.
Mary's Boy Child Lyrics: Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day / And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day / Long time ago in .
International Lyrics Playground Song Lyrics From Around The World!. CHRIST WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY Christ was born on Christmas Day. He is born to set us free, He is born our Lord to be, Ex Maria Virgine, The God, the Lord , .
Mary's Boy Child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day Song Lyrics Picture.


Though our mouths were full of song as the sea,and our tongues of exultation as the multitude of its waves,and our lips of praise as the wide-extended firmament;though our eyes shone with light like the sun and the moon,and our hands were spread forth like the eagles of heaven,and our feet were swift as hinds,
we should still be unable to thank thee and bless thy name,
O Lord our God and God of our fathers, for one thousandth or one ten thousandth part of the bounties which thou has bestowed upon our fathers and upon us.
- Hebrew Prayer
For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Oh man. I think I just did this "thankful" post at Thanksgiving, but here it comes again.
I am so thankful for a family that loves and cares for me (and has not yet kicked me out....); for a best Friend who loves at all times, whose heart is wild and sweet, and whose adventures I can now live through vicariously, for my friend and love, Jordan, who has taught me the meaning of kindess and who likes me when I don't have make up on; for my sweet Katie Apple, who has taught me about His faithfulness and providence; for my sister who remains continually on my side; for my job(s); for my health; for my sisters-in-law who are total opposites but who I love the same; for my brothers, with whom I have an understanding that I could never explain; for faithful friends who pray for me without my knowing; and lastly, for chocolate chip cookies.
I love those damn things.


Have you recently taken a pregnancy test or missed a period?
You may be worried about an unplanned pregnancy. If a baby is not in your plans, you may be considering an abortion. Get all the … Read More
Hi Point Women's Center
110 North Detroit Street
PO Box 487
Bellefontaine OH 43311
Monday: 10am - 5pm
Tuesday: 12pm - 5pm
937-592-7734 (confidential line)
Pregnancy Help Center of Logan County
The Hi Point Women’s Center Inc., shares the love of Jesus Christ to at-risk individuals in the greater Logan County area. Our mission is to restore biblical values in sexuality and child-bearing, help strengthen the family unit, and honor the sanctity of human life.
We meet spiritual, educational, and material needs associated with a pregnancy or threat of abortion by empowering individuals to make positive, healthy lifestyle choices through our faith-based programs.


Original price was: $22.49.$20.49Current price is: $20.49.
Many editions of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress only have the first half, which follows the journey of Christian, written c. 1678. They omit the second part, written c. 1684, where Christian’s wife, Christiana, follows her husband. This edition, however, has both parts together as a single volume. Moreover, it contains the original illustrations by Frederick Barnard (which were engraved by the Dalziel brothers) and an index of Bible references Bunyan cited. These features allow the modern reader to experience the full weight of this classic allegory. Bunyan began writing this work while imprisoned for not obeying the state church in England. Still, Bunyan considered life’s trials to be mild compared to the prospect of eternal separation from God. He reminds us that we are only pilgrims here; our home is elsewhere. To get there, we must mind our step.
By John Bunyan


Jernved Church was built in around 1175. Photo: Charlotte Lindhardt
Ribe bisphop's church
Jernved Church is one of the region's oldest tufa churches. The church is probably dedicated to St. Nikolaj, as his relief can be found on the church bell from 1444. He protected sailors, and many churches along the coasts and rivers are devoted to him, including Vilslev and Farup and the market towns Kolding, Aabenraa and Middelfart.
The first time Jernved Church is mentioned in written sources, is about 1291 in Ribe Oldemoder, which is a list of Ribe Cathedral’s possessions. Jernved Church paid 5 skillings of silver annually to the cathedral, and in 1560 the church was placed under the bishop's revenue. Although in 1777-1778 the king and bishop disagreed on the ownership, it seems that the church belonged to Ribe Cathedral until 1867, when the residents of the parish bought it. In 1911 Jernved Church became an independent church.
The pulpit was built by Anders Katkier in 1585. Photo: Charlotte Lindhardt
The building's history
The chancel, nave and apse were built in Romanesque style around 1175. The base is granite, and the building itself was constructed in tufa imported from the Rhine area. Some corners are decorated with granite. Vilslev Church and the east wing of Ribe Cathedral are also built in tufa and in the same building style at the same time as Jernved Church.
The builder made a precise plan for its construction, and therefore the church is one of Denmark’s finest tufa churches. It has unusually high walls, and the floor plan has been laid by using a 27 cm measuring unit. The nave was built over two squares, and it is exactly twice as long as it is wide.
The tower to the west was built in bricks in around 1250-1350 and got its present appearance in the 1500s. The porch is from the latter half of the 1400s and is also built of bricks.
In 1865-1866 it underwent a major renovation. The tower's south and west sides were reinforced with facing walls. The chancel and apse had to be completely re-walled, and large parts were demolished. When it was rebuilt, the original architecture preserved, but red bricks were used instead of tufa.
The mortuary at the cemetery was built in the 1968.
The altarpiece is carved in a late Gothic style. Photo: Charlotte Lindhardt
The church’s interior
The Romanesque font in typical west Jutland style is the only original fixture.
The altarpiece from 1475-1500 is carved in late Gothic style and has Maria with the child at the centre. She is surrounded by two saints, St. Vincent and St. Laurentius and the side wings show the twelve apostles. The altarpiece has been repaired several times. In her right hand, Maria is holding a small apple, which was originally a sceptre. Moreover, St. Laurence’s grill has disappeared, and parts of the wood have been replaced with mahogany. The crucifix above the altarpiece is from about 1400-1425.
Above the dome is a large crucifix from 1300-1400s. It is special because it was designed as a copy of the style that was used in the 1200s.
The pulpit was built by Anders Katkier in 1585 and is decorated with foliage, angels and male heads, and the canopy above the pulpit is from 1603.
The church no longer has any visible frescoes. Previously there were French lilies made by the Lily master, whose name is unknown, but at the beginning of the 1500s decorated several churches in Jutland with his characteristic lilies, including churches in Horne, Højst and Nørre Løgum. In the late 1600s, the nave was decorated with portraits of 10 bishops, which have now been whitewashed over.
Author: Charlotte Lindhardt
Jernved Church. Photo: Charlotte Lindhardt.


Thinking in Place (Montreal)
A Conversation about Ministry in a Secular Age with Dr. Domenic Ruso
One of the things that I’m passionate about is learning how to think about the Church and its witness in an increasingly secular age. This, of course, means understanding two things. First, we need a robust understanding of what the Church actually is. Second, we also need to understand what secularism is. When you work in a deeply secular environments (like I do), you necessarily have to re-think many of the assumptions that you once held. You realize that it is possible, for example, for some Churches to be trying to answer questions that no is actually asking. Or, you may realize that secularism may be very different, and far more complex, than you had thought. Because of all of this, I think it is important to find certain places to think from. These places are ahead of us, in a way. By this I mean that they’ve been wrestling through issues that we are just starting to wrestle with. If we’re wise, we’ll seek out people doing faithful ministry in those areas who can help prepare us for what we are just beginning to encounter, or will soon encounter, in our own spaces and places.
In my most recent podcast (released today), I interviewed my dear friend, Dr. Domenic Ruso. Domenic is a Pastor-Theologian and an important person to engage with as we talk about ministry in secular spaces. Dom holds a PhD in Historical Theology, and is the founder of The 180 Church in Montreal, Quebec. Quebec is fascinating in that it has a deep Christian history, but also in the fact that it is profoundly secular. This presents all kinds of complexities for those doing ministry there. For this reason, “Quebec,” as Dom says, “tends to be a kind of laboratory of learning.” This conversation is hopefully a step in the learning process. This podcast will be released in a couple of installments. You can hear the first today wherever you listen to podcasts (search for Theomagination with Phil Aud). Below are links for several major platforms. I hope you enjoy the conversation!


Hidden treasures: the story of Gideon Judges 6 in creative description.In this great story of hidden treasures, God’s people disobeyed him and that put them in a difficult situation for many years. Over time they suffered great oppression and lack. When they took one step forward it seemed like they took two steps back. The enemy constantly took their resources and the people had nothing – they were poor, destitute, and broken. Eventually they began to live in caves in order to survive and remain hidden from their enemies. So if you can imagine they didn’t live in the best environment and they were probably depressed and thought God had totally forsaken them.
But God always gives second chances and he is a forgiving God. He delivered a message to his people and he reminded them of all the miracles he had done in past generations. God delivered them from oppressors several generations back so it was never his intention that his people be oppressed. It was their sin that separated them from God. God reminded them that he instructed them to be fearless and bold against the gods of their enemies. But fear set in – and they compromised. Fear can keep us from walking in purpose. If we surrender to fear we become immobilized underneath the weight of oppression – with no voice and no power.
The good news is that God knew us before he formed us in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He has already downloaded everything we need to do his will. God is sovereign and his will is not confused or mixed up because of our mistakes. Gideon was out threshing wheat in secret because he was probably afraid the enemy would see him and come steal it. No man wants to live in constant hiding from his enemies, unable to live a normal life and walk about. I would imagine that Gideon didn’t feel too good about himself at the moment. Then here comes the angel of the Lord saying “God is with you mighty man of valor”.
Can’t you imagine Gideon looking around wondering who this person is talking to. When Gideon realizes that the angel is talking to him, he starts complaining about his situation.
“If God is with us why is there so much trouble around us…if God is with us why don’t we see the miracles we’ve heard about…if God is with us why is this happening in our community…if God is with us why is that happening in our government… if God … if God … if God…. “ THEN the angel of the Lord told Gideon something that blows my mind. He totally dismissed the complaining and said “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven’t I just sent you?” (verse 14). Do you see what just happened – God unlocked the hidden treasure!
God told Gideon that Gideon was the answer to the problem. He was created for that purpose – to solve that particular problem. All this time the answer was in hiding threshing wheat.
I guess Gideon must have thought God wasn’t aware of his limitations so Gideon told the Lord that he was poor and that he was the weakest link in his family. NEWSFLASH: God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Gideon didn’t have anything, no money, no resources, no power, and little influence. But God took him and made him into a mighty warrior and he won the victory for his people.
The message I hope you walk away with is that our immediate circumstances, no matter how long they’ve existed, are not greater than God. He can empower the weakest link to perform the mightiest acts. In some of the poorest and most oppressed communities are brilliant hidden treasures. What we are missing are the messengers. The people who are willing to go and tell them that God has chosen them and given them something special that can make a positive difference. When the angel of the Lord spoke to Gideon he doubted what God said, he couldn’t believe that he could be great or do great things. Gideon thought he was limited to the mistakes of his generation, the poverty of his family, and the oppression of his enemy. You need to know today that your greatest, biggest, deadliest, strongest enemy has but the strength of ant when compared to the true and living God.
If you are that young person, like Gideon, believe that God has called you and don’t limit yourself to what you see around you.
And if you are that messenger, make an effort to speak encouraging words that will activate greatness on the inside of that young person hiding from destiny.


The series of portraits I shot of Tim Campbell were perhaps one of the highlights of my trip. I had struck up a conversation with him while riding through Southern Oregon. We talked for perhaps 45 minutes before he disclosed he had Stage IV cancer.We shared our faith in Christ with each other and I walked away having been touched by his spirit and faith. He went home to the Lord on September 15, 2015.
I'm a visual journalism professor at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. I have been a visual communicator for over 40 years. I currently serve on the national board of the American Society of Media Photographers.


The Johanneskirche in the Berliner Allee, was built in the style of a circular arch and is the largest Protestant church in Düsseldorf and the first to be erected freely on a square.
Previously, evangelical church buildings were only allowed as so-called court churches. As example of this is: the Bergerkirche. After the decision to build was made in 1824, it still took until 1875 to lay the cornerstone. During the Second World War, the Johanneskirche was heavily destroyed, in 1953 it was reopened. Today it is known to many people in Düsseldorf, as numerous concerts and events are held there. For example, the Wednesday lunch-time organ sessions invite you to enjoy half an hour of organ music for lunch.


The other day on TV, I saw Governor Schwarzenegger consoling victims of the brush fires. I saw this twice; once, he was in northern California, offering comfort to those affected by the Auburn fire, and then, later, doing the same for victims of the fire in Los Angeles.
Both times, the sight caught me off guard. Each scene showed a woman, in tears or nearly so, with her head on the governor's shoulder, his arm around her shoulder. Who knew that the "Governator" had such a soft and caring side to him? Who could have pictured such a scene when he was an action movie star?
However, that's not the only reason the scenes caught my attention. Indeed, I have been similarly struck by scenes of other elected officials offering their comfort and consolation to disaster victims. It's such a personal thing, to be comforted in one's sorrow; and yet, the people receiving comfort likely have never met the official who is metaphorically, if not literally, wiping their tears. It's possible that they didn't even vote for him, that they disagree with some of his policies, etc.; but even so, they find his presence comforting.
The governor is there for only a few moments. To some, it may appear to be nothing more than a photo op. The comfort he provides does not replace the help and comfort of family and friends. Nevertheless, it is a type of comfort that only he can provide. It is a comfort that consoles not only the one in his arms, but also all of us--the entire state--we who have not been directly affected by the flames, but who have seen the smoke, felt the ashes falling, and who have found ourselves caught up in the emotional tragedy that we read and hear about in the news.
It is, in short, a ministry of presence, an aspect of ministry that I admit I have been slow to understand.
Especially baffling and intriguing to me is how this ministry is one which can only be carried out by the "man at the top"--in this case, the governor. It's the same role that church pastors often find themselves in. It doesn't matter how often we emphasize the "priesthood of all believers." It doesn't matter how many times we emphasize that the elders of the church are spiritual leaders of the congregation. It doesn't matter if every member of the congregation offers support, prayers, and encouragement. Such things do matter, of course, and yet it's not the same as a call or a visit by the pastor.
I'm not always comfortable with this aspect of the pastor's role. It's not that I don't want to be there for people; I do. It's just that I worry that anything I can say or do will be inadequate. All I can do, really, is show up, be present, and offer a prayer. It's nothing that anyone else couldn't do. But because I'm the pastor, it has added significance and meaning.
So this week, I've been watching you, Governor. It hasn't been to criticize you or to point out ways that the guy I did vote for could have done better. I've been watching so that I might learn from you, and learn more about the mystery of the ministry of presence.


The United Church of Hinesburg has ties to the American Baptist, United Church of Christ and United Methodist churches. We welcome all visitors and participants, including those who do not choose official membership.
Thank you to all who supported our 3rd Annual Hearts for Hunger Fun Run/Walk on May 16th. With your help we raised over $6,500 for the VT Foodbank Backpack program. Click for race photos and race results.
Sunday School Movie Night October 2nd 6:00pm-8:30pm in the Parish Hall
Join us for a dinner of make-your-own pizzas and then a simultaneous showing of The Muppet Movie (on the big screen in the main room of the Parish Hall) and The Princess Bride (on the TV in the youth classroom). Bring your own beanbag chair, pillows or blankets so you can watch in comfort. Popcorn will be served during the movies. This is a friend-friendly event so feel free to bring others along!
World Communion Sunday October 4th
We welcome Rev. Anna Nyassa Samuel to perform the communion liturgy in Swahili along with Pastor Jared.
World Religions Class Sundays from October 4th through November 1st 6:00pm-7:30pm
Pastor Jared will lead a class for youth grades 7+ to explore faiths around the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Atheism/Interfaith Relations/Pluralism. The class meets in the Parish Hall and dinner will be served.
New Member Dinner Thursday, October 8th at 6:00pm at the Hinesburgh Public House
A meal to welcome those joining the church on Sunday, October 11th. Come with questions about the church or just come for good food and conversation.
New Member Sunday and Special Music Sunday September 13th
We will welcome new members to the church and enjoy jazz music throughout the service featuring George Voland and Andrea Haulenbeek.
Open House at the Parsonage Saturday, October 17th 1:00-3:00pm
The Auxiliary and Trustees have done a tremendous amount of work in the parsonage over the last year and a half. Now Jared and Leah would like to invite the congregation to see the renovations. Come by for cider and donuts and the opportunity to admire the many improvements.
Chicken Pie Supper Saturday, October 24th Seatings at 5:00pm or 6:30pm
The culinary highlight of the year at the United Church! For reservations, please call 802-482-2965. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12 and children under age 5 are free.
Book Group Thursday, October 29th 10:00am-11:30am
Our book group continues to explore the issues of racism, white privilege and history with How I Shed My Skin by Jim Grimsley. If you are interested in participating and need a copy of the book, please contact Pastor Jared.
10570 Route 116
Hinesburg, VT 05461
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 11:30am
Click here for Sunday's Readings


God has really done a number on my heart lately. A couple weeks ago I received a few more letters from some of my favorite boys in the whole world! The 2 boys that I haven’t seen in almost a year. The 2 boys I pray for every morning. The 2 boys who are farthest geographically but closest spiritually. I am talking about the two boys in Kenya, Africa. I miss Africa so much and really questioned God on why he didn’t open the door for me to go back this year. I truely believe God gave me heart for missions and I am so thankful for that. So for me to question Him was foolish on my part.
So in the past few months my prayers have been centered around my heart for missions. Well God has really gave me a wake up call and it looks like this.
Growing up, I would hear about youth groups leaving the country to help people across the world and as much as I would of loved to do that in my teenage years I always asked the question… Why would you leave your country to help others when there is so much need here? I had always thought that I would love to do domestic missions. I didn’t understand how people would be starving in our own backyard, kids parentless around the corner, sickness overcoming a hospital, people hurting just up the street and groups of people were leaving the country. Don’t get me wrong! I would leave the country tomorrow if given the chance to go but God reminded me of my young heart for domestic missions in the past 3 months. So my response to Him was… ya but I am not doing domestic missions and You sent me to Africa for a reason! So what now??? God being the patient one He is showed me one of the clearest signs I have ever seen! That light came in the form of Summit Community Church!
Though prayer and stillness God told me that I am on a mission. He got me to think how HE is the one who moved me to Texas two and a half years ago. He is the one that led me to help start Summit. He is the one that asks me to get up and teach those sweet 0-5 year old’s every Sunday. He is the one that gave me the heart for domestic missions and that I am on one. I have been on it for over 2 years now. It may look different than international missions, but it is one nonetheless.
When God got me to finally see this, I honestly had a small breakdown. How did I not see this sooner? What can I be doing better on this mission? What does Round Rock, TX need from me?
Summit Communtiy Church is coming into its 3rd year of having its doors open and we have done some phenomonial things. I can’t wait to see what he will do in me now that he has revealed to me that I am on the mission I have always wanted to me on since being a young kid.
Please be praying for Summit to do great things in 2012 and that we as a whole and I as an individual will be able to be mission minded in our own back yard of Round Rock, TX.


Generally you will end up thinking of a Christian church, when you think of church interior design. As with all matters there are definite aspects of the design that must be caught to be able to keep up the continuity involving the churches.
In medieval times this was regarded as rather precious and several times was a reason to get a church. Although it’s still an extremely powerful component in the church and is quite expensive, but hasn’t led to a lot of looting or pillaging as it did at hat time.
Another component which is important in almost any Christian church interior design style would be the Stations of the Cross. That is art that’s exhibited on the walls in various types that’s there to tell of how Jesus went through the taking of the story and expiring on the cross. As this is a big part for the foundation of the faith, this can be an important portion of any Christian church interior design. This art may be either simple or excessive in design provided that it performs the essential function it is designed to do and that’s to tell a narrative and is present. Each one can somehow show that name in their own imaging and will have a unique name. Their will be various forms of graphics which can be utilized, from tapestries and plaques to just integrating it into the stained glass windows which are already there.
Shown and the bread along with the wine are put here to be blessed. It’s here that its rites will be performed by the church. These tables may be simple or complex depending on the way in which the church was created. It’s totally as much as the church concerning the way that it shown and will be designed. Normally, this is a wooden seat for seats that will possess a padded kneeler in the front of it. It’s usually made from wood and is not complex in design.


How Ears Like An Elephant came to be ...
Author and illustrator, Linda Junco, and her husband, Eric, had conversations about where they were going to eat after church. Their daughter and son would respond with their favorite restaurant loudly from across the house. Linda would ask, "How did you hear us from so far away?" Linda soon started telling them "You have ears like an elephant!"
Linda would remind her children that they can hear from God because they have ears like an elephant. They can hear from God clearly! And that was her prayer, "God be present in my children's ears."
This book is available through Amazon.com and Bookshop.org


The feast of St, John De Brito was celebrated on 4th February, 2016. Two days prior to the feast assemblies were conducted by the Brito House teachers and boys bringing out the values of St. John De Brito.
On the first day Ms. Judy D’Costa narrated a story to the children bringing out the value of ‘Gratitude’. Ms. Shirley Miranda had Std II boys enact a skit which brought out the value of ‘Love for the Poor’.
On the second day Ms. Lovelina Miranda had a boy from Std III narrate a story on the importance of ‘Faith’ and Ms. Sunita Ferrao spoke to the children on the topic of ‘Willingness to Learn’, wherein Sujal from Std IV gave his own example of being open to learning Maths which he found difficult.
On 4th February, a prayer service was conducted by Ms. Quincy Desai. After the prayer service, the story of St. John De Brito was made known to the children and the values were further engrained in the children. The notice boards were decorated with pictures of important events from the life of St. John De Brito.
Various activities were conducted for all Standards. Children of Std I were given hearts to colourand were asked to write the values they learnt from the assembly. Std II was given a Crossword puzzle on the life of St. John De Brito which they enjoyed solving. Std III was divided into groups and given a cut-out of the picture of St. John De Brito which they had to assemble to form a complete picture. Std IV was asked to make hearts for their friends writing their good values. These hearts were exchanged on the feast day.
Apart from these, chocolates brought by the Brito House boys were distributed in every class. Charts were put up in the corridors and a short video clipping on the life of St. John De Brito was shown to the children.
The Brito house feast was a success with the hard work put in by the teachers and boys.
Quincy Desai- HouseMistress


The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.
– St. Nicholas of Myra
A couple of weeks ago, one of our assistant editors, Prethiba Esvary, reminded me that I needed to write a piece on the importance of history and have a Christmas ‘feel’ too. Throughout 2017, I have written about great characters from history and how I have learnt so many lessons from them.
These include civil rights activist Rosa Parks, philosopher Socrates, and many others including Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin and most recently Niccolo Machiavelli. As I scratched my head on who to learn from this Christmas season, I started reflecting upon the numerous blessings I have received from various groups of people. They have given so much to bless me and many others.
A Timely Reminder
This is a special time that reminds us to be alive to the good fortune we receive, and to spread goodwill to everyone we meet – particularly those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We become especially aware of how blessed we are compared to so many, and at Christmas time we are invited to pay some of our blessings forward in the spirit of care and humanity.
The old saying, “There but for the Grace of God go I” calls on us to be charitable, in the recognition that we could have easily been among those in need who we seek to help. As I pondered these things, I immediately knew who to learn from. There is perhaps no greater example of a charitable life than that of Nicholas of Myra – a man who was later sainted because his giving would go on to inspire an enduring Christmas tradition.
As a young man, the spirit of giving shone brightly in Nicholas (270–343) who inherited a considerable sum of money after the death of his wealthy parents. His inheritance was used in helping the poor and the sick of Myra (present-day Demre, Turkey), as the young Christian lived up to the words of Jesus who said: “Sell what you own and give the money to the poor.”
The Power Of Giving
There are many stories about Nicholas’ renowned kind-heartedness and provisions of aid. The most famous tale, which inspired the gift-giving tradition at Christmas, recounts the dire poverty of a widower father of three daughters. The family was in such dire poverty that the father was on the brink of selling his daughters into prostitution.
Upon finding out about the family’s tale of woe, the young Nicholas threw a bag of gold coins through their window over three consecutive nights. It was this legend that later inspired the annual tradition of gift-giving at Christmas, particularly to children, of whom Nicholas is the patron saint.
Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn once said, “If you set to help others, you will reinforce your own reputation and expand your universe of possibilities.” This was exactly what happened to Nicholas. The more he gave, the more his reputation was enhanced, even though he used to give in secret.
In 1823, the American writer Clement Clarke Moore wrote his famous poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, in which he warmly describes the generous saint as a cheerful man who leaves presents for children, travelling in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.
Looking at the life of Nicholas – who was made a bishop at the young age of 30 – it’s clear to see how the power of giving touches us all on a deep level as we become inspired by the difference it can make when we choose to be generous with our resources and our time.
There is perhaps no greater quality in leadership than giving, as everything else flourishes when we help others through a mindset of generosity and gratitude.
People who give their time, energy and themselves are generally termed “lucky”. Good things seem to fall ‘luckily’ for them. However, this is not luck. When we give to others, others tend to look out for us.
Sociologist Fred Goldner terms it as the opposite of paranoia – he calls it pronoia. Pronoia is the belief that “other people are plotting your well-being, or saying nice things about you behind your back.” When you give, this becomes a fact. People do say nice things about you behind your back. As leaders, we need to consistently give. The more we give, the more our folks feel pronoia and receive.
In the Bible, we read, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.” When we cultivate the quality of giving, we bring out the best of ourselves and in others as we build bonds of trust, connection, and solidarity.
In giving to others, we not only help to ease their troubles, but we also show them kindness and a recognition that they are much more than their circumstances. Done in the right spirit, giving really can transform lives and build communities of love.
Leaders Create Movements
When Nicholas threw gold coins into the house of the poor father who was about to sell his daughters to servitude, he began a ritual of giving. Just one giver was enough to inspire the tradition of giving at Christmas. Great leaders always begin as the first giver. Once they give, others become inspired by their giving and follow suit. A movement entails.
In fact, leadership in itself is giving. Being a good and principled leader is a thankless task. There is much pain and sacrifice that are unseen. Great leaders have to put the interest of their organisation and their people above their own interest.
Many leaders forget about the importance giving plays in their lives. The moment they stop giving, they lose their ability to be a great leader. Nicholas reminds us again that, as leaders, we need to be in the forefront of the giving game.
As we look ahead, we can go some way to enhancing our own leadership skills by actively looking for ways to help others, to inspire, motivate and empower them to become the best they can be and, in turn, be encouraged to pay it forward.
This was something central to the message of the beloved Christian saint, who dedicated his entire life to living a powerful example of lifting others up wherever possible and remaining humble in our gratitude for the many blessings we continue to receive in our lives.
The legacy of St. Nicholas encourages all of us to let our goodness shine through, and calls us on to remember that there are always opportunities to help those around us, whatever their needs may be.
Although his story is most celebrated towards the end of the year, generosity is a quality that we as leaders need to deploy throughout the year, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Best wishes to each of you for a blessed Christmas and may 2018 be a wonderful year of giving.
Check out our Top 10 ways to show gratitude to your employees this Christmas season.
Roshan Thiran is the founder and CEO of the Leaderonomics Group and is constantly amazed by the numerous leadership lessons he derives from historical figures. Roshan wishes everyone a blessed Christmas and a great season of giving. He hopes this season ushers in a new year of giving rather than receiving. If everyone becomes a giver (and not just a taker), he believes there will be huge transformation across the nation. Follow Roshan’s daily adventures and leadership tips on his LinkedIn, Twitter and also on Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/roshanthiran.leaderonomics.


Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
A new year stretches out before us. 2018 presents a long and winding road into the future. It brings a lot of unknowns. But it also brings some certainties.
Certainty #1: God. No matter what comes or doesn’t come this year the one thing we can absolutely count on is the presence of our God. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present. He is holy, just, right, and merciful. He is the One who has been and who is and who will always be. He is unchanging – Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever!
Certainty #2: Salvation. There is a human element in coming to know Jesus – we receive Him. Basically that means that we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet it is God who saves us. And it is He who keeps us saved. If we could save ourselves then we absolutely would lose our salvation but God does such a complete and powerful work when He saves us that it cannot be undone.
Certainty #3: Opportunity. As surely as there are 365 days in this coming year there will be opportunity to grow in your walk with God. There will be opportunity to serve Him. There will be opportunity to tell others about Him. Before we begin to list off the reasons why our opportunity isn’t as good as someone else’s then let’s remind ourselves that we get the same number of days and hours and seconds as they. In my experience it is some of the busiest people who are the absolute most dedicated and faithful servants to Christ. It isn’t about not having time. It’s about setting the priority for what matters in your life.
There is urgency in those opportunities. There are lost people who will not live through this year. Are we urgently praying, urgently giving, urgently serving, urgently witnessing for Christ? It isn’t enough to nod our head and acknowledge the need. We must act on the opportunities that God places before us. Yes, you may say that God can do His work without us but why would we even want to go there? Why would we purposely choose to sit on the bench when there is prime playing time available?
Those same opportunities bring testing. We are going to succeed at some and fail at others. There will be high points and low points in this coming year. But every opportunity to obey God is not about what we accomplish. It’s about what God can do as we obey Him and trust in His Spirit to bring about the needed result.
So what should our priorities look like? One person said if you want to have JOY in your life then put:
- Jesus first. With Him at the center every other area of your life will be blessed.
- Others second – Your family and friends will benefit the most from your walk with Jesus.
- Yourself last – Does it really need to be said? Deny yourself. Die to self. Allow Jesus to live His life in you and through you. It isn’t so much that you are focused on putting yourself last. It is that you are living for Jesus first. Everything else will fall into place.
Certainty #4: Uncertainty. Here is the final certainty that I can see for this year. Our lives are filled with uncertainty. Jobs, homes, cars, relationships, and a hundred other things can change tomorrow. That is why we need the truth of who God is and what He is doing.
“What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31–39, CSB)
I am so glad that we as a church family get to do life together but most of all I am thankful for the presence of Jesus. I pray that you and your family will come to know Him better in this coming year.
Bro. Tim Hobbs


A few weeks ago I mentioned an essay by Glen Stasson called "The Fourteen Triads of the Sermon on the Mount." Stasson argues that these triads (found in Matthew 5:21-7:12) can loosely be arranged in this form:
1. Jesus states a traditional teaching or practice
2. He gives a warning or teaching on a vicious cycle of living as a result of misunderstanding/misapplying the teaching or practice.
3. He gives a transforming initiative, which a believer can follow, which will free one from the vicious cycle.
Stasson's essay is fairly lengthy, and I don't intend to summarize all of his findings here. However, I did want to discuss some observations that I've had as I've mulled over each of these fourteen triads. Over the next few weeks, I'll be writing a post about each of the triads.
I've already written a bit about the first triad, which deals with murder and anger (Matthew 5:21-26; the post is "Jesus Journal #16 and can be reached by clicking on the title of Stasson's essay above). Please permit me to add a few further comments here.
To begin, here is the general set-up of this triad:
In the few sentences of this passage, Jesus is explaining that the command regarding murder is broader than people were (and are today?) interpreting it. Being angry, insulting people, and calling names all lead to the same thing as murder: judgment. As anyone who experiences anger, insults, and name calling knows, living on either end (the giving or taking of anger, insult, name-calling) is not pleasant. In truth, it's corrosive or cancerous. It is, to use Stasson's terminology, a vicious cycle.
Jesus would not have us live in such a cycle, as either giver or receiver. The third part of this triad is expressed in a couple of examples Jesus gives, one about reconciling with a brother (a fellow believer), and one about reconciling with an unbeliever. In both cases, the general principle is that believers should seek to reconcile and be at peace with people.
This sort of action will take some serious adjustment and action. Jesus would have us almost go to extremes to be peace-making reconcilers. In his example, he says if we remember that our brother has something against us, we need to go do something about it--even if we're making an offering to God when we remember. In Jesus' day, this would have required some travel, for the place of offering was miles away for his listeners. The point is, Jesus is saying this is important; make a serious effort to make peace.
Jesus' second example about seeking peace with an accuser sounds similar to our current concept of settling outside of court. In very public cases we don't necessarily think the best of parties that do this, but settling outside of court allows people at odds to come to an agreement--a sort of peace--without having to involve the court system--and formal judgment.
So it is healthful to a person to seek peace and reconciliation when he or she has conflict with another person. But note this: in both of Jesus' examples, the person seeking the reconciliation is the one that is thought to have offended. In example one, Jesus says if you "remember your brother has something against YOU." In example two, Jesus says, "come to terms quickly with YOUR accuser." Jesus isn't just talking about being forgiving here. He's talking about humbling ourselves and seeking forgiveness, that we might be at peace with our brothers and those who would accuse us.
This obviously is move toward peace by and for the person taking action. Perhaps more radically, it is a move FOR the peace of the offended brother or the one bringing accusation. Jesus is saying that our action will bring peace and reconciliation for us and for the one we're seeking to make peace and reconciliation with.
Yes, I know that this is implied by the terms "peace" and "reconciliation," at least as I've used them. The implication is that both parties are coming to peace and reconciliation together. My point is, when we take action to make peace or to have reconciliation, we are leaving the vicious cycle of anger, insult, and name-calling... AND, we're helping others do the same thing. Our seeking of peace brings peace to those who think we've wronged them. And this is, indeed, a transforming initiative.
Have you any of you found these actions of seeking peace and reconciliation to be transformative?


Add_1993 (University Library, Cambridge University)
W. Syriac hymns for the ecclesiastical year.
Written in a neat small serto hand of about the 13th century.
Crude binding of leather over paper boards.
For a full description see W. Wright and S. A. Cook, A Catalogue of the Syriac manuscripts in the library of the University of Cambridge (1901), i.389-91.
Funding of Cataloguing
Cambridge University Library


I think these are some of the most beautiful monasteries. Hidden in the mountains, so close to the sky, they are quiet shelters far far away from secular society. No matter the religion, these isolated wonders remain an expression of pure faith and peace beyond time and space. Some of them are still inhabited, others, forgotten will become dust with time.
St George Monastery, Wadi Qilt, Israel
The monastery, originally dedicated to the Virgin, was founded about 480. It flourished in the sixth century but was destroyed by the Persians in 614 and thereafter was abandoned. The present buildings were erected between 1878 and 1901. The church dedicated to the Mother of God has fine icons and wall paintings; the church of St John and St George preserves a sixth century mosaic pavement. In a cave are the remains of the monks who were killed during the Persian advance on Jerusalem.
Xuan Kong Temple, near Datong, China
In China’s Shanxi Province around 500km (300 miles) south west of Beijing is located The Hanging Temple (named Xuan Kong Si). This amazing structure is one of the most precarious structures in the world. Long wooden beams extend from the outer edge of the temple buildings down to holes chiseled into the massive rock face.
Anapafsa Monastery, Meteora, Greece
The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air”, and our words meteorite and meteorology come from the same root. The conglomerate rock at Meteora, Greece, has eroded into fantastic peaks upon which medieval monks built monasteries, several of which are still active. The isolated monasteries of Meteora helped keep alive Greek Orthodox religious traditions and Hellenic culture during the turbulent Middle Ages and Ottoman Turk occupation of Greece (1453-1829).
Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery, Serbia
Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery in Ras ,Republic of Serbia,near Novi Pazar was founded by the first Serbian ruler Stefan Nemanja in 1170-1171 according to the incarved inscription from the main church portail. It was built on a hilltop near old Ras and its location is a significant point in the area at his new just established state with the tour of Ras as a capital.
Petra Monastery, Jordan
Petra is a historic and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma’an that has rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Madonna del Sasso, Switzerland
High up above the town of Locarno, there is a sanctuary located on a forested cliff; Madonna del Sasso. Sasso means rock, so hopefully I won’t be struck down for translating it as Madonna on the Rocks. The church was consecrated in the 19th century when a local monk, Brother Bartholomeo, claimed that the Madonna had appeared before him whilst walking in the woods.
Popa Mountain Monastery, Myanmar
Rising majestically out of the plains of central Burma, 2,417 feet up in the air atop an ancient, sheer-sided volcanic plug, the Buddhist monastery of Popa Taungkalat surveys the surrounding scene. An amazing example of a human construction merged organically with its natural setting, Taung Kalat also draws thousands of pilgrims each year because of its great spiritual significance. More about this monastery here
Glojene Monastery, Bulgaria
According to the legend, the monastery was built in the 13th century (1224), when Ukrainian knyaz Georgi Glozh settled in the area with Ivan Asen II’s approval. The knyaz founded a monastery carrying the name of St George, whose icon he had brought with himself. The icon then disappeared numerous times only to be found on a hill not far from the village of Glozhene, which was interpreted by the monks as a divine sign to move the monastery there. This was eventually done near the end of the 14th century.
Le Mont Saint Michel, France
Mont-St-Michel (also written Mont Saint Michel) is a small rocky island about 1 km from the north coast of France at the mouth of the Couesnon River in Normandy. The mount is best known for the medieval Benedictine Abbey and steepled church that occupies most of the 1km-diameter clump of rocks jutting out of the waters of the English Channel.


The Old St. Thomas Church’s name is fitting, as it is in fact one of the oldest buildings in the city. As a staple of St. Thomas for almost two centuries, it is one of the most historically significant sites as well. There is history to be discovered in every corner of both the church and its graveyard, full of hundreds of incredible stories passed on from generation to generation. Some of the stories are fact, while some are legend and lore. Each have a place in our history, and they all make up why the church is such a fascinating and important spot in St. Thomas. Here is the history of the Old St. Thomas Church, along with just some of its stories that live on today:
The plot of land on which the Old St. Thomas Church stands was once owned by St. Thomas founder Daniel Rapelje, who donated it for a church to be built in 1822. However, the first service did not occur until 1824, because the city’s founders had difficulty getting people to settle and join the congregation. The following year, the spire and bell tower were added, featuring the bell of an old locomotive.
Inside the simple but elegant structure, U-shaped pews line the church, which families could purchase as their own. Because people owned their pews, they often kept their belongings in them, such as blankets for when the church got frigid in winter. The pews closest to the front were the most costly, and thus that is where the richest families sat, while poorer families sat in the balcony where seats were cheaper. There is even a physical divider between the balcony’s “cheap seats” and where the choir was situated, a clear indication of class division. There are no stairs to the left balcony at the front, which is why local lore says prisoners were sat there. It is believed that they got up using a ladder which was then taken away so they could not escape – though this is likely untrue.
The southern end of the church was an addition made by 1840, which is evident by the different walls and flooring. The stained glass at the front and the pulpit were subsequently given to the church as gifts, noticeable due to their greater detail and grandeur in comparison to the church’s basic early 1800s appearance. The ornate wooden pulpit found to the left of the front was donated in honour of the Reverend Charles Ermatinger, who delivered his first sermon in the church. When he returned later in his life, he experienced heart palpitations while he preached and died two weeks after what would be his last sermon.
The church was in use until 1877, when the Anglican population moved to the much larger Trinity Anglican Church. In 1982, The Old St. Thomas Church was declared a designated heritage property, and is still open to the public today, with free tours all summer.
The Old St. Thomas Church cemetery is the final resting place of many interesting and important icons, both local and national. Here are the stories of some of those buried there:
The oldest gravestone in the yard is from 1819, before the church was built, in the back corner near the ravine. This is the Rapelje family’s grave, which appears to be a bench, and overlooks the ravine with a perfect view of the sunset through the trees.
A flat rectangular stone marks the grave of Hugh Richardson. Richardson was the judge who sentenced Louis Riel, leader of the Métis Rebellion, to death in one of the most significant cases of capital punishment in Canadian history. Richardson wanted to be buried with his daughter in the cemetery, whose grave can be found east of his.
There is a woman named Susan Paul buried on the edge of the cemetery, near the ravine. Susan’s father got her tickets to a ball in London held for Prince Albert’s visit. She was not on the Prince’s card of with whom he would dance that night, but when one girl in his schedule did not show up, he instead danced with Susan. They both were said to never have been happier, seemingly falling in love. But they tragically parted ways at the end of the night, and Susan went on to never marry.
Samuel Eccles is another local buried there, who started a brewery in London. Seeing no profits in the company, he sold it to his partner, John Labatt, which he understandably may have lived to regret.
There is also a grave for American Civil War veteran Octavius Wallace, who died in the battle of Williamsburg and was brought back to St. Thomas to be buried.
Officer Sam McKeown has a plot in the graveyard as well. McKeown was issuing an arrest warrant for Frank and Fred Temple, a father and son duo caught stealing a bicycle, when Frank shot McKeown’s partner, Colin McGregor. McKeown testified at Frank and Fred’s trial, which ended in the father and son both being sentenced to death. They were the last people to be hung in St. Thomas in 1935.
Perhaps the most famous grave in the yard belongs to Maria Baldwin. Rumours began of Maria being a witch in the 1970s due to her gravestone turning black. Citizens believed the grave caught on fire on Halloween, and anyone who dared enter the four posts and touch the stone would be cursed. In reality, the stone turned black because it was very porous and thus did not withstand acid rain and soot from the railway. Her story is actually a tragic one: the rose details on the stone represent a life taken too soon, as in 1863, Maria died from complications during childbirth at age 22. Her baby died nine months later and is buried with her.
The most expensive and extravagant grave is without a doubt that of the Chisholm family. The large and intrinsically detailed stone marks the lives of seven family members, all having died in quick succession. A legend surrounding the grave has circulated for almost a century, detailing the “Irish Curse” which was set upon the family. The story was published in the London Free Press on November 28th, 1925, crediting Ella N. Lewis, who was told the story by her father. The tale went as follows: William Chisholm was a ship captain, with a member of his crew being the only son of an Irish widow. Before setting sail one day, the widow begged him not to make the trip, saying that if he did, she’d never see her son again. Chisholm ignored her, but a storm hit and the schooner was destroyed, killing her son. In her grief, she put the Curse of Ireland upon the captain: “may all of your children die young and not one in their bed.”
Between 1828 and 1835, every member of his immediate family had died except one, Robert Bruce, who moved to Colorado. But after coming to St. Thomas to erect the memorial for his family, Robert Bruce died in a train wreck on his return. Miss Lewis mentioned that one of the children drowned, another was innocently caught in a drunken brawl and killed, and a third was murdered. She also said one of the Chisholm daughters, Francis Oswell, was on a hill when her horse was spooked and ran away, killing her and her unborn baby. Of all of the tales, this last one holds the most truth, as many locals did recall such a tragedy happening in Port Stanley.
However, the rest of the story may have been significantly dramatized. But how did a family suffer so greatly in such a short period of time? The most logical explanation is disease, specifically tuberculosis, typhoid fever, or cholera. As a doctor, the eldest son Archibald likely would have been exposed to infectious diseases like cholera, which was very common in 1830 - his year of death. Being extremely contagious, these diseases may have been passed through the family very quickly, resulting in their untimely deaths.
The Old St. Thomas Church is still an active cemetery, while also having a scattering garden. Trespassing is strictly forbidden from dusk to dawn, but we encourage you to respectfully visit the property during its open hours to fully appreciate this incredible local history. See if you can find the graves of these icons, and remember to be mindful of their resting places.
7/12/2018 07:56:54 am
That was so enjoyable to read! Love historical accounts like this. Thanks for taking the time to put that together - I should think anyone living in St. Thomas would be interested in this!
Railway City Tourism
7/12/2018 01:36:59 pm
Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed this post Amanda! We have some more history pieces on the way!
11/12/2018 02:09:20 pm
Great read! My great-grandfather was Sam McKeown.
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Hi there! We are here reporting from the L&PS Station - home of Railway City Tourism. We do our best to bring you seasonal and relevant information on what to see and do.
It is not down in any map; true places never are.


The cream of WA musicianship, led by Conductor and Master of Music Joseph Nolan, performs a Christmas favourite at the Perth Concert Hall.
The most magnificent, unmissable event this Christmas season! Bach's Christmas Oratorio is "a wonderful, jubilant work [with] terrific storytelling through the colour of the music and instruments" - Dr Joseph Nolan, Artistic Director.
The joyful Christmas Oratorio is ideally suited to the festive season, as it follows the key events of the Nativity: the birth of Jesus, the Angel visiting the three shepherds, and the arrival of the magi (or three kings). In this year's greatly anticipated performance, the story will be told by top soloists and the extraordinary singers of the St George’s Cathedral Consort, with a select orchestra, conducted by Joseph Nolan.
Perth Concert Hall accommodates wheelchairs and provides excellent acoustics, air conditioning, easy visibility and comfortable seating.
Photo Rebecca Mansell, courtesy West Australian Symphony Orchestra.


The sculpture of the Three Graces by Jan Konarski has been standing on the square in front of the Cultural Center since 2017. Three patron saints of beauty, intellectual arts and fine arts, i.e. Brightness, Joyfulness and Bloom, once decorated the fountain at the intersection of Marynarki Polskiej and Czerwonych Kosynierów streets. However, during the renovation of the streets, the fountain was destroyed. Fortunately, the figures have been preserved. It is worth mentioning that their creator is also the author of the best-known monuments, including that of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Słupsk, the bust of Janusz Korczak, patron of the Słupsk Provincial Hospital and co-author of the Józef Piłsudski monument in front of the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw.


Click here to visit our online Advent Calendar 2013
Advent is the start of the Christmas season in Britain. It begins four Sundays before Christmas. Advent calendars are a countdown to Christmas Day.
The first sign of Christmas in a British home is the children's advent calendar. The calendars start on the first day of December. Advent calendars are a fun way to help children to know when Christmas Eve will arrive, an important night for them because Father Christmas (Santa Claus) will visit them bringing gifts. copyright of projectbritain.com
An Advent calendar is a poster or card with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from 1st December until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture. Every morning children open one window of the calendar to see a pretty picture or find a chocolate inside.
The popular tradition of advent calendars arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were came from the Hebrew Bible.
Many Advent calendars today have no religious content. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy bears, pieces of chocolate, or photos of pop stars. copyright of projectbritain.com
An Advent Candle has 25 marks. Every day it is lit and is burned down by one mark each day.


So let’s start with the basics: who, what, when, and why.
Who might benefit from reading this blog? Anyone! It might interest our friends and family more than just your average blog troller, but if I can help someone live better by something in this blog, then God be praised!
What kinds of things will be posted? Posts of projects and recipes I am working on, opinions on various and sundry topics, like money management and healthy living, and, of course, pictures of our pride and joy, soon to arrive!! Just as a diamond reflects (refracts, maybe? Science people, help me out here….) light off all its many facets, I want to reflect the tremendous amount of blessings in every facet of our lives: spiritual, financial, domestic, social, you get the idea.
When can you expect a new post? As the saying goes, “Expect me when you least expect me!”
Why did I start this blog? I felt compelled to share with you all the ways God has blessed our life. This is not to rub it in anyone else’s face, but just an overflow of my gratefulness and thankfulness. Basically, I can’t help but share how great God has made our life! Besides, if something I’m doing can help someone else live a little better, then God be praised!
And now, a funny story.
It’s short, I promise. It’s just some background info on why I chose the name for this blog. When I was in high school, I came across Ephesians 3:20-21 and adopted the passage for my life’s motto. I worked at a small mom-and-pop restaurant my last two years of high school, and wrote “Eph. 3:20” on the back of each customer’s ticket, hoping to pass along the joy I found in that verse. I even used it for my computer screen name: EAbundantly (remember how “going online” and signing in to chat was the big thing?!). Of course, my brothers laughed at the screen name and my employer asked for me to stop using that (for fear of offending someone…no time now for my thoughts on THAT!), but the message and intent of it has stuck with me.
As I’ve grown in spiritual maturity, I see the way this works more and more often and in bigger ways. I read a post on Come Fill Your Cup’s blog recently about how we limit God because our human minds are so small. That blog post made me think of this passage. GOD CAN DO SO MUCH MORE than what we mere mortals could EVER even IMAGINE!! And when He does, let’s be sure to praise Him and give Him the glory He deserves!
New King James Version (NKJV)
“20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”


Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
You can submit a prayer request, and we will make sure to lift you up in prayer! Every prayer request that is submitted will be seen, and prayed for, even if you choose for it not to appear on the prayer wall. Please let us know when your prayer is answered. This way we can update the wall, encourage others, and give God the glory!
NOTE: We want to ensure the integrity of this prayer space in a way that honors you. Please take comfort in knowing that every prayer submission is reviewed, and prayed over before it is published. Most submissions do appear within the week they are submitted.
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Matthew 18:19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Romans 14:1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
13-14 Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.
Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Amen.


Doors have great spiritual significance in the Bible. In fact, there are about 400 references to doors in Scripture, ranging from a gateway to opportunity to a door to salvation. What do we need to know about the doors in our life. Every door is a decision, that shapes your destiny by which doors we pass by and which ones we walk through. Find out how to distinguish between doors of opportunities and doors of distractions. The doors you open and step through determine your personal growth and finally your Destiny.
Jesus: “I hold the Key of David in my hand. The doors that I unlock and open, no one else can close. And any doors that I shut and lock, no one will ever be able to open. Now I know everything you have done. So look! I am placing before you an open door that no one can shut! I know that you are not very strong, but you’ve kept my word and you’ve been faithful to me.” Revelation 3:7-8
Action Plan: Make it a goal to memorize this passage. Try memorizing one sentence a day (There are seven sentences). This is the theme verse for our growth campaign .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOORS IN YOUR LIFE
- EVERY DOOR IS A DECISION
Doors are metaphors for the choices we make in every day
- MY DESTINY WILL BE SHAPED BY WHICH DOORS I WALK PAST & WHICH DOORS I WALK THROUGH
God: “Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster.” Deuteronomy 30:15 (CEV)
- A DOOR MAY BE . . .
- AN OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD
Paul: “A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 (MSG)
- A DISTRACTION FROM OTHERS
Nehemiah: “I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I’m doing important work right now. Why should the work stop while I come down to see you?” Nehemiah 6:3 (NIV)
- A TRAP FROM SATAN
Jesus said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are looking at things merely from a human viewpoint, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:23 (NLT)
- IF AN OPEN DOOR IS TRULY FROM GOD IT WILL NOT WHAT HE’S ALREADY SAID IN HIS WORD.
Jesus: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Word will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
Action Plan: Think about a “door” in your life that appears to be open. Do a quick topical Bible study about the decision that you have to make. Click here to go to Bible Gateway and type in the topic in the search bar (ex. marriage, integrity, finances, etc.) . Read every verse about that topic to make sure that your opportunity is not opposite to what God has said in the Bible.
SOMETIMES GOD SHUTS A DOOR FOR MY PROTECTION
“Then God shut the door.” Genesis 7:16 (NLT)
- GOD WILL OPEN DOORS FOR ME IF I OPEN DOORS FOR OTHERS
“Anyone who generously blesses others will be generously blessed. And when you refresh others, you will be refreshed yourself.” Proverbs 11:25
Job: “I have never turned away anyone but I have opened my doors to everyone.” Job 31:32 (NLT)
- SOMETIMES GOD CRACKS OPEN A DOOR TO GIVE ME A GLIMPSE OF MY FUTURE LONG BEFORE I’M READY TO WALK THROUGH IT. WHY? TO INSPIRE ME TO GROW!
(God) “The things that I am planning for you won’t happen right away. But slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when THE VISION will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)
Action Plan: Make a plan to experience a Journey with Jesus.
WHAT I NEED FOR MY PERSONAL VISION
- LEARNDISCERNMENTto know which doors to walk through
“This is my prayer for you: that your love will keep growing more and more, with knowledge and greater discernment, so that you will be able to make the right choices . . .”
- LEARN COURAGE to walk through the right doors.
David’s advice to Solomon: “Be strong and courageous and get to work. Don’t be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord God is with you! He will not fail or forsake you! He will see to it that everything is finished correctly.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 (LB)
- LEARN HOW TO OPEN DOORS for others
“Open you home to others and show hospitality without grumbling about it. Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received from God to serve others.”
1 Peter 4:9 (CEV)


POST: 'In Quietness' - give me those holy, righteous, pastoral coins (CHA-CHING)
What's it about?
In Quietness is a play about a pastor who battles adultery.
What'd I experience?
If you know me, like really know me, then you know that I love productions that are full of drama. So, of course, this play was perfect for me. This was one of the first times that I was extra early to a play. When I got to the theatre the ushers weren’t letting anybody take their seats (that’s how early I was). When they finally let everybody in, I sat down and looked at the set. It was clearly the inside of a church, an altar to be exact. There were a few steps and a stage that looked as if it was made for preaching and there was gospel music playing.
Okay, so I saw this image of the play and had my own expectations. In my head I wanted to see the pastor (Paul) try and cover up all the sins he was committing. I mean like REALLY cover up. I’m talking about Lifetime style. I wanted to see him try and kill everybody who knew or he even thought knew about him cheating on his wife. Or the play could’ve gone another way. If his wife found out about his infidelity she could’ve been the one to try and kill his mistress. Unfortunately, they didn’t take either one of my story-lines.
Paul basically felt that his wife (Max) was unsupportive of his pastoral journey. She wouldn’t take the initiative to be his idea of a perfect pastor’s wife. Max would come home only on the weekends because of her career and Paul felt like there was a strong disconnect between them. So, one day he went to bible study and met a woman who later on became his mistress. I mean what a hot mess. The pastor is fooling around with a member of the congregation! Come on pastor, at least find someone outside of the church. Talk about being discrete.
Paul clearly needs to take a page out of this book.
A random weekend that Max came home, Paul told her that he was having an affair. The only reason he told her was because his mistress was in the hospital from a car accident. Max was like “Do you expect me to feel bad for you, you cheated on me and now you want my support?” Now, nobody got stabbed or got into a physical altercation but I knew someone had to end up in a life or death situation.
Paul and Max went through some trying times because neither of them wanted to leave each other. They fought for their marriage. Max ended up taking classes that helped her become a pastor’s wife. She didn’t want to change her life for her husband but she wanted to make an effort. It was actually real cute that she stepped away from her career to focus on strengthening her relationship with her husband. I’m pretty sure the modern day woman would probably just get a divorce and be content with a NICE settlement… give me those holy, righteous, pastoral coins (CHA-CHING)!
Max and Paul would frequently go to the hospital together to check on his mistress but she was always unresponsive because she was in a coma or paralyzed, I can’t remember. They continued to work on rebuilding their marriage and they got their union back on track.
This play must've been written in the 1800’s when there were no phones and social media. Or maybe it was written for people who aren’t technologically savvy with social media. Because in today’s world, you could find out if somebody’s cheating just by going through their cellphone. They need to hire me to beef-up this play. I’d have cellphones and side-eyes everywhere!


With East Timor the Catholic Church was one of the key groups that pressured the Australian Government into freeing East Timor.
The Catholic Church through the pacific islands has been lobbying for West Papua's freedom for quite some time. And now, with thanks to Anthony Craig, we're seeing the Catholic Church in Australia getting more interested in West Papua.
Please refer to the link to a document from the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council.
The FWPP encourages WP supporters to lobby their Catholic connections within Australia and share this post with them.
The FWPP recognizes the Catholic Church's roles in freeing East Timor and now we encourage them to help free West Papua as well.
West Papua Merdeka!


Every day is a gift from God. What we do with that gift is up to us. Whether we have been foolish or wise with this gift we still have this day, this minute. As we age we become selfish with the past and as we have more of the past we become more and more selfish. Wanting to reach for days gone by constantly reevaluating our decisions. Second guessing our decisions often means holding a grudge toward that past. And holding a grudge towards the past often involves holding a grudge toward God.
Not knowing why things did not or did happen is one angst of the human spirit that most everyone wrestles with. We become bitter, listless, angry. We have put our trust in the economy, our health, our family and friends. Each of these will let us down. But Romans 15:13 says ” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Hope is what so many of us are missing. Hope it is like a match that never burns out. Today I pray that you find hope in God wherever you are and realize today is a gift.


Getty Images 11 of 15 Luke "And blessed is she verss believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
Look towards these scripture verses and important figures next time you want to remind yourself of how much a woman can accomplish — especially with the power of her faith behind her. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
Getty Images 3 of 15 Proverbs "She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. He is with us always in life and we can gain power through His love.
27 beautiful bible verses for every woman in need of love, reassurance and strength
bibel You should speak with a dermatologist about your answers to this quiz to get a proper diagnosis. We are chosen, valuable, beautiful and secure. Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. Getty Images 5 of 15 Proverbs "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out Fuck buddy`s Neuss hands to the needy.
Getty Images 2 of 15 Psalm "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. It turns our face, unashamedly towards God.
Bible Verses for Women "I am Beautiful": You are woken beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. If you're at all like me, and you need a reminder, hopefully these Bible verses about women- verses that speak of beauty, value and your beloved identity, will bring you to a new place, to a new vision of who you are created to be.
Bible verses for women "i am beautiful":
Song She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do you know aboutt you are? Ephesians which says that the husband is head of his wife and following is read on the 21st Sunday of Ordinary time in Year B and on Tuesday of the 30th week of Ordinary time in Year II. No other title we carry will surpass that wpmen.
Getty Images 6 of 15 Pslam "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Want vip sex
She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. In the U.
As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. God made women in his image for a special reason, and the word of the Lord reminds us of this fact each and every day through specific verses and stories passed down of powerful women such as Mary, Rachel, Rebecca, Ruth, and more.
There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. Created as beloved with Christ in me.
It softens our face as we face the world. Put away your wine from you. Therefore let my young men find favor veress your eyes, for we have come on a festive day.
May God do so to the enemies of David, and about also, if by morning I leave as much as one male of any who belong to him. Getty Images 9 of 15 1 Peter "Do not let your adorning be verse — the braiding of hair and the putting on of bible jewelry, or the clothing you wear — but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a woman and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
Bible verses for women "i am valuable":
And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. But, more and more, I am convinced, I don't need a makeover or a new hairstyle. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.
I don't need a flick on the wrist or a self-inflicted put down to get right, I simply need peace. Yes In the last 6 months, have these bumps reappeared 3 or more times?
Bible verses for women
Yes No Have your physical symptoms, such as sores, wounds, abouy pain, impacted your lifestyle or mental outlook? And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. Getty Images Proverbs "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Nevertheless, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from harming you, unless you had come quickly to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal until wojen morning light as much as one male.
O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. Matthew Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. Do not consider your bible as a about woman, for I have Milf dating in Lisman until now out of my verse concern and provocation.
When I am at my worst, I doubt who I am.


Trip to Sergiev Posad (one hour drive out of Moscow)
We invite you to visit a historical ancient tow and spiritual center of the Russian Church in Moscow region and get to know how local people live in small towns of Russia.
Sergiev Posad grew in the 15th century around one of the greatest of Russian monasteries, the Trinity Monastery established by St. Sergius of Radonezh. The town status was granted to it in 1742. As the town’s name, alluding to St. Sergius, had strong religious connotations, the Soviet authorities changed first to just Sergiev in 1919, and then to Zagorsk in 1930, in memory of the revolutionary Vladimir Zagorsky. The original name was restored in 1991. Population: 110,900 (2010 Census preliminary results).
Chapel with Holy Water
The Trinity Monastery remembers such famous Russian czars as Ivan The Terrible and Peter the Great who set out there on piligrimage. Today the monastery is the summer residence of the Russian Patriarch and the most important spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church.The architectural ensemble of the monastery is included in the UNECCO list of the World heritage.
During the tour you’ll see ancient buildings of the monastery: The Assumption Cathedral commissioned by Ivan the Terrible, burial place of Boris Godunov and his family, necropolis of Russian Patriarchs, the elegant baroque bell tower built in the 18th century that still has the biggest working bell in Russia, The Trinity Cathedral where St.Serguis is buried, The Chapel Over the Well built over a spring discovered in 1644. Pilgrims come here for holy water.
St.Sergius Holy Trinity Monastery.
Sergiev Posad is also the birthplace of matryoshka doll, Russian wooden doll. The town houses Toy Museum where you can trace the history of Russian traditional dolls and wooden toys. You can also do some matryoshka shopping in the local market square near the monastery.
After the tour , it is a good idea to have a lunch in a local Refectory.
After Lunch we will visit local streets with old wooden houses and you get to know Russian wooden architectural style and see how locals live.
A visit to a local market is also included in our tour.
09:00 Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel and drive to Sergiev Posad
10:30-12:00 Tour of the St.Sergius Holy Trinity Monastery
12:15-13:00 Russian Lunch in a monastery Refectory
13:00- 14:00 visit the lake and local market
14:00- 15:00 walking along Old Street to see old wooden houses
15:00-15:30 Visit to a wooden chapel with Holy Water
16:00 Start driving back to Moscow
17:00- 17:30 Back to Hotel
Tour duration: Full day
Tour cost: 250 USD (including transportation)


By Gia Arroyo
Growing up in a household that is split religiously is never an easy thing. My mother went through a situation like this at home. Although her parents were both Christian, it was still difficult living with a Seventh-day Adventist mom and Pentecostal dad.
Wanting to see how common this is, I decided to research it online. According to a Pew Research Center study done in 2016, “roughly one-in-five U.S. adults were raised with a mixed religious background.”
The research center also discovered that 48 percent of children who grew up in a two-religion household are more likely to follow their mother’s faith.
While researching this information, I remembered that my roommate, Shirali Pathak and her older sister, Prianca, grew up in a mixed religious household. They were raised by a Seventh-day Adventist mother and Hindu father.
“My dad not only wanted us to keep his values, as well as my mom’s,” said Shirali. “We had a choice to make.”
Sabbaths were fun for Shirali. Being able to go to church and enjoy Adventures/Pathfinders is a memory that she’s fond of. The majority of her schooling has been in the Adventist education system. Prior to entering college, her father did not mind that she was in an SDA school.
The issues arose when Shirali and Prianca decided to come to Southern.
“My dad was very against it ’cause he wanted us to be home, and he didn’t understand why we wanted to continue going to an Adventist school,” she said.
Because of this, supporting Shirali and her sister financially for school has fallen on their mother, she said. Although it is difficult sometimes, when the topic of religion comes up, Shirali remains thankful that her father is understanding and respects her decision of being a Christian.


Monday, October 10, 2011
Bottom of the Barrel: Barnabas
In 2010, 9 American boys were given the name Barnabas.
I can definitely see Barnabas appealing to a certain crowd. I live in a city in the Northeast, where I see plenty of under-5s named Julius, Sebastian, and Lucius. If you're trying to name little Leonidas's brother, Barnabas seems like a reasonable choice. I would imagine that most modern boys named Barnabas go by Barnabas, not Barney.
While St. Barnabas was an important member of the early Christian church, I can't really see it being a popular choice among modern American Christians. It seems to me that Christians who wish to signal their Christianity through their children's names have borrowed heavily from the Old Testament. Nothing says Christianity like Judaism, so we have lots of little Jeremiahs (#52) and Josiahs (#77) running around, not to mention the Levis (#70) and Elijahs (#18). It's not that early Christian names like Matthew and John have fallen out of favor — though Peter, Paul, and Mark have seen better days — they're just so unremarkable after long generations of use that they don't really signal "Christian" in the aggressive way that Hezekiah does.
What do you think? Barnabas: urban hipster or brother to Nehemiah? Neither? Both?


Maranatha Technologies specializes in iOS app, Android app, flash & web development. Our goal is to create helpful applications and web solutions that are user-friendly to it's target demographic. Not to turn a profit, but to bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus Christ.
Maranatha is an Aramaic word that the ESV translates, “Our Lord, Come”. This was a prayer used by the early Church to pray for Christ’s return, an expression of love and longing for Jesus (a natural response to the reality of the Gospel). So we seek the good of all peoples not only in developing products, but also in sharing the joy of the Gospel with men and women around the world.
We focus on creating free tools & resources to help build up the Body of Christ. There are quite a few things coming down the pipes that we hope will increase your joy in the faith. We also take on select partnerships and projects, so feel free to reach out if you feel you are a like minded ministry or business.


Thanks to the New Covenant God made with us through Jesus Christ we are now in a time of grace! God Himself declares the He will be merciful to our wickedness nor will He will not remembers our sins!
Now that’s good news! But how many of us truly believe that? We are told over and over again that we need to confess all of our sins (which is impossible by the way) and constantly be mindful of them. That is not what God says. If He does not remember them why should we?
Thank and praise God for His mercy and remembering our sins no more!
If we did truly did believe that how much different would our lives be? Personally, it continually and constantly reminds me how good our God is! It puts my focus on Him and His mercy and goodness instead of me and my actions.
In Luke 7:47 Jesus tells us that those who are forgiven little loves little. Are you more aware of your sins or your forgiveness?
Thought for the Week:
By embracing His forgiveness and focusing on His mercy instead of our sins opens our heart to Love Him and others more!
Please feel free to download, save, and share.


We are holding virtual meetings until we are able to return to our usual venue at the Nursteed Centre.
Planned meetings. Zoom invitations with log-in details will be sent no later than the day before. Please log in at about 7.25 ready for a 7.30 start.
Tuesday 19th January - Graham Warmington – Peter Anstie : Dyer and Preacher. Graham is a former minister of West End Baptist Church, Westbury and is secretary of WFHS Westbury Branch. His talk is about Peter Anstie, member of the influential Anstie family of Devizes, successful Trowbridge businessman, dyer, and also pastor and minister in Westbury, Trowbridge and Devon. He died and was buried in Devizes.
Tuesday 16th February - John Craig – The History of Firefighting
Tuesday 16th March - Nick Baxter – Wiltshire During the Anarchy
The Nursteed Centre
Meetings: Nursteed Centre, Nursteed Road, Devizes SN10 3AH, (Click for map) first and third Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm
Access: 800 yards along A342 towards Andover: signed on the right by the pedestrian crossing.


The Triple Conversion (2 CDs)
Know Your Bible!
one of Catholicism's newest apologists for the Faith, has had
not one, but three conversions - from secular humanism to Protestantism
to modern Catholicism to traditional Catholicism. While taking
listeners along this unprecedented spiritual journey, Gerry Matatics
makes a unique scriptural defence of currently challenged Catholic
$20.00 (2 CDs)
the reasons why Catholics should read their Bible. Lays out the
principles to use when studying the Bible. Shows which translations
of the Bible can and cannot be trusted.
The Crisis In Biblical Scholarship
The Old Testament Speaks To Our Time
the origins, stages of development and grave nature of the current
crisis in biblical scholarship. Demonstrates the devastating consequences
for the Faith if the Scriptures are constantly being re-interpreted
and re-written. Highlights the differences between Catholic and
Protestant biblical scholarship.
Take a fascinating
journey through the biblical events of God's commandment to go
forth and multiply, Cain and Abel, Noah's ark, the Tower of Babel,
the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah in the belly
of the whale. Find out in precise detail how these dramatic events
speak to Catholics today.


Elder Nathaniel Banks
Elder Nathaniel Banks is the Founder and CEO of “I Am Somebody Ministries”, a faith-based life adjustment program for people who are hurting as a result of life controlling problems. Ministries of the I Am Somebody Ministries include Iron Sharpens Iron and the Swan House, a transitional home for women. He is active in an around Cincinnati Ohio. From serving at the City Gospel Mission, to being a member and Elder at Refreshing Springs Church his passion is to see lives changed and renewed for the better. Elder Banks serves as the team lead for the Refreshing Springs Outreach Evangelistic Team. He is proudly married to Minister Ramona Banks.
Click here to visit I Am Somebody's Ministries!
Watch a youtube video on the Swan House!
Minister Anthony J. Perry
Minister Anthony J. Perry was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost in the fall of 2000 at Refreshing Springs Church of God and heard the voice of God calling him to ministry shortly thereafter. Much like the prophet Samuel Minister Perry began to study and work diligently for the Lord under the tutelage of Bishop Nathan Perry, I. Minister Perry has worked in a number of capacities at Refreshing Springs including praise team member, tenor section leader, Kingdom School teacher, mentor, and he was the first missionary of Refreshing Springs taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. Minister Perry has traveled multiple times to the small island country of Haiti and is seeking to evangelize in other parts of the world.
Minister Perry is a passionate young man who is serious about the Lord and the calling on his life. Serving and ministering to the world with an inspirational word or song are Minister Perry’s passion. In addition to his work at Refreshing Springs and on the mission field Minister Perry is currently an enrolled student at The Ohio State University where he continues to serve the Lord as director and chaplain for The African American Voices Gospel Choir where he gives spiritual guidance to his peers. When so many are turning away from sound doctrine Minister Perry, despite his age, is an example of all “believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, [and] in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).


Full of Tears is a book of triumph, victory, encouragement, and redemption. It is an autobiography of Shondtel Walker, a woman that is transparent of her journey to finding Christ and the life of abundance that she always deserved. Full of Tears will leave you encouraged, inspired, and full of hope as you press towards living your best life by becoming the best version of you. Full of Tears lets you understand that it is not your past that defines you but yet it is your past that lays the foundation to the strength and knowledge that you have today to overcome any obstacles that you may face. Take a moment to explore the life of Shondtel Walker and let it inspire you to embrace your journey.
Millions are haunted by their pasts…. Letting go is not easy, especially the unfortunate events that become a part of your life. And for many, it turns into a nightmare.
They begin to lose their will to live; everything becomes meaningless. Life itself doesn’t seem worth living anymore, and If all this sounds like YOU, This is NOT the end! Time to learn from the power couple who took back control of their lives out of chaos and destruction; their book throwing light on their extraordinary journey has the power to bring you back to a joyous and prosperous life!


Our residents are the chapel community; a diverse group that feels respected, valued and fulfilled each time they attend services. The helpful and friendly nature of the volunteers as they take the residents to daily service provides a caring continuity. But, what we hear over and over again, is how grateful the residents are to have a chapel on the premises and what joy it brings into their lives.
“There is no other place like Villa Maria Chapel. I attend services every Sunday and it makes me feel at peace.” –Martha, Resident, Villa Maria Care Center
“The chapel means everything to me. I go every day and the volunteers are so easy to talk to and are there whenever I need anything.” –Ruth, Resident, Villa Maria Care Center
“I enjoy the many types of services we have. It makes a real difference for me, my family and friends.” –June, Resident, Villa Maria Care Center
“Isn’t it wonderful to have a place to worship Jesus?” –Irene, Resident, Villa Maria Care Center


Building Relationship NOT Religion
I have a deep passion for people and exploring the Divine in everyone. I am a pastor driven by a deep desire to share Gods Unconditional Love through Social Justice and Radical Inclusion. I understand these to be the hallmarks of Jesus' ministry and as a follower of a Christ way of life, I do my best to model this in all I do. As a gay christian, I seek to show that these two are not mutually exclusive. Celebrating ALL of who God created me to be, is the best way I can share God's love with the world around me.
Thank you for checking out my site!
Please reach out if you have questions! Click the contact link below!


Rev Jesse Jackson Honored
Newark, NJ: NJSP reports 2.23.2019 – Colonel Patrick Callahan attended a dinner hosted by Reverend David Jefferson and the City of Newark to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.
Distinguished guests and speakers had an opportunity to show their appreciation for Reverend Jackson’s life-long work as a civil rights activist. During the ceremony, Mayor Ras Baraka also presented Reverend Jackson with the key to the city
Reverend Jackson was grateful for the strong relationships he has in New Jersey and acknowledged the dedication of the community leaders throughout the State. He also stated that we must have faith that the strong foundations we lay today will make for a better tomorrow.
Everyone in attendance was treated to a special evening.