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Merry Christmas Images 2023 – It is one of the annual celebrations for the people to celebrate it through the Western church. They are the main festivals for the commencement of Jesus ‘ birth and other detailed things. This fact was confirmed through the track year of AD 273. Along with this, another festival is held for the people to check out the things which are working in better conditions for the people to understand the works in good nature. Christians, on the other hand, have long held the belief that the gospel not only transcends culture but also transforms it. In A.D. 320, one theologian responded, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans, because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”
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Merry Christmas 2023 Images – But why is it celebrated on December 25th with plenty of prayers? For many years, the celebration took place on the 24 December according to the talks of previous lifting old people. Most people preferred the Jewish calendars and comforted different things according to Jesus ‘ birth and other details. Christ-mass is how Christmas is pronounced. But from the fourth century, people completely changed the order and made it believe that the day should be December 25 and confirmed and celebrated as a big day. As a result of the church’s influence, pagan solstice festivals were replaced by Christian traditions across Europe. More innocent pagan customs (such as bringing in a Yule log and decorating with holly) were frequently carried over and given new meaning in the Christmas celebration.
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My Favorite Bible Study Resources
You know those people that talk about how God led them to a scripture in the bible, and then that scripture was the focus for their morning devotional? Yeah…that’s never happened to me. One day, though, I hope to reach a point in my walk with Christ that we’re that in tune. Until then, I use a lot of guided resources to help me dig deeper into God’s Word. And I want to share those resources with you!
There’s an App for That!
The firs type of resources I wanted to start with were the apps I use for bible study! My favorites are the She Reads Truth App and YouVersion Bible App. The She Reads Truth app has a monthly subscription option of $1.99 and you’re able to access any bible study at any time. I like them because they always bring the focus back to us as women and how each scripture or daily reading relates to how we should live our lives as Christian women. I also really like that after each daily reading for whatever bible study you choose to participate in, there’s a comments section where you get to read and share your thoughts on the day’s reading, with real women in the She Reads Truth community.
I like the YouVersion Bible App for the same reasons, in terms of there being a variety of bible studies. Theirs is a little more specific though, because you’re able to find topical studies based off whatever you’re going through. So if you’re struggling with anger, just type in anger in the search bar, and all the scriptures and devotionals they have in relation to anger will pop up! They have a lot of contributors, too, which is why they have a plethora of bible studies to choose from. I also like getting the daily scripture alerts on my phone. A lot of them have been just what I needed to see/hear in that moment. You can also add people as friends and build your own community where you’re able to see what each other is highlighting in their daily readings, or what bible studies people are starting. But there are privacy options for those of us who like to keep those things to ourselves.
I enjoy the convenience of technology sometimes, because when I’m in a hurry, I can still get my word in on the go. However, I’d choose a physical resource any day. Some of those include my Women’s Study Bible, Priscilla Shirer’s Awaken 90 Day Devotional and Well-Watered Women Co.’s Give Me Jesus Journal.
I bought my Women’s Study Bible a few years ago, during one of my spontaneous bookstore trips. I absolutely love it. It breaks down most of the scriptures in the margins, which really comes in handy for those ones that don’t necessarily click when you first read them. It breaks those scriptures down and makes them plain. There are also little sections in between scriptures called “Hard Questions,” where it poses the question that many people probably have as it relates to the subject matter of whatever scripture(s) you’re reading. And then those questions are answered based off biblical principles. Just like the She Reads Truth App, at the beginning of every book, it tells what it’s about and how it relates to Christian women and why it’s important for women to read it. I think it’s cool that they do that because it’s so accurate, that if we feel like that book/chapter is irrelevant to us, we won’t read it (like Numbers, for instance). But they’re able to point out in every book, why it is relevant to women and why it’s imperative that we read it.
Priscilla Shirer has been by Auntie in my head since I saw War Room. She prayed the theater DOWN, honey! When I found out she was an author as well, it was over with. I got at least three of her books. But the one I’ve been picking up a lot lately, and is another one of my favorite bible study resources is the Awaken 90 Day Devotional . I like it because it gives me just what I need on those mornings when I don’t have an hour or so for quiet time. It’s simple and to the point, but still so satisfying. There’s also a little area left for journaling based off whatever thought or question she poses in relation to that day’s devotion. And there are also additional scriptures provided at the bottom of each page, related to that day’s devotion.
Last but not least, is the Give Me Jesus Journal from Well-Watered Women Co. I actually stumbled upon this resource via Instagram and after taking a look at it online, I knew I had to get one. It can be a little overwhelming, because even though it’s still guided as in it has different sections designated for different things, it still doesn’t tell you what to read on that day. It leaves that part up to you! But, what I’ve found helpful is using the “Bible in a Year Plan” from the She Reads Truth App, as my guided reading and the focus for the different sections laid out in the journal. In the beginning of the journal, goes into detail about what each section is for, so I definitely recommend going online to take a look at it. I like to use this on my mornings where I have about an hour or so for quiet time, or even at night, before bed. It really allots for you to delve deep in the Word and get the most out of your quiet time with God.
No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, my prayer is that at least one of these resources can prove to be helpful along the way. At the end of the day, I truly believe that when it comes to your quiet time with God, it’s about quality over quantity. So, if you didn’t get in as many quiet times this week as you would’ve liked, but got 2 solid ones in, then that’s a win sis! Or, if you didn’t read a ton but you read one scripture that you meditated on throughout your day and it really spoke to you, that’s still a win.
Don’t cheat yourself out of a genuine and quality relationship with God, trying to keep up with the pace of others. Nor should you believe that the value of your relationship with Christ is based off how many scriptures you read in a day. There’s people who know the Bible backward and forward, but aren’t living out what they’re reading.
Just focus on being intentional and genuine, and everything else will fall into place.
Until next time!
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….


What Do You Do With a Chocolate Jesus?: An Irreverent History of Christianity “What Do You Do with a Chocolate Jesus?” is the funny and skeptical, yet genuine exploration of the Christian history they don’t teach in Sunday school. It finds humor, irony, and occasional insight amid the inconsistencies, absurdities, hypocrisies, and flat out weirdness that too often passes for eternal truth. Like a history of religion as done by The Daily Show, it humorously explores the facts, the history, and the big ideas in an engaging and entertaining story. Pitting actual Scripture against pious propaganda, Thomas Quinn treks through chapter and verse of the New Testament, explores the sordid saga of medieval beliefs (including End-of-the-World panics and fights about what kind of stuff Jesus was made of), and reveals some of the shocking attitudes of America’s founders toward religion. It isn’t always pretty, but it’s usually good for a laugh. If war is too important to leave to the generals, religion is too important to leave to the preachers. Skeptics need evangelists, too.


This week we are plowing through Jesus praying to be glorified. This week is going to be a real challenge. I am looking forward to it. I like to have an idea of where the passage is heading before the week of, but a clear picture has not yet formed. Please post any thoughts, images, […]
Allright, I feel like an idiot. I just cried in Starbucks. I did it discreetly but I will admit I shed a few tears. I’ve been searching for an image of how the Holy Spirit Comes along side us. Isn’t the point of preaching to leave the people with an image of what the scriptures […]
hey guys here are some suggested orders of worship for the unLONE series (Easter 4-Pentecost). a few of them are my original songs. if you’d like any of them you can e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.org, or just leave a comment.___ April 13 – Easter 04John 10:1-10 (Jesus, the Good Shepherd)− Message in a bottle− can […]
I am considering using the following video. I will edit it down a bit to shave some stuff off the end, but it goes along beautifully with the Emmaus Road passage. I won’t give too much away, let me know if you see the connection.
levi and i have already put together 2 series from the lectionary. the first began this past sunday, of course: ALIVE. this will follow the gospel passages and will be for 3 weeks (March 23-April 6). After that we begin a 5-week series that will lead us to pentecost. it will be following the gospel […]


Ministry in Motion, Inc. at the Georgia State Capitol
SAVE THE DATE
MINISTRY IN MOTION IN CONCERT 2016
September 23, 2016 AT 7:00 PM
September 24, 2016 AT 2:00 PM
Ministry in Motion International Dance Company
November 2-18, 2016
God has called us to the mission’s field partnering with Hope Commission International, Inc. to show God’s love of salvation to the people of Maringa, Brazil. Our host in Brazil is Youth With A Mission, Maringa. As dancing preachers, Ministry in Motion will demonstrate the power of God through His love and expressive worship in South America.
Please prayerfully consider supporting Ministry in Motion with a gift of $50 or any amount. Make a pledge, give today by mailing your gift to Ministry in Motion, 3856 Conley Downs Lane, Decatur, GA 30034. Make checks payable to Ministry in Motion, Inc. Donate today by our GoFundMe Link: www.gofundme.com/mimbrazil2016
Visit our website at
Contact Us by email or phone:
Shealeta Reed, Executive Director/CEO
Progression - a life experience through dance and drama as it starts from one stage and ends in another. This journey will take you from one phase to another as it progresses to find your truth.


My parents always bought my brother and I an ornament every year. I loved that! It allowed me to have a nice collection of them when I moved out on my own. Plus, I just love Christmas ornaments! The two shown above are from Papa and Nana (my parents). I didn’t get any photos of the ones from us. So that means the kids will get 2 ornaments each year since Nana will get them one too. 🙂
The sweet Christmas clothes they are wearing in this photo also came from my parents. I hope we can continue do something like this each year too. It is fun to see them all dressed up!
Another tradition we are doing is only giving the kids 3 or 4 presents each, and then their stockings. We want to stay focused on Jesus birth at Christmas and not get all caught up in gifts and “stuff”. We will also read the story of Jesus birth starting next year when Ronnie is a bit older. We really enjoyed our Christmas together as a family of four! Looking forward to making more traditions throughout the year and for other holiday’s.


Opening hours, services and map
The Church of St George is apart of the Varkaus Parish. The service schedule can be found at http://www.ortvarkaus.net/ Services at the Church fo St. George will be held in Finnish and Church Slavonic.
Opening hours will be posted at this site. Organizing private services is possible when the church is not otherwise in use. For more information, contact the Varkaus parish directly at email@example.com
The Church of St. George can be opened for groups outside regular opening hours. For more information, contact the church at firstname.lastname@example.org or by phone +358 44 725 75 48
The visiting address is Kaitaistentie 345, 79690 Kaitainen, which intersects with Georgios Voittajan tie and the church is located at Georgios Voittajan tie 49. The mailing address is Viljakainen, PL 384, 00880 Helsinki
View Larger Map


In the Bible, “serenity” is not a word that is used explicitly. However, the concept of serenity can be found throughout the scriptures in various forms, such as peace, rest, stillness, and tranquility.
For example, in Psalm 46:10, it says “Be still, and know that I am God.” This verse encourages us to find peace and stillness in God’s presence, and to trust in Him even amidst chaos and uncertainty.
In Philippians 4:7, it says “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that true peace can only come from God and that it is a gift that we can receive through faith in Jesus Christ.
In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This verse highlights that the peace that Jesus offers is not like the temporary peace that the world can offer, but a lasting and profound peace that can calm our hearts and minds.
The Bible teaches that serenity comes from trusting in God and relying on His peace, which is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
Serenity Meaning in the Bible
Serenity is characterized by a state of calm, tranquility, and stillness that is only attainable by directing our attention towards Christ. Seeking after the things of the world or indulging in the desires of the flesh cannot provide the deep-seated serenity that we long for in our innermost being.


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14, 27)
And peace has messengers who bear witness to it, using all means of communication to convey the Good News to the whole world…so there was the “Voice of Peace”.
Salam Radio Station is the first Arabic Christian online media organization in the United States whose primary goal is proclaiming the Word of God.
Salam Radio Station is one of the key pillars of the Salam Group. It is a replication of successful mechanisms tested around the world aiming at reaching wider populations through radio emissions coupled with a visual platform.
The station will consist of several media components, including development and establishment of a website, a mobile application, and social media pages and platforms. Each one of these components offers the community the chance to interact, access information, and practice religious and spiritual activities from any location. Such an approach not only offers an opportunity to expand and engage a greater number of community members, particularly youth groups and people hurt by the Church, but it also contributes to the inclusion of marginalized groups.
Salam Radio Station will have the main and sole mission to deliver, reach, expand and develop innovatively the Christian and Humanitarian values amongst its audience.
© 2024 SALAM ARABIC CHURCH - All Rights Reserved


THANK YOU YMLX FOR A GREAT EVENT!
We are so glad that you all came and experienced it with us!
WHAT IS YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE?
For years the three of us have had the privilege of talking about youth ministry with one another. We share our joys, our struggles, and maybe most importantly, where we think God is taking youth ministry in the next ten years.
Inevitably, the conversation always points back to the youth pastors who we love so much and the question of, “How can we youth pastors become more effective leaders?” It always turns into a great conversation!
Now, we want to invite you to join us in the conversation because we know you will make it better.
We want to personally invite you to join us in Atlanta from February 6-8, 2018, for the first ever Youth Ministry Leadership Exchange.
Our time together will be… PRACTICAL, STRATEGIC, DEEP, and FUN!
The goal of Youth Ministry Leadership Exchange will be to combine our strengths and experiences to help youth pastors become stronger and more effective leaders.
This event is open exclusively to youth pastors and key youth leaders. (Conversations get better and deeper that way.)
There are no rows. You’ll be around tables with other youth workers who share your passions, challenges, and struggles. You’ll learn as much from each other as from anyone who presents.
Every session is hyper-relevant, filled with tangible ideas to help your leadership.
Talks are short. You’ll hear TED-style talks and interviews with some of today’s experts on leadership—from both inside and outside the church.
Leaders are accessible. We’re limiting the size of the event so that it has a small feel and there will plenty of opportunities for you to rub shoulders with the speakers and ask your pressing questions.
We hope you’ll join us. Thanks for all you do to help students be changed by Christ to change the world around them. We can’t wait to have you dive into the conversation with us.
Doug, Reggie, and Kara
PS: We’ll also be combining our team of leaders from the ministries that we lead… Download Youth Ministry (DYM), Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), and the crew from Orange. It will be a blast.


Certainly, the most important event of 2011 is the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, April 29 at Westminster Abbey in central London.
The historical building has been the setting for many royal occasions over the years. Here it is a few:
20 November 1947: Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) married Prince Philip of Greece (later Duke of Edinburgh)
They were the tenth royal to marry at the Abbey. The hymns were Praise my soul, the King of Heaven and The Lord is my Shepherd and the couple left the Church to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Princess Elizabeth’s dress was designed by Norman Hartnell from silk spun at Lullingstone Castle in Kent, with a veil, a tiara of pearls and diamonds and a very long train appliqued with a design of stars, Tudor roses and wheat. For austerity reasons, after years of war, very little extra seating was provided and about 2,000 guests attended. The Queen and Prince Philip have attended thanksgiving services at the Abbey to commemorate their Silver wedding and Golden wedding anniversaries
2 June 1953: Coronation of Elizabeth II
This was the 38th coronation at the Abbey, the first being that of William the Conqueror in 1066. The ceremony was televised for the first time making it possible for the public to witness the event in its entirety. Half a million people gathered to watch the coronation procession from Buckingham palace. The music was performed by a 60-strong orchestra and a 400-strong choir. The Queen was watched by 8251 guests gathered inside the Abbey. She entered the Abbey at 11.20 and was crowned at 12.34
6 May 1960: Princess Margaret, second daughter of King George VI, was married to Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Earl of Snowdon)
The hymns were Christ is made the sure foundation and Immortal, invisible, God only wise and the couple left the Church to Henry Purcell’s Trumpet Tune and Airs. The couple were divorced in 1978
14 November 1973: The Princess Royal, only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, was married to Captain Mark Phillips
The hymns were Glorious things of thee are spoken and Immortal invisible, God only wise and the couple left to Widor’s Toccata in F major, Johann Strauss Radetzky March and the Finale from the Organ Symphony no. 1 by Vierne. The couple were later divorced. Princess Anne is now married to Timothy Laurence
23 July 1986: Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, was married to Sarah Ferguson
The Duke and Duchess of York had two children during their marriage: Princess Beatrice of York (born 1988) and Princess Eugenie of York (born 1990). After four years of official separation, the Duke and Duchess made the mutual decision to divorce in 1996
6 September 1997: Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales July 1, 1961 – 31 August 1997
Princes William and Harry walked behind the funeral cortege along with the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh and Earl Spencer, the late princess’s brother. More than 2,000 people attended the ceremony and it was watched by 32.78 million Britons on television. It is one of the most watched events in history after being followed by 2.5 billion people worldwide. The outpouring of public grief following the death of Princess Diana in a car accident in Paris was described as a phenomenon. Elton John performed the song Candle in the Wind, initially dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, during the service and Diana’s brother Earl Spencer gave the address
Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church and is located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. The Abbey’s two western towers were built between 1722 and 1745 by Nicholas Hawksmoor and constructed from Portland stone
An interior view of Westminster Abbey in London
A mosaic pattern decorates the lantern roof of Westminster Abbey
A statue of Virgin Mary, holding the young Jesus, above the side entrance at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey with a procession of Knights of the Bath, by Canaletto, 1749.
A statue gisant on a tomb in Westminster. It was filled with the tombs of various dukes and earls.
King Edward’s Chair
A view of from the nearby London Eye to the North East


Final updated 2009-06-23
The various marriage ceremonies and teachings about wedding among Christian churches.
With this web page
web web Page choices
Christians believe wedding is something special from Jesus, the one that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s the atmosphere that is right take part in intimate relations also to build a household life. Engaged and getting married in a church, right in front of God, is essential.
A wedding is really a declaration that is public of and dedication. This statement is manufactured right in front of relatives and buddies in a church ceremony.
The annals of marriage
Marriage vows, when you look at the kind “To have also to hold using this forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part”, have been recited at UK church weddings since 1552 day.
But prior to the wedding ceremony ended up being written in to the Book of popular Prayer, marriages had been a great deal more informal: partners could merely guarantee by themselves one to the other whenever you want or spot plus the spoken term had been just like the written agreement.
In this sound clip, three academics – Janet Soskice, Reader in Modern Theology and Philosophical Theology, Cambridge University; Frederik Pedersen, Lecturer ever sold, Aberdeen University; and Christina Hardyment, social historian and journalist – discuss the history of plus the part of state and church in marriage.
Church of England weddings
Wedding within the Church of England
If you opt to get hitched in church, there is a additional measurement – the assurance that Jesus cares regarding your relationship and therefore their resources and power can be obtained that will help you. Including Jesus in your wedding does not mean which you can look to God for help and guidance and that His love will sustain you that you will avoid all the usual ups and downs, but you will know. You will likewise have the help for the Christian Church household.
Your wedding within the Church of England
Where can partners marry?
A few may marry within their neighborhood Church of England parish church if either the person or girl life within the parish. Before 2007, they might never be hitched an additional parish unless that they had attended church services here for 6 months and had been on its electoral roll.
In 2007, however, the Church of England initiated a change in the law to make it easier for couples to have a church wedding in a parish other than their own july. The modifications allow it to be easier for a couple of to marry in a church where there is certainly a household or any other unique connection.
Listed here are qualifying connections:
The conference associated with the General Synod on Saturday 7 July 2007 unanimously authorized the draft measure. As the Church of England may be the formal state church, the measure needed to be approved by the Parliamentary Ecclesiastical Committee prior to going through both Houses of Parliament and getting Royal Assent. It’s likely to be law in autumn 2008.
Ahead of the wedding
Prior to the ceremony, there are numerous things the few should do. Firstly, they have to organize to possess their banns (a general public statement of the forthcoming marriage) read aloud on three Sundays throughout the 3 months prior to the wedding. They need to be read out loud within the parishes of both individuals. In the event that banns may not be read aloud for almost any explanation, a particular licence may be given by the bishop for the diocese.


Did you ever think that the most common and translatable verb within our Christian life could become just another abstract term found in the Christianese Dictionary?
Well, it has, and has been for quite some time.
The past week has been a challenging one for me in this regard. Valley Well Ministries is just about to officially open it's doors and Laurie and I are excited to have a friend from Regina/Eston College/Battlefords come and lead our worship music portion of our services. Yet it was in the conversations we have had with some new Christians or non-churched people that I found myself stumbling over my words. The word as you can guess that caused me the most trouble was the term worship. If Tim is coming to do our worship (and that is usually how we Christians word it - hey pastor, who is doing your worship these days? or, hey who did the worship last night?), what does that say to the non/new-Christian?
Thanks to the query of my Aunt, who ironically while I was internally facing this conversation, decided to ask what I meant. Lets not forget the puzzled look on this born/raised in the Catholic church style of services.
It was then that between Laurie and myself we explained how we meant that Tim was going to sing and play worship music - music that is specifically focused on the worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
So what's so wrong with that right? Why blog about having to answer a question? How does this mean 'worship' has become another Christianese term?
I have heard preachers preach on this countless times, but since it still is apart of our conversations in the same way, I must at least blog about it!
Worship was never meant to take one segment of our church gatherings, nevermind that, worship was never meant to be a part of a mere 1/2 hour per week of our life. Worship is not just the music!!! But, we all know that right? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to get hung up on terminology or culturally acceptable lingo, as the saying goes...I'm just sayin.
This pondering got me pondering even more thats all.
Worship is supposed to be a lifestyle, its a choice, but a choice that is in our best interests to make all the time. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" - Romans 12:1 We are to offer our whole living being as an act of worship, every part of our living existence should be a self-less act of worship. I know we are human, and therefore I do not say that we will be perfecters of this Holy Habit, but I am saying that when we worship God we need to think of every breath we take in and exhale out of an act of worship.
God is Holy and Glory, Power and Might, Mercy and Grace, Salvation and Refuge, Source and Sustenance, Creator and Finisher, Provider and Teacher, Alpha and Omega...what more needs to be said, He is worthy of our worship, the only One worthy. If there is any who deserves to have our full, undivided, unpartial, totally hot devotion and surrender it is Him. He is the essence of existence!
Let us worship Him always, with the very life He gave us, let us offer it back to Him as living sacrifices, laying our pride, our agenda, our worry, our fear, our ways, to do His!
What is stopping or preventing you from wholly serving the Holy One?
Get that thing out of His way!
Its not just about music, its not just about the sermon, the prayer meeting, the Bible study, the fellowship event, the place you serve every week or the mealtime prayer, its about how you wash your dishes, internally feel about company coming, treat that customer that ripped into you, drive down the street, discipline your kids, speak to your spouse (esp when they did something you didn't like), purchase stuff, eat, drink, exercise...my goodness I could go on and on.
Worship, is at the very core of a Christian's purpose!


Prayer to Mary, Holy Mary of Good Success
Holy Virgin, loving Mother and Protectress of all men, universal remedy for all evils and tender guardian of our souls, I venerate thy Holy Statue that represents and recalls the special favors thou hath given to pilgrims on this earth and your kindly patronage of this Community and those who have recourse to you under this name. Confiding in thy singular protection, I fall at thy feet and pour out my heart, repenting of my offenses against God and thee, begging thee to grant me pardon for my sins and imperfections. I offer thee again my gratitude for all the benefits granted me, for thy miraculous apparition and for the pledge of special protection that thou hath given those who come to thee as Mother and Advocate. Hear my cries, my Mother, and as thou art the healer of every infirmity, I know that thou has the remedies for all my infirmities, which are many, and that thy goodness and mercy will conquer them.
Do not cease to be our protectress
because of our infidelities, but have pity on us because
of the fragility of our nature. Hear our cries with
tender compassion. Save us in our conflicts, foil the
evil designs of our enemies, give us courage and
resignation in our tribulations and great confidence in
the power of God. Renew the fervor in all thy religious
so that they might be faithful, observant, and obedient
to their Superiors and the Rule. Give us a constant
desire to serve and love God in imitation of thee, with
whom we live united in the same sentiment and labors,
thanking thee for the many favors thou hast granted us,
like this one of having this holy Statue as an
everlasting remembrance of your apparition. Then, after
serving thee with enthusiasm and supernatural joy on this
Earth, may we also be with you eternally in Heaven.
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior."
"Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."
"For He that is mighty has done great things to me; and holy is His Name."
"And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him."
"He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart."
"He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble."
"He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away."
"He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy,"
"As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen."
Glory be to the Father....
Blessed Mother of Good Success, what great love you had for your privileged daughter and confidante, the Servant of God Mother Mariana Francisca de Jesus Torres, in the days of her mortal life. Now, through her intercession, attain for us from Our Lord Jesus Christ the grace we are asking of you and the extraordinary favor of seeing her raised to the honor of the altars in the not too distant future, so that the Church may count on a powerful intercessor who will help to save us from the physical, moral and social evils that are threatening us and bringing us to the brink of despair. Save us with thy prayers and thy long-proven love for your children who have recourse to thee.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.
(With ecclesiastical approval).
If favors are granted, please send information to:
Postulator for the Cause of Beatification, Palacio Arzobispo, Apartado 106, Quito, Ecuador


At Faith Church we don’t shy away from talking about giving back to God a portion of what He originally has given us. When you tap into being generous you enable Faith Church to reach more people with the life changing message of Jesus. Marriages are strengthened, families brought closer together, purpose is discovered and people engage in the adventure of seeking out God’s best for them. In short, your faithful giving creates places where you and your friends can experience Jesus.
Taking the step of faith
When you participate in Online Giving, you decide in advance to faithfully give. God always blesses that kind of faith!


Please help us protect the children of Uganda. We have installed lightning dissipator systems on the schools at Kisiizi, Kagogo, Katiba, Yamuriro, Kitooma, Kishanje, Kahumiro, and Mugyera. We have also installed dissipation systems on the churches at Kisiizi, Kagogo, Katiba, Kamuhungye, Kabagande, Yamuriro, Kiigo, Kitooma, Kishanje, Kahumiro and Mugyera.
We are traveling to Rwanda and Uganda in early 2020. The Nyarunazi church in Rwanda was recently struck, 14 people were killed and 140 were injured. The village of Bihembe has decided to tear down the church and build it on a new spot because they are afraid to re-enter the building. Together Our Mission is going to make sure their new church never faces the same danger. T.O.M. is also traveling into Uganda to install lightning protection systems on several more schools and churches in Southwest Uganda on Lake Bunyonyi.
Recognizing ongoing need in the community and identifying sustainable partnerships,My wife and I established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called "Together Our Mission" to continue to help these children. We will continue to identify schools and churches in need of lightning protection and one by one protect them all the best we can. Additionally, T.O.M. will be meeting with local primary schools in order to establish an educational scholarship to help these children continue on to secondary school. They will be the first recipients of the David A. Sandberg Scholarship. David A. Sandberg was like a father to me, and was an incredible teacher and believer in International Development. He believed that peace can be achieved through education and love.
Please help "Together Our Mission" protect these children and help them pursue their education, and help their community grow in peace and health. Public Health, Basic Education, and sustainable community development are the hallmarks of Together Our Mission. Will you support us in attaining that mission?


Grace Baptist Temple is Independent Fundamental Christ centered Baptist Chruch located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. We are a family oriented and fellowship minded church with a heart for the Rocky Mount Community and for Missions around the world.
WELCOMING YOU HOME
Would you prayerfully consider visiting with us here at Grace Baptist Temple? We would love to meet you and share with you Christ and what we have to offer you through our local church ministries.
We value biblical truth, authentic community, and passionate outreach. Learn more by reading our statement of faith.
Tim Smith has been the pastor at Grace Baptist Temple since 2013. Pastor Tim has a great vision going forward for the church and is very excited to see where the Lord leads!
Our services are centered around preaching, prayer, and Christ honoring music.We enjoy singing the great hymns of the faith and familiar choruses. Our services is centered around the preaching of God’s Word, our pastor will share truths from the Bible that will apply to your life and will encourage your spiritual growth.
ARE YOU SAVED?
God loves you. He sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross, taking the punishment for your sins upon Himself. Now He is waiting for you to accept His free gift of salvation.


(3 Nov 2019) Former President Jimmy Carter taught a Bible lesson on life after death Sunday less than two weeks after breaking his pelvis in a fall.
Using a walker, the 95-year-old Democrat slowly entered the crowded sanctuary at Maranatha Baptist Church in the southwest Georgia town of Plains.
With help, Carter sat on a motorized lift chair at the front of the room to teach a 45-minute lesson based on the Old Testament book of Job.
After telling a story about a cancer diagnosis that resulted in the removal of part of his liver in 2015, Carter said he has “complete confidence” in his belief in life after death.
More than 400 people were on hand in the main hall and smaller, overflow rooms where the lesson was shown on television.
Carter was briefly hospitalized and has since been recovering at home since fracturing his pelvis on Oct. 21. He also fell shortly before that and needed stitches above his left eye.
Carter is the oldest U.S. ex-President ever and has been teaching Bible lessons since he was in his teens. He missed one Sunday school class after the pelvis fracture.
Carter remained for the worship service after teaching, sitting in a pew beside his wife, Rosalynn, and singing hymns with the congregation.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/6d0995c5ac394366912b8534f25ff738


In today’s episode I’m talking with 2 dynamic women that I can’t wait for you to meet. They are transparent and wise. They entrusted their stories to me, a woman they didn’t know the week before. We met through the Entrusted Women Facebook Group.
My guests are Jessica Collazo & Debra Cheeks.
Jessica is a Chicago native with a heart that beats for Jesus. Her passion is to challenge women to think differently, gain a new perspective and live confidently. Because she knows, it’s possible. Jessica lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Jerry, two sons and dog, Sawyer.
Debra Cheek is the wife of John Cheek, and a mom of 7. She is passionate about family, and that passion is most seen in her love for marriages. Her desire to see God's people restore marriage to a place of honor has been channeled and grown through writing, as she published "The Believing Wife" in 2017, and through teaching bible studies, workshops, and seminars. In March of 2017, she founded Believing Wives Bible Study, a ministry designed to teach and train wives to fulfill God's original plan for their lives and in so doing change their homes, communities, and the nation.
In this episode we discussed:
This episode feels like a marriage masterclass. So much to chew on and glean from this discussion.
Connect with Jessica on Instagram at @jesscoll721
The STRONG Womanhood Growth Journal: Activate the Courage to Live Out Your Calling is a self directed guide for women who want to be active participants in their personal transformation and are looking for a process to mentor them through it. And it's finally here!
Get it at Amazon: BUY THE BOOK
Subscribe to the #WorkYourPlan Podcast and published episodes will come right to the podcast app on your phone and/or join our email list for a daily email reminder when a new episode is ready.
If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, rate it on iTunes with a short review.
Connect with Kendra personally @kendratillman OR @strongherme on Instagram.
Ask a question on the podcast episode at strongher.me/blog or by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org.


The idyllic hamlet of Bidnija, the second smallest village in Malta, is located between two sweeping valleys in the heart of Malta. It is still largely a farmer's village since it is entirely surrounded by fields which mainly belong to the inhabitants themselves, although in recent years many have moved here in order to enjoy the quiet life amidst the countryside. It makes a perfect base for exploring the more rural side of the island. A pretty chapel is located in the village centre, dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, also not far is the famous Mosta Dome, the third largest unsupported dome in Europe.
Bidnija villas available fromView villas


is designed to address practical issues in the refugee community.
You may want to print out this informaiton and pass it on to someone
who needs it.
You must have the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed
to view these PDF files.
Shall We Live?
Many who profess to follow Christ are unaware of the
Basics of His teachings.
"...we base sound doctrine on the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Tim. 6:3
Those who have come to a point where they need some answers will
discover that every story that Jesus told can be related to one
of the Beatitudes which are the foundation of His teaching.
You can listen to the
audio version of these lessons by clicking here.
Videos, Podcasts, Audio files and printed booklet versions are on
Teddim, Nepali, translations will soon be available.


Holy Hope music is inspirational, meditative, and calming. Our second album, Communion of Love is about the joy we experience when we open ourselves to the life giving love of God and those around us.
Thematically, the Communion of Love album represents two different sides of love — desire tempered by hesitation and the joy experienced by giving your heart to another. Musically, it maintains the meditative nature of inspiration and worship through solo piano. Some of the songs are autobiographical in nature while others are reflections of God’s Love.


We have a vision to become Lubbock’s premier women’s healthcare clinic for every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. We know that with the right resources, we can serve more women and see them choose life. The need is great, your support is directly involved in seeing lives saved.
First, we need your prayers. Prayers for the conversations, the women, our staff, and our impact. We believe in the power of prayer and welcome you to join us as we impact a generation with grace and truth through thoughtful prayer.
There are several ways to get involved. You can become a client advocate and have the opportunity to speak directly with our patients. We would also love for you to consider serving in our parenting and prenatal classes, patient gatherings, clerical work, Bible study programs, and our special events.
Your donations are crucial to our organization. Each donation helps us impact more women to choose life. Help us in championing them while making an eternal impact in Lubbock, TX.
WE ARE A PREMIER WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE CLINIC
DEDICATED TO CHAMPIONING THE NEEDS OF FEMALES IN OUR COMMUNITY.


Beloved, always remember ‘any change without the power of God is just manipulated behavior.’ You have to do your part and trust God to do His. We trust the process because we trust the Processor. It’s impossible to do one without the other.
Always Remember, as time goes by, ‘you are one day closer to the promise and one day further from the pain.’ Don’t lose heart. Stay focused. Continue to move forward. In due time, you will get your reward…. I promise!


The Chamber helped celebrate the grand opening of The Good Samaritan Mission on Ferry Street in Danville on Saturday, October 23rd, with a ribbon-cutting. With over 100 people coming out to show support, the morning was filled with jam-packed activities including the ribbon-cutting, a tribute to Sandy O’Rourke, basket raffles and tours. The Good Samaritan Mission is the only faith-based, nonprofit mission serving adults and children in the Montour County and surrounding areas. The mission’s foundation was built on with Board of Directors and nearly 100 volunteers who donated countless hours to keep the program running.
“We are so excited about the beauty of this place and the blessing that we have here. We’re really excited about what’s going to happen with this place.” said Carin Wharton, Executive Director.
The Good Samaritan Mission is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Visit www.gsmdanville.org


After Chris Pratt appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last week, a Twitterstorm erupted over a tweet posted by actress Ellen Page.
On the prove, Pratt discussed the impact his religion has had on his life and his select to do the “Daniel Fast.”
“Oh. K. Um. But his religion is infamously lgbtq so maybe address that too? ” wrote Page.
Oh. K. Um. But his religion is infamously anti lgbtq so maybe address that too? https :// t.co/ meg8m 69 FeF
— Ellen Page (@ EllenPage) February 8, 2019
“If you are a famed actor and you belong to an organization that detests a certain group of people, don’t be surprised if someone simply wonders why it’s not addressed, ” she added.
While the “Jurassic World” star currently attends Zoe Church in L.A ., various media outlets claimed that he’s affiliated with Hillsong.
Pratt answered to the backlash resulting from the tweet in an Instagram tale 😛 TAGEND
“It has recently been suggested that I belong to a faith which dislikes a certain group of people and is’ infamously anti-LGBTQ.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a faith that opens their doorways to perfectly everyone.
Despite what the Bible says about my divorce, my church community was there for me each step of the way, never judge, only gracefully accompanying me on my stroll. They helped me tremendously offering their enjoy and subsistence. It is what I have seen them do for others on innumerable parties regardless of sexual direction, race or gender.
My faith is important to me but no faith characterizes me or my life, and I am not a spokesman for any faith or any group of people. My importances characterize who I am. We require less hate in this world-wide , not more. I am a man who believes that everyone is entitled to desire who they crave free from the judgment of their fellow man.”
Hillsong Church has since secreted[ its] own public word, refuting the claims that the objective is “anti-LGBTQ” 😛 TAGEND
“Hillsong Church does not preach against anyone or any group; we are not’ anti-anyone’. We are an inclusive Christian church that enjoys, prices and welcomes all people, irrespective of their background, ethnicity, notions, prices, or personal identity.
We are also a religion that adheres to mainstream biblical prices shared by the overwhelming majority of evangelical Christian churches throughout the world, and millions of Christians across the USA. Believing the teachings of the Bible and desiring all people- including those who have different perspectives- are not mutually exclusive. In reality this is the very explanation of accept and inclusiveness…
At Hillsong we want to be known by who we are for . We are for people determining hope in Jesus, we are for people obtaining adore and acceptance, and we are for be helping in any way we can.”
They was also indicated that they are against “gay conversion therapy, ” as their primary focus is to phase people to Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life”.
Read Hillsong’s full announcement on their website.


The Church of God in Manchester
West Point Assembly Hall
82 Albert Road, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2AD
Services, Directions & Contact Information
The Annual Manchester Conference is scheduled for Saturday 11th November 2017 from 3.00pm – 7.00pm.
See our ad below for full details. Download a copy of the ad here.
10.00am The Remembrance (Worship Meeting)
11.45am Bible Teaching & Hymn Singing, Sunday school for primary-age children, and Bible class for teenagers
10.00am Little Fishes (Pram Club)
7.30pm Prayers, Bible Teaching
Every Other Tuesday
1.00pm Sweet Life Café (Bible Study Group for Women)
First Wednesday of each month
7.30pm Oasis (Craft class & social gathering for Women)
We also organise special events such as Quiz Nights, Youth Events, Teaching Conferences and Family Fun Days. Please come along and find out what we’re all about!
For futher details, please contact us on the following numbers:
0161 610 9494 & 0161 428 5242
Read more about What You Can Expect at our Worship Service.


[making the sign of the cross just in case Satan is for real]
I’ve always been a little confused about this God/Satan thing as two forces opposing each other in an eternal battle for our souls. It started when I was a very little person and went to Catholic catechism classes. It seems that God is perfect and created these angels . . . but God gave the angels free will and choice. Satan (aka “Lucifer”) staged a coup which failed miserably and he ended up in being banished forever to hell and [gulp] the earth. Because Lucifer was an angel, he is immortal. So, this guy’s soul or essence or being or whatever is still lurking about in plain sight.
Among believers, it is agreed that God created everything. “Everything” would have to include those things we find “good” as well as those things we define as “bad.” In fact, God admits he created evil in Isaiah 45:6-7: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.
The Hebrew word “satan” means adversary/enemy or someone who obstructs or opposes. Because I know there is absolutely nothing outside of the eternal presence of God/Universe/Spirit/Jehovah, I prefer to deal with Satan as a metaphor rather than as an adversary to struggle against. We don’t need to go looking for evil because it resides right here right now in us. Like the angels, God gave us freedom of choice. Because we are all a part of God, we, too, have the power to create both peace and evil. Metaphorically speaking, we are both God and Satan . . . with the freedom to choose which energy we want to use. Think about that.
But that is not why I brought you here today with this rather flamboyant title. Yes, I wanted to get your attention to let you know where I have been these past few months. I’ve still been writing and blogging, but my efforts have been focused on Meaning Making, Loyola University’s student blog. You will find me in “Shamanic Revelations.” You can also find me here and here. I wrote the About section, too. I am still working on getting Loyola to offer subscriptions.
Until then, as a new posting appears in Meaning Making, I plan to make our work there part of my work here.
It is ALL good.
©2012 by Barbara L. Kass


FEBRUARY 10, 2024
About Happily Ever After
Calvary South Austin is hosting the Happily Ever After Marriage Conference on Saturday, February 10th, 2024.
Our heart is to provide a one-day conference where couples can focus solely on what God has in store for their marriage. This isn’t just for those struggling with their marriage. This is also a great way to refocus and reenergize those who just came off their best year of marriage.
Happily Ever After is a one-day conference with worship, four teaching sessions, and a panel Q&A to finish it off. A continental breakfast is provided, as well as snacks throughout the day. We break for a 2-hour lunch, allowing the couples to go catch a lunch date before coming back for the second half of the conference.
Invest in your marriage
Refocus your marriage
Strengthen your marriage
Celebrate your marriage


Reflections from Matthew 18:15-35
I’ve read the accounts of Jesus’ life in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John numerous times. Yet each time I read Jesus’ words afresh, I’m shaken by the serious consequences Jesus places on things we treat as “minor issues” in church today.
Here is an example from my reading today which shook me to the core and caused me to re-consider my heart towards those who’ve wronged me:
In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus lays out the method a Christian should use to make peace with someone who has done wrong against them (Note: Please read these verses. Christians must resolve to make this method their regular practice when dealing with relational conflict.)
After Jesus’ seminar on the practicalities of forgiving people, Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, begins the question and answer session:
He asks Jesus how often he has to forgive people. Peter is thinking of a scenario where somebody persistently offends him. I cannot help but imagine that Peter has a particular “difficult person” in mind and he’s wondering if there is a loophole where he can get away without doing the whole “forgiveness” thing…..
How many chances do they get before Peter can be justified in withholding forgiveness from them? That’s what he’s asking! Jesus tells Peter that he should keep forgiving them, over and over and over again. According to Jesus, we Christians are to be serial forgivers!
Then Jesus explains why: He tells a story where a servant was forgiven from a heap of debt they’d built up. The servant had done wrong and deserved to be punished, but because he begged for forgiveness, the King forgave him. However, when somebody else wronged that same servant, instead of exercising the same forgiveness he’d received from the King, the servant withheld forgiveness, punishing the one in his debt.
Jesus explained that when the King found out about the servants’ refusal to forgive those who’d wronged him, he called the servant “wicked”. He was wicked because in spite of receiving much forgiveness himself (he’d been forgiven from owing a years wages in money and not paying it), he refused to forgive the one who’d wronged him (the man who wronged him owed him only a day’s wages in money.)
The story ends with the King, who’d previously offered him forgiveness, sending him to jail until he was able to pay all his debt. In reality, this servant would never be able to pay off the debt he owed, it was far too big. His destiny was incarceration forever!
Then Jesus gives the punchline: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Here is the application for you and me:
Is it worth forfeiting eternity with God, in order that we can walk in offence and bitterness against those who’ve hurt us? Unforgiveness is a lose, lose. You lose your joy and peace today and you lose eternal life with God.
Many Christian’s are willing to accept they may lose some temporal peace by withholding forgiveness from a brother or sister, but they wrongly believe they can withhold forgiveness and still make it to heaven by God’s grace.
The lie they’ve believed is that they can have faith in the Lord Jesus who died to forgive their sin, and walk in unforgiveness towards others at the same time.
It’s true that Christian’s are saved by faith, but it’s not true that saving faith is compatible with unforgiveness.
To put it another way, if a person truly has faith in the God who has come to earth and died on the cross to make all their many wrongs right, they will, by the Spirit of Jesus, exercise forgiveness to others who have wronged them.
Let’s not minimise Jesus’ words or downplay his warnings. By withholding forgiveness from others, we are forgoing eternity with God.
This is a call to consider Jesus’ warnings, meditate on the magnitude and magnificence of God’s merciful forgiveness towards us, and urgently, without delay, follow Jesus’ instructions in verses 15-20 and seek to make peace with those who’ve sinned against us.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9


Between the pollen and the deluge yesterday I gave myself permission to have a pajama day. I do love a good pajama day, don’t you?
It’s been a weird first quarter this year. I don’t know why but it’s a fact. As I was having my on private church on-line this morning I ran across this message and really struck a chord so I decided to share it with you in hopes that it would help you also.
It’s entitled: Sometimes, I only have 2 little words.
“We may not always understand everything that happens. We may not always know how things are going to end up! But we can understand that God loves us. He has a plan for our lives! He is all-knowing and all-powerful. He is present; He is not just the God of yesterday or of tomorrow – He is the God of today. And He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
As we walk in integrity, as we apply His Word in our lives, as we acknowledge our dependence and our need to hear from Him, there is a rest we come into, knowing that as we stand in simple faith today, tomorrow is also in His hands.
The important thing is that we are standing now in faith and trust, in the place He has us, today. As we do this day by day, we grow into a poise of spirit that will continue to trust the Lord, whenever, and however, He moves in our lives, no matter how big or how small our situations might be.
“Abba, Father!” These words may be, at times, the only words we have. But they are a powerful prayer, one that positions us to rely on our Father. This cry enables us to pray not words limited by our own thoughts, opinions, or understanding, but rather into the greatness of who God is, and His plan for us.
I hope you are encouraged as we start a new week. We certainly are receiving showers… let’s believe they are of blessings.
Thanks for being faithful readers and friends. I appreciate you.


“Our nation was founded on Christian Principles!” is a rallying cry of conservatives across America; It also happens to be patently false. This column is probably going to upset a lot of people who consider themselves to be strong believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ – Mostly because it is going to make them feel like the proverbial sheep who have strayed too far from the flock. Objectivity and religion do not often go hand-in-hand, but my hope is that the believers among you can dust off those seldom-used critical thinking skills and read this from a place of love.
I am by no means a biblical scholar, but I have read the Bible, as well as several other books of faith. I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic elementary school (Go St. Barts!) and received two undergraduate degrees from a Catholic University. (Go Dukes!) I’m a former choir boy, I attended my share of CCD classes: I speak from a place of some wisdom. The reason Christianity is singled out in this column is because there is a war being waged against it as we speak (Come on America – “Holiday” trees? “Spring” eggs and bunnies? WHERE DOES IT END?) and also because it is the predominant belief in America at this time.
Here’s my soundbyte/quote for the headlines:
“If you cite your religious beliefs as a reason to hate, harm, or refuse to help somebody else – Your religion, and your beliefs, are complete garbage.” – Sean Kemmerer
The cases heard before the Supreme Court this week have brought personal moral and religious beliefs back to the forefront of political discussion. As I wrote earlier this week – This is NOT about religion, or the ignorant position of what a “biblical” marriage is. Marriage is a legal contract, regardless of where you get married or what you believe:
This isn’t even about equal rights, it’s about the basic philosophies of what we as a “Christian Nation” are supposed to believe. Want a refresher?
Love Thy Neighbor
And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31) Remember this the next time you think your “neighbor” doesn’t deserve the same rights as you because he loves somebody that you don’t approve of, or believes in a God that you don’t. Even if your neighbor is a dirty Muslim, or a communist, or an “illegal” they should be loved. Jesus didn’t seem to have an issue with that – Should you? Can you make a compelling argument against same-sex marriage without citing your personal faith or beliefs? I didn’t think so.
Heal the Sick
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23) Jesus liked to take care of sick people – It was kind of his thing. Remember when you were young, and there were hospitals that were still run by nuns? You’d break your arm playing football and the nuns would just fix it without tens of thousands of dollars of bills and red tape? Christians USED to believe that taking care of sick people was a GOOD thing. Try to remember that the next time you hear about your Congressman trying to repeal “Obamacare” and denying medical care from literally MILLIONS of your neighbors. (who by the way, you are supposed to love.)
Help the Needy
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. “And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
Anyone think we should drug screen people getting government assistance? Upset that poor people get food stamps? Want to cut funding for the tired, sick, and hungry among us? You think that’s Christ-Like? How are your reading comprehension skills? Better yet – Who do you vote for to represent your “Christian” views? Instead of trying to HELP a single mom who is depressed and struggling and who might have turned to drugs to cope – we cut her off? Take away ANY chance of her recovering? Becoming productive again? Feeding her kids? Is that what Jesus would do? “I’ll feed the masses… right after they pee into thy cup.”
It’s not really rocket science – Religion is supposed to exist as a guide to help us all be better people. Any time you are complaining about “your tax dollars” going to help somebody less fortunate, what are you really saying? Do you complain as loudly when “your tax dollars” are used to wage wars and kill people? What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if someday, it was you who was sick, or poor, or needy? What if you were denied the same rights that your neighbor had?
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Turns out if you actually follow what Christianity says, it’s not so bad after all.
–Sean Kemmerer is a freelance writer, administrator of Politics Without The Crazy Pills , and knows that in the words of a great poet of his father’s generation: Jesus is just all right with me.
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A protégé to the late John R. Claypool — Episcopal priest and best selling author who praised Massingill’s 1995 book, New Eyes, as ‘a gift’ —Lamar Massingill continues through these essays a ‘confessional’ style of sharing insights into the places human experience will inevitably take us.”
—Clayton Sullivan is Professor Emeritus of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Southern Mississippi and a prolific writer and author.
A philosopher, as well as a minister. Such were the words my mother used to describe her then minister at Tylertown United Methodist Church, the Rev. W. Lamar Massingill. Those words fit Lamar well, revealing the depth of his passion not only for the spiritual life, but also for the written and spoken word. Another friend, who never missed a sermon, told me that whenever Lamar spoke at church, “I learned something wonderful and unexpected.” After hearing him speak several times, I cornered him during a church event at my brother’s house and discussed utilizing his sermons in my weekly newspaper, the Magnolia Gazette. I knew his sermons would make a difference in the life of my readers, and I also asked that he assume the job of the paper’s Religion Editor. He was already a reader of the Gazette, already a fan of the award-winning talents of such writers as Dawn Dillon Barrett, Richard C. Wood, and Walter Neil Ferguson. He soon said yes, and it wasn’t long, the November 18, 2004 issue, that Lamar’s first column appeared in the Gazette’s pages. Since that original column, Lamar has garnered an extensive following of readers stretching from the cypress swamps and bayous of Louisiana to the red clay hills of north Mississippi. I can’t tell you how many subscribers begin their praise of the Gazette with praise of that “Preacher Massingill’s column.”
(From the Prologue, written by Lucius M. “Luke” Lampton, MD)
Copies are now available.
Excerpt from the book:
-From the preface by Lamar Massingill
“These are selected essays written over the years 2004-2006 for the Magnolia Gazette and are recorded in their original form as I have journeyed to the places we all travel at some point in our life journey. At each place, I have tried to share some bit of wisdom that I have found helpful and have offered it to those of you to whom I am deeply grateful, the readers.
“I welcome you with a sense of hospitality as we journey together to those places to which human beings have traveled since our beginnings. If, along the way, I have touched a chord that causes you to resonate, I will be all the more grateful.”


I live close to England’s second oldest cathedral, which is a privilege. I regularly visit Rochester Cathedral, taking in a different feature each time, or just enjoying the the peculiar sense such places give of standing outside time through having witnessed so much of time’s passing.
It’s a small cathedral, as English cathedrals go, and not an especially decorative one. Indeed, a particular part of its appeal are the faint traces it bears of a more decorative past. In medieval times, cathedrals were rich in colour. The walls and pillars were painted, brilliant illustrations adorned every corner, especially in the upper parts of the transept and quire. Such gaudiness was stripped away by the Reformation, with only ghostly vestiges remaining. A medieval ‘Wheel of Life’ painting at the end of the quire is the most startling and complete surviving work, but elsewhere one can see figures only just emerging out of the whitened walls, such as the figure of St Christopher on right-hand pillar closest to the west door, now no more than outline and only detectable if one knows to look, and where.
On the pillars of the cathedral there are many scratching and carvings to be seen, with names and dates from ages past. I’d never given them much thought before now, only thinking wryly of how the defacements of today in time become the treasured records of history. But posters now up in the cathedral, and reports on the site of the Rochester Cathedral Research Guild, reveal that they is there is a whole lot more going on than immediately meets the eye.
On the west facade (front) of the cathedral, and on the pillars along the nave, are some barely-discernible markings. With the guidance provided on nearby posters, one starts to see curves, hoops and circles fainted indented into the stonework. It is with some amazement that you learn from the notes provided that the outlines on the west facade (shown at the top of this post) indicate – we are assured – an eagle emblem (of St John), a Palm Sunday scene with donkey, the baptism of Christ, and the Virgin Mary.
The graffiti served different purposes. Those on the west facade indicate an artistic scheme, providing outlines for those who would then create paintings on the exterior of the building. Those inside may in some cases have been created by an artist, or a team (given some similarities in graphic design), but were often the production of members of the congregation. One pillar has several ships scratched into the stonework, probably for votive reasons, with seafarers (Rochester was a maritime port) praying for safe passage by drawing pictures of their ships. These all occur on the one pillar, indicating that there was a shrine nearby to St. Nicholas, patron saint of those in peril on the sea. Other pillars have arcs and circles, thought to be symbolic gestures for warding off evil. Other graffiti include crosses, heraldic designs, animals, symbols, and human figures. While much of the graffiti is religious in intent, it is possible some of it is simply doodling. The intent has faded along with the indentations.
The pillar graffiti would have been carved into painted pillars of red, yellow and green. While the upper parts of the cathedral, where the religious ceremonies took place, were formally and richly decorated with paintings and elaborate designs, the nave where the people gathered was plainer in style and clearly viewed as a surface on which it was legitimate for those with a good reason to do so to make marks of their faith on the stonework. Perhaps the monks would try to curb such desecration, but the evidence points to the opposite. The medieval cathedral was a public surface, inviting you to make your mark.
I know little of ecclesiastical history, but this seems extraordinary. At this time (12th/13th century) holy writ was strictly the preserve of the religious elite, with the Bible only in Latin, its understanding jealously guarded by monks, and many ordinary folk illiterate in any case. A strict divide was maintained between clergy and laity, and yet the lower parts of the cathedral were reclaimed by the people. Ownership and understanding were in each case expressed visually, whether through the fine artwork in the quire or the scratchings in the nave.
There is nothing unique about such graffiti. Many English churches and cathedrals of the same period have similar markings, though Rochester is particularly rich in ship illustrations. What struck me was, first, the ingenuity of the researchers in identifying symbols and biblical scenes from the faintest and and most elusive of outlines. Second, how the cathedral, rich in illustration and symbol, worked as a surface which invited interaction with the people who entered it. Every stone was a conduit to the sacred.
Third, the half-life of history. The graffiti, particularly those on the exterior, are barely visible. Even when a poster indicates to you where the outlines exist, it can take quite a bit of staring before you can make them out. It is sad that they are so faint, requiring the historians to take high-resolution photographs to document that which is frequently lost to the human eye. But yet they have survived for eight centuries. The markings of a moment have survived all the ravages of time, the stripping away of the paint, the graffiti of later centuries, and the irreversible march of erosion. They are still there, defying time, still believing. Something of us must survive, where we have made our mark.
- Reports on the various graffiti, together with extensive photographic records, can be found in the ‘Graffiti and Paint’ section of the Rochester Cathedral Research Guild website
- For a similar graffiti research taking place elsewhere, see the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey and the Suffolk Medieval Graffiti Survey
- There’s a useful 2014 summary of the phenomenon of medieval graffiti in English churches on the BBC News site
- Modern graffiti is, of course, very bad. When the message ‘teen horniness is not a crime’ was spray-painted on the exterior of Rochester Cathedral in 2014, it caused much upset. But how they would love to find traces of it eight centuries from now, if only we would permit it.


Rev. Rebecca Zelensky, Senior Minister
Rev. Rebecca Zelensky has been the Senior Minister of Central Christian Church (DOC) since September 13, 2004. Raised in the Pittsburgh, PA area, Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and received her Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. A few of the major reasons Rebecca felt called to Central Christian included the congregation's openness to diversity and its understanding that followers of Christ are called to work with God in building God's reign on earth for all creation.