W R O S -- The ROSE of Jacksonville
ELWYN HALL - Owner/President
"Except the LORD build the house, they
labour in vain that build it" -- Psalm 127:1
WROS - The ROSE of Jacksonville was given birth by the Lord Jesus Christ at 6:00am, May 5, 1980. God ordained, established and built every aspect and fiber of this radio station. Every ministry, program, and advertiser has been given by God to establish and sustain The ROSE of Jacksonville. This station was built upon the foundation of God's Word and especially the scripture, Psalm 127:1. My very heartbeat, breath, sanity, and very existence totally depends on my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. As long as I am breathing, my one desire is to glorify the Lord. He gave me my first breath: I want to give Him my last.
ELWYN HALL - Owner / President
Dean Hall - Vice President
Dean Hall, son of Elwyn Hall, is Vice President of WROS - The ROSE of Jacksonville. Dean was here from the first day of sign-on, May 5, 1980. He helped me paint, clean and do so many other things that we do not have the room to print. Dean is also a member of the Volusia County Sheriff Department and is on the Special Enforcement Team. I appreciate Dean standing with me though all of the heartache, tears and trials, as the Lord used us in His service here at WROS. I am very proud of Dean and it is an honor to have him as my son. Dean, I love you and pray for you continually.
Loretta Fales - Executive Administrative Coordinator
Loretta, a native of Jacksonville, began employment at The ROSE of Jacksonville in 1981, at the early age of 21, as Secretary/Bookkeeper. God has gifted Loretta with a deep insight pertaining to the business aspects of WROS. Thank you Loretta for your encouragement, steadfastness, and loyalty. "Old Friends are your Best Friends."
We love and appreciate you.
Mason Heaton - Cheif Consultant
Our dear friend, Brother Mason Heaton, has done so much work and preformed so many tasks at The ROSE of Jacksonville, that we do not have the space to list them all. Our deepest appreciation goes out to him for installing overhead lights, electrical work, vanities in the restrooms, outside lighting, plumbing, and on and on it goes. We thank the Lord for sending such a gifted and talented man to labor in God's vineyard here at WROS. Mason, thank you for being my friend and Brother in Christ.
Jeremy Methvin - Consultant
Jeremy Methvin is Elwyn Hall's nephew here at The Rose Of Jacksonville. Jeremy came to work at WROS-AM as a teenager in 1990. He is now assisting the staff as a consultant. Jeremy is a great blessing and an asset to WROS. He performs many tasks and jobs going out of his way to accomplish objectives. He always greets you with a smile and a kind word and is always available to run any errand. Jeremy, we love and appreciate you.
In His service,
Jerry Smith - Engineer
Jerry Smith has been our Engineer here at The ROSE of Jacksonville since 1985. In my opinion, I know of no better qualified engineer, especially during emergencies and serious problems. Jerry built the beautiful studios at WROS, installed the new transmitter, and helped us to establish state-of-the-art programming to present a sound of quality and clarity. Jerry we deeply appreciate all that you have done here at WROS, and we never take you for granted.
Your Friend in Christ,
Elwyn & Robyne Hall
Mrs. Elwyn Hall - Lil' Robyne
Robyne is my wife. She is a Christian lady of many gifts and talents. Robyne is a four-year graduate of FSU, majoring in music. She sings and plays piano and organ in many churches. She does commercials and 'jingles', and also she is an 'on-the-air' personality. Robyne is a great prayer warrior and very instrumental in the decisions made at The ROSE of Jacksonville. Her father is a retired Southern Baptist Minister of over 47 years. Thank you Robyne for all that you do here at The ROSE of Jacksonville on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bruce McKinnies - Former Employee
Bruce started working in radio in 1982. After dedicating his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, he decided to devote his knowledge of radio to doing the Lord's work in spreading the gospel.
The Lord led Bruce to the ROSE of Jacksonville in 2001, where he became part of the WROS family as Weekend Producer.
Bruce has done a tremendous job of insuring that all weekend programs are run on time, monitoring the transmitters and insuring overall security of the WROS studios.
Thank you, Bruce, for all of your hard work. God bless you!
Tamy Burr - Consultant
Tamy Burr, a native of North Carolina, is a blessing at The ROSE of Jacksonville. This talented young lady performs many tasks in God's vineyard here at WROS. She controls traffic pertaining to programs and ministries here at the station. Tamy is a great asset to the Lord's ministry. Thank you Tamy, for your labor of love.
Charlie has been on the air at WROS many times over the years. We thank God for him.
Valerie Griner - Voice Over
Valerie, a native of Ohio, became employed at The ROSE of Jacksonville in 1995. God has gifted her in so many ways. Her main theme presently is involved in production. You can hear Valerie's voice throughout the day in commercial spots and "jingles". Valerie is one of the most encouraging individuals that I have ever met, and I thank God for her input here at WROS. She has become one of my dearest friends. Valerie, we love you in Christ.
In His service,
Beathoven was born in our small lake at The ROSE of Jacksonville in 1987. He shows up each year around June and hibernates around October. Dr. Robert Witty wanted us to name Beathoven after him, so we gave the famous alligator Dr. Witty's last name.
Bullhead & Bubba
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The St. Dominic's Pastoral Centre was built under the auspices of the Dominican Friers of Trinidad and Tobago. This state of the art centre is situated on Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin, on the grounds of the St. Finbar's Roman Catholic Church. Surrounded by the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago's lush rain forest, St. Dominic's Pastoral Centre offers ultra-modern facilities catering for both large gatherings as well as small meetings and functions.
For information on our social services or rental of auditorium and meeting rooms you can contact the manager of the Pastoral Center, Michele Baptiste, at 681-8549 or 633-2310 ext. 241


Isn’t it great that you can speak directly to the Creator of the Universe
Isn’t it great that you have an open channel to the King?
For prayer does not go unanswered.
In this day and age
Prayers are precious and few
and he listens intently.
“I do for you-
You do for me”
It takes on a whole new meaning
When you are in service of the king
Amazing it is
To be in his service
happy are those who serve
for the King of the Universe hears, and grants, and blesses
What IS a blessing?
A blessing is not stumbling when you walk or talk
A blessing is being able to run
A blessing is being able to be heard
A blessing is food on the table
Food in the lunch bags
and bills that have been paid.
We have so many blessing that remain unseen
as we all have conversations outside in the day
and no bird poop falls on our heads
and no cars run off the road and kill us where we stand.
A blessing is the beautiful sky and the puffy white clouds
the wind that blows the pollen to the stems
and the flowers that bloom
A blessing keeps the sharks away as you swim
a blessing is the bed you sleep in
and being able to get up out of it.
All of these things that go unnoticed
unseen, and unrecognized
is Jesus chasing you, protecting you
and keeping you for his own.
We are the world
and the souls belong to Jesus because he earned it
He keeps us all safe, everyday
and when the blessing is death granted
we fear it.
But really, it is a blessing still for;
little do we know of what he has prepared for us
and what lies ahead in the afterlife.
Remember when people only lived thirty years
and little ones died while still looking up at their mother
and tornadoes took houses and farms alike
and entire towns died of disease?
Those we the days when sin ran ramped
And no one remembered our Lord
His blessing ceased, graces were lifted and revoked
And we died in droves.
A blessing is the technology that keeps us living 100 years
A blessing is getting to see your great grandchild be born
A blessing is a car that will get you to church in three minutes
Our Lord holds the world in his hand
And he loves us
Sad to say some people completely disregard his sacrifice and existence
but they are still blessed because of the prayers of the faithful
they are still chased down for the devout’s sake
and not left behind
because of prayer
The Lord has so many names
and multiple promises to be had
Choose and name and call it
“Lord of Compassion”
“King of the Universe”
“Lord of Lords”
Pick a name , and then call it
Say a few prayers, bank on his promises
Those who do not are missing out of the best thing in life;
Serving the King,
and receiving his grace.
Fear not, if you have not prayed, because *I* have prayed for you.
I only wish that you would help me do the same for others.
prayers do not go unanswered
When you are grieving
when something goes drastically wrong and you are left saying
“God, if you exist, please help me!”
The Lord jumps up and down and smiles
and all of Heaven rejoyces because you have called his name.
But it’s the times when the house is dark, the sun has not yet risen, and you grumble as you make your coffee, rubbing your eyes to make them see….it is in those moments…
when you barely need him, that when you call his name and say “Good morning”, and any prayer you can offer, it is then that his heart absolutely melts, adn the trumpets of Heaven blow, as another sinner has come to Chirst.


Redeem the Summer Internships (RTS) are an excellent opportunity to take the next step into missions.
If you've asked God, "Is Missions Where You're Calling Me?" then an RTS Internship is just for you.
As an RTS intern, you'll serve alongside International Messengers (IM) missionaries, who will not only care for you, but challenge you and hold you accountable to set goals. Also, the six weeks will give you time needed to seek God and see what missions is like on a day-in, day-out basis.
Each ministry needs interns who come with a heart to learn, a willingness to love and a hunger to lean harder into Jesus! There are many ministry opportunities which may include discipleship, international church involvement and music ministry, university student ministry, outreach to Roma, orphans, or other at-risk people groups, evangelism and working with youth. Ministry opportunities vary from year to year.
Male or Female Intern: The intern can anticipate a first-hand experience of serving displaced refugees and asylum seekers from various countries ranging from the Middle East (Syria, Iran, Iraq, etc.) to Africa (Cameroon, the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, etc.) Services will/can be rendered – but not limited to – the refugee center in Larnaca, the refugee (Kofinou) camp (approximately 30 km) outside the city, at a local church, events during the annual Refugee Awareness Festival Month in July, assisting STMT (short-term mission teams) that come over to serve the refugees, or during gatherings at the home of the hosting missionary. The services provided can range from clothing/food distribution, set-up for events, Bible studies, or assisting a refugee with “conversational English” over a cup of coffee or tea. As the intern gains relationships (and trust) with these displaced people, the intern will have the opportunity to have conversations, and the possible opportunity to hear and learn about the life and journey of these people.
It is our hope that the intern will return home with a better understanding of the plight of these people, that they are people deserving our physical and spiritual help, and how to pray for them.
Female Intern: "We teach weekly English classes to teenagers and adults on Sunday afternoons and she would be involved in teaching these and practicing English conversation with the students, as well as building relationships with them. She would also be helping out in our home with our two kids, (Xianna age 5 and Lincoln age 2). This would vary from helping with homeschooling, daily activities, and babysitting on occasion. We also are involved in a local church and she will be part of that." - Sarah Wing
Female Intern: "I will need help taking care of my three precious ones and doing things in the house after I have surgery. My kids love to play so that would be one thing that is very important to me since I will be kind of laid up for about six weeks and unable to lift or do anything strenuous. She will also be taking care of their basic needs and helping me if I need it. I promise not to be too demanding! It would be during the day while my husband Claudiu is at work. So from about 9:00-7:00, but we can be a bit flexible too." - Jenn Soare
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SOUTH DAKOTA
Female Intern: The intern with spend the summer on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ with those in the community. Also, the intern will participate in discipling a small group of children, as well as, seeking to be an encouraging part of the Body in Pine Ridge. Lastly, and most importantly, the intern will take the time to grow closer to Jesus personally.
ORIENTATION: Orientation will be held in June 2018. Exact dates and location TBD. Orientation will consist of prayer and devotions to start the day, then class for the remainder of the morning and afternoon. Classwork will include Spiritual Formation, Cross-Cultural Adaption, Discipleship, Evangelism, and English Camp Training. Interns must be in-country to begin their six-week internship by July 1, 2018.
COSTS: The cost for Redeem the Summer internships is $2,950 CAD. This amount includes all orientation training materials, housing, and meals during training. In addition, the cost covers basic living and ministry expenses during your internship. This cost does not cover travel expenses (to and from training and to and from your internship destination), entertainment, personal travel, special diets, medical needs, and other extras.
RAISING SUPPORT & DEADLINES: See Building a Support Team for critical information about raising a prayer and financial support team. (Disregard deadlines given on #8 under the heading, “Assemble a Financial Support Team” .)
Donations must be sent to: International Messengers Canada, P.O. Box 11022 - 1945 McCallum Rd., Abbotsford, BC V2S 0E4.
Make cheques payable to International Messengers Canada and preference the gift by writing RTS Internships and your name on an attached post-it note. DO NOT have supporters write your name on the cheque. See other ways to donate here: Donations
50% of the needed cost is due by mid-May. Plane ticket must be purchased and the remainder of the cost is due by the beginning of Orientation.
Note: Classroom teaching experience is not required to teach English at our Evangelistic English Language Camps. The curriculum provided and the training received at Orientation will give you the tools needed to effectively teach conversational English.


This week’s post is from Audrey Luhmann, who serves the littlest members of our church as head of the nursery. She also coordinates our meal ministry, and we so appreciate her heart for our church family. Audrey and Andrew and their four children will be relocating this summer, and obviously, it’s hard to see them leave. Audrey shares her heart and her fears as they prepare to move west.
As a young girl, I longed for the day when my parents would allow me to cross the threshold of true womanhood: getting my ears pierced. I daydreamed of donning sparkling (fake) diamond studs and too-big-for-me dangles. I jealously watched many a girlfriend bounce into school, having completed the coveted rite of passage. My 10th birthday couldn’t come quickly enough.
A funny thing happened, however, when the occasion finally arrived. As my parents and I stood in line in front of the little mall shop, I had the opportunity to watch the procedure. I had a deadly fear of needles; how had I not realized that this involved needles? I turned to my dad. “Actually, I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go home.” He shook his head. “Uh-uh. You’ve talked about this nonstop for months. Look, she’s done, and she didn’t cry. You’ll be fine.” He was right, it wasn’t very painful, but I almost passed out in the chair from my fear.
Two decades later, I feel so much like the little 10-year-old that day at the mall. For years Andrew and I have dreamed together of what life will be like for us after graduate school. We thought we were on the cusp of that step four years ago, and then he was offered a post-doc research position here at the University of Minnesota. We were very happy to stay here, but it meant that the dream of a home of our own – planting a tree, and joining with it to put down our own roots – must be placed on hold for an undetermined time in the future.
Now that longed-for date has been set: Andrew was offered and accepted a faculty position at New Mexico Tech, about 80 miles south of Albuquerque. We’ll move in July. We’ll live in a “real” house, which means I’ll kiss these 1,057 square feet goodbye, complete with the grocery and kid-hauling across a parking lot and the laundry room we share with 34 other families. I’ve fantasized about this day.
But my heart aches as I think of saying goodbye to all of you. The past several Sundays have found me singing, saying the prayers, and swallowing the Eucharist bread with a lump in my throat. We – our kids included – are going to miss each of you so very much. Never have Andrew and I felt so completely at home at a church. Never have we felt so encouraged and supported week after week after week. As you’ve welcomed us into your lives, we’ve felt the fullness of sharing in the “deep,” joys as well as sorrows. The past four years Andrew and I have lived in uncertainty, not knowing if or when – or from where – the job call would come. (The academic world is like that!) You could have very understandably pulled back, quietly letting go and beginning the inevitable parting process. But you didn’t. No, you embraced us in our unknown. You encouraged us when the hope of job prospects ended, quietly shared with us your own struggles with uncertainty. You pressed in and pointed us to Christ. When you could have chosen distance, you loved vulnerably. You filled us with peace and assurance.
How do we say goodbye to a family like that? I am again the little girl standing in line. “Umm… maybe I’ve changed my mind…” Will I be able to make this big step with grace? Finding a similar body of Christ-followers on the path ahead seems a precarious hope. Who will our next family be? Will there be a next family? My fear of isolation far surpasses my fear of needles.
I’ve shared honestly these worries with some of you, yet again you have washed me with truth and love. You have reminded me that there is nowhere our little family can go that God is not present, that He promises His care over His children. Remember, you’ve assured me, God’s Family is big. Prepare to be surprised, and don’t be afraid to receive His good gifts.
So I will set my face forward, trusting in the promise of God’s great love for us. I will be a teary wreck on our final Sunday here, but know that I will carry closely your words of truth and encouragement. As you remember us, I ask you to pray that God places new people on our path, brothers and sisters who will keep our faces turned toward Him. Pray that He will make us vessels that pour Christ’s love freely out on those in Socorro, New Mexico.
And know that we will welcome – long for – phone calls and e-mails or letters from you. And visits… please come visit us in the Land of Enchantment! (Don’t come to fish, though; it has ten
thousand lakes, no joke.)


Discours prononcé durant l'Assemblée Générale de l'AIP réunie à Helsinki le 7 août 2004
Speech delivered during the General Assembly of the AIP gathered in Helsinki on August 7th, 2004
par - by: Juan CHAPA
Fr. O'Callaghan was born in Tortosa (south of Catalunya, Spain), on the 7th of October 1922. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1940 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1952. He obtained a licentiate in Theology in 1953 and a doctorate in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Madrid in 1959. His interest in Christian culture and classical world led him to continue his studies in Milan, where he worked under the supervision of Prof. Montevecchi. In 1960 Fr. O'Callaghan obtained a doctorate in Classics at the University of Milan with his thesis Cartas cristianas griegas del siglo V.
From 1961 to 1971 Fr. O'Callaghan taught at the Faculty of Theology of San Cugat of Valles (Barcelona). During those years he founded the "Seminari de Papirologia", which he continued to direct throughout his life. Thanks to the generosity of his brother-in-law, Josep Palau Ribes, Fr. O'Callaghan was able to purchase a large number of papyri and to found the journal Studia Papyrologica (1962-1983) and two series of publications, Papyrologica Castroctaviana (1967-1988) and Estudis de Papirologia i Filologia Biblica (1991-1995).
In 1971 he was called to teach papyrology at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, where he remained until his retirement in 1992. He was dean of the Biblical Faculty from 1983 to 1986. During these years he was also visiting professor at the University of Urbino.
In 1972, Fr. O'Callaghan provoked a heated discussion among New Testament scholars when he proposed that one of the Greek texts from Cave 7 of Qumran should be identified as a fragment of the Gospel of Mark. Based on this identification, he also suggested that other fragments from Cave 7 may correspond to New Testaments books. In the ensuing, occasionally bitter debate, he always knew how to maintain a reasonable and balanced distance.
From his encounter as student with another Jesuit, Fr. José María Bover, who was engaged in the preparation of a critical edition of the New Testament, Fr. O'Callaghan was also introduced to textual criticism, to which he dedicated many efforts. He published, among other works, Nuevo Testamento Trilingüe (1977) and Introducción a la crítica textual del Nuevo Testamento (1999).
Fr. José O'Callaghan died on the 15th of December, 2001 in the Jesuit infirmary at San Cugat del Valles (Barcelona), following a long illness. The memory that he leaves behind is one of a dedicated priest and scholar, a welcoming and cheerful man, who, in addition to his academic work, always knew how to find time for pastoral activities and be close to his colleagues and friends.


About Our Consultant
Dr. David Stein holds a Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth from Biola University's Talbot School of Theology where in his dissertation he studied key factors that help churches thrive. He is an ordained minister in the International Association of Ministries and a member of the Society of Church Consultants.
He has served in local church ministry where he put into practice his core training from his Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary St. Paul (now Bethel University), and a double major Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies and Bible from Northwestern College (now the University of Northwestern). Additionally, he went on to earn a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Fuller Seminary.
He is also an active church musician where he seeks to bring together the strategic importance of quality worship and music as a core church growth factor. Dr. Stein is the president and founder of The Church Growth Institute where he seeks to continue the work of Donald McGavran in helping local churches carry out the Great Commission of Mt 28:18-20 which Jesus gave to the church.


“Every evening I turn worries over to God, He’s going to be up all night anyway.”
In Philippians 4:4-9 Paul gives us a stress reduction plan!
In these verses he gives us keys to live a Victorious life in Christ. Today will be a day of Victory! If you are surviving life right now this is going to be like sweet cheesecake! So read on!
Philippians 4:4-9 Celebrate God all day, everyday, I mean revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute. Don’t fret or worry, instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.
Another words don’t just survive, but THRIVE!
1. LEARN TO REJOICE – take an inventory of the blessing you have in your life, don’t become bogged down with your problems, instead begin to count those blessings.
2. CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS- Don’t allow your emotions to control you. Don’t let the worries of life keep you down. Don’t try to fight all your battles today, take one day at a time.
3. PRAY THINGS THROUGH- Offer up your sincere heart, and pray until something happens. Prayer does not change things, it changes YOU!
4. FILL YOUR MINDS WITH THE GOOD STUFF- We live in a negative society where news is bad, even the weather always has a chance of rain. You never hear their is a 100% chance of Sunshine! So guard your minds from negative thinking. Anything that has a negative tone, you must get rid of. Get the good stuff in your mind and heart!
God wants you to Thrive today not just survive, our life does not have to end tragically, we can build a legacy instead!


Contains: Coriander & Cinnamon.
The Fiery Sword 1/3 oz Roll On
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The anointing represented by this oil is for the sharp two-edged sword (who is Yeshua the Word) to come with the fire of His holiness to divide our flesh man from the Spirit. Coriander, representing the word of God and cinnamon, representing the fire of holiness have been blended to bring forth this prophetic anointing. As we yield to the fiery 'love' sword of God, the result is death to the flesh and ever increasing life in the Spirit. Thus we are transformed into the image of the Bridegroom "from glory, to glory, to glory".


Catholic Voting and Mortal Sin: How You Vote Can Endanger Your Salvation
Order this new book at Amazon. Just click here: tinyurl.com/s9sesqp
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What they're saying about Catholic Voting and Mortal Sin...
"I am strongly recommending this book. Lewis has done his research and made a compelling case that a vote can be a mortal sin."
–Deal Hudson, Publisher & Editor of The Christian Review, President of the Morley Institute for Church and Culture, and host of the "Church and Culture" program on Ave Maria Radio.
"This book is essential for all Catholics, especially pro-life activists, and an absolute must-read for priests, teachers, and other Church leaders. Those who read Catholic Voting and Mortal Sin and absorb its content will never hesitate to argue the cause of life again. Better still, they will win every argument."
-Jack Cashill, author of "Popes and Bankers," "If I Had a Son," and a dozen other books.
"John Gerard Lewis reminds us that being a Catholic in the voting booth is just as important as living the faith in our parishes and families. Voting with an informed conscience is both a civic and a sacred duty, one that has eternal consequences for our souls."
– John Horvat II, author of "Return to Order" and vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.
"In this very methodical and well-referenced work, John Gerard Lewis lays out the case that many Catholics are putting their immortal souls at peril when they cast their ballots for certain political candidates. With powerful quotations from Catholic shepherds, Lewis lays the case that the overarching political issue of our time is undoubtedly the atrocity of abortion."
– Paul J. Camarata, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Vascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center
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• The Topeka Metro News (Topeka, Kansas). Website: TopekaMetroNews.com


Knowing the divine ideal for marriage, and aware that marriage and the family are divine institutions, we are now able to move from God’s creation of man and woman and his institution of marriage to the Fall of humanity and its negative consequences on the marriage relationship.
As a study of biblical history shows, humanity’s rebellion against the Creator’s purposes led to at least the following six negative consequences:
- (1) polygamy;
- (2) divorce;
- (3) adultery;
- (4) homosexuality;
- (5) sterility; and
- (6) gender role confusion.
- The first shortcoming, polygamy—more specifically, polygyny, marrying multiple wives—violates God’s instituted pattern of marital monogamy.
- While it was certainly within God’s prerogative and power to make more than one wife for the man, God only made Eve.
- Yet within six generations after the fall of humanity, barely after Adam had died, Lamech took two wives (Genesis 4:19).
- Later, prominent men in Israel’s history such as Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Gideon, Elkanah, David, Solomon, and others engaged in polygamy.
- However, not only did polygamous marriage fall short of God’s original design, it regularly resulted in disruptive favoritism, jealousy between competing wives, and decline into idolatry.
- The second compromise of God’s ideal for marriage was divorce, which disrupted the permanence of marriage.
- While divorce became so common that it had to be regulated in the Mosaic code (Deuteronomy 24:1–4), the Bible makes clear that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).
- Divorce is also used repeatedly as an analogy for spiritual apostasy (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8).
- A third shortcoming was adultery, the breaking of one’s marriage vows. The Decalogue stipulates explicitly, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18).
- An egregious case of adultery was David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). In cases such as these, the principle of marital fidelity to one’s marriage partner was compromised.
- The Book of Proverbs calls adultery both foolish and dangerous (e.g. Proverbs 2:16–19; 5:3–22; 6:32–33; 7:5–23; 9:13–18). In
- the Old Testament, adultery is frequently used as an analogy to depict the spiritual unfaithfulness of God’s people Israel (Jeremiah 3:8–9; Ezekiel 16:32, 38; Hosea 1:1–3:5).
- Homosexuality, fourth, marks another falling away from God’s creation purposes in that it violates the divine will for marriage to be between one man and one woman.
- As Genesis 2:24 stipulates, “A man [masculine] shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife [feminine], and the two shall become one flesh.”
- Heterosexuality is the only possible arrangement for marriage, as the Creator has commanded and expects married couples to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
- Since homosexuality involves same-sex intercourse that cannot lead to procreation, it is unnatural and cannot logically entail the possibility of marriage.
- The fifth shortcoming of God’s ideal for marriage is sterility, which falls short of the fertility desired by the Creator.
- Fertility is implicit in the biblical reference to the “one flesh” union.
- At times, lack of fertility is said in the Old Testament to be the result of personal sin (Genesis 20:17–18; 2 Samuel 6:23), while on other occasions sterility is presented as a simple fact of (fallen) nature (Genesis 11:30; 25:21; 30:1; 1 Samuel 1:2).
- However, God is often shown to answer prayers for fertility offered by his people in faith (e.g. 1 Samuel 1:9–20).
- Gender role confusion is a sixth and final result of humanity’s rebellion against the Creator.
- Where God’s design for man and woman to be distinct yet complementary partners in procreation and stewardship of God’s earth is diluted, people will inexorably be confused about what it means to be masculine or feminine, and the lines between the two sexes made by God will increasingly be blurred.
The Restoration of God’s Original Design for Marriage and the Family in Christ
- The New Testament teaches that the restoration of God’s original design for marriage in Christ is part of God’s realignment of all things under Christ’s authority and lordship.
- In the book of Ephesians, we read that it is God’s purpose “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Ephesians 1:10, NIV).
- Thus marriage is not an end in itself but part of God’s end-time restoration of all things in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Part of this restoration is that all evil powers are brought under control and are submitted to the supreme authority of Christ (Ephesians 1:21–22).
- Later on in the same letter, Paul addresses the subject of marriage in general, and marital roles in particular, within the larger context of believers needing to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
The Biblical Pattern for Marriage?
- This is best seen in a close study of the pre-eminent passage on marital roles in the New Testament, Ephesians 5:21–33.
- In this passage, instructions are given to both husbands and wives in form of a “house table,” which features commands given first to the person under authority followed by instructions for the person in a position of authority.
- In keeping with this pattern, the passage addresses first wives, then husbands (Ephesians 5:22–33); first children, then parents (Ephesians 6:1–4); and first slaves, and then masters (Ephesians 6:5–9; similar “house tables” are also found in Colossians 3:18–4:1 and 1 Peter 2:11–3:7).
- Wives, for their part, are called to submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord. As the church submits to Christ, so wives should to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:21–24).
- Husbands, in turn, are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. They are to provide for their wives both physically and spiritually and to cherish them as God’s special provision for them (Ephesians 5:25–30).
As Christian husbands and wives live out these marital roles, God’s original creation design for marriage will be fulfilled once again: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31, citing Genesis 2:24).
- As mentioned, this pattern of headship and submission is placed within the larger context of Christ’s headship over all other powers, which Paul addressed at the beginning of his letter to the Ephesians (see Ephesians 1:10, 20–23).
Paul returns to this subject at the end of his epistle where he urges all Christians—including husbands and wives, parents and children—to put on the “whole armor of God” so they can stand against the devil (Ephesians 6:10; for the various pieces in this spiritual “armor,” see Ephesians 6:14–18).
- In this warfare, believers’ struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the evil supernatural (Ephesians 6:12).
- Armed with truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and God’s word, they will be able to stand firm and resist the devil “in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13).
- The reality of the power of Satan and his forces explains at least in part why there is so much conflict in many marriages and families today.
- It also helps account for the widespread nature of divorce and the massive assault on marriage as an institution in our contemporary culture.


Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful day! My day was pretty good and we enjoyed a good Bible Study tonight at church. I am so thankful for my church and my church family. It is a blessing indeed.
Points-wise, I definitely went over. I am proud that I tracked though. Step wise, there was no 1 mile walk in the middle of the day but I did get my hourly steps in for most of the day and managed to hit my step goal this evening after church. It was another busy day at work, which I am also thankful for. I hope everyone has a great night, but I'm off to bed!


Emanuel is an engaging Christian community. Engaging in our community is a bridge to engaging in the world. As part of our journey, mission, and vision - Emanuel places a great emphasis on developing the spiritual gifts of every member. We like to think of it this way:
WE ARE CALLED ... WE GATHER ... WE ARE SENT OUT IN SERVICE.
There is no shortage of ways to get involved at Emanuel. We currently offer two adult choirs, one traditional and one contemporary, a Sunday School program from September to May, a confirmation program, a Prayer Shawl ministry, Cards for Caring, adult education classes, periodic retreats, opportunities for lay ministry, fellowship events, a Parish Nurse program, and the opportunity to serve on a committee that aligns with your interests! Our staff, and our lay leaders will work with you to help make your time at Emanuel rewarding, spiritually nourishing, and FUN!
LIVE your faith. ACT in conscience. LOVE your neighbor. SERVE the Lord.


Side by Side is a support group and ministry for medical and dental wives. Whether your husband is a medical or dental student, resident, fellow, or attending, Side by Side is here to encourage and minister to you.
This is a place to grow in your faith, marriage, and friendships. We seek to support and encourage strong women, build Christian community, and be a place of prayer and support. The beautiful thing about our group is that we are from various denominations and stages of our faith journeys, united by our common bond of being medical wives! We can't wait to welcome you in.


Thu, Mar 25 | First United Methodist Church
McPherson Getting Ahead Graduation
This event will not be open to the public. More information to come soon.
Time & Location
Mar 25, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
First United Methodist Church, 1200 E Kansas Avenue, McPherson, Kansas 67460
About the Event
We are celebrating the graduation of STEPMC's newest members from our 18 week getting ahead course! Come out and enjoy an evening of powerful stories and bright futures!


Assistant Principal Religious Education - Our Lady Of Mount...
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is situated in Coorparoo and offers co-educational experience to students and has an approximate enrolment of 600 students. Our school seeks to be a place where children are educated in faith, life and learning so that they may take their places as purposeful people with the courage, wisdom and will to embrace the work of Jesus through Gospel values to build a better world.
Brisbane Catholic Education welcomes applications from suitably qualified, experienced and committed applicants who wish to apply for this senior leadership position within the Archdiocese of Brisbane. This position requires significant leadership within the Catholic school community as part of a large and dynamic educational ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Estimated Start Date: Commencing January 2021
Initial Contract Period: Initial 5 year contract phase with a further 5 years subject to satisfactory performance in the role
Classified Salary and Range: Currently $124,837 to $130,968 per annum plus Super
Campus: Primary - Enrolments 608
General Terms & Conditions of Employment: In accordance with the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement - Diocesan Schools of Queensland.
NB: The Eligibility Criteria and Referee Statement proformas for this position are provided as attachments, and should be downloaded from this webpage prior to the commencement of your application (see below).
The successful applicant may be required to undertake teaching duties as part of this role.
This position involves working with children. The appointment of successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory employment screening for child related employment in accordance with the law.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
Contact Person: Karen Forster
Contact Telephone Number: 07 3033 7476
Contact Email: Karen.Forster@bne.catholic.edu.au
Closing Date: 21-Oct-2020
APRE Application Documentation


2 edition of Life of St. Agnes found in the catalog.
Life of St. Agnes
|Statement||by Dom A. Smith, C.R.L.|
|The Physical Object|
|Pagination||xix, 132 p.,  leaves of plates ;|
|Number of Pages||132|
Investigating Reading Recovery
Computer models of thought and language
Here and now
New jobs through new markets
Jungian Literary Criticism 1920-1980
Good luck in cracked Italian
Paul and Virginia
Standard tool and equipment manual; section B.
Zigzags En France
Descriptive Catalog of Maps Produced by Congress, 1817-1847
The Life of St. Agnes of Rome: Virgin and Martyr (Classic Reprint) Paperback – Ap /5(2). Blessed St. Agnes, then, whose passion and triumph these pages are to set forth, was, what she is justly called, a Virgin.
So that her birthday not only calls on all who can, to come up to her worthiness by striving after a like integrity; but also, since it is a martyr's birthday, it claims from the priest the offering to God of the sacrifice.
The Life of Saint Agnes of Rome Little is known for certain about the life of Saint Agnes. The years usually given for her birth and death are andas longstanding tradition places her martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian (c.
Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls. She is also the patron saint of chastity, rape survivors and the Children of Mary.
She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. The book which wehave been asked to introduce tothe reading public deals with the upheavals of an older world than that discovered byColumbus.
The Life of St. Agnes uses the lessons of an earlier generation in order to deepen and harden the char acter ofour moral continence.
The author, a member of an Order which has Private Use OnlyFile Size: 7MB. Named Person: Agnes, Saint Martyr.; Agnes, Saint Martyr. Material Type: Biography, Internet resource: Document Type: Book, Internet Resource: All Authors / Contributors.
The Eve of St. Agnes Introduction. The next time you're frustrated that your significant other isn't texting you back quickly enough, remember that it could be worse: she could be locked up in a castle surrounded by her family (which has an ancient blood-feud with your family) trying to complete an ancient Christian ritual in hopes of being delivered a vision of you.
St Agnes' Stand book. Read 81 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. July Nat Swanson, a bullet in his leg and bone-weary, flees a /5. Saint Agnes’ Story. Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century.
Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling. Legend has it that Agnes was a beautiful girl whom many young men wanted to : Franciscan Media. Assault on Saint Agnes is the recipient of the Genesis Award for best-unpublished work in That was awarded by the American Christian Fiction I was asked by the author to review this novel before its release date and was provided a free electronic copy in /5.
January —ST. AGNES, Virgin, Martyr. AGNES was but twelve years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva at Rome and commanded to obey the persecuting laws of Diocletian by offering incense.
In the midst of the idolatrous rites she raised her hands to Christ, her Spouse, and made the sign of the life-giving cross. T he blessed virgin St. Agnes was much wise, and well taught, as St. Ambrose witnesseth, and wrote her passion. She was fair of visage, face but much fairer in the Christian faith, she was young of age, and aged in wit, for in the thirteenth year of her age she lost the death that the world giveth, and found life in Jesu Christ, which when she came from school the son of the.
Agnes Book Discussion Title: American Pastoral by Phillip Roth ANNOTATION: In American Pastoral, Philip Roth gives us a novel of unqualified greatness that is an elegy for all the twentieth century's promises of prosperity, civic order, and domestic bliss.
The Eve of St. Agnes Summary. We start out in the freezing chapel outside a medieval castle, where a Beadsman is praying. (What's a Beadsman. Check out our "Detailed Summary" for the um, details.)Soon we get to go inside the castle where we meet the young and virginal Madeline, who's stuck at her family's party and anticipating when she can go to sleep.
The assembly cheered and applauded. He was celebrating St. Agnes because she was a virgin, a martyr—and a child. She was executed at Rome in during the Emperor Diocletian’s vicious persecution.
Here are Ambrose’s observations on her death: St. Agnes is said to have suffered martyrdom at age St Agnes of Montepulciano. St Agnes of Montepulciano then went back to the monastery, where she died on April 20th,at the age of only Her body was found to be incorrupt, and a mysterious, sweet smelling liquid was observed to stream from both her hands and feet.
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Life of St. Agnes Virgin and Martyr Smith J.
at the best online prices at. Agnes (c. ) is one of the first women venerated in the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy of saints. She was believed to have been martyred at the age of 12 because she refused to marry the son of a Roman official, instead declaring herself committed to Christ during an era when Christianity was still an underground religion.
In Rome the passion of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. Under Symphronius, the Prefect of the City, she was cast into the fire, but when the flames were extinguished through her prayers she was put to the sword.
Blessed Jerome wrote of her, "Every nation praises the life of Agnes orally and in writing, especially in the churches. Agnes had hardly finished her prayer, when the fire was so totally extinguished that not even the heat of it remained.
Aspasius, to appease the seditious, whose fury increased everv moment, then commanded that she should be beheaded. The voting virgin was loaded with fetters and LIFE OF ST. AGNES. 35 cast into the prison of the condemned. A St. Agnes education is as enjoyable as it is challenging, and our motivated students are well prepared for college, varied careers, and all aspects of life.
In the Upper School at St. Agnes students choose from a diverse course offering that includes a .


Medical mission and interfaith services
BAGUIO CITY – The public is invited for the commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the 1990 earthquake, through a medical-dental mission and an interfaith thanksgiving service, both at the Baguio Convention Center, Monday, July 16.
The Medical and Dental mission shall start at 1 PM while the services shall be at 3PM, with the participation of ministers from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Cathedral of the Resurrection – Episcopal Church of the Philippines, Good News Community Church (GNCC), Baguio Grand Mosque, Evangelical Zion, and the Baguio Cathedral, Our Lady of Atonement.
Community or sectoral prayers shall be offered by each minister for the city. The UCCP choir and the Baguio Community Rondalla takes part through the processional and recessional.
A bread and soup fellowship follows at the same venue. -juliegfianza


ECCLESIASTES-SERIES NR 4
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1 – 5:7
Theme: New perspective on life
Remember the photo of that young boy from Ethiopia: His ribs sticking out. His cheeks hollow. His little face sad, lonely and without hope.
Or think about Jennifer: Eleven years old. Pretty features. But with deep sadness and hopelessness in her eyes, because for 3 years she has been molested, abused and misused by her uncle. She cannot talk to her mother about it at all. Mother just closes her mind concerning all that. And Jennifer wonders: “Why was someone like me ever born?”
Worse still is the little girl who has not even got a name yet. Because she is only 12 weeks old, weighs 18 grams and is 17 centimetre long. She has a brain, a nose, eyes, ears, even toenails and a heartbeat. But there is no hope for her. Within the next hour she is going to be murdered. She is an unwanted little baby.
Yes, to a great extent our world – and specifically the world without the Lord – is a world of oppression, hurt and pain.
That is exactly what Solomon saw when he contemplated the world around him in Ecclesiastes 4.
He sees a man who is accumulating wealth. Great wealth. Too much to handle. But it does not look as if his wealth brings him any contentment.
There is, on the other hand, a man who is sitting with folded arms and does nothing. He is completely ruined. Society has kicked him out. He could not become a multi-millionaire quickly enough.
That is how the world is: envy, greed, discontent. Young people sacrifice everything to get to the so-called “top”. They sacrifice their marriages, children, friendships – just to get higher up on the ladder. In pursuit of their ambition.
Once Abraham Lincoln was walking with his three sons who were arguing with each other all the time. Someone asked him what was wrong with the boys. His reply: “That which is wrong with the whole world. I have 3 peaches with me and every child wants two”.
That is the world Solomon saw in Ecclesiastes 4. He sees people who are alone and lonely – despite wealth and despite people around them. Yes, the most lonely people in Cape Town may be present here this morning – surrounded by people.
In this life there are only two ways to live. Everyone-for-himself (individualism) OR Godfearing. The entire humanity is divided into these two ways to live. Everything that we are exposed to every day, fall within these two categories.
The everyone-for-himself attitude towards life began when the first human couple ate from the tree which God had forbidden them to eat. From that moment on, man began to live with the attitude of “I-me-myself”. Right outside paradise, Cain murdered his brother: because Cain was self-centered. Literally everything going on around us, is tainted. Our own heart is tainted. Every sin can be related to individualism. The everyone-for-himself attitude towards life results in life feeling like a chasing after the wind/nothing makes sense.
Why do you think the suicide rate is so frightfully high? That is what Ecclesiastes is describing. The only alternative is to be GODFEARING. The Holy Spirit had it written in at chapter 5:7. “Stand in awe of God”. An attitude towards a life of standing in AWE OF GOD helps us to see this life with its everyone-for-himself philosophy in a different light.
1 The attitude towards a life of everyone-for-himself
One can say a lot about this. I will keep only to what is written in Ecclesiastes 4. I will attempt to summarise everything in a nutshell.
What is Solomon saying about the attitude towards a life of everyone-for-himself? What effect does this have on our lives? TWO THINGS: Materialism (only about what we can get). And: We cannot keep our word. Your word is no longer your honour.
That is exactly what is described here. Ecclesiastes says THAT is what he saw in people’s lives. It concerns only what each person can gain. Therefore it does not matter whether you break your promises/word. That is why we oppress other people who are created in God’s image (verse 1). Why do we look down on people with a different skin-colour, culture, who are poor? Why do we want to keep them separated from ourselves? Is it not perhaps because we think that they will not add to our advantage? We imagine that we are above them. We suppose that we are superior. Think about the hold that money and power have on us. There is nothing wrong in working hard and becoming qualified. But, how often is it not a wrong motive that is driving us (verse 4). We want more than the next person.
We want to be ABOVE other people in society. That is why people become slaves of their occupation. That is why they sit with stomach ulcers and tranquillisers. Other people again are lazy and sit with idle hands, because everything is a chasing after wind (verse 5). A lazy person is just as selfish as the person who is working himself to a standstill to reach the so called TOP.
The Holy Spirit is showing us through the pen of Solomon where all these things tend. It causes one to become a lonely person (verses 7-8). Laziness causes loneliness. But you also become lonely if you are a materialist. That everyone-for-himself-attitude-towards-life causes you to lose people. You also lose your God. You estrange yourself from everyone. The worst is that you are actually living for nothing.
Through Solomon the Holy Spirit is saying that a cord of one strand is easily broken. But not a cord of three strands (verse12). A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. If you are in a team with the Lord and neighbour, you are strong. But the everyone-for-himself-attitude does not want a corded rope. Does not want the Lord and other people close by.
Solomon is saying that one observes it even in the temple. In the church/ congregation/ worship service. Even there you see this everyone-for-himself-attitude-towards-life. He says that you see it in the VOWS that people make before God, but then they do not fulfil those vows (5:1-6). Thoughtless (verse 3). Do not pay what they promised the Lord.
It is better to guard your steps when you go to the house of the Lord (5:1). It is better to LISTEN (5:1). Better not to promise anything. Because this everyone-for-himself-attitude-towards-life makes us feel uncomfortable about everything we have promised the Lord.
Think about all the times we have said YES in front of the pulpit. Marriage, Baptism, Confession of faith, Ordination as Minister, Elder, Deacon. Take time to consider once more the finer detail of all these times you and I uttered something before the LORD. If we would just be true to the 4 questions of Confession of Faith, Cape Town will experience a powerful revival. But there is one obstacle: The everyone-for-himself attitude. That is the clincher. That can be broken by only one alternative: True fear of God worked and created in our lives by the Holy Spirit …
2. The Godfearing attitude toward life
The Bible actually has only ONE intention: to give us the assurance that the sinners’ deliverance and salvation were successfully dealt with by the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary – the salvation of everyone who would ever come to faith in Him. He also dealt with the everyone-for-himself attitude towards life. Our good intentions and our own decisions are not what saves us. No, the broken body and the shed blood of Jesus Christ are what saves us. When we turn about/repent and anchor our trust to that, the miracle starts to take place inside of us.
BUT >> The RESULT of all of this, we see in Ecclesiastes 5:7.
A life of standing in awe of God. Fearing God. It destroys the everyone-for-himself attitude in our hearts. It is like a good weed killer. Fear of God.
It does not mean to fear God the way you fear the authorities when you have transgressed the law. No, it means AWE because of LOVE, as a child is supposed to have for a parent. Yes, it means to live in a relationship with Him. It means to love Him. But not as if He is your buddy. No, with awe. Godfearing means to feel as if I have Him to thank for everything. That you are cherished in His Fatherly care. That you need not look for anything besides Him. Godfearing is high esteem. It is respect. Reverence. It is submission. You do not ever want to offend Him. In any way. You feel dead to any form of sin or anything that could grieve Him.
Then, you begin to see life in a different perspective. Other people starts to matter to you. Also those who are far below your standing and your culture and skin colour. You become serious about what your mouth utters before God. You do not cling to your earthly possessions, but start to serve others with it. That is what Godfearing means. The stranded cord. Not a single-strand cord.
This awe-of-God has wonderful practical value. It influences our lives in the same way the everyone-for-himself attitude influenced everything in our lives before. Let us take a thing like school as an example.
It is standing in awe of God that causes children to regard teachers, adults AND THEIR FRIENDS with respect and consideration. Standing in awe of God, moms and dads, is that you do not always choose your child’s side against the teacher. That teachers are respected. Also in the home where school is discussed. Then AUTHORITY is respected as the Lord’s Word teaches. Then it will never be necessary for teachers to have sleepless nights about some children who are undisciplined. What brings discipline, children? A cane? That can be very helpful. But, there is something far better: Fear of God in the lives of everybody.
Oh, we must never behave as if Jesus did not pay in full for our sins. We must not behave as if we are the important ones. As if we have not been bought dearly. Let us – who wholeheartedly confess the Lord – start to notice the everyone-for-himself-attitude-towards-life, and hate it passionately. And let us fear the Lord – with love and reverence.
Translated by Marthie Wilson


It was once a marketplace, to which it owes its name and was the centre for religious, social and economic activities of Montespertoli for the whole of the Middle Ages, losing its function only at the end of the XV Century.
The facade was significantly restored at the beginning of the 20th Century with green and white marble decorations but traces of its original features remain in the imposing bell tower and in the sober interior, sub-divided into three naves by pillars and arches where the splendid baptismal font in engraved marble dating back from the XII-XIII Century still remains.
Not to be missed, the nearby Museum of Sacred Art which displays precious artworks from the Church of San Piero and from other churches in the area.
Pieve di San Piero in Mercato
Via San Piero in Mercato, 225
(can be visited on appointment).


EPHESUS MERYEMANA CHURCH
Meryemana church is in Selçuk -the town of İzmir 9 kilometres away.The church is located on Bülbül mountain.You can reach when you leave from the top door of Ephesus antique town.There are many signboards on the road of the church.There is also an impressive sculpture of virgin Mary.
The church is one of the unique places of the world that is visited by the tourists to be a pilgrim.You can see the gift shops on the way to the church. You enter a big garden in front of the church .There is a key-shaped pool in the middle of the garden.It is baptistery. As the Christions believe that they are born as a transgressor they baptize tehir newborn babies.
There is a small bronz virgin Mary sculpture near the pool.In 1867 it is given as a present by a crowd that are from İzmir.
Before Jesus was crucified when he was 33 , he commend his mother Virgin Mary to st.Jean. St. Jean didn't want Mary to stay in Jerusalem because of the Roman cruelty and come to Ephesus.Mary lived in a house on the Bülbül mountain.It is believed that it is the house where Virgin Mary hided.Vatican declared the house as holy.You should see this place and feel the history when you come to İzmir.


Updated: Apr 2, 2021
Take up your cross. Why? What is the point? Life is too hard as it is and guess what, I'm sick of cross bearing. I just want relief, some semblance of happiness. Shoot, I'll settle for escape-I am not even asking for happiness. Does this line of thinking resonate with you? How many times have you sat in a church pew or in a bible study and every one just seemed to be okay with what they just heard? Why are they nodding their heads? You have tried to be a good Christian in denying yourself, bearing up under the burden of the day--hoping relief will come. But no, only misery. Lets take a minute and look at Jesus' words in Luke 9:23. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Notice that Jesus is not telling you to deny something, he is telling you to deny "self," itself. This is the "you" that is not really you. It is the autonomous self. That part of you that desires to own your life, thoughts, desires, and have your own way in this life. It's what the Scripture calls the "old man" in Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22. That "man" who you want to save is corrupt and broken and only desires more corruption which will create more brokenness and destruction in your life. This "man" will betray you, deceive you and tell you lies that would kill you if you let him. But, God loves you and does not want that to happen to you. God has created you to be that "new man or woman." Now he/she is something! When that "man" is feed the word of God, righteousness, and the goodness of Christ, "he or she" becomes what God intended you to be. Powerful. Strong. Holy. Joyful. Possessing a meaningful life. The "old man" is just rotten wood that must be burned off because it is not the "you" God created, it is the "you" that you and this world has created. God uses our suffering, difficult situations, and yes difficult people to burn off that dead wood. This is what it means to be crucified with Christ. Romans 6:6 says, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." The old man along with old practices, habit patterns, desires must die.....and it hurts. Thats why it feels like a cross. But the cross is life, new birth, and gives meaning to not only your life but the suffering you endure. Cross-bearing to the "old man" is pointless and vile but cross-bearing understood by the "new man" is necessary and life. So what is God using in your life right now to burn off the deed wood or your "old self?" Here is a quick journal strategy that will help you.
What happened that upset you? (The situation, the person)
What was your response? (in your thinking, words, or actions)
What did you want to happen? (were you thinking of your best interest, others, or Gods?)
What was the outcome (was it worse or better based on your actions or responses?)
Father, I know you tell me to deny myself and take up the cross----I can't without Your strength. Give me power to become the "self" you created me to be for your glory--not mine. You know I am weak and I confess my need for you. Help me to speak to myself the way You speak to me in your word. I am not horrible as my heart tells me, I am loved by You and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life of sacrificial love toward You and others. Give me peace in my mind--my heart. Give me joy that makes happiness look small. Let my life be meaningful for your Kingdom--Your Name. You are full of grace, goodness, and love. I submit myself anew to You and when I am lonely and without what I think I need I will come to You---My strong Tower and Lover of my very soul. Amen


Grace Christian Academy
Grace Christian Academy is accredited by the National Association of Private Schools and is a ministry of Grace Baptist Church.
We are accepting new students for our 2013-2014 school year.
To arrange a tour, please call 972-355-1193.
GCA is a private, Christian school located in Flower Mound, Texas, with over 40 years of education experience offering a 5 day program for grades K4-12. We provide a Christ-centered,
individualized, college preparatory curriculum. We strive to create a student body which exemplifies Christian values, promoting spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth.
GCA is anchored in the Christian faith, teaches from the King James Bible, and acknowledges reliance upon God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We are blessed with a very diverse student body.The Family Life Center and gymnasium has enabled us to expand our enrollment of qualified students, and provide additional activities for our students. To schedule a personal tour of our school, or for additional information, please e-mail us at email@example.com or call 972-355-1193.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
3200 Firewheel Drive, Flower Mound, TX 75028
Click here for a Google Maps link to our location. (Opens in a new window.)
Click here to email the school secretary.
Send mail to
questions or comments about this web site.


At Luther's Table
Luther's Table is a nonprofit coffeeshop and pub that raises money for other local nonprofits as well as providing a no-cost coffee and warm up program for those folks in need of a warm space.
Luther's Table will be hosting a Lenten Worship Service Wednesday evenings though the Lenten Season, complete with soup and music. Come on down!
Lenten Worship @ Luther's Table
6:30pm (soup served at 6:00pm)
419 S 2nd St, Ste 1, Renton


28" X 22"
Oil On Canvas
Having ventured in to Petaluma years ago and deciding to stay Francois was an interesting strong character. He had done many different kinds of work during his lifetime and considered himself a jack-of-all-trades yet a master of none. He would tell me that
"As long as you know a little about what you are doing you can figure out the rest."
Francois was also a very religious man who could quote the Bible, chapter and verse. He would preach to all who would listen that man has got to have Faith, Hope and Religion. The problem, he would explain, was that we were all children of God who are too busy for God and to listen to Him.
"Then we go and get in trouble,
things get tough and we stop and turn to God for a miracle
or to just help us because we can't figure things out and can't make it on our own power.
When we get what we want we forget all about God.
It's time to repent! and accept the Gospel!!
Ask Jesus for forgiveness and be saved!!!"
Francois was a very determined man who just wanted to save as many people as he could.
"It's not enough to occupy space on earth.
It is more important to serve God and to follow the ten Commandments!
His Bible verses left indelible marks on my brain and on my heart. He made me realize that we were not alone. I learned that God takes notice of us and that He is interested in what we do with our lives. He also made me believe in his mantra,
"It's not how long we live but what we do with the time we have available that makes the difference."
After many years of having my own agenda, and being too busy for God, my wife and I have slowed down. We read the Bible daily as well as daily quotes by Billy Graham. Francois was someone who influenced me and influenced anyone else who slowed down long enough to listen to him.
As I remember, he was strong and determined, like an espresso, requiring little cream or sugar but still very drinkable.