March 20 Literary Luncheon Explores the Rare Treasures of St. Catherine’s Monastery
Historian Andrew G. Jameson returns to Doheny Memorial Library as the featured speaker at the March 20 Friends of the USC Libraries Literary Luncheon. Jameson, director emeritus of Books for Asia of the Asia Foundation and president emeritus of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, will discuss the historical treasures of St. Catherine's Monastery and the Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest books in the world.
Admission includes lunch, parking, and the lecture and costs $50 for Friends of the USC Libraries members and $65 for non-members. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in Doheny Library's Ground Floor Rotunda. Jameson's lecture, which starts at 1:00 p.m., is free and open to the public. RSVP online or by calling (213) 740-1744.
According to tradition, St. Catherine's Monastery sits atop the spot at the foot of Mount Sinai where God appeared to Moses as a burning bush. The Orthodox monastery--located on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula--has operated since the sixth century C.E. Its library is home to an extensive collection of ancient codices and manuscripts.
The Codex Sinaiticus was once among those rare treasures. More than 1,600 years old, the handwritten version of the Christian Bible was preserved for centuries at the monastery until scholars rediscovered it in the eighteenth century. Written in Greek, the codex contains the oldest complete copy of the New Testament.


⟲ Go back home
Bishop Barron plays an important role in my daily living through his daily readings. I first learned of him through the CATHOLICISM series, then his Word on Fire book, and then his other books. I have found my faith and resolve in the Catholic Church increasing and strengthening through the Word on Fire ministry.
The Catholic Church brings a sense of peace and helps me not become caught up in the disposable culture we live in. I teach Sunday school, and Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire book is always on my table along with my Bible. I frequently use the Bishop’s daily messages as a clear method of explaining passages. (So know that social media can be used in a positive way!)
I should mention at this time that I am a somewhat reluctant Evangelical Protestant. My wife is a Pentecostal and a former deaconess in her church. The Sunday school I teach is in her church. While I stand alone in my belief in the Catholic Church, I have the best attended class, and even other teachers will look my way for answers. While I do not actively try to convert children, I do want to show them there is more out there. I feel if one takes a further interest in Catholicism, my work has been successful. With Bishop Barron’s help, unknowingly on his part, I do my best to walk my faith every day. Some days I walk slower and maybe a little sideways, but always forward.


Worship at Wilton Quaker Meeting
If you have never before attended an unprogrammed Friends (Quaker) meeting for worship, your first meeting may surprise you . . .
While all Quakers meet in worship to hear more clearly God’s “still small voice,” Friends in the unprogrammed Quaker tradition base our worship entirely on expectant waiting.
We meet in plain, unadorned rooms where we are less distracted from hearing that voice. There are no pulpits in our meeting rooms because we minister to each other. Our benches or chairs face each other because we are all equal before God. We have no prearranged prayers, readings, sermons, hymns, or musical orchestrations because we wait for God’s leadings and power in our lives. When you enter the meetinghouse and take your seat on a bench, you will find that those gathered around you are sitting in silence, settling into a period of quiet reflection, prayer and expectant waiting on the Spirit.
During worship, a message may come to us. Messages may be for our personal reflection or for sharing with others. They may be a leading to stand and speak. Friends value spoken messages that come from the heart and are prompted by the Spirit as well as the silence we share together. Following a spoken message, we return to the silence to examine ourselves in the Light of that message. Meeting for worship ends when one Friend, designated in advance, shakes hands with his or her neighbors. Then everyone shakes hands. No two meetings are ever the same.
The meetinghouse is not a consecrated edifice, and if there is anything holy about it, it must be the lives of the people who meet there. The Friends feel that there must be a vital and sustained connection between worship and daily life. When our ideal is attained, our meeting is merely the community search for that guidance which we covet for every important act of our lives.


Last Friday as I was holding the sleeping baby boy that I watch, I was looking out our windows and noticed a large moving truck. We must have new neighbors, I thought. I continued to watch as they unpacked and carried their things in. One item in particular caught my attention ---- a beautiful roll top secretarial desk. My thoughts flashed back to our antique roll top desk that we had in Africa that we had sold as we moved to the U.S.
|Our old desk we had in Africa|
A few years ago a friend, author and women speaker Mimi Wilson had shared a story about how she had envied a beautiful scarf a women had on and as she continued to nurture and feed this sin she felt that it had separated her from her normal intimacy with God. This story and lesson that I had pondered in my heart was used by the Spirit to gently and quickly convict me of my coveting.
I found myself verbally saying that I was sorry for not being thankful for all the pretty things that God had already given me for my living room and I expressed genuine joy that my neighbors had such a beautiful desk. I immediately felt God's forgiveness. I was so thankful for His grace and thought that was that.......
But the next morning to my amazement my husband came in the house and said ,"Looks like one of our neighbors have thrown out an old roll top desk in the trash, Do you want it?'' I knew the answer to my question before I asked it," Is is green?" --- "Yes' he said ..... Yes, it is mine, a gift from God beyond His grace... " For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" John 1:16
|Our new rolled top desk|
I am still overwhelmed by His goodness and grace as I look at this desk now sitting in my living room.... thanks also to the hard work of my husband and boys that carried it in.
This desk will forever be a symbol of God's grace upon grace that He has poured into my life in the past, present and what is to come! May we all rest in His grace and lean into Him as we journey on.


Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church on June 12, 2004. Prior to her call to preach, she served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Diaconate, and Chair of the Board of Trustees. She currently serves as the Minister for Stewardship and Missions, providing staff support to most of the outreach ministries, which includes Matthew 25 Ministry, Another Chance, Central Union Mission, Church Women United, Gifts from the Heart, Global Missions, and the We Are One Body Food Pantry. She also serves as the staff minister for the Women’s Ministry.
Reverend Girton-Mitchell was appointed by President Obama as the Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education. She was honored to serve there from December 2010 – January 2017. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Education, she served the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA as Associate General Secretary for Justice and Advocacy. She led the work of the Washington Office and was responsible for coordinating the social justice and advocacy initiatives on Capitol Hill.
Her professional life also includes working as an elementary school teacher and serving as the President of the Indianapolis Education Association in her hometown, Indianapolis, Indiana; legislative assistant in the United States Senate, legislative counsel for Sears, assistant executive director for Dr. Dorothy Height at the National Council of Negro Women, and director of diversity for Mitsubishi Motors of America. She is the Founder and President of Grace and Race Ministries, Inc., a ministry dedicated to promoting leaders to dismantle racism and advance racial reconciliation.
In every position I have ever held, I
had the distinction of being a person in whom
other would confide about problems in the workplace and beyond.
Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell
Brenda and James A. Mitchell
Rev. Girton-Mitchell is an advocate of lifelong learning. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, a Master of Science from Indiana/Purdue University in Indianapolis, a law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.
She is the recipient of numerous awards including the National Council of Negro Women Bethune Recognition Award for An Outstanding Woman in Ministry, the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest award given by the state of Indiana, the John Wesley Award of Merit presented by Wesley Theological Seminary and the 2012 US Department of Education MLK Drum Major for Service Award for her extraordinary commitment to community service. She was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers in 2008.
She is the Founder and President of Grace and Race Ministries, Inc, and ministry dedicated to building bridges of racial understanding. She and her husband, James Mitchell are business partners in Girton-Mitchell Associates, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in providing assistance to non-profit, business and government organizations in the areas of conflict resolution, workplace diversity, equity, inclusion and transformative leadership development.
Brenda Girton-Mitchell is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is married to James Arthur Mitchell. They are business partners in Girton-Mitchell Associates, LLC and currently reside in Silver Spring, MD.


Beloved just as Jesus Christ in the form of human flesh was the express image of the Father. God has planned for you and me in the form of human flesh to be the express image of Christ to a hurting, lost, and dying world. (1 John 3:2; Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.) (1 John 4:17; Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.)
God is a God of plan, purpose, design, and objectivity. God planned thru Christ’s death and resurrection, Many sons would be born who would be the EXPRESS image of HIS son Jesus Christ. That we would also become joint-heirs with HIM. Beloved Jesus stripped Himself of His divine attributes, and came to earth in the form of human flesh. Was anointed by the Holy Ghost, lived a sinless life, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and defeated satan on every occasion- leaving us an example to follow. ( Philp 2:5-8; Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.)
Jesus’ life on earth as a son of God is to be our example of how our lives as sons of God should be. We must grasp this revelation. Beloved, you are part of God’s end-time plan. He has planned for you to be the EXPRESS Image of Jesus here on the earth. Beloved, we often struggle through the weakness of our flesh, knowing our human limitations but in Christ Jesus, we can do all things. Our confidence should never be in our own human ability but only in God’s ability in us to bring to pass what He has ordained. This type of divine life in Christ is Radical (departure from the usual or traditional) Christianity compared to the wish-washy that we see in the world today. Beloved, we must depart from the dry, dead religious traditions of man and become radical for God! Traditional religion has taught us that it is not possible for a son and daughter of God to walk in the POWER of God! Beloved we have been taught by religious leaders that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have passed away. We have brought the level of our experiences down to match our experience instead of our experiences being raised to conform with the word of God.
Beloved, you must get the revelation of who you are right now in Christ Jesus. You can walk among men on this earth as a son of almighty God. Beloved as Jesus walked the earth as the EXPRESS Image of the Father, you can walk the face of the earth as the EXPRESS Image of God! Beloved when you realize, when you know beyond any doubt who you are in Christ Jesus, you will KNOW.
That God has begotten you by His spirit
That God has birthed the life of Christ, the all-powerful, eternal son of God in you.
That the fullness of the Godhead dwells in you.
That you are daily by His Spirit being transformed into the very image of His Son.
That you are a joint heir with Christ.
That everything Christ has now belongs to you.


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Christmas is celebrated every year on 25th December.
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His Unsearchable Greatness began with clear direction from Psalm 145:3
“Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised. And His greatness is unsearchable.”
Ryan’s vision and purpose for this ministry is to facilitate people of all walks of life to
1) Catch God’s heart for them through the revelation of His intimacy, and
2) Be equipped for serving the body of Christ via the 5-fold ministry as revealed in Ephesians 4:11-12,
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
Trained at FIRE School of Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ryan learned in-depth biblical truths and intensive prayer combined with practical ministry including community outreach and disaster relief.


1 John 5:11,12 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
For many years people have wondered about the meaning of life. They want to know what the purpose of life is, the meaning of life, the reason for living. Its a question that John answers for us and says this should be your testimony. The purpose of life is that God has given us eternal life and the eternal life is found in the Son.
Its a very easy saying and yet so many people do not believe it. The equation is so simple, if you have the Son you have The Life. If you don’t have the Son, you don’t have The Life.
Choose the Son……..
Philippians 1:21 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
I think I understand after all these years what Paul was really talking about in this passage. You reach a point in your life, especially when you have committed yourself to God, that you understand that you have a job to do and that is reach out and share the gospel. It is truly the only thing that matters in this world. So when Paul said to him, to live is Christ and to die is gain, what I think he is saying is that it doesn’t matter if I’m dead or alive. Either way I’m winning. If I’m alive, I get to share the gospel. This good news that you can be free from your sins AND have eternal life in Christ. And if I’m dead, than I get to rest from my labors and sleep; awaiting the coming of the Lord.
So until we are resting, let us continue to press forward in the sharing of the gospel.
Pausing from prophecy for a moment, to just remind everyone that we are all equal. Back in the day when you were playing basketball it would happen that two members of the same team would go up for a rebound and begin to battle. It was always a third guy on the team who had to yell out SAME! to let them know that they were battling with their brother/teammate.
Today I want to yell SAME! at the world. It doesn’t matter who you are, Christ died for you just the same. He rose for you just the same and ministers for you just the same. I think this world would be better place if we all just realized that small, but not so small, detail.
I was curious about this word blessings today. Perhaps God put it on my heart to really look at that thing closer. Don’t know if I’ve come to any conclusions that are groundbreaking, I just find it interesting that the first time God throws a blessing on something it was to be fruitful and multiply. And as I think about that thing I’m looking at Genesis 2:3 and it says “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” (NASB)
So is it possible that in blessing the 7th day that God somehow made the day itself to be a time of fruitfulness and multiplication? Can it be that the rest which you have from your work is multiplied on this day? That your rest is more fruitful on this day? Again the first time blessings are mentioned things are being fruitful and multiplying. So is it possible that somehow God interwove rest and relaxation into the day itself?
Now I don’t know what you believe as I write this. I can only speak for myself and I can tell you that the rest that I receive from God on the Sabbath is unlike anything. I feel renewed and refreshed having spent time with the Creator and just listening to what He is saying. I look forward to this time because quite simply there is no other time like it. It is indeed a blessing.
Daniel 7 continued
Today we will look at this other king that arises after these 10, the one that subdues 3 kings AND speaks against the Most High.
In history there really has only been one entity that has arisen that has subdued 3 kingsAND speaks against the Most High. Check what Adam Clarke’s Commentary says about Daniel 7:25 “To none can this apply so well or so fully as to the popes of Rome. They have assumed infallibility, which belongs only to God.” They profess to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. They profess to open and shut heaven, which belongs only to God. They profess to be higher than all the kings of the earth, which belongs only to God. And they go beyond God in pretending to loose whole nations from their oath of allegiance to their kings, when such kings do not please them! And they go against God when they give indulgences for sin. This is the worst of all blasphemies!
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on this verse “It is desirable to obtain the right and full sense of what we see and hear from God; and those that would know, must ask by faithful and fervent prayer. The angel told Daniel plainly. He especially desired to know respecting the little horn, which made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Here is foretold the rage of papal Rome against true Christians.”
Yes this is all good, but did they subdue 3 kings…..Dr. Mervyn Maxwell, a theologian and historian, described the results in volume 1, page 129, of his book God Cares: “The Catholic emperor Zeno (474-491) arranged a treaty with the Ostrogoths in 487 which resulted in the eradication of the kingdom of the Arian Heruls in 493. And the Catholic emperor Justinian (527-565) exterminated the Arian Vandals in 534 and significantly broke the power of the Arian Ostrogoths in 538. Thus were Daniel’s three horns the Heruls, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths’ plucked up by the roots.’ (Taken from Amazing Facts)
Daniel 7 continued
Daniel 7:24,25 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
Out of the fourth beast 10 kings will arise. So one of the identifying marks of the 4th beast is that ten kings must arise out of this nation. And another king will arise after them. Now lets look at history.
Common known history that the fall of the Roman Empire produced 10 kings. Strangely you could even say they were divided evenly. 5 in the east and 5 in the west. So far the Roman empire fits the criteria. Tomorrow we will look at this other king that arises after these 10, the one that subdues 3 kings AND speaks against the Most High.
Daniel 4th Beast
Today we will look at another one of the theories specifically that this beast and the little horn power represents Islam. Let us prayerfully continue to study.
I’ll be honest, I had never heard this theory presented before. But just as quickly as I heard it, I was like eh….it doesn’t really fit the criteria either. Lets observe the criteria again shall we.
- So the 4th kingdom must be different then the other 3 kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece)
- Will devour the whole earth, tread it down and crush it
- Ten kings will come out of this kingdom
- Another king will also come out of this kingdom, different than the previous ten kings
- This new king will subdue three kings
- And this new king will speak out against the Most High AND wear down the saints of the Highest One AND he will intend to make alterations in times and in law AND the saints will be given into his hands for a time, times and half a time
For starters Islam does not fit. Islam did not arise out of a specific kingdom, nor did it destroy three kings (remember the 3 horns were pulled out by the roots. When you pull out the roots there are no more traces of that thing). Also, it would be hard to call Islam itself a kingdom. While Islam has had some great strategic conquests, I would dare not call it devouring the whole earth, treading it down and crushing it. Finally, and this is the biggest issue, whenever you see religions in prophecy they are usually signified by a woman as you see in Revelation. So how people can say this beast and little horn power is Islam is really beyond me. Again, the criteria does not fit.


Published June 24, 2003
by Xulon Press .
Written in English
|The Physical Object|
|Number of Pages||148|
Keep Calm and Trust God, Volume 2 Jake Provance. out of 5 stars Kindle Edition. $ Next. Editorial Reviews Review. God's Promises For Every Day is a compilation of 1, scriptures taken from the New Century Version of the Holy Bible by Word Publishing to provide inspirational reading. The first section is devoted to Jesus as your /5(). Empower yourself with the godly guidance of Promises of God, a must-have reminder of scripture's guarantees. About the Author Barbour Publishing is a leading Christian book publisher with over 30 years of offering bestselling books featuring exceptional value, biblical encouragement, and the highest quality/5(). If I Believe is a powerful story of how God acts in the lives of those who believe and trust in Him. This book reminds us that even when our faith gets shaken He is still at work. The characters in the book are so real- I feel like I know them/5(61). Value priced! More than just another list of great Bible verses, The Complete Book of Bible Promises is the ideal resource for anyone who wants to know, in clear, concise terms, how the promises of the Bible relate to real life. Chapters cover a wide spectrum of subjects, from marriage and children to money, stress, and loneliness/5(10).
This material was used in The Life Promises Bible which was developed by Kenneth Boa. It is helpful to review God's many promies with a heart of trust and gratitude. God made man in his image, in his likeness, and gave him dominion over the earth and all its creatures (). God blessed the descendants of Abraham, and all peoples on earth. and men” who is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. ). So if you want to be heard by God and want to receive His promises, you need to go to God through Jesus Christ. God’s promises are also based on His immutable nature. The bible says that “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should Size: KB. God's Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. As your read these Bible verses about the promises of God, claim them over your life and see God move! Bible Verses about God's Promises - Important Scripture Quotes God's Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. promises of god: book of 1st chronicles (9) 1) 1 Chronicles And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it .
Reading the title of this book, I started it thinking it was going to cover the promises of God. It did, but not in the way I was expecting. It was about God's covenants. It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it, but a better book on the covenants is by Greg Nichols. I am still searching for a good book on God's promises/5. This compact book offers real and powerful promises from the Creator of the universe and true refreshment for the spirit and a renewed sense of God's commitment to His children. As you make your way through a challenging world, find your guidance in the promises of God, who does not lie (Titus )/5(). Forgotten Promises is book #2 in the Promises series and should be read only after completing Forgotten Promises is a captivating and heartbreaking read that will surely move you emotionally. I found myself yet again caught up in Blaire and Ethan's journey/5. Standing on the Promises of God 2 Corinthians Rev. Brian Bill June , In , a year-old carpenter named Russell Herman died in Marion, Illinois. In his last will and testament he left the following: $ billion to a nearby town $ billion to the city of East St. Louis $ billion for projects in southeastern IllinoisFile Size: KB.


Learning opportunities in local churches or other venues with presentations by scholars and round table conversation.
A live OR online opportunity to become reacquainted with the history, beliefs, doctrines, and practices of “the people called Methodist." Led by Stephen Rankin and co-sponsored by Winfield First United Methodist Church and the Spiritual Maturity Project.
Meeting Wednesdays, Oct. 6 through Nov. 10, 2021; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. $25 per person.
To attend in person at Winfield (Kansas) First United Methodist Church, call 316-350-4131. Make checks payable to FUMC.
To attend online via Zoom, register here.Register to Participate Online
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The Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge Choir came to our church and presented a wonderful message of struggling with addiction and the healing that faith in Jesus provides. The impact on our church family was tremendous. The need for a ministry like this in all communities is so evident. We look forward to hearing more powerful testimonies of changed lives the next time they visit us.
Pastor Tim Vanderveld
Berean Baptist Church
What an amazing Sunday morning we had with the Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge Choir! This will be one of the highlights of our entire year! It does incredible things for your own faith to hear stories of a living God who is at work healing and setting people free! Thank you Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge for your great work.
Northwood Community Church
Maple Grove, MN
We enjoyed the choir very much, this was our second time. The testimonies from the members are a very powerful witness to God at work with strength and power in our community. As a parent of teens and a youth worker, just seeing the youngest of the program members breaks my heart but also encourages me that there is hope for God's children who get sucked into a life of addiction. I think it opens some eyes in our congregation to the scope of this problem and that no one is immune. Thank you for your ministry!
Director of Youth Ministries
Osseo United Methodist Church
All we can say is "Praise God!!" It is awesome to see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of Teen Challenge students. All glory to Jesus!
Oakwood Community Church
Without a doubt our congregation considers the Sundays that Teen Challenge visits a highlight in our year. Many of our people stay for both services to listen to all the testimonies of God's deliverance. Two of our local men have gone through the program and are still sober. God's "success" rate is encouraging us to continue in our support of God's work at Mn Adult & Teen Challenge!
Pastor Richard Reynertson


Now that the academic year has drawn to a close, many of us will be turning our eyes to destinations beyond Bath. Some will be applying for jobs, some may be heading off for further studies elsewhere. Many will be travelling, either for a short holiday or for longer exploration of distant places.
Some people may be going on pilgrimage. All the world religions have places of pilgrimage and many people of faith will make a pilgrimage at some point in their life. Pilgrims can have specific hopes and intentions, offering the effort of the journey as a kind of sacrificial prayer. Pilgrimage can mark a change in someone’s life, giving thanks for what is past and asking for help with what is coming in the future. Pilgrimage can quite simply be an act of love for the holiness of the pilgrimage destination.
Some pilgrimage sites are well known and attract millions of people: Jerusalem and Mecca come to mind. But a pilgrimage doesn’t have to be to a well-known site. It can be to any destination that is significant for the pilgrim. It also doesn’t necessarily need to be a long journey.
This Saturday morning, 8th July, I will be making a pilgrimage to somewhere close by – to the Saxon church in Bradford on Avon! My parish community have been going there every summer since 1982 to pray to the two saints associated with the Saxon church: St Laurence, (to whom it’s dedicated) and St Aldhelm.
This Saxon church has been sanctified by prayer for over a thousand years. When it was rediscovered in the nineteenth century, it was thought to have been built by St Aldhelm in the early eighth century, but it’s now thought to be a bit later than that: early eleventh century. St Aldhelm did build a church nearby, maybe on the site of the present-day parish church across the road.
I have a real soft spot for St Aldhelm. He was a great scholar and poet and as a missionary bishop travelled all over the area we now call Wiltshire and Dorset, preaching and founding churches. I especially like the story that as a young monk at Malmesbury he was disappointed by the low numbers of people who came to church on Sunday. In response to this he would go to the town bridge and do some juggling and sing ballads which he had composed himself. When he had got people’s attention he would then switch to talking about the Gospel, and encourage them to come to church. There is an icon of St Aldhelm in the chaplaincy. It was painted in memory of the first chaplain at the University, Robin Lancaster.
To get back to the subject of pilgrimage – I hope and pray that whatever travels you make this summer, there may be some element of pilgrimage. May you return home spiritually refreshed and with new insights and inspiration for what lies ahead.


So I want to explain why, as a Christian, “sex-positive” is my new least favorite word, even though I am myself a very sex-positive guy, and I believe that Christianity is also very sex-positive. But I’m going to need to back up a bit to get there.
Christianity is essentially a form of humanism. That is, at its core it is concerned with the dignity of the individual human being and the flourishing of humanity as a whole. However, unlike secular versions of humanism, Christianity recognizes humans as beings in relation to the transcendent, to something—and, specifically, Someone—beyond the material realm.
A truly humanistic humanism must begin with an account of humans that is accurate. And humans are not merely physical/material beings. We have, to use traditional language, souls. We are indwelt by the eternal and we yearn for the eternal. We have a destiny, a telos, that includes, but is not limited to the physical. And so our highest and greatest good, our flourishing both as individuals and as a human community cannot be reduced merely to physical health, material prosperity, and just power relations, however important those things might be.
And yet, in post-Christian, pluralistic Western society, the secular worldview has now set the rules of engagement in the public square. And one of those rules is that moral claims—any “should” or “ought”—must be made without reference to the transcendent. Moral claims must be grounded in empirical evidence and be commonly agreed upon by all (or at least a voting majority). Thus, Christians, who are essentially humanists and have a desire to see human flourishing for all people and not just Christians, are now put in the awkward position of having to make a case for their account of human flourishing in secular terms.
It turns out this is impossible. (Go figure: you can’t explain a vision of human flourishing that is rooted in the transcendent without reference to the transcendent.) But Christians have still been doing their darnedest for the past century or so. At first, it worked…at least some of the time. Because enough of the fumes of transcendence still lingered in the air our culture breathed that even if we didn’t talk directly about God or the bible or the afterlife, we could still sort of pantomime enough in their direction that people picked up on it. But the thinner those fumes got, the harder it got. (Mixed metaphor, I know).
As it has gotten harder, some Christians have respond by just retreating from the public square, but others have just pushed harder at this impossible task of making a compelling case for the “oughts” of the Christian vision without making reference to the transcendent. And the result has been, well, less than compelling. (Again, big surprise). And in the sphere of sexuality, this has been particularly difficult as the mindset of consumer choice and libertarian freedom has come to exert increasingly influence on our views of sex.
See, a Christian with one hand tied behind her back (the hand that would be pointing up to the transcendent/God) is forced to work with just one hand (the hand that only points around to the material/empirical realm). So she is forced to make the case that the Christian sexual ethic will result in more human flourishing than alternative ethics by pointing to “consequences” and “rewards” on the material/plane plane. I.e., to make the case that this ethic of reserving all sexual activity for marriage and maintaining life-long monogamy will avoid more consequences (unwanted pregnancy, STD’s, emotional trauma, etc.) and net more rewards (fulfilling sex life, fewer abortions, stronger marriage, etc.).
Now, I happen to think that this is true. And I think a fairly persuasive case can be made for it. See for example, Wendell Berry’s classic essay, “Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community,” (which is not entirely without reference to the transcendent, but puts most of the emphasis on how we have lost sight of the inherently communal nature of sex and its “consequences”). However, if someone as skilled and winsome as Mr. Berry can make a case for it, it’s also true that most of the time, the Christian, laboring away one-handed, ends up looking like a fool or a maniac.
More often than not, this one-handed approach comes off as what has recently come to be called “sex-negative.” Having agreed ahead of time not to use her transcendence hand, she hacks and slashes with her “immanent” hand, hammering on the “consequences” of extra-marital sex and the “rewards” that fornicators, masturbators, and pornography-users will miss out on. Don’t do this. Don’t do that. If you do X, Y will be the consequence. She appears to be (and maybe often is) using fear and shame, rather than being, well, sex-positive. The non-Christian observing all this feverish pointing at consequences interprets the Christian as saying—to use the words of one recent sex-positive blogger—SEX IS BAD! DON’T DO IT!
Meanwhile, the secularist, whose core moral convictions (self-expression is a moral good, personal autonomy trumps almost all other considerations, liberty is increased by maximizing choices, etc.) are not only allowed but do not even have to be argued for because they are just part of the Enlightenment air we all breath (i.e., she’s playing with two hands) can talk about sex in the context of these moral goods and calmly make some suggestions about “moderation” and “safety” and come off looking like a sane, common-sensical person who is just really, you know, sex-positive and has my flourishing at heart.
This so-called sex-positive approach has so much traction in our post-Christian cultural milieu, that even a lot of Christians seem to be jumping on board. Turns out mom and dad were overstating the consequences of premarital sex. Turns out our virginal wedding nights weren’t the awesome experience they built them up to be. Turns out we’ve got all kinds of lingering body-shame and sex-guilt from all the scare tactics of our youth pastors. Maybe this level-headed, be-safe-and-responsible-and-do-what-works-for-you approach is a better ethic than the crazy, ol’ fashioned Christian one.
But here’s the thing: I think that many of us (certainly the Christians, I would hope!) believe that humans are spiritual beings, that we do have a soul. And something as powerful and emotional and holistic as sex must involve that part of us. And so we need to untie that other hand if we’re going to really talk about sex. We need to talk about the transcendent if we’re going to make sense of it.
In particular, I think we need to introduce the word “sacred” to the conversation. See, the real reason the Christian sexual ethic puts such serious boundaries around sex is not because its afraid of the “consequences” of illicit sex. It is because it understands sex to be sacred. Sex is one of the rare and special things God has given us that is sacramental, it is a “thin place,” a portal between the material and the transcendent. Or maybe a better way to say that is: a place where God has promised to take up the material into the transcendent.
And even more than that, Christians believe that marital sex is a kind of “icon of redemption.” That the mutual giving and receiving of the spouses in conjugal love is a kind of lived picture of the love of God in Christ for us, the Bride, the Redeemed. And so a way of participating in the mystery of Redemption.
If any of that is even half true, then sex is holy ground. It’s a place where we take off our sandals to acknowledge we are in the presence of something beyond us, something mysterious and powerful and not of our own making. Something sacred.
This is hardly being sex-negative. Sacred things have lots of boundaries around them and strict rules for how they are used not because they are dirty or because using them is shameful. Just the opposite: because they are holy and wonderful and good. To say the fine china is only for special occasions is not a negative view of the china. To say only the priest can enter the sanctuary is not a negative view of the sanctuary. To say that children should be protected and kept safe is not a negative view of children.
In short, if Christians can talk about sex on both the material and the transcendent planes, then I think we have the most sex-positive account going. (What other tradition recognizes all the aspects of sex—self-expression and bodily pleasure and human love and procreative power—and ties them all to a coherent vision of the world as created and redeemed and sustained by a loving God?) So as a pastor, I’m going to keep telling my people not to use porn or prostitutes, not to have sex before our outside of marriage. Not because I’m afraid of sex or squeamish about it or think its dirty. But because I’m sex-positive. Because sex is sacred. And I want to help them keep it that way.


Young Syrian refugees who Pope Francis brought home with him after a trip to Greece laughed and joked with the pontiff Thursday as they told him of their new life in Italy.
The seven children were part of a group of 21 Syrian refugees given a new start in Rome after the pope’s intervention following a visit to the Greek Island of Lesbos in April.
All 21 sat down for lunch with him at the Casa Santa Marta, a Vatican guesthouse, with the children presenting him with a book of their drawings.
“It was a moving, family moment … they spoke in Italian, which they have been learning … they told him about their life, where they came from, their country, their town, but also what they are doing in Rome,” said Daniela Pompei, of the Saint’Egidio religious community, which is temporarily housing the families.
“They thanked him, because he saved their life [and] the children little by little became more confident and started to play with the pope, laughing, making jokes, something that greatly amused the holy father,” she added.
The refugees came to Italy in two groups in April and June.
Twelve of the group were brought to Rome by the pope himself in April at the end of a trip to Lesbos in Greece aimed at highlighting the plight of hundreds of thousands of refugees arriving on the shores of Europe.
Another nine who had also been living in a transit camp on the Greek island after making the perilous sea crossing from Turkey were brought to Italy in June.
Francis has repeatedly condemned Western society for its indifference to refugees, making the cause of migrants trying to reach Europe one of the defining themes of his papacy.
More than 1.1 million people have crossed clandestinely from Turkey to Greece since the start of 2015, with hundreds drowning en route. Many of them are Syrians, fleeing the horrors of the country’s war.
Arrivals in Greece fell sharply after Turkey agreed in March to take back anyone denied asylum in return for billions in EU cash and other concessions. Human rights groups have criticised the arrangement.
Read more at PRI.


Lament Featured in Kosmeomag.com
I was blessed to have a poem featured in Kosmeo magazine this month.
Kosmeo "Is an online magazine seeking to glorify God through creative, artful offerings."
I was inspired to write this poem because:
My family is currently walking through a painful season because of my father’s poor health. God has answered my prayers faithfully and often in the past, so I find it frustrating and strange that He is not answering “yes” to my prayers for healing for my father, a long-time faithful Christian, at this time. Micah 4:1-3 is full of the rich promises of God that are “Yes” in Christ Jesus, but as I meditated on this scripture, I began to write about the experience of being in a waiting place, and feeling the anguish that all Christians struggle through when God does not answer His promises in a way that is evident to us (yet.)
"Lament for My Father Who Has Not Yet Been Healed," is here:


"Home Run reminds us of the power of forgiveness, the richness of redemption, and the wisdom of trusting God to revive us."
Max Lucado, Pastor and Best-Selling Author
"Home Run is a film of great hope."
Rick Warren, Pastor and Best-Selling Author
"Home Run is a must-see story of change and redemption—a story all of us need to hear and know. Freedom is possible with God in our lives!"
Joel Osteen, Pastor and Best-Selling Author
"Home Run portrays the church in its beauty—true life transformation through real and honest relationships with one another and with Jesus."
Joyce Meyer, Author and Speaker
"Home Run is a powerful parable showing us what God can do for a person who hits bottom."
Michael Catt, Pastor and Best-Selling Author
"HOME RUN is an entertaining, well-written movie with a powerful evangelistic message that should be seen by everyone."
Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide
"Without question, I truly believe HOME RUN will help transform people's lives. Glory to God!"
Barry Lyons, Former World Series Champion
"Home Run is a powerful journey to freedom."
Andi Parker, Faith in Film, Daystar
"Home Run provides an important reminder that no matter how successful we are, we are all affected by the issues that come along. Only through Jesus we can find the peace and comfort to live this life."
Andy Pettitte, All-Star Pitcher
"“Home Run really hit home for me. God bless this movie."
Bill Buckner, Former All-Star
"Home Run is a great story of redemption and recovery—a must see!"
Jim Sundberg, Former All-Star Baseball Player
"It's a wonderful movie. It touches your heart in a way that will change your life."
Brett Butler, Former All-Star Baseball Player
"Home Run is not only a great movie, it's a story of hope that people have to see. "
Dwight Evans, Former All-Star Baseball Player
"Home Run is a great reminder that our problems in the flesh can be healed through Christ and his redeeming love."
Tim Salmon, Former Rookie of the Year
"I love the heart and the message of HOME RUN: No matter what you’ve done or what you’ve endured, with Christ … freedom and redemption is possible. I am living proof."
R.A. Dickey, Cy Young Award Winner


Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao was consecrated the 1st Asian Bishop of the Methodist Church in malaysia and Singapore in 1968. He was elected to serve as General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia in 1973. In 1988 he accepted the invitation as Visiting Professor of World Christianity, Perkins School of Theology, Southern methodist University, Dallas, texas, USA. He taught also in Summer school in vancouver School of Theology, Canada in 1990.
His primary education was in Anglo Chinese School, Kampar and secondary education in Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh, Malaysia. he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Biology & Cheminstry) from Baker University, Baldwin City, kansas. His Master of Divinity and Doctor of theology Degrees were secured from Boston University School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
His publications include Doing Theology in a pluralistic world and from Prepat to Colombo: History of the Christian Conference of Asia, 1957-1995.
He was confered with an hononary Doctor of Divinity degree of Baker University and was honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Boston University School of Theology. The Order of Jerusalem medal was presented to him in recognition of his services in the World Methodist Council.
In March 2014, Yale-NUS college announced the Yap Kim Hao Professorship in Comparative Religious Studies.


Thelma Margaret Harrell (née Shedron), 87, formerly of Lorain, passed away peacefully February 22, 2013 at Mill Manor Nursing Home, Vermilion following a lengthy illness.
She was born January 12, 1926 in Elyria. She lived in Lorain until moving to Vermillion four years ago.
Thelma worked as waitress for several restaurants in Lorain County and the latest was Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon. She was an active member of the St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish, Lorain (formally St. John Catholic Church) prior to her late stage of her illness. Thelma enjoyed spending time with her abundant family. She also enjoyed gardening, bingo, and traveling to Las Vegas and Laughlin, NV. She loved the Cleveland Indians. She will be dearly missed by her sons Ronald (Twila), Larry (Kelley), Allen (Karon), Chuck (Penny), Randy (Linda) Harrell all of Lorain; daughters Judy (Dennis) Findley of Vermilion, Mary Ann Smith, Laura Baisden and Karen (Charles) Fraley all of Columbus; her beautiful granddaughter Crystal (Randy) Hamilton raised through her childhood years, as well as 25 other grandchildren 41 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren; brothers Richard (Eleanor) Shedron of Grafton and Donald Shedron Wooster.
Thelma was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years Chester who passed away on April 2, 1999; her parents Charles and Laura (née Rahrig)Shedron; brother Harold Shedron and sister Geraldine Dudek; great grandchildren John and Ryan Harrell.
Her family will receive friends Monday from 4 to 8 PM in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, where the Parish Rosary will be at 5 PM, Monday in the funeral Home, Closing Prayers will be Tuesday at 10 then Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish Church, 2143 Homewood Drive (at Grove Ave. Rt. 57). Rev. Father John C. Retar, Pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Garden, Avon.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 74924, Cleveland, Oh 44194-4924 or St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish Church, 2143 Homewood Drive, Lorain Ohio 44055.


The New Covenant is a biblical interpretation derived in part from a sentence from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31) in the Hebrew Bible. There are several Christian eschatologies that further define the New Covenant. For example, an initiated eschatology defines and describes the New Covenant as an ongoing relationship between Christian believers and God that will bear full fruit after the Second Coming of Christ; That is, it will bear all its fruits not only in believing hearts, but also in the future outside world. [Citation needed] The connection between the blood of Christ and the New Covenant is visible in most modern English translations of the New Testament, with the saying: “This cup that is shed for you is the New Covenant in my blood.”  Thus, according to Paul and the author of the Hebrews, the new covenant is far superior to the old one (that is, .dem Mosaic covenant). This is already implicit in the use of the adjective “new” in 1 Cor 11:25 (cf. Luke 22:20), which clearly alludes to the negative contrast of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-32). Paul, however, is in 2. Corinthians 3 even more clearly, where he explicitly juxtaposes the new and the old covenant and emphasizes the enormous inferiority of the old to the supreme glory and permanence of the new. A similar and negative comparison is also made by its “figurative” contrast between Hagar and Sarah in Gal 4:21-31.
I have been pleased with your comments from above, but there are too many scriptures that have been left out and must be included to know the result of what my father does: Here are some of Gal 3:19—-1. Co 15:12-54 —-Heb 9:26—-Revelation 1:4-6,8—- And Verce 9 says that this man must have a brother named John —-Matt, 22:42-45 the man they called Jesus said this, so in Matthew 16:20 he said that he was not the Christ: WE must all ask these questions and then look for answers in the Scriptures: I have, This man they thought was Jesus, Christ was John and Jesus never had a brother named John: But the true Christ does, and he still has to die, and then be resurrected, then death will no longer be Revelation 19:12-13, And when he is on this earth, he will accomplish what Paul said in 2. said. Cor 3-6, and the only place in Scripture that tells us what his name is, is in the OT, and his eldest son will be called David, and his youngest will be called Jesus, and that man will be called the Messiah or the Christ if one perfers Eduardosiders, I hope you have been able to read these verses in context now, and that you understand them. For example, you say, “The man they called Jesus said this, even in Matthew 16:20 he said he was not the Christ.” When you read this statement in context, you realize that Peter had just told him that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He tells Peter that God revealed this to Peter. At that time, however, Jesus was in great danger to his life through religious leaders. He therefore ordered his disciples not to reveal this information to the world. “20 Then he commanded his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” He did not do so because He was not the Messiah, but because at that time it was learned that He was, His death could have come sooner and He would not have reached the people He needed during His earthly ministry. I suggest that you ask God that the Holy Spirit teach you when you read the Bible. I know it was very difficult for me to understand when I first became a Christian until he came to teach me.
The Covenant with Moses refers to a biblical covenant between God and the biblical Israelites.   The foundation and provisions of the Covenant with Moses are recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to the fatherhood of Moses and collectively called the Torah, and this covenant is sometimes referred to as the Law of Moses or the Mosaic Law or the Mitzvot of 613. In the Indo-Iranian religious tradition, Mithra-Mitra is the hypostasis of the covenant and therefore guardian and protector of moral, social and interpersonal relationships, including love and friendship. [Citation needed] In living Zoroastrianism, which is one of the two main developments in the Indo-Iranian religious tradition, Mithras is, in a broader sense, a judge who protects agreements by ensuring that people who break one do not go to heaven. [Citation needed] Much of biblical history revolves around covenants between God and man. In fact, the Old Testament and the New Testament are so named because they detail two important covenants between God and His people. When the Bible mentions a covenant, it refers to a strong and solemn agreement between two parties. However, biblical covenants are very different from the types of agreements we make today: 2. Covenant between man and man, that is, a solemn pact or agreement, either between tribes or nations, or between individuals, (Genesis 31:44), by which each party undertook to fulfill certain conditions and was sure to receive certain benefits. In making such a covenant, God was solemnly invoked as a witness (Genesis 31:50) and an oath was taken.
(Genesis 21:31) Sometimes a sign or testimony of the covenant was framed, such as a gift (Genesis 21:30) or a pillar or pile of stones erected. (Genesis 31:52) In the Latter-day Saint movement, a covenant is a promise made between God and a person or group of people.  God establishes the terms of the covenant, and when the conditions are met, He blesses the person who has made and kept the covenant. When the covenant is violated, blessings are denied and, in some cases, punishment or punishment is imposed.  An alliance, the next type of promise, included a life-and-death agreement between two parties. When two men wanted to make a covenant, they cut the animals in half and went back and forth between the carcasses (Genesis 15:10). This would mean that if either of them did not maintain their share of the agreement, what happened to the animals would happen to them. Since human rebellion threatened to jeopardize God`s ultimate purpose (i.e., To bless all nations through Abraham`s “descendants,” the Covenant with Moses also included the ways in which the divine-human relationship between Yahweh and Israel could be maintained: sacrificial worship, especially on the Day of Atonement (Lv 16), would ritually atone for Israel`s sin and symbolically express God`s forgiveness. Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant and that the blood of Christ shed at his crucifixion is the required blood of the covenant. [Citation needed] As with all covenants between God and man described in the Bible, the New Covenant is considered “a blood bond sovereignly administered by God.”  It has been theorized that the New Covenant is the law of Christ as it was pronounced in his Sermon on the Mount.  According to Smith`s Bible Dictionary, the Hebrew translation of the covenant, berith, mainly means “a cut” in reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals into two parts and moving from one part to another upon ratification of a covenant. In the New Testament, the corresponding word is diatheque, which is often translated as a will in the authorized version.
In its biblical meaning, two meanings of the word are used: There are several biblical covenants – agreements – between God and man. What should Christians know about the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? Exasperated doctors want it too – and many have begun to reclaim the alliance between doctor and patient. .


Justin and his wife Mary Hannah have lived in Raleigh since they graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2009. They have three children, Judah (2013), David Nash (2015) and Emery (2017). They are active members of their church, Providence Baptist, in Raleigh, NC, where Justin plays the drums with the worship team and serves as a deacon. He and Mary Hannah also serve on the leadership team for their small group. When he is not working, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, taking on various home improvement projects and cheering for the Tar Heels.


The Praise Community is a new ministry that will be meeting starting September 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Advent Church in Westlake, Ohio (map).
The core team from various churches include Rick Willis, Harry Bound, Finn Laursen and Paul Laursen. This has been on their hearts for a while to offer an opportunity for area believers to gather together weekly to offer up praise to the Lord and expect that He will meet with us. This is a non-denominational movement with no direct church affiliation. This initiative has the blessing of the Vestry to use the beautiful Advent sanctuary.
You are invited to come and participate as we seek to lift up the name of Jesus seeking personal and regional revival!


Hi, my name is Femi Koleoso and I have been coming to Jubilee church North London for… well all my life. Yes, you’ve probably gathered I am in fact Tope Koleoso’s son, who is the lead pastor in our church. I was asked by Leo, the Youth Leader in Jubilee to write a little bit about my Christian journey. So here it comes and I hope you’re blessed by it.
I gave my life Christ at the age of 6. You’re most likely thinking, that’s way to young, but I see it like this, I had a brain, I had an understanding of heaven and hell and I knew I wanted to go to heaven. I spoke to my dad about this and my dad then led me to Christ. Now at age 6, you’re not going to be reading your bible in depth, and lets face it, your more worried about playing with your action men than living for the Lord. And that’s how it was for me.
Now something interesting happened at age 6, which was going to shape the rest of my life. At church one day, church had finished, and my attention was drawn towards the drum kit, being the confident young boy I was, I decided to have a go. Just messing about my parents saw how much joy I was experiencing and decided to buy me a kit for my birthday. They most likely wish they had purchased a piano or guitar, as many noisy years in the household were to follow. At age 8, there was no one to play the drums at church, I then put my hand up and said I would do it. And that was when it began, age 8 I first drummed in church, ‘til this day I can still remember the songs we played, one of which being ‘Wonderful so wonder aka beautiful one’
Now I used the phrase that the decision to first go on the drum kit shaped my life, and it has, significantly. Through my love for drumming, that translated into a love for worship, which made my relationship with the Lord more personal. Music became my passion and I wasn’t happier than when I was banging out the drums. Skip a few years and I am now a 16 year old boy, aspiring to be a professional musician, drumming in various bands in London and teaching drums on a weekly basis as a day job, but more importantly I want to live a God centered life and serve God through music and touch lives and that’s what a I strive for everyday. Now being a teenage Christian is not easy. Temptations seem to be thrown at you left right and center, but it’s the rooting that I have which keeps me on the straight and narrow. Rooting comes from Worship, prayer and up keeping a real and alive relationship with your king. With that there is nothing stopping you from achieving your dreams and ambitions!
My favourite verse in the bible really sums up how I approach my life.
Philippians 4:4 – I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Seek the Lord first and all things are possible!
Any teens reading this and wanting to get in the Jubilee circles or just talk to me hit me on facebook/twitter
Facebook-Femi Drummer Koleoso or Twitter- @FemiJazzDrummer
Thank you and God bless!


Theology of the Cosmic Mass
Dance takes us out of our heads and connects us to the earth again. The lower chakras get engaged. Joy results. Celebration happens.... Dance demands breathing, and so it fulfills ancient teachings that connect breath with spirit. This connection is found not only in the biblical story of the Creator breathing the divine breath into the clay to make it a living human, but also in the ancient languages of Africa where the word for “dance” is the same as the word for “breath” which is also the word for “spirit.” (“Breath” and “Spirit” are the same word (ruah) in Hebrew as well).
~~ Matthew Fox
The Cosmic Mass offers an easy, intuitive entry for those new to spirituality, while tapping into the deep resonance of ancient religious, mystical, and shamanistic teachings as well. Christian in its base, the Cosmic Mass integrates the teachings of Creation Spirituality, and has attracted Buddhists and Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Hindus, and non-believers.
The Creation Spirituality movement draws inspiration from the mystical philosophies of such medieval Christian visionaries as Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Aquinas, Saint Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Dante Alighieri, Meister Eckhart, and Nicholas of Cusa, as well as the wisdom traditions of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Creation Spirituality is also strongly aligned with ecological and environmental movements of our time and embraces numerous spiritual traditions in the spirit of interfaith or "deep ecumenism."
New Liturgy, ancient interfaith roots
Matthew Fox first laid out the principles for the Cosmic Mass in his book The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: principles for a new cosmology and a new Christology based on the ancient teaching of the Cosmic Christ, which puts whole new life into liturgy if we allow it. He followed that up with the last section of his book The Reinvention of Work in 1994, called “Ritual: Where the Great Work of the Universe and the Work of the People Come Together.”
Inspired by rave celebrations, the Cosmic Mass has its roots deep in traditions of both the East and West. As Fox writes in his autobiography, Confessions:
The Cosmic Mass, while Christian in its origin, is all about interfaith, and Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Naht Hanh has an excellent understanding of its foundation. When he speaks about the mass, he puts the Eucharist very much within a context of a Cosmic Christ theology: “Not many people want to become priests in our day, but everyone is hungry. So many people are hungry for spiritual food, there are so many hungry souls.” He speaks of Jesus’s words at the Last Supper reenacted in Catholic worship:
“Take, my friends, this is my flesh, this is my blood”—Can there be any more drastic language in order to wake you up? What could Jesus have said that is better than that? … This piece of bread is the body of the whole cosmos. If Christ is the body of God, which he is, then the bread he offers is also the body of the cosmos. Look deeply and you notice the sunshine in the bread, the blue sky in the bread, the cloud and the great earth in the bread. Can you tell me what is not in a piece of bread? The whole cosmos has come together in order to bring to you this piece of bread. You eat it in such a way that you come alive, truly alive.1
Thich Naht Hanh is pointing out that a Cosmic Christ understanding applies very much to our worship practices and that reverence follows when one recognizes the holiness of all bread, all that goes into bread, all being.
Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit priest, scientist and mystic, composed his “Mass on the World” in 1923 on the Feast of the Transfiguration—one of the most explicit feasts featuring the Cosmic Christ in the church’s calendar and among all the Cosmic Christ stories in the Gospels—when he was on a scientific expedition in China and away from the usual accoutrements for saying mass, such as wine, bread, the chalice, and so on. He writes,
“When Christ comes to one of his faithful it is not simply in order to commune with him as an individual;… The effect of the priestly act extends beyond the consecrated host to the cosmos itself … ; the entire realm of matter is slowly but irresistibly affected by this great consecration.”2
Teilhard goes further, relating the act of the eucharist to the “divinizing of the entire universe”:
When Christ, extending the process of his incarnation, descends into the bread in order to replace it, his action is not limited to the material morsel which his presence will, for a brief moment, volatilize: this transubstantiation is aureoled with a real though attenuated divinizing of the entire universe. From the particular cosmic element into which he has entered the activity of the Word goes forth to subdue and to draw into himself all the rest.”3
Later on in his Confessions, Fox addresses the principles that inspired the Cosmic Mass as a dance ceremony:
I took the subject of reinventing ritual up anew in the last chapter of my book The Reinvention of Work, where I lay out principles for renewing worship, principles such as bringing the body back through dance, entering into grief at the Via Negativa, putting participation first, and involving all the chakras.
Is the Cosmic Mass Truly A mass?
Of course it is. If you deconstruct the Mass, taking it apart and looking for its constituent parts, you will find that the Mass follows the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality:
- The Via Positiva, celebration of existence: this is our first 15-minute dance in awe and wonder
- The Via Negativa, communal grieving for the suffering of the planet and all beings
- The Via Creativa, blessing of wine and bread as the food of the Cosmic Christ;
- The Via Transformativa, sending the people off to serve: this is our final 15-minute Warrior Dance
Themes for the Mass are of universal attraction just as dancing is and worship is. Dancing of course takes us into our lower charkas where we literally connect with the earth and so this kind of worship truly serves an ecological era. By moving away from dogma into an experience of divine communion, the Cosmic Mass attracts not only many kinds of Christians but also Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Taoists, Jews, Pagans and Goddess people.
Click here to learn more about the history and themes of past Cosmic Masses.


It’s supposedly the #1 attraction in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, the Billy Graham Library. That means it’s more popular than NASCAR. Although I had seen the billboards advertising the Billy Graham Library and I routinely visit Charlotte and the surrounding area, I hadn’t visited until … my parents joined me in Charlotte for a family wedding. I grew up watching Billy Graham’s amazing crusades on our black and white TV, back in the ’60s. As a teen, I went forward to answer the call at a crusade in my hometown of Sioux Falls.
Although the building looks “barnish,” it houses valuable documents and artifacts that chronicle Graham’s mission in life — to preach the gospel of Christ. Rev. Graham preached for almost 80 years, and you can follow, chronologically, his own journey. The Library is hosting special displays this year:
- June-August: “New Frontiers” – 1980s & 1990s
- September-October: “Looking to the Future” – 2000s & 2010s
- November-December: “Then and Now” – Today
I especially liked the display that featured the time that Rev. Graham went to Berlin. It features live footage of the occasion, and the magnitude of the crowds is really, rather overwhelming.
Rev. Graham had his family home moved to this site, keeping 80% of the original materials. He lived in this house from the age of 9 until he left for college. The interior is similar to how the Graham family lived, with original appliances and furniture, along with fascinating photographs.
Read the complete review here, at SpeakLife.


The Biblical Basis of Bankruptcy
brought to you by
The Rubinstein Law Firm
“When they had nothing with which to repay
he freely forgave them” (Luke 7:42)
The following is based on an article by Matthew B. Tozer and Ben E. Lofstedt, copyright 2006
Many people of faith feel guilty about seeking to file for bankruptcy protection. In some cases, they may feel guilty because they ran up large debts on their credit cards which they are now unable to pay. They may also feel bad their creditors will not be paid. The vast majority of people are uncertain about what the Bible teaches on this subject. However, before we address this topic, it is important for us to define what is meant by the term “bankruptcy.”
In the United States, our founding fathers recognized the importance of this subject and provided our government the right to make bankruptcy laws under the United States Constitution. The bankruptcy laws and procedures we have today as instituted by our federal government are designed to provide relief for overburdened debtors. In the simplest terms, bankruptcy allows individuals and entities who are over-their-head in debt to get a fresh start. Normally, a bankruptcy will discharge the debtor’s obligations to repay some or all of their debts.
Bankruptcy contemplates the “forgiveness” of debt. The Bible, likewise, contains laws about debt forgiveness of its own. Under U.S. law, a debtor may only receive a discharge of debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy once every eight years. Under Biblical law, the release of debts came at the end of seven years.
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD’S release.” (Deuteronomy 15:1-2)
The Bible refers to debt as a form of bondage: “the borrower is a slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7.) Thus the debtor is a slave to the creditor. Interestingly, the Bible declares at the end of the sixth year:
“In the seventh year you shall let your Hebrew slave go free from you. And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; but you shall supply him liberally from your flock…” (Deuteronomy 15:12-14)
Modern bankruptcy laws, like the Biblical provision just mentioned, allow debtors to keep certain property when they file bankruptcy. Not only does this give debtors a free start, it also discourages debtors from going into debt-bondage again after their bankruptcy is over in order to survive.
In Matthew 6:12 and Luke 11:4 Jesus taught us to ask God to “forgive us our debts (sins) as we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us).” Sin creates a spiritual debt. Borrowing produces a financial debt. The law of justice states that if you agree to borrow money and to repay it you must pay back such debt. However, some debts are simply far too great to be repaid. For example, Jesus paid for our debt of sin on the cross, a debt far too big for us to ever repay. In a similar vein, the law of mercy states that if you cannot pay a debt back, you may, through bankruptcy, obtain forgiveness for your financial obligations.
As with any act of mercy, someone must bear the cost or the burden, just as Jesus did in dying for our sins. With a bankruptcy, the creditor and ultimately the consumers must, in mercy, bear the burden of the unpaid debt. Thankfully, God says He will bless us for such acts of forgiveness and mercy (Deuteronomy 15:5, 10. and 18.)
In two different parables Jesus uses the illustration of forgiveness of a financial debt to teach about God’s forgiveness and the requirements for people to forgive ((Matthew 18:21-35 and Luke 7:36-50): “And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.” Just as on a spiritual basis, Jesus gives us a fresh start by cancelling all of our sin debts through His suffering and death, so to from an economic perspective, our nation will graciously help overburdened debtors by giving them a fresh start economically.
One of the guiding principles of a bankruptcy in the United States is that people filing for bankruptcy must have “clean hands.” Accordingly, a debtor may not be freed from debts which involve fraud, drunk driving, or deliberate wrongdoing. Moreover, bankruptcy laws does not allow for the discharge of child support or alimony debts. Further, student loans, taxes (Romans 13:1, 4, and 7) and secured loans are not forgiven in a bankruptcy. Through these restrictions, bankruptcy laws attempt to balance justice and mercy (Proverbs 1:3).
As with most biblical principles, there is a balance. If you can repay your debts you must. If you cannot, then you should determine how God would have you become free from the bondage of debt. Our modern bankruptcy laws are derived form the Bible (Deuteronomy 15:1-2.) The Bibles advises us to seek godly counsel (Psalms 1:1 and Proverbs 12:15, 11:14, and 15:22.) Ultimately, you must seek wisdom and guidance from God as to the direction that He would have you choose. Fortunately, God promised to give wisdom to those you ask with a trusting heart (James 1:5-7, Proverbs 3:5-6.)
Many bankruptcies are caused by events outside of a person’s control such as an illness or the loss of a job. However, if you have mismanaged your finances, confess your failings to God and by faith, you can receive His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9.) Remember, according to the Bible, there is no condemnation or guilt to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Romans 8:1). Jesus, by His love and mercy, gave us a fresh start. Bankruptcy, based on the law of mercy with its divine origins may provide you with a fresh economic start and a new and brighter future. As God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. To give you a future and a hope.”
consultation at 216-539-2565
Serving Northern Ohio including Cleveland,
Akron, Canton, Youngstown and Toledo.


Welcome to Beverley Minster!
Beverley Minster has a long and rich history, and we invite you to explore the building and its fascinating past through this website.
In 2021 we commemorate the 1,300th anniversary of the death of St John of Beverley in 721. He founded a monastery on the site of the present Minster and after his death was venerated by pilgrims and monarchs alike.
Beverley Minster is also has a long association with sanctuary, and this website was developed as part of the Sanctuary Project during 2020/2021.
Scroll down to explore further.


Welcome to St. Paul's Church
A Church of England parish in the Diocese of Sheffield.
The new What's on page has just been updated with new actives. Use the link to find out more.
St. Paul's seeks to serve God, speak truth and show love to all. We desire to meet God through worship, fellowship and discipleship. We will nurture faith, promote justice and embrace our community.
Revd. Murray Brown says:
St Paul's is a welcoming congregation who value prayer and worship in deepening their relationship with God. We have home groups where people look to the bible for inspiration for living in today world and a lively worship group lead our main service at 10.00 am on Sunday morning.
Our regular Sunday services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., for more information about worship, click here for the worship times.
We enjoy a variety of worship styles and are learning about the new possibilities provided by our redeveloped building. We are committed to sharing the facilities of our building with community groups and in doing so we seek to share the news of God's love.
For more information about church activities please go to the activities page.


Kids + Students
We want to see kids and students get saved, changed and on mission with Jesus.
We want to lead our young people into a real and dynamic relationship with Jesus, where they thrive in His love and the unique purposes He created them for.
Our awesome team of trained volunteers work hard to ensure that while you’re loving church, your kids will be loving church too! Every Sunday The Gathering Kids team creates a fun and engaging worship experience in a safe, clean and loving environment.
We have five separate age-based environments so that we can engage your child at his or her level:
- Nursery (Infants – 24 Months)
- Toddlers (2-3 Year Olds)
- Preschool + Kindergarten (4 Years Old – Kindergarten)
- HQ (1st-4th grade)
- Switch (5th-6th grade)
We would be honored to have your child join us at The Gathering Kids. We hope that you visit us soon!


Santa is coming for Breakfast!
Join Us Saturday, December 4, 2021 for Breakfast with Santa. It’s fun for the whole family! Start the holiday season at Village Tavern with great food and a photo with Santa.
Breakfast with Santa Event Details:
Village Tavern in Winston-Salem, NC (2000 Griffith Road)
December 4, 2021
7:30 am – 10 am
$12 per person
ENJOY A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST
including Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Hash Browns, Grits and more!
HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH
All Proceeds Benefit: The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem
Space is limited. Reservations are required. MAKE RESERVATION
We look forward to seeing you at Village Tavern !
2000 Griffith Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
To claim your family photo, check back here the following week.
Photos will be in a gallery for you to download a digital file from the photographer. The gallery will be available on our website for a short period of time. Make sure you check in here to claim your Photo with Santa.
Together Let’s Make a Positive Difference
Here’s a little about The Salvation Army in Winston-Salem:
The Salvation Army in Winston-Salem has been in operation since 1907.
Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. The message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God, with a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Not able to join us?
There are more ways you can help, like volunteering to Ring the Bell to help raise money, or Donate Online.
For more ways to help this holiday, and into the new year, visit salvationarmycarolinas.org
We hope you’ll join us in making a positive difference this holiday!


‘History dooms us to condemn the guiltless (and ourselves with them) when we don’t choose mercy over sacrifice. Homophobia in God’s name is horseshit. The blasphemer who condemns gays in the name of God loves neither gays nor God. No one who hates his brother, whom he has seen, can claim to love God, whom he has not seen, for all we know, God could be lesbian’ – Siya Khumalo, You Have to be Gay to Know God.
This paragraph ends Siya’s timely and poignant memoir ‘You have to be Gay to Know God’. Siya describes himself as someone who enjoys writing on religion, politics and sex. He calls it the trifecta of religion. His memoir allows us to journey with him through various stages of his life and evolve with him as he grows. It sheds some light on his life with family, both immediate and distant. It touches on his first boy crush and the lengths he went through to achieve this crush. It tells the story of him joining the military and then later deciding to leave it because of his sexuality. He also allows us to know intimate details about his life, in particular his sex life. He uses the telling of his story to provide social commentary about the politics of South Africa and how they can be used to subjugate people in the LBGT community. He powerfully critiques the Constitution and the way people have interpreted the Bible to exclude and shame people who identity as being part of the LBGT community. He also talks about love, coming out and the beauty of being gay.
In this episode of the podcast, Letlhogonolo sat with Siya to discuss this book. They conversed about love, family, religion and social issues. A deeply personal conversation about being gay and Christian. This book adds to the cannon on African queer literature. As Letlhogonolo once described it in an interview: “It is not a queer book, it is a book about prejudice”.


Advantages of Going for Bible Study Classes.
Christianity constitutes one of the most known Bible study class in the world having a great percentage of faithful and is still registering on their bible study lessons. But there are some queries that one need to ask before joining any Bible study class so as to see if the Bible study class will be able to meet his or her divine requirements. We tend to have diverse reasons as to why we get to a particular Bible study class. Not all the Bible study classes you see on the streets have the same missions and teachings, this thus makes it very important to conduct extensive research so as to get the Bible study class that will provide optimum satisfaction to your spiritual needs.
Although we are surrounded by many Bible study classes within our locality one fact is that they have some common benefits that they extend to us either individually or as the community.
This article will try to educate you on some of the benefits that Bible study classes have in a community.
Reinforces your belief
Folks tend to have diverse philosophies according to trainings offered by religion as they hold on the argument that all their life is contingent on their belief in one way or another Both Christian and Muslims houses of worship help people in keeping their belief in and making them have the feeling of belonging to their spiritual attachment Bible Lessons class is one of the locations to visit because it has all these Christian and Muslim Bible study classes that will help you in fitting to the spiritual belief that you have been believing on from childhood
Equips people with better morals.
The greatest mission that most Bible study classes tend to achieve is the promotion of morality in the society through teaching people on the good behaviors that they need to practices in the society. This helps in doing away with the vices and immoralities that people might engage in without discerning their consequences. Research shows that communities do not train their children in accordance to the teaching on the bible lessons tend to face many social evils than those with many Bible study classes.
If you stay away from your religion for some long time you will tend to be having the thought of wandering far away from God and you ought to visit a Bible study class to improve your spiritual part. Through visiting the house of worship you will have the chance of constructing your spiritual part by attending to the encouraging words from the preacher and relating them in your life.


Padre Miguel Hacienda Diego Lopez
Born in Cleveland OH, Lopez opted for the Priesthood at a young age and joined the Seminary after high school.
Nicknamed Padre Lopez by his parishioners upon arriving to New Haven, the moniker stuck.
Lopez is a good guy trying to work in a horribly imperfect world to serve the betterment of the community.
The Padre is an easy going likable Priest with an incredible memory for peoples names. His ability to connect with people has made him a fixture in the community as he seems to know everyone.
In addition to his clerical duties, Lopez helps run a soup kitchen out of St Mary’s where they serve a soup every lunch nicknamed “Kibble stew.”


Growth is always a goal. We are either growing towards Jesus or away from him. We grow from victory, not for victory. Jesus has won. Rest in his victory, but grow to fight the sin within you knowing that you will fail. Any growth that I talk about is from a place of victory, not of defeat. Growth is for the sake of sanctification, not for justification.
Author: Nick Settles
7 lessons from 1 year of marriage
In everything, let the gospel be the narrative of your marriage. Remind yourself of your desperate need for God's grace. Know your sins are forgiven in Christ. Walk in new life knowing the old has passed away and the new is here. Your spouse can't take your sin. Only Jesus. When we surrender to Christ then forgiveness gets easier, patience gets easier, and love gets easier. Because we know that Jesus did it for us.
the truth about minimalism: is it worth it?
Everyone is becoming someone. Minimalism is a way to become who you desire to be. It is living within your boundaries. It is living with purpose. When everything you own is intentional and purposeful, it allows you to appreciate what you have, instead of wanting what you don't.
we have corrupted calling
Our hearts have been conditioned to glorify ourselves. We are all calling-amnesiacs. In the everyday pursuit of making our lives as productive, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible we forget the one who calls us. We have a calling because we have been called. What makes calling confusing is that we are constantly forgetting the one who calls us.
rules of a steady life
Why such a big deal about steadiness? Because if we don't live a steady life then we will go wherever the waves want us to. We will be pushed by anxiety, stress, and busyness and become someone that we never wanted to be.
black lives matter
Black lives matter is not an attack on all lives matter. When I hear well meaning white friends say "all lives matter" my heart cringes at the embedded privilege that saturates the statement. Yet, I have been that friend. I have been the one who has made ignorant assumptions based upon my 21-year-old, middle class, … Continue reading black lives matter
the grief of a graduate
Milestones mark movements. They mark the movement from one season to the next. I can't imagine driving down the interstate with no warning signs of construction or no signs telling me where I am. The signs mark when I need to move. Right now, graduates all over America are missing a milestone, a sign.
WHEN JESUS ASKS “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” … Continue reading WHEN JESUS ASKS “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”
HOW TO FIGHT FOR YOUR FAITH IN COLLEGE
College has been one of the most stretching, amazing, and growing times of my life and I am only two years in. I know that without my faith, college would've kicked my butt long ago. College is a make it or break it time, and sometimes things that were mandatory growing up fall to the … Continue reading HOW TO FIGHT FOR YOUR FAITH IN COLLEGE
FEELINGS ARE NOTHING TO FEAR
It's ok to not be ok - just don't stay there. MATT CHANDLER One of my all-time favorite stories in the Bible is in Exodus, specifically chapter four. It is when God has a dialogue with Moses through a burning bush. I connect with this passage in more ways than one, but something that I … Continue reading FEELINGS ARE NOTHING TO FEAR