One of the most inspiring ways to start your day is to watch the sunrise. If you haven’t done it in a while I challenge you to take the time to experience it again. I’ve seen the sunrise in my own backyard and in other parts of the world and it always inspires and amazes me.
Great verse from the book of Isaiah…
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
- God promised to send a light that would shine on everyone. A light of hope, a light that would lead us safely through ever challenge in life.
- This light of hope is so strong it is even able to penetrate the darkest shadows found in death itself.
- Jesus is our sunrise…He is our hope, He is our reason for the season and our purpose in life.
Let your life be filled with the hope that Jesus brings this week and enjoy God’s sunrise.
Live focused and remember to stay motivated!


The weeks turned to months and it seemed that it was just the logical solution for us to stay. We were happy...they were happy...what else was there to do? We felt the Lord work in our hearts during those weeks and our hearts began to feel at home.
Speaking of home, this was such an interesting place for me (Elaine) to find myself, for, I was indeed home. Between the ages of 6-16 this church was my home. It was my dad's first pastorate and boy oh boy did I find myself in a lot of mischief during those years but it was all encompassed with wonderful, wholesome memories. I enjoy each week, meeting together with so many of the dear people that we met with back then...just another feeling of home.
There's no way to determine our future. God had this whole year planned so long ago and we are confident that the rest of our lives are in His hands...we're really just along for the ride.
this picture taken after we had been gone a few years and added a new baby to the family :-)


Was the fact that Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s remains were not decomposed when she was exhumed to move her to a new shine mean she lived closer to Christ as the Catholic Church claims? Or is there more going on here?
Why are We Called Raven Plume?
Because of its black plumage, its eerie croaking call, and the fact that it prefers to eat the decaying flesh of already dead animals, the raven is often associated with death and bad luck. However, its symbolism is complex. As a talking bird, the raven also represents prophecy and insight.


Added: Tracina Adame - Date: 18.11.2021 17:29 - Views: 47372 - Clicks: 8590
We'll send you an with steps on how to reset your password. Two mothers living in the same house, each the mother of an infant son, came to Solomon. One of the babies had died, and each claimed the remaining boy as her own. Calling for a sword, Solomon declared his judgment: the baby would be cut in two, each woman to receive half. One mother did not contest the ruling, declaring that if she could not have the baby then neither of them could, Solomon bible stories the other begged Solomon, "Give the baby to her, just don't kill him! The king declared the second woman the true mother, as a mother would even give up her baby if that was necessary to save its life.
Plus Toggle .
Password Assistance. address. Judgment of King Solomon - Bible Story. Compiled and Edited by. Bible Articles Videos Audio. Share Tweet Save. This woman and I live Solomon bible stories the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The living one is my son; the dead one is yours. The dead one is yours; the living one is mine. Your son is dead and mine is alive. Cut him in two! Do not kill him; she is his mother. Commentaries for 1 Kings Whitney Hopler. A New Perspective on King Solomon. Warrior Mom Wisdom. Defiance: A Biblical Warning. Insight For Living - Chuck Swindoll. The Wisdom of King Solomon.
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Thru the Bible - Sunday Sermon Dr. Vernon McGee. Financial Lessons from King Solomon. Back to the Bible Warren Wiersbe. Annette Griffin.
How Can I Pray for Forgiveness? Bethany Verrett. Ashley Hooker. Emma Danzey. Is It Biblical to "Decree and Declare"? Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Connor Salter. All rights reserved.Solomon bible stories
email: [email protected] - phone:(876) 245-4823 x 8181


On the square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris, lies a bronze marker. All travel distances to locations in France start from here. Notre Dame is the figurative center of France. So last night when we heard she was burning, we showed up by the thousands. At the Place St.-Michel, Catholics gathered to sing for hours on end. The Seine was lined with tourists and neighbors trying to grasp what we were seeing. A pair of nuns watched in utter calm alongside a Buddhist monk deep in a prayer as the bell towers glowed
The southern tower was merely reflecting the fire below, but we could see flames ravaging the North from inside. A man remembers listening to his uncle playing the Cathedral’s organ, thankfully spared. An elderly woman felt compelled to address the crowd, her grief flowing like the river at her feet.
We went to sleep assured by the Paris fire brigade that the structure would survive, although the spire and wooden frame were lost along with a majority of Notre Dame’s art. There was a plan in place and firefighters knew exactly which pieces to save. The crown of thorns, tower bells and St Louis’ tunic are safe and much of the altar is intact.
This morning we wake to the news that the stained glassed rose windows are whole, but exceedingly fragile; the towers too. As I watch a TF1 journalist talk, a rainbow appears behind her, brushing Notre Dame and landing in the Seine.
What was once the cathedral is now a scattering of ashes littering the square in front of Our Lady. Sirens roar and the streets along the quais are jam packed with a muted crowd. People from across the globe are gathering to bear witness to an event that has touched us all.
But there is a promise of rebirth and rebuilding, a promise the French intend to keep with donations. François-Henri Pinault of Kering Group pledged 100 million Euros, with Bernard Arnault of LVMH adding 200 million, and the people of France pledging their money as well.
The crowds, the flowers they leave, the respects they pay, and the quick rush to donate funds for restoration, they are all a testament that no matter what happens to Notre Dame in the days to come, this site shall always be the center of France.
- Discover our favorite places to eat around Notre Dame.
- We round up the best of where to lunch near the Louvre Museum.
- Five hip spots to dine in Montmartre around the Sacre Coeur.


Worship at Stoke Canon C of E Primary School
Nurture and Grow Together through Compassion, Integrity and Kindness
As a small rural village primary school, we are surrounded by the amazing landscape of the Devon countryside. Planting and harvesting are part of our daily lives so therefore we use the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13 to show our pupils that if we nurture each other and give each other the right support to grow as individuals then we will develop love, honesty and respect for each other and everyone in our global community.
‘But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields’
Parable of the Sower Matthew (13:23)
Our curriculum is underpinned by the set of values including our core Christian values of Compassion, Kindness and Integrity that enable us to live
‘Life in all its fullness’ John (10:10)
For our worship programme we follow the Imaginor "Roots and Fruits" scheme which is based on 18 core values. We also include other relevant topical events and celebrations e.g. Parliament Week and Black History Month which we link to our core values. We also champion Modern British Values as part of our rolling programme.
On Monday we have a whole school assembly in church. The assembly is based around our key values. We look at a value for three to four weeks and link it to the time of year.
On Tuesday we give the children the opportunity to consider a "Big Question". There is classroom worship and the involvement of the children as Worship Monitors. Types of "Big Questions" include; What does respect look like in the classroom?, How can our generosity help future generations, Why are Modern British Values important?
On Wednesday we are back in church and the children bring their class reflection journals and the Worship Monitors share the reflection journals and we celebrate anyone who has been showing those values.
On Thursday we have a whole school hymn practice either in school or in church.
On Friday we celebrate the achievements of our children in our Celebration Assembly.
Rolling Programme of Worship
Term and Theme
Class Worship Activities
Theme: Respect- From Roots and Fruits 1 for Monday. Wednesday-wider resources but recap on Bible story and follow up from class worship.
Week beginning 5th Sept to the 23rd September
Recap school values, modern British Values and then talk about Respect
BBC assembly on Respect
What does respect look like in the classroom?
What does respect look like in the playground/around school?
What does respect look like for our World?
What does respect look like for our society?
6th Sept-List of statements to support what Respect looks like in the classroom to bring back on Wednesday
13th Sept -Prayers for Respect
Pledges to help the world
Generosity-From Roots and Fruits 1 from 26th September to the 21st Oct.
Week beginning the 26th
What does generosity look like in our school?
How do we use our time and talents to sow seeds for the future? (link to vision)
How can our generosity help future generations?
How can our generosity help the local community? (link with harvest and collection)
List of things that show what generosity looks like.
Personal refection whilst listening to music.
Prayers for Harvest
Autumn 2: Justice-From Roots and Fruits 1
October 31st to November
Week beginning the 31st
What does justice look like in our school?
Why is it important to remember?
Why are Modern British Values important?
Remembrance Service-Friday 11th
Sunday 13th November
Anti-Bullying Week- 14th to the 18th Theme Reach Out
Parliament Week November 14th to the 20.
Children in Need- November 18th
Roots and Fruits 2
What gives us joy?
Draw or think about the things that give you joy-Group activity


Added: Anessa Wei - Date: 27.10.2021 13:22 - Views: 34101 - Clicks: 7727
Seeking Love. Mission and Vision. Today we are continuing our sermon series… Seeking. Say Seeking. Today we are talking about seeking love. Love is the primary function of human beings. We are creatures that are created to love.
But because we are broken, we often seek love in places where it is not found. Because we are all built to love we know that it is what we should do. I sought what I might love, in love with loving. Or we seek a lesser identity, we seek to love things that will never bring about the desired result of fulfillment.
So what is love? Love is necessary for life. There is scientific proof that living beings that have everything they need for life, apart from loving interaction with others, will fail to thrive and die. God created us to be social beings that are in need of relationship, affection, loyalty… love. What did God say about Adam being alone in the garden? This is not good. And ever since Adam and Eve we have been seeking things to love and to fill our desire for love.
People sought sacrifices, dominance, power, wealth, lust, control, self-righteousness. People sought other people and their affections, the praise and adoration of other people. And whatever it is that we seek to love or seek love from will begin to make us in its image. When we seek loving others, we begin to seek to please or control people. When we seek the love of others we walk on eggshells and side with popular consensus. When we seek the love of the world we seek its favor.
When we seek loving things and posessions, we end up being posessed by them. When we seek love and validation from others, they become the functional gods in our lives. Wherever we seek love will be the place that we are formed. Usually we seek love in others. The human need for love is partially met in others.
But it could never be fully met in another human being. The need for love can never be met in a substance, or in and of ourselves. There is always a space in our heart that is never filled by another person, including your self. One of the issues is that we confuse Love. Because we only have the one word for love we can love video games and grandma. We can love our pet and our spouse. Therefore we use the word Love when we mean acceptance, happiness, physical desire, we use the word love to substitute self-esteem, self-worth, we use the word love to substitute support.
The word that we are talking about, ususally, in scripture is the word Hased or Agape. This is the type of love that God showers on us. This is the love that loves for its own sake. God loves us not because we are worthy, but because it is who he is. His love is not contingent on our actions or our inactions. The desire for this type of love is directed towards things that can never fill the void. That is one of the lies we are fed is that true happiness comes from you following and fulfilling your own selfish desires. The truth of the matter is, if you read ecclesiasties, you will see that the end of that road is a feeling of Hevel.
The feeling of grasping smoke. There is something inside you that you may seek to fill with other things but can only be filled with LOVE that is God. Because God is love. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. Now the love that we see here is the word Agape. This is the selfless love. The love that seeks the best of others, not because of what it does in my life, but just because I want to see them flourish.
This is the love that is not the love of the world, but it is the love of God that allows us to love perfectly. What John is telling us here is that our lives should be lives lived in love because of the love of Christ. We are to love others because we have been loved. The only way to truly know love is to know God. This is one of the mysteries of Christian marriage. Christian marriage is supposed to be the only place on earth where people make a choice to love each other not because of what they can get or how the other makes them feel but because they are loved and so they love the other.
The Christian community is supposed to echo the love of God. We are supposed to be a group of people who, after accepting the love of God that was offered to us in CHrist Jesus, we choose to love each other has CHrist has loved us. THis is what transforms communities and the world. We transform our surroundings by starting to love each other. Agape love each other. That means that you should be living in such a way that you should be willing to lay aside your plans, your schedules, and your finances to serve those around you.
Because that stuff happens more often then the other stuff in our context. John is telling us the same thing that Jesus told us. Love each other as I have loved you.
Love is the command, love is the key, love is the way by which the mission of God is carried out. How crazy is that. That through the love of God we will be transformed and see others be transformed. Lives are conquered and battles won by love. And the best part of all of this is that the love that is needed to accomplish this is given to us. The love that is needed to transform the world was birthed in that stable years ago.
The love that is needed walked this earth and ate with the outcasts, served the poor, loved the sick, served the immigrant, welcomed the stranger, washed the feet of the disobediant. The love that we need today. The love that we are truly seeking chose to die on a cross for the ones crucifying him. The love that we seek is living inside each and every believer through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. That is the spirit of Christ inside you. God living inside you. You are what you love. Where you seek for love will capture you. If you are seeking love in the world, you will be captive to the ways of the world.
You will no longer need to seek outside fo christ. Related Media. Related Sermons.Truly seeking love
email: [email protected] - phone:(668) 724-3009 x 4189


The Epic Showdown of Eternal Proportions is Nigh. Satan would prefer that we take a front row seat, grab some popcorn, and watch the show. In contrast, Jesus Christ Himself calls each of us to take up our cross, and live, speak, and act in support of Christ and HIS Church.
Roman Catholic Cardinal Raymond Burke recently made the following statements:
QUOTE: “we’re in a time of crisis within the church, we may have to give our all (including our very lives) to safeguard and promote the truth of the faith not only for ourselves and our own generation but also for those to come.”
QUOTE: “If this means that Cardinals will be opposed to Cardinals then we simply have to accept the fact that that’s the situation in which we find ourselves,”
QUOTE: “Certainly for my part I don’t look for this kind of conflict but in defending the truth of the faith I end up in a disagreement or conflict with another cardinal, what has to be primary to me is the truth of the faith.”
Bishop Schneider even mentioned that it’s possible we may be heading towards a Schism in 2015 that may manifest itself as the result of the October Synod.
Watch the Video


Link here to read my friend, Gil Bailie's tribute to René Girard in it's entirety.
I have simply pulled out a couple rich comments from the tribute.
"Beginning with discoveries and insights gained from the careful reading of first literature and then anthropology, Girard turned to the scriptures, only to find there an anthropological perspicacity that completely distinguished this tradition, and in light of which the continuity between the Old and New Testaments came more clearly into focus. Girard saw the mounting chorus of anti-sacrificial admonitions issued by the prophets and the sympathy for the victim found in the psalms and wisdom literature as evidence of the Bible’s religious and moral movement toward the culminating, history-altering revelation of the Cross. Those who might regard Girard’s work as the reduction of the mystery of Christian redemption to a moral repudiation of an odious example of human sinfulness are mistaken. Not only has Girard shown how profoundly and unavoidably humans are implicated in the sacrificial paradigm, but his discovery of these things was accompanied by the deepening of his Catholic faith, sacramental participation, and personal piety – indicative of both his humility and of the gravity of the anthropological conclusions to which his researches led him."
"René understood that the unavoidably mimetic feature of our makeup makes us in some way spiritually permeable to each other and therefore in some way spiritually responsible for one another. Humble and self-effacing though he was, he conducted himself as a spiritual aristocrat. It is difficult to estimate, wrote Blessed John Henry Newman, “the moral power which a single individual, trained to practice what he teaches, may acquire in his own circle, in the course of years.” It was my privilege to be among those who not only to appreciated the importance of his intellectual contribution but who felt the subtle power of his spiritual integrity and the warmth and wisdom that emanated from it."


#MM222 - Dear Church, Jesus gathers us as his flock again this weekend, and we hear the perennial message from John’s Gospel on this Fourth Sunday of Easter: “I am the good shepherd… I know my own and my own know me.” Come and know the comfort of beloved community this weekend, as we together are shepherded into resurrection life here, now.
Connections Committee News: Calling all Thrivent Members!
Did you know that Thrivent has funds dedicated for use within your Congregation? These funds are available to members only…please reach out to Sheryl Trost or Lisa Halberg if you are a member and would like to learn how you can obtain a Thrivent Gift Card for Messiah. We have several activities in the works and these “Thrivent Dollars” can be put to really good use for Service Projects.
Thank you for your consideration!
We have an exciting event in the works…
Cinco de Mayo Family Game Night!
We will be hosting a “taco dinner” with Mexican inspired side dishes and desserts to be provided “potluck” style by the congregation. This event will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 5pm to 8pm. Mark your calendars for this fun, new event…
ALL are invited!
The Connections Team is partnering up with Sunday School to celebrate Vacation Bible School with an all-church picnic on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Stay tuned for more details!
Save the Date: Sunday, September 8th, 2024 Lyndhurst Home Day Parade and Day of Service
Book Club will meet on April 9 at Barb Decker’s house. We will be discussing The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE.
typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at noon.
We will next meet on Thursday, April 18 at noon in the conference room. Please bring a sack lunch. Dessert will be provided by the event hostesses.


Free from landlines/mobiles 0800 038 6446
9am-8pm Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm Fri, 10am-4pm Sat/Sun
0800 038 6446
Free from landlines/mobiles
Some experts estimate that over one quarter of parish churches may be entitled to recover chancel repairs from home owners who own all or part of property ( land ) that may have at some time in the past been owned by parish.
The Law Commission in 1983 identified over 5, 000 chancels for which a repair liability existed of which only 1, 200 were the liability of the Church Commissioners, Cathedrals and educational foundations.
It is worth noting that liability only impacts land in parishes where the church is from the medieval period or earlier ( still a significant number ).
The tax ( or liability ) is not applicable in the most part in Wales following the dis-establishment of the Church in Wales in 1920, although many conveyancing solicitors still conduct a chancel repair search as a precaution.


In this lesson we will see why the law, also called the Old Covenant, no longer applies to believers today.
The Mosaic Covenant is another term. I will use these words interchangeably depending on the scripture it refers to.
We will find that Jesus has fulfilled the law through two commandments, and brought in a New Covenant, making the Old Covenant obsolete.
In The Old Covenant we saw that law added sin to our account, judges and condemns us, empowers sin to kill us, brings a curse on us, produces self-righteousness. We also looked at the three types of law.
2. The Law no Longer Leads us to Christ because Faith has Come.
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.Galatians 3:24
People have used this scripture to say we need to follow the law. Others say we must convict people of how sinful they are, by using the law in our evangelism.
Yet the very next verse tells us that now faith has come through Jesus, therefore the law is no longer our tutor!
But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.Galatians 3:25
3. Jesus Died to Get Rid of the Law and Bring in the New Covenant.
Once we realise that the law, along with sin, died in Jesus we find that the main reason Jesus died was to bring in a New Covenant that guarantees forgiveness of sin. For more detail please look at Covenantal Atonement.
And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.Hebrews 9:15-17
This is such a powerful statement that I often use in my evangelism. In most cultures, a legal document is made up by the parents to pass an inheritance onto the children. That inheritance only comes into effect once the parents are dead. It is the same with the New Covenant – it came into being once Jesus died.
4. The Law no longer applies to us because it is Nailed to the Cross.
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.Colossians 2:14
Let us look at this more closely:
A. Wiped out means obliterated! ἐξαλείφω exaleiphō; to smear out, i.e. obliterate
B. Handwriting means the legal documents. χειρόγραφον cheirographon; something hand-written (“chirograph”), i.e. a manuscript specially, a legal document
C. Requirements mean the law, the deed, the decree. δόγμα dogma; a law, decree, ordinance
D. Contrary means our adversary. ὑπεναντίος hypenantios; contrary to, i.e. opposed or (as noun) an opponent: — adversary, against
If the law is dead then the law no longer applies to you.
5. The Law is Now Obsolete Because There is a New Covenant.
In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.Hebrews 8:13
It vanished completely 5-7 years later when the temple was destroyed and no further sacrifices could be made.
6. The Old Covenant was Also Faulty – and so the Law No Longer Applies.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.Hebrews 8:7
It was faulty because man could not keep it, and therefore become holy and blameless as God desired in Ephesians 1:4-5.
7. Christ Fulfils the Law.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.Matthew 5:17
A. So some say that the law has not been destroyed and therefore we need to follow the law. But we need to read on.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.Matthew 5:18
B. If we are to take this literally then we need to follow EVERY part of the law as this verse says. You would need to follow all of the moral, ceremonial or civil/judiciary law!
C. Also note that Jesus said whoever breaks the law will be least IN the kingdom of heaven? However, he will still be in the kingdom of God.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 5:19
D. Notice also that it says TILL all is fulfilled. So when was it fulfilled? It was fulfilled when it was nailed to the cross and the NEW Covenant came into effect. The New Covenant continues until Jesus returns. Jesus continues on and uses New Covenant terminology in His teaching on the law being fulfilled with this:
8. How the Law was Fulfilled – Love!
Paul makes it very clear that the law HAS been fulfilled:
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”Galatians 5:14
And again in Romans:
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.Romans 13:8-10
A. God is love
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.1 John 4:16
B. It was out of God’s Love that He Planned to Create you.
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,Ephesians 1:4-5
9. Jesus Summarised the Fulfilment of the Law in this Manner.
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.Mark 12:29-31
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Once God comes inside of us, love comes inside of us. The law no longer benefits us, because if we try and obey the law as we found out in Sin Entered The World, this brings a curse. So we simply love God and love people. As John says:
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.1 John 4:9-11
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
10. You Are Now Dead to the Law and Free From It, Therefore the law no longer applies
In Fact You Cannot Enter the New Covenant and Continue in the Old Covenant Without Committing Spiritual Adultery!
Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?Romans 7:1-3
For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
11. Based on What Jesus Said About the Two Commandments, We Should Obey The New Covenant Rather Than The Old.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.John 13:34
The New Covenant came with New Commandments. When it comes to loving your neighbour as yourself, keeping it simple; in everything we do, do it as if it was to ourselves. If we do this, we will fulfil the law.
12. Jesus Teaches us How Impossible it is to Obey the Law by our Own Ability:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.Matthew 5:21-22
Here Jesus is talking still to those under the Old Covenant (the law) because we have already seen that those under the New Covenant are not judged. Notice that the requirements are even more difficult than the original law!
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Matthew 5:27
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Here Jesus again lifts the standard, this time of another of the Ten Commandments. Like the last one He moves it from the act to the heart. As Apostle Paul says we are unable to obey the law by our own ability. There is only one way we can do it, and that is by becoming a new creation, or being born-again by believing and confessing Jesus is Lord. He then gives you a new heart.
© Use by Permission Awakening Impact Ministries/ Dr Neville van Eerten 2021


So, it is pretty easy to fall behind on the things that you do out of enjoyment. I mean with classes, work, and life coming at you some things tend to fall on the wayside. The thing that fell on the wayside for me was this blog.
However, as much as I want to blame busyness to why I haven’t touched this since September, I have come to realize that it is a lot more than just prioritizing it in my schedule.
I mean I have actually tried to publish some posts since September.I will be writing down thoughts, in hopes of conveying a certain message to you, the reader; but I end up deleting everything and giving up. I get lost within the words unsure on where I should be headed and what the point even was.
That is when I realized that I have been allowing fear to run the show. 2 Peter 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” You see, fear is not what should have been what was running the show because I am filled with so much more, but before I get ahead of myself let me get back to the realization part.
The realization that I was terrified of trying to convey a message got me digging deeper to what message I was afraid to convey. Words had always been a friend, but anytime I tried to type something out it always came across as another whiny post filled with complaints about life. Then I realized that I was afraid to actually be vulnerable and share my weakness and inability to get it right, while still conveying the power and love of God.
And even deeper than that I was afraid of how God was going to humble and use this blog to change me. My eyes have been open very recently of how fearful I am of God’s plan for my life. I know with my head (sort of) that whatever God’s plan is, it is far better than what I am trying to work out. However, giving up something that I have been controlling is terrifying. It is scary that what God sees as good may not be what I think of as good. It is terrifying handing over my dreams and desires to God knowing full well that He could toss them and say that they will not come to pass.
I am starting to see that I have been allowing myself to live in fear and miss out on the good unknowns that God is placing in my life. So, it’s time that I don’t allow myself to be, “anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [asking for something earnestly or humbly] with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus [emphasis and making it singular added]” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Fear is, believing that God is NOT in control of what is going to happen next, and I refuse to allow myself to believe that lie. God is in control and he guides in a way that will bring him glory and me joy. However, it is going to be a daily choice, and at times I am going to choose sitting frozen in fear of what comes next versus boldly following God’s path. Yet, God is going to be there every step of the way, and you bet your bottom dollar I will be pretty vulnerable and honest about the journey that is coming.
So, here is to starting again without allowing fear to hold me back.


St. Paddy's Day - Irish
Celebrations All Over The World - March 17th - St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, used the
three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to
represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as
separate elements of the same entity. You too can wear a shamrock on his feast day....
and have a blast..!
"The BEST place to be on St.
Paddy's Day... is Irish Kevin's - in Key West Florida."
"I bought my favorite shirt in Key West at Irish Kevin's
"Awesome Bar - Awesome Entertainers... you're going to
want to stay there all day - all night... i will be back for more next time
I visit Key West."


Today, I celebrate the fact that I am making forward steps in my goal of being a writer. Not just someone who captions photos well or says nice things on someone’s facebook page, but a real writer.
I’m not sure where this adventure will end, but I know it’s going to start with Jesus. It has been a conversation that He and I have been having for a long time. Longer than I’d like to admit…but He’s pushing. I’m part of an online Bible Study and the women are fabulous and encouraging and insanely helpful. Especially when your biggest accomplishment in life is how well you procrastinate (ha!).
I know that God gave me a gift and it would not be honoring Him if I didn’t share it with others. If I can bring people to know Jesus because of it, then that will be AMAZING! The Holy Spirit has been bringing the “go and make disciples” verses to my attention so many times in the last couple of years. Maybe this is my “How”.
Now, I just need an idea on what to write. My story isn’t done yet.


Dallas Willard writes, "Sabbath serves human life in essential ways. Without it, life cannot be what it should be. ... It is not something we have to do because God has arbitrarily required it of us, a pointless hoop He would have us jump through. It is His gift to us." Healthy rhythms of work and rest are essential to having a healthy soul. Sabbath is one of those practices that helps us stay balanced. It's also undoubtedly neglected in our lives.
Willard's helpful article, "The Key to the Key's to the Kingdom," walks us through why Sabbath is so essential and how we can practice it joyfully. When we integrate Sabbath into our weeks, we learn to slow down, smell the roses, and be grateful for the ways God has given us everything we need.


On Sunday November 16, Bishop Roderick Mitchell preached a sermon titled, “Forgiveness and Your Future part 3.”
In This Sermon Bishop Mitchell taught the New Life Congregation that forgiveness is not only a commandment from The Lord, but it plays a key role in determining your future. Bishop went on to express that Jesus paid a ransom for each of us, and forgave each of our sins.
The English word for redemption comes from the greek apolutrosis (apö-lu-tro-sis), which means, Ransom paid in full. Apolutrosis also means deliverance and freedom due to payment of the ransom.
Bishop went on to express that we not only have to forgive to move on with our lives, we also have to stop labeling people. Bishop used the example of “The Prodigal Son” to share with the congregation that God never called the young man “prodigal.” He went on to explain that the word prodigal is never mention in the bible.
This sermon will be available for purchase soon.


My body can survive three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, three weeks without food. That’s what I was told once, and I hope never to test the theory.
Three is a sacred number according to the tradition in which I was raised. I can still hear the hymn’s lyrics as sung to the resonating organ and echoing off stained glass on Sunday mornings:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Oxygen, water, food; my body’s blessed trinity?


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German dating men for marriage - Masturbation chat bot
Suppose we hear that an acquaintance lost a child in a traffic accident or to a serious illness. It is one thing to pay a condolence call to someone who has lost a parent and say, "Please accept my sympathies." It is the way of the world that parents die before their children.
On what basis did Abraham prioritize the helping of strangers over talking with God?!"I feel along with you" are simple words, and when said in sincerity, can support distressed spirits.Words cannot restore anyone's loss, but there is truth in the adage that "A sorrow shared is halved." try to be of help to people who are suffering, if only to let them know that I sincerely feel along with them.We often keep silent because we do not know what to say.Especially in cases where others have suffered great personal losses, what can we say? Not only do we tend to remain silent, but the awkwardness of keeping silent may cause us to avoid the discomfort of such a situation.In Genesis (Chapter 18), we find God talking to Abraham.
When Abraham sees three strangers approaching from afar, he suddenly jumps up to offer them food and drink.
Men across the world have the opinion that Russian ladies are trustworthy, tender, caring, kind, feminine and honest women, who are family-oriented, interested in raising children and ready to help and support their family.
It is so, because family matters a lot in women’s lives.
The answer is that even greater than talking to God, is to be like God. We are created in the image of God; thus giving is our greatest form of spiritual expression.
Abraham achieved great spiritual levels because he emulated God by welcoming guests into his home.
If you want to meet a nice, well-educated and beautiful Russian woman join our international marriage agency Russian Beauty in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.


Get Connected through Groups!
Meets Sundays at 9 a.m.
This is a place to dive deep into various topics related to progressive theology and social justice. If you enjoy learning and thrive in being with like-minded individuals who are also pondering life’s big questions, join us on Sunday morning in the Fireside Room!
Meets Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Have you wanted to read the New Testament through a theologically progressive lens? This group is using Marcus Borg’s Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written. The discussions take place within the context of the 1st century, Roman-controlled world. Thoughtful conversations from a variety of backgrounds enrich these gatherings.
Meets the first Monday of the month at 2 p.m.
Spirit of Peace is a congregation of life-long learners. The monthly book studies are times to have a shared learning experience and immerse ourselves in new and challenging ideas. Titles have included A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough, The Seed Keeper by Dianne Wilson, and Still Life by Louise Penny.
Meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
The choir at Spirit of Peace is an integral part of our worship services! We are a group of all ages that meets weekly to rehearse at 6pm on Wednesday evenings. We also sing for worship on the first three Sundays of every month. The music we share covers a broad range in music history-from the old hymns of the church to new, more contemporary choral music. Singers of all abilities are welcome to join! We have a lot of fun!
Community Garden and Food Forest
When Spirit of Peace was built, members began to restore the land around the building for the benefit of the environment. As part of this effort we have a Community Garden and Food Forest, which members and neighbors tend throughout the growing season. Excess produce is then delivered to Augustana University’s Community Garden so that they can distribute it to community members in need.
30's, 40's, 50's and FABULOUS
Meets monthly at 6 p.m.
It can be difficult for working adults to take time to slow down. This group makes time to check in with each other, laugh, and offer support through life’s joys and challenges. Whether we gather in each other’s homes or get together for a night of bowling, the purpose is to take a break and reconnect.
Meets the 3rd Friday of the month at 7 p.m.
If you love to watch movies and want to engage in thoughtful conversation, this group is for you. Each month we feature a documentary or thought-provoking fictional story. Following the movie, we discuss ideas about creating justice and non-violence in our lives and the world.
Meet and Eat
Meets the 2nd Friday of the month at 6 p.m.
One of the best areas to gather around is the dinner table. This group, welcome to all ages, meets monthly to connect with one another, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. We meet at the church and at local parks when the weather permits. The main point is to be together.
Spirit of Peace members and friends gather a few times a year to swap stories, share culinary and brewing talents, and support one another. Tall tales and laughter are also sure to be expected.
At times we need the reassurance that a close circle of people are surrounding us, caring for us. This is a confidential group that supports Spirit of Peace members and friends through prayer.
Retired Guys Book Study
Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2 p.m.
The title only somewhat describes this group. These men come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and discuss historical and current events—and, of course, the books.
Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Preschool and Elementary school children learn about the teachings of Jesus and connect to the Spirit of God within all. Activities using art, music, play, prayer, meditation, and relaxation are designed to help children develop caring and compassion for themselves and others.
Meets on a per project basis
Formerly known as “Crafting and Quilting,” this group has evolved over time and now focuses on creating fabric items that are environmentally friendly. New ideas and all skill levels are welcome!
True Life Tales
Meets the 3rd Sunday of the month at 6 p.m.
To quote Mona Wade, “Everyone’s life is a compilation of stories. Like the Wisdom tree, your stories may have a long view with vast experience. Or your story may be one that in the telling, nurtures others. Perhaps your story is fresh and brimming with new life. Maybe your story is one of loss and new life. Perhaps you will decide to sit at the feet of other storytellers as a listener until you are ready to share your stories.” Whether you are the storyteller or listener, this group’s purpose is to know one another better and experience a deeper connection.
Meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Middle School and High School youth meet weekly to focus on God’s love for them and others through social action activities within the church and broader community; growing their relationship to God through scripture, prayer, and discussion; and indulging in activities and outside events to help them develop confidence in themselves, respect for others, and having fun while engaging in it.
Building and Grounds
The Buildings and Grounds ministry team acts as good stewards of our facility by caring for our building, property, equipment; and assists related service providers.
The Finance ministry team monitors the financial health of the church, and assists the senior pastor with the annual stewardship campaign and budgeting process.
This ministry team strengthens our virtual presence through social media, technology, and digital marketing.
The Social Action ministry team lives out our prophetic calling to be a social justice church by promoting ministries of activism, education, and community involvement.
This ministry team cares for our young people by working with the Youth Engagement Director to create opportunities for education, fun, and connection with the greater Spirit of Peace community.


This weekend was perfect. It was everything we dreamed about and more. On Saturday, in the privacy of our backyard, with our family present, we dedicated our daughter to God. We committed to raising her in a Christian household, and prayed prayers of blessings over her life and her community of family. It was beautiful.
We’ve known since she was born that we wanted to do a formal dedication of Ada. The problem was, we don’t belong to a church right now. We felt like this was a very personal decision, and so important to us, that couldn’t just pick any church for the sake of doing it in a church. We wanted it to be more personal than that. It took us a while, but we finally decided to dedicate her at home with family.
This is the house she was born into, and this family is her network. These are the people that are going to watch us, and help us, raise her. They play an important role in her life. They’re who she’ll run to for help when she needs it, they’ll be her shoulders to cry on, and her cheerleaders through life. We realize more now than ever that it truly takes a village to raise a child. This is our village.
For the ceremony, we asked a dear friend of ours, Doug Porter, to officiate it. He and his wife have been such a blessing to us over the years, and we are so thankful for them and their friendship! We asked him to do a small sermon, and then have everyone share something they were thankful for about their family. He closed out the ceremony with prayers of blessings and guidance over us as a family, her godparents (my sister Carter & her husband, Shane), and over Ada, that she may grow to love God herself. Tears and laughter were shed by all, Baxter snuck out of the house and made an appearance, and Ada talked through her entire ceremony! Cherished memories, right there.
A beautiful part about Saturday was the support we had putting this all together. My mom handmade her dedication gown even before she was born, and gave it to me at my shower : ) The streamers are re-purposed from a long drape my sister had hanging over a tree branch in her wedding. We gathered sticks out of our woods for the centerpieces and for hanging the streamers, and bought 13 yards of natural muslin and cut it into table cloths. The benches were lent to us from Farm & Filigree, the tables were borrowed from The Bradford, and the flowers & floral crown were graciously donated by Serendipity Designs. Somehow, I barely touched the food prep, display and cleanup, thanks to our lovely family. I’m still not sure who did it all, but whoever you were, thank you! It all came together exactly like I’d imagined in my head. Except for the temperature, I was hoping for 75 and sunny, but alas it’s March, so we ended up with a high of 45. We warned everyone to bundle up, built a bonfire, and no one complained, not even Ada.
We are so thankful to everyone who had a hand in her dedication day. To our family who traveled in to celebrate with us from DC, Asheville, Richmond, Fayetteville, and all those local, THANK YOU. You made us feel more than loved, you made us feel cherished. To Doug & Kristen, we love you guys, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts because of the role you played on this very special day. To the vendors who donated, thank you so much! I love that our wedding community was excited to contribute to Ada’s special day.
To Ada Pearl, your mom and dad love you so much. We are beyond blessed to call you our daughter. We pray your happy spirit stays with you the rest of your life, and that you use that beautiful smile of yours to impact others in a positive way. We hope you grow up to love Jesus and have a relationship with him that brings even more happiness into your life. We love you with all our hearts.
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Council boss organizes
prayer against evil in Warri
By EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri
Five years after the end of bloody communal war between the Itsekiri and
the Ijaw, Warri the oil city in Delta State, which was the battlefield has
been in the doldrums, endemic poverty and static in business activities.
|A street in Warri
Worried about the lull in the socio-economic sector, Warri South Council
Chairman, Hon. Matthew Edema, recently invited concerned Warri inhabitants,
Christians from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) as well as
workers of the area to the council secretariat to make supplication to God
Almighty to cleanse the oil city of evils, blood letting and any spiritual
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, was represented by some of his chiefs,
just as eminent persons were at the prayer meeting that lasted several
The melodious choirs from the Redeemed church, where the chairman worships,
were on hand to render melodious Christian music and praises to God.
Some pastors from various denominations offered prayers and ministration to
the audience on how God actually loves Warri for not allowing the oil city
to ‘die’ during the seven-year bloody crisis.
Hon. Edema said he decided to initiate the prayer meeting considering the
sharp misunderstanding among the major ethnic nationalities in the area
which, he said, was now a thing of the past.
He pleaded with the people to abhor hatred, misunderstanding, acrimony and
those things capable of dividing them.
"God is not foolish by bringing the Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo and other various
ethnic groups in the area together. It is true that at a time there was
misunderstanding among some ethnic groups, but I am happy that God has
brought permanent peace into their fold," said the council chairman in
company with his deputy, Hon. Etsangharan.
Edema described the occasion, which coincided with the swearing in of his
councilors, as historic and first of its kind, insisting that the evil hands
that were always making brothers and sisters to fight one another and shed
innocent blood have been conquered for ever.
"I wish to appeal to the good people of this local government to bury the
hatchet and embrace peace, which is the basis of development and progress. I
know that God has ordained that peace should reign among all the ethnic
groups of this locality, in Jesus’ name. Amen”, remarked the council boss.
He said that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s three-point agenda of peace and
security, human capital development and infrastructural development must be
implemented in the area to the letter.
He commended the governor’s giant stride in developing the state and urged
Deltans to continue to support his administration for a better future.


He’s only a child, but this Brazilian gospel singer is truly out of this world. I’ve heard the classic Christian song ‘Hallelujah’ being performed by many singers, but when I saw 13-year-old Jotta A. singing this song in the video below, it blew me away. I’ve never seen anyone singing ‘Hallelujah’ this heavenly.
This boy’s talent is clearly God-given and he’s seriously captivating to watch. The 13-year-old performer is the greatest revelation of Brazilian gospel music, a new generation of worshipers who have risen in Brazil.
What did you think of Jotta A’s performance? Let us know your impression n the comments below, and make sure to share if it moved you as much as it did us!


What happens when a campus ministry realizes that a quarter of its mission field is missing?
Until a decade ago, campus ministries like InterVarsity (with which I serve) were slow to see the need for ministry to community college students and faculty. The dominant model of higher education was the four-year university. We have built programs and invested resources to reach every corner of this context: professors, international students, graduate students from all walks of life, to name a few. We thought we were fine.
But under our noses, the higher education ecosystem was changing. As we tried to build the Body of Christ in four-year schools, our ministry left a whole other part of the student body underserved: community colleges.
It was a significant oversight. And we had to change.
By the grace of God, this repentance has produced a growing and dynamic influence in the community colleges of our movement over the past 20 years. More so, it gave us a deep feeling of Why reaching these campuses is essential for strengthening the whole body of Christ.
First, community college students are uniquely positioned to impact their community for the kingdom of God. Most community college students come from the area and stay after graduation. They carry with them a special blend of relationship, church connection, and neighborhood knowledge when they come to campus. They later become future school board members, local government leaders, retail managers, law enforcement and more after graduation. They stay and shape their home community in ways that students who go to college cannot.
As disciples of Jesus, these students are an irreplaceable part of God’s work in creating shalom. Because of their strategic value, giving them priority to evangelical witnessing is an essential part of serving the whole body of Christ.
Second, these students are essential for serving and reaching underfunded communities, whether urban or rural. About a third of all community colleges the students are first generation students and almost half are people of color. 55% of them come from families with an annual household income of $ 30,000 or less. Taken together, the data shows how this segment of the student body is overwhelmingly rooted in communities whose access to financial resources and systemic benefits have often been restricted. At a time when denominations and church planting networks are re-examining how to serve and reach rural and urban communities, community college ministry could represent a significant investment in future community leaders.
Finally, community colleges help the church broaden its vision of ministry. Too often the imagination of the church to train emerging adults stops at the youth group. These students do not automatically become adult believers upon entering college. In fact, they still need church support as much as they did in high school, if not more. Yet they often fall into the gulf between the youth group and adult church life – between their unique discipleship needs and the ministry status quo.
Local churches often share our old blind spot for campus ministry. When InterVarsity consults with churches wishing to reach college campuses, few name a local community college that could serve many of their own children. Instead, they focus on prestigious four-year schools that may be further away from them geographically than a two-year school nearby.
But there is something essential about proximity that you shouldn’t miss. Since community colleges represent the communities, campus ministries reaching out to community colleges should also represent the community. One successful solution to this problem that we have found is to embrace and continue the partnership.
Rather than individual churches trying to reach local community colleges on their own, and if 10-15 local churches partner up (potentially with a campus ministry like InterVarsity, Cru, or The Navigators) to develop a more lasting evangelical presence and effective on a campus than a single church could do on its own – and, at the same time, more fully embody the Christian witness of the community as a whole. (The EveryCampus movement – itself the result of a partnership between InterVarsity, Cru and many others – has a searchable database of all known campuses without a witness to the gospel.)
Partnerships like this have the rare potential to transform both students and churches. Students who come to faith in these contexts have a variety of church options to explore and learn. More so, they would witness the amazing power of the gospel to create unity in the body of Christ – a critical testimony in this time of polarization and division. Churches would see their holy imaginations stretched in new and soul-enriching ways. They would receive even more renewal as they opened up to new types of ministry and would be encouraged by the new transformation brought by the Holy Spirit.
As we wonder where God is moving, we would be wise to turn our eyes to the thousands of community college campuses where a Christian witness does not yet exist. In them we find microcosms of the kingdom of God – places where diversity and creativity come together, filled with students specially shaped for a role in God’s mission.
Greg Jao ââis Executive Vice President of Communications and Engagement at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA and is the author of several books, including The mission of your mind, The kingdom of god, and a contributing author of Follow Jesus without dishonoring his parents, Tell the truth, and Voice of conflict and voice of hope.


The room shows the canvas paintings of the XVIIth and XVIIIth century, most of which were originally part of the collection of the Neapolitan cardinal Tommaso Ruffo (1663-1753), papal legate in Ferrara and Bologna until 1738, and then gifted to the museum in 1919 by the senator Fabrizio Ruffo di Motta Bagnara.
The display starts with the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Siena by the Roman painter Ciro Ferri, pupil of Pietro da Cortona and continues with two canvases by Giuseppe Maria Crespi called "lo Spagnolo", David and Abigail and the Finding of Moses, representing a request for forgiveness and salvation by the Bolognese painter to the cardinal in order to obtain the release of two prisoners. The following paintings by Giulio Carpioni are a Bacchanal with drunken Silenus, recurring subject of the Renaissance Venetian painting, and Iris in the Cave of Hypnos, episode of the Metamorphosis by Ovid. Another masterpiece of the Ruffo collection is the Dance of the Nymphs by Donato Creti, pastoral idyllium typical of the Arcadia culture and the classicism of the Bolognese painting at the beginning of the XVIIIth century.
Inside the chapel, built in the half of the XVIth century, traces of frescoes has been found (ceiling with God the Father and Old Testament figures; right wall Flight into Egypt). Here there is the Bust of Innocence X Pamphilj (1644-55), painted terracotta by Alessandro Algardi, model of a series of portraits for the Pope. On the right the Portrait of Virginio Orsini's sons (1597), recently assigned to Tiberio Titi, portrait painter for the Medici in Florence. In the background the Bracciano lake is visible, in the countryside dominated by the Orsini family since the beginning of XVth century; on the children's belts and clothing sleeves are some inscriptions with their names and ages.
Follows the Wedding at Cana, by Francesco Solimena, pupil of Luca Giordano, that is composed on diagonal lines and reflects perfectly the Neapolitan Baroque painting; the wonderful Cleopatra by Carlo Maratta, exponent of the Roman classicism of the XVIIIth century, in which the Egyptian queen is idealized and dressed according to the contemporary canons of beauty; the Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Orazio Borgianni repeats the more famous composition by Mantegna, but updated in the Caravaggio style. The last canvas is Saint Peter crying by Guercino, that shows the apostle contrition after having betrayed Christ, a copy by the master or his workshop of the same subject preserved in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh.
In the room are also displayed the Baptism of Christ by Algardi, terracotta model, later gilded, acquired in 2004, that is now part of the large collection of the works by the Bolognese master in the museum. To an Algardi follower are attributed the three gilt-wood sculptures representing Christ, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.


Pastor Russell Stammer has been named the interim pastor at the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church on Franklin Ave in Oakland, NJ, a position in which he will serve while the church goes through the search process for a new senior pastor.
Pastor Stammer has been serving the congregation at Ramapo Valley Baptist Church for the past 6 years in various positions, most recently as the Associate Pastor. Besides his active ministry at the church, Pastor Stammer also serves as Chaplain and firefighter for both the Oakland and Riverdale Fire Departments. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors in the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International. He was licensed by the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey and is pursuing his ordination with the American Baptist Churches USA. He graduated magna cum laude from Nyack College with a degree in Pastoral Ministry.
Outside of the church, Pastor Stammer has worked at a variety of jobs including at the corporate office of Toys “R” Us where he recently celebrated 20 years.
Stammer brings to his ministry his life experience, his sense of humor, his creativity, his candor and his belief that the church and the Gospel that we live and preach are, indeed, good news and our hope for wholeness in this broken world. Pastor Stammer lives in Oakland with his wife Eleanor and his children Katie and Jonathan.
The Ramapo Valley Baptist Church is a family church. All our programs and outreach are designed for families to participate together in worship, fellowship and mission. Worship is upbeat and exciting, and children are welcomed to share in the worship service. Preaching, teaching and programs are all aimed at making the truths of the Bible relevant in our everyday lives. Our hope is to challenge each person to show the love of Christ at home, at work, at school and in the community.
For more information about the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church programs phone 201-337-6665, visit their web-site at http://www.rvbcnj.org or follow us on Facebook.


Testimonies from Years Past...
During our first time on the streets at SNO, some of us were asking God to lead us to people who needed His love. I wasn’t receiving any impressions or direction so, feeling quite unspiritual, I pointed to a man sitting on a bench and said “let’s talk to that guy.” I told him we were Christians and that we saw him sitting and wanted to talk to him. He said, “sure, let’s go for a walk”. We didn’t get very far before he told us he’d been seeking Jesus. Although a Hindu from India, he had been feeling drawn to the cross since living 1 year in Barcelona. He said he sometimes felt like he wanted a cross on him somehow, but wasn’t sure if his religion would allow it. He’d recently gone to a church to sit inside for an hour and feel some peace. We prayed with him and He encountered something; he saw rays of light enter his body and he felt a warm sensation above his ears. He wanted to meet our group so we introduced him. The SNO team explained further what it meant to repent and follow Jesus. In response he went away to write down some sins to confess to God and to consider what things in his life he should let go of. The following night he met us again to be baptised in the sea, and fully surrender his life to God. He was keen to connect with a local church so we helped him with that. So thankful that we were available to help this guy on his journey!
Two Irish guys came to ask if we knew where the taxi boats were, because they wanted to visit a nightclub at another island. One of my friends told them where the boats were, but she also told them that we had something better than alcohol and drugs. One of them became interested, and he started to ask what it was, and how he could take it. She told him that what we have is called HS (Holy Spirit) and that if you take it you never have to take anything else! “But you can only receive it through prayer.”
So we were given the opportunity to pray for him.
Man... we couldn't even finish our prayer. This guy took a step back, telling us that he started to feel something in his body, something so strong! He started to freak out: "What have you done to me? What is going on? This is not real, this is not real!"
He was freaking out for 15 min, while we tried to explain that it was the Holy Spirit that touched Him. He didn't want to believe it. So we prayed for him a second time..
Again he went crazy.. He started to panic: “I cannot believe in God because no one from my family believes in God!” We calmly tried to explain to him how much God loves him. He wanted us to pray for him a third time to see if he would experience the Holy Spirit again. So we prayed a third time for him. Then he could only exclaim "Fxxx… God exists, God is real!" He started to cry, just having had his first experience with God's love... someone's love that he didn't know existed. The next night he came to us with all his friends: about ten of them. We prayed for all of them.. and guess what? All of them experienced God's love.
God loves the fatherless and those who takes care of them. One night in Albufeira, God brought to us a British Woman who is a mother of two, as well as being a foster mother for two more children of her late sister & brother-in-law. We prayed for this mother and ministered God’s love for her on the street, reaffirming God’s care and provision over her family despite a challenging season. God delights in the sacrificial love that this woman hopes to show to the two orphan children! Her eyes were full of tears of joy and gratefulness and said that she received something so beautiful. She was unchurched but is considering maybe she should go to church again. God loves the fatherless and motherless and those who would go the extra mile to lay down their lives for them.


BELTON, Texas- As the UMHB men’s basketball team warms up on the court, whether that be before a critical home game, or at halftime of an away contest, one thing stays the same. If you look on the back of the long-sleeved shirts the team wears, you will find the foundation of the program.
“Destruction comes; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.” Ezekiel 7:25.
One simple verse says a lot and means a lot to the Cru and head coach Clif Carroll.
To understand how the verse relates to the Cru, you first have to take a second to understand the context of the verse itself. In the entire passage of Ezekiel 7, God is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel about the coming destruction He will carry out on Israel, as a result of the nation turning away from Him. The Lord tells Ezekiel that in the day of destruction, the Isrealites then will cry out for mercy, but it will be too late.
For Carroll and his team, it is applied in a similar way. Facing an opponent, the Crusaders go all out, leaving everything on the court, never taking it easy. When an opponent walks into the Mayborn Campus Center, there is no mercy. Of course, the main idea behind the verse is to keep both himself and his program focused. Not on themselves, but on the Lord.
“We want to go up, we want to impose our will on our opponents,” said Carroll. “That’s kind of what we do.”
The presence of the verse in his program is nothing new for Carroll. When he was head coaching at Sul Ross State, he first applied it to his program, after hearing Tim Kennedy use it as a UFC fighter.
“That’s something I’ve been using since I was at Sul Ross,” said Carroll when asked about it early this week. “I stole it from a guy named Tim Kennedy, who was an army ranger and then fought UFC and all that stuff. That was kind of his mantra when he was fighting. I thought it was really cool. It really gives a great message to me. We want to spread the word of Christ and the best way for us to do that is to go and win. Like it or not, people listen to winners.”
People certainly do, whether it be a good message or a negative one. For the UMHB men’s basketball team they’ve done nothing but win, posting a 5-0 conference record heading into Saturday’s game at home versus Hardin-Simmons. As the Cru continues to pile up victories and add to the wins column, the attention on the Cru has slowly shifted from a local audience to a national following. That has allowed the foundation of faith evident in Carroll’s program to be revealed even more.
However, from last year in Alpine, coaching at Sul Ross, to this year in Belton, something has changed regarding the way the verse has revealed itself in the program. At a state school like Sul Ross, Carroll was barred from adding the “Ezekiel 7:25” to the back of the warmup shirts. However, at UMHB, it has been welcomed, even praised by the administration.
“Obviously at a state school like Sul Ross, I couldn’t put the ‘Ezekiel’ on it, but the school has actually ordered new shooting shirts that actually have the verse on there. That is something that our administration thought was pretty cool, so they wanted to go ahead and add the bible verse.”
Carroll added, “My transition from state school to Christian school, man, I couldn’t do that at a state school, but here, we embrace it.”
It has not only been embraced by the coaching staff and administration, but by the players themselves.
“It basically makes up the culture of our team,” said leading scorer Josiah Johnson when talking about the faith aspect of the program along with the verse. “Toughness and togetherness, while at the same time playing so hard that other teams will want to beg for mercy against us. We just try to represent God with our play and how we carry ourselves.”
Sophomore guard William Roberts added, “I feel like our relationship with God is very important because He is the head of our life and without Him we wouldn’t be here. I think Ezekiel 7:25 really speaks to what Coach teaches us everyday, which is togetherness and toughness, and it drives us to lengths that we can only go together as a team. The very beginning, “Destruction Cometh” just speaks for itself to whoever we play , it speaks volumes on what’s to come and when they try to seek peace there won’t be any. We’re here together and we’re going to stay here together to win championships.”
From his childhood and throughout his coaching career, Carroll’s life has been centered around church and faith.
“I grew up in the church,” recalls Carroll. “My grandfather was a deacon, my grandmother played the piano at church. It’s important to me that my sons, Waylon and Willie, grow up in a Christian atmosphere. You’re not going to find a better place than Mary-Hardin Baylor. Our mantra is that we are unapologetic in our faith. I can talk about it with my players and we pray before every practice, before every game. I never knew how much I missed praying with my players until I couldn’t do it anymore at a state school. I’ve grown stronger in my faith being here and everything we do goes for His glory, so hopefully we continue in spreading the word of Christ as we go through winning this championship.”
“We like it, the guys like it, it gets us fired up,” added Carroll. “We recite it everyday before a game and go out and try to wreak destruction on the ASC.”
UMHB battles Hardin-Simmons in Belton Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.


Cathedral of St. Stephen in Pavia
Year: 2009-2012 - Location: Pavia, Italy
Works for static improvement and scientific restoration; 39.000 ft².
The Cathedral of Pavia, founded in 1488 and built following the stamp of Bramante is the third in Italy for the dome size. Following the collapse of the adjacent Civic (Bell)Tower, in 1989, a series of safety measures before then and renovations and consolidations have been implemented, grouped in a systematic way with a program agreement signed in 2004, whose purpose was to return the Cathedral to the townspeople.
The works, under completition, involved the consolidation of the masonry vaults, of the wooden roofing, of the vertical walls, the review of systems, the implementation of the new heating system with radiant panels, as well as works to adapt to the liturgical norms set by the Second Vatican Council.


There is a super refreshing sound in the atmosphere as Oluwayemisi Yakubu releases her new single titled – ”With You” – a Christian Contemporary Music (C.C.M.) Soft Rock, produced by the phenomenal and internationally acclaimed prodigy – Ambassador Wole Oni. He beautifully engages the usage of amazing and ethereal background vocals, a bold and passionate delivery by the Oluwayemisi Yakubu over a blend of captivating instrumentation.
The single – With You is a summary of the haven of peace and joy, the succour she found in walking with God, doing life with Him and trusting Him, following a series of failures, heartbreaks, disappointments, betrayals, and rejection.
Just when she thought the rain would never end, He showed up as sunshine to brighten her day and as a silver lining to brighten her clouds. Thereafter, taking one step at a time with God, she picked herself back up, her life blossomed all over again. She moved from being the abandoned to becoming the encourager, the beacon, the trail blazer, using her songs and her life.
Now, with so much pleasure, she wants everyone to learn from her experience, to choose to stay with God against all the odds life comes with, seeing that it is only with him that we can overcome every battle or challenge.
Since we all have these life moments once in a while, then ”With You” is a must have on our playlist.
Written and composed by Amb. Wole Oni and Oluwayemisi Yakubu.
Arranged and produced by Ambassador Wole Oni for WOMP records.
Lead Vocal: Oluwayemisi Yakubu
Background Vocals: Candy Mabra and Mollie Jane.
Keyboard: Toluwanimi Oni and WOMP
Live Bass: Leo Cappi
Live Guitar: OluwasegunOlasehinde
Live Drums: Marcelo Effori
Drum Programming and Percussion: WOMP
Recorded at WOMP Studio, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Mixed by Amb. Wole Oni.
Mastered by David Lopez.
Photography: Justin Scar pace.
Graphic Design: eNuel Media.
Oluwayemisi Ajibade Yakubu is a Nigerian born singer-song writer, who resides in California, United States. Although she is a health personnel, she is also a member of International Christian Centre, Los Angeles’ praise team and a member of the choir as well, where she is constantly using her gift (her voice) to praise and worship God under the leadership of Pastors Dipo and Nony Kalejaiye.
Her music career started at an early age,as singing as a member of her primary school drama group was her first move in the pursuit of music. She moved on to join the Teen’s choir at Living Faith Church, Abuja, Nigeria. Following this, she has functioned as a member of many church choirs at each phase of her life till date.
Although, songwriting has always been a part of her life, it became more pronounced when life’s trials came at her in successions, and it seemed like they would never end. At the point, there was no one else to turn to, where she was left with only God, she found peace, strength, encouragement, hope, and newness in him, not only that, she found a new song in him.
It is popularly said that when your vision is a very massive life-changing one, you cannot achieve it alone, you need other people to help you interpret it so you can perfectly express it. This led her to choose one of the best Music Producing companies, W.O.M.P. to have her talent harnessed and to help her birth her desire.
As this new horizon unfolded, as her life experienced transformation, her story fully formed the content of her new song. In the midst of combining raising her three children with her daily job, herself and her producer, Ambassador Wole Oni wrote and composed a master piece, titled – ”With You”.
It tells of the great victories that come with going through life with God. It tells that even though challenges will come, it will always end as a win-win outcome when you use God’s routes. It is also a song of encouragement, hope and faith to everyone.
Oluwayemisi has stepped out as light to our world, to use her songs as a source of hope to the hopeless, to also help people stay encouraged and not give up. With You is just the beginning of many more songs to be released by her.


Category: Salvation, Word: REGENERATION
January 1, 2016 | by: Kendell Easley, prepared by Dave Maniquis | 2 Comments
Posted in: 52 Words
He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
DEFINITION: Regeneration or being born again refers to God’s act of making a person alive spiritually. This is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which sinners are given new spiritual life enabling them to relate to God in faith, love, obedience, and delight.
The noun “regeneration” occurs twice only in the New Testament, Titus 3:5 and Matthew 19:28 (referring to creation). Yet the concept abounds. A closely related verb form is used in 1 Peter 1:23: “You have been born again…through the living and enduring word of God.” The longest passage is John 3:1-8, Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus about being born again or born from above. Jesus made it plain that a person must experience this new birth in order to enter the kingdom of God. No one has been born again apart from the work of the Spirit. In other places in John’s writings this is called being “born of God” (Jn. 1:13; 1 Jn. 3:9).
Paul’s letters speak similarly. We have been “made alive” with Christ and are now “renewed” (Rom. 12:2; Titus 3:5). The old life has gone; a new life has come (Rom. 6:4). The effect of regeneration is to change the human heart from spiritual death to spiritual life, so that there is now a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). This change was foreseen in several Old Testament passages, notably the New Covenant prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31-34 (see also Deut 30:6).
Some theologians, notably those in the Roman Catholic tradition, have interpreted the Bible to mean that regeneration occurs at the time of (and because of) water baptism. This rises from a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words about the need to be “born of water and the Spirit” (Jn. 3:5). He was referring to the cleansing action of the word of God along the lines prophesied in Ezekiel 36:24-27 and noted in 1 Peter 1:23, cited above. The biblical understanding sees baptism as a testimony that regeneration has already occurred, rather than as a means to receive it. Regeneration is the sovereign task of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:6-16).
Regeneration happens at the moment of conversion. Yet the logical relationship between the Spirit’s regenerating work in a sinner and that sinner’s repentance and faith has been the focus of much heated discussion. Is faith the basis upon which the Spirit regenerates or is faith the fruit of regeneration? The biblical language, emphasizing regeneration as moving from death to life and as sovereignly worked by the Spirit, appears to favor the latter view and understands faith itself as a gift from God. One illustration sometimes used is that human infants breathe because they have been born, not in order to be born. The life of the infant comes as a result of the act of the human father. Similarly Christians “breathe spiritually” (exhaling=repentance; inhaling=faith) because they have already received life from their heavenly Father (1 Jn. 4:7).
Although many Christians remember the exact circumstances in which they were born again, others are uncertain. Our responsibility is to know whether we have received spiritual life (evidenced by “spiritual breathing”), not the time and place we were regenerated.
REFLECTION: How important is it to emphasize that being born again is the sovereign responsibility of the Spirit? How certain are you that you have experienced regeneration?
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, Yours is the work of giving new life to those once dead in trespasses and sin. Only life from You could enable me to love God and to live in happy obedience to Him as my Father. Let my life today reflect that I am a new creation in Christ. Amen.
Dave Maniquis is a Teaching Elder at Restoration Church. He holds a BA in History from Rutgers University and an MA in Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. He enjoyed a 23-year career in the U.S. Government, working and traveling extensively in Western and Eastern Europe. He has been a Christian for most of his adult life and has been involved in church planting, overseas as well as here in Port Orange, teaching the Bible and speaking into others’ lives with the Gospel. He is married to Maureen and they have two wonderful sons, Dylan and Evan.


Stephen Kamugasa’s story started in 1966 in Kampala, Uganda, where he was born to a disciplinarian businessman father and the daughter of a canon in the Church of Uganda. He went to St. Savio Junior School, Kisubi, and Kings College, Budo, but afterwards moved to Cliff College, Derbyshire, England, in 1987. However, due to humbling circumstances, he became a refugee in England and was subsequently naturalized as a British citizen. Working under the greatest disadvantages and discouragements imaginable, Stephen initiated a number of projects and eventually brought some of them to fruition. He worked patiently for success, and it came, but very slowly. It is therefore something of a miracle that, as a penniless refugee, he should successfully overcome many seemingly insurmountable difficulties to complete his tertiary education. He is now a graduate of Buckingham Law School, BPP Law School, and BPP Business School; a married man; a barrister of the Inner Temple; a consultant; a fellow of the RSA; an author; a teacher; a blogger; and a pod-caster. His interests include cooking, arts and crafts, music, and literature. Stephen relocated to Taiwan in 2013, where both he and his wife are now based. In addition to being an occasional opinion columnist for ‘Edge,’ the official journal of the Institute of Leadership and Management in the UK, he also writes for The New Climate on Medium.
But it would be remiss of him if he failed to acknowledge the help he received from others as being of great significance. It was significant. As a distressed refugee, Providence broke his pride and silenced his boasting. It is owing to sparing mercy and pure grace that bitterness did not get the better of him. He was hurried, but he never despaired of life. He is therefore beholden to many who did much to help him. And, having received much, he is himself as a debtor to all – a debtor not only to the respectable but also to the disreputable. Now that Stephen has more or less completed his training in the school of life, it is fitting that he should remember all the ways both of God’s providence and grace, by which he was hitherto led through the discipline of the wilderness of Mara, bitterness; that he may the better serve the Lord with all humility, endeavour to set up his Ebenezer – a charitable foundation in England, to work with others for the benefit of our own and the next generation. The work of setting up the Ebenezer will necessarily be slow, as the fruit best worth waiting for ripens the slowest. It will require time, energy, money, and God.
How to commence work on the Ebenezer was always going to be a challenge. But work on Lord Denning’s new biography manuscript, which he completed in 2016, may, in the circumstances, be considered an important milestone, a basket of first fruits, and a good start; and although this beginning is but as the day of small things, yet it is an earnest of great things. It is the first step. The first step may, however, take a while longer to allow him to work on another biography of a leading figure whose life exhibited attributes commensurate to the vision set out here. It will run concurrently with the second step, which is the building and strengthening of relationships, clarifying the roadmap, and conducting due diligence reference to the Ebenezer, hence the purpose of The Kamugasa Challenge. The third and final step, if God is pleased, may culminate in the formation of the Ebenezer.
A Word Of Encouragement From A Remarkable Man:
“It has always been clear that you, and some other people I know well and may have helped through their difficulties operate at an intellectual level very far above mine. Shared values have taken me a long way.
Therefore I admire your dedication, ideals and clarity of expression. No wonder you attract attention among many ‘influencers’. Your style has, to my mind, become exemplary.” Mr John Cornwall, Honorary Freeman of Buckingham (UK) – 2022.


This morning in church, R2W preached on Psalm 139 and titled his sermon "In His Hands."
Verses 1-6 of this psalm remind us that God knows us. Really knows us! We are an open book to him. He knows all our faults and shortcomings and loves us still.
Unsettling thought isn't it?
God can carry on a personal conversation with each and every one of us simultaneously. You need a big god to be able to do that.
Verses 7-12 remind us that God sees us even if we're not seeing him.
Do we suffer from the Bethlehem Syndrome? Is there "no room at the Inn" for God in our lives? Why do we hide from God?
Well, in the case of David (who wrote these psalms) it was because of guilt and shame -- and it's probably not much different for the rest of us.
Verses 13-18 remind us that God made us and we are precious to him. God is the giver of life.
Every human being is precious; from conception to death we are known to him.
And in verses 19-24 David's meditations on God humble him. He knows he can do nothing but serve the God who has always known and loved him and always will.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
most holy, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, Your great Name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting nor wasting, You rule us in might;
Your justice like mountains high soaring above,
Your clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life You give, Lord, to both great and small,
in all life You live, Lord, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish, uncertain and frail,
we wither and perish, but You never fail.
We worship before You, great Father of light,
while angels adore You, all veiling their sight;
our praises we render, O Father, to You
whom only the splendour of light hides from view.
David and Doreen are missionaries in southwestern Queensland. They write:
Naturally we have very mixed feelings as we realize that our outback patrol is now over. The past 4½ years stand out as the most satisfying and spiritually enriching of our almost 43 years marriage. We are so grateful that God in His wonderful Providence called us to this very special work of taking the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the people of the outback.
How we wish we were better prepared but we have earnestly endeavoured to sow the seed of The Word, faltering and weak as it was, and are assured God will give the increase. We have often said to each other, “If only we were 10 years younger and could have stayed longer”, but God does not make mistakes and it is obviously time for us to move on.
A minister friend in Tasmania e-mailed us recently saying there is no such thing as retirement in the service of God and reminded us that the Lord will have a task for us to do at every stage of life.
As for the future, if the Lord wills, we plan to go to New Zealand for a few months to spend time with our third son and daughter-in-law who are expecting their first baby in March. We also want to spend time with David’s family in NZ. David’s older sister’s husband died earlier this year and his younger sister’s husband was recently admitted to a nursing home as he suffers from Parkinsons Disease and other complications. We also hope to tour much of that beautiful country.
Settling back in suburbia will certainly be a little different after so many nights in our ‘million star hotel’. Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.” We so often hear the first part of these verses quoted but we also need to understand that the latter part of these verses tell us that regardless of our language (ie where we live) God has so revealed Himself in creation that everyone is without excuse. Paul in Romans 1:20 says the same thing, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Sadly, even the outback people, surrounded as they are by God’s creative handiwork, are blinded by the god/s of this world. As mentioned above, we pray that the Word of God sown will be watered by the Spirit of God.
We learned so much from station owners and managers as they shared with us their experiences and knowledge of life on outback stations. If only we could have recorded the dozens of such interesting conversations, it would have provided many hours of fascinating listening for anyone so interested. Every one of them has a special story to tell. They are such practical down to earth people and their remoteness forces them to depend on their own resources but they also depend on and socialize with each other, be it the neighbour next door …… only 50 or 100km down the road!
In conclusion we share with you two totally opposite visits made during our final month. Just as in the cities, the outback also has tragedies.
1. Without any prior knowledge and over what we thought was a just another station cuppa, the lady shared with us her grief at the tragic loss of their two sons (ages 15 and 21) within three years. She told us that she no longer believes there is a God but did admit that she wished she had the faith in God some people seemed to have to see them through such trials.
2. The final call of our patrol was on a station where the 22yo son was killed by lightning and our predecessor, Owen Oakes conducted the funeral. This time we found a lady who, with no apparent regular church/Christian background, now reads her Bible using the Daily Bread notes; often reads from the ‘Answers in Genesis’ web site; and responded positively to our suggestion of systematically studying a Bible book at a time using the daily ‘Tabletalk’ notes.
While the first call was so discouraging how gracious of God that our final PIM patrol call concluded on such a positive note.
We want to say a special ‘Thank you’ to all who so faithfully supported us in your prayers and for the regular e-mails of encouragement. We will really miss those e-mails! But who knows, in the good Providence of God, maybe our paths will cross again sometime in the future. May God continue to bless you all.
With Christian Greetings
David & Doreen
176 messages in the church inbox this morning. 3 viruses, 6 real messages and all the rest spam.
Including one "official warning" that a tsunami was coming and we had four hours to evacuate. I like to think that in such an emergency the authorities might find a faster way to alert us than e-mailing us individually!


Evangelism More About Us
At Grace Community Education Center, our main goal is to reach the children of Njathaini through Christ in order to change their lives. As an organization, we have launched a plan that can help us achieve this goal. Some of these plans include: Daily devotions and chapels are an important part of children’s regular school plans. The staff and children participate in a three-day prayer and fasting every semester to encourage the children to spend more time with God.
Matthew 19:13-14 said: “Someone brought a few children to him, and he would lay his hands on them and pray; the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children go, don’t stop them from coming. I am here; because heaven belongs to such a person.
We provide free, high-quality formal education for Najthaini’s children, adding to the overburdened single public school in the region. We believe that providing education to children will expose them to various possibilities, which in turn will help improve their quality of life in the future.
The courses we use at Grace Community Education Center meet the requirements of the Kenyan Ministry of Education. We currently implement the 8.4.4 system, which is suitable for STD 5 to STD 8 and CBC PP1 to 4 grades. All our teachers are professionals registered and licensed by the Teacher Service Committee. We successfully participated in the Kenya National Primary Education Certificate for four classes, where all the children performed well when they were in high school. Proverbs 16:16 says that wisdom and wisdom are better than gold and silver. Beautiful and expensive items can be pleasant, but there are few things in life that will never be taken away, never outdated, and this will indeed make you a better person. Education is one of them.


Why We Care
To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We accomplish our mission by creating a dynamic ...read more
Keep to date with the latest gatherings at the Westlake Community Church.View More
Upon my first steps inside of the Westlake Community Church I was welcomed with open arms. Church members treated as if I had been joining them for many years, instead of for the first time. I joined soon after and love the community!
The involvement of the church in the community is amazing. Once joining I was able to give back through volunteering opportunities the church provides.
My Kids Love It
My husband and I were looking for a church that had a good children's program and Westlake Community Church was the perfect fit. Their program allows for our kids to focus on their faith through education as well as meeting other kids their age. Our kids love to share their latest lesson and look forward to learning each week.
We lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We accomplish our mission by creating a dynamic environment for authentic worship and effective communication while developing genuine community with each other. Advancing the Kingdom of God, first throughout our community, then the nations abroad.Learn More


|Congregation leaders have unveiled the theme for this year's capital campaign: A Home for All#theNext500years. St. Andrew has been a home for many ever since our forebears in the faith formed our congregation in 1953. When we adopted our Welcome Statement in 2012, we committed ourselves to making St. Andrew a home for all. Now we want to provide a solid financial foundation to support the life and ministry of this congregation well into the future. You can learn more about the campaign at Enrichment Gatherings this fall.
||Going back to school is always exciting! At St. Andrew, people from ages 3 to 100 are encouraged to participate in learning throughout the year. Discover more about this year's offerings for youth and adult education by going to the Education link at the top of this page. And please be sure to pick up an Adult Education booklet outlining this year's class offerings and other opportunities for lifelong learning. You'll find copies on the communications table in the Narthex.
||The St. Andrew Learning Center is preparing for another year of educating youngsters ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergartner. Please note that there will be no after-school program this year due to low enrollment.