How can I join the Way-The Church of Yahweh in Christ Jesus?
By Elpidio Gonzalez-Pastor
Unlike most denominations where it takes a long process to become a member, The Way-The Church of Yahweh in Christ Jesus does not have such a long wait.
Steps to become a member:
1) Apply by sending an e-mail to: Elpidio Gonzalez at egonval at yahoo.com or his inbox with the caption:
Applying to join The Way-The Church of Yahweh
A post office number is in the works. I will post it when available.
2) Give a reason for joining The Way-The Church of Yahweh in Christ Jesus. (In the early Church, people had to accept Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) to join in. They were then put on a waiting list to be accepted as full members. Here, it is not necessary. You can be accepted almost as a full member the minute you apply.
3) Basic statements of faith are found in Deuteronomy 6, Acts 10.
Confession of faith:
I accept Yahweh is the only God and Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). Yahweh loves his people and he wants them to be with him always. I will do the best I can to live a life that is good (virtuous), holy, caring, and loving.
(What if you still believe Moses,Buddha, Muhammad,... as prophets...to be followed?
It's OK. The Way also does accept tme as such.
4) Everyday when you wake up and you go to sleep, and during the day when you are free of other duties pray like this:
Have mercy on me, Yahweh, a Christian Yahwist. Guard me and protect me from danger, evil, temptations,...
Guide me on the right way. May my life prosper in your ways.
5) Visit at least once in your life the Biblical places and other places where Yahweh has appeared to his people.
6) Don't promote abortion, pratice it, or do business with it. Don't commit suicide. There is always a helping hand along the road.
7) Help your family,parents, relatives,others ,. Volunteer for good actions, protect the environment,....
8) Pay your fair share of Taxes, exercise your civic duty by voting,....
9) Exercise, try to live a healthy life....


Social media sites like TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram have been blocked due to widespread unrest brought on by a split in Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian church.
The church has accused Ethiopia’s government of meddling in its affairs after recently labeling a splinter group in the largest region of the nation as “illegal.” Despite a government warning, it has threatened to hold a rally on Sunday.
The church split after churchgoers in Oromia announced a new synod on January 22. They claimed this was necessary because they needed to practice their faith in regional tongues, which is followed by the majority of Ethiopia’s more than 110 million people. Several church leaders who took part in the split were excommunicated by the church.
The government will not intervene, the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged churchgoers to resolve their differences. However, many churchgoers accuse the prime minister, who is Oromo by ethnicity and a Protestant, of undermining the church and supporting the breakaway synod.
The church announced on Friday that Abiy and the church patriarch were in discussions regarding the scandal that has engulfed many areas of the nation.
As of Thursday night, social media platforms were “restricted in Ethiopia amid anti-government protests,” according to the internet watchdog NetBlocks.
Several dozen cities and towns, mostly in Oromia and on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Abeba, witnessed occasionally violent rallies earlier in the week.
At least eight people were reportedly killed by security forces in Shaashamane in the Oromia region on Saturday, according to the government-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on Friday. There were a lot of arrests, it was reported.
In a statement released on Thursday, the government accused unnamed organizations of wanting to “shake the government using armed violence.” The government has reportedly started “bringing to justice who are participating in the movement,” it was stated.


Orthodox Christianity in Greater Cleveland, Ohio
The twenty nine Orthodox Christian parishes and two monasteries of the Cleveland and Lorain, Ohio, area welcome you. The Orthodox Church, which was established at Pentecost, proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sanctifies its adherents through sacraments and serves humanity through many charitable endeavors.
Everyone is welcome to visit an Orthodox Church; however sacraments are reserved to practicing Orthodox Christians. The information provided in this web site is presented to aid the public in locating a church, attending its services, and learning the doctrine that it proclaims.
Dates to Remember
October 4 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- St. Herman "Farm Clean Up" in Trumbull County - Event Flier
October 4 - 10 a.m. -- POYAF Kayaking Trip at Hinckley Lake. (See the POYAF web site for more information.)
October 10 & 11 -- 30th Annual Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar: "Icons: Witnesses to Christian Faith and Life"
October 11 - 8 a.m.-6 p.m. -- POYAF Monastery Retreat, Saxonburg, PA. (See the POYAF web site for more information.)
October 13 - 7 p.m. -- POYAF Book Study, St. Matthew Church, N. Royalton. (See the POYAF web site for more information.)
October 19 - 6 p.m. -- POYAF Dinner, Maya Mexican Restaurant, 368 W. Bagley Rd., Berea. (See the POYAF web site for more information.)
October 27 - 7 p.m. -- POYAF Book Study, St. Matthew Church, N. Royalton, (See the POYAF web site for more information.)
November 8 - 6-10 p.m. -- St. Luke the Evangelist Church's Inaugural Annual Fundraiser Dinner - at the Federated Family Life Center, Bainbridge, OH -- Event Flier
November 10 - 6:30 p.m. -- St Herman's - FOCUS Cleveland will host its 2nd annual fundraiser at St. Paul Church in North Royalton. Fr. Moses Berry will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $25 and will be available in early October.
November 15 - 9 a.m. -- Retreat with His Grace Bishop ANTHONY on "Instruction on the Holy Spirit," St. Matthew Church, N. Royalton -- Event Flier
December 7 - 5:00 p.m. -- Inter-Orthodox Nativity Concert, St. Demetrios Church, Rocky River -- Event Flier
Food for Thought


I am not Catholic, nor do I have any great affection for the Church as a powerful institution. And yet, I, like many others, find myself fascinated by the new pope. Elected just over one year ago, Pope Francis has been making headlines as a radical and progressive figure.
From day one, it was clear that Francis’ papacy would be different. Choosing to be named after Francis of Assisi, the new pope clearly wanted to show a new face of the Church – a face of the poor. Francis of Assisi, who gave up his wealth for poverty, is a striking example of simple living and the acceptance of all.
Pope Francis takes this simplicity to heart, ditching the papal Mercedes in favour of a 1984 Renault 4. He also dresses more simply than his predecessors and lives in a guesthouse instead of the more luxurious papal apartments.
The pope also made news by, for the first time, including women in a Holy Thursday ceremony. The ceremony’s location – a prison – was also a first. There, he washed the feet of 12 men and women, two of whom were Muslim. In a different visit to Muslim migrants who had illegally landed in Italy, Pope Francis showed his compassion, saying, “We are a society that has forgotten how to cry.”
His inclusiveness, his humility, and his unrelenting championing of the poor have given him universal appeal, from Catholic to non-Catholic and from believer to non-believer. But it is perhaps Francis’ input into economics where he will have his biggest impact.
He is an outspoken critic of unchecked capitalism, calling it a tyranny that results in the cult of money. It is not that money is wrong; money is, after all, inherently neutral. But it is the idolatry of money that is wrong – something brought about in capitalist economies. Furthermore, Francis recognizes how unchecked capitalism results in huge disparities of wealth. Critics, such as Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly, have pounced, calling Francis’ concern over income inequality “Marxist.” If you’re upsetting the likes of Rush Limbaugh, you’re probably doing something right.
Pope Francis has made the rich uncomfortable, calling into question the morality of living so lavishly while others cannot afford to eat. And yet he, unlike anyone else, might be best able to enact political change. In Washington, conservative leaders have taken Francis’ words seriously. Newt Gingrich said that the pope “may, in fact, be starting a conversation at the exact moment the Republican Party itself needs to have that conversation.” While the Church has been a traditional ally of conservatives, Francis’ downplaying of divisive social issues and prioritizing of social justice may play an important role in making the GOP more tolerant.
While Vatican talk of humility and service to the poor has often been met with accusations of hypocrisy, one cannot help but feel a sense of sincerity emanating from Pope Francis. Despite the power and wealth of the Holy See, here is a pope who reportedly sneaks out at night to minister to Rome’s homeless community. He does not want to change the Church into something it is not; Francis is simply re-orienting it more closely to Christ-centred teaching. Gay marriage should not be the world’s top priority, but the economic needs of all people should be.
When you really stop to think about it, Francis’ appeal is simple: he is acting in the likeness of Jesus. It is infectious, and should be a model for every Christian. At the end of the day, Francis is only human. But better than any pope before him, Pope Francis is giving the world an insight into the heart of Jesus. Which leaves me with a very basic conclusion: if you like Pope Francis, you’ll really love Jesus.


Obituary - Trula M (Kaylor) Barnette
Trula (Toot) Kaylor Barne
tte, 57, of 249 Jarrett Drive, Bluff City went to be with the Lord, June 25, 2007 at her residence. She was a member of Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church and drove the school bus for a number of years. A native of Bluff City, TN she was a daughter of the late Verl Kaylor and Ruby Kaylor of Bluff City. In addition to her father she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Barnette. Survivors include her mother, Ruby Kaylor of Bluff City; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Christie Barnette of Bluff City; one sister, Barbara Kaylor Bolyard; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Verl and Sherry Kaylor and Gary and Sandra Kaylor, all of Bluff City and two special grandchildren, Gracie Marie and Matthew Thomas K. Barnette of Bluff City. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service for Mrs. Barnette will be at 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at Tetrick Funeral Home - Bluff City Chapel with Dr. Jerry Lowrie officiating. Music will be under the direction of Stanley Stevens and the Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church Quartet. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday prior to the service in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home and anytime at the home of Gary Kaylor. The graveside service and interment will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, June 28th at Chinquapin Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Johnny Jenkins, Allen Perry, Bobby Richards, Ed McDuffie, Jody Jamerson, Scott Barnette, Michael Lyon and Wade Lockner. Honorary pallbearers will be Nephews, Lee & Joey Kaylor, Tom White, Don Friesland, Luther Rouse, Geraldine Jenkins and Mac Lyons. Pallbearers, family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:55 A.M. Wednesday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 1727 Chinquapin Grove Road, Bluff City, TN 37618. Tetrick Funeral Home of Bluff City Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. 423-538-7131


Last December 28, 2013 I went to the funeral of the wife of my first cousin in Davao City, Philippines. Her name is Norma B. Gohetia.
One thing unusual about this funeral was that the children of Norma were happy over the departure of their mother. A funeral is usually associated with sadness. But this one was colored by gladness.
This reminds me of a line in a song sung by Guy Penrod, a former member of the Gaither Vocal Band. The title of that song is THE CROSS MADE THE DIFFERENCE. The pertinent line goes, “But at the side of a saint there's rejoicing for life can't be sealed in a tomb.” The children realized their mother was a saint who had gone to receive her reward. And they were happy for her receiving this reward.
Norma was a plain homemaker or housewife. What made her a saint, different from the millions of housewives all over the world, was her simple but deep spirituality. She was in constant communication with the Spirit of God who guided unerringly her life. This fellowship with the Spirit was done mostly in the confines of her home but it gave her the wisdom and strength to raise up her children in the fear and love of the Lord, and help her community to have self-reliant members who used the resources they had to improve their lives.
Norma was given the Bayaning Filipino (Filipino Hero) Award by the ABS-CBN Television Network for her work of transforming her community to have self-reliant members against all the odds that poverty brought into their lives. In the language of the Catholic Catechism she lived sanctity to a heroic degree. This she did without much fanfare. She simply listened to the Spirit and followed his leading.
Her life shows us that anyone can live a life of deep spirituality by just listening to and obeying the Spirit of God. And we are witnesses to the fruit of this life: children and grandchildren brought up in the love of God and love of neighbors, and neighbors whose lives have been immensely improved even financially because of her initiative.
The epithet in Proverbs 31:28 applies to her most appropriately, “Her children arise up and call her blessed.” It is her children who beatified her as a Blessed and canonized her as a Saint.


Nigerians blast Reno Omokri over divisive comment
Nigerians have taken to social media to express their disgust at Reno Omokri’s divisive comments made on Twitter on Friday, 23 March.
The former social media aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan known for his uncouth attacks on the Buhari administration yesterday urged Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to speak up for the Christian community sparking a religious divide in the country.
Omokri was reacting to the refusal of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram to release Leah Sharibu, one of the abducted Dapchi school girls who refused to convert from Christianity to Islam.
“Vice President @ProfOsinbajo, a Pastor, is quick to publicly speak lies against @GEJonathan and others. Yet this same man has not thought it wise to even say one word of comfort to the parents of Leah Sharibu and the Christian community who are in deep anguish over her ordeal!” he tweeted.
Responding to Omokri on Twitter, Sam Ayorinde urged him to leave religion out of the abduction of Dapchi girls. “Ogbeni, stop dragging Christianity into politics just because you want to make a point.”
Remi Oyebisi shared a similar view. “The President has already spoken, when the president speaks, it covers the entire presidency. So the prayers of @Mbuhari for the return of Leah, is also is the wish of @ProfOsinbajo.”
Dele One Naija’s position was rather stern. “Foolish man! I pity those that listens to you. Where will calling out the Vice president lead you? Even the Bible said thou shall not judge. So who is the real God fearing person here? Nonsense!”
Victor Anyawu told Omokri not to politicize every happening in Nigeria. “How do you guys sleep at night? Must everything be political? You can’t just focus on Leah and pray for her safe return without attacking someone else. Such a shame.”
Mike Amobeda tutored Omokri on the difference between the Christian Association of Nigeria president and Vice President of Nigeria. “Reno the judge of all saints. Before you mislead your followers please remember that @ProfOsinbajo is today the Vice President of Nigeria and not the Vice President of CAN. Isn’t there a distinction anymore or you just don’t see it?”
Odunola Success, a follower of Omokri described him as a let down. “You have disappointed me on this your tweet that is just geared toward criticising the Vice President. I used to have deep respect for you but for this, Omokri you really fall my hand.”
Babatunde Idowu tried calling Omokri to order on his tweet. “Reno! Reno!! Reno!!! Will you keep quite!!! Must you politicize everything, what are the lies against GEJ?” he quizzed.
Sir Fregs urged Omokri to stop lying. “You have so much negativity in you and you tell too much lies. I am blocking u man!
Isaacwemmy Wemmy tweeted, “I suggest you become his (Osinbajo) spokesman. That is if he find you fit”.
Asiwaju Fans wrote, “Pastor @renoomokri when will you stop being bias and be true to the word of God you claim you hold on to? You call yourself a pastor but an iota of the doctrine doesn’t reflect in your life. I would advise you to stop bringing shame to the gospel and the doctrines.
President Muhammadu Buhari has however assured the family of Leah and Nigerians of her safe return in a series of tweets.
“It is disheartening that one of the girls, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity. Let me assure that I am as committed to her freedom as I was to the girls’ freedom when all 110 of them were in captivity.
“We will do everything in our power to bring Leah back safely,”
“My heart goes out to Leah’s parents, who must watch other parents rejoice while their own daughter remains in captivity.
“It is my responsibility, under the Constitution of Nigeria, to protect all Nigerians—and I will always strive to do that. Leah will not be abandoned,” Buhari


Touch The Nations Apostolic Bible School
As part of seeking His Kingdom first, Touch the Nations Ministries presents a weekly Apostolic Bible School and everyone hungry for God's proceeding Word is welcome to attend!
Touch the Nations Apostolic Bible School (TTNABS) was founded in February 2017, in response to the requirement for a biblically sound, and accuracy driven, Apostolic training platform for the local Household of Faith.
Are you hungry for the fresh proceeding Word of God?
Active participation in the TTN Apostolic Bible School (TTNABS) has the power to transform your life!
For the best possible learning outcome, we encourage students in and around Pretoria, South Africa, to attend the TTNABS in person, which will be presented at Shiloh Estate, Kameeldrift, Pretoria
Learn From Anywhere
If it is impossible for you to attend the TTNABS at Shiloh in person, which is the recommended learning method, then this platform is for you!
Get enriched by God's Word, from anywhere, at any time
The TTNABS is structured in such a way that you can mold the schedule around your program, so as to ensure optimal use of time and energy
Study At Your Own Pace
You can choose whether you navigate through the TTNABS at one lesson per week, or longer, totally up to your pace.
When you join the TTNABS Online community, you join a Global vitual classroom of online students from across the Planet!
The TTN Apostolic Bible School has provided me with an opportunity, like Ezra, to set my heart firmly toward studying, and doing, His word.
The highest form of anything is to become it. The Word is not something I merely want to know, it is something I want to become. I want to become an example of Christ.
– Pastor Logan Maistry
The TTN Apostolic Bible School has enriched my life in more ways that I could ever hope!
My experience of the TTN Apostolic Bible School was like having an encounter with God
Although I already had a lot of knowledge about the Word, and this season, I was not practising the message.
God requires us to experience the very Word He brings to us.
So, the TTN Apostolic Bible School was like hearing God saying to me and everyone present that it is time to experience the Word.
Going through the TTNABS was like ascending a mountain and receiving an impartation of strength to be able to overcome all our obstacles.
- Sibusiso Mtsweni, Pretoria, South Africa
Meet your guides for your learning journey. These instructors will help you reach your goals.
About our Principals
Dr. Ben and Sonja Kleynhans
Dr. Ben and Sonja Kleynhans have been in active ministry for well over 35 years.
Their passion for Christ and His Body led them to the establishing of a Household of Faith in Pretoria, South Africa, in April 2005, Touch the Nations Ministries, which in turn birthed this subsequent platform of the Touch the Nations Apostolic Bible School
The vision of Touch the Nations Ministries is to
- Establish God’s Kingdom,
- Build His Temple, and
- Restore the Image of the Son
The TTNABS comprises of 33 interactive learning couses per study year.
For a full view on the courses, as well as related and important information,
Bible School Fees
As TTNABS Online makes use of PayPal, online payments through this portal can only be facilitated by using $USD.
or email firstname.lastname@example.org
Our Growing Numbers
Total Study Tracks
We currently offer the first year of training in English and (coming soon) Spanish (Latin American)
Our student count for both online and campus based students.


The basement of the castle church (the Holy Trinity Church) is only one accessible part of the church. There is a exhibition of art during summer time.
Please, be careful and have respect for all instructions and recommendations.
VISIT OF THE UNDERGROUOND OF THE CASTLE CHURCH
|1. 1.–28. 6.||closed|
|30. 6.–30. 8.||Tue–Sun||10.00–17.00|
|31. 8.–31. 12.||closed|
reservation not necessary


I'd like to talk with you today about patience. I'm sure we have all heard that saying "Patience is a virtue." It's true and it's one of the most important virtues a parent can have. The Bible talks about patience in several verses. The one that stands out to me the most is 2 Peter 3:9.
2 Peter 3:9 (N I V) 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
This really resonates with parenting for me. Just think for a moment with me about the patience of God. He waits for all of us no matter how long it takes. For some of us it can take our whole life to realize we need Him. Can you imagine what it must be like to have patience of that nature? If we can have patience with our children just as The Lord has patience with us we would see such a change in our outlook on parenting. We should just take the few minutes to breathe and relax when we are drowning in the chaos. Try to take the time to remember we only want to positively affect our children. We need to practice waiting patiently and finding the grace we need for the moment we are in.
I challenge you to practice being mindfully patient this week. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed just acknowledge it. Step back and take a minute or even a second to yourself. Remember patience is a virtue and a virtue is something you have to work at in order to master it.
Has there been a time in your life when you have struggled with patience? Do you have any advice on how to be a patient parent? Please feel free to share with us in the comments!


Who We Are
Getting older is complicated, so ageing issues require a multi-disciplinary approach.
Dr James Bratt, the first geriatric psychiatrist in the region leads a team which includes highly qualified and internationally experienced nurses, doctors, therapists and other professionals in the field.
We provide specialised ageing policy consultation for private and public sector bodies on issues affecting older persons in the Caribbean.
To become a key collaborator in the implementation and upholding of sustainable standards of an ageing, Caribbean society.
Testimonial- Catholic Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain.
"Even priests and nuns, sometimes called men and women of God, have to face the various challenges of aging. We believe in miracles, but the best miracles come from God's greatest creation, ordinary human beings who develop the gifts which God has given them for the service of others. Dr. James and Rochelle have shown themselves to be fully competent in helping our aging brothers and sisters, as well as their caregivers, meet the physical and spiritual challenges which aging brings...We have been recommending them to others ever since we met them. Now we recommend them unreservedly to you. May they be ;a blessing to you, even as they have been to us."
-Fr. Clyde Harvey, Vicar for Clergy, Catholic Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain.
Testimonial- Republic Bank Limited
"We have always found the Age Caribbean team to be very professional & knowledgeable, very willing to share valuable tips and information on maintaining the dignity of our seniors and keeping them socially connected for as long as possible."
-Gillian Arneaud, Group Human Resources Department, Republic Bank Limited


God In Your Inbox
Inspirational Devotions on the Go
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” (Matthew 5:14 and 16, NIV). If there is ever one thing a woman longs to hear[…]
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck,” (Proverbs 1:8-9, NIV). Anytime I get dressed and ready to head out for the day, I always want to make sure I add a little extra[…]
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV). Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run and have peace? It’s as[…]
“For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you, (Proverbs 9:11, NIV). What is wisdom that we should consider it? Does it come from the amount of knowledge we obtain or from whom we draw wisdom from? The wisdom of God is the ultimate source and can[…]
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” (Matthew 19:14, NIV). Why are children so important to Christ? God thought they were important enough for Christ to come to this earth through Mary’s womb. With all of heaven’s power[…]
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws,” (Psalm 119:30, NIV). We all have choices to make. They can be simple choices, like what to eat for dinner; mediocre choices, like where to go for vacation; or life-alerting choices, like what part of the country we should move[…]
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin,” (1 John 1:7, NIV). Learning to live the Christian life can be a challenge at times. It’s through God’s Word that gives us clear[…]
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you,” (James 1:21, NIV). On the day Christ comes into our life, the Holy Spirit begins the fertilizing process. He tears up hardened hearts, implants His Word in our hearts[…]
“After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai,” (Acts 7:30, NIV). There is a place where God meets with man. It isn’t on the rooftops, the high places, or on platforms of success. It isn’t in the midst of anything[…]
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:8, NIV). When the cool weather starts to fill the air, right before the winter breeze, it’s always[…]
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak,” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV). As the sun breaks the morning dawn, and the birds begin to sing; the fresh blooms of flowers break open and ring. The wind blows as it catches the leaves, and leaves a coolness in the air; as we[…]
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV). Building a house can be a lot of fun. You get to pick the house of your dreams as long as it fits your budget. But before anything can be built, an architect must develop a[…]
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25, NIV). Looking at this verse, it would seem that when we’re generous with others we will be prosperous. When we think of prosperity, we typically associate it with monetary value. However, if we look at this verse in the original Hebrew, we’ll see there’s[…]
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says,” (James 1:22, NIV). One of the things I love about technology is everything it can do for you. I mean, there are apps for mobile devices that sync with laptops and desktops. There are schedules, post-it notes, email programs with[…]
“Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exodus 2:12, NIV). Moses lived during difficult times. It was only by the grace of God he was allowed to live. The Pharaoh had ordered the death of all the male children because the Israelites were[…]
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV). Since the Information Age, we use the Internet for everything. We use it to communicate through email and on social media, the[…]
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man,” (Proverbs 3:3-4, NIV). Every morning when I get ready, there is one thing I try to never forget –[…]
“Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none,” (Psalm 69:20, NIV). Brokenness is a hard concept to understand in the Christian life. It is in our nature to fight against it, so how do we allow ourselves to succumb[…]
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal,” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). It happened. Every news station in the country was announcing the Supreme Courts decision on whether or not homosexual marriage should be allowed in all[…]
See What Others Are Saying About "God In Your Inbox" Devotions
Online Bible Studies
Bringing the Spiritual Connections to You
How An Online Bible Study Works
One of the biggest questions people ask is, “How does an online bible study work?” Most people think it has to be done on a particular day and time, but that’s the farthest thing from the truth. Find out if an online bible study is right for you.
How to Come Before the King by Danielle Lynn
Order How to Come Before the King by July 31, 2015 and SAVE 25% for the September bible study. All preorders will be shipped August 17, 2015.
BREATHE BY PRISCILLA SHIRER
By neglecting time for tranquility, serenity, and repose, we limit our Christlikeness and miss out on some of God’s greatest gifts. It is time for us to breathe and build margin into our lives for God. If you are weary, worn out, and exhausted the concept of Sabbath will change your life.
Pressure Points By Chip Henderson
Learn how to keep sin, frustration, harsh words, and wrong actions from ruining lives and hurting others. Pressure doesn’t have to dismantle your faith; rather it can lead you to experience the presence and power of God like never before.
"Teaching Others How to Live the Providential Life"
Welcome to my website, here at Providential Living! Here is where you can find spiritual encouragement through my God In Your Inbox devotions, upliftment by joining one of my Online Bible Studies, and physical nourishment and healing through my Gluten Free Living recipes and resources. I live in the North Georgia area with my husband, Sterling, who serves as the Men's Ministry Pastor at Blackshear Place Baptist Church, along with our 3 children and doberman pincher. My daily devotions, recipes, and online bible studies are a source of encouragement to many and reveal a deep commitment to my faith in action. Join me as we learn how to life the Providential Life together.
God In Your Inbox Devotions
These daily devotions are a source of encouragement and reveal a deep commitment to my faith.
Online Bible Studies
Here is where women of God can connect online and study the Word of God in a secure setting at their own convenience.
Gluten Free Living
Part of learning to live the Providential Life is by learning to eat the way God has originally intended.
Providential Living is devoted to investing in the spiritual and physical lives of others by providing biblical resources to help people know what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, biblical teaching to edify and uplift the body, along with educating and instructing believers to know what it means to live a healthy life.


Back on Luža, a Gothic arch leads off the northeastern corner of the square to the twisting lane which first passes the entrance to the Old Port (Stara luka) -nowadays given over to pleasure boats, and the ferries which run across to the island of Lokrum, just offshore - before reaching the Dominican monastery. Begun in 1301, the construction of the monastery was very much a communal endeavour: due to its position hard up against the fortifications, the city authorities provided the Dominicans with extra funds, and ordered the citizenry to contribute labour. The monastery is approached by a grand stairway with a stone balustrade whose columns have been partly mortared in, an ugly modification carried out by the monks themselves in response to the loafers who stood at the bottom of the staircase to ogle the bare ankles of women on their way to church. At the top of the steps a doorway leads through to a fifteenth-century Gothic Renaissance cloister, filled with palms and orange trees.
The attached museum has some outstanding examples of sixteenth-century religious art from Dubrovnik, including three canvases by Nikola Božidarević, the leading figure of the period, who managed to combine Byzantine solemnity with the humanism of the Italian Renaissance. Immediately on the right as you enter, Božidarević's triptych with its central Madonna and Child is famous for its depiction of Dubrovnik prior to the earthquake of 1667, when both Franciscan and Dominican monasteries sported soaring Gothic spires. On the panel to the left, St Blaise holds a model of the city, while, on the right, St Dominic (accompanied by St Augustine) brandishes a model of the medieval cathedral. Nearby, Božidarević's Annunciation of 1513, conunissioned by shipowner Marko Kolendić, contains more local detail in one of its lower panels, showing one of the donor's argosies lying off the port of Lopud. The most Italianate of Božidarević's works is the Virgin and Child altarpiece, also of 1513, ordered by the Dordić family (the bearded donor kneels at the feet of St Martin in the lower right-hand corner) – note the concerted attempt at some serious landscape painting in the background.
Much more statically Byzantine in style is the largest work on display, a polyptych of 1448 in dazzling gold-leaf by Lovro Dobričević Marinov, the most illustrious of Božidarević's predecessors. It shows Christ's Baptism in the River Jordan, flanked from left to right by SS Michael, Nicholas, Blaise and Stephen – the last was put to death by stoning, hence the stylized rock shapes which the artist has rather awkwardly placed on his head and shoulders. Alongside a fine but rather statuesque St Nicholas (1512) by Mihajlo Hamzić, there's a smaller, much simpler, but rather more gripping Martyrdom of St Vincent by Frano Matkov, in which the saint is roasted on a bed of hot coals. Cabinets full of precious silver follow, including the cross of the Serbian king, Stefan Uroš II Milutin (1282-1321), inscribed with archaic Cyrillic lettering, and a reliquary which claims to contain the skull of King Stephen I of Hungary (975-1038).
The Baroque paintings in the next-door room are afairly second-rate, save for Titian's St Blaise and St Mary Magdalene – Blaise holds the inevitable model of Dubrovnik while sinister storm clouds gather in the background. The youth holding a fish on the right of the canvas is St Tobias, here accompanied by the donor, Ragusan noble Damjan Puci6, kneeling in prayer.
After all fine art, the adjoining monastery church is a bit of a disappointment. The best artworks area fine pastel St Dominic, by the nineteenth-century Cavtat artist Vlaho Bukovac, and a dramatic Veneto-Byzantine crucifix, attributed to the fourteenth-century Paolo Veneziano, which hangs over the main altar.
Right beside the main monastery entrance, an unassuming doorway leads to the Rosary Church (Rozarijo), formerly belonging to the Dominicans and nowadays sporadically used as an art gallery. The intimate Renaissance interior, divided by arcades topped by angels' heads, is definitely worth a peek.
Where to go


INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
†††† I do not know how familiar you are with the Bible or what you know of our Lord Jesus.† Thousands of books have been written about the Bible and about Christ.† In a short letter I can only give a brief outline and a few truths.† The Holy Bible is not like other books.† One can read it for a lifetime and never stop learning new lessons about God and ourselves.† God uses it as one of His ways to talk to us and as the primary method of protecting us from untruths and deception.
†††† The Bible is not a book of science, the history of the world, or the history of man's civilization.† The Bible is our guide to our understanding the nature of God (which He chooses to reveal to us at this time) and the true nature of all of mankind.
†††† God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega; He created all that is and all that was before.† He created the heavens and the earth and all that is on the earth.† He created the angels and He created man.† All that is natural and all that is supernatural was created by God.† He is all powerful, all knowing, and is above all things.† He is infinite and beyond our comprehension, but He loves us and wants to develop a loving relationship with us.† It would not benefit God at all if we were forced to love him. God gives us freedom to choose or reject Him.† If we end up rejecting Him, we spend an eternity in separation from God and all that is good and loving.† If we choose God, we spend our eternity with God.
†††† God is perfect and His presence cannot tolerate actions which are not in harmony with Him.† Sin is an action or attitude that is separate and in opposition to God.† God cannot tolerate the presence of sin, but through Christ He will do the work of perfecting us.
Some critical points in the Old Testament:
†††† After God created the heavens and the earth, he created man - Adam and Eve were the first people.† At first they were living in harmony with God and had open communication with Him.† Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan (a fallen Angel who had rebelled against God).† If you read closely, you will find that the root of their offense was that they doubted God's word, acted in disobedience to God and wanted to be little gods unto themselves.† In doing so, they disobeyed God and this necessitated a separation from God.† God can only tolerate the presence of perfection (or perfect harmony with the will of God) and they were no longer perfect.† Since then, God has granted Satan and his forces authority over the earth.
†††† Being separated from God, Adam and Eve and their descendants no longer had the close relationship with God that was necessary to maintain a perfect harmony with God's creation - as a consequence man sought after what was pleasing to man.† By the time of the flood, Noah was the only man on earth who sought direction and what was pleasing to God more than he sought to satisfy his own wants.
†††† Much history passed and man made no progress in improving his relationship with God.† Left on his own, the nature of man is utterly destructive, self-serving and wicked - capable of all manner of evil.† God is not a respecter of persons.† This means that God loves all men equally.† If we seek to know God, He will reward our efforts by drawing us nearer to Him.† If we seek to hide from God or go our own way, He will allow us to suffer the consequences such that we may learn to regret our course of action and turn around to start seeking God.
†††† Abraham was righteous (he sought God and sought to be obedient to God).† God chose Abraham to be the father of a nation (the Israelites or Jewish people) who would be used to present the history of man's struggle with God and eventually open the door to all of mankind regaining an open relationship to God through Jesus Christ.
†††† The just punishment for sin (or disobedience to God) is death (or eternal separation from God).† Animal sacrifice with the shedding of blood was used by God as an example to show that a price had to be paid for sin.†† The animal sacrifices did not pay for the sin, but was merely used as a vivid example that men might understand the penalty for sin.
†††† From Abrahams descendants (through his wife Sarah) came the Jewish nation.† After Moses led the Jewish nation out of Egypt, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and many other laws and regulations under which the Jewish nation was expected to try to live.† The history of the Jewish nation shows that no matter how hard man tries of his own effort to live by a just set of laws - he fails.† On his own efforts, man can never hope to perfect himself.
†††† The study of the Old Testament gives us many examples of what we are all like.† A lifetime of study and learning can be had in the pages of the Old Testament.† But it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit of God, who we obtain when we invite Jesus Christ to be Lord over our lives, which enables us to understand the truths and wisdom which are otherwise hidden in these books of the Old Testament.
Some critical points of the New Testament:
†††† The Old Testament clearly shows that rebellion against God causes a separation from God.† And separate from God, man is completely incapable of perfecting himself, no matter how hard he tries.† The only way to save man was to provide some way for man to regain open communications with God.† Being that man was in rebellion to God, he could not regain communications through his own efforts - man could not perfect himself enough to be allowed fully in the presence of God.† This seems like an impossible dilemma, but God had a solution.† A sacrifice was necessary to pay the price for man's rebellion (or sin).††
††† God Himself came to earth to pay the price for man's original sin of rebellion.† Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, lived a life in perfect harmony with God the Father.† Being also man, He could have lived according to the flesh and weaknesses of man, but He chose to live in perfect harmony with God the Father.† He lived his life in total obedience to God the Holy Spirit.
†††† Though innocent of any sin, Jesus allowed Himself to be sacrificed on the cross.† As a perfect sacrifice, an innocent lamb, God accepted His death as the full payment for the penalty of rebellion against God that started with the fall of Adam and Eve.
†††† All mankind can enjoy the fruit of this sacrifice through Jesus Christ:† We must acknowledge that we are sinners (living in rebellion to God) and under our own strength we will always be sinners in conflict with the harmony of God's creation.†† If we accept the sacrifice Jesus paid to ransom our lives, and acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior - then we will be permitted a new open path to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.† The Holy Spirit will then be with us always, to direct us in a growing relationship with Christ.† God will forgive us our sins because of Christ's sacrifice.
†††† Christ overcame death and the power of darkness and evil.† As we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives, we become joint heirs and sons (daughters) of God.† Our inheritance will be an eternity of communion and growth with God.
Hints and Suggestions:
†††† The truth and messages of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, are a mystery to man without the guidance and revelation that is provided by the Holy Spirit.† We need God to reveal the truth to us.† God has crammed a lot of information into one book - so do not expect to learn everything at once.† In a lifetime you will only have learned a little bit of all that it contains - even though you may have memorized every word.
†††† God treats us all as individual children, teaching us the particular lessons that are necessary for our growth at the proper time.† Pray as you turn to God's word.† New Christians should spend most of their time reading the New Testament until they are very familiar and clear as to the message of the Gospel.
†††† The book of Romans, Galatians and Colossians make it very clear that we are not to try to live our lives according to a set of laws as man tried to do and failed in the Old Testament.† As Christians we are to be led and directed by the Spirit of God.† Supernatural spirits (fallen angels called evil spirits and demons) exist that are in rebellion to God, we must test all spirits to make sure that they are in harmony with the Word of God (the Bible).† The Bible is our guide for maintaining our relationship to God and avoiding deception.
†††† In order to please God, we are to Love the Lord our God with all our strength, all our heart, all our minds - and we are to love our neighbors (all of mankind) as ourselves.† As He reveals Himself to you and you learn the truths of God's love, your love for God will grow.
†††† Our God is just, God is love.† We have much to learn and He will allow us to suffer only as is necessary for us to learn lessons necessary for our growth.† If we are hard of hearing or rebellious we may have to repeat lessons time and again until we learn - God is patient with us.† Just as we must suffer and persevere in order to learn lessons from our school teachers - we must suffer and persevere in order to learn the lessons that are necessary to teach us about the true nature of love and obedience to the harmony of God (through obedience to the Holy Spirit).
†††† God loves you very much.† He wants us to love Him and He wants us to develop a close relationship with Him.† Through Christ we have protection from Satanic attack.† But Satan and his spirits can still talk to us and try to deceive us.† They will try to convince you that God is not real, that God does not stand on the truth of His Word, that we are unsaved, that we lack the Holy Spirit - and all kinds of lies.† Don't believe lies or be discouraged, but stand strong and trusting in God and His Word.
†††† All Christians are born of the same Spirit and Christ wants us to grow ever closer in unity.† We are to fellowship and assemble together.† God does appoint authorities over us, but we are not to put our eternal trust and confidence in man or the institutions of man.† No man, not a pastor, friend, priest, evangelist or Bible teacher is perfect - put your trust only in God.† Test all things that you are taught by the word of God.† If you put your trust in man, God will always allow you to be disappointed.† When this happens, please do not judge and condemn the poor man that you first trusted and then disappointed you.† Just learn from it, forgive the poor man, and place your trust back in the only one you can trust forever - Trust in God.†
†††† Christians are not perfect, but we are forgiven and the children of God.† Love one another.† Do not judge Christians that think different from you or whose theologies differ.† Pray for them (and for all people).† Pray together, study the Bible together, and pray for each otherís needs.† Look to God to show the solution to the seemingly impossible.† Just as He can change your heart, He can influence judges, kings, and all of mankind - God is all powerful.†† God is a miracle worker.
†††† Submitting to the Lordship of Christ means just that.† He cares about every part of your life.† Depend upon God.† Ask God to teach you to pray, ask God to direct your prayers and your life - give your worries, cares and ambitions to God.† Submit every part of your life to God.† He knows all your darkest secrets, so hold nothing back from God as you talk with Him.† As you open up in honesty and trust to Him, He will do the work of cleaning your life for useful service.† You must become willing to give up your own wants and ambitions in life and allow God to move you in the direction that He has chosen to use you.
†††† It is the fervent desire of Jesus Christ that the Body of Christ (all Christians throughout the world) be brought to complete unity.† Throughout the history of Christianity, man has taken various sides on debatable issues that have no relevancy to the Truth God has for us.† Because of this there are many churches that differ on minor points of doctrine and countless squabbles result that are divisive.† Avoid foolish controversies, quarrels and arguments about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.† Ever try to learn and grow from the Word, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.† Love God first, and never forget that the over-riding message throughout the Bible is that we love our fellow man - such an attitude is in harmony Christ's desire that we grow in unity.
†††† God is gentle with us, taking all the time that is necessary to teach us properly.† Be patient with others, pray for them, be gentle and patient in your attempts to communicate.† Human efforts cannot convert others to a saving knowledge of Christ, so be content to practice your love, always eager to explain the reasons for your hope and faith in Christ.† The Spirit of God will convict man, and God the father will draw people to Christ.† Under all circumstances, TRUST and PRAISE God and He will guide you in all your ways.† Pray for wisdom and guidance, and then search the Bible to see if these words are true.


mistake in education, as it is to
make no mistake in the pursuit of
man's last end."
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
TV, music, Internet, movies…all are saturating our youth with images and a manner of thinking that is contrary to our Faith. Popular culture – on all fronts – teaches our children how to dress, how to date, how to socialize; and in general, forms them to live a life not reflective of the teachings of our Lord.
At Faustina Academy, we strive to teach our children purity, modesty, charity, love of neighbor, and how to form and maintain God-centered relationships.
As Parents, you are the primary educators of your children, but today’s youth need to be reassured that it’s not just “Mom and Dad”.
At Faustina Academy, we believe that our Academy is not only expected, but obligated to reinforce these values and traditions you model at home.
Most schools serve thousands of children with academics. Due to these schools’ size and number enrolled, by necessity, their academics target the middle of the scale, i.e., the curriculum is merely maintained at grade-level.
However, as an Independent school, we can provide a much more challenging curriculum; and are able to research and select our own text books with the goal of preparing the students for any school they might choose to attend after FAUSTINA.
Furthermore, the curriculum is deliberately designed to challenge the mind to think critically, speak effectively, to write proficiently, and, most importantly, to learn – and appreciate – their Faith more fully so that they can achieve what we are all called to do – be Imitators of Christ.
With strong academics and discipline of mind and body as the foundation, we desire to make it conducive for the students to put into action his or her faith. We will all become involved by being an active part of the Pro-life group in Dallas, by praying for the unborn; by helping those less fortunate; and by visiting nursing homes.
FAITH, taught and practiced
+ACADEMICS, taught and applied
+CHARITY, taught and exemplified
= To Know, Love, and Serve!
The ideal when to start treatment is before any visible sign appears. Some of us know that medicaments are made to treat health problems, but they can hurt us if taken incorrectly. Let’s discuss about various opportunities. Topics like “cialis pills” and “generic cialis online” are very pop for last year. What do you should know about “cheap cialis online“? Also, consider “online cialis“. Orgasm disfunction can as a rule indicate health problems in other area. Can you get medications, like Viagra, from the Web? Whilst this medicament is not for use in women, this generic is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.
Sister Mary Faustina, an apostle of the Divine Mercy, belongs today to the group of the most popular and well-known saints of the Church.
Through her, the Lord Jesus communicates to the world the great message of God's mercy and reveals the pattern of Christian perfection based on trust in God and on the attitude of mercy toward one's neighbors.


"The people who were there--what a beautiful, open, committed group! An honor to share in this."
Cultivating Compassion on the River Contemplative Retreat
Cost: USD$375, includes transportation to the retreat center, seven meals, and two nights’ accommodations in a single room with individual sinks, desks, chairs, and reading lamps. There are separate toilet and shower facilities for women and men. Additional guestrooms will be available a short distance from the retreat location at the Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse (single rooms with private baths).
The contemplative retreat begins with a midday meal on Tuesday, April 16, and concludes on Thursday, April 18, after the midday meal. Return transportation is on your own; return to the MSP airport will be facilitated during the retreat.
Join Reverend Ward Bauman at the Episcopal House of Prayer for an opportunity to process the rich and varied experiences of the conference and to integrate our learning. This contemplative retreat will provide space to discern God’s voice, both within you and in the world; provide guidance in the search for wisdom; teach forms of contemplative prayer; and offer training in the inner work of spiritual life.
Susan Sink will lead the group in an Introduction to The Saint John's Bible presentation and tour of the current exhibit. In a multi-media presentation, we will explore the techniques, themes, and process behind the creation of this first illuminated, hand-written bible on vellum in five hundred years. Following the presentation, the group will tour the exhibition of original pages from The Saint John’s Bible with attention to particular illuminations.
The House of Prayer is located on the Saint John’s University campus which is the home of the Saint John's Illuminated Bible. In 1998, Saint John's Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. Susan Sink will lead a time to explore this work of art that unites an ancient Benedictine tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium.
The Episcopal House of Prayer and its Oratory are a blend of wood, glass, and stone, designed to evoke an experience of solitude and awareness of God’s presence. It is situated on five acres of wooded land provided by Saint John’s Abbey, a Roman Catholic Benedictine abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Ward Bauman is an ordained Episcopal priest and director of the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Originally from California, he has traveled the world spiritually and physically, living in Iran for many years where he studied Sufism and Buddhism. He is the author of Sacred Food for Soulful Living and co-author of The Luminous Gospels. He considers his spiritual mentor to be the great Christian German mystic Meister Eckhart. Working with people in the great spiritual dimensions of their lives is his motivation.
Susan Sink is a poet and writer, author of Habits, The Way of All the Earth and three volumes of The Art of The Saint John’s Bible: A Reader’s Guide. She is also the administrator of the Episcopal House of Prayer.
Cultivating Compassion on the River
April 11: Leadership Institute
April 11: Spirituality and Health Care Institute
April 12: Free Community Event
April 12-14: Conference
April 13, 14: Field Trip
April 15: Pilgrimage
April 16-18: Contemplative Retreat


Andrew CressSeptember 27, 2022 2023-04-18 15:38
Doctoral Candidate, London School of Theology
ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary
BA, California Baptist University
Vice President for Administration and Finance, Lecturer in New Testament, Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Andrew came to Pillar as a staff member and adjunct instructor in 2022. Andrew has supported various functions in faith-based higher education institutions for almost a decade: academic advising, registrar, assessment, accreditation, institutional research, degree program review, and curriculum. After pursuing training for pastoral ministry Andrew discovered a love for in depth study and teaching of the New Testament alongside a passion for higher education administration. His goal is to support organizations like Pillar by helping them operate ethically, efficiently, and effectively. Andrew loves Pillar’s emphasis on flexible and accessible study of Scripture and ministry. Andrew received a Master of Theology in New Testament from Dallas Theological Seminary and is a Doctoral candidate in New Testament at the London School of Theology.


Tammie Merritt, age 57, passed away May 12, 2021.
She is preceded in death by her parents, JP and Betty Sue Havard.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 33 years, Daniel Merritt; children, Matthew (Kate) Merritt, Jarrod (Paige) Merritt, Anna (fiancé Dominique Woodward) Merritt and Claire Merritt; grandson, Eli Merritt and one on the way, Baby Merritt; brothers, Tony (Rachel) Havard and Tracy (Shanna) Havard; loving Aunt Wene (Raymond) Smith; numerous other relatives and friends.
The Visitation Service for Mrs. Tammie Merritt will be Friday, May 14, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Semmes First Baptist Church. The Funeral Service will be Saturday, May 15, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM in the church sanctuary with Bro. Don Boone and Bro. George Beck officiating. Burial will follow in Semmes First Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers include Brett Walley, Davis Walley, Ben Merritt, Colton Merritt, Garon Merritt and Ethan Merritt. Honorary Pallbearers include Doug Merritt, Jr., Caleb Merritt, Logan Merritt, Matthew Jones and Trace Pope.
Moments Funeral Home, locally owned and operated in Lucedale, Mississippi is honored to be in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers to Tammie's family, please visit our floral store.


Pope Benedict XVI, who died on December thirty first, left his mark on historical past.
The primary Pope to surrender his hold forth because the Center Ages is being mourned by means of hundreds of believers who’ve accrued on the gates of St. Peter’s in Vatican Town to bid a final farewell to the Ideally suited Pontiff emeritus.
The funeral for Pope Benedict XVI will take place on 5 January, virtually ten years after he stepped down as the pinnacle of the Catholic Church. The past due Pope Emeritus served from 2005 to 2013 and was once succeeded by means of Pope Francis, who will play a important position within the funeral.
Relating to his burial, it must be famous that Joseph Ratzinger, the birthname of Benedict XVI, shall be buried in 3 coffins, following the custom performed by means of his predecessors.
As a result of Benedict XVI resigned from his publish and didn’t die within the position like a lot of his predecessors, the funeral is a bit other than different ceremonies. Most often, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica are rung to tell the general public of the Pope’s death, and a few within the media have requested why this example is other. The Vatican has spoke back by means of announcing that after he resigned in 2013, the bells had been rung, which means that they are going to now not be heard all through this time of mourning.
With out a company steerage on the way to deal with the demise of a retired Pope, as this is a scenario the Church has now not confronted in over 600 years, many questions of the protocol are being treated as they stand up. When requested concerning the plans for Benedict XVI’s funeral over the previous few years, the Vatican has spoke back that the weather of the funeral can be “greater than for a cardinal, not up to for a pope in place of work.”
Learn extra from AS USA:
The frame of a deceased Pope is a barrier in 3 coffins that every one have compatibility within one any other. The primary layer is a coffin manufactured from cypress wooden. Right here, the cash of his hold forth shall be presented, in addition to the pallium and a textual content that summarizes his paintings as Pope. The latter object shall be put in in a steel cylinder.
Therefore, this sarcophagus shall be inserted right into a metal one. After hanging a tape with the respectable seals within the first, the primary coffin shall be positioned in the second one, which shall be sealed and welded. All this may happen on Thursday, after mass.
In spite of everything, the double catafalque shall be positioned in a wood coffin, and this shall be presented into the Vatican Grottoes. Benedict XVI shall be buried within the position occupied by means of his predecessor, John Paul II. The stays of the Polish Pope had been transferred after his beatification to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, positioned within the Basilica of Saint Peter within the Vatican.
For the primary time in Catholic historical past, the present Pope will officiate the rite for a prior Ideally suited Pontiff. Pope Francis has been an excessively visual a part of this time of mourning, and his speech all through the funeral shall be performed underneath the ceremony ‘Ordo exequiarum Romani Pontificis,’ as established within the Universi Dominici Gregis Apostolic Charter of 1996.
Suscribe to our newsletters
Experience are living and on-demand on-line sports activities on DAZN. Turn on your account
NBA Cross League
Now you’ll watch all the NBA season or your favourite groups on streaming.


Organization of the Exhibition
After the Exhibition of 1898 and the echo aroused by the discoveries related to the famous photography taken by Secondo Pia, and by the controversy that followed the publication of French Canon Ulysse Chevalier’s studies against the authenticity of the Shroud (1899-1903), a new chance to exhibit the Relic to popular veneration came in 1931 when a solemn and prolonged Exhibition was held from 4th to 24th May for the wedding of Prince Humbert II (1904-1983) with Maria José of Belgium. The wedding actually occurred in the previous year but the Exhibition had been postponed due to the sudden death of the Archbishop of Turin Cardinal Giuseppe Gamba. The exhibition was intended as a dynastic celebration because, from the point of view of the House of Savoy, showing the Relic was essentially an occasion to glorify the family. It is to be said, on the other hand, that investigating properly in the ecclesiastical circle in Turin of that time, it turns out that in the priesthood some people disputed the new exhibition. Among these was Giuseppe Piovano (1851-1934), professor of Church History at the Faculty of Theology. He was the author of a confidential memo he addressed to the new Archbishop, Cardinal Maurilio Fossati (1876-1965), where he supported the cause of the non-authenticity of the Shroud, also complaining about how much the new exhibition would cost. The diocese, in fact, had not yet finished paying the restorations of the Cathedral done in 1926-1928 (Nicolotti 2015, pp. 230-231).
An intervention of Pope Pius XI, who was personally devoted to the Shroud and also claimed to be a scholar himself, apparently solved the problem. He said to Fossati: “We are talking … as a scholar and not as pope … Some objections have been made, but they are inconsistent” (Pugno 1961, p. 326) and the Exhibition could take place, coordinated by an Ecclesiastical General Committee (Ostensione 1931, pp. 14 ff).
Pugno 1961 = Giuseppe Maria Pugno, La Santa Sindone che si venera a Torino, SEI, Torino 1961.
Fossati 2000 = Luigi Fossati s.d.b., La Sacra Sindone. Storia documentata di una secolare venerazione, Elledici, Torino 2000.
Nicolotti 2015 = Andrea Nicolotti, Sindone. Storia e leggende di una reliquia controversa, Einaudi, Torino 2015.


Christ, Christmas, and Social Media
LifeChurch.tv’s Global has launched the Share the Bible Day initiative. It is an initiative between LifeChurch.tv and the YouVersion mobile Bible application. The Oklahoma-based Edmond-based church’s pastor Rev. Bobby Gruenewald initiated an effort to use the power of social media to spread the word of Christ and his teachings.
We’re encouraging everyone to take time on Christmas Day to tweet a Bible verse, share the Christmas story by posting it on Facebook or tell people about the free Bible app’. He added, ‘We basically want to see emphasis and focus on God’s story in all their social spaces online and offline
The church’s free YouVersion Bible application is an initiative that has reached many milestones including over 11 million downloads. Apart from the other milestones, the Bible app was listed as one of the top 10 iTunes 2010 list of top 10 apps and the Apple’s list of reference apps.
On the Bible app, Gruenewald said,
Part of the focus of the Bible app is to make it easy for people to read and share the Bible. He added ‘We really see it as a real revolution in Bible engagement
Like most others, the church and Rev. Gruenewald too are trying to leverage the reach and popularity of the social media to spread the message of Christ, the Bible and the gospels, on Christmas day.


A reason, a season, or a lifetime . . . this story has been playing across my mind a lot lately. It is said to describe the people who come through your life. The only one that is not defined by an ending is the person there for a lifetime. But what if, what if you believed that would be your spouse? And now, it isn’t. This is where I should say that we are never alone for God is always with us but I would be a hypocrite if I said that’s what I’m thinking right now. Because I am not.
Right now I am questioning who. Who is my lifetime? Who can I count on when times are tough? Who can I call when my friendships falter? Who can relieve me of child bedtime duties when I am sick and desperately want to crawl into my own bed? Who will be on the other end of a hug when I climb out of a shower with a tear-stained face? Who will wrap me in their arms so tightly I know a piece of me will always be left in that embrace. Who? Who? Who? And why?
Reason, season, lifetime. Was my husband just a reason? That’s it? I can’t believe that and yet he is gone. The reasons are plentiful . . . he taught me love, he taught me the pain that comes with love, he created my children with me, he grew up with me . . . a house, a job, a family, a farm. And in the end his story is the reason my faith is so strong. But just a reason? Hardly.
Maybe a season . . . a season of growing up, growing older, growing wiser . . . and then gone. The season of young adulthood. The season when the future seems like eternity and we know we are invincible. The season when we plant our roots and start to spread our limbs. The season when we begin to realize all that is possible and hope springs eternal. But just a season? That can’t possibly be true.
But a lifetime? The lifetime of love, hugs, planned vacations, and rocking on the front porch. Of raising our girls and watching them bloom. Of dreaming big and chasing our dreams into the sunset. Where did my lifetime go? God. God has a reason. God defines the seasons of our lives. God gives us our lifetime. What is His message for me? And who is my lifetime? Ryan will be in my heart and life for my lifetime. He will live on in our girls and the recipients of his organs. But who can I go to for my lifetime?
This is where I begin to ask God about friends. What friends did he intend as my roots? And what friends did he intend as my leaves? (If you don’t understand this reference check out Tyler Perry’s book. It’s a good one.) This is when that leap of faith comes in. When I am supposed to put my heart and trust and woes in God’s hands. When I turn it all over to him and trust it will be ok. But goodness that’s a struggle right now! I want answers! But alas, that is a reason . . . waiting, trusting, faith. Because sometimes it is not a person that is the reason, season, or lifetime, but the lack of a person that is the reason, season, or lifetime.


Sweet Prayers is a ministry that visits illicit massage businesses in their area, bringing them home-baked goods. This helps them build relationships that hopefully lead to their salvation.
It was started by one group and has now spread to seven teams in the USA Western Territory.
Watch to see the impact of this ministry!
DOWNLOAD this video: http://helpsharechange.org/sweetprayers_download
Share Change is an initiative of the The Salvation Army USA Western Territory that produces video content infused with messages of transformation and hope, designed to empower individuals to share the Gospel message with others via online and social networking platforms. Share Change aims to reach beyond traditional means of influence in order to tell the world about the physical, emotional and spiritual healing to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Follow Share Change
Popular Uploads: http://bit.ly/2yyOu8h
Addiction Recovery: http://bit.ly/2hWdTyg
Serving The Homeless: http://bit.ly/2gvbytW


Sherita Furlow is a independent contemporary Gospel Artist and song writer born and raised in Fort Myers Fl. She developed a passion for singing very early on in life and started singing at the age of 9. By the age of 13, she started to spark the interest of local pastors to come and sing at their local Churches. She also song in a local singing Gospel Group at the age of 16, called Gospel Sensations.
From 2014 till now she has been asked to lead worship at several ministries but turned them all down to focus on her own ministry and supporting her husband who is a Pastor of House of Power Deliverance Center. She is a powerful and anointed women of Power called to reach the lost by the power of Jesus Christ.
Sherita Furlow music was inspired by the leading of the Holy Spirit and her love for Jesus Christ. Her music is soulful and captivating and will soothe the soul. She recently released her new single call" YOU ARE A HOLY GOD" now available on CD BABY.
Her music will empower you to love on God and embrace his presence. She is not only anointed to sing but anointed to preach, teach and prophesy to the Glory of God.
Order her music today you will be inspired, encouraged and set free by the Power of God.
Sherita Furlow music was inspired by the leading of the Holy Spirit and her love for Jesus Christ. Her music is soulful and captivating and will soothe the soul.
- You are a Holy God
- Sherita Furlow
Order your copy today $2.99


A further development of the principles of the Roman Law through ecclesiastical influence was in the matter of the disposition of personal property upon the decease of the owner. Originally, as it will be remembered, the feudal tenure was only for life. Upon the death of the occupant every feudal holding reverted to the feudal lord. When the right of inheritance was introduced, it only applied to real estate. In fact, in our system it applies to real estate now. Personal property continued to be seized and appropriated by the feudal lord. It is true there was usually not much of it within the domain and the sphere of action of Feudalism. Cattle and agricultural implements constituted the bulk of it. But what little there was became the spoil of the feudal lord as soon as the owner had been called away by death; and wife and children were ruthlessly deprived of the support which it might have been to them.
It was a case of brutal oppression and wrong, under the form of law, if the word law is not desecrated by the application to the infamous usage, which justified the most forcible intervention on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities. Appeal was made to the conscience of the feudal lord. Perhaps, there should be an apology for the use of the word conscience in any such connection. At all events, the thunders of the Church were invoked against the feudalist who insisted upon the exercise of his feudal prerogative; and the Church finally succeeded in getting the personal property of deceased persons into its own possession for the benefit of their families and relations. Thereupon, each ordinary or bishop within his own diocese, immediately upon the happening of a death, became the lawful custodian and administrator of all personal property within his territorial jurisdiction. The administration he committed to competent persons as each case arose; and he himself only retained the jurisdiction to see that it was properly conducted.
On the continent of Europe, with the revival and extension of the Roman Law, this ecclesiastical jurisdiction ceased at a comparatively early date. In England it continued to be the usual system down even beyond the middle of the second last century. The administration of the personal estates of deceased persons was no part of the Common Law of that country; it belonged to the ecclesiastical authorities. The courts for that purpose, courts of probate, as they have been called, because they take the probate of wills for the transmission of personal property, were the courts of the bishops; and the law administered by them was notoriously the Canon, and the Civil Law of Rome. The custom has left its impression upon our American law. For, although our ancestors brought with them what is called the Common Law of England, and although they could not, and did not bring with them the bishops and ecclesiastical courts, and were compelled immediately to supply the deficiency by the establishment, through the instrumentality of statute, of special courts for the purpose, generally known through-out the country either as Orphans’ Court or Courts of Probate, it is a curious fact that the law which they administer is and always has been the Roman Law. A remarkable illustration of it is the fact, that, our laws for the distribution of personal property are purely those of the Civil Law of Rome. We have retained the tradition of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction; and in the exercise of this jurisdiction the bishops were unfettered by feudal restraint.
With his usual misrepresentation, and even deliberate mendacity, for he knew better, where the Church was concerned in her relations to the feudal power, Blackstone wishes us to believe that the Kings voluntarily surrendered their right to the personal property of those who died intestate to the ordinary or bishop for proper distribution of them, that the ordinary was often recreant to his trust, and that it required two statutes to compel him to execute the trust properly and to depute the administration to the next of kin or some near friend of the deceased. A careful consideration of these statutes and of the circumstances under which they were made will show that the great commentator has wilfully misrepresented their tenor and import, and that they were enacted at the solicitation of the bishops themselves for the purpose of having a uniform law through-out all England. There was no question in them of breach of trust on the part of the bishops or ordinaries and even if breach of trust there had been, of which there may well have been individual instances, the fact does not militate against our contention that the ecclesiastical action in rescuing personal property of deceased persons from the grasp of the king or feudal lord was a check to Feudalism and a revival to that extent of the principles of the Roman Law.


Old Trafford Christadelphian Church,
Henrietta Street, Manchester, M16 9GA
We are a growing, urban, community church where we are encouraged to be like Jesus and love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love others as we love ourselves.
In our lives and in our church activities we try to display the love God and Jesus showed and the hope of salvation to those around, using all of our God-given talents and gifts.
God continues to live in us and work through us to His glory and our spiritual growth and unity. We believe God is using us to reach out to everyone in the local community through the activities we run as a church.
As a community of Jesus followers we are focussed not only on "What God has done in the past" and "What God is going to do in the future" but also, and crucially,"What God is doing NOW"!
We would love to see you at any of the events we run, but we are also interested in how we can best serve you.
We are situated in Old Trafford, Manchester, England, UK. We come together to enjoy praising God in a lot of different activities through the week; more details are available about each activity on their respective pages.
This website is just a taster of the things we are doing in Old Trafford & Manchester. If you want to find out more about anything you see in these pages please just contact us or alternatively pop in and visit...


What Is 'Meet A Missionary'?
'Meet a Missionary' is all about giving young people an interactive encounter with Catholic Missionaries who are living out the gospel in countries all over the world. Young people get a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the highs and lows of missionaries’ experiences - experiences which often cross cultural boundaries, span monumental historical and political shifts and plant them firmly outside of their comfort zone.
Missionaries often work thousands of miles away. Technology now makes it possible to bring their stories to life into the heart of classrooms and parishes in the UK.
Benefits of 'Meet A Missionary'
'Meeting a Missionary' helps give young people time and space to think about what mission means to them in their own lives. It challenges them to foster a ‘missionary attitude’ and enrich their understanding of what ‘faith in action’ looks like around the world.
Young people can encounter the global catholic community through a human face, with real personal testimony.
How it works
The ‘Meet a Missionary’ project offers young people in the UK an opportunity to interview a Catholic missionary via Skype or in person.
Choose which missionary you would like to interview and send them a message
Download the resources which give you everything you need for your ‘Meet a Missionary’ session
Enjoy your session and don’t forget to give us feedback (just click on the feedback button below!)


Sometimes, when I get a little overwhelmed with the happenings in the world, my little blog seems so insignificant that I feel unable to write about the day to day happenings in my life until I come to terms with the big things that are on my mind, and either write about them, or move on.
Since the issue heavy on my heart at the moment involves religion, I’ve been trying to move on without writing about it, and I’ve tried coming up with the words that will say what I need to say without being offensive. But it hasn’t been working. I am sad to say that I have lost “Christian” friends because of my political views so I have TRIED (without much success) to avoid the issue.
Then this morning, the perfect words came across my newsfeed (Facebook can be SO much more than sharing silly videos and recipes, if we let it!)
The issue? How Christians are acting, particularly as it has to do with politics, but really it is so much more. It’s how we Christians are presenting ourselves to the world. I have written both on my FB wall, and on many other blogs about how sad I think we are making our Lord with the way we are treating his other children. I just haven’t been very eloquent. But these words? They ARE eloquent. They brought me to tears.
My Dear Children,
I’ve seen what’s been going on there lately. Actually, I’ve been watching you all along and I really need to let you know something, just in case you misunderstand:
This isn’t what I had planned.
This wasn’t the Church I set the table for.
It wasn’t the dream I had for you, when I spoke in those parables about the Kingdom; about my Kingdom.
It was all supposed to be so very different.
It was supposed to be a pervasive, beautiful, relentless “yeast in the dough” that permeated the planet; an unstoppable virus of compassion and mercy spread person-to-person, not needing government or law or force.
It was supposed to be that smallest, seemingly most insignificant of seeds, exploding steadily and gloriously with the realized potential of my sacred presence, becoming a place of safety and shelter for all people.
It was supposed to be something so very precious, such an obvious, invaluable treasure, that it would make all those who discovered and experienced it, feel like it was worth selling everything they had to hold onto it.
It was supposed my very body, here in your very flesh.
You were designed to do this, to be this.
My kindness, my goodness, my forgiveness; you were created to be the method of transportation for all of it.
You were made to deliver the greatest good news to a world so desperate for it.
This wild, extravagant, world-altering love I have for my people, was intended to travel from my aching heart, through your trembling hands, to my hurting people.
This has always been your calling. It has always been your purpose.
It still is. This very second it is.
I have placed you here at this exact place and time in the history of creation, not to defend me, as I need no defense; not to protect me, since I have already willingly laid my life down; not to judge others on my behalf, as this is far beyond your capacity and my instruction.
My beloved, I placed you here, not to defend or protect or replace me, but simply to reflect me.
That has always been my most critical commandment and your most pressing obligation; loving God and loving others. I thought that I was clear on that, when I was asked this before.
I showed you how to move in this world.
I kept company with priests and with prostitutes. I touched lepers and washed feet and dined with sinners, both notorious and covert. I served miraculous free meals to starving masses, and I allowed myself to be touched and kissed and betrayed and slandered and beaten and murdered… and I never protested.
All that is happening these days, all the posturing and the debating and the protesting; does this really look like love to you?
Do you really think that the grandstanding and the insult-slinging and the side-choosing, that it feels like me?
Do you truly believe that the result of your labors here in these days, is a Church that clearly perpetuates my character in the world?
Is this the Gospel I entrusted you with?
To be honest with you, I simply don’t see it.
How did you drift so far from the mission?
How did you become so angry, so combative, so petty, so arrogant, so entitled?
When did you begin writing your own script for this story?
When did you turn it into your story?
My children, here’s what you may not realize, being as close as you are to all of this. You may not be able to see it clearly anymore.
You certainly don’t have the perspective that I do, and here from my vantage point, this is what I do see:
You are driving people from me.
You have become an unbreachable barrier between myself and those who most need me.
You are leaving a legacy of damage and pain and isolation in your path.
You are testifying loudly, not to my love, but to your preference.
You are winning these little violent battles, and you are losing people; not to Hell or to Sin, but to all of the places outside of you, where they go to receive the kindness and decency and goodness that you should be showing them.
This life is not about your right to refuse anyone. If I wanted to avoid serving those I found moral faults with, I would have skipped the planet altogether.
I came to serve.
Your faith in me, cannot be an escape clause to avoid imitating me.
Asserting your rights, was never greater than following my example.
Your religious freedom, never more important than loving the least.
Your central cause, should be relentlessly conforming to my likeness, despite the inconvenience and discomfort that it brings.
When I commanded you to deny yourself, I was speaking about the times when it is most difficult to do so, because that is when “self” is the most distracting, the most dangerous, the most like an idol.
Obedience to me, usually comes with sacrifice to you.
I can’t force you to reflect upon these words, and I can’t make you live as I lived or love as I love. This was never the way I worked or will ever work.
I can only tell you that you have surely drifted from the course I started you on, and as often is the case in long journeys, it is a divergence that unfolds by the smallest of degrees, almost imperceptible while it’s happening.
That is why what feels like victory to you, is really another slight but definite movement away from me, and from the reason you are really here at all.
Not long after I walked the planet, as my Church was just beginning to blossom and my Kingdom was truly breaking out, a Greek statesman named Aristides, wrote these words about those who bore my name then:
“It is the Christians, O Emperor, who have sought and found the truth, for they acknowledge God. They do not keep for themselves the goods entrusted to them. They do not covet what belongs to others. They show love to their neighbours. They do not do to another what they would not wish to have done to themselves. They speak gently to those who oppress them, and in this way they make them their friends. It has become their passion to do good to their enemies.
They live in the awareness of their smallness.
Every one of them who has anything gives ungrudgingly to the one who has nothing. If they see a travelling stranger, they bring him under their roof. They rejoice over him as over a real brother, for they do not call one another brothers after the flesh, but they know they are brothers in the Spirit and in God. If they hear that one of them is imprisoned or oppressed for the sake of Christ, they take care of all his needs. If possible they set him free. If anyone among them is poor or comes into want while they themselves have nothing to spare, they fast two or three days for him. In this way they can supply any poor man with the food he needs. This, O Emperor, is the rule of life of the Christians, and this is their manner of life.”
– Aristides, 137 AD
To the Christians in Indiana, and those beyond who are still listening today; you would do well to hold these words up daily as a mirror to your individual lives, and to the expression of me that you make together in this place.
Is this what you see when you look at yourself?
Is this what the world sees when it looks at you?
In your words and in your ways, Church; do they see me?
If not, then regardless of how it seems to you, you haven’t won anything.
May this be truth, that truly sets you free.
This CONCEPT is what has been going through my mind for the longest time. I am SOOO not either a perfect person or a perfect Christian, so I am not setting myself up as either. I know I have areas in which I need a lot of improvement, and I’m trying. But I have felt like all the divisions in the country are not being handled in a Christian way. Neither our Christian leaders in the Church, or Christian politicians, or even the Christians commenting on blogs have been keeping in mind WWJD. I regularly receive messages both on my FB wall, and in my inbox that make me cringe at their ugliness. Because I KNOW in my heart, Jesus would not respond to ANYONE with hate and exclusion. He would let his kindness speak for Him. Jesus did not come to this earth and FORCE His people to follow Him. He exuded such a light of goodness and kindness and love that people WANTED to follow Him. And he left us in charge of His church – to exude the same goodness, kindness and love, that people would WANT to follow Him, based on what they saw in His people.
Can you honestly say that what is happening right now does that? Why would ANYONE want to be a Christian when they see such hate coming out of the mouths of Christians? Even if you are not one of those spewing hatred, are you sitting silently by and letting the words of others go unchallenged?
We do not need to sit by and watch while things we disagree with go on. But we DO need to think about HOW we disagree. The viciousness with which we speak about our president and other elected officials and even our fellow Americans is not Christian.
Our country has always been a melting pot. At one time there were probably more believers than non-believers. But our founding fathers wanted this country to be a beacon for people who wanted to chose how, or even IF, they wished to worship. Freedom OF religion, also means freedom FROM religion. We cannot MAKE anyone believe. They need to be convicted. And they won’t be convicted if we treat them poorly.
“God” was not always mentioned on our money, or in the Pledge of Allegiance, and there was a reason for that. We are a country that was meant to include everyone – believers and non-believers alike. We have lost sight of that, trying to meld church and state, in direct opposition to what our founders wanted.
This government CAN function. But we have to put away the religious litmus test in order for that to happen, and just treat each other as we’ve been commanded. THAT’S how we improve the country. Not by becoming the American Taliban.


God loves you. He isn't mad at you!
Have you lied recently? Have you ever stolen anything? Are you trying to cover something up? Well, my friend, not to fret because God STILL loves you! God doesn’t—and never will—approve of sin, but He does love sinners. Seems crazy, right?! Here’s the thing: sin is what separates us from God. But the good news is that Jesus died for our sins which now gives you first dibs at knowing God’s scandalous love and His perpetual craving to have a relationship with you. The beginning step to building your relationship with God is admitting that we have sinned against God and are in need of His lavish forgiveness.
If you want the same kind of relationship with God that He so, so, so desires to have with you, pray this very simple prayer out loud: "God, you love me. You are patient with me when I don’t deserve your patience. You are kind to me even when I am unkind to people around me. I need you in my life. I believe in you. I’m sorry for my sins. I’m sorry about the way that I have been living. I really, really need you. I want you in my life. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me. He rose from the dead. He's alive today. Please take me just the way that I am. Please make me everything that You want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen."
Guess what?! You have joined the fam! You are heir to God's throne. Take advantage of it! You don't have to walk this new life alone. Click here to share your story; we'd love the opportunity to celebrate new life with you!
Moreover, remember this: religion does not lead to God. In fact, religion separates us from Him. Religion breeds wars. Religion can make you look at God as the boss and you the employee. Jesus makes God your father and you heir to God’s throne as his beloved child. Religion says, ‘come to church and serve’. Jesus says, "Go into the world and serve." (Mark 16:15) God adores you! And so do we.


I live in Fowey, in my opinion one of the loveliest coastal towns in Cornwall, with my family and like so many towns and cities we had a weekend of Christmas festivities at the start of December.
The celebrations begin on the Friday night when Father Christmas arrives. We're a town with a beautiful harbour so naturally he comes by boat, escorted by our Town Crier and the fabulous Fowey Town Band dressed as elves!
There were carol singers to get us in the mood and Micheal the Town Crier who has been our Crier for over 30 years came along to keep order!
Once Father Christmas lands he makes his way up the pontoon to the street where he's met by families and very excited children and from here he makes his way to the town centre with everyone following him Pied Piper style with his elves playing their own unique 'music'!
Once through the town Father Christmas arrives outside the church, the Christmas lights get turned on and children are rewarded with sweets from him
Some of the shops stay open for late night shopping and all of them have beautiful festive windows, it's a really lovely atmosphere and this year we had a gorgeous cold but clear night. The church of St Fimbarrus is in the middle of town and the main path is lined with illuminated Christmas trees, sponsored by local businesses and it's such a beautiful centrepiece for the towns festive lights.
Happy Christmas and a very happy New Year!