Three men enter novitiate at Conception Abbey
On Monday, August 14, 2017, the novice master Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB, led the three postulants from the entrance of the Abbey Basilica to the altar where they were met with this question: “What is your request?” Standing before Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB, and in the presence of the entire monastic community, the three postulants responded in unison, “I seek the mercy of God and fellowship in this community.”
These three men came before the monastic community and before God because they seek God. And, by God’s grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this “seeking” in their life has led them to discern their vocation as a Benedictine monk of Conception Abbey.
During the brief ceremony Monday afternoon, Abbot Benedict instructed the novices on how they should go about seeking and serving the Lord. He said, “You have the promise of God to help you if you trust Him. You also have our promise as brothers to support you with our prayer and encouragement.”
At the conclusion of Abbot Benedict’s admonition, the postulants were clothed in the traditional habit for novices, which includes the tunic, belt, and short scapular. The ceremony concluded with the Kiss of Peace, as all of the members of the monastic community welcomed these men and assured them of their prayers and fraternal support.
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The novitiate lasts one year and is an intensified period of discernment of one’s monastic vocation. During this year, the three novices will study the Rule of St. Benedict, Sacred Scripture, Monastic History, grow in the practice of lectio divina and engage in a variety of work around the monastery. In observing the novices throughout the course of the year, the Novice Master, Fr. Xavier will discern if each novice is docile and teachable. He will use the criteria that St. Benedict outlined in his Rule and ask: Does the novice truly seek God?
With great joy, the monks of Conception Abbey welcome Arturo Hernandez (Overland Park, KS), Justin King (Olathe, KS), and Walter Pugh (Sac City, IA).


Revealed in this book on the City of London's churches is not only the history from Roman times but some surprising activities.
London City Churches has 41 drawings by Paul Middleton of the churches and each one is accompanied by a page profile highlighting history and the contemporary role.
You can learn about Dick Whittington's tomb, a 'camembert cheese' altar, the Samaritans' first telephone, the pulpit used by Jeffrey Archer and the church featured at the climax of the film Four Weddings and A Funeral.
Paul Middleton is an architect, who has designed an ecumenical chapel in India, and founder of the annual City Churches Walk which opens all the churches on the same two days a year.
Leigh Hatts is the former editor of the Diocese of London newspaper London Link and author of several books on the River Thames.


Welcome to deusvitae.com, the online home for Ethan R. Longhenry.
Ethan currently serves as the evangelist for the Venice church of Christ in Los Angeles, California. He previously served as an evangelist for churches in Illinois and most recently the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio.
Ethan volunteers as the Assistant Scoutmaster for Troops 15 and 108 in Culver City, California, and also serves as the District Commissioner for the Crescent Bay District. He also enjoys birding, reading, and social media interaction.


Diocese of Tuam, Killala & Achonry
Rt. Revd. Patrick Rooke
Welcome – and thank you for taking time to visit our diocesan website. I hope you find it informative and interesting.
The united diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry covers all of County Mayo, much of Counties Galway and Sligo and a small portion of County Roscommon. Geographically it forms one of the largest dioceses in the Church of Ireland but numerically is the smallest with fewer than two thousand parishioners spread across nine parochial cures. There are thirty churches attended and cared for by loyal and devout congregations.
To the south of the diocese is the large and vibrant city of Galway. Its cosmopolitan population ensures a healthy mix of faith communities who work closely together. The ancient Collegiate Church of St Nicholas in the heart of the city has a fine musical tradition and hosts many community services and events.
By contrast, most of the diocese is rural with the majority of the Church of Ireland population resident along the north-Mayo and Sligo coast. In the summer months, visitors from around the world arrive in large numbers to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ and its surrounding landmarks such as Connemara and Croagh Patrick. Others come for the excellent fishing on the West’s lakes and rivers.
All who choose to take the opportunity to join the small local Church of Ireland congregation for Sunday worship are made most welcome; indeed their attendance brings encouragement and support to resident parishioners. Further generous support and co-operation is given by neighbouring Roman Catholic congregations with whom we are always pleased to work and worship.
Statement by the Right Reverend Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry on the forthcoming Referendum.
As the Referendum on the Eighth Amendment draws near, each of us with the right to vote should be thinking carefully and responsibly about the issues involved. These are complex and difficult.
The Referendum itself is about whether to repeal Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, known as the Eighth Amendment. It gives equal rights to the mother and her unborn child; only permitting an abortion when the life of a pregnant woman is at risk. Should a ‘Yes’ vote prevail, then the Oireachtas will be given the powers to decide on what legislation is necessary. The Church of Ireland has, for many years, argued that this is not a matter for the Constitution but for legislators.
The memory of what happened to Savita Halappavanar in Galway five-and-a-half years ago looms large in many people’s minds in the West of Ireland. That a young woman lost her life unnecessarily is both tragic and shocking. Equally, the fact that so many women are forced to travel to England and Wales for terminations of pregnancies or acquire abortion pills on the internet, says little for a mature 21st century Ireland.
The dilemma, however, is that the Government seems set on linking a ‘Yes’ vote with its proposal to allow for unrestricted supervised abortion, albeit after medical consultation, in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is much less restrictive than we would have hoped and expected.
As things stand, this is a referendum in which there will be no winners. Either result will mean that the most defenceless in our society, vulnerable mothers and the unborn, will continue to suffer. May each of us vote according to our conscience, considering prayerfully the serious implications of the choice that is before us on Friday 25th May.


This afternoon was my little mans two year checkup. We typically divide and conquer these things if we can to keep the other one out of the doctors office if at all possible. That was the plan today too…
…but my children woke up at 5:30 this morning. It’s been a long day already and I think my husband saw that because as he was putting on Landon’s shoes to leave, he gave me a sideways glance and asked Em to grab hers as well so Mommy could have a break.
They walked out the door and I thought…WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES MOMMY DO WITH A BREAK?!
Mommies don’t get breaks! So I turned on my favorite praise and worship station on Pandora and got busy folding laundry. I finished that chore and started another load…there are dishes in the sink, my house is a mess! There are is Scentsy to be sorted, mailed, labeled, and enjoyed. There is dinner to be made. Yet I can’t take another step. I’m utterly exhausted.
Amazing that in a moment of exhaustion God speaks to us where we are. An old work friend just posted a beautiful blog that spoke to me. It led me back here…to my own last post…re-reading that I feel so called. I feel called to use my business as my ministry. But how?! How does my business help others? How does someone like me make a difference?
And then it clicked…
…those doubts and fears…
…those are not my own. Those are the voice of the enemy working against me.
Once I realize that, it’s easy to see the good I’ve done for others lately. It’s all small stuff, but I’m doing something…and anything is better than nothing.
Another friend posted this from her quiet time this week…
“I love the way God’s word is so active and alive. I’ve read Exodus before but I somehow missed the part where God calls Moses to lead his people out of Egypt and Moses basically tells the Lord that he can’t. He’s not good enough. He won’t be able to speak to them. He even asks the Lord to please, send someone else.
The funny thing is, God never asked Moses if he thought he could, He simply said, you will. And the best part of it all is that the Lord said He would be with Moses. He would teach him what to say, He would guide his steps.
And The Lord does the same with us….He calls us to do things that we think we can’t do. We think someone else could surely do it better, but when He places a call on our life, He isn’t asking for our resume. He knows our gifts AND our shortcomings, and He wants to use us anyways. And He wants to walk beside us into whatever He leads us into.
He won’t ask you to do big and scary things and then abandon you. He’ll ask you to do big and scary things, and then He’ll walk with you. You need only to step out in obedience.
Moses: “But who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
God: “But I will be with you.”
So today, wherever you are, stop and listen. Erase the doubts and fears plaguing your mind…those are not your own! Quiet the enemy with prayer and listen…listen to the One that will be with you. He knows us better than we know ourselves…we are His children and He loves us with the ferocity of a momma bear protecting her cub. All of us mommies know that momma bear feeling that rises up in us. We know that passion of love we feel towards our babies. Remember that He feels that way towards us. He’s not asking for our resumes…just for us to obey…just to walk the path He’s paving. He will be right there with you.


God wins the final battle against Satan.
"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." Revelations 17:14
The Bible provides fascinating levels of detail about the Antichrist and New World Order. Any person claiming to know the date for the end of this world is wrong because Jesus told us the date is known only by God. The Bible does provide guidance on empires that will come and go before Christ returns (e.g., Daniel 2:31-45).
Vigilant Christian teaches what is great about religion can fix what is wrong. The same is true for the United States. Life is to be celebrated and God is good all the time.
As Dr. Stanley Monteith wrote on page 137 of page 137, Brotherhood of Darkness, "we are to pray as if everything is up to God, and work as if everything depends on us."
When we sin, we literally make place for evil in our life. Ephesians 4:27 - "Neither give place to the devil."
The New World Order is the rule by a secretive power elite advancing an authoritarian globalist agenda called the Great Plan that paves the way for the Antichrist.
This Vigilant Christian site and in much greater detail, the Vigilant Christian books explain how the New World Order can be defeated.
Click here for the Congressional records that a shadow government has existed at least since 1912.
Christians believe the Antichrist will one day lead Satan's forces on earth as described in the Bible. Many Christians forget or just do not know that the Antichrist is brought to power by ten kings who are currently without a kingdom. "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast." Revelations 17:12
The above ten world regions were defined in the Club of Rome's 1974 Mankind at the Turning Point publication. The Club of Rome was founded in 1968 at David Rockefeller’s estate in Bellagio, Italy by Great Plan advocates Aurelio Peccei and Alexander King.
The secretive power elite at the top of the New World Order are the ten leaders of dynastic families who are not kings, but who are the power behind presidents and prime ministers.
Revelation informs us that the ten kings who are not kings will work together to create a global monetary system, religion that rejects Christ, and a one world government.
"These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast." Revelation 17:13
The New World Order Great Plan can be summed up as abolishing God, abolishing representative government, abolishing private property, abolishing food independence, abolishing the family, and abolishing most people to pave the way for the Antichrist.
The Great Plan tenets
1. Disillusion people to reject God by fooling people to believe God does not exist or convince people to follow a new age religion denying Christ.
2. Abolish existing governments and via the United Nations create one world government.
3. Enslave people by removing their wealth via supercapitalism and socialism resulting in an one world communist economy.
4. Make survival and food purchases dependent via monopolizing seed ownership and a one world currency.
5. Separate children from their parents via government education, television programming, and parents working longer hours.
6. Maintain control of a global population limited to a maximum of 500 million people with wars, weather modification, radiation releases, biological warfare, and abortions.
The name of the god of Freemasonry used in the introductory levels is the Great Architect of the Universe. The Great Plan helps explain the darker meaning of what Great Architect means in the higher levels of this secret society.
For more information, read Vigilant Christian I: The New World Order.


World English Bible
“For thus says Yahweh, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, and you will drink,”
I love this pic. Evening, water, no leaves except those which hang on until the winds force them to go. It is an in between state of being which we find ourselves in for another cycle. The lake gives promise to a water supply so there is hope, or a promise of thirst being quenched. Like the lights in the distance our minds seek a guiding light, a whisper of direction in the distance leading us closer to a drink. What shall we drink?
Will we drink from scarcity? Will we drink from horror? Will we drink from never being enough, or will we see the blessings of the day? Will we experience being enough when the day goes quickly because we’ve been of service? Will we see our yearning for more sleep is really gratitude for experiences which show us contrast? Will we be thankful for the moments when we were baptised by relationships good and bad, big and little. Those for which we can not take an ounce of credit, yet accept that we for a brief moment allowed others to flow through our lives.
Were we present? In that moment we become the drink to quench the moral thirst. We become life. We live. We too drink, even between spring and fall. During this time may our valley’s fill with that which will allow us to be productive, yet honor spirit within when we do not appear to have any physical manifestation of having been helpful at all.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
“but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are”
This place is a fav of mine, from a side I rarely photograph, but it shows a perspective I love. Not the most popular. Not the most advertised. At this moment in time it was a side with light, beauty, glow. We all have that within us. We all possess the light and good. We all have a side not glamorized, but that shows depth and richness of life.
I’m not a bible scholar. I do not know the ancient text, but this verse states that there is a diabolical part to the workings of God, creator, light. I have always been drawn to that other side of life where not many hang out. It is a view that brings me comfort and creates interest in any event. I have spent many an hour and continue to do so where I would not choose if given a choice. Yet, because the other side can be observed I often find myself choosing to change my view and quickly find the not so choice of time and space from which I occupy, a rather warm and toasty place to reside. With a tweak of thought, a twist, a change in perception, a slowing of breath a different side appears.
Which side are you on? Take a step about, or around, or under. Head in the other direction. Look for the light, the beauty, the glow. Look for the things that bring joy and a smile. Look for a different side to be on and then look again. Rest will often come when we allow ourselves to experience another side.


TO KNOW CHRIST AND MAKE HIM KNOWN
We invite you to come and meet our growing community and see what Jesus is doing right here in Beaumont
We strive to know Christ and make Him known. Our mission is to glorify God by making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ.
JOIN OUR IN-PERSON SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
Newsletter Signup allows us to keep you up-to-date on what's happening here at Beaumont Baptist. Don't worry we don't like too many emails either so we will stick to just the important stuff.
5204A 50 Ave. Beaumont, AB


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I am so grateful for the solid friendships I have built through the years. God has placed so many women in my life with whom I can laugh, problem solve, and honestly share struggles without fear of judgment. Friendship has always been important to me. Maybe because I’m an only child. I love people and love learning from them. Through my friends I have been inspired to be more service minded, to seek God in the seemingly insignificant things, and to laugh at myself. Even this blog is the result of the encouragement of a friend.
Thank you, Lord, for my true friends. Take some time today to call an old friend or make plans with a new one.


Alvin Lutheran Church was founded in November 1937 as a group of citizens gathered together for the purpose of forming a Lutheran congregation. The congregation was granted a charter by the American Lutheran Church, a predecessor body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are part of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, which is under the care of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
We are a medium-sized congregation with a big heart. We are situated in Alvin, a town of 24,000 people, we are located approximately 35 miles south of Houston, in rapidly-growing Brazoria County. We are meeting the challenge of having rural roots, yet moving forward as Alvin is growing quickly to become a suburb of Houston. We are committed to proclaiming the Word of God and celebrating the Sacraments as we live out our baptismal calling to make disciples of Jesus Christ.


Tune in to the livestream at 7:00 PM.
Join us for our Wednesday Bible Study via livestream tonight at 7:00 p.m. There will not be any on-campus activities or services this week.We will continue to keep you updated on our schedule, and we … Read More
January is Sanctity of Human Life Month. FBT is participating in a baby bottle campaign for the Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center. Care Net is a Christian organization that provides counsel, free pregnancy tests, and … Read More


The great psychologist Carl Jung said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” We don’t become any brighter by focusing exclusively on the light; we become more fully alive by integrating dark and light, by embracing that which has been rejected. Jung also thought that this is the task of the second half of life: we are to recover and re-integrate the shadow side of ourselves, to become more whole as we age. “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” To live today, in the season of Easter, is to live first through the agony of Good Friday and the anxiety of Easter Saturday. Not to deny them or to ignore them, but to live them in their dark truth: as authentic parts of the human journey.
This is the brilliance of the Christian understanding of who God is: that while any authentic spiritual path acknowledges the darkness that’s in us, we worship a God who has darkness in Him, and who in Jesus was willing to go into that darkness, and by going there to make good come from it. It was only by involving Himself in the darkness– in the suffering, in the pain, in the shame, in the death– only by involving Himself in it, that it could be transformed to serve the end, the goal, the purpose of life. “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” That’s true for God, too: God realizes the fullness of God’s divine being, by fully entering the darkness He contains. As Bonhoeffer said: “Only a suffering God can help.”


The photograph above is of the New Voulkano Monastery near Ithome renovated 2015/2016
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE SITE ARE CLICKABLE LINKS
Old Voulkano Monastery
The Old Monastery of Voulkano is built on top of Ithomi Mountain in Messinia at an altitude of 800 meters, on a huge rock. In antiquity, the sanctuary of Ithomatas Zeus was located in this area.
There are two legends about the founding of the Monastery: one says that it was built in the 8th century by monks iconolaters where they found the icon of the Virgin Mary hanging on a bush along with a lit lamp, while the other says that its owner was the Emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus (1282-1328).
The name Voulkanos (formerly Vourkano), probably comes from the Byzantine ruler in the area. The old church of the Monastery is an aisled vaulted basilica (two-aisle today) with many outer buttresses. Stone blocks from the Sanctuary of Zeus were used in its construction. The frescoes of the church were painted by brothers Dimitrios and Georgios Moschos in 1608.
In the Monastery there is a Byzantine Fotanama, one of 11 in Greece, which was a special place with a fireplace with benches around it, where the monks sat to keep warm in winter.
The Monastery was abandoned by the monks in 1625, not only because the climb to the monastery was steep and difficult, but because the location was such that the wind, the cold and the sun were very strong with no shelter. The monks moved to the present site of the new monastery between the villages of Mavrommati and Valira.
The old monastery has been designated a listed monument.
New Voulkano Monastery
Below the mountain of Voulkanos and the lower hill of Aghios Vassilios, in a narrow passage between the two mountains, where the new monastery of Voulkano was built. This monastery has its own history, since in 1821 it was the base of operations of the Greek rebels against the Turks.
The new Monastery of Voulkano was founded in 1625 on the eastern slope of the mount Eva (Haghios Vasileos) on the plateau controlling the Messinian valley. Until then the monastery was located on top of Mount Ithome, where the building remains of the old Monastery, the Epanokastritisssa , are well preserved today. The most used name of the Monastery is due to the medieval name of Mount Ithome, which in the Byzantine period was renamed "Vulkano" or "Vourkano".
The church of the new monastery was built in 1701, a date documented and supported by morphological and architectural evidence. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and belongs to the two columned cross in square type, with three protruding apses to the east, all three-sided on the outside.
The dome is in the form of the so called Athenian type; it has an octagonal drum made of carved porous stone and adjoins a curved cornice of the same material. On the edges of the sides small porous stone columns are lined, crowned with capitals above which marble gutters are fixed. The apses consist of carved porous stone and are traversed by beveled cornices at window sill level.
The project " Restoration of the Church of the New Monastery of Voulkano" part of the project "Restoration of the Voulkano Holy Monastery" with a budget of 260,000 euros, and was implemented under the auspices of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia.
The following works were carried out in the frame of the project:
- Removal of the contemporary bell tower and porch
- Removal of the modern cement mortar that covered the external surfaces of the church and dome
- Examination and consolidation of the foundations of the church
- Restoration and completion of the porous stone cornices
- Sealing of joints on the sides of the church and dome using a compatible mortar
- Removal of old roof tiles, dome and roof consolidation
- Tiling of the dome and roofs with handmade Byzantine type tiles
- Construction of a new single - lobed bell tower at the west end of the church
- Construction of a new porous stone porch with wooden roof
- Small-scale works of repair and paving of the floor of the surrounding area
The Katholikon (main church) of the Voulkano Monastery was built in 1701 and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is surrounded by four wards with extensive modifications having taken place over the centuries.
In their original form the buildings were mainly built on the ground floor consisting of contiguous vaulted areas, the construction of which, based on architectural evidence, took place in the 17th - 18th century.
From the beginning, two floors had only the eastern part of the southern ward that ended to the east in an impressive tower, corrupted by later modifications.
On the ground floor of the tower, the main entrance of the monastery is formed by a passage. A marble inscription dates this part of the monastery to 1712.
To the west of the tower, on the first floor, the warming room of the monastery is still preserved. Over the area of the hearth a dome is formed with a lowered octagonal drum. In 1712 in the continuation of the west ward an arched dining room (trapeza) was built, as indicated by an inscription within the frame of the only entrance.
Along the northern side of the dining room there is a colonnade, included in the construction project of the early 18th century. A second warming room was revealed during the recent restoration work of the monastery complex to the southern end of the western ward. Later (18th-19th century) the northern ward was built along with the adjacent parts of the eastern and western wards.
During the 19th century successive floors were added above the western, eastern and northern wards.
At the same time the colonnades which define the courtyard of the monastery were constructed; the south-western in 1838, the western in 1842, the eastern in 1858 and the northern in 1861.
During the excavation around the church for the examinations of the foundations, along its northern side, architectural remains were uncovered that belong to the stone foundations of a building of the Early Helladic period (2750-2250 BC), partly destroyed due to subsequent building. This was, until now, an unknown prehistoric site in an unexplored area of the Messinian field, of strategic significance for the exploitation of the rich natural resources of the region and control of the Messinian plain.
In the monastery, which has its celebration on the 15th of August, important manuscripts and relics of saints are preserved, those of Ioannis Chrysostom and Dionysios the Areopagite, holy utensils and vestments, those of Patriarch Gregorios the 5th, and also the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary the work of Luke the Evangelist.
Each year on its celebration day a religious festival and trade fair takes place and there is a procession with the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is carried up to its original residence, the old monastery standing on top of the mountain.
Lighted candles are placed in the "narthax" as you enter a church or a monastery. The lighted candle is very symbolic during many ceremonies within the Greek Orthodox church.
The candles represent the light of Christ according to Jesus' own words, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life".
The Monastery of Voulkano has always been exclusively for men and it never stopped functioning as a working monastery. Today the new monastery is the only male Convent of Metropolis in Messinia.
I have recently been made an honorary member of ecotourism-greece.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE SITE ARE CLICKABLE LINKSTOP


Christianity gets a bad rap. Most world religions do, but for some reason, especially in America, Christians are the loudest complainers.
Christians in America feel they are being “persecuted” for their beliefs. Every December, Bill O’Reilley does his “Attack on Christmas” special, where he complains that Christmas is being attacked based solely on public school not allowing Christmas carols to be sung or the installation of “Holiday Trees.” Glenn Beck, over and over again, talks about how Christians are being held back and repressed in the name of tolerance.
The problem that I see with these different “repressions” and “attacks” is that they aren’t attacking the Christians themselves, but rather the label they fall under. For a while, I refused to be called a “Christian” because of the stigma attached to it.
Ask anyone who speaks out against Christianity what they hate about Christians, and everyone you ask will give you a different answer. But mostly, the Christians that are being hated are closed-minded, intolerant, ignorant individuals, who cling to religion and guns and views anything that is different from their “Utopia” as evil. Christians vote Republican, eat red meat, and usually live in rural areas. Christians will happily tell you that you are going to hell, and will shove Christ down your throats with scare tactics.
I found this website recently that does a great job of this tactic. It starts off discussing the deaths of rock stars, and how the rock and roll culture leads straight to Hell. The practical side of me likes to think that it doesn’t, and the logical side of me knows it won’t, but for kicks, I read the tract.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll notice that, after all of that propaganda, you’re given a choice: CHOOSE LIFE, and rid your system of rock music and be welcomed into Heaven, or CHOOSE DEATH, and burn in Hell after you die because of your music choice. For kicks, I decided to choose death, and was immediately brought here.
This page talks about my awful choice of rejecting Jesus Christ as my Savior, and goes on and on and on about the eternal lake of fire that my condo will be next to for all eternity. After reading all of this, I’m given another choice, my last chance: Accept Jesus Christ, or reject Him. Again, for kicks, I chose to reject Jesus. And oh man, did I make the wrong choice.
This page talks about the torment of Hell. It’s all about Hell, using Biblical descriptions about Hell and how much I will suffer by going there. It talks about how National Geographic and PBS both accept that Hell is a real place, and by rejecting Jesus, that is where I’m going. The page is black, the text is red, as if to prove that I’m a wicked person.
This, from the same people who believe in a God of love, will scare me into salvation. That is not what people want.
So what should a Christian be instead? Exactly what Jesus preaches. I feel like I’m repeating myself every time I say it, but that’s what is said, and it was said to be the most important commandments: “Love your God… and Love your Neighbor.”
The simple act of loving someone is all that someone might need to be brought to Christ. Jesus isn’t angry or upset or mean. Jesus is Love. Religion and Christianity shouldn’t be something scary or something that causes you to fear the unknown realm of death. Religion and Christianity should be something that is desired.
To answer the question in the title: A Christian is one who is loving, not scary.
If the majority sets a good example for the rest of the world, maybe Christians won’t be as “persecuted” as everyone thinks they are.


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Diocesan Accounting and Finance
• Lead the Diocesan financial team consisting of a full-time Finance Director and part-time bookkeeper and work closely with the Diocesan Treasurer (a separate, governance-related position) in fulfilling Diocesan accounting, financial management, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit, and banking responsibilities.
• Serve and consult with Diocesan Investment Committee trustees responsible for oversight of the Diocesan Investment Trust.
• Serve as liaison to Diocesan churches as a resource to support financial analysis, including hosting occasional church treasurer workshops, and help resolve financial and accounting issues.
Building and Property Administration
• Envision and collaboratively develop solutions for building and property use and administration.
• Lead responsibility for Diocesan buildings and property maintenance, repairs, and improvements, including a maintenance team of five.
• Supervise the leasing of Diocesan property as well as the sale of property designated for liquidation.
• Maintain appropriate and cost-effective insurance coverage for all Diocesan properties.
• Provide ongoing, strategic counsel and guidance to the Bishop for emerging entrepreneurial opportunities as well as crisis management.
• Participate in a variety of ongoing Executive Staff meetings and Diocesan management meetings and committees.
• Prepare and deliver the Diocesan budget and forecast presentation at the annual Diocesan Convention.
• Collaborate in managing various human resources issues on a Diocesan level, including compliance with State and Federal HR regulations, as well as in helping to resolve HR issues on a parish level.
• Assume additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate.


First, if you haven’t watched the video about this, you should. I made a short version and a full version. The short verion can be found here:
The full version can be found here:
Revelation 12: 1-2 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with achild cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
For further explanation and better graphical images, see below.
This graphic shows the alignment of the sun, moon, planets and stars on September 23, 1827. But you can be thrown off by the graphic overlays of the constellations. So the following graphic I have removed the overlays so you just see the stars with the constellation lines.
9 months prior in December 1826 Jupiter enters the belly of Virgo.
The Retrograde of Jupiter – It happens about every 83 years and happened both n 1827 and 2017 in combination with the alignment of the sun, moon and other planets which is the only time since John the Revelator had the vision that has become the Book of Revelation.
September 22, 1827
September 22, 1827, the day Moroni allowed Joseph Smith to take the gold plates is also the last day of Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Jewish New Year. The very next day the sign in the stars was manifest. See: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/01/the-golden-plates-and-the-feast-of-trumpets
The Joseph Smith Translation adds even more context to the true meaning of these events:
November 13, 1833 – Leonid Meteor Shower
“November 13. About 4 o’clock a.m. I was awakened by Brother Davis knocking at my door, and calling me to arise and behold the signs in the heavens. I arose, and to my great joy, beheld the stars fall from heaven like a shower of hail stones; a literal fulfillment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures as a sure sign that the coming of Christ is close at hand. In the midst of this shower of fire, I was led to exclaim, how marvelous are thy works O Lord! I thank thee for thy mercy unto thy servant, save me in thy kingdom for Christ’s sake: Amen.” Joseph Smith – Times and Seasons May 15, 1845
Early Church Apostacy
According to one historian, “Between November 1837 and June 1838, possibly two or three hundred Kirtland Saints withdrew from the Church, representing from 10 to 15 percent of the membership there.”27 The “great apostasy” also carried over somewhat to Missouri. In a nine-month period, the Three Witnesses, a member of the First Presidency (Frederick G. Williams), four members of the Twelve Apostles, and several members of the First Quorum of the Seventy left the Church. Because he continued to boldly defend the Prophet, Brigham Young was threatened and forced to flee on horseback to Missouri. – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times/chapter-fourteen?lang=eng


|Category||Books & Reference|
Excellent app. It has a lot of Catholic prayers. You will also find many additional reading materials that are essential for Catholics. You will find links to the Bible, Cathechesis and Biography of Saints.
I love this app. It keeps me spiritually growing in my mind and soul issues. The app also explains and assists me with prayer requests.
The variety of prayers that you can choose from for any need, as well daily Bible readings are a great feature. It's great. It's great to learn new prayers.
Incredible!!! It is amazing that you can access Latin prayers. This app is highly recommended to anyone, no matter what stage of their walk with God.
We hope to have offline access of the Catechism and Church documents such as Amoris Laetitia, Vatican II etc. because, from what I see, an internet connection is required to be able access Church documents as well as pastoral exhortations by the Pope. These documents are vital teachings of our Church. This app is great because it helps us to understand the Catholic faith. Thanks a lot!
We would love it if you could select a country, as today in the UK isn't Epiphany. The drop down list of devices doesn't include every country that I am unable to purchase for my smartphone.
It's the best Catholic app I have ever used. It's the best Catholic app I have ever used. I've used it for five years now and am still amazed at some of the prayers ..... Thank you! I am in love with it.
This app has been my favorite for more than 2 1/2 years. It is easy to use and navigate. It has allowed me to discover the Catholic Faith, and helped me become a more Catholic Christian man by allowing me to use it daily in prayer and devotion.
This app is great. However, when i click on daily readings or daily verse, it says that the file could not be opened. This app is a pain to use.
This app is amazing. However, the calendar function on the saint-of-the day page was removed. This app is very useful for me as a teacher. It allows me to get readings from the coming masses and gives me Saints of The Day for my students. The calendar was created by whom?
I received an error message saying that access was denied when trying to reach different parts of the order of the masses. Thank you for your assistance.
It is a great app for Catholics and Christians. It has everything that you could need and it is easy to use. In 2021, faith in Jesus is still strong. God Bless
It was amazing! I have learned so many things from this. All the beautiful prayers make me feel more connected to God. I also sat down with my family and children.


Praise and worship is a form of music that has been around for centuries. It’s also a form of music that never seems to go out of style, no matter how many years pass. In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins of praise and worship, how it became popular in churches today, as well as some tips on how you can use praise and worship in your own church or small group setting!
*Origin of Praise and Worship Music: There are some who believe that the first form of praise and worship came about in churches as people were singing to God. However, other scholars believe it may have come from early African tribes when they sang together in celebration. Still others say that prayer songs used by Jewish musicians during Biblical times eventually was adopted by Southern Christians.
Baptist Churches throughout the Deep South has catapulted the songs of praise and worship into popularity in the early 1900s. The author, W.O. Walker wrote many hymns that are still sung today and can be found on Spotify!
*Importance of Songs: Praise and worship music has become an integral part of Christian culture because it provides a way for people to express their love for God the popularity of this form of praise and worship. Black Christians singing gospel music sprinkle in soul and rhythm to the music, and their influence cannot be denied.
*The Songs: There’s no shortage of songs in praise and worship! Worship leaders have written hundreds if not thousands of songs dedicated just to praising God through song. Some of these include “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” or “My Jesus I Love Thee. Once only played on Sunday, Gospel radio stations now stream praise and worship music seven days a week.
*The Community: For those who sing southern gospel in praise and worship, the songs are a way to express their love for God. They’re also doing it to be part of something bigger than themselves because through music they become one with the community singing around them.


This is part three of a series of posts I am writing that dig for deeper understanding into Moses' response when he faces God in the burning bush. You can read the whole story for yourself in Exodus 3 and 4. Part one, the introduction, can be found here, and part two, the first excuse, is here. Studying this passage has been very eye-opening for me. I hope it is helpful to you, as well.
Breaking the Moses Habit: Who are you, God?
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
I believe that the reason Moses reacts like this is that Moses is not sure who God is himself. He fears having to explain this unknown God to the Israelites. It is not in the end about the name (although that is what Moses asks for); instead, it is about God’s character. Who are you, God, that you can demand these people to follow you to you-only-know-where through the desert for however long it takes? Who are you, God?
God responds in a way that only He can:
“I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14
God does not stop there. For the next eight verses, God elaborates upon who He is and what He is going to do for the people of Israel. He proves himself trustworthy. He explains that He has been watching the suffering of His people and has chosen to do something about it now. He tells Moses exactly what to say and what to ask for from Pharaoh – “Let us take a three-day journey into the desert…” Exodus 3:18. He even promises to make the Egyptians feel compassionate and help the Israelites along (Exodus 3:21)!
Our God gave Moses what he asked for and so much more. God desires to show Himself to us – He wants us to know who He is and to trust in Him wholeheartedly. For Moses, He did is in the speech which can be found in Exodus 3:14-22. For us, we seek in the Bible first and then through the testimonies of our own souls and our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord used His Word to show Samuel who He is, in 1 Samuel 3. Samuel heard the voice of God as a young boy and as he grew, he studied the Word with his tutor, Eli. And while he studied, God “revealed himself to Samuel through his word” (1 Samuel 3:21). His Word – the Bible – is how the Lord Almighty demonstrated to Samuel and countless others that He is a God worthy to be trusted and honored.
If we do not stand firm on our understanding of who God is, we are weak. We hesitate when asked to take a risk for Him. If we do not know who we are standing for, we could just as easily be standing for ourselves. We must build our house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24 – 27). Our rock must be Christ revealed to us through the Bible.


Even the Vatican is embracing social media and content marketing
Forget life imitating art, here we have a classic case of life imitating The Message. In January 2012, in a post called iBelieve, we wrote: �If organised religion wants to live past this generation, it has to make like every other big business and stay visible.�
Then a couple of months later, in a post imaginatively titled iBelieve (part 2), we reported that �the spread of social media-savvy religion-related content has reached, well, biblical proportions�.
And now, with a well-known religious festival almost upon us, it seems entirely appropriate that the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has taken to Twitter (as @pontifex). According to the Vatican, the Pope will be using the social media microblog to tweet �pearls of wisdom� in eight languages, answering questions sent to him regarding matters of faith.
�The Pope�s presence on Twitter is a concrete expression of his conviction that the Church must be present in the digital arena,� the Vatican says. Which shows that even the 2000-year-old Catholic movement understands how social media and content marketing can be a massive benefit in the digital age.
At time of writing, the papal twitter account has 501,936 followers. Although that figure is a mere fraction of the planet�s 1.2 billion Catholics, it is a remarkable number considering Pope Benedict has yet to send a single tweet. Now, cynics may call that blind faith, but in fairness the Vatican has said the account won�t be used until just before Christmas.
Still, it will be interesting to see whether the Church fully embraces social media to the extent some have done. Speaking personally, we can�t wait to see the Instagram images of the pontiff�s Christmas dinner�
The Message is brought to you by Tick Yes � providing solutions for all your digital and content marketing needs.


CADE CHANDLER REDDINGTON
November 22, 2002 - November 4, 2021
"Guys, Life Is Short, But Be Happy, Work Hard, And Make Your People Happy."
-Cade Reddington quote caught on video summer of 2020
The world lost an incredibly bright light when you left this world, Cade. You are deeply missed
EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Cade seemed to have an endless amount of exuberant energy and a love for connecting with others. He had the biggest ear to ear grin and the best hugs. He would light up any room he walked into and would talk to and make friends with anyone.
We promise to carry your light forward, Cade, and ensure your life is making a difference and saving other's lives. We know you still exist on the other side and someday will be able to tell us of all the lives that will have been saved by sharing your story and creating more awareness of fentanyl poisonings and that
ONE PILL CAN KILL.
We love you forever!!
Please click on all the links to learn more about the work being done in Cade's name.
CADE REDDINGTON MEMORIAL BENCH
Warner Park Beach, Madison
"Guys, Life Is Short, But Be Happy"
Cade Chandler Reddington
We invite you to sit, reflect, watch the sunset, connect with Cade, and channel his beautiful light and energy to spread his joy and love into the world.
Cade's Bench Blessing
May the Lord bless this beautiful bench.
May His face shine upon all who sit here.
May this bench be a place where people come to connect with Cade and his Creator.
May it be a bench where we sit and are awestruck in wonder.
May it be a bench where we stop being busy and curiously ponder.
May it be a bench where dynamic energy can be found.
May it be a bench where creative inspiration abounds.
May it be a bench where dreams come alive.
And may it be a bench where relationships learn to thrive.
May the Lord bless this place.
May His favor be upon all who wander here.
May this be a place of rest and renewal.
May this be a place where kindness is plentiful.
May this be a place to harness some of Cade's abundant effervescence.
May this be a place to discover God's guiding Spirit.
May this be a place of love and joy.
And may this be a place of love and light.
May the sun shine on our faces every day as it dips below the glowing horizon.
May the light that radiates upon us remind us of both Cade's exuberant joy and God's unconditional love.
May this brilliant light be a reflective mashup of the bright rays that Cade shone and God gifted him.
May the sunsets be a source of peace and joy and be a beacon of hope for us all.
May the Lord bless this beautiful bench. Amen.
With gratitude to Sarah Stevens for writing this beautiful blessing.
Cade's bench is located at 1001 Woodward Avenue at Warner Park Beach, Madison facing Lake Mendota on the left side of the parking lot and of course facing the sunset.


Please continue to pray for:
Prayer Diary for September 2020
Matthew 19 v14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
25. Help us to realise that everything begins with US.
26. We pray for all countries affected by this virus.and ask that there may be enough to share and enough specialist help to deal with all cases.
27. We pray for Chris as he leads the service, that He may be filled with Your Spirit, and that we receive Your Word for each of us.
28. Let us remember in prayer all those known to us who live a godly life, yet do not know Jesus as a person.
29. We pray that we as a community take the instructions from government seriously, and do not flout them, as we feel the effect on us.
30. We pray that the scientific advice is the best we can get during this pandemic.
Prayer Diary for October 2020
Revelation 3 v20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
1. We pray for all who are affected financially by this virus and ask that they may receive the help they need.
2. We pray for all the emerging countries.
3. We pray for our parish, and all who live and work in it. May they show us the way to work and shop locally.
4. We pray for all those who feel able to go to church and may a way be found for all those who wish to partake of the fellowship and worship, to be able to do so.
5. We pray for all those without a home.
6. We give thanks for all the modern technology.
7. We pray for all those in the hospitality industry.
8. We pray for our doctors, nurses and the carers.
9. We pray for all who are thinking of others, especially at this difficult time.
10. We pray for all in the entertainment industry.
Thank you to Jean for her continuing work on compiling this Prayer Diary
When services resume, we hope to restart the Prayer Group. It normally meets fortnightly on Saturdays starting promptly at 10.00 am (finish by 11.00 am) followed by coffee and cakes. All welcome.


Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit consist of 9 traits. These 9 traits are evidence that the Holy Spirit is operating in a person, and that by means of Jesus, God has produced that person righteous. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is adore, pleasure, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: from these kinds of there is no regulation.” These attributes are the consequence (the fruit) that somebody has acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that the particular person has yielded to the Holy Spirit to allow sin no longer dominate his or her daily life. A individual can’t achieve the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit unless they take Jesus’ totally free gift of salvation and generate to the Holy Spirit in their life. The 9-Fold Fruit of the Spirit are described as follows: 1. Enjoy – “Agape” really like is unmerited favor. Love is one thing to share with everyone. Regardless of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNJKDMYlFWo , like and dislike, or circumstance. two. Joy – Pleasure is delight in the hope and claims of Jesus Christ. No make a difference what the situations, a individual can have joy in the hope of eternal daily life and being in correct standing with God. three. Peace – Peace is possessing eternal protection by being in eternal partnership with God because of Jesus’ act on the cross. four. Lengthy-Suffering – Extended-struggling is possessing patient stamina to withstand all of life’s trials. Prolonged-suffering is achievable due to the fact of hope and assurance in God’s claims. five. Gentleness – Gentleness is getting variety to other individuals and becoming unmoved by conditions. By a particular person yielding to and currently being comforted by the Holy Spirit, he or she can be gentle in all scenarios. six. Goodness – Goodness is performing like Jesus as He did when He walked on the Earth and doing the things of God. This is a Godly goodness that is defined by God by means of His Word, the Bible. seven. Religion – Faith is possessing the hope and assurance in the claims of God. This is a self-confident and a have confidence in that is not moved by short-term circumstances. 8. Meekness – Meekness is a humility that seeks no revenge. Meekness arrives from a man or woman yielding to the Holy Spirit in all conditions. It is a condition of mind where God will come very first, and self will come previous. nine. Temperance – Temperance is self-control. With the Holy Spirit in a person, they have a greater goal to serve God. Fleshly desires are secondary to serving God in all things. GALATIANS 5 BIBLES SCRIPTURE Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is enjoy, pleasure, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, religion, meekness, temperance: against these kinds of there is no regulation.”
“The fruit of the Spirit is adore, pleasure, peace, tolerance, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-management… If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
~Galatians five:22, 23a, twenty five (NRSV)
There is 1 summarising security from the corruption of the flesh: the electricity of the Spirit. There is but a single way of cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: we must be guided by the Spirit.
GUIDED IN Really like
The adore of God is our guide and it should be our superintendent. Obeying the command to enjoy signifies we voluntarily submit in the practical nuances of forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
GUIDED FOR Joy
Residing joyfully is not living a bogus satisfied lifestyle when we are unhappy. Joy is started in the hope of salvation. Like peace, spiritual joy is often a little over and above comprehension. We are to surrender to pleasure to be available to knowledge joy at any time of God’s deciding on.
GUIDED BY PEACE
Peace is our hope for the new daily life, 1 unconstrained by each and every barrier established up by the world, the flesh, and the evil 1. To be guided by peace is, again, about surrender. Peace have to be larger than us, individually. When we are smaller sized than peace, peace can have its way.
GUIDED TO Take pleasure in KINDNESS
Currently being type is a single factor, which is not altogether way too challenging if we are guided by really like. But to appreciate kindness is another point separately. We know we are actually cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit when our assistance aids us get pleasure from the knowledge. To appreciate the offering and receipt of kindness is an encounter of heaven on earth.
GUIDED TO BE GENEROUS
Carrying on from kindness, our guidance to be generous is motion-oriented. That is when we know our advice is real: that our acts are generous. And generosity is these kinds of a superb testimony of the simplicity in really like.
GUIDED BY FAITHFULNESS
Is there a much better issue to be guided in than faithfulness? Loyalty to God unto the sanctification of holiness, a condition of discipleship, is our aim. When we are pondering of other people just as considerably as we are thinking of ourselves we are getting to be much more faithful. How a lot a lot more can we, consequently, believe of God?
GUIDED TO BE Gentle
Individuals who are mild on on their own are ready to be mild on other individuals. When we are guided to be mild, daily life is harmonious a sanctuary.
GUIDED TO Exhibit SELF-Handle
This kind of a needed Fruit, these days, is the exhibition of self-handle. But self-management requirements to be nurtured in non-covetous approaches. Will we be bonded to anything at all and be aside from God?


[img_assist|nid=8137|title=A first|desc=James Jenkins D.Min. stands between David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and John Hebert, LBC missions director, during an office time of celebration following graduation after nearly five years studying for his doctorate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor
NEW ORLEANS – “I want to be part of what our denomination will be in its next hundred years,” says James Jenkins, African American and Hispanic Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and pastor of Baptist Bible Fellowship in Shreveport.
“Part of that is leadership,” Jenkins says. “Everything revolves around leadership.”
Toward that end – and for the intellectual stimulation, Jenkins adds – nearly five years ago he began work on a Doctor of Ministry – D.Min. – degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
He graduated May 12 with a D.Min. in Denominational Leadership, the first ever given at NOBTS, school officials said.
“We congratulate James on receiving this first-of-its-kind degree,” said John Hebert, director of the LBC Missions and Ministry team. “The benefits of his study are going to be seen in churches and associations across the state.”
Jenkins and Hebert started work at the LBC on the same day, 13 years ago, Hebert said.
“He’s one of the most competent men I’ve worked with and he’s the best analytical thinker I’ve ever worked with,” Hebert said. “His capacity to dissect the elements of the work we do in associations and churches into its parts is unmatched by anyone I know.”
Jenkins said he appreciated the quality of education he received at NOBTS and that he uses what he has learned at home, at the church he pastors – Baptist Bible Shreveport – and with the churches and associations he works with.
“It was an organized way of knowing the latest techniques,” Jenkins said, referring to the nearly five years he gave to complete the degree.
“I’m glad I’m done, though,” he added with a grin.


Live services at church. Please see the Facebook post from May 28 for service details regarding social distancing.
Streaming: You may stream Immanuel’s sermons/services on the Immanuel Facebook page. Here is the link for the new Immanuel Facebook page: Immanuel Lutheran Church South Lyon - WELS For additional information, you may visit the website: www.ilc.today
Pastoral Care or Communion: Please call or text Pastor Minzlaff at 608-343-9555 to make arrangements.
Trust in the Lord and Give Him Thanks!: In these difficult times of gathering for worship, the Lord’s work still continues! Offerings remain vital for our congregation to be able to continue sharing the Gospel. If anyone would like to continue their thank offerings to the Lord until we are able to gather again, offerings may be mailed to: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 330 E Liberty, South Lyon, MI 48178 or dropped off through the mail slot in the office exterior door at the church. Thank you for your joyful generosity to the Lord.
Sunday School Youth/Adult
The Sunday School for children age three through eighth grade meets Sunday mornings at 8:45 am during the school year. Classes resume after Labor Day.
If you would like to support our ministries financially, please use the button below for secure online giving.


Here’s a question: is a virtual-reality baptism valid?
On its face, it seems like an absurd question. Better: who would get baptized in virtual reality, and why?
The answer to that is a person who we will call “Drumsy.” As you might have guessed form the peculiarity of the scenario and the specificity of the pseudonym, this is not a hypothetical, but something that has already happened:
So, has Drumsy been baptized? Has she been reborn through water and through spirit, as Jesus requires of believers in John 3:5-6?
The Christian friends I have asked about this expressed some skepticism over the legitimacy of virtual baptism, but they couldn’t quite put their finger on what was wrong with it. Something clearly felt wrong, but no immediate argument presented itself. They wanted to say something about the importance of the water itself, but it is unclear that Jesus was being literal in his explanation to Nicodemus. In any case, “literal” water is essentially of this world. If the point is to be reborn in the spirit — to become “not of this world” — then what is wrong with virtual water? Is this not, in essence, “spiritual” water?
Come to think of it, could there be anything more divorced from this material world, and “spiritual” in nature, than virtual reality?
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
– John 3:8
So it is with everyone in virtual reality.
As a religious person, I think it is clear that something is deeply wrong with a virtual reality baptism. But the problem with VR baptism — the problem that Christians can all sense, but cannot quite explain — is invisible to Christians because the problem is essentially physical in nature. The very purpose of baptism is to kill the flesh-self — the self of this world — and to be reborn in the spirit, divorced from the world, and in marriage with God. But if one is to escape the trappings of this world, by what argument can one emphasize the importance of worldly, physical aspects of a religious act, like literal water… especially a religious act which delineates and celebrates that very separation?
As with many things, the Catholic church has a unique and paradoxical head-start in dealing with this problem, at least for the moment. Given its long period of developing tradition without the laity being able to read the text in question (and thereby notice the contradictions between the text and the “Christian” practices advocated by the church), the Catholic church was able to introduce some natural and important religious practices, such as visual representations (“graven images”), multiple deities (“saints”), and hierarchy (in contradistinction with the equality preached within the New Testament) which set it up to be a powerful, sustainable, and effective religion for over a thousand years. Unlike Protestants, Catholics have a legitimate basis in tradition from which they can reject the practice of virtual baptism. The only problem, of course, is that this tradition has no basis in actual scripture, but in spiritual knowledge that both pre-dates and transcends Christianity itself. The advent of Protestantism was the natural and inevitable by-product of translating the Bible into local vernaculars. Only time will tell if Catholicism will survive the slow but steady erosion of their beautiful tradition, emanating from that very same rock-foundation upon which their own Church was built.
If any Christians do read this, I would be very curious if you know of or have heard of any serious scriptural rejections of virtual-reality baptisms. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, or to ask Christians you know if they might have any ideas.


The Coons Family
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
HI HO HI HO -- Off To Work We Go
Here's where I will be working:
And here's what I will be doing:
Here's where Brad will be working:
And this is what he will be doing:
Prayers are answered, fasting works Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and the church is true!
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Emily and Aaron Carter
May 1, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Way to go you two!
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Exploring Our Faith Through Art
The pandemic has given us a gift with the potential to enrich the church far beyond the limits of our enforced separation. As we have been thrust into new levels of virtual communication, our imaginations are expanding as we increasingly seek to enrich online experiences visually.
With this in mind, we are developing a multi-generational Art Ministry at BAUMC. As we begin to look at how this ministry might take shape, we have identified two goals.
Initially, we would like to invite any member who has been making art during the pandemic to share your work with us, and allow us to share it with the congregation by showcasing it during our online/live stream worship services. We wish to enrich our online presentations with offerings from our members. Artistic photos, drawings, computer art, and more are an immediate need. All are welcome- amateur dabblers or professional artists; seasoned practitioners or new students. All ages and all visual media are welcome- photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, multimedia, fiber arts, glasswork...your imagination is the limit.
The longer-term goal is to identify those who may be interested in forming a ministry focused on Exploring Our Faith Through Visual Arts. We envision this group meeting perhaps once a month to share a period of study supplemented by scriptures, hymn texts, or other readings. Then, each person is encouraged to go out on one’s own to develop a concept artistically. When we met again, everyone would be encouraged to share their discoveries, work, and responses, as each person feels ready, to continue the discussion of our faith expressed visually.
Gathering images to be used for Sunday Worship online is the greatest need right now as we seek to enrich our worship experience. To share your artwork with us and the BAUMC congregation, contact Devon Payne.
Thanks for sharing your gifts with our community.


The tension between certain interpretations of Christianity and the scientific understanding of dinosaurs has been a topic of discussion for years. While not all Christians find the concept of dinosaurs troubling, a subset does have issues reconciling the creatures with their beliefs. This article aims to explore this relationship, examining why some Christians struggle with the idea of dinosaurs coexisting with their religious views. It will also underscore the importance of acknowledging the diversity of opinions within the Christian community on this issue. Finally, we’ll look at how this tension impacts broader discussions of science, religion, and education.
The Christian perspective on natural history has evolved over centuries, influenced by theological doctrines, biblical interpretations, and scientific discoveries. Early Christians had varied views on fossils and prehistoric life, often attributing them to mythological creatures or dismissing them as fabrications. It wasn’t until the advent of paleontology and geological dating that questions regarding the age of the Earth and the existence of dinosaurs became pressing. This led to a divergence in thought, giving rise to theological debates and differing interpretations of religious texts.
Young Earth Creationism
Young Earth Creationism posits that the Earth is approximately 6,000 years old, a figure calculated based on Biblical genealogies. This view directly contradicts the scientific consensus that dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Young Earth Creationists often argue that fossils were either created during the Great Flood described in the Bible or are elaborate hoaxes designed to test the faithful. The rigidity of this perspective makes it challenging to reconcile with the overwhelmingly accepted scientific dating methods such as radiometric dating, which place dinosaurs in a much older time frame.
Another layer to this tension arises from specific theological questions. For instance, if dinosaurs existed millions of years ago, what does that imply about the special creation of humans, or the concept of original sin and death entering the world through Adam and Eve? Accepting the existence of dinosaurs might require reinterpretations of certain Biblical passages, leading to discomfort among those who adhere to a more literal interpretation of the scriptures. This, in turn, can lead to apprehensions about the potential “slippery slope” of questioning foundational religious tenets.
Cultural and Social Factors
Beyond the theological arguments are various cultural and social influences that can sway opinions. These include the role of religious leaders, the educational background of the community, and even political affiliations. Skepticism about dinosaurs, in some cases, may not necessarily stem from religious doctrine but from a broader mistrust of science or secular institutions. This creates a complex web of influences that makes the issue more intricate than a simple science-versus-religion debate.
Responses from Christian Scientists and Theologians
It is crucial to note that not all Christians, scientists, or theologians find the concept of dinosaurs problematic. Many argue that the Bible’s purpose isn’t to serve as a scientific textbook but as a guide to moral and spiritual living. They reconcile the existence of dinosaurs by considering aspects like allegorical interpretations of the Genesis creation story or by noting that the Bible does not explicitly mention every creature God created. These perspectives often serve as a bridge between faith and science, offering a nuanced viewpoint that respects both realms.
The debate over dinosaurs and Christianity has far-reaching implications, affecting not just the individuals involved but also larger conversations around science education and public policy. There are concerns about how religious beliefs might influence science curricula in schools or impact the credibility of religious institutions. It also feeds into broader discussions about the perceived conflict between science and religion, a topic that has ramifications for interfaith dialogues and societal harmony.
While not universally accepted among Christians, the tension surrounding the idea of dinosaurs serves as a microcosm of larger debates at the intersection of faith and science. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how belief systems evolve and adapt to new information and challenges. And most importantly, it emphasizes the need for open dialogue and education to foster a better understanding between these two seemingly disparate realms.


Recently at work I heard the song "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees playing in the background. The song makes me think of High School days and I've always liked it, esp. the beat and the singer's soulish voice. But this time, I heard the words "HEALING me softly." I love it when Holy Spirit communicates to me through song.
I listened to the words as brand new, as Jesus sending me a note. His voice saying I am "strumming your pain with my fingers, singing your life with my words, Healing you softly with my song, telling
your whole life with my words." Tears came to my eyes as I sat at my desk and stared at my computer screen. "I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd, I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud, I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on...."
He kept on Healing me.
Strumming my pain.
Running his fingers lightly across every hurt and producing a melody, a new sound.
Playing our unique tune.


Our young pilgrim’s testimony! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nebYjDgUC2U
A beautiful testimony from one of our recent Youth Fest pilgrims who came as part of Meghan’s Mission.
“…But you, with your prayer pronounced from a pure and open heart, by the gifts which you offer to my Son, will make even the hardest hearts open. Apostles of my love, the strength of prayer pronounced from the heart-a powerful prayer full of love-changes the world. Therefore, my children: pray, pray, pray. I am with you. Thank you.”
From Our Lady’s message to Mirjana, Sept 2, 2019
#Medjugorje #Apparitionhill #crossmountain #Blessedvirginmary #catholic #stellamar #stellamarpilgrimages #stellamarfilms
#medjugorje #apparitionhill #stellamarpilgrimages #stellamarfilms #crossmountain
This content was posted by Stella Mar Pilgrimages, creators of the Medjugorje documentary Apparition Hill, on their Facebook page. Visit our Facebook page.
Just 30 minutes from Medjugorje is the beautiful and historic city of Mostar. The largest city in Hercegovina, Mostar features numerous Mulhouse restaurants, bright emerald streams, and of course the historic Old Bridge! The history of Mostar is fascinating, especially considering how young much of it’s history is. The last two photos are of the majestic Steams, Orthodox Church just outside of the city! #stellamar #stellamarpilgrimages #mostar #bosniaandherzegovina #bosnia #herzegovina #medjugorje #catholic #blessedvirginmary @ Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar
“My eyes and my heart will be here, even when I will no longer appear.” – Our Lady’s Message, March 18, 1996 #medjugorje #stellamar #stellamarfilms #stellamarpilgrimages #queenofpeace #apparitionhill #crossmountain
Beautiful article about Meghan’s Mission and our recent group of pilgrims who came to Medjugorje in Meghan’s honor.
“Dear children, Pray! Pray the Rosary every day-that wreath of flowers which, as a mother, directly connects me with your pains, sufferings, desires, and hopes…” – Message to visionary Mirjana, September 2, 2019 #medjugorje #sunset #queenofpeace #stellamarfilms #stellamarpilgrimages
“Dear children, Pray! Pray the Rosary every day-that wreath of flowers which, as a mother, directly connects me with your pains, sufferings, desires, and hopes…”


You Have Arrived
Re-positioned for greatness, Your position, Your assignment
The end of your story is now the beginning of your new story.
You have arrived.
You have arrived but you're not done yet.
You have arrived but your journey just began.
You have entered your latter but you're not at your destiny yet because there's more work. Look, see and watch. Look to God to see your next and watch in amazement as you can confidently say, I can and will do all things in Christ who has strengthened me in a season of famine I feasted on His word.


THE WAY TO REVIVAL AND BEYOND
A Publication of
ALLIANCE FOR CHRISTIAN
An Alliance of Bible-Believing Christians
Seeking Fellowship through a Personal,
Loving Relationship with our Lord
The Way to Revival and Beyond is Faith that Works through Love
All of us desire more faith, and we can have it by developing a loving relationship with our Lord. Is it not true that we trust and have faith in people we know, and that we have even more faith in them when we have developed a personal, loving relationship with them? Surely the answer to that question is yes!
It is a personal connection with someone of good character that causes us to have faith. Well, our heavenly Father has perfect character and He already loves us. Does it not make sense to exercise the “measure of faith” that we already have and let it grow? Faith, like a muscle, grows when it is exercised. As faith grows, we receive more and more of God’s love and give Him more and more of our love. It becomes a wonderful cycle of love and faith. All of this is expressed in one sentence in Galatians 5:6. It says, “Faith works through love.” Faith is a verb; it is active; it involves us with God and works through the communication that comes out of a loving relationship. If we want more faith, we must allow it to “work” through a loving relationship with our heavenly Father.
Most of us desire that we will be and become all that the Lord wants us to be in this life and the life to come, and that is possible for all of us.
Here is the personal witness of Paul from Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul, like all born-again Christians, had realized that Jesus paid the penalty for his sin on the cross and Paul received the loving forgiveness of our Lord. But he did not stop there—he continued to receive God’s love. In that process, God’s love became so real that he could make the previous statement which has helped millions to know that they can experience God’s love every minute of every hour of every day. With the sure knowledge that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, we can enter into ever-increasing faith.
The question, then, is, “Is ever-increasing faith the way to revival?” The answer to that question is a resounding, “YES!” In II Chronicles 7:14, our heavenly Father promised revival if we humble ourselves, turn from unrighteousness, and seek His face as we pray. But none of this is possible unless we first receive His love. When we do that, we are not only greatly blessed but also are empowered to return His love. Out of this exchange of love we are already seeking His face. Seeking His face is seeking a personal, loving relationship with the One who created us and loves us so. We then can not only hear His voice, but can also have fellowship with Him and actually become a friend of God. Once a friend of God, how could anyone fall away and fail to trust Him more and more? All of this occurs as a result of a faith that increases as we—through love—exercise the “measure of faith” that the Scripture says God has already given us. It is the love of God that carries faith to completion. Remember that “there is faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love” (I Cor. 13:13). So, we must receive God’s love and express our love for Him in as many ways as we can—even out loud.
Because “faith works through love,” it follows that the more love we have for God, the more faith we will exercise. We then have ever-increasing faith. A life that has that kind of love and faith has not only the hope of revival, but also the hope of continuous victory in the Christian life. That is the way to revival and beyond—the way to be all our heavenly Father wants us to be in this life and the life to come.
The Greatest Commandment
As Stated by Jesus
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
In an effort to assist you as you minister God’s love and our need to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength,” the Alliance for Christian Fellowship International is offering you free booklets in quantity (up to 200 of each). They are titled, “The Blessings of Receiving God’s Love,” “Four Steps to Friendship with God,” “Which Commandment is First,” “Are You Hearing God,” “How to Know God Personally,” and “Ever-Increasing Faith.” Order online at www.keytorevival.org or write to us at the address below.
Alliance for Christian Fellowship International
PO Box 747
Burnet, TX 78611


COACH CONSULT GUIDE
Leaders Teams Life Paths
Dr. Medford Jones, Hope International University, sent leadership preparation surveys to 5,000 church leaders. Of the 1,000 senior leaders that responded, 92% indicated that their preparation lacked critical training in leadership, management and administration.
The Barna Research Group asserts that only 2% of senior pastors in America know how to think and plan strategically.
Research by Professional
Management Institute in Tulsa reveals that 2% of leaders have a written plan,
8% plan occasionally and the other 90% simply react.
When the late Dr. Joe Ellis, Dean of the Seminary at Cincinnati Christian University, reviewed the proposed mission of Compass Associates® as outlined below, he characterized it as “meeting the greatest need of Christian leaders.”
With a focus on churches, ministries, and not-for-profits Compass Associates® provides best-practice resources for leaders, teams, and individuals.


Dear St. Paul Families,
Today is a very special day in our Catholic Church – The Canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. From this day forward she will be recognized as St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Did you know that Father Mike actually met Mother Teresa and delivered a cross to her convent in North County years ago? He and another priest hung it for her and prayed the rosary with her! It’s an interesting story that Monsignor shared with me in one of our many conversations. I was so taken back when he shared it. To think, our pastor performed a special service for a saint. WOW … how special is that?
This Tuesday, we will all participate in our “Kick-off VBRD Assembly”. As I was planning this for the students this weekend, it dawned on my what better way to re-introduce our virtues than through St. Teresa’s prayer … Do it Anyway! If you look carefully at each line of her prayer, you will find each one of St. Paul’s Eight Virtues … Kindness, Forgiveness, Respect, Responsibility, Acceptance, Hope, Courage, and Unity. This is what Mother Teresa modeled throughout her life. What better way to walk through life and practice our faith than to practice these virtues?
As part of our VBRD Program, we will review the virtues, practicing forgiveness for harm done to ourselves and each other, problem-solving how to learn from our mistakes, being accountable for our mistakes, and learning how to make things right with ourselves and each other. One of the main goals of the VBRD program is not only to practice the virtues but also notice them in ourselves and each other. This is what is promoted through our School-wide VBRD Bulletin board in our Parish Center hallway. Our theme this year is “Practicing Virtues = a Positive and Happy Life”. The students are being encouraged to “Jump on the Energy Bus together” by practicing the virtues in our daily lives. Just as the students earned bricks last year, we will earn Bus Tickets, inviting the students to get on the bus. (Hopefully our boards will arrive this week and we can get started on hanging our tickets! …. Thank you, PTO, for supplying our boards!)
We are also using Jon Gordon’s, The Energy Bus for Kids, to help make the connections between Virtues and Positive Energy and what a difference it can make in our lives. We have four copies of this book that are being shared by the teachers for the classrooms. The teachers and I are also participating in a book study on the adult version of this book and I plan on offering Parent Book Studies throughout the year. (I have already purchased books that I can lend to parents for reading.)
Our VBRD Committee, spear-headed by Carrie Lorenz, had taken on the parent component of our VBRD Programming. Each month, we will concentrate on a virtue and supply our parent community with a newsletter sharing with you, ways that you can reinforce virtue practice at home and in your family. We also are beginning a Family component to the program with “Family Virtue Bags” and “Reflection Journal”. Your will hear more about this at a later date. The success of this program and the positive behaviors lie in the parents, teachers and students forming a partnership that allows the children to experience mistakes and then learn from those mistakes. We must establish an understanding that when one makes a mistake, you must hold yourself accountable and make amends for your behaviors; and then learn from those mistakes so that they don’t continue to repeat themselves. Together we can reinforce these skills at home and at school.
With all of this being said, VBRD is NOT our discipline program at St. Paul School. It supports the students in the area of good choice making, accountability in those mistakes, and learning from the choices that we make. Our Discipline Program is an accountability piece that is in place for behaviors that may not change or poor choices that continue to be repeated. If those poor choices continue by the students; then the accountability price becomes higher and higher. Please read our discipline policy in our school handbook if you need this additional information.
In closing, it is my strong belief that we learn by making mistakes, identifying those mistakes, and then taking action to right them. It is the younger years where we need to take advantage of this learning so that it is internalized by those precious high school years. More than ever, in the world of today, we need to teach and model our Catholic beliefs and behaviors to our children. There are so many negative role models that they see on television, read about in the news, and are exposed to through the Internet. Together we can instill in our students how practicing virtues and kindness toward our fellow man is the path that we were placed on earth to follow. Look at the life of our newest saint, she is the role model that we can to follow.
You are all invited to participate in our Commission Mass for our VBRD Programing on Wednesday, of this week. What a great way to start your day. Until next week …
With blessings from my heart,
HATS OFF TO THE FOLLOWING:
v St. Paul Parent Community – Thank you for attending our Annual Curriculum Night. My hopes are that this is one large step in establishing the parent/teacher/child relationship with your child’s homeroom teacher.
v St. Paul Staff – for creating an awesome informational evening for parents.
v Debbie McCaslin and the Technology Committee – St. Paul School is the recipient of a Cardinals Care Grant for Technology. With this grant we will purchase 12 addition laptops for student use. Way to go, Mrs. McCaslin! Let’s keep those creative juices flowing for our students and school!
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday, September 5
o No School – Happy Labor Day!
Tuesday, September 6
Tuesday, September 6th is the first drawing for the St. Paul Raffle. Stay
tuned to see who will will $200.00. It will be announced at the end of
o Welcome Back to School
o VBRD Kickoff Assembly – 8:00 a.m. – Café
o 8th grade Confirmation Meeting – 6:45 p.m. – Cafeteria
o 8th grade PRETZEL SALE order forms are due today. Get yourself a yummy treat AND support our 8th grade class.
Wednesday, September 7
o All School Mass – VBRD Commission Mass -Sponsored by grade
Thursday, September 8
o Cardinal Accessory Day for students- Wear your Cardinals accessories with your school uniforms.
o St. Paul Night with the Cardinals – 6:15p.m. – Busch Stadium – Support our children in the singing of God Bless America
Friday, September 9
o PRETZEL SALE DELIVERIES


“Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?” -Ps. 113.5-6
In his masterpiece on the Psalms, The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon wrote that the subject of Psalm 113 was “the greatness and condescending goodness of the God of Israel.”
There is no faith but that of the Old & New Testaments which brings to mankind the revelation of a God who is full of majesty and holiness, while simultaneously characterized by humility and kindness. We cannot fathom this glory with mere human logic, for we have never known a man who bore great power and authority, while exhibiting perfect humility and love toward those who were beneath him.
It is no wonder that the Psalmist was filled with wonder. Through the life of praise, and a meditation on the Law of God in the Tabernacle, he had come into a vision of Yahweh that induced the question, “Who is like the Lord our God… enthroned… Who humbles Himself to behold things… in the earth?”
We are easily duped by showmanship humility. A sports star says, ‘hello’ to us or signs an autograph, and we say, “He’s so down to earth and kind. It’s so good to see a man using his platform to set an example.” We put their posters on the wall and devote hours upon hours to watching them play, and we delight in personal details about them.
The psalmist was wrapped up with another glory altogether. No man has ever exhibited this kind of humility, save the Man Christ Jesus. The singer had come into a revelation of God’s exaltedness, declaring that the “Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.” (v. 4) By His word the galaxies were formed, the great mountains were raised, the deepest valleys were laid, the oceans were filled and made to roar, and the streams were made to flow. As elevated as are the thrones of kings, as high as are the heavens, as powerful as are the greatest of angelic hosts, the glory of the Lord is “above” them all.
Our minds cannot grasp the height of His exaltedness, but when we are touched with His mercy, we receive a glimpse of the greatness of God, and we are overcome with trembling and awe.
The remarkable thing is, we would never have heard His name, nor seen His character, had He not been a God “Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth.”
Who is like Him? There is no one. It is Jesus only, Jesus from eternity past, Jesus in this moment, and Jesus in the age to come. The Son of God has stooped lower than the profoundest of human minds could imagine. When He came, He did not merely walk by to sign an autograph and say ‘hello.’ He came into the earth, took on flesh, lived a common life amongst common men, spoke life-words, performed heavenly works, and just when men wanted to exalt Him in an earthly sense, He died the death of shame upon a Roman cross. In this He humbled Himself, not only to behold things in the earth, but to save mankind and creation altogether. That means you, and that means me! Hallelujah!
The psalmist is not begrudgingly walking through some Davidic liturgy when he says to “Praise the Lord.” He is calling his people to the only sensible response to such a glorious and condescending God! Praise Him, O servants! The Gospel is not an opinion formed by Christian men. It is the full-orbed revelation of Son of God Himself, who is enthroned transcendently above the heavens, but Who humbled Himself to the point of death to make dead men live in the glory of the Father. What “condescending goodness!” What remarkable mercy! Do you remember the darkness from which you’ve been saved?
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
To make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.” (vv. 7-8)
Praise the Lord!


I am currently in Miami staying at one of the girl's house, it is absolutely beautiful!!! Here I have finally met the team that I will be with for 5 weeks. It has been wonderful meeting everyone, they are all so nice and ready to serve in Haiti! We have been getting to know each other and sharing our hearts, it's like we are family! :) Also, we have discussed a lot about culture shock, being flexible, and understanding graee and turth. I have learned so much already.
Tomorrow, we fly out at 1:30pm straight to Haiti. It's nice to know that I am not the only one anxious, because we all are. Please pray for me and my team, that we rely on the Lord for His stength. I may be nervous, but I am SO ready to experience Haiti. I already know I am going to fall in love. God is so good. I praise Him for this opportunity. I know He is going to do powerful things during my time there. He is going to challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone, it is going to be awesome! Because with the hardships comes growth and wisdom. It will be so humbling.
He already has been challenging me... I had a really hard time saying goodbye to my family and friends. But I know He has called me to go to Haiti. Haiti here I come!
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:8-10


Advent begins this Sunday! Until one day when homeschoolers were chatting online about Advent with me years ago, I hadn’t ever celebrated it. We tried a free Advent study that year as a family and have celebrated yearly ever since. I love how it gets us into the spirit of Christmas and its true meaning as we lead up to the big night! We light the candles then snuggle up on the couch and read scriptures and great Christmas themed literature such as A Christmas Carol together. Sometimes we sing Christmas carols as well. Here is a list of free advent studies and resources to help celebrate Advent in your home.
5 Free Advent Studies and Resources
Free Printable Advent Reading Plan
If all you would like is a scripture reading plan, here is a great printable one.
Free Advent Study with Kids’ Resources
Includes two free advent studies. The Advent Study for Kids includes memory verses, lessons, activities, and a prayer of the day. The one for families, Advent Study: Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, includes scripture reading, devotions, daily family activities, recipes, and journal pages. We’re going to give this one a try this year, it looks like fun!
Free Professor Carol’s Advent Calendar
Sign up free and it will pop up in your email daily. Includes a description of the candles and their setup, as well as scriptures to read, etc.
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
Download this free PDF ebook with daily readings.
25 Days of Free Christmas Devotions
Free daily Christmas devotions that you can use as part of your Advent celebrations. When you sign up you will also receive the ebook, The Hope of Christmas.
And something just for fun . . .
Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar
Even though this online calendar doesn’t have a focus on Jesus, and isn’t free, I had to include it. A friend of ours sends one to my daughter every year as a gift – it only costs a few dollars – and she LOVES it! Jacquie Lawson animations are so adorable, and there are activities such as creating snowflakes that she enjoys.
Do you celebrate Advent? How do you celebrate or what resources do you use for advent studies? Please let me know in the comments below!
Love, Luck &


Operation Inasmuch is designed by God to grow
and make its home in any church or heart,
where Jesus Christ is Lord.
Our purpose is to go outside the church walls to a world in need,
offering the talents and gifts with which we have been blessed.
We believe that God has called us to be his hands and feet
as we share his love with “the least of these”.
The weekday breakfast program is our main ministry to the homeless and struggling. Each morning, we meet people who come for a meal but who also hunger for fellowship and a relationship with The Lord. A hot, nourishing breakfast is just the beginning. There is also live music, devotion, announcements of services, and local events addressing the needs of the homeless. And, we couldn’t do it without the loving fellowship of our amazing volunteer teams!