Hagia Sophia, Istambul - Turkey
Dating from the sixth century, it was originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The church was looted by the fourth Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when The Ottomans conquered the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935.
St. Peter’s Basilica - Vatican City, Italy
St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age.
The São Paulo See Metropolitan Cathedral - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Its construction, in Neo-Gothic style, began in 1913 and ended four decades later. It was ready for its dedication on the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the then humble villa of Sao Paulo by Chief or Cacique Tibirica' and the Jesuit priests Manuel da Nobrega and Jose' de Anchieta. Despite having a Renaissance-styled dome, the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral is considered by some to be the 4th largest neo-gothic cathedral in the world.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC - USA
Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
The cathedral is built of brick, not marble because brick is stronger. However, it was then covered with marble, quarried in New York and Massachusetts.
Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France
The early Gothic Cathédrale de Notre Dame (Our Lady) has a 12th century design but wasn't completed until the 14th. Still it is a good example of the development of the style, though the west or main portal is a bit unusual in its rigidity. Remember that this is an active church, there may even be a mass going on. Meanwhile anybody who's interested in history should check out the crypt, entered at the opposite end of the square, in which you can observe the foundation stones for buildings on the island going back to Roman times.
La Ermita in Cali, Colombia
A Gothic-style church located in the downtown area. It was built in 1678 and then renovated in 1930.
St. Mark’s Basilica - Venice, Italy
It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on Piazza San Marco (in the San Marco sestiere or district) adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).
St. Isaac’s Cathedral- St. Petersburg, Russia
It was built in 1818 and is a major attraction in the city. It is the third highest cupola cathedral in the world. There are night time visits, too, and the view from the observation deck (separate fee)is one of the best views of the city, for those who are willing to climb 400 steps.
Seville Cathedral - Seville, Spain
The Cathedral of Seville was once judged the third largest church in the world after Saint Peter's in Rome and Saint Paul's in London, it is now arguably the largest church in the world when compared using the measurement of volume. Seville's fifteenth century cathedral occupies the site of the former great mosque built in the late twelfth century. The central nave rises to an awesome 37 metres over a total area of 11,520 square metres. The Cathedral is the final resting place of the remains of Christopher Columbus.
Aachen Cathedral, Aachen, Germany
Frequently referred to as the "Imperial Cathedral", is a Roman Catholic church in Aachen, Germany. The church is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe and was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the Middle Ages. For 600 years, from 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens.
Metz Cathedral - Moselle, France
Is the seat of the Bishop of Metz. It was formed in the 14th century by joining together two churches: the nave of Saint-Etienne, built in the 13th century, was attached to the north side of an older Romanesque church. It is found in the heart of the city, on the Place d'Armes, where it provides a focal point for the "centre ville".
In the 15th century, a transept and a choir were added. This nave is the third highest in France with its 41.41 meters. Only Beauvais Cathedral and Amiens Cathedral are higher.
Duomo di Pisa - Pisa, Italy
The splendid cathedral, contains artwork by Giambologna, Della Robbia, and other major artists. Fine Romanesque style with double aisles and a cupola, a huge apse mosaic partly by Cimabue, and a fine pulpit by Giovanni Pisano in late Gothic / early Renaissance style.


***Note: I just found these unpublished notes from last spring. Many things have changed from that time. Daughter 1 and her husband are expecting their first baby and she plans to deliver overseas. Daughter 2 is far away in a communist country teaching English and reaching atheists for Jesus. Daughter 3 is 135 days from high school graduation.***
We all find ourselves in different seasons at different times. I remember a few years ago I spoke at a ladies retreat and tried to categorize our lives into 4 seasons of life. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. In spring, all things are new and we are expecting beautiful things. In summer, we are coasting along, enjoying the pleasures God has given us. In fall, we are anticipating what is to come while still living in the present. And in winter, we might feel cold and desiring of summer, but know that winter will end and ultimately another type of spring will come.
My spring days are over. My early days of marriage, my days of caring for babies and muddling through the mundanes and looking forward to the next thing. And to some extent I wonder if my summer is over as well. Although I feel pretty confident that I am enjoying the “dog days” that are so present and desirable at this season.
But fall is coming. We are in a season of change. We just got word today that our oldest daughter and her husband are now fully funded to go to work in another country, a scary country many time zones away. I know God is with them and has guided them through this process. I know He will carry them through everything that comes across their path, just as He has carried them through what they have already encountered.
In whatever season we encounter, what is our response to be? What else do we do during these times? Pray. Our middle daughter is on her way somewhere! She will graduate from university in May and be on her way to start her own season of spring. Our youngest daughter is trudging on through high school, anticipating when the winds of change will sweep her off to college and who knows where? God does. He is in control of our seasons. He made them. He makes the rain. He makes the sunshine. Not only does He make it, but He controls it. We can take great comfort in this fact.
As I see my children entering into different seasons of their lives, I enjoy being part of them. I praise the Lord for them! I have always enjoyed every season of theirs! I was never the Mom who pined for seasons after they were done. Diapers? Glad to be done with them! Crawling? Nice to not have locks on the kitchen cabinets! Grade school? I don’t need the stress! Maybe you long for those days again, but I don’t. I loved those seasons while we were in them, but I am always looking forward to what God has for my children and how He’s going to use them.
So entering into the fall season brings a lot of reflection on my part. How will I do the next seasons? Will I enter gracefully or stumble in the dark? Can I enjoy the beauty around me while still doing the hard work set before me?
His grace is sufficient for me. His power is made great in my weakness.
II Corinthians 12:9


Warning: I will offend people in this post.
Before I get to the offensive stuff, I have a confession. I have financial difficulties. In fact, I would even go as far to say that I am experiencing spiritual bondage in the area of finances. I admit that it may very well be my greatest failure and area of doubt. This line of thought has been on my mind since my college years, but it has increased pretty heavily the past couple of days.
In the past, I have shared my problems with others. I began to notice a pattern. When I openly share my financial problems with people I believe to be “safe,” every single person who offered to assist (excepting one guy, who himself was a financial planner) tried to guide me to Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey. I have a problem with this fact. He has helped many, I can not deny that. The fact that so many think highly enough of him to refer me to his stuff is a testament to his influence. Most of the time, when people consistently agree on something, I begin to get suspicious. This financial guru is no exception. Hesitantly, I tested the waters. I would skim his famous book, tune in to his radio broadcast, and watch a video on YouTube. Personally, I do not like the way he presents himself. I believe his presentation spoils his message.
Before I go too far into my rant, I think it is appropriate to disclose that I have never fully gone through his Financial Peace program. With that said, from what I have seen of his program, gleaned from some of his writings, and heard from his mouth via radio and web broadcasts, he seems to speak to our self-centered pride more often than not. What I have been exposed to lacks grace and humility. After mentioning my concerns to dear family friend, one of the most recent to recommend Ramsey, the response was, “Ok…. understand….his personality is direct, strongly masculine, very extraverted, gritty humor. no nonsense type of guy who turns some people off. He may appear worldly. However he speaks into eternal truth.” Well, then. It seems as though my objection may be dismissed by implying that I have thin skin. I should just put on my big boy pants and listen to his message. He is speaking eternal truth, after all. Am I simply so weak that I am not able to handle a strong, masculine approach? Even if that was the case, is it appropriate to expose me in order to desensitize me, to make me grow up? While that may work, I am not quite sure that is the best approac. I need a measure of grace when being fed truth.
This gets to the root of my concern: how can we describe something as beneficial or good news if it is truth without grace? As Christians, should not our message to the world and to each other be full of grace AND truth? I am learning that we have not really been good at that. It only takes one quick glance at the Church in the USA to see that one without the other is useless. Our churches are still plagued by perspectives out of the modern age, when we pursued a pure, universal truth. When we found what we were looking for, we wielded our “truth” in such a way that we were ready to conquer whoever opposed it. There was little grace. The irony was that even if our truth was grace, we still used it as a weapon! How did that work out for us? I think the current relevance of the Church to our culture is evidence. The effectiveness of reaching our culture with this attitude is painfully obvious. What is required is both grace and truth, in relatively equal measure.
Enter the political climate in the USA this election cycle. I am reminded of a particular US presidential candidate. We have someone who “tells it like it is” who is also described as a bully. The defense that I have heard about his methodology is that desperate times call for desperate action. Among the Christians, I have heard the point that Jesus sometimes employed abusive language. They point to Jesus cleansing the temple or his lambasting the teachers of the law in Matthew 23. Is this supposed to grant permission for us to speak truth and act without grace? Are we being like Jesus when we do so? Jesus was blasting the established religious leaders. Jesus reserved his harshest language for those who claimed they had it together! Sure, he was speaking the truth. He was speaking to people who believed themselves to be perfect! Is that what we are witnessing these days in the public arena? If so, I continue to be ashamed of my people.
I close this rant by turning back to Dave Ramsey. Perhaps someone can help me find where he addresses my financial concerns. I am willing to be corrected. Here is what I believe is the root of my personal financial woes: I believe the lie that I am on my own. God has left me alone to deal with my own financial troubles. The source of my problem is the same heretical theology that says, “God only helps those who help themselves.” If I am truly honest, I will admit that I feel abandoned by God because I can never do enough to pull myself out of this financial pit in which I find myself. I struggle with this lie because I continue to be exposed to it. Well intentioned advice givers continue to serve it up to me. If this truly is the case, is it much use to me if you use a heavy-handed approach to apply clear financial principles in order to help me? Besides, if I accept such help, would it not simply serve to feed my errant theology and my selfish pride? Is it not better to first address the problem for what it truly is, a spiritual crisis of faith?
Just to clear things up, I plan to go through Ramsey’s Financial Peace program this summer. I hope to be proven wrong about him and find grace along with the eternal truths he conveys.


WHAT IS “THE PULSE”?
The Pulse Christian Youth Center is a non-denominational, walk-in community center with free programs for disadvantaged and at-risk youth near downtown Jacksonville.
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God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.
A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.
What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.
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CHANGE A LIFE TODAY
As long as poverty, injustice & inequality persist, none of us can truly rest. It doesn’t take much to change a life, Get in touch today and start making the difference.


Helping our customers to have their systems working correctly is important for our team, especially when it helps to promote inclusivity.
Our team was called to help St Mary Magdelen's church in Accrington. Having previously worked for several churches in Lancashire, we understood the importance of having a tidy and professional installation. We wanted to help the church to promote inclusivity with hearing loops being fitted in the main area of the church and new microphones being fitted to help all the congregation to hear the service clearly.
Mary Magdalen's is a beautiful church, and we wanted to be able to fit the microphones and induction loop without taking away from the aesthetics of the church.
We feel honoured to be asked to help this church, and it is fantastic to be helping churches bring their congregation, worshippers, and visitors back together again.
You can find out more about our Hearing Assistance installations and servicing and how we can help your church on our churches page.
How can we help you?
To discuss how your business could benefit from having a new installation or an existing system serviced or upgraded, contact our team via email, or call us directly on 01254 377 007.


For nearly 80 years, Anita Singular has played the church organ for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Linn. Except for the year and a half that she spent in Germany when her late husband, Don, was in the Air Force, the 90-year-old has attended the same church since her family moved to Linn from Norway, Kan., when she was in the fourth grade.
Singular and her sister, Darlene Mack, now of Salina, took piano lessons and began playing the organ at church when needed. Their mother played “a little” by ear, Singular said, but couldn’t read sheet music. By contrast, Singular does not play by ear or by memory and instead relies on sheet music, even after all these years.
She said that those who play piano cannot automatically play the organ.
She said she mostly taught herself to play the organ, though she thought her sister might have
helped her some. Singular said the first organ she played at the church was an old pump organ.
“That was work,” she said. The church eventually got an electric organ.
Singular said the church used to have a “wonderful” choir, and she would play for the choir. The
group would meet during the week to practice. The church has both an organ and a piano now, and Singular said she would play both during the same church service.
‘Love to play’
“Like any hobby, you enjoy doing it,” Singular said of playing the organ at church for so many years.
She has an organ at home, she said, and she used to sit down with the intent to play for 10 minutes only to find out that 2 hours had passed. She likes most music and doesn’t have a favorite song to play, she said, though waltzes, jazz and hymns are her favorites.
She has played for funerals, weddings, and nursing home church services. Singular, who worked at the Washington County Hospital before helping start the health department in the 1960s, taught piano lessons in her “younger years.” All three of her children – Jill, Kent and Lee – played “a little bit” of piano.
The church had as many as four organists at one time, including Singular, her sister Darlene Mack, and Sylvia Mai. The organists would each take a month as church organist. For a few years, Singular was the only church organist. Evelyn Peterson plays for the church now and came a few years ago when a Brantford church closed.
Peterson and Singular alternated church duties until Singular retired from the church organ in April 2021 because of issues with her neck. Singular moved to the Linn Community Nursing Home a few weeks ago and has been asked to
play the organ at the nursing home.
“I don’t know if I will because of my neck,” she said. “I might try it out …”


I woke up to a most beautiful sunrise view this morning. Today’s just a beautiful Monday morning. ☼
A quick reminder to thank God for a new day. Look forward to it!
Become a better person than I was yesterday.
To be able to hold on and be stronger.
Remind myself that I am blessed.
To not forget on thanking Him my life, the countless blessings I have received, and all the wonderful memories I’ve made, spent and shared with my family and friends.
To win my battles and self-struggles through prayer.
To Feel blessed. ☼


The Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese agreed to settle charges of child molestation for $ 660 million yesterday. It is difficult to put into words what a tragedy this represents. Buggering children is pretty low but doing it under the pretense that you are doing this with God’s ok is really low life. If that were not enough, the church officials covered up each incident and developed a pattern of transferring offending priests from one diocese to another. What does this say to you?
1. What was Cardinal Roger Mahoney thinking? Did he think that he could buy time indefinitely? Did he think that because the victims were children they would forget about it? Where was the man’s sense of goodness and justice? Did he get advice from Rome?
2. If the fine Cardinal would act this way towards real human “life”, do you think you can trust him when he advises against contraception, birth control, and abortion?
3. What do you think of the company called the Roman Catholic Church and its brand image and value? Do you associate it with compasion, respect for human dignity, and doing the right thing? Would you invest in such an institution?
4. Where will the money come from? Insurance will pay only about 1/2 so does the church think that parishioners will gladly pick up the rest?
There is a sickness in the Catholic Church. It is a sickness that comes with old age and immediately precedes death. The church is calcifying and has dementia. The Pope has time to issue cautions on Darwinism, revive the Latin Mass, and point out gratuitously to all protestant faiths that they are not genuine. While Rome is literally burning, the priest go on buggering and the local churches go on paying hush money.
Celibacy and male only priest are two rules that must change if the institution of the Roman Catholic Church is to remain a viable force. I would offer the idea that it is not necessary for the Catholic Church to survive but when there is a need (demand), supply of a product seems to always follow. Mankind seems unable to handle alone the big questions of life and feels more comfortable following the dictates of some authority. The Catholic Church has got the aura of authority. The priest and higher ups all have fancy robes and purport themselves like authority (you know, they speak for God).
At the end of the day, these Catholic Priest who were the perpetrators, were not the only bad people in our lives. Child molesters are all around. It is simply that you hold a priest to a higher standard. Well most people do but apparently not Cardinal Mahoney.
Finally, a word to the 2008 Presidential candidates. You would be well advised to put that heavy leather covered Bible back in the closet. If you wish to attend church services no matter what the specific faith, do so but don’t pander to the press like George Bush about how religious you are. The way you lead your life says much more.


The Daily Reminder – Day 17: Spiritual Health + Dream Big
I am a dreamer. I am a thinker. I am a ponderer and analyzer. Sometimes to a fault (if you as my kids or my hubby!).
On my wedding anniversary last August, I asked God to dream big with me. I remember waking up that morning with a child-like excitement for whatever was is store for me that day.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would be the beginning of Make Words Matter and this whole vision of helping parents and teachers connect and communicate with kids. I truly am still in awe of how this all came to be in just a short time.
I want for all of us to dream big dreams for our lives. Starting with our families. What is your biggest dream for your family?? Let’s pray and meditate today about what we would love to see come true for our families. And let’s throw them out into the world for others to hear (and help us make those dreams a reality!!)!
Recap from day 16
I have already discussed the power of stillness and finding quiet space to reflect. I focused my mind on one particular part of my prayer wall – a prayer I read once in a devotional saying,
“Create and instill in me a mission of love and the power to change the world.”
Y’all. If everyone had a mission of LOVE, I have no doubt we could change the world. One child, one friend at a time.
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As You Pray This Week
Posted on Wed, 27 Aug 2014
From the Director
The Resurrection and Aunt Patsy
Posted on Fri, 18 Apr 2014
My Aunt Patsy just passed away a few hours ago and in a few days we will celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord. Aunt Patsy was a strange mix of compassion, unbelievable generosity, intelligence, stubbornness, and mental illness. We loved her but sometimes interacting with her was a challenge. ...read more.
Stories from the Fields
Ed & Ruth Peters, Garrington, AB
Posted on Tue, 02 Sep 2014
What a privilege to witness and facilitate the spiritual growth and obedience of God’s people! A young lady, who grew up in the church and was recently married, asked to be baptized. When she shared her testimony, she did an excellent job of telling her story of slowly coming to a deeper walk with...read more.
Video: God's Ripple Effect
Video: They Are Not Forgotten
Video: Phil and Valerie Rownd
Video: Tim and Fern Wyrick
Video: Gary and Kathy Horton
North America is rapidly becoming the most ignored mission field in the world.
From small villages in the northeast to small farm towns scattered across the central plains to isolated logging communities out west, North America is the only continent where Christianity is not growing.
Yet these seemingly forgotten people are often only a few hours from urban and suburban centers where many churches are thriving. We can reach them without crossing an ocean and usually without learning another language...read more.


I love this family for so many reasons! I love them for how they represent to me what it looks like to love each other in a marriage! To work through the joys and pains and learn to love each other more as you journey together! I love how they love and support their sweet daughters and are willing to learn as they go what each sweet one needs to be who God made them each to be! I had so much fun spending a morning with them playing in the woods!
Scroll through the gallery below to see our time together!


Merianna is the Pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Columbia, SC and the Director of ministrieslab providing tools and resources to clergy, communities of faith, and lay people to connect to neighbors in need.
May 11th, 2018 | 55 mins 11 secs
baptist history, communion, eucharist, history, lord's supper
The Revs Merianna Neely Harrelson and Sam Harrelson discuss their own opinions of The Lord's Supper / Communion / Eucharist.
February 11th, 2018 | 48 mins 57 secs
baptist life, cooperative baptist fellowship, illumination project, lgbtq
The Rev. Merianna Neely Harrelson and The Rev. Sam Harrelson break down this week's release of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Illumination Project report from their own perspectives.
January 30th, 2018 | 43 mins 21 secs
Merianna and Sam discuss their history with Baptist views on re-dedicating, re-baptisms, and whether Baptists get it right with soul competency.


Have you ever gotten comfortable in life? Have you ever reached the pointed where things are going great life is on track and your plans are going smoothly and the WHAM your life gets turned upside down? Well that is where I am at right now. Things were on track as to how they were suppose to be for me and then God drops the bomb of change. Not that the change is bad because it is very good. Okay so now you all think that Chris and I are having another baby well you are wrong! We are not pregnant yet or even trying just mostly trying to prevent. Anyway, Things are headed in a good direction. If you had asked me this a couple days a good that I felt it was good, I didn’t. I really didn’t think that things were fair and that I was being punished but after lots of tears and a good nights sleep the light shown upon me. God is good all the time. All the time God is good. Really he has just delayed some hopeful events and put me in a better situation. One I am not willing to reveal yet to you but it will come soon. It is all about a time for change. A time for God to pick me up and pull out of the trench. Although I thought things were sad a first God has now given me a little piece of understanding. It is a Season of Change. Not just in the weather but in life but don’t I wish it were the weather too. A break from the heat would be nice. Please be in continual prayer for Chris and I as we make these changes. My God’s wisdom shine down on us and lead us down a bright path. On that path may he put his people who need us and we need them. God is so good. I hope that these changes strengthen our family and show them the Glory of God. I am just so glad that God is so good. Thank you all in advance for your prayers and concerns. You are awesome friends and family and we can’t wait to reveal to you what is going on with us when the details are worked out. Also we are not moving. But we will keep you curious about things for a bit. Well it has been a great trip to see my family today but it is 2 and I need to get some sleep before the monkeys get up in the morning. Love ya all! Me..
Seasons of Change
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Its a beautiful day today, it is hot and the sun is shinning, I am not going to put a spanner in the works, but towards the end of the week Glastonbury starts, its going to rain.
I wanted to share with you another post on Malta, This is Mosta Church, this is the famous church where on a Sunday Morning a bomb in World War Two fell on the congregation through the dome.
The Dome is the third largest in Europe, the other two domes are in London St Paul's and Rome.
The building was started in 1833 and consecrated as a church in 1871.
The people of Malta always felt safer in the churches than anywhere else. No one was hurt when the bomb fell in fact it went through the roof and never went off. They call it a miracle on Malta, as you scroll down the photos there is a picture of the bomb.
I hope you enjoy these photos, and having a lovely weekend and enjoying the weather
Until we meet again take care


Here's your answer;
* Deut 31:12-13 Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God
* Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging
For a full answer, read also the following reasons below.
Because God (and His Word) command it
"Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God" (Deut. 31:12-13).
Though our text is found in the Old Testament and was directed specifically at the nation of Israel, I believe that the principles found in this passage may be applied to God's elect today. Our God is a gracious and loving Father who knows what is best for His children in every age. God commanded the children of Israel to gather the people together to hear the Word of the Lord and be instructed by it so that they might fear and serve the Lord acceptably, and live a life of consecrated obedience. When He issued this command it was intended to be a help and a blessing to His people, not an unnecessary burden to be borne.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."Hebrews 10:25
Faithful, consistent church attendance is required of God's people because God has commanded it. None of God's commands are to be taken lightly or to be considered as optional. God is our Master, our Owner, our Ruler, and as such we ought to respectfully obey His commandments. Ecclesiastes 12:13 declares: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." I fear that many professing Christians obey and respect men more than they do the commands of God. How long would you last on your job if you came to work only when it was convenient or when you felt like it? You go to work faithfully because it is your responsibility to do so, not because you feel like going. In like manner you should go to church not because you feel like it, but because God has commanded it and you are responsible to obey Him!
Obedience to God's commands is a proof that you have truly been saved. I John 2:3-5 states: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whosoever keepeth my word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."
TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC WORSHIP
One of the choicest and grandest privileges of the Christian life is to publicly assemble with the saints in the Lord's church for the purpose of worship. What joy and gladness should flood our hearts each time we anticipate going to God's house to worship Him! The Psalmist declared: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psa. 122:1). How refreshing it is to be able to cease from the rat race of the daily grind to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness in the presence of His saints. After dealing with the world all week, public worship serves to revive our spirits and encourage our hearts.
When we engage in public worship we are manifesting to other believers as well as the lost world at large that our Lord is worthy of our highest praise and dedication.
TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST
During the earthly life of Jesus Christ, He faithfully attended the synagogue, which was the place of public worship for the Jews. They would gather to read the law, and have one of the teachers expound the truths of the Old Testament. Luke 4:16 states: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, AS HIS CUSTOM WAS, HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY, and stood up for to read." If it was customary for our Lord to be found engaging in public worship on the Sabbath day, then it ought to be customary for the elect to be found in church on the Lord's day. If we claim affinity with the Lord Jesus Christ we ought to take heed to the admonition of I Peter 2:21 which states: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps." I John 2:6 declares: "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." If the great Head and Lawgiver of the church faithfully assembled to engage in public worship, as His professed followers should we not heartily strive to follow His example?
TO HEAR GOD'S WORD PREACHED
The Holy Spirit has been pleased to appoint pastors to oversee and feed the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every time the church meets for worship the pastor has the solemn responsibility of nourishing the saints of God with a substantial diet of the Word of God. God-called pastors go to great lengths to prepare messages from God's Word to edify the Lord's people. Much time is spent in earnest study, prayer, and meditation in the preparation of sermons.
Out of respect for God's Holy Word and His ministers, church members ought to anticipate with joy and faithfully attend each service of the church so that they may hear the wondrous truths of the Bible expounded. If every church member fed their bodies like they feed their souls I am afraid many would starve to death! The attitude of every church member ought to be like those in Acts 10:33 which states: "...Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God."
Not only is Christian growth a result of hearing the Word, your faith will also be nourished and strengthened through hearing God's Word. Romans 10:17 states: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." The best place for any person, whether lost or saved, is to be consistently in attendance upon the preaching of God's Word.
FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION AND INSTRUCTION
The public worship of God in His house, and all that it entails is aimed at building up and maturing God's people. As we lift up our hearts in united prayer and supplication we ought to anticipate God's blessing upon our congregations. As we fellowship with other believers around the things of God our souls should be encouraged to continue to fight the good fight of faith. Oh that God would give us the same desire as the Psalmist who wrote: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple."
The church is called "the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3:15) because it supports and upholds the faith once delivered to the saints.It is the Divinely appointed place of instruction and edification for the saints of God. The church is like God's school where scholars come to learn their lessons which equip them for service. God's people are instructed and challenged from the Word of God through the preaching of the Word. A person who attends church haphazardly and irregularly cannot expect to grow up to be a mature Christian. The reason why many Christians are immature and easily deceived by error and false doctrine is because they don't attend church like they ought too. Ephesians 4:11-14 declares: "And he gave some apostles: and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS
Each time that we prepare our hearts for public worship and faithfully attend the house of the Lord we are providing a proper example to our children, other believers, and the lost world at large. Each time we engage in public worship we are declaring to everyone our allegiance and loyalty to the cause of Christ. Every time we willfully neglect the house of the Lord our actions show that we have little respect for God and His ways. I agree with Milburn Cockrell who wrote: "The indifference of church members to the institution that stands for Christ is the greatest hindrance to the progress of Christ's work. A person has no more interest in the souls of men and Jesus Christ than he has for Christ's church."
What kind of example are we setting for our lost relatives and neighbors when we fail to go to church consistently? Even lost people scoff at a man's religion that doesn't have enough power to take him to church! What kind of example are we setting for our children when ball games, boating, fishing, and other pleasures take a precedence over the Lord's church? These are questions individuals ought to seriously consider the next time they contemplate willfully missing church.
Our failure to attend church regularly will have a corrupting influence on others as II Chronicles 27:2 implies: "And he (Jotham, v. 1) did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: HOWBEIT HE ENTERED NOT INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. AND THE PEOPLE DID YET CORRUPTLY." Jotham's failure to publicly worship the Lord had a damning effect upon Ahaz his son of whom it is written: "For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel." May God help us to remember that little eyes are watching the examples that we set for others!
TO FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Head and Lawgiver of His churches, and as such He is in attendance every time the church assembles. He walks in the midst of His churches. He has deposited His glory in His church according to Ephesians 3:21 which states: "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus through all ages, world without end. Amen." If Christ's glory and presence is found in His churches then should we not make every effort to be faithful to assemble in His name and enjoy His blessed fellowship? Matthew 18:20 declares: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Christ has promised to meet with His people when they assemble in His name and we should count that a most glorious privilege. I wonder what our dear Saviour thinks when people stay home to watch television rather than come to worship and fellowship with Him in His church?
People will go to great lengths to converse with and be in the presence of a famous person. Jesus Christ is the most important person in all the universe. He is spiritually present in all of His churches when they meet together for public worship. We ought to never willfully allow one opportunity of fellowship with Him pass by through neglecting God's house. Oh that God will change our attitudes so that we could say with the Psalmist: "LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth" (Psa. 26:8).


Our Loving Father Jehovah God;
We humbly approach you, in the name of your dearly beloved son Jesus Christ, to ask for strength, and guidance through this troubled, and enslaving world;
Strength we ask, to resist against our suffering, and guidance to alleviate it from within ourselves, and others.
Through perseverance, and hope, may we seek to heal one another!
Teach us our dear Jesus, that we may find tolerance for those less fortunate than ourselves, to give them love, and food, and replace ignorance and sadness, with wisdom and kindness!
Mostly, we thank you that you are still giving us time to improve upon this world you have entrusted to us!
Thank you that you protect, and feed the poor, vanquish disease, and will ultimately reward us with ever-lasting life in a better world! Fortify us with patience and forgiveness;
Bring us closer to your heart! Keep our children happy, loving, wise, and strong!
Show us the way, the truth, and the life!
In Love Always: We ask these things in Christ’s name. Amen.


Here is a brief description of our beliefs in this summarized version of our Church Creed:
I believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, and, authoritative Word of God.
I believe in the Trinitarian existence of the one true and living God, who created, sustains, and governs the universe by His direct action.
I believe that man was created upright and righteous but fell, becoming dead in sin, the guilt of that sin being imputed and the corrupt nature conveyed to all mankind.
I believe in the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross justifying us by grace alone.
I believe in the resurrection of His body from the tomb, His bodily ascension to the right hand of the Father to act as a mediator for His people, the physical return of our Lord, and the resurrection of all mankind to stand before Christ and give account.
I believe in His power to save men from sin, the new birth, regeneration, and adoption as children of God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the gathering of the saints into the church whose mission is to teach, sanctify, edify, and equip them for service to and worship of God.


Every year the holiday season seems to accelerate into an impossible speed of craziness. And before I know it Christmas has come and gone. I’d like to change that by being more purposeful with Advent. (Yes, it is here already.) And how much I, and all of mankind, need this time to slow down, refocus, and prepare our hearts for this Hope-filled birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who gave the most glorious gift on his day of birth to anyone who is willing to come and accept it; Himself!
Unfortunately, this celebration has been turned into something other than what it originally was suppose to be about. I don’t want my children getting sucked into what the world has spinned Christmas into. They need to be reminded of the hope and wonder that comes with His birth. That’s what gives Christmas its indescribable “magic”; the impossible becoming touchable and known.
I linked a YouTube video of a classic Christmas hymn. A little something to help kick off the Advent Season, and get us more into the heart of Christmas!


Welcome to Riverfront Christian School
We are happy to announce the fundraiser site is up and running. If you did not receive the fundraising packet at the kick-off or those that went home this week, please come by the school office and pick one up.
Please log on to http://goo.gl/9XdPgw and set up your account. Then send you invitations to your family and friends to donate to our school. They will use the same website address to donate funds to our school.
Thank you for participating in our event.
Cindy Martin, Director
Welcome to our Riverfront Christian School family, where we are passionate about developing lives under the banner of Christ!
Our highest priority is to train your child (preschool to 12th grade) to master academic, leadership, life and social skills from a Biblical perspective. Your child will enjoy a wide variety of academic, social, ministry, fine arts, and physical education experiences.
Our strong college-preparatory program provides your child with the foundation he or she needs for acceptance into college. Our graduates have received scholarships and accelerated placements at leading universities. Some have begun successful careers in the military.
Our skilled and experienced faculty work with both you and your child to meet your child's needs for a successful school year. We invite you to visit to learn more about our school, tour our campus, and meet our faculty and staff.


Imagine dreading going to work every morning because your bully sits at a desk on the other
side of the door. The stress and agony produced from workplace bullying is a reality to over 36
million American workers each day according to a survey conducted by the Workplace Bullying
Institute (WBI). Positioned for Power: The Working Women’s Guide explores my journey of
overcoming workplace bully. It is important to recognize the tactics of the adversary and
counteract them by using the Word of God.
In the book, "Positioned for Power: The Working Woman's Guide," you will discover
•How to uncover your strengths
•Overcoming your weaknesses
•How to gain godly virtues
•Strategies to identify strongholds
•Power of prayer and praise
•Developing a consistent prayer life
Upon reading this resource, you will understand how to terminate the assignment of bullying
with prayer, reflection, and self-love.
In our careers or professions, many of us already have a regimen that helps us stay on top of our game. The same applies to our spirits and relationships with Christ. Part of our daily routine should include self-examination, purification and communication, which I will cover in another chapter. The purification process enables us to drill down to the very essence of our spirits. Thus, we are in a position to receive the instructions and directions we need to be winners. It is hard to hear from Christ when our minds are cluttered with unproductive and negative thoughts.
Purification of our spirits empowers us to move with agility to be effective in anything we do. So we must lay aside the weights that can overwhelm us and slow us down.
Hebrews 12:1 states: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is before us.” Hebrews Chapter 11 gives an impressive account of the resilient men and women who were successful as believers in God (Hebrews 11:1-39).
As our forerunners in the faith, many did not have the benefits of the guiding indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead them, but followed the voice of God. They witnessed the manifestation of God in the earth through numerous miracles. Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Rehab, faced ridiculous odds, but because of their faith, God worked miracles through them.
We can draw on their experiences to learn how they maintained their faith in spite of the horrendous obstacles. Many were faced with death, but because of their faith achieved unprecedented feats. As New Testament believers, our adversity can be overcome, too. It is inexcusable for us to fail with so many rich examples. God performed awesome works through people that believed in Him. He wants to do the same through us, but we must not allow hindrances to slow us down.
It is hard to run carrying a ton of baggage. The weights in our spiritual lives can include criticism from peers and/or family. Allowing these thoughts to take root and grow within your spirit will taint and eventually alter the way we see ourselves. We must detox our spirits using the Word of God, which brings revitalization.
I will describe for you the common weights of criticism and depression so that you can recognize them when they attempt to overtake your mindset. In addition, I will provide a technique to pull down weights that have become “strongholds” in your mind.
Criticism – Condemning Words from Others
Condemnation is another word for criticism. Often we are so busy seeking the approval of our peers, clients, and family that we internalize their negative remarks. We try to shake them off and keep moving, but deep inside we begin to question ourselves. Soon, we accept the condemning words spoken over our spirits and incorporate those thoughts into our mindsets.
As a result, the negative words have become condemnation, and it attaches itself to our spirits. The reality is that as Christians we are no longer condemned by God, so how can we allow the words of a mere person to condemn us? Romans 8:1 states: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.” We can never allow anyone but the Lord Jesus to define us.
Once we know who we are in Christ, the simple words of negative people can no longer impact our spirits. They are simply words from the bile-filled hearts of people living without the love of God. Their words reflect their spirits and are not a credible critique of us.
Jesus stated in Luke 6:45: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
In the past, I allowed the negative words of people to impact me because I wanted their approval. Back then, I thought if a negative word was spoken, then it must be true. Well, that was a lie from the pit of hell. Satan uses people to speak hurtful things to you. It is his attempt to project that ungodly image upon your spirit.
Once I had a real understanding of the person that Christ created me to be, those words rolled off me like water hitting a wet suit. As Christians, we are defined by the Word of God, which gives life, power, and peace. II Timothy 1:7 states: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” The Word of God stabilizes our spirits and minds so that we are balanced and well-rounded individuals.
 Founding Father of the Nation of Israel. Conceived a son, Isaac, with his wife Sarah who were both over 90 years old. Followed the voice of God to establish a new nation. Genesis 12:1-4 KJV.
 Warned by God of the destruction of earth by the flood and built the Arch. Genesis 6:13-27 KJV
 Leader God used to bring Nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. God performed miracles through him such as the 10 plagues and parting the Red Sea. Exodus 14:13-29
 Harlot that hid the spies from Israel in her house. She lived on the great wall of that surrounded the City of Jericho. Joshua 2:22 and Joshua 6:22-25 KJV.
Instant Prayer – Tool to Pull Down Strongholds
Instantaneous prayer is a weapon that many Christians under-utilize. It is optimal for busy women in the marketplace because we do not have time to take a break, find a closet, and send up our prayer to heaven.
The fast pace of the business world mandates quick response, so being instant in prayer is an effective tool to overcome any obstacle Satan throws in our paths. In this case, instant prayer is merely to ask Christ, in His name, to move on our behalf. I must caution you not to ask out of vengeance, but make a clear request in compliance with the Word of God (Romans 12:17-19). Meaning, we are to send positive thoughts to individuals who undermine us. As believers, we have higher standard of integrity.
For example, I was working on a project that was supported by some influential organizations and individuals in the business community. The multi-million dollar project was going to use the investment dollars of a major municipality’s pension fund. Upon my initial review the project seemed routine, but the proposed use was not in line with legal land-use policy.
On the other hand, the residents in the area were highly engaged and aware that the proposed development was not in compliance with the land-use ordinance. After two community meetings, dozens of meetings with the development team and community representatives, I had to stand by my recommendation for denial of the project. I recognized there was a greater force at work and was professional with both the community and the developers. I maintained my integrity by not getting involved personally or showing partiality to anyone.
I will never forget one meeting in which another member of our staff stepped out of the room, and I was left alone with the developer’s team of representatives. The demeanor of the lead team member changed from smooth and laid back to serious and domineering. I did not over-react or become emotional, but realized that the spirit of the individual had changed. I was challenged on every point of my recommendation and at one moment personally attacked. I quietly prayed within my spirit, and God helped me stand my ground based on the merits of my research and work.
I swallowed the lump in my throat when the demeanor of the individuals turned from friendly to stern. I felt outnumbered initially, but I was confident in God and myself. I was not a rookie in the field, and I knew a lot was on the line for both sides. Again, I had the element of surprise on my side, because I appeared weak, but had the strength of God within me.
Once the other member of the staff returned, the atmosphere of the room changed again, and the individual returned to being laid-back. I was able to make a joke and say, “Yes, while you were gone they tried to strong-arm me, but it didn’t work.”
We all laughed, but I knew that the individual was very serious. I was able to identify the shift in the attitude and resist the spirit of intimidation. I ask the Lord, “Strengthen me in this meeting, and I rebuke the spirit of intimidation and doubt.” 1 John 5:14-15 states: “And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
On the other hand, an instant prayer that would be considered an offensive strategy, in which you are striking out first before Satan can attack, would be as follows:
“In the name of Jesus, show the hand of the enemy and expose any plot or trap set up against me. I take authority over Satan and his devices right now and put him under my subjection.” This is a prayer that proved effective as I worked on projects with underhanded individuals, who wanted to work outside of the regulations and codes required by the local law.
In the professional world, there are always individuals who want to go around the system. They do not care about your integrity or professionalism, but want to get their projects completed as soon as possible.
In addition, I set the parameters of safety around me every day to stop the negative words and actions launched by Satan to throw me off course. This is similar to the firewall that computer programmers use to protect servers and computers against viruses and malware. Such as, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I set a firewall of defense around me to thwart the words of the enemy. Let the negative and ungodly actions of others have no effect on my spirit.”
These are short prayers I have used before I enter my place of business, meetings or even family gatherings. Yes, they have proven very effective. I have also prayed these prayers in the midst of meetings and watched the hand of God move on my behalf.
We must recognize the favor and authority that God has given us through Jesus Christ. Being instant in prayer makes you an efficient and high-achieving person. You are able to work with difficult people while maintaining your peace, sanity and integrity.
An example of a defensive instant prayer is one that you must use to change the course of action right at that second. You can pray within your mind a prayer to stop Satan in his tracks. In my profession as an urban planner, I must work with multiple disciplines and professionals to complete projects. I must interact with administrative assistants, lawyers, architects, engineers, and elected officials, etc.
On occasion, I have had to pray that a person being difficult and rude provide me with the information that I needed. I have also had to take authority—while maintaining my composure—when individuals were rude and unprofessional toward me. One of the prayers included the following:
“I pray in Jesus’s name that my adversary become my advocate and provide me with the information that I need right now.” I had to adjust my spirit and look to Christ for help. Sometimes you have to pray for your enemies, as well because people are dealing with their own problems and do not want to be bothered with your requests at that moment.
We must be discerning and understand how to pray so that we can meet our spiritual and professional objectives. Usually I pray, “Lord strengthen their hearts and heal their spirits this very moment. Touch their hearts and give them the peace they need.” I have prayed for disgruntled people over the phone without them realizing it, and their moods shifted. Before the end of the phone call, not only did I obtain the information I needed, but they told me to have a nice day.


I look forward to the special music of the church seasons. Christmas carols are played for at least two months of the year- which I think is wonderful. I believe that I love the Easter music even more, because it is so joyous and we only celebrate with it on Easter Sunday.
Beautiful! Now please listen to the Easter hymn. At the church I went to when I was a girl, the congregation always sang this song with gusto, just like this church.
Now if that joyous proclamation didn’t get you on your feet- this will! Happy Easter!
I am a writer, blogger, book reviewer, and bon vivant and encourager. I have lived my entire life in Tropical Ohio. My goal is to make friends with everyone in the world. I am writing a fiction series, The Golden Age of Charli, that presents the problems and praises, and the love and laughter of family life and retirement.
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The Message of the Cross
By Mary Kroeger
What does the cross mean to us? Is it just a symbol of a torturing and a supposedly substitutionary death for us? We see crosses adorning the inside and the outside of church buildings, worn as jewelry, featured in paintings, and placed on walls and furniture in homes.
One woman in a Hong Kong refugee camp called it the "Christian's idol" in trying to explain to me what she wanted. Why are we so proud of the cross - the instrument used to kill Jesus Christ? What is so central about the cross? What is so appealing about an instrument that is used to bring a long and torturous death to people in the most horrific way possible?
For many years I wondered why God had Jesus die such an incredibly painful death. His back was beaten bloody, His beard was pulled out, He was nailed to the cross, and a crown of thorns beaten into his head amidst the taunts of the soldiers and bystanders! He could have come down from the cross, but His oneness with the Father's will kept Him from seeking to save Himself.
His obedience proved that the power of God is greater than all the forces of evil the devil could muster up! In allowing the devil to do his best to get Jesus to sin, God gave us a revelation of His power as well as of the depth and quality of His love!
It is not difficult to love those who speak well of us, praise and honor us, and want the best for us. It takes a higher quality of love to love those who misrepresent us, spread malicious gossip about us, hurt us, reject us, and do all kinds of evil against us! And if they do it against our children, the mother bear in us rises up in all its fury to protect our children! How hard it is to forgive them and to work toward reconciliation!
Think of the tremendous ordeal Jesus faced! Then think of the depth of God's love needed to be willing to give His only begotten and beloved Son to endure such suffering and indignities to save a lost humanity - sinners such as Hitler, Stalin, you and me! What a demonstration of God's love!
Now let's look at Christ's obedience and submission to the Father's will! He was dead to self-will and self-preservation! He was dead to sin! (Rom. 6:10) Because He was dead to sin, the life of God could be fully expressed in Him! It enabled Him to embrace the Father's will as His will! He made sure that all the prophecies about Him would be fulfilled! His thought life remained in perfect harmony with the Father's will while He was being handed over to those who would crucify Him, while His back was beaten bloody, while his beard was being plucked out, while the nails were pounded into His hands and feet, while the crown of thorns was pounded into His head amidst the jeers of the bystanders! Throughout this ordeal Jesus Christ loved everyone, and prayed, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
In 2 Cor. 5:19 we read that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their iniquities against them! Can we truly fathom that? God has forgiven the sins of the whole world, and He is not counting their sins against Him! Here we see the quality and depth of love that God has for each of us! It gives us an inkling of the quality of love God IS! We speak of having or possessing a certain degree of love, but God IS love! In the Holy Spirit who has been poured into our hearts, God has given us His love - the very essence of love that He is! This love is willing to give and to sacrifice for others! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (Jn. 3:16)
The cross also brings us a revelation of Christ's love and obedience to the Father's will! He realized that overcoming death was necessary for God to make man a spiritual image of Himself - to bring forth a new creation in the very image of Himself! He also realized that victory over death could only be proven if the devil was allowed to do his utmost to get Christ to sin. Christ's obedience proved that life is stronger than death!
The scriptures tell us that the last enemy to be overcome is death! Does that fit into our theology? Do we believe that? Did Jesus really conquer death? In Gal. 2:20 Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live." Since he was crucified with Christ it means he was on the cross with Christ when Christ was crucified! Was he an exception, or was all of humanity on the cross with Christ when He was crucified? Jesus said that the Son of Man would be crucified; He did not say that the Son of God would be crucified. Who is the Son of Man? He is the second corporate man. Since the Son of Man, the second corporate man was crucified, it means that Jesus took all of humanity with Him in His death and in His victory over death! While we still see death in its lifeless form, we do have the promise that it will be overcome! Life will conquer all death! All authority and rule has been given to Christ! This is the message of the cross!
When the last enemy, death, is overcome, death can no longer exist! The whole universe has to be freed from death! The message of the cross assures us of Christ's complete victory over death!
The horrible sufferings Christ had to endure reveal the depth of Christ's obedience, His love for the Father, as well as His perfect trust in the Father's plans for Him! What a perfect object lesson for us! In all the difficulties, challenges, and pain we have to endure, we can trust God, and know that His plan for our life is the best, and that it brings the greatest rewards! Our obedience in all these trials and hardships will also reveal the depth of our faith, trust, love and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!
The sorrows of Jesus began before He was crucified. He was a man of sorrows all the days of His ministry on earth. All the rejection He faced on a daily basis did not lessen His love for humanity! The very essence of His love CAN NEVER CHANGE! It may be hard for us to realize that a dwindling love is not the love of God!
Love can be either received or rejected. If love is not received, it affects relationship! An intimate relationship needs love and trust and expressions of love! Both parties must always want the best for the other! God has demonstrated His love for us! As we trust His love in the midst of trials and challenges, we will obey Him, and a wonderful intimate relationship will develop between God and us! This is what God desires!
This message of the cross should be a constant encouragement to us! Paul preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and churches were planted. He did not need a church planting committee! The early church did not celebrate a yearly Easter celebration with its mixture
of natural and spiritual thinking of Christ's death and resurrection! They received the spiritual understanding and encouragement of the cross on a daily basis! They understood that it was the Son of Man, the second corporate Man, who gave His soul as a ransom for many! They understood that a corporate man must include all of humanity! "In Adam (the first corporate man) all die, and in Christ (the second corporate man) all are made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Thus we see that the cross reveals the depth and sacrificial nature of God's love. It reveals Christ's trust in His Father and the depth of His submission and obedience to the Father's will. The cross is not merely a reminder of a historical reality, but it is a constant encouragement to let go of our self-will in joyful submission to His fantastic love! When we understand that love initiates and plans our life, strengthens and upholds us, it energizes us! The cross challenges us to triumphantly walk in the knowledge that life is stronger than death! May it encourage us to walk in the obedience of faith so the resurrection life of Christ will shine through us!


Hey family and friends,
My pday has now changed to mondays...because guess what... I have been moved to a new area!!!!!!!! My area is called Ahuachapan, Nopal. Crazy name huh. Yep, well I am now an hour away from the mission office. And I have been sent to the jungle!! haha well I live in a city part, but we work mostly in the jungle. This is the most humble part I have served in, in my mission so far. And it is absolutely beautiful!!! We walk a little bit of mountain terrain, rocks, hills. through grade and trees, and boulders. Whoooo I am telling you, its a lot of exercise. haha I thought I was going to miss the hot water shower, and serving in the ward of the president....but just when I thought it was too good to be true, it just got better. I would gladly serve the rest of my mission here!! My companion is super nice too...Hermana Rodas. She is from Guatemala, served her mission for 8 months in the mountains of guatemala, and now has had one month in the mission here in el Salvador. It is still pretty new for her. Well the good news is, we had a baptism on Saturday. Baptized a little kid named Enrique. I still don't know him all that well, but he is a kid of great faith. His mom isn't a member and he doesn't have a dad. But he had the desire to be baptized, and his faith is what got him there. I am grateful for little examples like him. We also have an investigator right now, hermano carmelo. He is like 60 years old, and lives in the jungle. I guess what happened, is that the missionary's didn't find him...but he found them. I don't really know the rest of the story, but here we are teaching him. The cool thing about him...is that he isn't even baptized yet, but he is teaching the gospel to his friends and family and neighbors. He is amazing, and I think he could take my place as a missionary, because he is so good at serving others and sharing his testimony. Things are well here, and I am happy and doing well. I pray for you all, and hope you are all doing great. I have about 40 pictures I need to send, but just for today...I will send a couple. Have a great week!! And share the gospel with everyone you know!!!!
love, hermana thomas


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Hey! This is Keilah, Founder of Truth in Chaos. I wanted to take this time to share with you what we are up to in the future! To keep in the know for the future, you must stay connected by clicking here.
- We’re producing new content that’s real, raw, relevant and relatable to help this generation DISCOVER their identity in God and to NOT CONFORM to the patterns of this world and society!
- We’re Spirit-Bred and Spirit-Led! Within the past two years, I discovered the power of the Holy Spirit. Not just, “The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit” or speaking in tongues, but the power that Jesus told His disciples about that He was leaving for us that WAS MORE POWERFUL AND GREATER THAN JESUS HIMSELF… Whoah is right! I’ve witnessed this power of the Holy Spirit perform miracles for my life and those around me and perform signs and wonders, minister to “perfect” and imperfect people. THIS IS THE LORD’S PRESENCE IN US! This means that by being apart of Truth in Chaos, one day we may be prophesying to our collective about what God is speaking through us that can help encourage you on your personal journey.
- The only way to stay connected with us in the future is to resubscribe to our emails here and follow us on our social media outlets: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
- Personally, I am ready to see my generation (including me!) to discover and awaken and embrace our full potential.
- We will be partnering with organizations, media sponsors and companies.
- We are touring the country very soon with the message and Word the Lord has placed in my Spirit for this generation. Check more about that, here: http://truthinchaos.org/citytour/ and let me know if you’d like to partner/volunteer.
- Recently, I moved from Atlanta to New York, which means so did the Truth in Chaos office and productions!
- We are working on purchasing/renting a project called the Restoration House. This house has been in prayer for almost three years! The building and structural meaning of this home is to provide a safe space for Christians to be cultivated in their matriculation in purpose through cowork space, Christian living areas as well as a retreat center inside the Restoration House.
We are so ready and excited for what God has in store for us. Please keep this ministry in your heart and prayers! For we know our weapons are not carnal but they are mighty through God to pull down strongholds.
Stand in prayer with us for this ministry!!!
Shop the Store! (Coming Soon)
Love you! Speak with you soon! Have a friend who’s supposed to be on this journey with us? Share this message with them! They can start receiving these emails by sharing their info here.


|"I bow my knees unto the Father...that
you may be filled unto all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14,
- Click here for weekly activities.
- Christians on Campus is a nondenominational group of Christians
at Northwestern University that meet together with the goal
of experiencing Jesus in our daily lives and growing in His life
that we have got.
- We endeavor to "apprehend with all the saints" the unlimited
dimensions of Christ by meeting together to pray, to sing, to
fellowship, to enjoy the Bible, and to help one another.
- We like to lead other students to know Christ and to receive
the eternal life of God.
- We want to spread the good news of Christ and His Body by living
according to the vision He has afforded us and the grace that
He gives us.
- We welcome all people to the meetings.
Updated September 2002, Christians on Campus
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Weekends are a great time to enjoy food with loved ones. Just because the festive season has come and gone, it doesn’t mean that time for enjoying food is over. We bond over food, cry over food, unite and laugh over food etc., below is a simple yet tasty recipe that easy to make but tasty.
l love the comfort that Sunday meals offer the family as a whole. Here is a healthy dish that you and your family may enjoy in this scorching summer heat.
This meal serves 5 people
It’s a new year; l am hoping you all had a fantastic 2017 and l am wishing you all an even greater 2018.
With the start of each year, we find ourselves scribbling our goals for the year on some notepad, with the greatest desire to achieve them and make a success of the year.
Without a doubt, social media has positively changed and influenced the process of communication between friends and family regardless of distance. Today, within seconds, multiple people from different continents can have a real time conversation which otherwise would not have been possible without the technological advances that we are enjoying today.
Hope you all are doing great this festive season. Am on a month long holiday and I must say I haven’t felt this relaxed in a while. 😃
Today am inspired to share with you two of some of my favorite scents, particularly the ones I have been enjoying this holiday period, namely Roberto Cavalli Nero Assoluto and Alaia Paris.
The Significance of Christmas is known to men, all over the world. Though it is true that Christmas is celebrated as the day of the Birth of Christ into this world, yet it also symbolizes a very deeply significant truth of the spiritual life. Jesus Christ is the very personification of Divinity. He was born at a time when ignorance, superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevailed upon the land. Purity was forgotten and morality was neglected.
In the midst of these conditions, Christ was born and He worked a transformation in the lives of people. He gave a new and a spiritual turn to the lives of man. There came a change upon the land. People started upon a new way of life. Thus a new era dawned for the world.
In that period the seeker has no thought of God or higher spiritual life. He lives a life of lust, anger, greed, deluded attachment, pride and jealousy. If the seeker must enter into a new life of spiritual aspiration, purity and devotion, then the Christ-spirit must take its birth within his heart. That is the real Christmas when the Divine element begins to express itself in the heart of the man. From then onward, light begins to shine where darkness was before.
The above point of deep significance tells that the spiritual awakening comes to the seeker, who is perfectly humble and “meek” and “poor in spirit.” The quality of true humility is one of the indispensable fundamentals. Then we find simplicity, holiness and the renunciation of all desire for worldly wealth and pride of learning. Thirdly, even as Christ was born unknown to the world and in the obscurity of darkness, even so, the advent of the Christ-spirit takes place in the inwardness of man when there is total self-effacement self-abnegation.
Those of you that know me, know about my unashamed love for food. And considering that this is the “merry” season I would like to share one of my favourite recipes. You can enjoy this with rice.
Give it a try and have your family asking for more!!
The main part of the Christmas Story, the birth of Jesus! But why was Jesus born in such unusual surroundings?
The Story in the Bible
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The History behind the Birth of Jesus in the Christmas Story
The census that was ordered by Caesar Augustus was the first of its kind. It was done because the Roman government wanted to make sure that everyone in the Empire was paying their taxes correctly. The census was carried out all over Empire (most of Europe): but in Palestine, it was carried out in a Jewish way rather than a Roman way. This meant that families had to register in the their historical tribal town rather than where they lived. This also meant that Joseph and the very pregnant Mary would have had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as this was town that Joseph’s family (the royal family of David) originally came from – a journey of about 70 miles (112 kilometres).
Some people think that Bethlehem could also have been Joseph’s actual home town and he’d traveled to Nazareth to collect Mary once they were betrothed/married to take to his home town to initially live.
The journey would have taken about three days and they might well have arrived in the evening, because if they had arrived earlier in the day, it is more likely that they would have found somewhere to stay.
In those times, there weren’t really such things as motels or inns, you normally would have stayed with some extended family or relations. A more accurate translation of ‘inn’ would be ‘guest room’. You would normally stay with extended family in their ‘guest room’ but as it was a busy time the guest room was already full.
Most houses would have been shared with the animals that the family kept. Houses had two levels, the upper/mezzanine level where people slept and the ground floor where the animals slept at night and the family lived during the day. The animals were a kind of ‘central heating’ at night keeping the house warm! The ‘guest room’ was often an area on the upper/mezzanine level or even a hut put on the flat roof of the house!
As many people would have traveled to Bethlehem for the census, all the houses, or certainly upper levels were full. Many people think that Jesus was probably born in September or October during Sukkot, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, rather than during December. During the festival, Jews live outside in temporary shelters (the word ‘tabernacle’ come from a latin word meaning ‘booth’ or ‘hut’).
So Joseph and Mary probably had to sleep with the animals on the low level (where it’s common to have a manger cut into a wall where you put the animal food) or possibly (but unlikely) out in a stable, cave or even a covered market stall that sold animals (these stalls could be rented during tabernacles).
It was the custom in those times to wrap a new born baby very tightly in long bandages called swaddling clothes. The arms and legs of the baby were also wrapped, so they couldn’t move. This was done because they thought it helped the baby to grow strong, straight limbs! And as no proper crib was available, the new baby boy was placed in a manger, or feeding trough.
There’s a theory that Jesus might have been born a couple of miles outside of Bethlehem where there was a special shepherds’ watch tower called the Migdal Eder. So Jesus might have been born out with the shepherds.
The birth of Jesus probably didn’t happen in the year 0 but slightly earlier, in about 4, 5, 6 or 7 BCE/BC. The dates that we use now were set by Monks and religious leaders in the Middle Ages and before. It’s also quite likely that Jesus was actually born in the autumn (during Tabernacles), not in the winter! It can get very cold in the winter in Israel and it is thought that the census would have most likely taken place during the spring or autumn, at a when many pilgrims, from all over the country, came to visit Jerusalem (which is about six miles from Bethlehem).
Without a doubt, this is my favorite time of the day. After hours of sweating in this unforgiving summer heat, I prefer to set the relaxing scene perfectly by using the products below which include candles, bath bombs and a glass of wine coupled with soothing gospel or spa music to take away all the days’ burden off my distressed shoulders.
The natural hair movement inspires women of African descent to keep their natural hair in its rawest, untouched state. From all corners of the world, more and more women of color are embracing their God given hair.
Make no mistake, this isn’t to say that women who relax their hair or wear wigs are not proud of their natural hair, but rather, all women have options and rights to wear their hair however they deem appropriate.


SPRINGTIME ON THE MANTEL
10 hours ago
Hi sweet friends of mine:
I hope you ladies will help me out. Our billing rep., at my work place, who lives in Cheyenne WY has breast cancer and she is really having a struggle. I am providing her address and ask if you would spread the word for prayer and a card or letter of encouragement.
I hope you will encourage everyone you know to send a card or letter to Teresa. Her address is here:
4077 Cherry Wine Drive
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-8111
She is having some difficulties and I love her like a sister! Please help and spread the word. I am sure she would be tickled to receive lots of great mail!
I love each and every one of you so much and appreciate your generous hearts! A card or letter goes a long way in making someones day. Blessings, Anne.


6pm Saturday - Relaxed Informal Worship has been called "a Hymn sing and a Sermon."
8:30am Sunday - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary using hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal accompanied by the church organ. A variety of special music is offered each week by our adult and children's choirs, bells choirs, and other vocal and instrumental musical offerings.
10:50am Sunday - Contemporary Worship "Grow In His Light" led by our praise band and singers and power point team. Includes occasional movie clips, drama, and other visuals to tell the Gospel story along with music lyrics projected on large screens for participation.
We will be redesigning and updating our web site. Please check back to see our progress
Grace United Methodist Church
210 South Broad Street
P.O. Box 368
Grove City, PA 16127
Church Office (724) 458-8660
Fax (724) 458-4050
© 2009 Grace United Methodist Church


The Church Part II
After last night's blog, I don't want you, my readers, to think that I am totally soured on religion. Instead, think of me as one who has been able to throw off the cloak of guilt and of the fear of eternal damnation for my sins, to receive a loving and kind God.
I grew up in a time where anything I did was going to put me in hell. Patent leather shoes, french kissing, thinking of sex, and such things that I can't get into here. (remember the big brother of education might be reading this blog) I was married for the first time in the Catholic church, and then got a divorce after #1 represented a severe threat to our lives...according to my current therapist. He was right, and I knew I had to leave.
I met #2, who was a good man, but emotionally bankrupt, and then finally met #3, who is the man I plan to spend the rest of my life with...in sickness and in health, through thick and thin. I am sad that my mother would not come to my second wedding because I did not get married in the church, but I refused to spend money we could not afford on an annulment. I knew in my heart I had already been to hell and back with #1, and that God had finally gifted me with a man who to this day, loves me unconditionally.
Though it has taken me a long time to be able to say the word GOD, I am able to embrace him/her, and believe that I am a part of the divine love of God, and am honored that I have learned to live with love. I am no longer bitter about the physical and mental harm that others have caused me in the name of religion, and I now see how mankind can manipulate the word of God to fit their own needs.
So my dear friends, may the peace and love of God/Allah/Jehovah/YHWH/Buddha be with you today and forever. It is such a wonderful thing to be filled with and practice love from the divine.
PS HOT NEWS ALERT...rumor has it that there is an event tomorrow night at the Center for Photography, where Larry works, featuring the McCourt brothers...all 3 of them. Frank, Malachy, and Alphie. I know they will be at the Bearsville Theater in Bearsville, outside of Woodstock, on the 15th..reading from their books and doing a book signing....but I hope I can catch them at the Center..which is much less publicized.....I have read all of Frank McCourt's books; Angela's Ashes, Tis, and Teacher Man. If I get more info, I will publish it here.


Pastor Joe C. Robinson i s from Corsicana, Texas. He is an Ordained Baptist Minister and married to Sis. Janette M. Robinson of Jamaica. Rev. Robinson received his Degree in Business Management from Columbia College and is a retired Naval Engineering Officer from the U.S. Coast Guard with 24 years of military service. In addition, he was elected as Titusville City Council Member. He has been Chief Executive Officer of North Brevard Charities Sharing Center for the past 23 years; and, as a result, has earned the ranking of being one of the top human services providers in Brevard County.
Our First Lady, Sis. Janette M. Robinson , believes that God has brought her through every step she has taken in her Christian walk over the past 40 years. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from South University. They have four adult children.
As the Pastor of Antioch Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, I will stand on:
1 Peter 1:23-25
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, all men are like grass, and their glory is like flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flower fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the word that was preached to you.”


C.R. Kersten Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
C.R. Kersten has dedicated the majority of his adult life to leading Adult & Teen Challenge of St. Louis. He joined the staff fresh out of college as a counselor on May 22, 1978, when the center was located at its original St. Louis location on Washington Avenue. In January 1982, C.R. was named Executive Director, making him responsible for the overall operations of Adult & Teen Challenge and the main liaison to the organization’s Board of Directors.
During C.R.’s tenure, Adult & Teen Challenge relocated from downtown St. Louis (1981) to its present 12-acre campus in High Ridge, Missouri. This modern facility is able to house 24 adult male students and up to 10 “re-entry” students – those students assimilating back into the community from the Adult & Teen Challenge program. In 1984 a multi-purpose building was built which served as the office, staff housing, classroom and kitchen. The dormitory was built in 1999. Since both labor and funding were donated, no debt was incurred on this building that was estimated to have cost $350,000 to construct. Twelve years later in June 2011, a women’s center, Diane’s House, opened in South City on Pulaski Street.
During his forty years with Adult & Teen Challenge of St. Louis, C.R. has seen thousands presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ and hundreds delivered from the bondage of sin. “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” is a Bible verse that C.R. considers most relevant to his mission in serving the men of Adult & Teen Challenge as a certified instructor of the Adult & Teen Challenge curriculum.
In addition to his work at Adult & Teen Challenge, C.R. also plays an active role in the community as a member of the High Ridge Rotary Club — having served as President from 2003-2004 and now as a member of the Paul Harris Fellowship As an ordained minister, C.R. was a founding member and spiritual leader of Tres Dias of St. Louis, a Christian retreat program designed to make men and women stronger spiritual leaders in all walks of life through the discovery of God’s unconditional love.
C.R. and his wife, Paula, serve in prison ministries at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific, Missouri and the Kairos ministry at Potosi Correctional Center in Potosi, Missouri. They are active members in Faith Community Church in House Springs, Missouri, where C.R. taught a new converts class for over 25 years.
Prior to joining Adult & Teen Challenge of St. Louis, C.R. worked as a plumber and in positions in retail and construction labor. While working for Adult & Teen Challenge, C.R. has also owned three businesses: a cattle ranch from 1987-1992; a property management and real estate company from 1989-1992 and a multi-million dollar home improvement company from 1994-1998.
C.R. is a native of West Dundee, Illinois and a 1978 graduate of Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He has been an ordained minister with the Assembly of God church since 1983. C.R. and his wife are home missionaries through the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions board.
C.R. and Paula reside on the Adult & Teen Challenge property in High Ridge, Missouri. They have three grown children: Rob (32), a 2007 graduate of Evangel University who has been working at St. Louis Adult & Teen Challenge since his graduation; Alicia (29), a 2009 graduate of Missouri Baptist University who recently received her Masters Degree and works at Diane’s House; Ryan (27), a 2011 graduate of Evangel University who is serving as a youth pastor in Olney, Illinois.


Today, I am so happy to bring you all a special announcement! As you know, we have been tremendously blessed over the past year to have the weekly TV program “Creation in the 21st Century”, and to have completed several new DVD projects. We had the opening of the Creation Superstore, and the official founding of the Creation Club with AMAZING response. But also, in my spare time, I have continued to write inspirational praise songs, following my first music album.
Well, today is the official release of some of my new songs on an EP album!
I hope it is a blessing to everyone who listens. So much work was put into this album, and I had a ton of support from the best…
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FALL DOWN ALBUM IN THE CREATION SUPERSTORE
Download on iTunes by CLICKING HERE
Download on Amazon HERE
It was mixed by Ainslie Grosser (Aaron Shust, Matt Redman, Laura Story, Big Daddy Weave) and mastered by Bob Boyd (Building 429, Steven Curtis Chapman). They did a wonderful job on the record!
The fourth song is titled: “Lead Me” and was especially dear to my heart. I wanted to bring an extra special element to this song, and was blessed to have a choir of voices join me on the last half for a moving congregational style sound. THANK YOU to everyone involved in this project!
Click on the links above to sample the new music, and go to our VIDEO page to watch full length lyric videos of two of the new tracks.


Copyright (C) 2017 Sparta Christian Church
Reaching the lost, Teaching the saved, Encouraging all
Welcoming all since 1885
Thank you for visiting our web site and may God bless you
My name is Mac Johnson and I am the current minister to Sparta Christian Church. I am originally from the Joplin area and moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where I attended high school. I am currently a student at Ozark Christian College, getting a bachelor's degree in theology with an emphasis on the New Testament and preaching. My wife Olivia and I have had the privilege of encouraging Sparta Christian Church since May of 2016. We have been so blessed and encouraged by this community of believers. We would love to have you come join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am, you should be able to hear the church bell ring! I am available to serve in any way I can. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any need you may have. I would love to pray with you or encourage you, laying your petitions at the feet of Jesus. You can email me at firstname.lastname@example.org.
In His Service,


I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
This song has always struck a chord within me. It is such a soft song. I remember watching the Tambourine & Dance team with their ribbons on Sunday mornings; each graceful movement falling right in line with the beat of the song.
Eventually, the song fell out of rotation, and it faded from memory.
A few weeks ago, I left for work a little later than I would have preferred, leaving at 6:10am rather than 5:45. By this time, the sun was already casting its rays across the highway to the east as stars were beginning to fade out in the west. Seeing the sky split between day and night is something almost surreal.
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
Maybe it was sleep deprivation, or maybe it was the fact I had been too focused on planning every moment of my life that I was not living in the moment, but I pulled my car over on the bridge and sat in awe at the rising sun. Underneath, the highway was just waking up, and I knew a train would come rushing by within the hour. The tranquil night was gearing up for a roaring day. I wondered about every car that was passing, all the people who were presumably driving to work. What do they think about? What are their stories?
Time seemed to slow down, as it does when you finally savor the moment. The sun continued to shine, the sky was changing colors, and the stars were fading out. The only word to describe such a moment was “beautiful”. From the depths of my mind came this song, faintly intertwining with the hum of the highway. I mulled over the meaning of the song, and I had a Moment.
This is a love song.
This song is a simple, beautiful melody.But it is such a pure profession of love. You’re beautiful. I don’t need profound analogies to describe God. I can easily get too caught up in trying to find deeper meanings in everything that we miss the meaning completely. I can easily make things about religion, and doing everything right; or at least pretending I’m doing everything right. I’m so caught up in making my own plans for my life and doing my best to get to where I want to be, that I am not paying any attention to what God’s plan is for me, or where He wants me to be. Where does He want me to be? Right next to Him.
I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
God does not need anything from me. But He wants me. He wants my whole heart and mind; He wants me to fall as much in love with Him as He is with me. God has already proven His love for me with the greatest act of love; sending His son to die in my place for the chance that I might choose to love Him. God is head over heels in love with me, and wants to spend every moment with me.
Think about that. This is where free will just blows my mind. God knows everything from beginning to end. Yet the Creator of the universe, the One who specifically created each star, and put every detail on every flower, gave us free will. He lets us make our own decisions. So much so that He let Jesus die for us all for the chance that we MIGHT choose to love Him.Let that sink in.
Jesus was beaten, tortured, and killed for us on the off-chance that we might accept Him as our Saviour. Who even loves someone that much?
Would you die for someone that may not ever come to be thankful for what you did? For someone who slanders your name? For someone who may never love you?
Free will ensures sincerity. If God forced us to love Him, what would the benefit be? If your child were forced to tell you they loved you every single day at the same time, do you think there is actually love there?
When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
Love songs. Can you imagine what it will be like when you are finally able to see God’s face, to see the love He has for you in all of its glory?
He shows His love for us every day, it’s painted across the sky. God is beautiful, and so deserving of our love. I cannot help but be overwhelmed with how amazing it is to think that God loves me. My heart overflows with this song.
Phil Wickham – You’re Beautiful
Lyircs provided by AZLyrics.comhttps://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/philwickham/yourebeautiful.html
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Mission: We become ONE so the world will know the One. ONE exists to cultivate a new generation of worshipers and worship leaders who honor God with their lives, love at all costs, and who use what they have been given to advance God’s kingdom around the globe. ONE students serve the unloved, sacrifice for one another, and reveal the love of God through unity.
Students can experience community, growth in God’s Word, and mentoring relationships with passionate adults in ONE’s Small Groups. Every new student is assigned to a small group. Small groups take the place of large group teaching time twice a month on Wednesdays.Small groups are led by Adult Leaders of ONE Student Ministry. If you would like to serve on the Adult Leader team, an application, interview, and background check will be required.