[from the new CityReaching wiki... Today, an overview & drilldown from Sacramento...]
"CityReaching in Sacramento has been going on for many years. I and others are having the opportunity to build on some broad shoulders. And the exciting part of the Kingdom of God, is God is always doing something NEW! He creates new wineskins and pours in new wine. The key to stay being a new wine skin is before God keeping a humble, pliable, flexible and sensitive heart to the Spirit and His revealing new things and the wisdom and discernment to know what and how to do what God wants done . . . today, in this season. I want to live through them all! Don't you?"
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:31-33 NIV
It's Internet Evangelism Day.... the day we specially reflect on how this new-paradigm tool can help us (The Church) accelerate the Great Commission. Here's one way...
Today's new Web2.0 collaborative tool for working & learning together.... is a 'wiki'.
It's the Hawaiin term for 'quick'. A wiki is quick, easy and FREE -- a perfect tool for learning about collaborative Christian efforts, city-by-city, neighborhood-by-neighborhood.
Today, Fort Wayne wiki guys weigh in...
Thanks Jon & Adam for helping grow the Fort Wayne Christian Wiki.
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV
Yesterday we did some LIVE blogging at the cafe during 'Ask Anything Saturday' special training time... re PODCASTING. Scott & Kathy Wilder and their ChaoticChristians.com co-host Doug Pierce conducted today's special training. If you missed out on the fun... including subtopics such as 'Chicks Are Hot')....
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalms 57:7-11 NIV
[Note: the Hate Crimes Bill is due to go to the floor of the House next week for a vote. This is a very dangerous bill for those of us who desire to walk in the integrity of our faith. Please note the commentary below by Bill Wilson, and pray accordingly. We will try to have more news on this bill next week, as it develops.]
Hate Crimes Bill Continues Revolution Against Constitutional Freedom
The Pelosi social democratic revolution continued this week as the powerful House Judiciary Committee passed by a 20-14 vote the most wide sweeping hate crimes legislation in history-a bill that if it became law would establish homosexuals as a protected class of people and challenge the very constitutionality of free speech and religious freedom. The bill would make it a federal crime to speak out against homosexuality because it criminalizes the "actual or perceived" prejudice of the person committing the hate crime. If a homosexual "perceives" he is threatened by a statement, or a look, or an attitude, and the court agrees, the purveyor of this so-called crime will go to jail for up to 10 years.
The bill mentions the phrase "actual or perceived" no less than eight times. The preamble to the legislation, without citing any statistical evidence, states that hate crimes are being perpetrated in such great numbers that federal law is no longer adequate to "address the problem." The bill claims that even communities are involved in these crimes by saying, "A prominent characteristic of a violent crime motivated by bias is that it devastates not just the actual victim and the family and friends of the victim, but frequently savages the community sharing the traits that caused the victim to be selected."
This bill not only is a forerunner to setting up a police state where entire communities could be targeted and, perhaps forced, to take homosexuality sensitivity training, or face prosecution, but it also establishes that more than just the victim of the actual or perceived crime can also be perceived harmed by the same crime. This bill sets the stage for judges and lawyers to interpret its intent in a way that could result in prosecuting entire communities for the perception of being against homosexuality. It parallels the radical Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network's reasoning for demanding sexual orientation sensitivity training in schools where students speak poorly of homosexuals.
This fascist legislation is carefully written to use federal funds and federal jurisdiction to eliminate resistance against the social democratic revolution. Listen, these are not normal legislators doing normal legislation. This bill and other recent actions are part of a strategic implementation of a revolution designed to ravage the Constitutional Republic of the United States of America and replace it with a social democracy, meaning socialism or communism, and mandating state atheism. These people will not listen to you when you call their offices, they are revolutionaries bent on a coup. Matthew 24:4 says, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Your freedom is under siege. You must act NOW.
Andrew Sears is the national director of Tech Mission. You can get involved in a local TechMission program here in Indy... for instance at the Unleavened Bread Cafe every Saturday morning (10am).
Tomorrow, for instance... Sat. 4/28, 10am... we're doing a PODCASTING segment. Come join us. If you know the cafe, you know that EVERYONE IS WARMLY WELCOME at the cafe.
There are many billboards up around Indy currently that seek to promulgate an "enlightened" gospel...a "new" Jesus and subsequently a "new" Christianity.
The emerging church organization behind this blasphemous twisting of God's Word will one day face the author of this Word -- He who holds His Word in higher esteem than His own Name (Psalm 138:2 / 2Tim 3:16-17) - and I pray that God has mercy on all who have become so deceived.
The question that must be addressed in relation to not only these billboards but to all of life is this:
"Would Jesus discrimate?"
To this I answer a resounding "YES"! But the real question is discriminate against "what"?
...Against SIN!
Is telling a LIE any less a sin than murder? Is not claiming all of your income on your taxes any less a sin than adultery?
What does Jesus discriminate against? The proud, the unrepentant and all who choose to reject the only begotten Son as their Lord and Savior (Pro 6:16-18 / John 3:16-18).
Grace is getting what we don't deserve and none of us deserve to go to Heaven. But, because God loves us SOOOO incredibly much, He made a way for us to go...if we will simply HUMBLE ourselves before Him, confess our sin and repent (Matt 4:17 / 1John 1:9) .
Repentance requires a 180 degree change in our lives -- it demands that we turn away from our sinful lifestyles and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Promise who will, in fact, lead us to living in obedience to the living Word -- Jesus (Rom 6:13 / John 1:1, 14).
There is no doubt about it -- sin is sin and we must turn away from it. This includes the lying, stealing, adultery, covetousness, idolatry and yes - homosexuality. This twisting of the scripture to justify a sinful lifestyle is purely a result of idolatry -- worshipping what they want to believe instead of what God tells us to believe (Rom 1:22-32).
Pray with me for the salvation and repentance of all who seek to justify their sin in they eyes of man when the judgement will come from the Most High God... =--=-=-=-=-=
The Rev. Andy Hunt decried both the message of the billboard and the vandalism it provoked. "It ignites passions whenever someone brings a lie against the god you worship. But we can't go down to their level," said Hunt, pastor of Body of Christ Community Church on the Northside. "We have to be able to fight a lie with the truth."
The message is such a distortion of the Bible's clear opposition to homosexual behavior, he said, that he has begun going to the signs and praying people won't be misled. "That is an absolute affront against God," he said.
Hunt is one of a handful of pastors commissioned by the Indiana Family Institute, a conservative faith-based organization opposed to gay marriage, to respond to the billboard claims with written counterpoints.
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalms 118:5-6 NIV
April 26 -- After ABC ran a story in January about hundreds of atheists videotaping themselves blaspheming the Holy Spirit, best-selling author Ray Comfort contacted the network and offered to prove God's existence, absolutely, scientifically, without mentioning the Bible or faith. He and Kirk Cameron (co-hosts of an award-winning Christian TV program) challenged the two originators of the "Blasphemy Challenge" to a debate on the existence of God. According to Comfort, he and Cameron (an ex-atheist) are qualified to debate on the subject. Comfort had not only written a book titled "God Doesn't Believe in Atheists", but had spoken at Yale on the subject of atheism, and been flown by American Atheists, Inc., to their 2001 annual convention to be a platform speaker.
ABC loved the idea, and will host a debate in New York City on May 5, 2007. Moderated by Martin Bashir, the debate will be streamed LIVE on their website and will also be filmed for "Nightline."
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:1-2 NIV
We have been called into fellowship with Jesus – that IS our calling.Our calling is to Koinonia – to share and commune and partner with Jesus in everything.This means two things to us:1) We have all utterance and wisdom and spiritual blessings from the Lord, & 2) All that we have is HIS (1Cor 1:9).
Our choice is whether to give God all that we are and have…all of our time, talents and treasures (Rom 12:1) --our hearts!If we desire to know and fellowship with Jesus as He would like (Phil 3:10-11), then we must choose to yield our lives to Him.This yielding is, in effect:revival!
We here at Horizon Christian Fellowship (West side of Indianapolis) are stepping out and will befasting and praying EVERY Wednesday – We are crying out to God for our own hearts, for the hearts of our local churches, for the community around us and for our state and nation.
We are inviting you and your families and congregations to stand in one Accord with us as we seek a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, and a great outpouring upon our hearts and for the Name of the LORD to be proclaimed across the land!
King Josiah shows us Revival (2Kings 22-23 / 2Chron 34-35)
Step 1: Know The Truth, then Repent (2Kings 22:13) Step 2: Ask God what HE wants, Then Listen & obey (2Kings 22:15-18) Step 3: Commit Yourself (and your nation) to God (2 Kings 23:3) Step 4: Get the Sinful Things Out of Your Life (2Kings 23:4-14)
Ezra the Priest prayed for Revival for the nation of Israel(Ezra 9:5-10, 15)
8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
Nehemiah cried out to the Lord that He might have mercy and restore His people (Nehemiah 1:1-11)
(4)And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,(5)And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:(6)Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants,
2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
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What does God want from me? We hear this often and we see, in King Josiah, an example that is found in 2Chron 34:27. God desires that we have a tender heart towards HIM. That we desire to do HIS will, to follow after Him and to love Him with all of our hearts.
What does following Him entail? Certainly having a conversational prayer life with Him is a part. Reading His Word everyday and asking Him to reveal Himself through His Word is another – but one of the last steps in following Him is to actually “DO” what we read and hear.
Often we hear of those who say they are Christians but are not walking with the joy that comes from fellowshipping with God (read 1John chapter 1). They are not walking victoriously and as Jesus told us, He came to bring us life and life abundantly –we see no evidence of a spiritual abundance.
Why? Just like an intimate friendship, we must spend intimate time with God talking to Him, reading and learning of Him and hearing His Heart for our lives through His Word !! Again, like a husband-wife relationship, we must do what the heart of the other desires as we seek to please them (HIM).
James sums up the obedience part of the relationship: “To know to do good and not do it, it is sin” (James 4:17). Remember that God holds His Word above His name, wants an intimate relationship with us and desires to bless us (even despite us).
Pray with me that we seek our loving Father with a tender heart...
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. Proverbs 15:1-2 NIV
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:20-21 NIV
"There’s this teenage boy I know. He appears ordinary enough, with nothing much to distinguish himself except that he’s studious and works with his step dad in construction. Like many teens he’s struggling to find his place and feels like a curiosity.
Living in the ghetto is hard, especially since he just immigrated to the neighborhood in the last few years. Try as he might, he hasn’t mastered the accent and local customs. And forget the slang; that’s like learning a third language. Worse, the old-timers all seem to know something about him that he hasn’t figured out yet. He gets the distinct impression they’re always talking about his family, reinforced by the overheard name-calling. A few of his schoolmates have teased him to his face, and one punched him in the nose after school. The soldiers occupying the streets find the bullying funny.
Sometimes the mocking gets to him. He wants desperately to fight back, but mom forbids it, promising that someday the rejection will all make sense. He tries to take comfort in her words, but for now his heart just hurts, and the injustice makes him angry.
So he sneaks off to the outskirts of town and hides behind an old sycamore tree. There he remembers what it was like in the refugee camp, and recollects vague memories of a midnight flight from the small town where he spent his childhood. The details are sketchy, but he remembers stories of bloodshed and murder that he barely escaped. Not fitting in has been a recurring theme for him.
Then his memories fade, and he hears the echo of mom’s voice telling him about his birth. No way would his schoolmates ever find out he was born in a barn. The ammunition that would give them! They already call him choice animal names.
But really, why did he have to be born in a barn? And why did it matter that Joseph wasn’t his real dad?"
And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction." Malachi 4:6
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Working together is 'as easy as a peanut butter sandwich'.
Ask Anything, huh?
Question: What if working together really IS 'as easy as a peanut butter sandwich'? Would Christians do it, citywide, to glorify God and enjoy Him TOGETHER???
Answer: That remains to be seen.
We have an open wiki at AskAnythingSaturday.com as a great place for all of us to start compiling important answers to important questions here in the city. And we're providing free help with it every Saturday morning as a part of our 'Ask Anything Saturday' TechMission program at the Unleavened Bread Cafe.... 10am til noon. Come join us.
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalms 116:1-2 NIV
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalms 116:1-2 NIV
Bikehiker: "UBCafe Anniversary... Sunday, April 22nd"
COME AND SEE. We're celebrating an anniversary for Unleavened Bread Cafe at 30th & Central in Indy on Sunday, April 22.
Food and festivities begins at 12:30 pm and rolls on thru the afternoon. Come see why this little place is so big.RESTAURANT OR MINISTRY? Elise Womack (taking an order behind the counter in the photo) facilitates the place like a ministry more than a restaurant.
There's always a welcome, hug, and good conversation at Unleavened Bread. The food's cheap and good, too. You can get food and you can also get help learning how to use a computer for school or work. Learn more about Unleavened Bread Cafe any Saturday. It's a free wi-fi hotspot.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Mark 10:21-25 NIV
Questions from Virginia Tech... Where Was God In All This?
The massacre at Virginia Tech raises longstanding questions about the problem of evil. On yesterday's program we explored the question of human nature. But many will ask a related question -- where was God? Did He allow this?
"There's no way we could do a podcast tonight and NOT talk about the tragedy in Virginia Tech. At times like this; I can't help but ask "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and "What kind of god allows something like this to happen?" Please join us live tonight..." [click]
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief wascoming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:42-44 NIV
"In other words, if professing Christians don't love one another then the world outside the church has no compelling reason to believe they are truly Christian."
.Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, aka Yom Hashoah, literally the day of the catastrophe. In observation of this solemn remembrance a small group from my church, Arcadia Christian Church, attended the community-wide Holocaust Observance with the Jewish community at Beth-El Zedeck synagogue in Indianapolis. It was very powerful to be in attendance with so many families and the community that had been devastated through this horrific calamity.
As Christians it is important for us to remember what happened when hatred fueled the Nazi campaign of the systematic genocide of European Jewry. Hitler's Third Reich brutally slaughtered 6 million Jews as the world sat silent.
Let us be a source of comfort, support and unconditional friendship to the Jewish people. We will make clear to them that we've "got their back"! Unlike 60 years ago... We will declare with the Jewish people, "NEVER AGAIN!"
Sadly, many today are denying the Holocaust and calling for a new one as they spread their slanderous propaganda against the Jewish State. "Israel, we've got your back!"
Nachamu Ami! Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people, saith your God. Isaiah 40:1
There will be two more Holocaust observances in the Indianapolis area this week. The 2007 Indiana Yom HaShoah Observance is Monday, April 16 at 12noon in the State House Capital Rotunda. The City of Carmel observance is Thursday, April 19 at 12 noon in the Carmel City Hall.
If you would like to learn more about the Shoah there is a workshop coming up April 25 at the Indy BJE. Click here for more info. Registration for this will be closing soon. Also, check out Israel's famous Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum on the web.
In honor of those who lost their lives, take a moment to remember and watch this touching video tribute. It is set to the song "Ani Ma'min"-I believe. This song was sung by death camp victims as they were escorted to the gas chambers. I heard it today at the memorial sung by the Indianapolis Children's Choir.
Am Yisrael Chai!- The People of Israel Live!
I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them," says the LORD your God. Amos 9:15
Join me along with other Churches and Christians in being a blessing to Israel and the Jewish people expressing God's love and mercy through practical deeds and support. Email me at kweldon@bfpusa.org .
Pastors often challenge churches with the question: Would the community notice if your church disappeared overnight? One megachurch pastor says his community would "definitely notice."
Over 20,000 people flood into Salem Baptist Church of Chicago every weekend. It's the largest African American church in the state. And beginning this month, the megachurch is closing its doors to dispatch the thousands of congregants to the streets.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Today's Unleavened Bread Cafe visitors for "Ask Anything Saturday" included Tiffany Powell is the new Director of Enrollment Management at Crossroads Bible College. [If you're anxious to get your college degree from an accredited Bible college here in our city... contact her at 352-8736... and be sure you mention you saw this at the cafe site!]
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach hey tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries {5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm} wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he Is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. Matthew23:1-10 NIV
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalms 34:8-9 NIV
Take a mission trip without leaving home. Bring the entire family with you. This will be a week to remember. FHL Week: July 22-28.
“I learned that sometime if you got out of your comfort zone you can find something out about yourself you didn’t know…I think differently now. I realize difference in people more than ever. I feel like god can show mw things to help I never would have known.” -Michael Burt, Local Community Missionary, North side Indy
“Transformation of a city is a result of transformed hearts” – Merlin Gonzales, President, FHL International, Inc.
Update of the FHL Week July 22-28: 150+ churches and businesses, 5000 volunteers 40 day Prayer starts June 18 24/1 Prayer Worship at the start of FHL week Building of FHL House with Habitat for Humanity Prayer walk around the Monument circle on July 22 Soccer Invitational Song writers Invitational Prayer Trailer July 22-28 with 20+ stops and convoy around I-465 July 24 Mission Indy (all volunteers are encouraged to serve urban Indy; city-wide rally at Conseco Fieldhouse at the end of the day) July 28 FHL Festival at the Monument Circle
Upcoming Outreaches and Events Food Pantry on Saturday, April 21 at 3pm at Iglesia Wesleyana Monte de Sion
ATTENTION: Race Fans!!!Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and Formula One Be part of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. FHL is partnering with a national racing ministry and now recruiting for a few volunteers: -Must attend a 3-hour training class -Must purchase the ministry approved t-shirt May 24-28 Indy 500 June 14-18 Formula One July 29-30 Brickyard 400 To Register, visit Volunteer page of www.fhlinternational.org
Get Involved: Current Opportunities Member of Board of Directors Committee Members:
Development/Marketing
Operations
Council of Churches Administration
Business Edition
Area Coordinators Business Partners Individual Partners Go to the Volunteer page of www.fhlinternational.org to apply
God has given me an insatiable burden for the next generation. My passion, I know, is shared by many of you. God has been openning many doors in our ministry via our national campaign to equip parents to prepare their children for the Lord's service. I have recently been featured on LeSea's The Harvest Show, Concerned Women for America. SRN News with Micheal Harrington, and numerous other shows detailing this vision for equipping parents.
Let's start by introducing some statistics.
96% of parents believe they are responsible for their children’s values training. 85% of parents believe they are responsible for their children’s spiritual training. Yet, only a mere 19% have ever received any guidance or instruction from their church to fulfill these heart-felt desires (actually Biblical mandates).
The juice is that the enemy wants our children. It is not the liberals or Hollywood. It’s Satan himself using these forces to steal our children from under our noses. Parents want to stop the assault, but are not equipped. In fact, this is the void we set out to fill when we wrote our book—to equip and encourage parents to fulfill their Biblical mandate.
The church with all good intentions, has been working on the symptoms—the children, when the real problem is poorly equipped parents. It is parents responsibility, and they agree. However, the church as a whole is not supporting them in their efforts. Rather, the church is actually perpetuating the problem by providing helps that were originally intended for evangelism (again, with all good intentions), but now serve as crutches taking the responsibility for Biblical instruction from the parents. You will not find these children's programs in the Word, just parents, the Word, and children (Eph 6:4, Deut 6:4-7).
Satan laughs. He is a shrewd foe. The only weapon to stand against his attack is God’s Word (the sword in Eph 6:10…, all else is defensive). It is the church’s responsibility to equip parents for offensive parenting. Our book fills this void--it is proactive (or offensive) parenting—that is, parenting with a sword in your hand, like Nehemiah when they rebuilt the wall.
Another study cited in our book demonstrates that a mere 2% of children will become faithful church attenders if their father is not. Ouch!!! So what do we do?
I urge you to join me and heed the call to action to empower parents to live out the verses cited above. Reach parents with the wisdom and truth God's Word has to offer. Parents, I urge you to read the book--I'm not just trying to sell, honestly--get it at Walmart.com and I make pennies. Read the words and apply the wisdom.
Pastors, I offer myself to speak and do workshops at no expense. I will email you a free e-book to encourage you to encourage those entrusted by God to your care. The next generation is being bombarded by conflicting values. Do not invest all in one hour a week and neglect the driver for the remaining 167 hours. Reach the parents and you will win the children. Plunder Hell. Join me in this vision.
It Was Only a Quarter Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston , Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had "accidentally" given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet. "When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change. "The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday. "When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter. "Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test! Always be on guard and remember that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian. "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. God bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!
This last Saturday; the cafe welcomed visitors from a newly opened shelter. While at the cafe; they shared some of their creative writing and Spoken Word Art. One young man, Deron Williams, stood out with his pieces that Scott Wilder (Ask Anything Saturday Regular) brought him into the studio to record the piece.
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9 NIV
If you're not yet using Google Reader to pull your favorite RSS-feeds automatically, give it a try and let us know if you enjoy it as much as we do.
In the RH sidebar here, you'll see three of our writers here at IndyChristian.com... and the special news/events links they've intentionally shared with all of you today.
Scott W., ChaoticChristians.com
Kristee W., Homeschool Mom and Indiana Director, Bridges For Peace
Neil C., Editor, IndyChristian.com
So if you're using Google Reader and are 'sharing' special stories, articles, and event-announcements... drop us a line. We'd like to review your shares and potentially add you to our sidebar as well.
Suddenly, you don't have to be a blogger to impact others. Simply be a great READER... then share your best-in-class finds.
I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. Psalms 135:5-7 NIV
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:19-22 NIV
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:25-26 NIV
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also..."
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost."
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:31-35 NKJ
This morning one of our volunteers for 'Answer Anything Saturday' at the cafe, did this video conversion and upload to YouTube for one of our participants who brought in a ministry dvd....
Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed. Revelation 16:15 NIV
The next lunchtime meeting of Transform Indiana ministry networkers will be April 19th... NOON til 2pm.
The hosting pastor this month will be Reverend Fredrick Boyd, Jr., of Zion Unity Missionary Baptist Church... 3859 E 10th Street, directly across from the Dairy Queen.
[So you know where to go, to 'BYOL', right? **smile**]
Pastor Boyd is also leading the Creation Evidence Crusade initiative for the Fall.
Connect with the various Eastside collaborating churches & ministries... and other driven Christians from all over the metro area.
Our TI meetings are always a great opportunity to come get to know people NOT like yourself, pray together and see what God might be leading us all to do as a result. Hear more and ask your questions on the 19th.
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21 NIV
Some family-values voters say Mitt's the best available choice if you're a Republican.
Here, I guess, is one point upon which Christians will disagree for sure. I for one.
Considering the president's unpopular path (right or wrong) toward escalating the war in Iraq, the 2008 elections might already be virtually conceded by Republicans.
Christians are already divided on 'just war' and immigration issues, not to mention compassion issues like poverty, crime and education which have taken a budgetary backseat during our war on terrorism.
[Btw, I'm glad we're being called to carefully consider 'WWJD' in the public square, as we wrestle with such important issues of our day.]
Seems like bad timing to ask Christ-followers to legitimize a candidate with a background held by historic Christianity to be heretical.
Unless, of course, you're setting him up to take the fall?
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
I want to share this very exciting and encouraging interview with you all. Since 1977 Bridges For Peace has been working tirelessly in the land of Israel and worldwide providing Christians with opportunities to express God’s love and mercy to the Jewish people through practical deeds and support.
Listen to this interview with Member of the Knesset, MK Benny Elon as he talks about Christian support of Israel. It is so encouraging to hear and visualize the very real fruits of the labor of Christians worldwide.
I believe this interview is so impressive of how mighty the Spirit of God is working in this field of Jewish/Christian relations. I believe it is the very heart of God.
"Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God.
Speak kindly to Jerusalem;
And call out to her, that her warfare has ended,
That her iniquity has been removed,
That she has received of the LORD'S hand
Double for all her sins."
A voice is calling,
"Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:1-3
For more info on how you can bless Israel, the “apple of God’s eye”(Zech 2:8), check out our website, www.bridgesforpeace.com Here you can sign up for our free subscriptions, The BFP Teaching Letter, The Jerusalem Dispatch and the weekly email news and prayer update.
For the 'theistic evolutionists' among you who want so desperately to cling to 'science' at any cost, ask yourselves... "Why?" In doing so, you're effectively advocating for a god who created (and if theistic evolution is true, still creates) us to evolve into higher & higher life forms in this struggle for life.
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12:35-40 NIV
This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:2-3 NIV
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majestyare before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:25-27 NIV
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:16-18 NIV
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