1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things. [See his complete list of resolutions and maybe borrow some for yourself this year... as I've borrowed #1 & #2.]
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[How about YOURS? Driven Christians are encouraged to use the 'Wiki Encyclopedia of CityReaching' to start a page for yourself, and list some of your goals for the new year, especially as they may pertain to your participation in our common goal... "Glorifying God and Enjoying Him... Together."]
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:34-36 NIV
WASHINGTON – A prominent pro-family leader is urging fellow conservatives to withdraw their support for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney over his recent expressed support for a “sexual orientation” non-discrimination law.
Romney during an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” said he supports the contentious Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which adds “sexual orientation” to a list of federally protected classes that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
The bill upsets conservative leaders because it grants special protection to employees based on their “actual or perceived” sexual orientation. Moreover, it would force Christian organizations that oppose homosexuality to hire gay employees.
“Mitt Romney’s Christmas present to the homosexual lobby disqualifies him as a pro-family leader,” said... [continued at Christian Post]
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
"Churches are filled with those who have known Christ for decades, and still need a bib, a high chair, and want Daddy to do ‘open wide, here comes the airplane’ tricks with the fork before shoving it into their mouths."
Olgen Williams, chosen to be a deputy mayor, is a well-known community leader whose connections, supporters say, can help the incoming Ballard administration address the concerns of the city's poorer neighborhoods.
"He knows the neighborhoods and the players," the Rev. Charles Harrison, pastor of Barnes United Methodist Church, said of Williams. "Olgen knows everybody in the community, and he brings a collaborative approach to get others involved."
Beyond Williams, Mayor-elect Greg Ballard will name five other members of his inner staff today...
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. Matthew 13:47-48 NIV
From Mere Orthodoxy, by Matt Anderson. [ht: Blews.Network]
"One of the more interesting developments in the political race this week was the increasing discussion about the tone of the attacks on Mike Huckabee.While the candidates have managed to put out some substantial criticisms of Huckabee, the tone of many of the conservative intellectuals has been, well, over the top. It culminated in this screen by Lisa Schiffren (link), which Ross Douthat aptly characterized as "Go Back to Dogpatch, You Stupid Hillbilly!" (link). Ironically, Schiffren’s post validated..." [continued at Mere Orthodoxy]
Steve Goldsmith wanted churches, synagogues and neighborhood groups to work on the city's social problems, including homelessness and drug abuse. He'd have city government concentrate on street repairs, crime, sewers and garbage collection.
Mayor-elect Greg Ballard wants to revive that idea, which has since become part of the national political discussion. Ballard is tapping a former Goldsmith aide, Isaac Randolph Jr., to resurrect what was called the Front Porch Alliance in the Goldsmith years.
Randolph, an Indianapolis firefighter, is winding up a term on the City-County Council and could be a candidate for a top spot in the Ballard administration.
He sees a renewed Front Porch Alliance as part of the new mayor's attempt to reduce crime. He also expects that the administration will closely coordinate its new organization with the Peterson administration's Greater Indianapolis Neighborhood Initiative. "We're not going to throw out the baby with the bathwater," Randolph said. "It's not about politics. We don't want to unravel things just because it wasn't our idea."
Like Goldsmith, Ballard and his transition team contend that government... [continued at IndyStar.com]
Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, at the inn. A manger was a stone or wooden container for feeding animals. I suggest that if the innkeeper wanted to accommodate a VIP, he could have found room in his inn. As it was, he was too crowded for Christ and too busy for a blessing.
The innkeeper symbolizes the condition of the hearts of people. Too often, we...
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. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ {11 Or "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 26.} the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth
Top Things I Hope NOT to Find Under My Tree in the Morning
[from Monday Morning Insights...]
"Merry Christmas! The weather and a busy schedule have caused me not to be able to send the MMI email for a few weeks, so I hope today finds you well and ready for a great celebration of Christ's birth tomorrow. Here are some things that I hope I DON'T find under my tree in the morning... Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're probably the perfect gift for someone on your list... just not me... "
[IndyChristian note: This is from Shad Isaiah Hill, one of our innovative young pastors-in-training enrolled in Crossroads' "New Media for Urban Change" course... training them in new-paradigm media. These are the types of young leaders who are sold-out for the Lord, and now well-equipped to contend in the culture. May God continue to bless your efforts of faith, Shad!]
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9 NIV
"Food banks and social service agencies around Indianapolis and across the country are feeling the sting. Less than a week before Christmas, charities report that demand for their services is hitting levels unseen in years. Family budgets squeezed by high gasoline and heating costs are driving much of it, they say, as are the mortgage crunch and job concerns.
"I don't know that we've ever had this demand for services," said Jay Height, executive director of Shepherd Community Center, which provided food to the Simpson family. "It's our toughest year."
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:1-6 NIV
Why is this news? Because NeedHim Ministries is about to make a tremendous impact! They have developed an effective platform on which to communicate the Gospel directly to where it is needed in our culture: On MTV! For the next four weeks, NeedHim will air the Ten Commandments in the form of “Rules # 1-10″... [continued at Kingdom Partnership News Alerts]
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:8-10 NIV
Christian illusionist Tom McCormick works his 'magic' with the help of 'volunteer' Joe Whitchurch, Intervarsity.
Today at the cafe, the Transform Indiana ministry-networking coalition met for the 2nd Annual 'Indy Timeline' (2008) Planning Luncheon.
Christian illustionist Tom McCormick ('Miracle Man Show'), a friend of the cafe's "Ask Anything Saturday" program took off his tech-hat and put on his top-hat, so to speak... and performed one of his slight-of-hand tricks. But his 'volunteer'... Joe Whitchurch (Intervarsity's grad-school rep) stole the show by working a little magic of his own. *smile*
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:47-51 NIV
[The case-study below is from PBwiki Blog, about some insiders at Intel Corporation using it effectively. The significance to us is that PBwiki similarly has become a great tool for those of us around the country who are involved in reaching our cities for Christ... as we are now starting to use the centralized wiki as our knowledge-base insofar as it can be helpful for COLLABORATING & COORDINATING, city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood.]
"Stack used PBwiki to create an IVI wiki, and at the next group teleconference, demonstrated how simple it was to create and edit a page. The group was hooked.
"Even our far less technical contributors are noticeably
more at ease with PBwiki than with other tools."
— Jack Anderson, Program Manager for Innovation at Intel Corporation; Co-Chair, Innovation Value Institute.
Easy meeting planning...
Jack estimates that he saves at least four hours per week by planning the weekly meetings using the wiki, and another hour per week by eliminating the need for typing up notes and emailing them to group members. Plus, the wiki makes it easy for members who miss a session to catch up on their own.
[IndyChristian Commentary... Obviously we concur with this assessment. We deliberately chose PBwiki as the optimal platform to grow our mutual knowledge-base for these very same reasons -- free, easy, collaborative & productive. Visit & participate at the 'Wiki Encyclopedia of CityReaching'. ]
And say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees."
'Indy Timeline' 2008 Planning Luncheon... hosted at the UBcafe (NOON til 2).
Purpose: To provide an annual opportunity for driven Christian leaders to come pray together, compare calendars for 2008... and ask themselves, "What might we do better TOGETHER, than separately?"
Training: Always be building our collaborative skillsets. We'll do some interactive training to give everyone easy-access to add items to the Timeline throughout the year. So bring your laptops -- remember, the cafe is WIRELESS.
We also want to specially bless the cafe ministry ($15/person) once/year as we/they do tangible ministry in the heart(s) of the inner city.
We want to give everyone a voice to briefly share their vision/passion for 2008 ministry together. So come prepared. And handouts are welcome.
Issue To Resolve: How can we collectively move from the 'network' model, to increasingly 'partnering' in tangible collaborative initiatives?
Develop the 12 monthly focal-points for 2008 ministry.
One of the short segments of our luncheon will be a LIVE INTERACTION (via webcam) with prayer-focused author Steve Hawthorne, "Seek God for the City" (2008).
We'll also be compiling video-clips for an end-of-year Video Report: "State of the Church at Indianapolis". So if YOU have a perspective re the state of the Whole Commission here in our city... or a vision for its future in 2008... you'll want to come briefly share your thoughts for potential inclusion in the video report.
Carmel, IN – Nick Carter, local business owner and lay minister, will sign copies of his new book “Thy Kingdom Come: A Prayer of Victory,” at Capstone Café & Bookstore (part of Northview Christian Life Church) on Wednesday, January 2nd from 6:30 until 7:30 PM. Attendees may also sign-up for a seven-week group study to be led by Nick Carter at Capstone.
The book traces the theme of the Kingdom of God throughout the Bible, beginning in Genesis and concluding with the New Testament prophecies of Christ’s return to reign. “People can find amazing joy and excitement in a kingdom-focused understanding of Jesus Christ,” Carter explains. By examining the message of the Bible with a new kind of perspective—a perspective that acknowledges our desire to succeed and be victorious in our lives—Carter brings the characteristics of God to life in ways many Christians have never seen before.
Carter leads the “20-Somethings” ministry at Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis and teaches a Bible study there each Sunday. As Carter explains, the book was inspired by his teaching experiences: “Studying and meditating on God’s glory that is to be revealed through the victory in His Son Jesus Christ has become an intoxicating passion in my heart.” Carter plans to spread his passion through author-led group studies like the one to be held each Saturday afternoon at 3:00 at Capstone from January 5th to February 16th.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philipiasns 2:3-5 Niv
[IndyChristian disclaimer: We are not advocating for particular candidates, or in this case, even advocating for particular pundits' points-of-view. Rather, we're raising awareness of particular pov's for you to consider as you study your own Bible... to discern what's in alignment with (true) scripture and what isn't.]
Kevin McCullough: "I want to make one thing perfectly clear... when you make speeches swearing to never disavow the "faith of your fathers" but then tell everyone you can't criticize me for the things those "fathers" believed - in this day and age - you run into problems like this.This clip explaining the origins of humanity from the Mormon perspective is over 626,000 views already on YouTube alone."
******************* IndyChristian Commentary: This morning I was reading II Peter 2, which includes... "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up."
Hmmm... stories they have made up? I have to wonder (now aloud for your comments)... Think of the heat on current-day political leaders for making the critical decision to invade Iraq based on the limited information they had at hand. Now with near-20/20 hindsight, seemingly everyone has turned and are distancing themselves (as best they can) from that decision... faulting the limited information. But imagine a worse scenario... What if we now found out that the 'evidence' the leaders had been relying on was a book filled with hieroglyphics called the 'Book of Abraham'... which someone, say President Bush, had personally translated? Worse yet, how livid would we be when we found out that its 'translation' had been discredited years ago after the Rosetta Stone was discovered which helped us truly translate hieroglyphics?
So what exactly SHOULD we think of the DISCERNMENT of a political candidate who even today continues to advocate for the credibility of the 'fathers of his faith'... and chooses to continue relying upon on their stories?
****************
Subsequent link, note, and (forgive me for laughing) commentary...
FoxNews posed some key questions to the Church of the Latter Day Saints... and the following is an awkward-if-not-hilarious excerpt...
"The Church objected to answering some of the questions on the grounds that they misrepresent the basic tenets of the Mormon religion."
But you can at least read the questions the church WAS willing to answer... [full article here]
Brad Grammer doesn't fit neatly in any stereotypical part of the debate over homosexuality.
He's had an orientation toward homosexuality, but he's not angry at straight people or Christian conservatives.
He helps unsettled gays come to grips with their orientation, with the hope of change. Yet he's not angry with gay leaders who often are hostile to his conviction that homosexuality is not genetically determined.
In many respects he's a man in the middle of a heated debate. Yet he doesn't... [continued at IndyStar.com]
This is my response to the blog post: "How to Help the Poor Without Hurting Them.... or Us". The article for the most part covered such topics that I will capsulize with my own terms for them "Giving Caution", "Compassion Fatigue", "Better Programs", and the like. It's not anything that hasn't been mentioned before with an increasing emphasis on certain reasonings that I think we need to seriously question when it comes to giving . So I felt this was such a timely and important blog post that I wanted to share my response with others and perhaps get us both to thinking.
Giving to those in need and want is a topic that has touched my heart at more than one time in my life..."
In the last issue, we talked about the fasting that God has chosen, Isaiah 58:5-7. I see this fasting as the active and tangible way to touch others. It is not passive, secluded, and isolated. As leaders, I believe we need to glance at the way in which fasting became a tangible way to touch others.
In the past few years, I have fasted from time to time. I would like to share with you my past experience; this does not mean it is the absolute correct way, but one person’s journey into fasting.
It is not always easy to fast; your entire being is involved--mentally, physically, and spiritually. It starts with an idea; you thought about fasting, or the Holy Spirit spoke to you to fast. Then, you process it mentally; you ask yourself several questions: “Is this a good season to fast?”; “Is this idea self-serving, or is it from God?”; “Do I have parties to go to this coming holiday, and is this the right timing?”; or “It does not matter what season it is, God wanted me to fast so I will do it anyway.”
After you process it mentally, it passes through you physically, and you take action. You now actually fast from food or anything that you want to do most, such as watching TV, shopping, etc. At this stage, you will experience irritation, hunger, headaches, food cravings, and physical weakness.
Once you go through the physical, then you get into the realm of the spiritual aspect of your life. At this stage, your mind and your physical self tend to become secondary to your spiritual experience. You tend to become spiritually sensitive, and you start to tune in to your inner self.
My past fasting experience became self-absorbed and focused on me wanting to tune in to what God’s message is. Isn’t this what fasting is all about? I do not know if you can relate to my personal experience. I humbled myself, bowed down my head to God, and waited until I heard from Him. I think this is great, but based on our passages below, God asks us, “Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?”
Let’s look again at the passages (The Message Version) of Isaiah 58:5-7: Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like?
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.
The verses above are active and are focused on others rather than on self. Look at the verses: TO BREAK, GET RID OF, FREE the oppressed; SHARING, INVITING, PUTTING, and BEING available. These verses are involved in touching others with regards to injustice, imprisonment, hunger, homelessness, and being available to others.
I have never thought about fasting this way. I thought that reaching out to others is outreach, and not a fast. I thought fasting involves only yourself and God alone. Of course, the fasting that Isaiah talked about will involve our mind, body, and spirit, but in active and tangible ways, focusing on others and not on ourselves.
Fasting is not like Eastern meditation of being alone in your room focusing on yourself, not eating or drinking. It is not isolating yourself, but immersing yourself to the needs of others. It is not thinking but doing, no is it passive but active.
There are many opportunities to fast this holiday season. As leaders, we need to lead. That means that we not only direct others what to do, but we also act with them; we do not just tell others what to do, but we lead others through our involvement in the projects and services. We do not just plan for things, but we implement them, and we immerse ourselves into it.
At any point in our lives, we become leaders and we become followers. Whether you are a leader or a follower, I do not think that you will go wrong at all if you involve yourself actively on helping others.
Our perfect example for fasting is Jesus. He provided for those in need, He fed the hungry, He consoled the weary, He prayed for the sick, He walked the dusty streets with His disciples, He looked for those who were lost, and He extended His love to others--even to His death on the cross.
Even now, Jesus is working. John 14:2-4, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus is preparing a place for you and me. He is preparing a mansion for you and me! Don’t you want to have a mansion in the future? If you do, you need to know Jesus first. If you do not know Jesus in a personal way and want to find out more about Him, please contact your local pastor or our office at thevoiceofchristian@yahoo.com
This Christmas, I am encouraging you to fast as stated from the passages of the prophet Isaiah. If you are looking for ways to do so, please contact your church or contact info@fhlinternational.org to get involved in what God is doing in our city.
So the next time you reach out to those in need, visit the prisoners and the sick, share your food with the hungry, and help the homeless, you can tell others that you are fasting. After all, it’s a holiday, and it is a time to fast.
Following is a list, in alphabetical order, of the 2007 Shining Light ministries, as chosen by MinistryWatch.com
Ameritribes
AnGeL Ministries
Answers in Genesis
Awana Clubs International
Bethany Christian Services
Bridges for Peace
Care Net
Child Evangelism Fellowship
Children’s Hunger Fund
Christian Legal Society
Compassion International
Crown Financial Ministries
EvanTell
Fellowship International Mission
International Aid
JAARS
Medical Teams International
Military Community Youth Ministries
Moms In Touch International
New Tribes Mission
Prison Fellowship Ministries
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries
Scripture Union USA
Stand to Reason
Truth for Life
Turkish World Outreach
The Voice of the Martyrs
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Young Life
MinistryWatch.com is a donor advocate, with the mission of helping Christian donors make more informed and effective giving decisions.The organization’s MinistryWatch.com website contains detailed financial and worldview information for nearly 500 of the largest Christian ministries in the country.The site is viewed by more than 30,000 unique visitors each month, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the major television and radio networks, and scores of local and Christian media outlets.
If you recognize a need for getting your skills sharpened, perhaps a $50 house-call could help get a jump-start, coaching you toward one or more of these proficiencies...
email efficiency.
wireless at home or ministry.
getting your ministry site seen.
or your sermons heard.
create your own twitter, pipes & mashups.
[or rid your computer of them... LOL]
obtain an online 'spokesperson' for your site.
understand 'Why Facebook?'... and help you get started.
save & share 'tags' with your ministry staff or even with your church members.
starting your own blog, podcast or video-cast.
In fact, here's a quick win...
We'll develop an RSS feed for your ministry... to help people AUTOMATICALLY stay abreast of new articles, announcements, sermons, photos & videos at your site.
[Guarantee: How far we can get in any one coaching session varies person-by-person. But satisfaction is guaranteed for any session -- we're trying to create a situation where there's virtually no way for you to lose.]
Group training rates available.
And we have a growing network of other Christian technologists available to meet your business or ministry needs.
We’ve all been in this situation: A poorly dressed person approaches our church asking for help with buying groceries. We want to help out, but how? If we give them money, perhaps they will waste it. And if we take the time to go to the grocery store with them, what will prevent them from needing help again in about a week or two? Many of us have a sense that our efforts to help the poor often fail to bring any lasting improvement. But the situation is often worse than we may imagine: Our efforts to help...
"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Psalms 2:6-9 NIV
This is a great honor given to BFP and I am thankful to be a part of this excellent ministry.
MinistryWatch.com has named Bridges for Peace one of 30 “Shining Light” Christian ministries for 2007. MinistryWatch.com compiles the annual list of 30 ministries from the nearly 500 ministries for which it has financial and other information. Those ministries on the list have demonstrated outstanding effectiveness and efficiency in their ministry and financial operations. Read More...
Our US National Director comments on BFP Israel Mosaic Radio here.
Watch our new promo video to learn more about Bridges For Peace.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV
Indianapolis -- U.S. Rep. Julia Carson, D-Indianapolis, has died after a battle with lung cancer, her office said Saturday morning.Carson, 69, had been under hospice care at her home. She revealed that she had terminal lung cancer on Nov. 24, and had been on leave from Congress since September, when she was hospitalized in Indianapolis for what her staff said was a severe leg infection.The death of Carson, who has represented Indianapolis in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, came less than a month after she announced she didn't plan to seek re-election to Congress in 2008.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.ea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV
If you are thinking about what the Bible teaches about the leadership of the church, or if you have upcoming officer elections and you are wanting to inform both the candidates and the congregation of the qualifications of biblical eldership, then Thabiti Anyabwile has a treasure trove of useful information and wise counsel, here...
Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:34-40 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed.Note: Here's an interesting concept originating in Carmel, IN. Hat-tip: Tia Nielsen]
"What would this Christmas season look like if massive numbers of people gave up just ONE Christmas present and decided instead to give a gift to someone more in need? This is the idea of GiveUpOne. Will you accept the challenge?
[From JollyBlogger.com -- and remember, there's a reason he's called 'jolly'... read with care]
"Evangelical churches and ministries across America are reeling today after a lower court in Manhattan found the defendants guilty in the "U.S. vs. 'Rev. John Smith'" sermon sharing case.
On April 1, 2007 the justice department filed charges against thousands of pastors and seminary students across America. Due to the large number of parties involved, the justice department simply designated the defendant as "Rev. John Smith" to represent the whole.
At the center of the suit are the sermons and writings of Rev. Timothy J. Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. After an intensive three year investigation the justice department uncovered an extensive network of pastors, seminary students and other church workers who downloaded hundreds of sermons by Rev. Keller, distributed them and preached them regularly in churches across America."
Even a veteran teacher such as Marshall's Nancy Scott, who has worked for 26 years in IPS, was not convinced that the changes would have much of an impact. With Wednesday's results, she became a believer.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-16 NIV
"For all of us Southern Baptist who are committed to building bridges in the SBC, this is a day where we should all be ashamed of being one. Let’s be clear on this. The issue about the MBC and Acts 29 is not merely about alcohol; it’s about the future direction of the SBC and who will be leading us there."
Christian bloggers around the world are connecting & communicating... at ChristianBlogNetwork.com -- a Facebook group truly leveraging its power to lay criss-cross communications tracks, and sharpening one another throughout the blogosphere in name of Christ.
Kudos to Dr. Andrew Jackson for his insight to start this group (and doing the heavylifting so far).
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[Also visit the new 'Media Center' page in the 'Wiki Encyclopedia of City Reaching' -- where we're facilitating communications via many many channels... mainstream and personal... to prosper the Whole Commission in every city.]
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV
"Please join us in praying for those affected by today’s shooting at the Youth with a Mission base in Denver. Below is the official statement from YWAM concerning the shooting. The tragedy hits close to home because..." [continued at JeremyDelRio.com]
Yesterday, during our time together which we call 'Ask Anything Saturday', one of our cafe regulars asked... "How could I use the internet to help sell an old newspaper I have from 1964?"
As it turns out, he didn't just have ANY old newspaper, he had one from the day a young, brash Louisville fighter beat the reigning heavyweight champion of the world...
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45 NIV
Onion: God makes Spanish the official language of Christianity
[IndyChristian Ed.Note: I hope you can handle a little 'tongue-in-cheek' today, even if from a secular site. And it's Saturday for heaven-sake. Enjoy. Btw, my Hispanic friends regularly kid about Spanish being 'the heavenly language'. And after hearing them pray, I'm beginning to believe them! **smile**]
Indiana stands ready to roll out a computer-based teaching tool that can serve as an early warning system for student learning problems.
The system is designed to give quick tests to students throughout the year, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed. The tests will make sure children are learning what they should and reveal what they've missed.
Government’s gone and done it again. Local government, no less. Stepped out in front of the church to serve family needs in a tangible, meaningful way. Today’s Indianapolis Star reports that the city of Carmel will help its employees with the cost of adopting a child as part of its employee benefit package - up to $500 per child with a maximum of $10,000 per employee.
This is one in a string of creative policies by the city of Carmel to build a cutting-edge community and a progressive local government approach. But should tax dollars go toward government employees’ adoption costs?
Conservatives will tell you no. Churches will say the demand is too great and costs too high. Liberals will want higher dollar thresholds (and throw in a puppy). Gay activists will demand to be included. Business leaders will say it is a competitive move to attract workforce.
"Yesterday I met with a tech director at another church here in Dallas. This is something I’ve done for the last 13 years. I guess you could say I’m a “networker”. It really comes natural to me and is a passion of mine. Everywhere that I’ve lived and each church I’ve served, I’ve always got to know the local churches and staff members. From my days as a college student..."
[Blews Ed.Note: Thus our very reason for existence -- connecting the body of Christ, city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Find YOUR city's network... in the 'Wiki Encyclopedia of CityReaching'.]
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble t emselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Yesterday, I reported on an article in the Courier-Journal newspaper (of Louisville, Kentucky) about an “evolutionary evangelist” who visited the Creation Museum. The reporter wrote a quality article reporting on this visit and what the museum teaches etc.
Today, I want to share—from the same Kentucky newspaper (the largest in the state)—a different sort of piece. This is an opinion piece written about the museum by a former science teacher, now a laboratory director who resides in England. I have reprinted sections below and made some comments:
“There is a great educational injustice being inflicted upon thousands of children in this country, a large percentage of whom come from the Kentucky, Ohio and, Indiana areas. The source of this injustice is a sophisticated Christian ministry that uses the hook of dinosaurs, the guarantee of an afterlife, and the horrors of hell to convince children and their families to believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible..."
[IndyChristian Ed.Note... It seems that Ken and creation science advocates have struck a nerve. Is there something about the 'theory of evolution' that can't stand scrutiny?] CREATION/EVOLUTION tags
Don't even talk to me about whether you should give.
Joe Helt, blogging youth-pastor
"I've recently been confronted with a couple of situations that, frankly, are making me sick to my stomach.
For several months last year I was really poor. I sold stuff to make rent. I borrowed money from friends. I spent less than $15 a month on food and still didn't have enough money to make it to work..."
A Great Way to Mobilize Prayer for Indiana... city by city
Seek God for the City 2008 Helping Christians pray with biblical hope for their communities.
High hope, low hype, and centered on Christ's glory. Get a look at the latest edition of Seek God for the City. The newly-crafted prayers and crisp look will help your people pray for friends and neighbors with vibrant prayers ablaze with biblical hope. Lead your people to step into a forty-day adventure of praying the desires of God with vivid, relevant prayers from the promises of scripture. The 64-page booklet is a proven tool that unites and guides whole churches in persistent prayer for spiritual awakening throughout their communities. It’s timed to guide prayer through the forty days leading to Palm Sunday, February 6 through March 16, 2008. A children's companion version and a Spanish translation will soon be available at no cost online. We are offering a complimentary review copy to leaders in recognized positions of pastoral or prayer leadership. Call our office at 800-264-5214 to request a review copy. It's affordable. For as little as $1.20 each, the significant quantity discounts make it possible to equip many in your church or community. ($3 single copy price.) It is very convenient to view a sample page or place an order on line. For more information please visit us at www.waymakers.org Take a look at your calendar. Seek God for the City comes earlier next year. It is not too soon to order copies now. Steve Hawthorne, Director
WayMakers P O Box 203131 Austin, TX 78720 512-419-7729 www.waymakers.org
"When huge pain comes into your life—like divorce, or the loss of a precious family member, or the dream of wholeness shattered—it is good to have a few things settled with God ahead of time. The reason for this is not because it makes grieving easy, but because it gives focus and boundaries for the pain.
Being confident in God does not make the pain less deep, but less broad... "
Communications & Attitudes: The Internet versus Print Media
This presentation discusses how user behavior is likely to shape future demand for printed materials. Much of the presentation centers on the Pew Internet Projec's typology of users of information and communication technology, which suggests that the "paperless society" is far out into the future. The materials for this presentation are both text of the remarks delivered and the PowerPoint presentation.
Be careful re your conclusions above. In this particular presentation, its author(s) only seem to take a 'snapshot' of today's world... re internet, broadband, skills, ages, and current usages re tv, radio, newspapers & online news. What they seem to have stopped short of doing, is to put the various snapshots into MOTION... like a meteorologist would put the radar-loop into motion... and develop a projected model of the weather for our future days & weeks.
We might revisit the assumptions regarding the internet's future path by specially noting the convergence of several driving factors -- aging (both young & old), educational gains, leadership transitioning, skills improvement, unpredicted technological improvements, continued lowering of information costs, global competition, cultural acceptance of new media, broadband availability, increased collaboration due to decreased impediments, continued declining economics of mainstream media, etc.
Then accelerate it all by a factor pertaining to rapidly reaching critical mass. [Eg, when most of your friends, neighbors & business associates seem to suddenly have a telephone, you will get one despite every conceivable objection.]
Obviously here at Blews.Network we're forecasting the many factors converging for a 'perfect storm'... a God-storm if you will. Putting new tools & capabilities into the hands of now-locally-connected (and renewed!) hearts... we can more effectively pray, plan and act together as a team... city-by-city, neighborhood-by-neighborhood, toward our common goal -- glorifying God as we enjoy Him now & forever... together.
The cityreaching movement needs to develop & sharpen our capabilities for looking into the FUTURE ... and recognizing new opportunities God is giving us to reach our cities on our watch.
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." - Rev 11:1
An ancient definition of the word "reed" use to stand for a measuring rod or in the case of scriptural doctrine, a canon. A canon or reed of the congregation measures its spiritual health, even the individual's spiritual health. But it also says a lot about a nation as a whole and its individuals. This metaphor for measuring the church is spelled out in James 1:27 when it outlines the following: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD - and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he willgive decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. Isaiah 11:1-5 NIV
Poll: More Americans believe in the devil... than Darwin
More Americans believe in a literal hell and the devil than in Darwin’s theory of evolution, a new poll found.
Over half of Americans, 62 percent, believe in hell and the devil compared to only 42 percent of those surveyed who said they believe in Darwin’s theory, according to the findings of the recently released Harris poll.
The poll of 2,455 U.S. adults, taken Nov. 7-13, found that 82 percent of respondents believe in God, according to Reuters. It further showed that...
Victoria’s Secret at Clay Terrace Mall changed its window displays following protests from Carmel residents about the racy nature of its mannequins in lingerie.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17 NIV
[click to watch the video -- slow load but way worth it]
"...An amazing story of New Life Community, Pastor Mark Jobe and what their church has done to partner with dying churches in urban Chicago. I’m inspired and excited…..this needs to be what is happening in all of our city centers. Mark had this video produced because he gets contacted weekly by churches in Chicago who are calling to find out if he’ll come and share this vision with their deacons and elder boards. AMAZING!!!!" -- continued at 'One Great City' -- re various forms of 'cityreaching' in Chicago.
[More cityreaching information for YOUR city... at CityReaching.org]
The holidays are the top season for volunteering. Don't forget to search ChristianVolunteering.org to find holiday volunteer opportunities in your area. We've redesigned our homepage at ChristianVolunteering.org, so check out the new site....
Another great little video from CommonCraft... "Blogs"
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Learn more about easy-blogging, and other 21st Century capabilities... in the 'Internet Tool Kit'.
Or come by the Unleavened Bread Cafe any Saturday morning... 10am... and make friends with some hands-on geeks who would be glad to help you with your internet questions & capabilities.
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
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centralized media site for Greater Indianapolis Christians. We connect & communicate among 'Driven-Christians in the Racing Capital of
the World' to accelerate the Great Commission!"
"If
you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but
in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." (Philippians
2)
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