But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Seeing the explosion in growth of Twitter right now, it’s pretty clear that the hot trend on the web is to have a service which acts as a central hub for information, and allows third-party sites and services to built on top of it. For most of its life, Facebook has been almost the exact opposite, insisting that developers work from within its walls to keep much of the data — and the users — there. Tomorrow, it looks like Facebook may be knocking down its dam to let its streams of data flow more freely.
Facebook is expected to announce that third-parties will now have access to data from the site that was previously unavailable...
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
[from Jason Thiemann, one of our Indy Christian Geeks now flying for MAF...]
Two weeks ago, I passed my first MAF flight review and received my Lesotho pilot’s license. Today, I had my first operational flight.
I spent the morning inspecting the engine of 7P-CMO. I was told that I might be able to fly today, depending on when the morning flight returned. I have to be back to Maseru by 3:30 and carry extra fuel, since I am new. I needed to get off the ground by 1pm if I was going to make it back in time.
At lunch time, I checked on the plane. Melvin was still in the mountains and estimating his return at 12:50. We would have to load our passengers, cargo, and refuel very quickly for it to work. I was a little anxious about my first solo flight in Lesotho, so I couldn’t eat half my lunch. I paced the hangar, going over all of my preparations in my head to make sure I’d be ready when the plane landed. I finally went to the bathroom and put on my pilot shirt. I’d worn it hundreds of times before...
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope."
State lawmakers hit a potentially insurmountable roadblock Monday over legislation that could make it harder for women to obtain abortions in Indiana.
Their disagreement centered not on the question of abortion, but on whether to spend $23 million in taxpayer money to provide free breast- and cervical-cancer screenings for uninsured women.
House Democrats added that provision to Senate Bill 89 this month.
In many schools this week students are taking the last round of ISTEP testing for the school year. You might ask what does this have to do with me..... How about paying it forward this week. What impact could you have by calling a Principal and saying... I know ISTEP is going on this week..what can I do to support students or staff. It could be as simple as leaving snacks in the teacher's lounge.. freeze pops for the students. A letter of encouragement and appreciation to the staff for their efforts would speak volumes as well as prayer.
Educators have a tough task...but they signed up for the job anyway. An unexpected blessing goes a long way.... Consider being the source of an unexpected blessing!
At the Unleavened Bread Cafe we often say, "We were Facebook before Facebook was Facebook". *smile* Why? Because at the heart of its very mission, the cafe is warm & welcoming (in the name of Christ) in the neighborhood. People don't 'dress up' to come to the cafe -- you can come just as you are: you're among friends.
And yeah, we've been taking folks pictures 'at the banner' for years (over 1,700 now in our Flickr-stream)... to honor our guests and to help get to know each other better, sooner.
Today was just another of those 'buzzing' Saturdays at the cafe, as @DrThomasHo (Tom Ho) brought one of his IUPUI Social Media #CIT499 students with him to specially present her class project.
Julie Underwood (known as @JuUnderw on Twitter) shared a howto video with us which she had prepared, which covered a variety of social media concepts... eg. tagging, rss, pipes, lifestream, and social-networking sites.
By Grace is a group of 18 singers from Stockholm, Sweden, who have been singing contemporary gospel music together since the beginning of 1995. The choir is accompanied by a band: keyboard, organ, bass and drums.
The director of By Grace is Mr Daniel Stenbaek. Daniel is a keyboardist and has been playing gospelmusic since he was 10. Daniel feels that this is the music to which he wants to give his life. At present, he accompanies one of Sweden's greatest gospelsingers, Mrs Cyndee Peters, and they tour in Sweden as well as in Europe. Daniel has also studied at the Royal Music Academy of Stockholm.
The purpose of By Grace is to glorify God, and to do it with as high musical quality as possible. As gospelmusic has its roots in America, it is a natural step for the group to go over to the United States to serve and to be inspired. By Grace have released a full-length CD recording with reverend Daryl Coley as guest artist. The recording took place in The Citychurch in Stockholm, Sweden in the summer of 1997. By Grace is also featured on the album from Daryl Coley - "Live in Oakland - home again", that was released in January of 1998. (Verity)
Come see By Grace in Concert Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 6 pm Northside New Era Baptist Church located at 517 W. 30th Street. www.nne.org
Last year, throughout the nation, millions joined together on the First Thursday in May for the National Day of Prayer. (May 7th) Some believe the numbers were greater than ever before.
The National Day of Prayer leaders say the number of the public-invited events posted on our Web site had doubled from the previous year, 2007. In addition, there was more favor from local and state governments; more politicians who participated, more access to government buildings, and even more governors. All 50 governors signed National Day of Prayer proclamations. Many mayors participated.
There was a wider scope in the type of events as well: planes, motorcycles, children prayer walks, buses, train, IRS, NASA and police departments.
PrayerFlight - a group of Ohio based private pilots - organized "50 Capitols." These private pilots did 'prayer-flights' over all 50 state capitols, while praying for those states. Military pilots serving overseas and airline pilots and flight attendants were also organized to pray while airborne as well.
Today's a very special Saturday here in Indianapolis -- RELOAD INDY has finally arrived. In addition to our regular Community TV channel, we've added NNE TV (at right)... which will be live-casting today from the conference. Join us as we learn together with our urban youth workers.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Transformational Living: Don't Just Learn It...Experience It Luncheon at the Bonefish Grill
Don't Just Learn It...Experience It Luncheon at the Bonefish Grill with guest speaker, Isaac Randolph, Executive Director of Indiana Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Isaac will speak on the theme: "Out of our intimacy with God, there is strategy, provision and transformation." Proceeds invested in FHL transformational activities and events. Downloadable Registration form in PDF format.
Come be with us... 11:30am - 1:00pm Bonefish Grill Street 4501 E. 82 St. Indianapolis, IN
FHL City-wide Prayer with Extreme Prophetic Ministries and Aglow Indianapolis North
Join us for a combination seminar / conference with city wide prayer for FHL. Bart and Kim Hadaway and Caleb from Extreme Prophetic will be joining us for this day long event .
Refresh, Empower, and GO! City-wide Prayer
We give a lot to others and we need to be refreshed and empowered so we can GO and continue in enlarging God's Kingdom in Indiana.
Location : Church of Praise located at 18686 Eagletown Rd. - Westfield, In 46074 - 317-896-9086
9:30am Refresh , Empower , and Go meeting with Extreme Prophetic Ministry worship by FHL team 2:30pm Questions and Answers session: The panel will consist of Extreme Prophetic ministers and FHL leaders. 7:pm FHL City-wide prayer meeting with everyone
Sunday May 17th
Extreme Prophetic ministry will join us at Body Of Christ at 5pm 229 s.3rd street Beech Grove Ind.
RSVP for any meeting by calling 317-578-3370 or email info@fhlinternational.org No registration fee. Free will offering will be taken. Donna Cherry FHL City Coordinator
USA Today, Opinion, Karen Wardwell - Sun City Center, Fla.
Ex-NFL coach's quiet honor Thank you so much for the article on Tony Dungy. I have long been an admirer of his, and I don't even like football. He is an inspiration ("After the NFL, Dungy is still coaching," Cover story, News, Monday).
In an era when Christians often make headlines only for negative things, it is so refreshing to read of the quiet honor and strength of a man like Dungy who represents what Christianity is truly about: recognizing that we all fall short of Jesus' perfect example and loving other sinners into the kingdom.
In times like these, it is encouraging to be reminded that there are men like Dungy out there eschewing monetary gain for something priceless: the soul(s) of this nation.
The Refuge offers nonperishable and fresh food, along with personal products and clothing, to residents of Greenwood and the surrounding areas. We will accommodate individuals once every 30 days on Tuesday's from 9-11am and Thursday's 6-8pm.
NHouse Classes...
How to buy groceries on a budget How to prepare a resume How to prepare for an interview Basic housekeeping skills Balancing a checkbook Preparing a family budget Discipleship Training Veterans support group Individual counseling
Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
"This blog post is intended to serve as an outline for my message at the Gospel Coalition. Because of the seriousness of the text that was assigned to me some months ago, I have prepared what is, for me, a very thorough outline. Rarely do I use notes of any length but I felt it would be helpful to post these notes because there are likely too many points (40ish) for attendees to capture. Nonetheless, I want to also stress that the message likely will deviate from the notes at certain points.
Before beginning, I want to give a few thanks. First, I want to thank the Gospel Coalition in general, and Don Carson and Tim Keller in particular, for the grace they have extended to me. Not being part of a denomination has the great benefits of freedom and independence, but also the downside of a lack of extended friendships and people to learn from. Part of this lack has been made up for thanks to the wonderful brothers I enjoy in the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. Still, the relationships I have enjoyed with mainly older pastors in the Gospel Coalition also have been used by God to help me learn and grow.
Second, I want to thank God for the text he had assigned to me in his providence some months ago. It has proven to be a timely section of Scripture for my own sanctification. In his kindness, God allowed this to be one of the easiest messages I have ever prepared for—I literally prayed one night and woke up the next with the sermon in my mind and typed it out in rough form in just over an hour. Third, my message will not be a full exposition of the text, but rather a word from a pastor to ministry leaders in hopes of serving them as they serve God’s people. Introductory Comments on 1 and 2 Timothy
Paul and Timothy were as close as a father and son..."
Would you like to bless a single mom during Mothers' Day by offering them Free Oil change during their day? FHL International, Inc. is sponsoring the CARS OF CLAY FREE Single Mother's Oil Change on May 9th from 10am to 2pm at four convenient locations:
INDIANAPOLIS EAST: Post Road Christian Church, 1112 Post Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46219 INDIANAPOLIS WEST:Chapel Rock Christian Church, 2020 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46214
CARMEL:Hubler Express Collision, 503 W. Carmel Dr.,Carmel, IN, 46032 GREENWOOD: Hubler Express Collision, 1202 E. Stop 12 Rd., Indianapolis, IN, 46227 ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! For online registration go to:
Or For Registration and Event information call: 317.578.3370 or visit http://fhlinternational.org to download a copy of the registration form. Please let the single mothers in your area know.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
RELOAD CONFERENCE SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH! Workshop Information
2020 Vision For Schools: Transforming Public Education Within A Single Generation Of Students Adults promise children that if they stay in school they will be equipped to succeed in life, but we have failed to make good on that promise for generations -- with high school graduation rates in some cities hovering at or below 30%. First-graders in Fall 2008 will graduate high school in 2020. Come explore how urban ministries can transform public education within a single generation of students by activating congregations, adopting schools, and becoming answers to prayer.
Discipleship: An Effective Method of Mentoring Urban Youth As urban youth continually endure the adversities of single-parent homes, unsafe neighborhoods and failing municipal systems, the need for nurturing and consistent adult relationships is exceedingly apparent. Discipleship is one form of mentoring that can transform the relationships you have with your youth and subsequently transform their relationship with Jesus. Come and learn from practitioners in the urban youth ministry field who will share stories of success as well as give practical guidelines for discipleship.
Rev Up Your Bible Teaching: How to Counter a Culture that Would Rather Watch TV than Listen to You Many youth leaders would agree with their peers who complain that the Bible teaching they've experienced just isn't meeting the real needs of their youth. "It doesn't seem to be dealing with the tough issues of violence, blended families, or divorce. They're bored!" How do we bring truth into their lives that integrate into their thought processes? How do we help them ask good questions and find related answers in the Bible? How can God and His truth really make sense in their life? This session will focus on answering those questions and help the youth worker create learner-oriented environments where the Bible makes sense in the world of urban youth.
Girls and Boys: Adjusting Your Ministry to Be More Gender-Sensitive in an Urban Environment It's no secret that girls and boys are wired differently. Yet we don't often adjust our ministry to be gender sensitive. Boys struggle with knowing what it means to be a man. Girls use their sexuality as power. This workshop provides an overview of some of the traditional issues that are generally associated with girls and boys as well as guide you through some of the current issues that urban youth are facing. You'll walk away with an eagerness to meet the challenges of being gender-specific in your relational ministry.
Jump Starting Your Youth Ministry: Planning for Success If you're new to youth ministry, or if you've been in the game for awhile and need to sharpen your skills, this session is for you! You'll walk away with 1) A conventional tool box of strategies and tactics that will help you build a relational youth ministry, 2) Insights for organizing a program that responds to the broad, yet specific youth-related issues that emerge from urban communities, 3) A sense of urgency to get home and call your youth!
Core Values of a Youth Worker: Laying a Foundation for Ministry You've heard it said that "Values are caught, not taught." Is there a set of core values that every urban youth worker should live through and live out? If so, what are they and how should we integrate them into our life, ministry and youth ministry? This session will help you to find a foundational theology on which to build values for ministry that will help you stand strong against the tests and adversities of life.
Teen Leadership Track (for high school students only) As you envision and develop the emerging young leaders around you, think about bringing your TOP high school student leaders for a deeper leadership training experience designed just for them. Dealing With Life: Let's Get Real Do you remember when we used to tell kids to “just say no” to alcohol, drugs, and SEX? Well what do we do now when teenagers say “no” to sex, but are confused about how to respond to their own “sexuality?” How many teenagers are told to “just go to church, accept the Lord as your personal Savior, get baptized – and you’re home free?” Well what happens when they can’t figure out how to manage their temple in the midst of teenage environments and teenage pressure? How can teenagers become fit for the Kingdom now and not choose to wait until they become middle-aged adults? How can teens be in a continual posture to access the fruits of the Kingdom both now and in the future? Your teenagers will learn the answers and gain practical applications to address these questions.
TO REGISTER WWW.RELOADTOUR.ORG QUESTIONS 1-800-REG-UYWI
The Lord has been taking me on a journey to the truth.
I have always been unsettled with the great disparity between the teachings of Christ and the apostles and the practices of the modern evangelical church. Within the church is a grace-based mentality that encourages disobedience and teaches sanctification as a life-long process that is “spirit-led” and clearly quite ineffective. As a result, most cultural Christians look no different than non-Christians in most ways. I have always questioned the salvation of such folks as a result of the litany of verses that describe what a born-again Christian should look like—holy and obedient, full of love, joy and peace—hmmm, something is not adding up, you see.
In response to this, I have been studying church history, and discovering the practices of the early church and kingdom saints in our lineage. There has always been a kingdom-sect who practiced obedience and unrestrained commitment. Among them are many who see the litany of verses associating love and obedience and freedom from sin and rebirth and righteousness and authentic faith, leading many to conclude that works are indeed a measure of ones “authentic” faith and that you cannot separate works from salvation. The result, it takes a lot of effort to be saved. This indeed reconciles Christ’s commands with Pauline doctrine yet leads to two difficult-to-accept conclusions. One, most “Christians” are not saved, and are greatly deceived. This one can be accepted if you fall into the obedient and holy crowd, and Jesus did say the gate was narrow. The next is this: where is the joy and peace—life more abundantly, the freedom purchased by Christ. Hmmm, it is elusive—and religion is the result.
The tail end of the journey: We have been listening to a great teaching series by Michael Pearl (Here's the product link.) called “Sin no More.” We have always been curious about it, and just recently purchased it. I have to say, this has been an incredible series. It reconciles ALL these matters. I won’t be able to do it justice without writing several pages, but want to encourage you to consider purchasing it or I can teach on the subject for 15-20 minutes at the next regional meeting (for you locals). It is a very good teaching—I can’t emphasize it enough.
The thesis: salvation is by faith through grace—and so is sanctification. Rebirth and dying to self, partaking in Christ’s death and resurrection will result in a new mind that will render sin powerless over you—leading to obedience, holiness, and righteousness. Literally, sin has no hold. I know what you are thinking, You’ve read all these verses too. They are right there in Scripture. However, this is NOT a life-long process as we have been taught. It is an instantaneous process. Hear me out—what I say IS in Scripture, and I know you are thinking it just does not reconcile with your reality—because like us, you struggle with sin. What I am telling you is that your sanctification (like ours) was incomplete, because we assumed it was indeed a life-long process, and as a result, did not lay hold of our newness of self because we lacked faith in it. As a result, we worked for our holiness and righteousness—resulting in religion and joy elusive.
An analogy: our old self is a beat up Dodge. We, presuming “by the Spirit” work on one area at a time over a long time, restoring a quarter panel, tuning up the engine, putting on new tires…and so on, with the hope one day to have a fully restored Dodge. However, at any given time, we have one panel the wrong color, and there is always wear and tear because we drive it—an exhaust system, brakes, small dents and scratches—and we never arrive. Yet Scripture says we are ALREADY seated in the heavenlies with Christ—that our victory over sin is here—in past tense. We believe by faith in our salvation, because it can never contradict our experience. Yet, we doubt our sanctification because it contradicts our experience. So we work one part at a time—in our own strength, all the while—and look more like the cars that don’t have Christ than the resurrected cars.
Here is the truth: The old Dodge is picked up by the magnet and dropped in the crusher. It is turned into a foot-sized cube and tossed. Christ pulls up in His stretched limo and says “hop in, from now on you’re riding with me.” We spend all our time fixing the old self and fail to die to self and live in Christ. We fail to partake and abide in Him. Get it?
The truth is here. What I share is designed to get your experience to line up with the Word—so that you can walk in freedom from sin, and experience life more abundantly. I am bubbling with freedom right now. It is incredible. But on the outside things may not look much different. My strong will power and depth of Scripture knowledge have rendered me somewhat effective at obedience—yet this is simply a mirage—a poor refection of what Christ offers. There is still bondage. And for those (most folks) who have less will power, biblical knowledge offers nothing but discouragement because we never measure up. What Christ offers is freedom—a freedom that actually results in immediate sanctification. Stop thinking “no way,” you’ll psyche yourself out—just believe and you’ll understand what I am saying is true. Your experience will indeed line up with the Word, and your joy will be complete. Then you will have a contagious joy that naturally results in kingdom expansion.
Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
BOWLING GREEN, Fla. -- In many ways, it was like hundreds of pep talks and locker room speeches he'd given in nearly three decades as an NFL coach. Tony Dungy's message was one of responsibility, of motivation, of not letting down others -- or yourself. As always, he was pointed and analytical yet smooth and laid-back.
This time, however, Dungy's audience wasn't a highly paid collection of elite athletes.
Dungy -- a little more than two years removed from becoming the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl and less than three months after retiring as the leader of the Indianapolis Colts -- was in a prison yard, a Bible tucked under his left arm.
Connect with families across the nation for a truly radical message: HOPE.
Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event!
That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin
Ministry Mobilizes Churches to Help, Reach Out to America's Poor
With many experts expecting the economic situation to get worse before getting better, a national inner-city ministry is mobilizing Christians nationwide to help people struggling with poverty.
With more and more Americans losing their jobs in an unstable economy, evictions are also on the rise.
In Los Angeles, the problem has grown to such proportions that the city council recently halted evictions and the city decided to buy empty buildings and designate them as affordable apartments.
“Many Americans are now losing or facing the prospect of losing their homes as both homeowners and renters feel the impact of the foreclosure crisis,” noted Deborah DeSantis, president and CEO of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, earlier this year.
“Millions more Americans are likely to fall into deep poverty in the coming months as a result of rising unemployment and declining state and local funding for safety net programs that assist people who are unable to find work,” she added.
With many experts expecting the economic situation to get worse before getting better, a national inner-city ministry is mobilizing Christians nationwide to help people struggling with poverty.
Here's Life Inner City, the urban ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International, has been promoting a resource that it has produced for churches to learn how to effectively reach out to the poor...
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
SCBI Disaster Relief will be offering the following classes at Family Life Community Church, 518 N. Pendleton Ave., Pendleton, Indiana on Saturday, May 16, 2009:
* Intro to Dsiaster Relief * Basic mud-out * Basic and advanced chain saw
IndyChristian Commentary: If you spend enough money on enough projects, you very likely may hit on a great one or two. And this idea just might fall into that category.
Parents and educators across Central Indiana faced conflicting emotions Wednesday as new ratings showed more and more schools failed to meet federal education standards.
Every traditional public high school in Marion County and several prominent suburban schools failed to make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind results released this week...
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
More Indiana Schools Fail To Meet Federal Standards
[from the Indianapolis Star...]
Parents and educators across Central Indiana faced conflicting emotions Wednesday as new ratings showed more and more schools failed to meet federal education standards.
Every traditional public high school in Marion County and several prominent suburban schools failed to make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind results released this week...
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 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."
"We've talked about it for months now its time to walk the talk. Reload Indy is a week and a few days away. I have brochures available. Please register your groups today..tell a friend, co-worker, parents, Youth Pastor, Youth Serving agencies about this wonderful event. Affordable and Impactful.. a wonderful combination."
[story filed by IndyChristian reporter, Ellen Spencer]
[photo by Ellen5e]
BREAKING NEWS -- Indianapolis Eastside.... in the 7200 block of Pleasant Run Parkway. VERY near where I live. At about 10:30 p.m. I noticed some flashing lights of emergency vehicles in our backyard and apparently very near the front of a neighbor...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day. And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-- the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights-- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-- the fourth day. And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the fifth day. And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, " So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground. " Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-- everything that has the breath of life in it-- I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-- the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
A snapshot of the impact of today’s economic crisis on our neighborhood:
The majority of those we serve are being forced into tough decisions. Job loss, hours reduced, loss of home, no health insurance, cost increases for the staples.
Yet, with the 550+ families we serve, and add to an increase of 40 percent and it is a tidal wave of need.
I think back to a scene from my favorite author, J.R.R Tolkien...
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Church of Acts Assists Members, Neighbors With Food Drive
Members of a Southeastside church hope a massive food drive and an Easter basket giveaway can help some of their neighbors through rough economic times.
More than 1,000 worshippers attended Easter services at the Church of ACTS, 3700 block of South Dearborn Street, on Sunday. After Sunday school, nearly 300 children ages 2 to 10 rushed to nab Easter baskets filled with chocolate crosses and other sweets...
for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
[per email from Merlin Gonzales to regional pastors/leaders...]
Our next area meeting will be at Carmel United Methodist on April 14th at 8:30am.
The first Carmel area churches meeting for the Faith Hope & Love Week 2009 (Missions trip in your own backyard, July 19-25) was held at Hazel Dell Christian Church. Thanks for Kurt Berger for hosting the meeting and to Fred Knoll for doing the presentation. Special thanks to Fred Knoll of White River Christian Church for his wonderful presentation about FHL Week.
Here's what we discussed (not in detail):
* Stories about FHL Week 2008 * The Experiential model of Jesus' teaching * Relationship over task * Unity and discipleship * 'Save the Date' church bulletin announcement
As we look at what God is doing, we can get overwhelmed; however, as long as we keep connected with him, we will enjoy the process and we will see miracles along the way. We are distributors of God's blessings to our community and we allow others to come alongside us. Hallelujah!
Habakkuk 1:5... "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to your Name be the Glory
Jesus:"Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." Pilate:"What is truth?"
JerusalemChristian.com: Governor Pilate, thank you for agreeing to talk with us this morning. We understand the difficult position you were in yesterday.
Governor Pilate: You're welcome. Actually, I've rather been looking forward to talking with someone, now that the riot has died down. Yesterday was considerably disturbing to my wife and I. We still haven't slept a wink. Mysterious fellow, that Jesus. I still can't really understand what happened out there. Not really.
JerusalemChristian.com: We can only imagine what must have been going through your mind, Sir. Would you mind sharing your thoughts with us?
Governor Pilate: I'm the governor of Judea, for heaven' sake. Except for Caesar himself, I am truth around here. At least I thought I was.
JerusalemChristian.com: I'm sorry Sir, I'm not following.
Pilate: Yesterday. Remember. There he was in chains, yet I was the one intimidated. By the crowd, to be sure. But much more intimidated by his apparent authority. He said, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." How dare he say such a thing to a Roman governor... Yet I was the one that froze. All I could do was mumble some trite cliche.
JC: What is truth?
Pilate: That's the one. What I should have said was, 'I'll tell you what is truth. What prevails is truth. It's what works'.
JC: Pragmatism, Sir?
Pilate: Exactly. Surviving ideologies become truth because they survive the test of time. After all, isn't...
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, Eli, lama sabachthani?"-- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Today's version of Jerusalem is a collage of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The Jewish Temple Mount is topped by the Muslim Dome of the Rock. Views of the Western Wall include sightings of mosque minarets and church cupolas. Pilgrims and residents representing the three religions weave through many narrow and crowded passages of the streets inside the walls of old Jerusalem.
I traveled as a Christian pilgrim to Jerusalem to focus on where Jesus walked, and to have a spiritual encounter with him. But I was surprised that one of my most profound experiences was at the Western Wall. As I wore the required yarmulke with the Christian men in my group, I found myself praying a life-commitment prayer much like the one I prayed at age 18 the day I accepted Christ.
Finding the footsteps of Jesus was much harder than I thought it would be. We went up the 2,000-year-old steps on the South Wall of the Temple Mount, where archaeologists believe...
'Ask Anything Saturday' at the Unleavened Bread Cafe
[During Ask Anything Saturday (10am each week at the UBcafe), we've been drawing this as a picture below for YEARS. Now, PTL, this quick video explains it very very well. Thus you see the power of YouTube as well.]
Come bring your questions. Everything we do on Saturday is FREE.
Or come bring your internet capabilities, and help OTHERS. If you can do email, you can help.
We're crossing the 3 great divides: Digital Divide, Multicultural Divide, and God's Eternal Divide.
This Saturday, we'll focus a little extra attention on YouTube questions. Come join us.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
"I have been saying for years that there is a trend where more and more people are coming to our churches for help. In a recent USA Today report (via Church Marketing blog) many pastors and churches are reporting that increase of attention and giving in areas of financial and physcial needs.
Certainly these physical needs are coming with psychological ones. Unfortunately many of our pastors and church members are ill-equipped to manage these needs. It is not difficult to know how to give money and food, but when it comes to giving and supporting emotional need, more and more pastors are finding that their only option is to refer.
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
[excerpted from an email from Jarvis Ward, Mission America Coalition]
"Dr. John M. Perkins, Mission America Coalition Honorary Co-Chair, legendary pioneer in City/Community Transformation, Christian Community Development, Racial Reconciliation, Justice (and much more) will be our guest on the monthly Cityreaching Conference call Thursday, April 16 Dr. Perkins will be joined by Elizabeth Perkins, Executive Director of the John M. Perkins Foundation. The call starts at 11am EDT.
Friends, this email is too short to list how the Lord has used and is using Dr. Perkins to advance the message of Jesus Christ in word and in deeds. No other single servant of our Lord has impacted community development as has Dr. Perkins.
Dr. Perkins has authored books which have challenged the commitment to the claims of Jesus Christ of rich and poor, powerful and powerless. His teachings have influenced Presidents, Governors, Mayors and community leaders across our nation and the globe.
The Body of Christ in cities and communities nationwide is facing huge challenges spiritually, socially, morally, economically, etc. as we press forward to proclaim and practice the gospel. Come learn from Dr. Perkins and Elizabeth Perkins as they share tools and teachings that will bless both your and your ministry!
Please reply to info@cityreaching.com to request the dial-in conference call number and code.
To learn more about Dr. John M. Perkins, Elizabeth Perkins and the John M. Perkins Foundation, visit www.jmpf.org .
Transcripts of previous conference calls and a dial-in audio of the last two calls are available at www.cityreaching.com under the communicate tab."
IndyChristian Ed. Note: Don't forget, this year's CCDA convention is in nearby Cincinnati. Make plans now. Oct. 21-25. Meet Dr. Perkins in person. And other CCDA types from right here in the Greater Indianapolis metro area.
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness."
Retired NFL coach Tony Dungy has been invited to join the White House’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, reported a spokesman for the former Indianapolis Colts head coach.
“He was invited and has not yet made a decision about whether or not he will accept,” Todd Starowitz, a publicist at Dungy’s book publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, told The Christian Post on Tuesday.
In total, there will be 25 members on the council...
INDIANAPOLIS: As many of you are aware, ABC's Extreme Home Makeover is in town this week to build a home for a local teacher Bernard McFarland (click here for previous article by IndyChristian ). Consequently there has been a reawakening to the idea of neighbors helping neighbors to better our community.
It seems peculiar to me that it so often takes a force from outside the community to come in to motivate people to help each other right here. So many local vendors and businesses are donating materials. Those resources and the volunteers were here all the time. It just took the spark of a national TV show to fan the flame of community action? Why is that?
Hoosiers are known for their "Hoosier Hospitality,"
I received a great article on relevance and ministry. This was my comment to the article.
We struggle to become culturally relevant with the noble intent to reach more folks for Christ, yet fail to recognize that Christ and the Apostles never made such attempts. Inasmuch as Christ engages gentiles and Paul "was all things to all people" in efforts to engage the people they ministered to, the practices and standards of the Church were never altered. Paul made clear in his epistles that the practices he modeled and taught were applicable to "all the churches."
As a results, our noble efforts have completely backfired. Instead of Christ's Kingdom reshaping our world, the world has reshaped the Church. Look at divorce. When society thought it taboo, the church did too. Now society shifted, we see that divorce rates among professing Christians actually exceed atheists. We also see racism and slavery. The church was re;relative silent on these subjects, lagging behind the world's condemnation of such ills.
In all these things, our western mindset drives us to plan and institutionalize our way to fix the symptoms (social ills), yet Christ NEVER said to engage the culture in this way. His Kingdom is a different kind of kingdom--one of the heart. His solution was simple--"make disciples teaching them to obey ALL His commands." He knew the world would be changed if we followed His simple, yet clear instructions. The Church has become IRRELEVANT at impacting our society because of our basic disobedience. If we would do what He said, and not focus on the myriad of attempts to solve society's problems our own way, we would have the impact we all so desire. Yet in our pride and arrogance (again, with noble intent), we think we know better than our King. I pray we repent and return to the simplicity of the Lord's teachings so that we can become as relevant as the early church was--the few folks without money, buildings, seminary training, and our deep theology, completely turned their world upside down.
Marc Carrier www.valuesdrivenlife.com www.valuesdrivenpublishing.com
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.
Easter Reservations At Local Church Filling Quickly
IndyChristian Ed. Note: For those of you who perhaps believe we should not be promoting this sort of thing, please know we spent significant time in prayer about it. Our confirmation came this morning via 'LotCaster'...
"We are excited to have Phil Stone as our speaker for this 16th Hamilton County Prayer Breakfast. Phil has spent most of his career as a sportscaster for NBC and ESPN. He will share his memorable moments in that fascinating world of celebrities as well as some of the interesting behind the scenes stories of some of the biggest name stars in sports. Phil is now a member of the full time staff of CBMC as the Director of Communications and Marketing."
"A
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)
'Indy Timeline' of Upcoming Events 
Don't Just Learn It...Experience It Luncheon at the Bonefish Grill with guest speaker, Isaac Randolph, Executive Director of Indiana Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Isaac will speak on the theme: "Out of our intimacy with God, there is strategy, provision and transformation." Proceeds invested in FHL transformational activities and events. Downloadable Registration form in PDF format.
Join us for a combination seminar / conference with city wide prayer for FHL. Bart and Kim Hadaway and Caleb from Extreme Prophetic will be joining us for this day long event .
Would you like to bless a single mom during Mothers' Day by offering them Free Oil change during their day?
WGNR 97.9
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