Apr 26

News and Truth – not the same thing?

I was reading a blog post by Lysa TerKeurst and this grabbed me. She was referring to a bit of news given by a doctor. Balance the news (facts) with Truth.

 

“This is news. This is not truth.”

 

Here’s what Lysa says:

Wow.

I’ve always thought of news and truth as one in the same. What the doctor gave me was news. Honest news based on test results and medical facts.

But what I have access to is a truth that transcends news. What is impossible with man’s limitations is always possible for a limitless God.

So, I find myself looking at the word impossible a little differently today.

Impossible when looked at in light of Shaunti’s note to me could be completely different if I just stick a little apostrophe between the first two letters. Then it becomes I’m-possible. God is the great I AM. Therefore He is my possibility for hope and healing.

I’m-Possible is a much more comforting way to look at anything that feels quite impossible.

I suspect many of us have things in our life that feel impossible. Maybe you just got some bad news. News of an impossible financial situation. News of an impossible job situation. News of an impossible kid situation. News of an impossible friend situation. News of an impossible medical situation.

Whatever news you just got or will get, I pray Shaunti’s advice helps you too. This is news. This isn’t truth.

This is truth:

I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
John 14:6-“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I AM FOREVER FAITHFUL.
Psalm 146:6—“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-he remains faithful forever.”

I AM WITH YOU.
Isaiah 41:10–“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I AM HOLDING YOU.
Psalm 73:23—“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”

I AM YOUR HIDING PLACE.
Psalm 32:7—“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Apr 17

song lyrics – read them slowly and let them sink in…

“I Lift My Hands” – by Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Louie Giglio

 

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary’s tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

And I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

Apr 14

Who was Noah Webster?

[from http://www.americanminute.com]

Noah Webster had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War; was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly for 9 terms; and the Legislature of Massachusetts for three terms.

Noah Webster first published his Webster’s Dictionary on APRIL 14, 1828.

This 26-year project with 30,000 new definitions, standardized spelling and gave American English its identity.

Proving unprofitable, the rights were purchased after his death by George and Charles Merriam.

In the preface of his original edition, Noah Webster wrote:

“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed…

No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”

Noah Webster concluded:

“To that great and benevolent Being…who has borne me and my manuscripts in safety across the Atlantic, and given me strength and resolution to bring the work to a close, I would present the tribute of my most grateful acknowledgments.”

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defined “Property” as:

“The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying and disposing of a thing; ownership. In the beginning of the world, the Creator gave to man dominion over the earth…

It is one of the greatest blessings of civil society that the property of citizens is well secured.”

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defined “Religion” as:

“A belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of His will to man, in man”s obligation to obey His commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man’s accountableness to God…

The practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion.”

Noah Webster wrote to James Madison, October 16, 1829:

“The Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government…

I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable, in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence.”

Apr 09

5 Minute Challenge – Northern Nigeria

Last month, two suicide bombers drove their car into the worship service of the Jos Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN). Open Doors confirmed the killing of least four people and injuring of over 40 church members. Among the dead was a young girl, whose exact age remains unknown.

The Islamist sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing. They forced their way through the church’s security checkpoint, after ignoring the guards posted at the entrance who signaled for the car to stop. Security opened fire on the trespassers, shot dead one suicide bomber and injured the second one before the bombs went off, killing the second assailant as well.

The sound of the explosion was heard all over the city. Although the bombers aimed to drive into the church, the bombs were detonated 15 metres before it crashed into the building. If the suicide bombers had succeeded in their primary intentions, the roof would have collapsed on the
assembly, killing many more. Nevertheless, it caused excessive damage to the structure including the more than 30 cars that were ruined in the blast.
The Church of Christ in Jos has a large number of state employees on their membership including the Governor of Bauchi State, Jonah Jang. Church leaders consider this a strong motive for the attack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pray:

  • For healing for Christian families who are bereaved through vicious attacks
  • Thank God that the church is strong and that Christians express their faith with confidence
  • For wisdom for Christian President Goodluck Jonathan governing a Muslim majority population.

 

Apr 08

Resurrection Day!

Apr 07

Depraved Indifference video

Don’t watch this video unless you’re ready to be moved…

 

Apr 05

Pray for the Horn

For more information and ways to pray visit www.prayforthehorn.com

 

Mar 27

5 Minute Challenge – Eritrea

All evangelical churches were closed following the government’s ban on all religious groups other than state-approved Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran or Islamic groups in 2002. Anyone discovered to be an evangelical is tortured and forced to revert to the registered denominations. If they don’t, they are held in military camps without trial. Around 1500 are believed to be imprisoned; at least five died in 2011. Others were released so they wouldn’t die in custody. In 2011 there was a renewed crackdown on house churches; at least 23 believers were imprisoned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pray:

  • Many Christians fled the country in 2002, so the majority of believers are recent converts. Pray for their spiritual growth
  • Ask God to physically and spiritually sustain His children who are imprisoned in inhumane conditions
  • For worldwide awareness of the plight of Eritrean Christians.

[from http://www.worldwatchlist.us/]

Mar 26

Will you stand for freedom? Will you sign your name?

If you will take a stand for freedom by signing your name to the following petition to President Obama, click here!

 

Dear President Obama:

On January 1, 2013, our country will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Although slavery is illegal almost everywhere in the world today, it endures at home and abroad. We respectfully call upon you to make the United States a leader in the fight to end slavery – again.

Americans want to end slavery once and for all. The U.S. government can play a powerful role in fighting this crime by supporting robust law enforcement and victim relief at home and abroad.

This year, we urge you to make our country a leader in the fight to end modern-day slavery by:

1. Taking a stand: In your 2012 Address to the U.N. General Assembly, charge the nations gathered to abolish modern-day slavery.

2. Getting slavery out of U.S. supply chains: When you authorize trade preference programs and free trade agreements, require that our partners take steps to ensure their supply chains are slavery-free, and insist that all U.S. government contracts include supply chain transparency requirements, so that we can ensure our tax dollars are never spent on slave-made goods.

3. Providing diplomatic support: Call on U.S. diplomats to work with foreign governments on high-level strategies to rescue victims of slavery and trafficking, apprehend perpetrators and eradicate the crime.

4. Funding the fight: Develop a Presidential Fund to Eradicate Slavery through the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons that will provide resources to help 15 “Focus Countries” end trafficking, and develop a Global Fund to Eradicate Slavery with other donor countries and private sources this year to announce at the 2013 meeting of the G-8.

It is time to take a stand so we can bring an end to slavery in our lifetime.

Sincerely,

 

Mar 26

A Great Online Tool to Organize a Meal for Someone!

I’ve used TakeThemAMeal in the past and it’s worked well – and it’s FREE! Check it out!!

You can sign up on a schedule, provide contact information, list allergies and wishes, share recipes, etc…

The PerfectPotluck website is also a hit! With this site, you can list items needed and have folks sign up for specific items or categories. This works great to prevent the overload of broccoli or spinach… 🙂 I’ve also used this website to coordinate an old-fashioned pounding for a new ministry. We were able to specify and collect the pantry items needed without excess or an abundance of corn meal.

Give it a try!