Author: walter bright

Nelson Mandela

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Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people… Nelson Mandela Today the world lay to rest a great man, my hero – Nelson Mandela. There are many reasons why I greatly admire Mandela, but I would like to share just one with you today as I remember this fearless and selfless fighter for justice, human rights and democracy. On June 11, 1964, Nelson Mandela was found guilty of four charges of sabotage and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In a statement given in his own defense at the start of the trial in Pretoria on April 20, 1964, Mr. Mandela said these words: During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realized. But, my lord, if needs be …

Christmas Wars: Then and Now

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Originally posted on Veracity:
The “War on Christmas”? Are we missing something here? Perhaps a look at church history might help. It is that time of year again, December, when Christians in America face an annual existential crisis: Do you wish people a “Merry Christmas”… or not? I must confess that I am not crazy about fighting amongst the shopping hordes at the mall, and the year after year pressure of finding the right gift can be really stressful. Sure, shopping online helps a teeny bit, but what I am talking about here is a more fundamental cultural anxiety. Increasingly over the past few years, I have heard Christians grumble throughout the month of December over how “they have taken Christ out of Christmas!” I have read angry letters in the local newspaper complaining how store operators are greeting customers more and more with the shallow and inadequate “Happy Holidays”. Where have the traditional nativity scenes at the community fire station gone? Have a “Joyous Winter Solstice”? What is that all about? Folks. Let’s face…

10 Best Loved Christmas Books | FaithGateway

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Christmas is wonderful time to sit in your favorite reading chair, with perhaps a fire and a mug of hot chocolate nearby, and enjoy a great book! Here are 10 touching and inspirational Christmas books that will prepare your heart for Christmas and get you in the spirit of the season! Celebrate Christmas this year by sharing these best-loved Christmas books with your family and friends. On This Holy Night Rekindle the true meaning of Christmas with the help of six gifted Christian authors, including: Max Lucado — a look into Joseph’s story, a man caught between what God says and what makes sense Rick Warren — the real gift of Christmas is that God sent His own Son to connect with the human race David Jeremiah — why the name of Jesus is so important and perfect And many more! Read more… The Hope of Christmas Go on a journey… from the promise of the Messiah given to us in the Old Testament… to the promise of Jesus’ birth in the New Testament… to …

Poor people can make you rich

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Psalm 41 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; Blessed is the one who consider the poor! The word consider means to think carefully about (something or somebody), typically before making a decision. It is to think about and be drawn toward (a course of action). This course of action is not motivated by the rewards that will follow, but by the compassion that flows from the heart of the Father through the heart of him who considers the poor. However, there is always a reward for him who finds himself in trouble – like the scripture says, “In his day of trouble” 1. the LORD delivers him; 2. the LORD protects him 3. The LORD keeps him alive; 4. The LORD blesses him in the land 5. The LORD will …

10 Promises that godliness holds for this Life and the life to come

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1 Timothy 4:8 Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. What is godliness? Godliness is active obedience to God. It springs not from works, legalism or a religious spirit, but from a reverent awe or fear of God. There are a few things in this world that bring value and enrichment to our lives. Godliness is at the top of that list. Godliness holds promises for all areas of life. It releases incredible blessings when possessed in increasing measures in areas of the family, business, relationships, finances and leisure. By it (godliness), God raises nations to greatness (Prov. 14:34). In this post I want to share with you the value, the power and the promise that godliness holds for this life and the life to come. A godly person: 1. Will Attract Strong Help from God For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward …

It rains fish in desert places when God gets ready to bless you!

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I am about to tell you a true story that will blow your mind. The country is Australia. The town is Lajamanu and it is about 400 miles south of Darwin and Alice Springs, almost on the edge of  the Tanami Desert in Australia’s northern territory. It was sometime in April or March of 2010 that hundreds of fish began to fall from the sky as rain fell over the town. Residents of this desert community were left speechless as fish – some frozen, others still alive fell from the sky. For seven days they ran all around town collecting buckets of fish  that had fallen from the sky. A brief look at history will tell us that this incident was not unique to this Australian town: In the 1st century there were storms of frogs and fishes. In 1794 French soldiers reported toads falling from the sky. In 1857: Sugar crystals as big as quarter  of an inch in diameter fell over the course of two days in Lake County,  California. In 1940: A tornado in Russia brought a  shower of coins from …

That will shoot a good dose of Spiritual Adrenalin into your soul

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Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message) Let’s go over the story again – item by item 1. He never lost sight of where he was headed… Too many times we let distractions and attractions woo us away from a single-minded devotion to Christ and away from our goals and dreams. …

Not because the bus stops, you should get on it

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My destination was Hayward, but my transit stop was Oakland. I decided to take Greyhound to Oakland, than the train to Hayward because I didn’t want to drive. After waiting for at least two hours, I stepped toward the side door of the bus and handed my ticket to the driver. He ushered me on the bus barely glancing at my ticket. I got in my seat, put my earphones over my ears, closed my eyes, and three hours later I was in Reno. I was furiously boiling inside, to fine myself in Reno and not Oakland, but kept my cool. The bus driver apologized for not looking intently at my ticket and offered a six hours drive on another bus heading to San Francisco. It was a drive that would take me from Reno, back through Sacramento en route to San Francisco. I promptly declined and asked for a bus back to Roseville, Sacramento, where I left my car. My money was reimbursed, and I got a free ticket with priority boarding back home. …

Call & response: A Spiritual Dialogue

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A call to Hear Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! This a call for the elderly and for the young – every man, woman, boy, and girl. He doesn’t want any to be left out. He is calling Hindus, Buddhist, and Muslims. He is calling the entire world to hear what He has to say through His Son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” If you hear His voice don’t harden your heart! A call to Awake Awake, you drunkards, A spiritual slumber has swept over the nations. The eyes of many Christians are heavy. Jesus is calling the church to come alive. He wants to bring revival. He wants to raise up those dry bones and breathe life into them so that they can live again.  Ephesians 5:14 says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Are you asleep? Could you not …