All posts tagged: Christianity

Israel, Archeology, Temple Mount – Beautiful

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The Herodian version of the model shows visitors how excavators believe the Temple Mount site appeared prior to its destruction by Roman troops in the year 70 CE. The focus is on the southern portion of the enclosure, and includes reconstructions of Robinson’s Arch (an early overpass linking the top of the platform with the major city street below), the Hulda Street gates and passages onto the platform, the Royal Stoa, and the Second Temple. The reconstruction is based on the excavations at the Temple Mount under the direction of Ronny Reich and regional archeologist Gideon Avni. On view at the Davidson Center,

Testimony from the mission field

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I received this testimony today by email from one of our missionaries near Lilongwe, Malawi. I pray that it is blessings to you today. Dan and Noreen served for a long time in Angola and recently moved to Malawi to be Bible School teachers and do evangelism. The following story took place on Friday night, June 22, 2012, near Lilongwe, Malawi. I wanted to give you a report on our Friday night open-air meeting with pastor Benson in a village near Lilongwe where we live. We showed a portion of the Jesus movie then I had the opportunity to preach. I shared the text from Exodus 9:1 about God telling Pharoah to let His people go!. We made contemporary comparisons on being in bondage as the Israelites were. About 30 adults responded to the altar call and about 50 kids! A good number of these people do not attend church anywhere. We prayed for a few who had specific problems, nightmares, broken families and alcohol addiction. As we began driving out of the lot where we …

Nomads, Exile and Prodigal?

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Some call them Nomads – those “wondering away from traditional religious institutions but say faith is still important to them.” I call them the free radicals – and they have exposed themselves to Satan’s most effective tool – Separate them as far from fellowship as possible, because in the long run they will grow cold. These people are in big trouble. Others are called Exiles – “exiles being those who are – still hopeful about their faith but feel stuck when they consider life’s challenges”. Jesus warns about this spiritual dilemma in Matthew 13:20-22. “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves …

Anger does not produce the righteousness that God Requires

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What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. you covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. James 4:1-2 What causes us to get angry? I believe we get angry because our desires are not fulfilled; our rights violated, our expectations are not met and because we have been hurt by someone. In any case, our unfulfilled desires result into anger. Everyone of us have areas in our lives where we are most susceptible to anger. I can almost hear my wife’s voice in the back of my mind – “stop pushing my button.” Let name a few I struggle with – I will surprised if you don’t: disobedient children a stubborn person yelling stress at work last-minute changes feeling neglected hurtful words unrealistic expectations disrespect unmet desires The list goes on! Our unfulfilled desires lead to fighting and quarreling. When any one of these occur in our lives, it causes us to react in anger. Anger in and of itself is …

I wish I could have told him in the Living Years

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I wasn’t there that morning When my Father passed away I didn’t get to tell him All the things I had to say… Here’s a great video & song from the 80’s from Mike & the Mechanics “The Living Years”. The video being shot in West Somerset,England (Oct ’88) with the beautiful scenery with this song show why the 80’s (& early 90’s also) were great.Though we can’t go back in time (not yet at least) as long as we have videos & songs like these then they will give us a chance to go back & remember the good times,the bad times & the best times of our lives FOREVER! Remember & Never Forget! Every generationBlames the one beforeAnd all of their frustrationsCome beating on your doorI know that I’m a prisonerTo all my Father held so dearI know that I’m a hostageTo all his hopes and fearsI just wish I could have told him in the living yearsCrumpled bits of paperFilled with imperfect thoughtStilted conversationsI’m afraid that’s all we’ve gotYou say you just don’t see itHe …

I Open My Heart

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Do you feel so lost because you don’t know what to do?  Are you afraid that you are going to choose the wrong thing to do? Afraid of disappointing the Lord? Are your hopes and dreams fading fast? Are you burned out? Do you think your strength is depleting? Have you considered crying out to you Lord? Do you know that He’s the only one Who is able to pull me through? If your life is so cloudy… consider praying this today: Lord show me how To do things your way. Don’t let me make the same mistakes Over and over again. Your will be done And I’ll be the one To make sure the it’s carried out And in me, I don’t want any doubt That’s why… All I need to do Is hear a single word from you I open up my heart Just one word could make A difference in what I do Lord I open my heart to you… You’re the lover of my soul Captain of my sea I need a word from you That’s why I open up …

Cool-Aid (Gay Marriage)

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Ed Young tackles the subject of gay marriage in a series he calls “Cool-Aid.” He shares from the Bible and looks at what God says about one of culture’s most pressing subject. Interestingly, the series is also about how we should approach them and how God’s truth can help us avoid drinking culture’s cool-aid! One of the most balanced, sound, sensitive and bold messages I’ve heard on the subject so far. see the full message here

What good is the local Church?

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The Church is universal, the Church is local. The Church is the joyful assembly of the redeemed of all ages. The Church is the body of Christ extended through time and space. The holy church has two lives: one in time and the other in eternity. – Gregory the Great The Church is the bride of Christ, even though it sometimes acts like a wayward bride The local church is where believers are discipled, commissioned to be light of the world. The local church is where the broken is mended, the sick healed, and where friends become friends forever. The local church cares for the poor and fights for justice in our world. The local church is the body of Christ, the hands and feet of the master. The local church is where spiritual gifts are used for the common good, where believers learn to use their talents to serve others. The local church is where the gospel is preached, sinners are saved, prayers are offered, ministers ordained, the sacraments celebrated, and a cup of …

Oh how I hate small groups!

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A few years ago I preached a message at a thriving church where I served on staff. It was at the time small groups were gaining momentum. Every church around the world and especially here in the USA was all about getting people of the same interest, same profession connected in the same group. Unfortunately, I began to notice that all the cool people were joining groups with  other cool people – you know, like some did in high school. And the not so cool people we being left out. So I preached on a passage from Romans 12:16: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. After my message I was sent into the office of the big man on campus (senior pastor) where I was grilled for a few minutes. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to hang with like-minded folks, but if we really want to live in authentic community, we need to understand what community really …

Liberia: Getting Back to the Founding Faith | Christianity Today

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A controversial clergy-led campaign to officially return Liberia to its Christian heritage has sparked debate in the West African nation. Liberia was founded under the “blessings of the Christian religion” by freed American slaves in 1847, but became a secular state following a 1980 military coup and subsequent civil war. In April, an international tribunal convicted former president Charles Taylor, once supported by Pat Robertson, of crimes against humanity. Today a group of pastors called the Liberia Restoration to Christian Heritage Committee has stirred up popular momentum to add Christianity back to the constitution—similar to Zambia, a “Christian nation” since 1996. The Liberian Council of Churches has remained tight-lipped about its opinion, but vice president W. Nah Dixon, archbishop of Don Stewart Pentecostal Church, has appealed to pastors to stop collecting signatures. He worries that imposing a state religion could refuel civil conflict in a nation with a sizable Muslim minority (12 percent). Catholic, Baptist, and Lutheran leaders have echoed his concerns Liberia: Getting Back to the Founding Faith | Christianity Today.