'Accelerating Driven Christians in the Racing Capital of the World'
Indy Timeline:
What's coming up?
Suicide Prevention... Here's a chance to help...
***PRESS CONFERENCE ALERT*****PRESS CONFERENCE ALERT***
An Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition Event
Press Conference
WHO: Charlene Graves, M.D., Medical Director, Indiana State Department of Health
Virginia A. Caine, M.D., Marion County Health Director
Elaine Lockwood Program Coordinator, Crisis and Suicide Intervention Services
Mental Health Association in Marion County
Rev. Ronald Covington, Pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
WHEN: Monday, May 2, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
1301 Goodlet Ave.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46222
WHAT: The Suicide Prevention Series, which takes place in churches around Indianapolis, will use a panel of experts and suicide survivors to raise awareness about suicide by providing the participants important suicide-related information and by offering a forum for participants to ask questions.
Saturday, May 7, 2005 10am -12pm
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
1301 Goodlet Ave.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46222
CONTACT:
Colleen Carpenter
carpentc@ipfw.edu or call 260-481-4184
Emerson L. Allen Jr. Deacon, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
schooltalk1@yahoo.com or call 317-247-7442
For a list of Coalition Members, please visit:
http://www.indianasuicidepreventioncoalition.org/members.htm
Indiana Professor: Biblical event explains weather...
[excerpted from TheIndyChannel.com]
Professor DeYoung,
Grace College, Warsaw, INAs Donald DeYoung sees it, the world didn't always have the climates it does today. The flood of the Bible, he says, signaled the start of weather as we know it. [
continued at IndyChannel.com]
**********************************************************************************
Ken Ham, FounderAnswers In GenesisNote: Creationist spokesman Ken Ham will be coming to Indianapolis on May 23.
Click for more information. Also note... 'Intelligent Design' professionals and others interested in apologetics are increasingly connecting here in Indianapolis and around the state. For further info on how you can 'connect' with them, contact
Hosea Baxter, Academic Dean, Crossroads Bible College.
[Also read "
Calling in De Bunk Squad".]
God's Word
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
New Stadium Wins Too...
Photo, IndyStar"The vote paves the way for the start of one of the biggest public works projects in Indianapolis history and appears to end years of questions about whether the Colts are here to stay."
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
[Is this only a good thing because of the Colts, or is it also a good thing for the Church? How might it be used to glorify God here in Indy?]
Star: Time change is small price to pay...
Indianapolis Star Editorial: "Our position is... The General Assembly considered the collective interests of Hoosiers in approving DST."
"Hoosiers have argued about daylight-saving time for decades. The vote in the Indiana House on Thursday night to finally approve DST won't end that argument. But it will move the state forward by signaling that Indiana is ready to accept reasonable change and by giving businesses in key industries efficiencies that will increase profits and create jobs.
The switch to DST wouldn't have occurred without the leadership of two men..." [
continue at IndyStar.com]
Indiana turns ahead toward world-time...
Dramatic vote, cheering cap 3-decade fight; state will sync up with nation next April...
[
continued at Indianapolis Star]
Salazar's 'Antichrist' flap spotlights judicial battle
[excerpted from the Washington Times]
photo, NBC
The Antichrist has long been understood in Christianity as the human agent who will rise up against Christ and bring about the end of the world. Less clear is his position on President Bush's judicial appointments.
Even so, there was Sen. Ken Salazar, Colorado Democrat, now embroiled in a public spat with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson over judicial nominees, describing the Christian group as 'the Antichrist.'
'From my point of view, they are the Antichrist of the world,' Mr. Salazar said in an interview Tuesday with KKTV-TV in Colorado Springs. The remark, which Mr. Salazar later retracted, comes at the apex of a feud between the first-term Democrat and the powerful evangelical Christian organization over the group's campaign to pressure Senate Democrats into allowing a floor vote on Mr. Bush's judicial nominees. "
[continued at Washington Times][Visit... 'Justice Sunday']
God's Word
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalms 118:5-6
NIV
The Reality of True Community
by Brad Grammer, Executive Director, Hope & New Life Ministries
Some churches call them fellowship groups and some call them small groups. Other churches call them community groups, among other names. For the sake of this article, I'll use the term familiar to my church, which is "small group." For several years I was not involved with a small group. Mostly I explained that my schedule was too busy because I worked in the evenings. Deep down, though, I was grateful that I had to work in the evenings. And to be honest, I didn't miss not being in a small group all those years.
Running support groups for men struggling with sexuality issues had been my full-time job for several years. So in a sense, I was leading small groups but the experience was much more honest and tumultous. As the men in these groups interacted with each other and myself, I couldn't help but think in my heart that this is what God really intended for small groups in the Church. These men were often very involved in churches, and sometimes were even paid leaders in church. Yet, encouragement and help was not found until they came to Hope & New Life Ministries to face their sexual struggles. In the midst of the encouragement, though, we waded through angry feelings, sorrow and frustration with each other. I believe this is true community but it's not necessarily pretty or easy.
This past fall, I began co-leading a small group in my church. Everyone shared at the beginning of our meeting that they were interested in being "real" with each other. I asked them if they realized what that meant to be "real," the kind of real of which I'm familiar. Many of us are attracted to the benefits of being real; the warm fuzzies that come with emotional intimacy. However, most of us are not attracted to the ugly side of transparency; the ugly side being the moments when my honesty offends or hurts you.
One night a month, our small group has what we call a 'testimony' night. We share a meal and someone in the group tells his/her story. An individual is free to share what he/she desires. One brave man in the group told, painfully, his story of growing up in a home filled with abuse and neglect. Much of the time was spent listening to sobs as he labored to get out his words. He expressed, "I thought this would be easier the more I told it." Part of his story involved revealing how he struggled with homosexual attractions and how he continues to face sexual struggles to this day. Everyone in the group did a wonderful job of patiently listening without rushing to comfort too quickly, or making attempts to alleviate the discomfort of walking through someone else's painful life.
After he finished, I waited to see how the rest of the group would respond. They did a beautiful job. A couple of men shared how they feel so much more close to him as a result of him sharing. Others expressed that how much they appreciated his openness and honesty.
After that night, I drove home with more hope about small groups. The reason I hated small groups for so many years, and avoided them, is because I had experienced plenty of small groups where participants made attempts to be real but emotional intimacy grew by the teaspoonfuls. Most everyone would leave a small group that ended for a season without experiencing much, if any, change in their lives.
In my experience with leading support groups, the men experienced Christian community like they never had before. They walk out different men; more confident and able to walk through their sorrows and struggles more smoothly. Perhaps in my naivety, I believed true Christian community would be possible in a small group in a church setting. After several years of experience, though, most small groups left a stale taste in my mouth.
A new day has dawned for me, though. This is the first year where I'm beginning to experience in my small group what I had always hoped would be possible. Men can share that they struggle with homosexual attractions without feeling rejected. Women can be honest, and hurt each other sometimes because of this honesty, and return asking for forgiveness. Fellowship is richer, healthier, and more intimate. "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16)." We are experiencing the healing of which the Bible speaks. I must caution, though, that it's not fast. It's not pretty. It's not easy. But it is good.
God's Word
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Because He Lives. I can Face tomorrow.
Why Feed RSS To The Aggregators?
Secretaries used to run the world. We all know that, right?
I don't really know why the term 'secretary' has fallen on such hard times. Everyone knows that the key to success was having a top-notch secretary.... a very professional employee who knew exactly your priorities and made sure you got to see who & what you wanted to see... and no one else.
Or if you were on the other side of the desk... as a sales person... the key to success was 'being in good with the secretary'... so that you got prioritized with the decision-maker. Right?
But then came the information age...
[
continued at LovingChange.com]
Bipartisan majority defeats city ordinance...
[excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]"The City-County Council voted 18-11 to kill a proposal that would have prohibited workplace discrimination against gays and transgender individuals. Here is the tally:"
Yes -- 11Greg Bowes (D), Rozelle Boyd (D), Vernon Brown (D), Lonnell Conley (D), Monroe Gray (D), Scott Keller (R), Dane Mahern (D), Angela Mansfield (D), Jackie Nytes (D), William Oliver (D),Joanne Sanders (D).
No -- 18Patrice Abduallah (D), Philip Borst (R), James Bradford (R), Virginia Cain (R), Bob Cockrum (R), Susie Day (R), Sherron Franklin (D), Ron Gibson (D), Lance Langsford (R), Lynn McWhirter (R), Mary Moriarty Adams (D), Marilyn Pfisterer (R), Lincoln Plowman (R), Isaac Randolph (R), Earl Salisbury (R), Scott Schneider (R), Mike Speedy (R), Steve Talley (D).
(Mayor) "Peterson said Monday he supported the ordinance and said he lobbied for it over the weekend."
[
continue reading article at IndyStar.com]
You really have to admire those who crossed 'political' lines to vote their consciences -- and that goes both ways -- it speaks well for the type of people we have on the council, even if we wished they'd have all voted to 'our way' of thinking. [IMHO] One disappointment though, is that the Indianapolis Star intentionally or unintentionally ran a headline that missed the heart of the issue... should there be SPECIAL protections afforded to gays? Did their headline ... "Council rejects plan to protect rights of gays"... perhaps betray an editorial bias? Connotation is everything -- Such a headline appeared to fail to live up to our expectations of the Star's professional standards.
God's Word
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
God's Word
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Proverbs 15:1-2 NIV
Today... "Internet Evangelism Day"
Also visit
LatinoChristians.com celebration of this special day...
God's Word
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
NIV
Paradigm Shifting? LOL...
"In a strange twist of fate, Indianapolis--once known for its proud athletic heritage--is becoming the geek Mecca..." [
continued at The Keyhole]
[For some other Christian geeks around Indy... visit "Wireless Coffee Blog".]
CitizenJeff & CitizenLindsay
An Indianapolis Christian blogging couple....
Jeff & Lindsay TurnerLindsay memorializes the good times... via their blog... much like Moses & Joshua memorialized key events?
Question: Will it pay off? Will Lindsay's husband remember the good times as a result? Will she?
Follow their continuing saga... [
click]
Trail Talk
by Mike Wildey, EE/CEF Teacher/Trainer[Last month's 'Trail Talk']
Child Evangelism Fellowship:Mark your calendar: April 28, 2005 6:30 PM at the Ritz Charles in Carmel for the
CEF Spring Banquet! Phone your RSVP today! TEL (317)
638-6407. Great food and great Christian fellowship!
Praises:
1. Spring Mill Elementary Good News Club (Washington Township-Marion County) began, and
IPS School # 107 near 34th and High School Road resumed.
2. A CEF trained teacher, Karen, has let 13 kids to Christ in a different organization's Christian after-school club in Morristown; 5 in December; 8 this week and another child received Christ at home since a Christian meeting last month
3. Praise God for our teams of faithful volunteers whe are teaching clubs, reaching and discipling children! CEF is mainly mobilized volunteers!
Prayer Items:
1. A new Greenfield school Good News Club which will be held at
Harris Elementary begins April 18th.
2. New school Good News club, John Strange Elementary, was supposed to start Friday, April 15. However, no kids showed up. Please pray for the Good News Club volunteers as they regroup.
3. More contributions so CEF can stay current with its expenses. Phil. 4:19 "My God shall supply all our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus."
Evangelism Explosion Trail Talk:
Back in 1998-99, when the Lord first led me to my ministry on the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple, I had a presentment one warm summer Sunday night that I should go over and walk the trail. The urging was fairly strong, so I went. I walked up and down the trail a bit, then strayed off over by the fire house. There were three young ladies stapling posters promoting a band onto a telephone pole. Two of them looked pretty Gothic, all dressed in black and lots of body piercing. The third looked different, dressed nicely, like she didn't really belong with the other two.
The two Gothic gals, moved on to the next pole. I stopped and talked to the third. She seemed really interested in spiritual matters and seemed to hang on my every word. She allowed me to give the whole gospel message very patiently. I took a breathe and asked if she wanted to pray Jesus into her heart that very night.
I wish I could report that she said yes, and a full-on party erupted in heaven at that moment. But that was not the case. She explained that she was in sin and that sin was going to lead her into a worse sin. I guessed what she was telling me, so with a little prompting, she spilled out her whole story.
Raised in a conservative Christian home in a small town in Ohio, she had married and moved with her husband to Indianapolis to find work. She had become sexually involved with a man of another race and was carrying his child. Her marriage seemed broken, and she was just wandering around Broad Ripple trying to decide what to do when she teamed up for a time with the two other gals. You see, the father of the child she was carrying was pressuring her to get an abortion. Not only that, but her dad was racially prejudiced, and she trembled at the thought of telling him about her situation. As I recall, her husband had already returned to her little town in Ohio.
I hardly knew what to say. The words just came. I told her about the Crises Pregnancy Center nearby on north Keystone. The thought that her husband and father would take her back overwhelmed me, and I urged her to keep her baby and get in her car and go back to her little town that very night. I gave her my phone number and promised to help if I could, gave her a big hug and she disappeared in the warm summer night.
I don't know what she decided. I have never heard from this dear gal since. I went to the Monon Trail to save souls, but not in the way that it turned out. God is sovereign. He led to the trail and I pray that He changed two lives that night.
Diane Knippers led evangelicals
[excerpted from the Indianapolis Star]Head of conservative alliance of Christians fought liberalism and urged action on Sudan.
The daughter of a United Methodist minister, Knippers was born in Rushville, Indiana.
Diane Knippers, president of the conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy and a vocal proponent of traditional Christian practice whom Time magazine recently named as one of the nation's 25 most influential evangelicals, has died. She was 53.
Knippers, who battled colon cancer for more than a year, died Monday in a hospital in Arlington, Va.
She served 12 years as president of the Washington-based Institute on Religion and Democracy...
[
continued at Indianapolis Star]
God's Word
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalms 116:1-2 NIV
Pet peeves about important matters...
I recently enjoyed reading about another blogger's pet peeves. Not that I enjoyed her having such peeves, but that it made for a good 'teaching moment' for me. And hopefully I learned from her.
So since imitation is the sincerest form of compliment, here's a pet peeve of mine... LOL...
Emails. Important emails. From dear friends, and great ministry leaders. Imploring me (and a zillion others who have voluntarily signed up for their e-newsletter) to take some time and actively go do this or that. And I'm willing to help by doing just as they're asked.
But then I find out they haven't even thought it was important enough to mention front & center at their own ministry website.
"I see that hand. Is there another? "What are YOUR pet peeves about our site or others?
What keeps YOU up at night?
by Neil Cox, IndyChristianThe
IBJ emailed its subscribers yesterday... "What keeps you up at night?". They really wanted to know in order to do a feature on it.
Immediately my mind went to... "Nothing. Nothing at all. I sleep like a baby."
The irony is, I'm now writing this at 4 in the morning, having been awake since 3am... awakened to ponder an animated conversation yesterday among some dear friends... [
continued at LovingChange.com]
Or see what keeps Pastor Justin Young awake at night.
This?
or this?
[continued at '
Superhua']
Weds. Headlines...
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger becomes Pope Benedict XVI
- New pope intervened against Kerry in US 2004 election campaign AFP
- Ratzinger was 'unwilling participant' in Hitler Youth AFP
- Bush welcomes Pope Benedict XVI BBC
- The New Pope's Relationship with Protestants: In this 1998 Christianity Today article, Richard John Neuhaus examined Joseph Ratzingers dialogue with the Reformation traditions and his vision for Christianity in the new millennium Christianity Today
[These & more... Today's headlines for Christians... continued at... Blogs+News=Blews.net.]
RSS Feeds
by Brian Groce, Technologist
"The Musings of Brian Groce"
What is RSS?When people refer to RSS they are usually refering to a file located on a website (usually blogs) that contains information about recent posts that can be used by RSS aggregators (explained below). RSS is somewhat of a generic term similar to how people use the word kleenex instead of facial tissue. Underneath it all, it's really just an implementation of a structured language called XML.On websites RSS feeds are usually labeled one of the following:Why RSS?Bottom line, time saving.When used with an RSS aggregator (a.k.a. "feed reader"), RSS will save you a tremendous amount of time by checking all of your subscribed feeds for updates. If a site has been updated, you'll be notified. This beats having to go to every website to see if there has been an update, only to find a few that have been updated.How to use RSSFirst, pick an aggregator. These come in desktop and online varieties (see list below). Try multiple aggregators out to see which one you like the best.
Then start adding feeds and checking the aggregator periodically.Free RSS Aggregators
Here are some free RSS aggregators. I personally recommend RSS Bandit, Sauce Reader & SharpReader.
RSS FeedsHere are some RSS feeds to get you started.If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a note anytime.
God's Word
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
Luke 11:4 NIV
The art of giving...
By Becki Jenkins, President/Director
Missionary Connection
The lost art of giving for the sake of it has been lost. How can we get it back in a society that is stuck on me…me….me. As Christians we are taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive, so why is it hard for us to grasp Jesus words when he said, “ Sell all your goods, give it to the poor and follow me…” Again in Acts 2: 45 it speaks of the followers of Christ selling all and giving it to any in need but what of the disciple of today?
go to :
http://mcconnect.blogspot.com for the rest of the article
God's Word
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:42-44NIV
An Emergent Dialog?
It's a great day for Christ-followers who have been looking to understand this whole 'emergent church' thing.
Or for those who wonder about how the blogosphere will impact the Church...
[
continued at Blogs + News = Blews.net]
God's Word
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Are you a Pumpkin?
A woman was asked by a co-worker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"The co-worker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc., and then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."
Audio: Mohler & Hewitt on 'Blogs'
Here's a particularly interesting
audio-file of Dr. Mohler's interview of popular Christian blogger... law professor, radio-show host and author... Hugh Hewitt.
Dr. Albert Mohler
Hugh Hewitt
Law Professor & Radio Host
Buy online?Related links:[Dr. Mohler's audio-site][Dr. Mohler's blog at Crosswalk.com][Hugh Hewitt's blog site][Hoosiers... Also visit Louisville Christian blog site][Another Louisville Christian blog site]
Giving Back: Volunteerism in Indiana
[several articles from the Indianapolis Star related to the upcoming "National Volunteers Week".]
photo, Indianapolis Star"Nationally, Indiana ranks 19th in the percentage of residents who volunteer, according to the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Utah has the highest rate of volunteering, at 50 percent. For neighboring states, Michigan was listed 20th; Ohio ranked 24th; Illinois, 27th; and Kentucky, 28th"
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
Where Have All The Families Gone?
by Dr. Noah H. Kersey, Christian Psychologist 
My profession allows me the opportunity to interview many individuals, couples and families in the span of a year and, for the past 27 years I have been amazed by the number of people who do not live near their parents or siblings.[
continue]
God's Word
I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Psalms 135:5-7 NIV
Criminals: Do tell IRS your income
[Tax day... **sigh**]
Lori Borgman, IndyStar"I have a long-standing tradition of getting surly at tax time. This happens to many people but is especially likely to happen to those of us who are self-employed."
"The husband knows it is important to keep me in good humor while working on taxes. He often does this by giving me interesting things to read from the 1040 instruction booklet."
[such as...
continued at IndyStar.com]
Holladay: Pie-throwing leaves bad after-taste...
[
excellent Ruth Holladay column in the Star today]
[for previous IndyChristian posts re the Horowitz incident... scroll down and read below.]
Building new cathedrals
In Renaissance times, people labored for generations to build cathedrals. These cathedrals served not only as functional places of worship but also as expressions of the beauty, structure, power, and awesomeness that are characteristic of our faith itself. Nowadays, we Christians are more inclined to build buildings that maximize square footage for the dollar, which are built solely for pragmatic purposes. Unfortunately, this attitude tends to be reflected in the way we worship and even the ways we conceive of our God.
The weblog
Pesudo-Polymath started asking the question:
If we were to labor for two, three, four or more generations to build the church into what we believe it was intended to be, what would we like to see in the end? The blog author solicited responses from across the blogosphere. I gave this assignment some thought over on my blog
brightMystery, and
here is the result.
The other articles submitted are
here and
here.
[Robert Talbert, blogger at
brightMystery]
God's Word
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Women of faith believe speaker can pack Dome
Beth MooreAnother article from Robert King that many/most of you won't want to miss. [
contined at IndyStar.com]
God's Word
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalms 57:7-11 NIV
Blogging the National City-Impact Roundtable...
What a great opportunity, to come be with 115 city representatives from around the country & globe. It's too awesome to blog... but we're trying... at
CityReaching.org -- now hosting the new
NATIONAL city reaching blogsite, by Mission America Coalition.
Guess where all this is going on, today thru Weds?
[Click pic to continue the day-to-day blogging during the national roundtable.]
Ever meet a web evangelist?
As we head toward "Internet Evangelism Day", Sunday April 24th, we'll be introducing a number of folks involved globally.
Meet Rob Williams, a friend of IndyChristian.com and an Internet Effectiveness Specialist from Orlando. Some of you already know Rob as the founder of "
Orangejack Blogging University". Here's Rob's story...
"I began ministering to people online back in the mid-90s in AOL chatrooms..."[
continued]
More 'web evangelists' at...
http://ied.gospelcom.net/evangelists.php
God's Word
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:25-26 NIV
Turning whine into...
By Tia NielsenGod is so consistent in His messages to us. Oddly, I have often failed to understand them. (Maybe you have this problem too?) Take, for instance, one of His messages from creation.
He worked six days putting everything together. (What a Lego set!) Then He rested on the seventh day. He put in concerted energy and diligence to His masterpiece. He created a pattern of practice so that we could see the principle of persistence in action. His creation, obviously, shows forth His glory and patterns what we should emulate as far as effort in the physical realm. This principle is also true for our spiritual challenges. Listen in.
My generic friend Melissa whined, er, I mean spoke to me about her numerous trials recently. The list of genuine sufferings was long; the list of blessings was nonexistent. (In her mind.) She wondered what God was doing to her. She also did not wonder--did not wonder--what He was wanting to accomplish in her life through these challenges.
Likewise, because I hadn't viewed the ways of God's creation for many years as Living Instruction, so it was surprising to discover God expects to use challenges as Divine appointments with Him. Consistent faith through the power of His Holy Spirit generates tranformation. Just like He worked for six straight days before resting, challenges require sustained effort to effect change. The result though is the transforming touch of Jesus Christ. Is this turning whine into wine?
Intelligent Design Team-blog
[hat-tip to World Magazine Blog]
[
continued at... IDtheFuture.com]
[Also note creationist
Ken Ham is coming to Indy, May 22-23. Stay tuned for continuing details.]
Internet Evangelism Day... April 24th
[excerpted from ChristianToday.com]
Haggard also encouraged "all evangelical leaders to take advantage of this initiative and explore their options for using the web to win as many as possible to Christ."
Churches and ministries can take part in the IED by making use of
the event web site, which includes downloadable video clips, drama sketches, a PowerPoint presentation and stories of people who have come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through online ministry.
Many well-known individuals and organisations have given their full backing to the initiative. The International Director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation, Dr Tetsunao Yamamori has said that he believes the day will enable online outreach to be advanced and is an innovative response to today’s hi-tech world. He said, "It is possible to evangelise one billion people through this medium."
[D. James Kennedy] The President and founder of Evangelism Explosion International said that he hopes "every E(vangelism) E(xplosion) church would be involved in the Internet Evangelism Day."
[
continued at ChristianToday.com]
Will Butler sanction this kind of 'intolerance'?
"Horowitz, who has criticized what he calls the leftist domination of college campuses, completed his speech after the pie-throwing incident.
Fong, in his statement, said Horowitz's right to express his opinions was violated.
"We support the constitutional rights of free speech granted to Mr. Horowitz as well as to those who disagree with his opinions," Fong said. "The university does not support this inappropriate behavior.""
[
Article continued at IndyChannel.com]
[But the real question remains: Will Butler University substantively sanction this form of 'intolerance'? Stay tuned. We'll keep you posted, at IndyChristian.com]
Another Attack on a Conservative...
[The following ran in the Indianapolis Star on Thursday...]
IndyStar.com
Activist Hit By Pie At Butler Lecture
"A conservative activist who criticizes what he calls the leftist domination of college campuses was struck with a pie Wednesday night at Butler University...." [continued at IndyStar.com]
[IndyChristian.com team member Robert Talbert, wrote the following at his personal blogsite...]
"Last night, conservative David Horowitz was hit in the face with a pie as he was beginning a lecture at Butler University here in Indianapolis. It appears that opposing conservatives by using acts of humiliation and violence instead of reasoned counterargument is becoming quite fashionable, and right here in Indiana no less. [continued at BrightMystery.net]
Nnationally-syndicated columnist & (Christian) blogger, Michelle Malkin picked up on Robert's blog from there...
"Leftists took aim--literally--at yet another conservative speaking on a college campus yesterday. At Butler University, they threw a pie at David Horowitz.
Robert at Bright Mystery, a college professor in Indiana who is appalled by the rise of physical assaults on controversial speakers, has much more. As he notes, "this kind of behavior is simply incompatible with a university's claim to value the life of the mind and academic inquiry."
Now, what will the supposed champions of academic free speech tolerance do about it?" [continue at MichelleMalkin.com]
Where Have All The Witches Gone?
[from Families Against Cults website]
Dan & Agusta Harting"Ann Marie (***) is like a lot of other 10 year olds. She likes to ride her bike, play kickball and collect trolls. She is also a witch." So began a long article in the Indpls. Star, in 1993, featuring an interview with a young American girl, who looked as sweet in her picture as the 'girl next door'. "
[
continued at Families Against Cults]
A word to Protestants on the death of Pope John Paul II
[some food for thought at Gospelcom.net today.]"We protestants got our name because we're "protesters"—we were against some things in the Catholic church of that time. Unfortunately, that nexus has become part-and-parcel with who we have continued to be. If there's one thing that Protestants are really good at, it's not agreeing, it's reacting against (in protest) and starting something new. That's why the protestant reformation didn't lead to one new group; but has continued to splinter in to hundreds, if not thousands, of further protest-ant denominations. " [
continued at Gospelcom.net]
Create a website to build community - Part II
by Jeff Koenig, Management Consultant
Churches should think of their website as much more than a multi-media business card, marketing opportunity or a store where potential parishioners come to compare and shop for spiritual services. The internet offers opportunity to build dynamic multi-dimensional communities that extend beyond the building. Read part II of
Create a website to build community
God's Word
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:25-27
NIV
A testimony... blogged
[excerpting from the blog of an IndyChristian.com reader] "By the time I was in high school I started to drink and smoke doing alot of stupid things. I ended up getting into alot of fights, my grades where bad, and I wouldnt listen to my parents. Even though they just wanted what was best for me." After awhile I started to get in some real trouble, I got locked up in juvenile hall and I kept on getting locked up. ""While the Lord was trying to get me to do the right thing, the devil was telling me to do something else. I ended up listening to the devil, and I hurt someone really bad by sending him to the hospital everyone in there thought that he was dead. In my heart I felt the pain and sadness because I didn't want that person to die. When the guard put me in my cell I got on my knees and prayed..."[
continued at his blog]
[Other testimonies online at... DoYouKnowForSure.com]
Multi-Faith Hispanic TV Network is Now Available
by Ivan Schumann, DreamVision Media Marketing
Ivan A.SchumannI was introduced to the TBN ENLACE Network 11 months ago by Mr. Mark Crouch, who is the TBN Director of the Great Lakes Region in Greenwood Indiana. I am totally convinced that the program will help the rapidly growing Hispanic population in Indianapolis in their spiritual journey in getting to know a living Christ. [
continued at LatinoChristians.com]
Time with the Tibbels...
by Neil Cox, IndyChristian.comYesterday was a great meeting of the 'Faith Community Forum' and 'Transform Indiana', as Allan & Susan Tibbels came to be with us from the Sandtown area of Baltimore. Their personal involvement -- following God's leading them to the inner city -- was not only heart-warming, it was inspirational to the Hoosiers gathered... many of whom themselves are also actively involved in some aspect of inner-city ministry.
Photo, U.S. News & World ReportAllan: "When I met Susan, I told her I was going to be a millionaire in 5 years.
Then I broke my neck playing basketball."
Susan: "I thought my sacrifice was enough, just dealing with his being a parapallegic, and taking care of our girls. At one point, one of them had slipped into a coma and nearly died. I thought, "I've had my share. I'm 25, and I'll deal with it, God; but this is enough." Then Allan says he wants us to move into a rat-infested part of the inner-city to do ministry where we would be the only white family."
"Intellectually, I knew he was right -- it's right out the Bible -- re moving to the city and helping people…. Yet I did NOT want to move to the city. Nonetheless, in 1986 we went, but I was angry and not participating the first two years. "
"We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies as we moved in… cars, kids, stuff. No financial support, no connections in the city.. no way to be a bridge to resources because we didn’t have any."
"But then as I mingled at the kids’ school, I realized this was my part… and said, 'Ok God I’ll start a school thing'."
"Despite my rough things in life, suddenly I was among people who've had way more ‘pain’ than I have experienced. So God gave me a passion for the children. But I said, 'I will never, never, never do fundraising for this.' LOL. But now I’ve accumulated a bit of a reputation for fundraising… out of a passion for the needs children have. And people respond."
Allan: "Sandtown looked like a city that had been bombed. We called Habitat's founder, Millard Fuller. His advice: 'If you have a dollar in your pocket go for it.' So we started rifling through our sofa to find coins" LOL.
"We knew we needed to come live in the neighborhood with a servant’s heart, and with an attitude of repentance for a history of white flight & patternalism. And we learned that reconciliation is 'day by day'. It's a lifetime of work. "
Now that work includes 10,000 vols a year. Some come to ‘vacation’ in Sandtown.
200 homes have been completed now. 30 are under contstruction. Whole blocks have been rehabbed. And the school -- New Song Learning Center -- is a $5 million building, and operates as a public school under new charter school provisions.
There is so much more to their story, but Susan summed it up well:
“It’s not about Allan & Susan… it’s about God. He is working in Sandtown…. And it’s our privilege to be a part of it. When God gives you eyes of grace, you look at everything it a different way. No, I'm not a millionaire (LOL), but learning all these lessons, are my reward for doing what I said I wouldn't."
“I wouldn’t know God the way I know God now.”
*****************
Mark your calendar for November 16-20.Join Allan, Susan and thousands of others who are reaching their cities around the country and world, as the
Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) brings their national conference to Indy. To get involved with the local host committee now, contact
Scott Truex or
Gina Lewis.
*****************
You can visit New Song Urban Ministries online at
http://NSUM.org. Also read U.S. News & World Report: "
Brick by Brick, He Fights the Inner-city Blues"
God's Word
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would nothave let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Luke 12:35-40 NIV
AG plugs Internet Evangelism...
[
continued at E-vangelism.com]
God's Word
This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:2-3 NIV
Tomorrow (today?) is the day...
Photo, U.S. News & World Report"
Brick by Brick, He Fights the Inner-city Blues"
Allan & Susan Tibbels are coming to Indy for the 'Faith Community Forum' (downtown) [
continue for details -
Sorry, RSVP's were required by April 1st]
But then they'll be coming to the cafe for the lunchtime meeting of 'Transform Indiana', starting at 11:30am. Everyone is welcome. No reservations required. [
click for cafe info]
The Tibbels are having great impact in Baltimore's inner-city, and serve as one of the fine examples of the Christian Community Development Association (
CCDA).
So come be with us for lunch tomorrow... Tuesday (April 5th).
Event takes pop approach to teaching teen values...
[excellent article from the Star]
"The task: Turn about 5,000 teenage girls into good Christian ladies.
The tools: rock stars, sex advice, professional athletes and fashion shows.
Think of Emily Post with a 21st century makeover.
Half prayer service and half party, Saturday's Girls of Grace conference..."
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
A prayer for our Leaders - Government
Know Where You Are Going!
by Rick Alvis, President, Wheeler Mission Ministriesand President of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a bloke below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet them an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an Engineer," said the Balloonist.
"I am," replied the man, "how did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far."
The man below responded, "You must be in management."
I am, "replied the balloonist," but how did you know?"
"Well, said the man, you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are, due to large quantities of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault"!
This story kind of says it all. I would hope those of us in leadership and management roles know where we are heading. It is always dreadful to start out on a trip, only to retrace our steps, or worse yet, as the balloonist, to get totally lost.
I hope I do not exhibit the qualities of this balloonist or for that fact, the engineer. The multiple concerns of those involved in ministry should be of highest priority as we seek God’s guidance for the future.
Each of us has a tremendous ministry. Together, we can make a difference. Through God’s strength, we can make an impact for the Kingdom of God. Like the Apostle Paul, we have “become servants of this Gospel, by the gift of God’s grace given to us through the working of His power.”
It is my hope and prayer that I will never be full of hot air!
God's Word
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:20-21
Ministering through your pain
Ministering through pain proves Christ been resurrected in you?
The Community of ONE
Rev. Andrew Hunt, IIISenior Pastor
Body of Christ Community Church
President, Community of ONE , CDC
ahunt57@sbcglobal.netwww.communityofoneindy.org“39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
All but four of the major world religions are based on mere philosophical propositions. Of the four that are based on personalities rather than philosophies, only Christianity claims an empty tomb for its founder.
In 1900 B.C. Judaism’s Father Abraham died. In 483 B.C. Buddhist writings say Buddha died “with that utter passing away in which nothing whatever remains behind.”
June 6, 632 A.D. Mohammed died.
In 33 A.D. Jesus died but came back to life early one Sunday morning and appeared to more than 500 people over a period of 40 days.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Here in Luke 23:39-42 find a great teach of Christ.
This scene on the cross teaches us a very important lesson about how you and I are to conduct ourselves in ministry.
It one of the greatest object lessons that Christ has ever taught Himself. It teaches us to minister to through our pain and that ministering through our pain proves that Christ has been resurrected in us.
This morning for a few moments we are going to try to show that this Godly trait that Jesus had. Of being able to minister through His pain, is a trait that God Himself grants to those of us who are willing to follow Him at all cost. We are going to look into that lives of three different men, all sent of God, all sent for a different purpose, but all having the same trait, the godly ability to minister through their pain. And through their pain you can see the resurrected Christ being formed in them. They recognize that the pain has a purpose and the purpose of pain is to crucify the flesh so that the true Spirit of God might live in them. They are three things that we want to learn about pain.
1. Pain comes only with permission from God!
2. Pain does not excuse us from pursuing our purpose!
3. Pain is the process of prevailing ministry!
Pain comes only with permission from God!
Let’s look a Job in our Bibles to Job 1:1-12 “1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed [1] God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan [2] also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”
Now here is Job described by God, Himself as a righteous man, one that has God’s favor and honor upon Him. God’s favor and honor was so much upon Job that God Himself poses the question when Satan wants to prove the point that no one serves God out of love. Then God asked the question “ Have you considered my servant Job?” For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”
God reads Satan Job resume and says there is none like him, none like this man in all the earth. Satan never disputes God’s outstanding claims about Job. Yet he counters God’s claims as he does lift up this question. Satan says “ Does Job fear you God for nothing?”
Satan continues to insinuate that the only reason Job loves and honors God is because God has protected him, prospered him and given him many possessions. Take them all away God and your Job will curse you to your face.
Then in verse 12 we see the most puzzling scripture in the entire Bible to many of us. When we read these words or have these words read to us we are totally puzzled that something like this could ever happen. We are totally dismayed that God could actually have anything thing to do with it.
Verse 12 says this “ Then the Lord said to Satan. “ Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.”
This brings us to our first point this morning; Pain comes only with permission from God. What do you mean pastor, are you saying that God allows pain in my life? Are you saying that nothing happens in my life without the expressed permission of God? Are you saying pastor that God uses the trails and tribulations of my life for His glory? The answer to all those questions are yes!
God uses pain to promote positive changes in our lives. God uses pain to drive out the iniquities out of our very soul that we might be used in the greater purposes of His kingdom. God uses pain to get our attention, to get us to focus on what’s really important in life. Though the pain in our lives might hurt, that pain in our lives is allowed by God only to be a help to us. To remind us of what is really important, what really matters, what should really be the focus of all our energy. God knew what kind of man Job was, because it was God who made him that kind of man and gave him his righteousness. God wants us to love Him for whom He is as our creator not just from what He has provided for us.
God uses Job’ pain and plight to prepare him for a greater work and testimony in His kingdom. God said you could take all that Job has but you cannot touch his health or his body.
Pain comes only with permission from God.
Pain does not excuse us from pursuing our purpose.
Let’s look at Paul for a moment, because he gives us a great example on how you and I should deal with adversity. Paul shows us that pain does not excuse us from pursuing our purpose. Look at Acts 14:19-23
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
This is my personal favorite when it comes to examples of perseverance in ministry, ministry with the most difficult situations to over come.
We see that the Jewish leaders had won over the multitudes, won over the crowd and taken command of what was happening. They even took temporary control of Paul himself. They stoned him and beat him so severely, so severely that after they stoning of him, after beating of him, Paul must have loss consciousness and they dragged him of town. To shift the blame I might add and left him there because they thought that he was dead. Now you must have really beat a person badly that you are confident enough that they are dead and his death won’t be connect to you. For you all remember under Roman law a Jew did not posses the power to kill anyone, even another Jew, only a Roman citizen could take a life.
So here lays Paul severely beaten to the point of death with the disciples standing around him probably planning his funeral services. When Paul arises what is the first thing that Paul wants to do here? Does Paul want to run and hide from his ministry duties? Does Paul want to have an elders meeting to look at plan b concerning this missionary trip? Does Paul want to get the heck out of town and maybe go and preach the gospel to some people who might appreciate what he has to offer? No! Paul gets up, cleans his self up, and goes to the nearest CVS he could find to buy some medicine for his wounds. Then he goes to town and got a good night’s rest, and in the morning he headed right back to his purpose which was to preach and teach the gospel with Barnabas in Derbe. Pain does not excuse us from pursuing our purpose.
Paul and Barnabas when to Derbe and preach Christ Jesus and Him crucified and after God have gave them converts, many disciples. Then Paul returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, and he strengthen the souls of the disciples, encourage them to continue in the faith, and saying. “ Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”
Now that’s a disciple who is sold out to God, there is a man of God that knows that pain does not excuse us from our purpose.
How would you respond, in fact how do you respond to adversity? Do you run from adversity? Are you intimidated by adversity? Are you confused by adversity because you are doing the Lord’s work?
(1) You must respond to adversity with faith, faith is all adversity really understands. Faith answers the “what do I do now?” question that adversity always asks.
(2) Never run from adversity, adversity is like the class bully at school, as long as you run the longer you are going to have to run. We must run towards adversity, we cannot allow adversity to intimidated us; we have to look adversity right in the eye and say to adversity, what do you have for me today?
Look at David and Goliath, David ran to Goliath, ran to Goliath without amour for David had experience with God, God had moved for him before, God had saved his life before, God have made away out of no way before. And David remembered and it gave him supreme confidence. Do you remember what God has done for you, do you remember how and when he saved your life. Do you remember how He brought you through? You and I should run to adversity with the sheer understand that our God will deliver us again!
Does adversity catch of guard or confuse you? It should not because adversity comes wherever the work of God is being done. You should expect it; I say you should expect it.
If you invited Sandra and I over for dinner and you have been working hard all day Saturday and Sunday after church preparing for our arrival, would it surprised you if we showed up. No! Why? Because you invited us? When you and I give our lives to a Holy God and when you and I start to work for and in the things of God we are inviting everything that is unholy to become our adversaries. So, expect adversity, for it is coming, you invited it and they are coming.
Pain is no excuse for pursing our purpose.
Lastly we are going to deal with our text and the pattern that Jesus has set for each and every one of us in ministry. A pattern at exceeds our finite minds but one that is truly the mind of God in everyway. A pattern that shows that ministering through our pain proves that Christ has been resurrected in us!
“39 one of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, [1] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”43 And He said to him, “ Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.
Pain is the process of prevailing ministry
Now we find ourselves at the cross at Calvary and Jesus is hanging between two thieves.
There were two others, thieves led with him to the place of execution, who, for some time were all ready awaiting execution on this day, which was probably the pretence for making such haste in the prosecution of Christ, that he and these two thieves might be executed together. Christ was crucified at a place called Calvary, Kranion, the Greek name for Golgotha--the place of a skull: an ignominious place, which added to the reproach of his sufferings. He was crucified. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross as it lay upon the ground, and it was then lifted up, and fastened into the earth, or into some socket made to receive it. This was a painful and shameful death above any other. That he was crucified in the midst between two thieves, being put in the middle mean that He was the worst of these being crucified. The soldiers who were employed in the execution seized his garments as their fee, and divided them among themselves by lot: They parted his raiment, and cast lots; it was worth so little that, if divided, it would come to next to nothing, and therefore they cast lots for it. Christ was reviled and reproached, and treated with all the scorn and contempt imaginable, when he was lifted up upon the cross. It was strange that so much barbarism should be found in the human nature: The people stood beholding, not at all concerned, but rather pleased with themselves and enjoying the spectacle; and all the rulers, who because of the their office one would think them to be men of sense and men of honor, stood among the rabble rousers, and allow evil men to prevail.
Do you recognize that all it takes in our world today for evil to flourish is a few good men of honor to do nothing? And they said, He saved others, let him save himself. They recognized the good works he had done, but yet they were willing to crucify Him. They challenged him to save himself from the cross, when he was saving others by the cross: If he be the Christ, the chosen of God, let him save himself. They knew that the Christ was the chosen of God, designed by him, and dear to him. "If he, as the Christ, would deliver our nation from the Romans, let him deliver himself from the Romans that have him now in their hands."
The Roman soldiers jeered him as the King of the Jews: "A people good enough for such a prince, and a prince good enough for such a people." They mocked him; they made sport with him, and made a jest of his sufferings; and when they were drinking sharp sour wine themselves, such as were generally allotted them, they asked him if he would drink with them. Then put an superscription over his head, setting forth his crime, was, This is the King of the Jews, Luke 23:38. He is put to death for pretending to be the king of the Jews; so they meant it; but God intended it to be a declaration of what he really was, notwithstanding his present disgrace: he is the king of the Jews, the king of the church, and his cross is the way to his crown. This was written in those that were called the three learned languages, Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, for those are best learned that have learned Christ. It was written in these three languages that it might be known and read of all men; but God designed by it to signify that the gospel of Christ should be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, and be read in all languages.
This is what the scene looks like from a historical and spiritual perspective, but lets look at this scene from the human side of the God-Man Jesus Christ.
Here is Jesus moments away from the end of His earthly life, about to step back across to His total divine life. Batter, beaten, and bruise with His human body writing with pain. Christ is probably thinking that the journey is all down hill from here. He has withstood the best punishment that Satan had to offer. He has been humiliated in every way possible, there nothing much left to deal with but being totally forsaken by His Father as God the Father turns away from Christ for a moment as Christ bears all the sins of you and I. Then Jesus will give up the ghost hang his head and die. But before that happens, before Jesus can say it is finish, God does a most incredible thing. In the most difficult time in the ministry of Christ, in the weakest point in His ministry, at the point when Christ is at His worst and enduring the pain and suffering of all our sins. God gives Jesus an opportunity to minister through his current pain, to minister in spite of His current pain, because pain is the process of a prevailing ministry. What is a prevailing ministry a ministry that the very gates of hell cannot prevail against! A ministry that will meet its objectives, a ministry that will become exactly what God intended it to become.
God allows a sinner, an unsaved, and arrogant person to engaged the suffering Christ in a conversation that challenges the very integrity of the ministry of Christ Jesus. The thief asked, if you be the Son of God save yourself and us! You can hear the unrepentance in his voice; you can hear the cheap grace that he is asking Jesus to apply to his current problem. But before Jesus can answer the other thief rebukes the first and says we belong here, for the crimes that we have committed. But this man is innocent and then he asks Jesus with a voice full with repentance and a heart ready to serve God. Jesus, do not forget me when you go to your kingdom. Even in His totally depleted state God requires that Jesus minister to this thief through His pain and while He is hanging on the cross. What a request of God! What an example given by Christ as he says to the thief truly I say to you that today you will be with me in paradise.
What a word of encouragement, what an offer of external life, what a moment of ministry from a servant who’s really at the end of their rope. But Christ knew that a true servant of God must be really to minister in season and out of season, in good times and in bad times, in lack or in plenty, through pleasure and through pain. Pain is the process of a prevailing ministry. There is no way around pain, we must go through it and when we do we will prevail. Ministering through our pain proves Christ has been resurrected in us. Because when Christ overcame all things we overcame all things. When Christ said “Death where is thy sting, grave where is victory, we too can say the same. Because when Christ got up we got up, when He was resurrected, He was resurrected in us. Is Christ resurrected in you? Then prove it by ministering with power through you pain, ministering with the peace that passes all understanding through your pain. If Christ is resurrected in you then remember that.
Pain comes only with permission from God!
Pain does not excuse us from pursuing our purpose!
Pain is the process of prevailing ministry!
God's Word
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:7-10
Millions Mourn Pope's Death
[Excellent coverage from the Indianapolis Star]"Pope John Paul II helped topple communism in Europe and left a deeply conservative stamp on the Roman Catholic Church that he led for 26 years."
photo, Indianapolis Star
Hoosiers hail leader who reached across faithsEvangelical Christians -- who often disagree with Catholics on doctrinal points -- found some common ground with this pope on matters such as abortion and the sanctity of life.
"We spoke the same heart language on life issues -- both the unborn and the elderly -- in that all life has value," said Derek Duncan, senior pastor at East 91st Street Christian Church. "We just have an affinity with him in that we believe the same things that way. That was probably pretty important in establishing bridges in our community."
[
continue coverage at IndyStar.com]
Pope John Paul Is Dead -- Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul II died on Saturday, the Vatican announced. The 84-year-old Pontiff, who had headed the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years, died at 9:37 p.m. (2:37 p.m. EST), a statement said. [
continued at Reuters]
Entertaining The Desire
By Patrice Dartis, Student at Crossroads Bible College
ENTERTAINING THE DESIRE
Sex is popular and it sells in today’s market. Therefore, it is no surprise that sex shows up in the things that young people use and enjoy the most. Everyday sexual messages clutter the scenery along the avenues of entertainment on which young people and adults cruise such as television, radio, music videos, magazines and movies.
As young people are being exposed to sexual content on a regular basis, too many are becoming all too familiar with it. When you become more familiar with something or someone you start to let your guards down. Familiarity loosens restraints and breeds tolerance. If one is not careful their familiarity and regular exposure to sexual immorality through entertainment can be an ingredient in their own dish of sexual immorality, causing them to tolerate sex when they should be resisting it. This is why we must be careful about allowing ourselves to watch, and listen to just anything in the name of entertainment.”
1 Corinthians 6:19 reads “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you who you have received from God?” With this scripture in mind we must take the presence of God dwelling in us into serious consideration when we select our entertainment. Out of reverence and respect for God, we should not want to expose ourselves to just anything, seeing as to how the Holy Spirit lives in us.
In our culture there is a lot of entertainment that is way too informative, descriptive, and too detailed about sex. We can tell ourselves that we just like the beat or it’s just something to watch, but the enemy can use it as an opportunity to entertain a desire that should not be getting premature attention before marriage.
Now there are obviously some temptations that we are exposed to inadvertently; but there are other temptations that can be avoided by skipping to the next song, the next channel, and the next scene. And some temptations can be left on the shelf of the movie and music stores as well.
Getting right with God in the area of sex is not just about abstinence and virginity, it’s about purity. And purity requires that you guard yourself from sexual immorality in all areas no matter how it is packaged. Whether it is in a music video, a song, a television show, movie or anything else. Living pure is a decision. And just like any other decision the factors that you take into consideration are going to dictate your choices. So I pray that the will of God will be a factor you consider and the choice that you choose. After all, God’s will is more important than an individual’s preference of entertainment.
God's Word
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1
Internet Evangelism Conference... Online...
[Y'really gotta love the this new way to attend (online) conferences in your jammies. Here's David Bruce, innovative founder of HollywoodJesus.com -- giving his presentation at the Internet Evangelism Conference out in Virginia... yet which you & I can watch from home at a 10th of the cost. And unlike being onsite, as an virtual attendee, you can easily jump from room to room, presentation to presentation. For all you channel-surfers out there -- and you know who you are, guys, LOL -- this is the way to go.]
David Bruce, HollywoodJesus.comLecturer, at "
Internet Evangelism for the 21st Century".
Internet Evangelism Day.... April 24th
"I am so glad for the leadership of the Internet Evangelism Coalition and my friend Dr. Sterling Huston in directing us to use the internet for something positive like leading people to Christ. My hope would be that every EE church would be involved in this Internet Evangelism Day."Dr. D. James Kennedy
President and Founder
EE InternationalVisit
InternetEvangelismDay.org .
Visit
Internet Evangelism Coalition
All Churches Should Be Multicultural....
Remember Noel Castellanos being here in Indy in February for our CCDA/TransformIndiana meeting? This week he showed up in Christianity Today in an article that will rock the way we do church. Definitely cool. Recall, Noel will be among other great city impacters coming in November for
CCDA Indy 2005.
[excerpted from Christianity Today's featured articles this month]
In Divided by Faith: Evangelicals and the Problem of Race in America (2000), sociologists Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith argued that much of the racial dysfunction in the American church today is the result of an individualized theological worldview that blinds white evangelicals to certain societal injustices. The book's shocking assertion stirred debate and became a paradigm-shifting read for many evangelical leaders
[
continued at ChristianityToday.com]
Night Surprise
by Rev. Henry S. Date, Pastor Emeritus, Southport Presbyterian ChurchWithin recent years, I find myself waking in the middle of the night for the first of two --- sometimes, three --- trips to the bathroom. Usually, when I return to bed, I fall asleep almost immediately. But the other night, I couldn 't do that. My mind was churning over some anxious concern that kept me tossing and turning, so that sleep eluded me. Finally, I turned on the light, and reached for one of the several books I keep on my bedside table. It was my treasured Book of Confessions, a compilation of some eleven ancient and contemporary creeds, catechisms, and statements of faith that make up Part II of our denomination's official Constitution.
Providentially --- I say that, in retrospect --- I opened the book to page 29, headed, "The Heidelburg Catechism". Question 1 reads:
"What is your only comfort in life and in death?" Now, those words, and their answer, were first published in 1562! What possible relevance could they have for me in the middle of the night, more than half a milennium later? Unlikely though it may seem, they had more relevance for me --- at that very moment --- than anything wlse I could have read. Listen:
Question:
"What is your only comfort, in life and in death?"Answer:
"That I belong --- body and soul, in life and in death --- not to myself, but to my faithful Savious, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood, has fully paid for all my sins, and now has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on, to live for him."I returned my beloved book to its place on the table, turned out the light, and --- surprise, surprise! --- immediately fell asleep.
God's Word
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
Pope has heart attack; condition very serious
April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Pope John Paul II, spiritual leader of the world's 1 billion Catholics, was near death in his apartment at the Vatican after suffering a heart attack and high fever, weeks after surgery to relieve breathing problems. [
continued at Bloomberg.com]
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