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Yes, Racism Is Still a Problem in Britain and America

On June 22, 2015, Karen Fleshman posted on LinkedIn,

“White People, If You’re Not Part of the Solution, You’re Part of the Problem”

A direct plea for white folks to examine how their everyday actions contribute to institutionalized racism. Karen Fleshman  suggested ways to change their behavior to improve race relations. The post quickly went viral, with 20,000 views and over 400 comments, 85% of which were not only merely negative but outright cruel as follows.  “bereft of any connection to reality,” appalling, asinine, delusional, divisive, garbage, hateful, inflammatory, insane, preposterous, puerile, rubbish, stupid and other terms we would not repeat.”

While Karen knew white people maybe ultra-sensitive about the topic of race, she believed that many white people would be  saddened by the state of race relations around the world and strive to improve. It was in that spirit that Karen Fleshman wrote the post.

“American nationals  are not at all on the same page when it comes to race, and from what I can observe, at a time when it is crucial we come together, we are drifting even further apart.” –  Karen Fleshman

The root of the structural racism problem is said to be about millions of people with the same biases who make up the  organizations, both public and private sector and act accordingly.  

Unfortunately, many People of Color are reeling from a series of events that they interpret as evidence that British and American society finds them of no value. Hence the slogan:

“Black Lives Matter.”

ENOUGH WITH RACIAL ‘RECONCILIATION

There is no precedent for racial harmony in British or American history; we have to begin to create a world that is not predicated on white privilege but on a common humanity. Before any talk of reconciliation, we need to begin with conciliation, the process to “overcome the distrust and hostility.

“Talking about reconciliation simply avoids the painful process of confronting the brutality of white privilege that continues to wreak havoc on black lives.”

RACISM, WHITE SUPREMACY IS A CHRISTIAN PROBLEM TOO

The racism of many personal interactions and microaggressions is real. This exists in the Church too. Racism is a social matter, not just  a personal matter. It is cultural and intimately woven into our communities, our symbols and our formation of identity—even in places like London where crime rose sharply after the EU referendum, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

“Non-racism is a popular third option where politeness and courtesy in behaviour or speech are paramount. It recognizes the evil of white supremacy but, like Pontius Pilate, washes its hands of responsibility.”

As Christians, we must recognize that there is no such thing as a non-racist. There isn’t a third option. Non-racism is merely a passive rejection of racism, but it is also a rejection of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good.

A NEW APPROACH TO HEAL THE RACIAL DIVIDE IS NEEDED  

When people deny and dismiss the problem, it only makes it worse.

“Non-racism allows white people to acknowledge racism is a sin while continuing to reap the benefits of white supremacy.”

When the author of The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander speaks at churches, she says, “We’re all sinners and we’re all criminals.”

Today is the day for pastors and preachers and Christian university presidents and faculty and denominational leaders to loudly take a stand against racism in all forms. Denouncing it and categorically condemning it.

CONFESS YOUR ROLE

Michelle Alexander says  “Confronting a system that benefits us might feel like a loss. We have to listen to hard stories, let go of some power, face discomfort and change our ways.”

“A group of Christians in Nazi Germany signed their names to the “Barmen Declaration,” in 1934  opposing Nazi ideology as antithetical to the Gospel. Christians feel the need to do the same thing almost  Eighty years later.”

Confession creates all kinds of shameful feelings. We resist admitting our wrongs.

Confess your apathy and silence. Too few of us have said, enough. Too few have defended the cause of the marginalized and intervened in the face of blatant injustice.

The people of God can do better.

Christianity teaches that everyone is equal in the eyes of God.

MAKE CHANGE

“More than 400 Christian ethicists and other theologians have signed “A Statement from Christian Ethicists Without Borders on White Supremacy and Racism.”

The only question that remains is, will you remain on the sidelines – silent about the blatant racism all around – or will you join in leading the charge to end all the prejudice, and instead support all of God’s people?

This is your day to shine.

RACISM FACTS

  • A state of racism exists between some of the citizens of the United Kingdom. Studies taken by the BBC in 2014 and 2015 claim racism is on the rise in the UK, with more than one third actually admitting they are racially prejudiced
  • In 2003, the Community Service Society published reports that 50% of the black men in New York City didn’t have a job, and in 2005, another report demonstrating that there are 170,000 young adults ages 16-24 who are not in school and not working, largely black and Latino.
  • Black Caribbean pupils are permanently excluded from school three times as often as white British classmates
  • Unemployment among black, Asian and minority ethnic people is nearly double that of white Britons
  • Theresa May, UK Prime Minister  recently admitted Britain has a long way to go to achieve racial equality after a major review laid bare significant divisions in the way black and ethnic minority people are treated.  The race audit is welcomed because the data it provides cuts through easy stereotypes about race and class and shows the limits of a “good education” Black and Asian students do well at school, but lose out in the jobs market.  

Much like the statistics, the reasons for this disparity are not new. The time for talking is now over, we must now move to debating solutions.

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Christians Seen as ‘Dangerous and Offensive’ Says Former Liberal Democrat Leader

Christians Seen as ‘Dangerous and Offensive’ Says Former Liberal Democrat Leader

December 04, 2017 – Today Christians in Britain are seen as both “dangerous and offensive”, according to Tim Farron,  an evangelical Christian and former Lib Dem leader who recently resigned saying it was impossible to be both true Christian and a political leader.

“The former Lib Dem leader is to argue that faith lies at the core of liberal values in an  annual lecture of the religious think-tank Theos.”

In a speech to be delivered on Tuesday, Farron will say:

“If you actively hold a faith that is more than an expression of cultural identity you are deemed to be far worse than eccentric. You are dangerous. You are offensive.”

In prepared remarks, he will also tell the think thank that Christianity and its values are at the heart of liberalism.

Scrutiny of his religious beliefs persisted during this year’s election campaign where he was repeatedly asked in media interviews to clarify his views on whether homosexuality is sinful.  

This question first arose two years ago during an interview on Channel 4 News, to which Faroon replied: “We are all sinners.”    The media questioning then intensified during the general election campaign earlier this year until he eventually stated that he did not believe gay sex was sinful.

He also faced questions about an article he had written over six years earlier in which he said abortion was “a sin”, but recanted of that view during the election campaign.

Mr Farron says “People talk about shared values today. But when they do, what they mean is these are my values – and I am going to act as though they are also yours, and will demonstrate contempt for you if you depart from them.”

He argues that given this diversity, the only way to hold society together is through ‘real’ liberalism that accepts religious differences.

“Liberalism has eaten itself because it has eaten the very world view that gave birth to it, that made it possible, and which makes it possible,” he will say.

“So I knew that stepping down was the only thing to do,” he added. “I was right to do it. I don’t regret it.”

 

Media Headlines

Christians are deemed ‘dangerous and offensive’ says Tim Farron –  Telegraph.co.uk

Christians are deemed to be dangerous, says Tim Farron – The Guardian

Christians are deemed ‘dangerous and offensive’, says former – Catholic Herald Online

Tim Farron: Christianity is seen as dangerous – BBC News

UK Politician: Christians Seen as ‘Dangerous and Offensive’ – CBN News

Lib Dem leader defends record on LGBT rights, but says ‘I’ve already answered that’ when asked repeatedly by radio caller  – The Guardian

Mr Farron criticised social media too, saying it had been “naive” to think a decade ago the medium would lead to a “greater democracy”.

Genuine Christianity, he said, “has always has been countercultural. It will always go against the norms of the day,” which makes it unbearable for the guardians of secular orthodoxy. Christians will have to battle against “inevitable disdain.”

“But Christianity rebukes both sides: don’t judge, show kindness, show gentleness, show patience – especially to those who don’t deserve it.”

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The 48 Most Challenging C.S. Lewis Quotes

Clive Staples Lewis was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist.

Obviously, there’s no sure way to quantify any preacher’s impact, but the numbers for C.S. Lewis are telling.

Though he was a student of Scripture, C.S. Lewis is probably best known for his role as a great activist, writer and thinker and  from his works such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, and Space Trilogy. Still making an impact, his Bible teachings and writings remain just as applicable today as they were more 50 years ago.

C.S. Lewis has written dozens of stories, poems, essays and novels.

Perhaps one reason for C.S. Lewis continuing legacy is his ability to speak plainly and clearly. He is immensely quotable.  The writings of Lewis have been translated into 30 languages, selling millions of copies.

“C. S. Lewis is one of the most quoted authors on Twitter.”

He had much wisdom to share—his numerous books are well worth reading in full—but for now, here are some of his quotes that have helped shape modern Christian thought.

  1. “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
  2. “Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”
  3. “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
  4. “He’ll be coming and going” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down–and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.”
  5. “We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”
  6. “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career. “
  7. “Oh, Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!”
  8. “There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.”
  9. “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.”
  10. “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
  11. “You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve,” said Aslan. “And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.”
  12. “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
  13. “But one of the worst results of being a slave and being forced to do things is that when there is no one to force you any more you find you have almost lost the power of forcing yourself.”
  14. “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”
  15. There are only two kinds of people: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, “All right, then, have it your way.”
  16. “The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self–all your wishes and precautions–to Christ.”
  17. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
  18. “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”
  19. “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…”
  20. “When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.”
  21. “One road leads home and a thousand roads lead into the wilderness.”
  22. “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”
  23. “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
  24. “You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,” said the Lion.”
  25. “Peter did not feel very brave; indeed, he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do.”
  26. “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.”
  27. “In our own case we accept excuses too easily; in other people’s, we do not accept them easily enough.”
  28. “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”
  29.  “We do not want merely to see beauty . . . We want something else which can hardly be put into words – to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.”
  30. “When all the suns and nebulae have passed away, each one of you will still be alive.”
  31. “What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”
  32. “When you are arguing against God you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all.”
  33. “We’re not doubting that God will do the best for us; we’re wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
  34. “The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal.”
  35. “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
  36. “What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”
  37. “Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar.”
  38. “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”
  39. “It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed”
  40. “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”
  41. “Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness.”
  42. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
  43. “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”
  44. “The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.”
  45. “The Past is frozen and no longer flows, and the Present is all lit up with eternal rays.”
  46. “I once read the sentence ‘I lay awake all night with a toothache, thinking about the toothache and about lying awake.’ That’s true to life. Part of every misery is, so to speak, the misery’s shadow or reflection: the fact that you don’t merely suffer but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer. I not only live each endless day in grief, but live each day thinking about living each day in grief.”
  47. “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
  48. “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”
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Gay Prayer Remarks for Prince George Described As “Un-Christian and Anti-Constitutional”

LONDON — A prominent Anglican cleric and gay rights campaigner Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth said that people should pray for Prince George age 4, be gay to help the Church of England recognize same-sex marriage. But his comments about the four-year-old, who is third in line to the throne, have been described as “unkind” and “destructive”.

The backlash comes after an article on LGBT website Pink News suggesting the young prince was a ‘gay icon’ was branded ‘sick’ earlier this year.

Mr Holdsworth aged 51, provost of St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow, which voted to allow gay couples to marry earlier this year became the focus of controversy on Friday after reports he believed Christians should pray for Prince George to be gay. In his blog post, he urged people to pray for him “to be blessed one day with the love of a fine young gentleman” as it would help the Church of England become more inclusive.” A royal wedding might sort things out remarkably easily though we might have to wait 25 years for that to happen,” he wrote.  “Who knows whether that might be sooner than things might work out by other means?”

Gavin Ashenden, a former Christian chaplain to the Queen and Episcopal Church bishop, told the BBC:

“To use prayer as a mechanism for wishing this on Prince George is an unkind and destructive thing to do.” “It doesn’t have the prince’s best interests at heart, but uses him as a gender-political football to please 1.7% of the population.”

He further stated,

“What is especially odd and incongruous is the fact that it is suddenly OK to pray for someone to be gay, but totally unacceptable to pray for them to be free from being gay and to resume a sexuality that was in tune with their biology. “This seems not only contradictory but hypocritical.”

While same-sex marriage is permitted by law in most of Britain, the Church of England says on its website, “it remains the case that it is not legally possible for same-sex couples to marry” in its churches.

Mr Holdsworth told the BBC he first wrote the blog post over a year ago but it gained traction after he tweeted it again following the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent engagement.

In his clarification, published on Thursday Mr Holdsworth said it had not been his intention to cause hurt, and expressed regret that the post had led to a focus on the young Prince.

Media Headlines

Gay prayer for Prince George remarks ‘unkind and destructive’ – BBC News

“Anglican Minister Urges Prayers for Prince George to Be Gay.” – New York Times

“I was very disappointed that he was prepared to bring a child in to this same-sex marriage debate” – Susie Leafe, the director of the conservative evangelical group Reform.

“The comments made by Provost Holdsworth were made on his personal blog.” – Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway.

“Pray for Prince George to be gay, says LGBT campaigner priest.” – The Express

“Pray Prince George is gay says leading clergyman as it would force the church to be more inclusive.”  – The  Daily Mail

“Anglican minister sparks outrage by urging prayers for Prince George to be gay.” – The  Christian Post

“It was a ‘cynical, secular, and sinister in its approach to spiritual matters.” – Lee Gatiss, director of the Church Society, a conservative Christian body

“Anglican minister clarifies ‘un-Christian’ remarks over Prince George.” – Sky News

His suggestion was widely reported in the British media on Friday, though the blog on which he made it was inaccessible Friday morning.

LGBT inclusion remains a divisive topic in the Anglican Church which commits to uphold “marriage between a man and a woman” and, as a global communion, does not allow gay marriage.

 There has been no immediate comment from the royal family.

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35 Martin Luther Quotes That Will Give You a Fresh Perspective

A lot has been written about Martin Luther’s legacy. King was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

“Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.” –  Martin Luther King Jr.

The father of the reformation, he’s known for many things—  Martin Luther King Jr’ I Have a Dream: writings and speeches had a profound impact on the world. Part of the appeal of Kings’ teachings and his famous speeches was his ability to capture deep, profound biblical truths in ways that are easy to comprehend but force you to wrestle through them to truly  understand.  George Washington is the only other American to have had his birthday observed as a national holiday.

Here’s a look back at some of King’s most powerful quotes.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  –  Martin Luther King

  1. “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”
  2. “Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
  3. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
  4. “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.
  5. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
  6. “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”  
  7. “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
  8. “I have decided to stick to love … Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
  9. “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
  10. “A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.”
  11. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act;  it is a constant attitude.”
  12. “We must accept finite disappointment  but never lose infinite hope.”
  13. “I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.”
  14. “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
  15. “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
  16. “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”
  17. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
  18. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
  19. “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
  20. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that.”
  21. “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”
  22. “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”
  23. “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe  nor politic  nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”
  24. “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
  25. “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
  26. “Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”
  27. “We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience.”
  28. “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
  29. “Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”
  30. “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
  31. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
  32. “If you want to interpret well and confidently, set Christ before you, for He is the man to whom it all applies, every bit of it.”
  33. “A Christian man is the most free lord of all,  and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and  subject to everyone.”
  34. “We  are nothing with all our gifts be they ever so great, except God assist us.”
  35. “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now because I’ve been to the mountaintop. I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land.”
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Worlds AIDs Day, Some Facts You Should Know

World AIDS Day: 'My Health, My Right'

As the holiday season approaches, most of us will preoccupy ourselves with shopping lists, vacations, and other festive preparations.

All these activities might be exciting, however; it is important to not forget issues facing the world.

“AIDS is a horrible disease,  and the people who catch it deserve compassion.” – Sam Kinison

Created as a way to raise public awareness, World AIDS Day brings  fresh public attention to fighting the virus that infects 6,300 people daily, according to the UN HIV/AIDS 2013 Factsheet. Globally, about 34 million people are HIV-positive.

Demographically, 43 percent are black, 44 percent are Hispanic and 11 percent are white.

In 2014, 1,916 people died of HIV in Florida; 352 of them were Miami-Dade residents.

WHY IS WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?

“Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS casued people to panic.” – Ryan White

AIDS itself is subject to incredible stigma. Therefore, the AIDS day specifically targets HIV-related stigma and discrimination that prevents people who are known to have HIV from securing a job or caring for their families.

Discrimination can cause isolation and marginalizes people who have HIV and AIDS and can prevent people from being offered or seeking treatment that could save their lives.

“The AIDS virus is not more powerful than God,” – Marianne Williamson

One theme this year is ‘Right to health’ and ‘Getting to Zero’, which would mean zero new HIV infections

“Three million people died of HIV/AIDS in 2003, making this the most lethal year so far in the history of the epidemic.”

The virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, thus gradually making infected individuals become immunodeficient.

WHAT LEADS TO A GREATER RISK OF HIV?

  1. Accidental needle stick injuries
  2. Sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment
  3. Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, tissue transplantation, medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing
  4. Unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER WORLD AIDS DAY?

“Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.” – Nelson  Mandela

We encourage everyone reading this letter to listen to voices outside the city limits — to research and learn about how HIV affects us globally.

After your searching, we will guarantee you two things: you will be shocked by the death toll, and most importantly, you will know it is within our reach to drastically make a difference.

“AIDS today does not mean a death sentence. Its can be treated as a chronic illness, or a chronic disease.” – Yusuf Hamied

AROUND THE WORLD ON WORLD AIDS DAY?

  • Apple store logos around the world are turning red.  The transition from gray to a more crimson hue started Thursday in Australia and continues around the world through tomorrow.
  • President Donald J. Trump Proclaims December 1, 2017, as World AIDS Day
  • OraSure Technologies, Inc. a leader in point of care diagnostic
  • Naomi Campbell and Marc Jacobs Design T-shirt for World AIDS Day
  • RESTANCE Joins World AIDS Day Support With Former President
  • Community AIDS Network (CAN) Celebrates World AIDS Day
  • World AIDS Day: Coalition targets 5000 Lagosians for free HIV testing
  • UTEP students hold World Aids Day event
  • Sampson County AIDS Task Force observing World AIDS Day
  • 4343 youths undergo HIV/AIDS test in Kaduna
  •  Mariah Carey Supports World AIDS Day
  • Planned Parenthood offers free testing for World AIDS Day

WHAT SHOULD I DO ON WORLD AIDS DAY?

“I enyoy being a messenger for God in terms of letting people know about HIV and AIDS.” – Magic Johnson

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide.  It’s not only is it a day to spread public awareness, but it is a day to remember those who have it and are battling the vicious virus.

The challenges surrounding HIV and AIDS are getting more complex and mature, and we just can’t stick our heads in the sand and say, it can’t happen to me.

 

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Top 45 Walk By Faith Quotes

What does it mean to walk by faith not by sight?

What does ‘We walk by faith not by sight’ mean?

Walking by faith and not by sight requires you to go to a place you do not know, one that God will reveal as you walk in obedience. Walking by faith requires a strong determination to follow God’s plan regardless what life throws your way.  Walking by faith means you have the courage to stand up for the hurting, broken, and down-trodden, to face death yourself for the good of others.

If you choose this path, you must be willing to get out of your comfort zone as you can’t go on this grand adventure with God and keep your old way of thinking. Feelings follow correct behaviors, not the other way around. Make right choices to honor God, and your feelings will eventually catch up. And though at first following God this way may appear to make your life harder, it actually does the exact opposite. It makes your attitude more in line with His, thus enabling you to weather whatever comes your way.

Take a look at these popular quotes about walking by faith:

  1. “Living in Faith: Walking with the divine love of God.” — Unknown Author
  2. “I walk by faith, not by sight.” —Denzel Washington
  3. “The way you become brave, is one terrifying step at a time.” — Bryant McGill
  4. “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama
  5. “No one is sent by accident to anyone.” — A Course in Miracles
  6. “The more we really believe the truths God calls us to believe, the more we will take chances with God.” — Lysa TerKeurst,
  7. “Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” — Brene Brown
  8. “The key to living life as a follower of Jesus Christ is to never lose faith in the end of the story.” —Glenn C. Stewart
  9. “To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” —George Mueller
  10. “I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.” —Jeremy Camp
  11. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
  12. “Hebrews 11:1-40 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Unknown
  13. “God is light, in him is no darkness at all.” — Unknown Author
  14. “Open up my eyes to things unseen.” — Unknown Author
  15. “Sometimes in life, a fog sets in and you don’t know which way is the right direction. Every voice may tell you it’s not going to happen, but God has placed a promise in your heart. Refuse to listen to those voices. Keep believing.” — Joel Osteen
  16. Blessed.” — Unknown Author
  17. “Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times, and good times. If you are going through hard times have faith that good times are on the way.” — Unknown Author
  18. “People who walk by faith don’t see obstacles, they see opportunities.” — Warren W. Wiersbe
  19. “Fear is the polio of the soul which prevents our walking by faith.” — Clarence Jordan
  20. “We walk by faith. We don’t stay still, drowning in our misery.” — Jentezen Franklin
  21. “I will walk by faith even when I cannot see.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
  22. “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” — Matthew 11:30
  23. “When it comes to God we need to have conscious engagement.” — Glenn C. Stewart
  24. “The more you pray, the less you’ll panic.” — Rick Warren
  25. “Faith makes all things possible”¦ love makes all things easy.” — D.L. Moody
  26. “Everyone has their own path. Walk yours with integrity and wish all others peace on their journey. When your paths merge, rejoice for their presence in your life. When the paths are separated, return to the wholeness of yourself, give thanks for the footprints left on your soul, and embrace the time to journey on your own.” — Unknown Author
  27. “Learn the Unforced Rhythms of Grace.” — Matthew 11:30
  28. “Walk by faith not be sight.” — Unknown Author
  29. “The first factor in living by faith is our pursuit of God.” —Glenn C. Stewart
  30. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
  31. “I’m not walking by sight- I’m, walking.” — faith T. D. Jakes
  32. “Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.” — Kim Hanks
  33. “Guide me through this darkness, Lord. Hover over me especially when I cannot seem to hold on for another moment. Flood me with the graces of hope and fortitude. Send your angels to watch over me as I sleep through the night. Remind me during the day that from this small dark cocoon, I will emerge a butterfly.” — Caroline Myss
  34. “Courage is not having the strength to go on, it’s going on when you don’t have the strength.” — Teddy Roosevelt
  35. “To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton
  36. “Everything happens when it needs to happen; everyone is always where they need to be. You will never miss out on what is meant for you, even if it has to come to you in a roundabout way.” — Lyanla Vanzant
  37. “It’s always darkest before the dawn. The bigger your challenge, the closer you are to your victory.” — Joel Osteen
  38. “It takes courage to keep walking when the path is obscured by confusion. Trust. Believe. And just keep walking. The way will be revealed!” — Sue Krebs
  39. “Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living.” — Sandra Bullock in “Hope Floats”
  40. “The next message you need is always right where you are.” — Ram Dass
  41. “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?. — Romans 4:1-25
  42. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” — Psalms 91:1-16
  43. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” — Hebrews 11:3
  44. “Taking a leap of faith comes into play when God’s instructions go beyond our human reasoning or seem contradictory to our human rationale.” —Glenn C. Stewart
  45. “Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.” — Unknown Author

Get out of that boat and step onto the water”¦and never take your eyes off him. It is a decision you will never regret!    What happens when people walk in faith: trusting God takes you to amazing places.

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A New Era of Worship

The "Praise and Worship" Revolution

Contemporary Christian music is an interesting phenomenon. Few subjects have generated more conflicts than the kinds of music one should listen to or the kind of music best suited for church music.

Arguably the single biggest alteration in the life of the average Christian congregation within the last 30 years has been the sweeping change in the music that is played on during church service.

Where formal choirs  and vocal soloists along with organ and piano once held sway, a flood of guitars and “praise choruses” suddenly came rushing in during the 1980s. An irresistible, grassroots, pop-culture-driven force met the immovable object of tradition and sentiment, and the ensuing years saw no shortage of conflict and controversy as a result.

In telling this history, people often conflate the rise of “praise music” with the rise of “Jesus Rock” and its later avatar, “Contemporary Christian Music” (CCM).

While the Jesus People movement faded by the early 1980s, the impact of its musical innovations continued to reverberate throughout the Christian church. Hundreds musicians evolved into professional songwriters and “worship leaders” and created their own praise-and-worship publishing entities. Seminars and worship workshops crowded the landscape, and many churches across the continent replaced hymnbooks with overhead projectors and—by mid 1990s—big-screen video projectors.

A New Era of Worship

“It is clear that Protestant musical expression has irrevocably changed.”

“Worship Wars” have become a fact of life as traditionalists battle champions of the new music. But the existence of Christians who are constantly creating inspiring songs out of their convictions about God and Christ is both an amazing and unique thing  often resulting in separate worship services for the youth or the uneasy compromise of “blended worship.”

Once a well-meaning Christian leader said “Ahh, music is so overrated. We don’t need music in Church?  However, we need music and it’s important to offer worship and gratitude to God, not only through our thoughtful expressions and notes, but also through music. Consider this passage from Ephesians 5:15-21:

Do you notice how the Scriptures instruct us to worship? “With psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

With that, here are some of the current most popular Christian songs. May these fill your heart and mind with glorious, awestruck thoughts of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

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A Dictatorial and Dominating Husband

A Dictatorial and Dominating Husband

In most families, there are children of various ages, some of whom need not only the attention and wise discipline of the mother but also the sterner, yet the affectionate  influence of the father.

Few fathers consider this matter in its due importance. Under this heavy sense of responsibility the poor wife and mother often feel’s guilty and remorseful for that which she has done innocently or ignorantly, and frequently when she has done the very best thing possible under the circumstances.

Yet when her wearisome efforts should be appreciated and approved, she is obliged to walk under a cloud of sorrow and condemnation because of her dictatorial and dominating husband, while ignoring his own duty, expects her to fulfill both her own and his to his satisfaction, regardless of preventing circumstances.

Many husbands do not sufficiently understand and appreciate the cares and perplexities which their wives endure, generally confined all day to a constant round of household duties. If the meals are not on time, the wife, who is frequently housekeeper, nurse, cook, and housemaid is greeted with faultfinding.

A Dictatorial and Dominating Husband

Your life would be much happier if you did not feel that absolute authority is vested in you because you are a husband and father! Your practice shows that you misinterpret your position. You are a house-band. You are nervous and dictatorial and often manifest great lack of judgment.

 

The Selfish Husband

Cultivate refinement and courtesy. Be very tender and gentle toward your wife, who is his equal in every respect to you. Try not to utter a word that would cast a shadow upon her heart. You should begin the work of reformation at home, cultivate affection and overcome the coarse, harsh, unfeeling, and ungenerous traits of your character.

The husband and father who is selfish and overbearing is not only unhappy himself, but his character will cast a  gloom upon all the “inmates” who by now feel like prisoners of his home. The Selfish husband will reap the result of seeing his wife dispirited and his children marred with his own unlovely temper.

An Egotistical and Intolerant Husband

You will eventually have to face up to the consequences of your actions as you expect too much of your wife and children. You censure too much. If you would but encourage a cheerful, happy character yourself and speak kindly and tenderly to them, you would bring sunlight into your home instead of dark clouds, sorrow, and sadness. You think too much of your opinion; you take extreme positions and have not been willing that your wife’s judgment have the weight it should in your family. You have not encouraged respect for your wife yourself nor educated your children to respect her judgment. You have not made her your equal, but have rather taken the reins of government and control into your own hands and held them with a firm grasp. You do not have an affectionate, sympathetic disposition.

“These traits of character you need to cultivate if you want to be an overcomer and if you want the blessing of God in your family.”

The Husband Who Disregards Christian Courtesy

You have looked upon it as a weakness to be kind, tender, and sympathetic and have thought it beneath your dignity to speak tenderly, gently, and lovingly to your wife. The disposition to leave deeds of kindness undone is a manifest weakness and defect in your character. That which you consider a weakness God regards as true Christian courtesy that should be exercised by every Christian; for this was the spirit which Christ manifested.

Husbands Show Love and Affection

If the husband is exacting and critical of the actions of his wife, he cannot hold her respect and affection, and the marriage relation will become a prison to her. She will not love her husband because he himself is not lovable. Husbands be  attentive, constant, faithful, and compassionate. Manifest love and sympathy.  When the husband has the nobility of character, purity of heart, elevation of mind, that every true Christian must possess, it will be made manifest in the marriage.  He will then strive to speak words of comfort, to create an atmosphere of peace in the home circle.

You Reap What You Sow

When a farmer sows into his field he never returns the next day to reap the harvest! Every farmer knows that seeds take time to germinate and grow. There is a work that takes place in the silence of the earth that is unseen. It’s the same way in your marriage. You don’t sow generously into your spouse’s life and expect a response the next day, the next week, or even the next month. Different seeds yield different results at different times. Your role is to simply be a faithful sower. Leave the results up to God.

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What Is Family Worship and Why Is It Important?

What Is Family Worship and Why Is It Important?

If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Infidelity and skepticism prevail. Iniquity abounds. Corruption flows in the vital currents of the soul, and rebellion against God breaks out in the life.

“Family worship, sometimes simply family prayer, is prayer, bible reading, and singing of psalms and hymns conducted in private homes.”

Family Worship—Vital for Survival!

Enslaved by sin, the moral powers are under the tyranny of Satan. The soul is made the sport of his temptation; and unless some mighty arm is stretched out to rescue him, the man goes where the arch-rebel leads the way. And yet in this time of fearful peril, some who profess to be Christians have no family prayer.

“Many Christian families have never experienced the joys and benefits of family worship. But as Donald S. Whitney makes clear, the daily worship of God by families at home is a practice rooted in the Bible and common throughout Christian history.”

Family worship glorifies and honors God, it centers the Home, encourages Christian character and binds the Family members together. Family worship also provides common knowledge, trains Children for corporate worship, reinforces Spiritual Headship and  provides systematic discipleship.

The Importance of Having a Time for Family Worship

The idea that prayer is not essential is one of Satan’s most successful devices to ruin souls. His target is to separate the children from the parents. He always tries to trap the mind of the children. Every Christian parent should convene the family worship to protect his or her children from the peril.

Prayer is communion with God, the fountain of wisdom, the source of strength and peace and happiness. Jesus prayed to the Father “with strong crying and tears.”  “Pray one for another,” James says; “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Be Consistent

By consistent sincere, earnest prayer parents should make a hedge about their children. They should pray with full faith that God will abide with them, and those holy angels will guard them and their children against Satan’s cruel power. How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about them before the fast is broken and point them to the heavenly Father, who so liberally gives them the bounties of His providence!

How fitting for them to thank Him for His protection during the night and to ask for His help and grace and the watch care of His angels during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, to gather once more before Him and praise Him for the mercies and blessings of the day that is past!

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Are Ofsted inspections of Sunday schools really the answer to tackling extremism?

Are Ofsted inspections of Sunday schools really the answer to tackling extremism?

“The Counter-Extremism Strategy says that out-of-school religious institutions teaching children would be forced to register so that they can be inspected.

“Let us be clear: we strongly support Government efforts to defeat terrorism. Any terror attack should lead us to pray. The Bible also tells us in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for “all those in authority”.

However, an outcry by Christians over plans to register and inspect Sunday schools is forcing the Government to “tread carefully” over the matter earlier in this year.

“The British Government consulted on giving Ofsted legal power to investigate any setting in England that provides instruction to children for more than 6 to 8 hours in any week. The consultation closed on Monday 11 January 2016.”

Ofsted in Churches

Many churches will be caught because children can attend multiple events in one week. In addition to Sunday school, a particular child could also attend a baptism or confirmation class, choir practice, and even a youth group. The time across all groups will be added together (‘aggregated’) to give the total time a child spends under instruction by the church. One-off events such as holiday Bible clubs would also be counted.

“Breaches could lead to groups being closed down or individuals being banned from working with children.”

If a  child may exceed 6 hours’ attendance every week, or just for some weeks of the year registration is triggered in both cases. This results in all activities, including the Sunday school, being subject to potential ongoing inspections.

We are concerned that these misguided responses to extremism threaten to take away vital freedoms from law-abiding people, and seriously undermine the religious liberty of Christians.

Equality Oath

The Government and Parliament have an extremely difficult job ahead. There is no doubt that Islamist terrorism poses a very serious threat.

We strongly support efforts to combat terrorism and the ideologies which underpin it, but it is vital that the Government’s political response is focussed on the root cause of these attacks and that Christian freedoms and the civil liberties of innocent British citizens are not jeopardized.

The Government before the election was considering introducing an ‘Equality Oath’ that doctors, social workers, teachers, and other public office holders would be forced to swear, pledging to uphold ‘British values’.

But forcing people to sign up to a particular Government’s view of equality would be dangerous and illiberal.  Sections of the press have already warned that it would deny the right to dissent.

Ofsted Inspection U-turn

“Christians have already been urged not to celebrate Sunday school inspection u-turn too soon.”

Simon Calvert, deputy director for public affairs at the Christian Institute, said:

“If the government wanted to go ahead with some kind of regulation and inspection system, it could do that without the need for a counter-extremism bill. We have to be on the alert.”

A Whitehall source was quoted by the Observer newspaper as saying the bill was “sinking without a trace” and it’s understood the proposed legislation will be quietly set aside.  A Home Office spokesperson said: “Legislation to tackle extremism is being considered within Government. We will consult fully on any legislation before it is introduced.”

‘Keep Historic Freedoms’

Christians need to contact their MPs and urge them to defend the historic freedoms this country was built on.

In the year ahead let’s do as the Bible says and pray for “all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.

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Why Is the Bible So Important?

Why Is the Bible So Important?

The Bible is the single most important book ever written and is essential for knowing God and His will for our lives.

It is impossible for any human mind to exhaust one truth or promise of the Bible. One catches the glory from one point of view, another from another point; yet we can discern only gleamings.

#1: THE BIBLE HAS TRANSFORMED THE WORLD

It is not too much to say that the events recorded in this book are claimed by a significant percentage of people who have ever lived on this earth to be the most important events ever recorded in the history of the world.

The full radiance is beyond our vision. As we contemplate the great things of God’s Word, we look into a fountain that broadens and deepens beneath our gaze. Its breadth and depth pass our knowledge. As we gaze, the vision widens; stretched out before us, we behold a boundless, shoreless sea. Such study has vivifying power. The mind and heart acquire new strength and new life.  

Most of the Bible was written in what is modern-day Israel (Asia). But some passages of Jeremiah were written in Egypt (Africa) and several New Testament epistles were written from cities in Europe.

#2:  PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO DIE FOR THIS BOOK

This experience is the highest evidence of the divine authorship of the Bible. We receive God’s Word as food for the soul through the same evidence by which we receive bread as food for the body. Bread supplies the need of our nature; we know by experience that it produces blood, bone, and brain.

Apply the same test to the Bible; when its principles have actually become the elements of character, what has been the result? What changes have been made in the life?

“Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 #3: IT CONTAINS A LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGE OF FREEDOM

In its power men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have been transformed into the image of God.

4: IT CONNECTS YOU TO HISTORY’S MOST IMPORTANT FIGURE

The change is itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, that, as declared by the Scriptures, it is

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

A knowledge of this mystery furnishes a key to every other. It opens to the soul the treasures of the universe, the possibilities of infinite development.  

Keep turning the pages of this remarkable book.  Read it with an open mind and open heart. It contains pure truth about God, about life, the nature of mankind and our own hearts as human beings.

Then Christian Bible is described: made up of 66 books, two ‘Testaments’ (39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament). It’s been translated into over 500 languages and over 5 billion copies have been sold; the best selling non-fiction book ever. For Christians, it is God’s word, full of guidance and wisdom, containing everything you need to know about salvation, about being right with God. The Bible is a complicated book; its many stories need applying to the modern world.

 

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Pride

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.  Pride will kill you, forever, and is the sin most likely to keep you from crying out to God in times of need.

As dangerous as pride is, it’s equally hard to spot. Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God. He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being, to comprehend the wisdom of the Infinite One. It was this ambition  that led to his rebellion in heaven, and by the same means he seeks to cause the ruin of man.

“Too Many People Spend Money They Earned..to Buy Things They Don’t Want..to Impress People That They Don’t Like.” ’- Will Rogers

Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be the leader in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from God, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to dethrone the loving Creator.

“Through Pride We Are Ever Deceiving Ourselves. But Deep down Below the Surface of the Average Conscience a Still, Small Voice Says to Us, something Is out of Tune. ” ’- C.G. Jung

Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same.

“Proud People Breed Sad Sorrows for Themselves.” ’- Emily Brontë

We can’t conclude that we don’t struggle with pride because we don’t see pride in ourselves. Whenever pride and ambition are indulged, the life is marred; for pride, feeling no need, closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven.

“It Is Better to Lose Your Pride with Someone You Love Rather Than to Lose That Someone You Love with Your Useless Pride.” ’- John Ruskin

Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. “Pride goeth before destruction.” This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.

“All Men Make Mistakes, but a Good Man Yields When He Knows His Course Is Wrong, and Repairs the Evil. The Only Crime Is Pride.” ’- Sophocles, Antigone

Removing the Chains of Pride

How does one move from the chains of pride and self-obsession to the freedom of humble self-service?
  • A Harsh Spirit –  Those who have the sickness of pride in their hearts speak of others’ sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment.
  • Superficiality –  When pride lives in our hearts, we’re far more concerned with others’ perceptions of us than the reality of our hearts.
  • Defensiveness –  Those who stand in the strength of Christ’s righteousness alone find a confident hiding place from the attacks of men and Satan alike.  
  • Presumption Before God –  Humility approaches God with humble assurance in Christ Jesus. If either the “humble” or the “assurance” are missing in that equation, our hearts very well might be infected with pride.  
  • Desperation for Attention –  Pride is hungry for attention, respect, and worship in all its forms.
  • Neglecting Others -Pride prefers some people over others. It honors those who the world deems worthy of honor, giving more weight to their words, their wants, and their needs.    

Think of these as three facets as the jewel of genuine Christian humility

  • Who is the focus of your service?
  • Whose sin are you focused upon?
  • What is the focus of your joy, security, and contentment?

God’s people should be subject one to another. They should counsel with each other, that the lack of one be supplied by the sufficiency of the other.  

“Learn of Me,” Said Christ; “For I Am Meek and Lowly in Heart: And Ye Shall Find Rest unto Your Souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Maybe more of us struggle with pride than we thought.  There’s good news for the prideful. Confession of pride signals the beginning of the end for pride.  

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart! Try Me and Know My Thoughts! And See If There Be Any Grievous Way in Me, and Lead Me in the Way Everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

In the end pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.

 

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