Category: faith

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Why Truth Matters: Biblical Truth for Rising Generations

What is Truth?

This question has echoed through the ages since Pilate asked it of Jesus the Christ. This is a good question today for some who, sadly, are “ever learning, but never coming to a knowledge of the truth.” We can only hope that at some point their prejudices may give way before the truth. Those seeking truth in the spacious towers of moral relativism will search in vain, because truth abides forever and ever, not subject to popular opinion, not based on trendy fads. Truth is absolute.

Why Are We Here?

Without truth, many wonders, “What is the purpose of life?” These are the ones who sincerely seek the truth, only to be kept from it, for they do not know where to find it.

So How Do We Find the Truth?

One ancient prophet said of his Creator: “He is a God of truth, and cannot lie.” Therefore, a logical place to start looking for truth is in the word of God. Saint John said, “it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit [of Christ] is truth.”

So, if we ask what is true, with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth to us, by the power of the Holy Spirit. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may know the truth of all things.

But Why Does Truth Matter?

Not too long ago, Sean McDowell, Ph.D.,  a professor of Christian Apologetics,   was speaking at a youth event. Afterwards, a student came up to him and said, “You talked about truth a lot. What’s the big deal?  Why is truth even important?”

Why Does Truth Matter?

Why does truth matter? I would suggest to this young man: “At some point in time, in some real crisis, not an imagined one, perhaps you will even be faced with death. In that defining moment, real truth will be important.”

Dr. Peter Marshall, a beloved chaplain in the United States Senate in the 1940s, was invited to speak at the Naval Academy. He was prepared to address his concern about the loose morals of the young people at that time. But the Spirit gave him a different message.  He felt strongly impressed to speak to them about death. He said:

“But what is death?   Is it to be blown out, like a candle in the wind?   Is it a shivering void in which there is nothing that lives?   Is is a cold space into which we are launched to be evaporated, or to disappear?   Are we to believe that a half-mad eternal humorist tossed the worlds aloft and left their destiny to chance?   That a man’s life is the development of a nameless vagrancy?   That a hole in the ground six feet deep is his final heritage?   There are a thousand insane things easier to believe than these!   How can we believe that human personality will not survive when One who went into the grave and beyond came back to say, “Whosoever believeth in me shalt not perish, but have eternal life.”

He also told them about a young boy with a fatal illness. The boy asked his mother what it was like to die.   She reminded him of those days when he had come in from play, so exhausted that he had fallen asleep on his mother’s bed, without even changing his clothes. When he awoke in the morning, he was in his own bed. Daddy had lovingly lifted him up in his strong arms and carried him to the comfort of his own bed, where he belonged.

That is what death is like, his mother continued. You fall asleep and when you wake up in the morning, you find that the Heavenly Father has lifted you up and brought you home to the comfort of His loving arms, where you belong because the Lord Jesus has loved us and the little boy no longer feared death.

So the Spirit prompted Dr. Marshall to tell the truth about death to hundreds of bright young sailors at the Naval Academy. Shortly thereafter, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and many of those sailors faced death in the devastating war that followed.

Yes, truth matters. We need it to give meaning to our lives.

Saint John reminds us that the Spirit “will guide you into all truth.” And Jesus Christ is that way, that truth, and life eternal. At the end of the day, through Him, we can return home, where we belong.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~ 3 John 1:4

Dr. Peter Marshall was Chaplain to the United States Senate from 1947, until his sudden death in 1949. He served as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.   Born in Scotland, he traveled to New York in 1927 to follow his call to Christian ministry and attend Columbia Theological Seminary where he graduated with his doctorate in 1931.   He accepted an invitation to preach a morning sermon in the chapel of the United States Naval Academy, December 7, 1941.   Neither he, nor anyone in attendance at the chapel service that day was  aware that the Imperial Navy of Japan was attacking the U.S. military bases at Pearl Harbor.   Many of the young sailors in the chapel that morning were hearing their last sermon and would give their lives in defense of our nation in World War II.  

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2 Things to Remember About God’s Love

2 Things to Remember About God’s Love

The Bible talks a great deal about God’s love. And when Scriptures talk about God’s love, it’s mostly in superlatives. John 3:16 says God so loved that He sent His one and only Son to ensure man’s full redemption from the doom of hell. What no amount of human sacrifices can achieve, Christ secured for us once for all on the cross. By placing our full trust in Christ’s finished work, we all enter into this love relationship. Forever redeemed, forever experiencing the love of God. This is the best thing that can ever happen to a lost sinner.

God’s love is unlimiting.

Human love can be suffocating at times. It can be demanding or restricting. At times, we love someone so much, we begin to fear and worry. Overprotection sets in, we don’t want them getting hurt. Jealousy and insecurity may surface; we don’t want to lose them.

God’s love is unlimiting. It is in fact liberating. Those who don’t understand think Christianity is boring and rigid. They have the idea that in this “religion”, people don’t get to be and do a lot of things.   But the Bible shows us differently. In true Christianity is freedom. There is liberty. We become free and enabled to do right. We don’t need to be sinful all the time, we don’t have to do succumb to wrong pleasures each time temptation comes. Once, we had great tendencies for evil and wrongness. Now, as children of God we are empowered by the Holy Spirit for right and fruitful living.

God’s love is unlimiting. It unleashes the strength and grace of God in our lives. We find endurance to press on towards fulfilling our goals. We find wisdom in making right directions and pursuits. We learn to put our efforts into what is worthwhile and we get to experience satisfying joy, not just in achieving but in the journey itself.

God says His plans for us are for our welfare and not for evil, to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) In love, He works all things for our good. (Romans 8:28) Sometimes, the present doesn’t seem to be turning out well but while the end remains hidden from sight, we can trust God’s love in the process.

God’s love is relentless.

While some debate the idea that we can call God’s love as reckless, there’s no doubt that His love is relentless. We understand the reckless love doesn’t consider the risks. It is not cautious. It is not deterred by danger or loss. Reckless love jumps right in no matter what. Indeed, God’s love may be somewhat like that. But on a whole, reckless love is a far term to describe God’s love. Reckless bears a primary usage and meaning of “heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous.”

God’s love is nothing like that. In eternity past, He has counted the cost. He has foreseen the danger and the consequence. He has deliberately and committedly set His love toward us. In Luke 22:39-46, we gain insight into how painful and agonizing it was for the triune God to face separation for the first time. The sin of the world was to be laid upon Christ and the Father had to look away as the full weight of our sin was placed upon Him. That was far from a reckless kind of love.

Relentless love is unceasingly intense. It is persistent and continuing. It is unstoppable.   It does not allow itself to be hindered. It is defiant in a sense that it will cross boundaries to provide what is beneficial for its object of love. It is unsparing in a sense that it will give whatever is necessary for the benefit of its object of love. Relentless love is thoughtful love. It is deliberate. It counts the cost and takes intelligent account of what is necessary to achieve the highest good for the object of its love.

God’s love is relentless.   It is non-stop. “One Thing” by Jesus Culture articulates it quite well. The message says, “Your love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me.” The rest of the song lyrics say:

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains. This one thing remains

Your love never fails, and never gives up

It never runs out on me

Because on and on and on and on it goes

Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never, ever, have to be afraid

One thing remains. This one thing remains.

Be encouraged with the truth of this song today.

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10 Innovations That Could Change the Developing World

This $1 Cup Could Prevent Millions Of Babies From Starving

The world is changing every day. As technology changes the way we live our day-to-day lives, it is fascinating to imagine what the immediate future will bring.

Never before in history have new innovations unfolded so quickly from global health to social justice to humanitarian aid, a slew of scientists, technologists, and activists have come together over the last year to create impactful solutions to some of our most pressing problems.

Below, we look at 20 initiatives that are set to make a real difference and positively impact people’s lives.

1. Safariseat

SafariSeat is the first project from Uji, a social enterprise company determined to make a difference
SafariSeat is the first project from Uji, a social enterprise company determined to make a difference

While Africa may be catching up in many respects, this is not the case for those who are unable to walk.  Safariseat is a revolutionary low-cost, all-terrain wheelchair that gives people independence, unlocking access to education, employment and a life beyond the confines of their own home.

“There is great power in being able to see from each other’s perspective, to understand how one another feels and to have true empathy for those with backgrounds different to our own. Our beliefs, our habits, our unique abilities; diversity is life’s greatest asset, which makes inclusion one of our greatest design challenges” explains co-founder Cara O’Sullivan.

The seat is projected to start production in Kenya in the coming months.  Safariseat is made of bicycle parts, and the device is propelled forward by hand levers and durable wheels.

“Open design is empowering, inclusive and ethically sound – it creates better products by crowdsourcing ideas and experience” explains Deeble.

SafariSeat is the first project from Uji, a social enterprise company determined to make a difference

2. The Shoe That Grows

The Shoe That Grows
The Shoe That Grows
The Shoe That Grows
The Shoe That Grows
The Shoe That Grows
The Shoe That Grows

One day while out walking with the kids, Kenton Lee noticed that the little girl in a white dress next to him had shoes that were way too small for her feet. Over 1.5 billion people suffer from soil-transmitted diseases worldwide. That led to a brilliant idea. With The Shoe That Grows, kids are more healthy, attend school more often, and are more confident. It took 5 years of hard work and experimentation, his idea had become reality. The shoe has 5x the impact of ordinary shoes because it expands 5 sizes and lasts for years.

The Shoe That Grows is making an impact in developing regions around the world where the nonprofit delivers donated shoes to children and families.

3. ‘The Life Saving Dot’ Social Good Campaign

Almost every Indian woman wears a bindi – a traditional symbol of beauty. But what if these tiny little dots could do more?

'The Life Saving Dot' Social Good Campaign
‘The Life Saving Dot’ Social Good Campaign

In rural India, millions of women suffer from Breast Cancer, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, and complications during pregnancy. Most of these cases are linked to an iodine deficiency.

The Life Saving Dot is an idea that transformed bindis into iodine patches. Every woman requires between 150 – 220 micrograms of iodine daily. The  bindis deliver a wearer with the recommended daily amount of iodine and only costs 10 rupees — or 16 cents — for a packet of 30, fitting the budgets of women in rural India.

Previous attempts to reduce the deficiency with tablets had failed—Indian women just weren’t used to taking them. This is a great example of how a simple solution, aligned with everyday practice, can solve a fundamental problem.

4. NIFTY Cup

The NIFTY cup for newborns: when breastfeeding is not an option.

The NIFTY cup for newborns: when breastfeeding is not an option.
The NIFTY cup for newborns: when breastfeeding is not an option.

When an infant in a developing country is unable to nurse, they’re at risk of severe malnutrition — or even death. This PATH-designed cup provides an ingenious way for infants to sip with a spout that makes collected milk easy to drink by infants with cleft palates.

According to a article by PATH (the NIFTY cup designer) “several million babies born each year in Africa and South Asia can’t breastfeed due to prematurity or craniofacial anomalies like cleft lip or palate.”

The cup is reusable and only costs only $1 to create has already been credited with preventing starvation of infants in poor African communities.

Trish Colley, who is an expert in neonatal health technologies explained:

“Infants who are preterm can have problems sucking. Their sucking reflex has not  developed enough for them to be able to breastfeed successfully. The NIFTY cup allows them to drink breast milk at a pace and flow that each individual infant establishes. This occurs because of the unique reservoir and flow channels that let infants lap the milk rather than have it poured down their throats.”

A collaboration with a nonprofit manufacturer is bringing it to market.  It will soon be widely distributed in Africa.

5. Embrace Warmer

6. Hippo Roller

The “Hippo Water Roller Project” was established in 1994 in response to the unique needs and constraints in terms of access to water of rural women and children across Africa. Hippo Roller makes it extremely easy to collect water in tough rural conditions – up to 5x more water than a single bucket, by simply rolling it along the ground.

8. LifeStraw

Drinking contaminated water can lead to devastating disease and illness. It’s estimated that every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease. The LifeStraw is making contaminated water safe to drink.

LifeStraw
LifeStraw

About 783 million people — or 11 percent of the world’s population — lack access to improved sources of drinking water. The LifeStraw is a water filter designed to be used by one person to filter water for drinking. It filters a maximum of 1000 litres of water, enough for one person for one year and removes almost all of waterborne bacteria and parasites.  

 

The company not only provides straws to communities in need but also donates larger filtration systems to poor communities around the globe.

9. Lucky Iron Fish

When Canadian science graduate Christopher Charles visited Cambodia six years ago he discovered that anaemia was a huge public health problem.  Pregnant women faced serious health complications before and after childbirth, such as hemorrhaging.

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. Lucky Iron Fish are fish-shaped cast iron ingots used to provide dietary supplementation of iron to individuals living affected by iron-deficiency anaemia.

However, the standard solution – iron supplements or tablets to increase iron intake – isn’t working.  The tablets are neither affordable nor widely available, and because of the side-effects, people don’t like taking them.

10. ‘Better than tablets’  

Lucky Iron Fish
Lucky Iron Fish

The Iron Fish is an object that families can place in a pot of boiling water prior to cooking to enrich vegetables with additional iron. The company works on a one-to-one donation scale, allowing individuals in developed nations to purchase  their own fish while simultaneously donating one to a family in need.

“The gift of making a change in this world is not given to people like us, we are too small, too insignificant in the scheme of world events; BUT, if as a result of our actions we save but ONE LIFE, we have changed this world, albeit in a very small way, but we have changed it forever, and who can foretell the result of the saving of that one life”. David Dutson

10 Innovations That Could Change the Developing World
10 Innovations That Could Change the Developing World

Are there any great inventions we missed? Please feel free to add to this wonderful list.

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Does Wikipedia have a strong liberal bias against Christianity?

Does Wikipedia have a strong liberal bias against Christianity?

Wikipedia’s own page explains that Wikipedia is “a free, web-based, collaborative and multilingual encyclopedia project.” It says “Its more than 20 million articles that have been written by volunteers around the world.” Anyone with access to the site can edit most of its articles.

To answer the question set forth, let’s say outright that based on statistics alone, Christianity has a minor representation on Wikipedia.  But why?

A  2017 article by The Guardian says “that nearly half of the population of UK has no religion.”

From many surveys, Statista reported in 2017 that Christianity in America has waned.  

Fewer Christian Contributors

The fact is, there are fewer Christians in the world. Likewise, we can expect fewer Christians contributing to the development of Wikipedia pages. As to information quality control and truth verification, we know that not all you read on Wikipedia is accurate. Some could only be echoing opinions since we know that no formal training is needed and anybody can easily make additions to the site.

Active Antagonism Against Christian Views

Few Christians actively pursue the defense of Christianity. Many others choose to be peacemakers while others propagate Christian truths via modest means. On the opposite end, anti-Christian groups are more diligent in their pursuit of eliminating any pro-Christian ideas and programmes. It is not at all surprising that news like the one featured on PJ Media is happening on Wikipedia right now.

Gunter Bechly is a recognized German insect paleontologist. He contributed an entry on Wikipedia and found that it was removed in October 2017. What seems to be plain was his position on intelligent design which was also discussed on that entry. Intelligent design is a scientific position that holds the view that there is evidence for design behind nature. It’s not at all surprising to hear this kind of action against intelligent design while nothing happens to entries that promote Darwin’s evolution theory.

Wikipedia editors reasoned that Bechly was not that notable to warrant an entry. Yet, what about contributors with fewer qualifications having long entries on Wikipedia? John West, the VP of Discovery Institute has a strong belief that it was an act of censorship to suppress the free flow of information and ideas.

Bechly presented some credentials and accomplishments: new insect orders, eight species named after him, an insect family named after him, two books, one German book about him, press coverage, exhibits, and a ResearchGate score that tops over 85% of other members’ scores. It is sad that none was enough to warrant his credibility in their Wikipedias sight. Was the disqualifying factor because he was a Creationist?

“What Wikipedia did is definitely an act of censorship and an effort to suppress the free flow of ideas and information,” John West, vice president of the Discovery Institute where Bechly works

This incident may well suggest an indication that Wikipedia holds a bias against Christianity. It would be no shock to hear more reports like this surfacing in the future.

 

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Best advice to find your spiritual gift

It breaks my heart that the spiritual gifts don’t seem to be taught or emphasized much throughout Christendom these days. Their utilization is critical for the Church to function properly in society.

Paul taught, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… let [us] use [them] in proportion to [our] faith,” Romans 12:6.The spiritual gifts are found in three separate passages in the New Testament (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12—14; and Ephesians 4). The lists are not exactly identical. Some overlapping occurs. According to 1 Corinthians 12:6, God the Father pours in the power, Jesus the Son assigns the ministry, and God the Holy Spirit gives out the gifts as He deems necessary for the proper functioning of the church body.

The gifts may be organized in several ways. We will use the most common grouping.

Establishing Gifts (Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:29): Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Pastor-Teachers. These gifts are used primarily for planting and growing churches.

Supporting Gifts (Romans 12:6-8): Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Encouragement, Giving, Administration/Leadership, and Mercy. These gifts are used primarily to organize and administrate the church so that it may best carry out its responsibilities.

Ministry Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 27-31): Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Helps, Administration, Leadership, Distinguishing Spirits, Speaking in Tongues, and Interpreting Tongues. These are the tools that the Holy Spirit utilizes for the ongoing ministry of the church.

It goes without saying that congregations are spiritually impotent when the members do not freely and responsibly allow the Holy Spirit to manifest God’s ministry and power through the gifts He has given. Here are a few guidelines on how to identify and unwrap your spiritual gift(s).

#1 — “Can I lose a spiritual gift (such as by my sinning) once I have received it at the time of my salvation?”

There is simply no evidence that a spiritual gift is ever taken from a believer. It was a “grace gift”, and unless God takes His gifts back, then we will always have our gifts.  Now, the gift might not be used as a person is living sinfully and selfishly, but it remains our gifts. We are stewards of all that God has given us including our spiritual gifts, and, as with our money and opportunities, we will give an account as stewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ (see 1 Cor. 4:1-5).

#2 — “Can I asked God for other spiritual gifts, if I believe that I don’t have a particular gift?”

It is unlikely that we should ask for additional gifts.  Keep in mind that the all-knowing, sovereign Holy Spirit decided who would get what gifts.  The Spirit knew your life and where you would go and what believers you would be in contact with, and gave you those gifts to cover all those settings.  So unless He missed something (which is not going to happen), we should trust His choices.  Quite often    1 Corinthians 12:31 is appealed to as evidence that we are given permission to ask for additional gifts.  But if you read the context carefully (12:11-31), it will be seen that Paul is talking to the church and not to individuals when he says to seek the “better gifts”.  He is exhorting them, as they gather together as a church, to look for the gifts that are designed specifically to edify believers.  These gifts are the ones which are “better” for the spiritual maturing of believers and should dominate the public services.  Some of the sign gifts, such as tongues and miracles, do not directly edify believers and so should not play a significant role at the church gatherings. But people with such gifts as teaching or exhortation should be given a priority when the church comes together; they have the “better” gifts for the edifying of believers.

#3 — “Can unbelievers have spiritual gifts?”

The short answer is “no”.  While they might initially appear to have a certain gift, such as teaching, they do have that “version” of teaching that can edify the Body of Christ.  They could well have a natural ability which came to them at their physical birth, but they have not had a spiritual birth and so have not been anointed as a believer-priest by the Holy Spirit. What they have might resemble the spiritual gift, but usually a closer inspection allows us to see that what they have is not one of God’s spiritual abilities.

#4 — “What is the relationship, if any, between my spiritual gift and a natural ability that I might have?”

To the believer in Jesus, God has given both natural abilities as well as spiritual gifts.  We have been “packaged” by God to be able to serve Him and live for Him in a wonderful way.  We believe that He intends for these natural abilities and spiritual gifts to be wedded together.  For example, a person might have natural musical ability, and they might also have the spiritual gift of encouragement.  We can easily see how God might use this person to encourage and challenge fellow believers through their musical abilities.

#5 — “Must I wait for the Spirit’s “moving” on me to use my spiritual gift.”

No, the gift was given to you by the Spirit and it “belongs” to you.  It is now part of your stewardship responsibility and thus you are in charge of it.  As Paul put it, “the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets.”  In other words, you determine when and how you will use your gift.  And you are responsible for using it and will eventually give an account to the Giver for our use of it.  Of course, the Spirit can give us direction in using it, just like He can in using our/the Lord’s money in our giving to others.

#6 — “Can a believer be living in unconfessed sin and still use his/her spiritual gift in a way that shows results?”

Unfortunately, believers can use their gifts even when out of fellowship with the Lord.  It should not be this way, but sometimes it is.  For example, a pastor with the gift of pastor/teacher might effectively open the Word of God on Sunday mornings to his congregation with the result that many are built up by the Word. They are clearly benefitted with the pastor’s ability to make the Scriptures understandable.  And yet, he might at that very time in his life be involved in immorality, which could go on for some time. But usually in this life, as well as at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the matter will be dealt with. What we need to keep in mind is that the “fruit of Spirit” and the “gifts of the Spirit” are two different things.  The “fruit” shows where we are in our spiritual maturity and relationship with the Lord, while our gifts are simply those abilities (capacities) that have been given to us. They both should, of course, be part of our lives as believer-priests of Jesus Christ.

#7 — Are all spiritual gifts permanent and for today or are some of them temporary, really just for the first days of the church?

There does seem to be evidence that some spiritual gifts were designed to be temporary, being needed in the early days of the early church.  But to answer the question about any particular gift, there are two things that must be considered.  First, what is the gift; that is, how does the Bible define it. It is not what we say it is, it is what the Bible says it is. For example, the gift of “apostle” is seen as a foundational gift for the church (Eph. 2:20).  Apostle were ones “sent with authority” by Christ; that is, they had the ability to work miracles to validate their new message (see 2 Cor. 12:12).  So, unless someone can “on demand” work miracles then that one is not an apostle.  And while some claim to work miracles, the evidence does not support their claims. This points to the temporary, foundational nature of the gift of apostle.  But if “apostle” is defined loosely as “one who is sent”, such as a missionary, then you would argue for their presence in the church today. But this looser definition fails to include the all-important aspect of authority.  Second, what is the reason why God gave the gift. Its purpose must be understood.  Lack of clarity in seeing the purpose will always breed lack of clarity in answering the question, “was the gift temporary or permanent”?  For example, healings were done to authenticate God’s message and messenger (see Jesus’ point in John 5:36 about His miracles).  They were not done primarily to compassionately heal people (remember that everyone healed in the NT is now dead, so the healing didn’t last).  Once God’s message (the Scriptures were authenticated) the gift of healing/miracles was not needed.  (God can, of course, heal anytime He wishes, but that is different from a human being having the gift of healing/miracles).

This is a short answer, but the point is that the evidence is that some gifts are no longer needed today because the purpose for them is not in existence today.  (See the question on the gift of tongues in a separate discussion).

#8 — How do I find out what gift(s) I might have?

We must assume that God is not playing “hide and seek” with us.  He wants us to know, so it would be important to ask Him. So pray.  Second, when we have a gift it will soon be evidenced with “results” and a personal “passion” that we have when operating in the area of our gift.  So, seek ministry/service opportunities in your church, noting where you seem to be most effective.  Third, speak to believers that know you and that are spiritually mature and ask them what they see in you related to your spiritual gifts.  Often, they will agree on what is evidenced in your life of service.  But even if it does not become immediately clear what your gift(s) are, serve Christ.  Soon you will come to see what your gifts are.

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Everything you wanted to know about your talents, abilities and gifts, but were afraid to ask!

Natural talents are the gift of God
Natural talents are abilities that are part of who you are — they may be artistic talents, intelligence, physical strength, organizing ability and so on. They are something that is ‘innate’ — part of us. Sometimes they are ‘latent’ — unrecognized and unused until some life circumstance brings them forward, and we discover that we have this hidden capacity or talent that we had know nothing about. These ‘talents’ are part of the way God made us.

Learned abilities are a gift from God
Learned abilities are the result of our informal and formal education — things we have learned to do as a result of observing other people do them [in the first instance, our parents], or by deliberately learning how to do them [at school, university or ‘on the job’].

Sometimes learned abilities overlap with our natural talents. For example, a person with a musical talent who has also studied music in a formal way.Complete Section #2 in the Study Five Worksheet now.

Identifying your natural talents and learned abilities
With the help of interactive discussion with your Christian peers, make an inventory of your natural talents and learned abilities. Include everything you and they can think of.Do this in Section #3 of the Study Five Worksheet now.

The inter-relatedness of the three areas of ability

Natural talents are abilities we are born with. Someone might, for example, naturally be a fast runner or have the ability to sing in tune. These talents become evident as we grow and mature, as opportunities for their use or expression occur, and as our environment facilitates their development. It is possible that a person might never know what their natural talents are if their environment was repressive and/or no opportunities to express and use these talents arose.

Learned abilities are abilities which we have learned either by our own personal observations and trial and error, or by being taught by someone else. Sometimes learning a skill can cause a natural talent to come to light and/or be maximized. For example: a person with a natural talent for maths has to be taught geometry or algebra, but because they have mathematical talent they will learn it far more quickly and efficiently than a person who has no mathematical talent; and, having been taught, will be able to develop and use their natural talent beyond where it was before they were taught.

Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities of a particular spiritual nature and/or a spiritual purpose. They may or may not over-lap or coincide with natural talents or learned abilities. For example: a person may be born with an aptitude for teaching. He goes to university and learns the practical ins and outs of teaching. This gives direction and boundaries in which his natural talent is used. After his conversion and subsequent study of the Scripture he discovers that he has the spiritual gift of teaching — something that is more than his natural talent or learned ability: that God works powerfully and effectively through his teaching of the word of God for the instruction and edification of his people. [This includes God enabling him both to understand and to present his Word with spiritual clarity and spiritual power and authority.]

As we observe Christians in action, we can see:

  • Spiritual gifts, learned abilities and natural talents coinciding
  • Spiritual gifts as the development of natural talents or learned abilities.
  • Spiritual gifts that are apparently totally additional to natural talents and learned abilities.
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What Does #MeToo: Stories of Sexual Abuse, Harassment Have to Do with You?

How to cope with a mis-sold job

There is a concept that some in the field of neuroscience call “increased integration.” Apparently, when someone tells his or her story and is truly heard and understood they feel a greater sense of emotional and relational connection, decreased anxiety, and a greater awareness of and compassion for others’ suffering.

In recent months the #MeToo  has spread virally as a two-word hashtag used on social media in October 2017  by women around the world who shared their experiences of sexual harassment and assault on social media.

The allegations of sexual assault and rape against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein also saw tens of thousands of people taking to social media to share their stories using the hashtag, ‘#MeToo’. Additionally, an assertion that being “touched upon the metro” should be a “non-event” also provoked fury.

“There is a line, obviously, between [sexual] desire and realization, and some cross it and some don’t.”

Thanks to women coming forward to tell their stories about being raped, fondled or harassed by men, we can now see the prevalence of this practice.

The tweets show that people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and sexual orientations are vulnerable to sexual violence.  The perpetrators also ranged in age, background, and ethnicity.

So what could possibly be fueling this upsurge in harassment?

Perhaps the breakdown of morality, lack of a spiritual life and old-fashioned selfishness. But is that all there is? There have been men who exhibit high morals who have harassed women. There have also been Pastors who have done the same.

So what is the common denominator?

Pornography!

The Internet is really really great”¦ FOR PORN!
I’ve got a fast connection so I don’t have to wait”¦ FOR PORN!
There’s always some new site”¦ FOR PORN!
I browse all day and night”¦ FOR PORN!
It’s like I’m surfing at the speed of light”¦ FOR PORN!
The Internet is for porn!
The Internet is for porn!
Why you think the net was born?
Porn! Porn! PORN!

In 2003, these lyrics were heard on the Broadway stage courtesy of Jeff Marx, Robert Lopez and the puppets of musical show  Avenue Q. It would quickly become a famous Internet meme and catchphrase. But why?

In the last 30 years, pornography has grown to be a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Today’s children live in a digital world that has embraced sexuality. Images of sex abound on the internet, and are freely accessible to children with the simple click of a computer button, or by downloading an image on a cell phone.

Pornography is not just something a few men view in the late hours in the privacy of their homes.

According to recent statistics at least 70 percent of porn is downloaded during work hours (9 am to 5 pm).

The wages of sin are enormous when pornography is involved.

“The societal costs of pornography are staggering. The financial cost to business productivity in the U.S. alone is estimated at $16.9 Billion annually ; but the human toll, particularly among our youth and in our families, is far greater.”

I heard from a young woman the other day who didn’t get why I was anti-porn. “It’s a great way for my fianc, to meet his needs when I’m not in the mood. I don’t want him to keep bugging me if I’m not into it that night. And he shouldn’t just have to ‘deal’ with frustration, either.”  

So What’s Not to Love About Porn?

Well, Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D, psychologist and former Deputy Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary research states that pornography hurts adults, children, couples, families, and society. It also states that among adolescents, pornography hinders the development of a healthy sexuality, and among adults, it distorts sexual attitudes and social realities. In families, pornography use leads to marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, separation, and divorce.

The average age when a man is first exposed to pornography is at 11 years of age and the largest consumers of porn are 12 to 17-year old’s. Victor Cline, a psychologist, documented how men become addicted to pornographic materials, then begin to desire more explicit or deviant material, and finally act out what they have seen.

He maintained “that memories of experiences that occurred at times of emotional arousal (which could include sexual arousal) are imprinted on the brain by epinephrine, an adrenal gland hormone, and are difficult to erase. This may partly explain pornography’s addicting effect.”

The next step is escalation. Previous sexual highs become more difficult to attain; therefore users of pornography begin to look for more exotic forms of sexual behavior to bring them stimulation and so on.

A Biblical Perspective?

God created men and women in His image (Gen. 1:27) as sexual beings. But because of sin in the world (Rom. 3:23), sex has been misused and abused (Rom. 1:24-25). The act of sex was originally meant to bring a husband and wife into a close, intimate relationship that only they could share. Pornography attacks the dignity of men and women created in the image of God. Pornography also distorts God’s gift of sex which should be shared only within the bounds of marriage (1 Cor. 7:2-3). After years of watching it, consciences become  smeared and he or she can no longer see what is right and wrong. – Timothy 4:2

Are You Addicted?

Some of you reading this may have already developed an addiction to porn. If you see any of the patterns I’ve described above in your life, you need to put the brakes on right now. Is porn beginning to control your life? You can’t put it down — you keep going back for more? Perhaps you find yourself needing to see increasingly graphic pornography. You’re starting to take risks or act out physically for sexual thrills.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”¦” Romans 12:2

The Bible also warns against the misuse of sex. Premarital and extramarital sex is condemned (1 Cor. 6:13-18; 1 Thess. 4:3). Even thoughts of sexual immorality (often fed by pornographic material) are condemned (Matt. 5:27-28). Christians, therefore, must do two things. First, they must work to keep themselves pure by fleeing immorality (1 Cor. 6:18) and thinking on those things which are pure (Phil. 4:8).

General pornography stats

  • Every second 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet
  • Every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography on the internet
  • Every second 372 people are typing the word “adult” into search engines
  • 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites
  • 35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography
  • 25% of all search engine queries are related to pornography, or about 68 million search queries a day
  • One-third of porn viewers are women
  • Search engines get 116,000 queries every day related to child pornography
  • 34% of internet users have experienced unwanted exposure to pornographic content through ads, pop up ads, misdirected links or emails
  • 2.5 billion emails sent or received every day contain porn
  • Every 39 minutes a new pornography video is being created in the United States
  • About 200,000 Americans are “porn addicts”

Valerie Hughes co-wrote this post and is the founder of Sufficient Grace Ministries offering hope and healing to women who have been involved with a porn addiction. Her current book “When Porn Takes the Place of Love” tells of her journey of healing and includes a 10-part Bible Study.  

Disclaimer:  Fighting the stigma faced by sexual violence survivors is a crucial step in forcing the change referenced by Tamblyn. The “#MeToo” hashtag shows that more and more people are ready to share their stories and change the dialogue surrounding sexual violence.  The article attempts to shed light on one of the overlooked influences that help develop a man’s mindset on how they treat women.

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Sparkling Dews of Hope 2006 – 2018

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present. This small selection of poetry was written starting back as early as 2006 when I was first called to write for the LORD.

Later I would write Christian articles and prophetic utterances from Jesus. My love of poetry is spontaneous and has been chiefly inspired by the Psalms of David together with the emerging love and grace of Father God, now my heavenly daddy, through His beautiful son, Jesus. Truly Jesus is full of Grace and Truth.

I live in Cornwall, England and have done so for the last twenty-one years. I moved with my mother and daughter in 1997 from Nottingham. It is here in Cornwall God still continues to do His greatest healing in my life. I live in a small bedsit with my now elderly dog Cindy. I love to walk and my hobby is photographer and writer.

Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still, more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues. I hope you enjoy this small collection of poetry and pray you will be blessed by these words for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

May Jesus have all the glory for all that I am and do for His Kingdom.

 

 

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Is God There? Is He Here?

Is God There? Is He Here?

For the Child of God, sensing or perceiving God may not be instinctive nor constant. Surely, there are days (and there will be days!) when you don’t feel close to the Father. At times, it may seem that He is so far away. Where is He? Why don’t I feel Him? Is God there? Is He here?

God is Omnipresent

If it’s your first time to come across this word, it simply means that God is present everywhere and at all times. There can be no place in the whole universe right now where God is NOT. He is simply here, there, and everywhere; all at the same time. In Jeremiah 23:24, God Himself says that there can’t be a place where man can hide for: “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”, declares the LORD. Job 34:21 says that “God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees ALL his steps.” (NASB)

Psalm 139 is a song David composed during one of his mediations. This passage explains much about the omnipresence of God. In verses 7-10, he sings,

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” (NIV)

To the believer who longs for intimacy with God, this passage brings great comfort and assurance. We know that God is here, with us, guiding us, sustaining us. To the wayward Christian however, that may be a different story. What might come are feelings of guilt, then resentment, then bitterness, then resistance, and then finally- denial; all these may step in.

Sin Separates

Sin will always bring separation. Isaiah 59:2 says,

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (NIV)

When man fell, sin separated him from God. Adam and Eve could no longer have free access and view of God because of the sinful nature they both possessed. Years later, by faith and acceptance in Christ’s finished work on the cross, the repentant sinner was gifted with salvation and reconciliation. Yet, as a child of God, saved by grace through faith, walking in the light and power of God’s transforming Word through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, man can still be separated from God. There can be spiritual estrangement for the man who harbors sin in his life. This is why a child of God must be careful to maintain a heart of surrender, cleansing himself of willful sins that hinder him from experiencing a vibrant relationship with the Father.

Ignorance is a Problem

The only way to feel close to someone is to know the person. You can never nourish intimacy without regularly staying in discovery of and communication with each other. The other person must be in your life and you must be in His. Acts 17:27-28 says,

“This was so that they would seek God if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him, we actually have our being]. AMP

II Peter 3: 18 shares that we grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. One great blessing we have at this time and age is that we have ready access to the Holy Bible at all times. With advancements in technology, the prospects for growth in the reading and study of God’s Word are even more promising. The Christian will mature if he wants to. He will know God and be intimate with Him and His dealings if the Christian wants to.

Trials May Breed Doubt

Job was a man who loved God. He wouldn’t have been perfect but He sought God and longed to learn of Him through life experiences. He lived righteously and was careful to surrender to God any uncleanness he may have in his life and even in the life of his children. He experienced God’s presence. He knew from experience that God was always there. However, in a great time of difficulty and tragedy, His spiritual steadiness was shaken. He no longer felt God. He doubted God’s love and presence. Job 23 shares those moments of doubt and confusion.

In this broken world, there will be hardships, pains, failures, and all sorts of struggles. Jesus Himself prepared us for this truth when He said that we would face tribulation in this world. Humans as we are with our limited minds, we may begin to doubt God’s care and even His companionship. Yet, Christ assures us that there is no need to fear those times because He has overcome the world. From Philippians chapter 4 and verse 13 we know that, in Him and in His power, we will have the strength to face all things. He is always here.

So, yes, God is there, and even better, God is here. When you reach a point in your life like Job, remember these:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28,37-39 NIV

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44 Billy Graham Quotes That Still Ring True

William Franklin Graham Jr. KBE (born November 7, 1918), known as Billy Graham, is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949.

A lot has been written about Billy Graham’s legacy.  Known for his combination of wit and wisdom, Billy Graham has been  one of the most influential spiritual voices across the globe for decades  reaching over 200 million people in more than 185 countries.

(Born November 7, 1918) Billy Graham is now 99 years of age, and while he is doing well, he does have the physical challenges that come with age.

He said;

“Over the years, I’ve had a number of illnesses and surgeries ”¦ Often they came just as we were about to embark on a Crusade or other project, and I could not help but wonder whether Satan was using them to attack our work in some way (and I suspect that was true). At the same time, though, God used them to teach me patience and to give me time that I might otherwise not have taken to read and contemplate.”

One fascinating part of Graham’s life is that he has personally met with 13  of the nation’s 45  presidents dating back to 1950.
Billy Graham still lives at his Montreat, North Carolina home.

It’s a good thing for the modern Church that Billy Graham was determined in his course as the truth he has preached for years still transcends all barriers of denominational differences, age, nationality, and culture,  pointing millions to Christ.

Here are a few of his most memorable quotes:

  1. “I feel sorry for the man who has never known the bracing thrill of taking a stand and sticking to it fearlessly. Moral courage has rewards that timidity can never imagine. Like a shot of adrenaline, it floods the spirit with vitality” ’- Billy Graham
  2. “Self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle.” ’- Billy Graham
  3. “I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out all right.”’- Billy Graham
  4. “When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.”’- Billy Graham
  5. “Jesus was not a white man; He was not a black man. He came from that part of the world that touches Africa and Asia and Europe. Christianity is not a white man’s religion and don’t let anybody ever tell you that it’s white or black. Christ belongs to all people; He belongs to the whole world”’- Billy Graham
  6. “Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone – except God.”’- Billy Graham
  7. “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”’- Billy Graham
  8. “The cross shows us the seriousness of our sin—but it also shows us the immeasurable love of God.”’- Billy Graham
  9. “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.”’- Billy Graham
  10. “Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.”’- Billy Graham
  11. “Believers, look up – take courage. The angels are nearer than you think.”’- Billy Graham
  12. “Quit beating yourself up. We all live under grace and do the best we can.”’- Billy Graham
  13. “God never takes away something from your life without replacing it with something better.”’- Billy Graham
  14. “If you know Christ, you don’t need to beg for the Holy Spirit to come into your life; He is already there— whether you “feel” His presence or not. Don’t confuse the Holy Spirit with an emotional feeling or a particular type of spiritual experience.”’- Billy Graham
  15. “We say to our children, ‘Act like grown-ups,’ but Jesus said to the grown-ups, ‘Be like children.”’- Billy Graham
  16.  “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has.”’- Billy Graham
  17. “Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater—the love of God.”’- Billy Graham
  18. “Knowing we will be with Christ forever far outweighs our burdens today! Keep your eyes on eternity!”’- Billy Graham

  19. “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”’- Billy Graham

  20. “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.”’- Billy Graham

  21. “We are the Bibles the world is reading; We are the creeds the world is needing; We are the sermons the world is heeding.”’- Billy Graham

  22. The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not, `What a lovely sermon!` but `I will do something.”’- Billy Graham

  23. “Millions of angels are at God’s command. “’- Billy Graham

  24. “World events are moving very rapidly now. I pick up the Bible in one hand, and I pick up the newspaper in the other. And I read almost the same words in the newspaper as I read in the Bible. It’s being fulfilled every day round about us.”’- Billy Graham
  25. “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”’- Billy Graham
  26. “God proved his love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.”’- Billy Graham
  27. “Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world and lost your soul. Was it worth it?”
  28. “There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.”’- Billy Graham
  29. “The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.”’- Billy Graham
  30. “A real Christian is the one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”’- Billy Graham
  31. “I have never known anyone to accept Christ’s redemption and later regret it.”’- Billy Graham
  32. “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”’- Billy Graham
  33. “God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.”’- Billy Graham
  34. “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”’- Billy Graham
  35. “Joy cannot be pursued. It comes from within. It is a state of being. It does not depend on circumstances, but triumphs over circumstances. It produces a gentleness of spirit and a magnetic personality.”’- Billy Graham
  36. “Reading God’s Word and meditating on its truth will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart, and will be demonstrated in your life. Let nothing take the place of this daily privilege.”’- Billy Graham
  37. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.”’- Billy Graham
  38. “Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.”’- Billy Graham
  39. “The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”’- Billy Graham
  40. “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”’- Billy Graham
  41. “The message I preach hasn’t changed. Circumstances have changed. Problems have changed, but deep inside man has not changed, and the gospel hasn’t changed.”’- Billy Graham
  42. “The only hope for enduring peace is Jesus Christ.”’- Billy Graham
  43. “The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first in heaven.”’- Billy Graham
  44. “Someone asked me recently if I didn’t think God was unfair, allowing me to have Parkinson’s and other medical problems when I have tried to serve him faithfully. I replied that I did not see it that way at all. Suffering is part of the human condition, and it comes to us all. The key is how we react to it, either turning away from God in anger and bitterness or growing closer to him in trust and confidence.”’- Billy Graham

The following is a photograph of Graham with each president.

#1. HARRY TRUMAN (1884–1972) | DEMOCRAT | 1945–1953

Graham later met Truman in 1967:

#2. DWIGHT EISENHOWER (1890–1969) | REPUBLICAN | 1953–1961

#3. JOHN F. KENNEDY (1917–1963) | DEMOCRAT | 1961–1963

#4. LYNDON JOHNSON (1908–1973) |  DEMOCRAT | 1963–1969

#5. RICHARD NIXON (1913–1994) | REPUBLICAN |  1969–1974

William Franklin Graham Jr. KBE (born November 7, 1918), known as Billy Graham, is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949.
William Franklin Graham Jr. KBE (born November 7, 1918), known as Billy Graham, is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949.

#6. GERALD FORD (1913–2006) | REPUBLICAN | 1974–1977

#7. JIMMY CARTER (1924– ) | DEMOCRAT | 1977–1981

#8. RONALD REAGAN (1911–2004) | REPUBLICAN | 1981–1989

#9. GEORGE H. W. BUSH (1924– ) | REPUBLICAN | 1989–1993

#10. BILL CLINTON (1946– ) | DEMOCRAT |  1993–2001

#11. GEORGE W. BUSH (1946– ) | REPUBLICAN | 2001–2009

William Franklin Graham Jr. KBE (born November 7, 1918), known as Billy Graham, is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949.
William Franklin Graham Jr. KBE (born November 7, 1918), known as Billy Graham, is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949.

#12. BARACK OBAMA (1961– ) | DEMOCRAT | 2009–2017

#13. DONALD TRUMP (1946– ) | REPUBLICAN | 2017–

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The Steps That Lead to Nowhere

Our family just loves to visit abandoned places. Our son is especially into this, so we go on hikes with him to see these places. We have a few really interesting ones right nearby our home. He studies up on the History of the places and tells us about them as we explore. It’s so intriguing to visit where others once have trod, long ago. You can almost hear the echoes of voices, calling from room to room. The places seem to brighten when we walk in, almost glad someone has remembered them, and come to wander awhile. It’s like the walls are aching with stories to tell.One of the most interesting places, is fenced off and we cannot gain access, nor should we, as it is the ruins of an old missile site. But as you peer through the fence, you can see a set of steps that lead to Nowhere. Just steps where a building used to be. The building was torn down, yet the steps remain. This reminded me of how important it is for us to take inventory of just what we are investing our time in. Do we have any steps that lead to Nowhere, in our own lives? Do we have any ruins that have long since collapsed, and yet we visit the site of those ruins, and climb the steps to Nowhere. The pain rushes back in, the scars throb, the wounds pulsate with reminders of what was, or what could have been.

There’s a quote I read on the site GODINTEREST, that says:

“Leave behind the past because nothing is going to change there and the more you keep looking back the more you’ll fail to see what’s in front of you.”

There is nothing wrong with reflection, but looking back too often is like climbing those steps that lead to Nowhere. I love where the quote says, “Nothing is going to change there.” So true, and I also believe that “the more you keep looking back the more you’ll fail to see what’s in front of you.” God is calling us forward, Hear His Call:

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.(Isaiah 43:19 NASB) “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another,  Nor My praise to graven images.9  “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim  them  to you.”  

Sing to the Lord a new song, sing  His praise from the end of the earth!  (Isaiah 42:8-10 NASB) We can often paralyze ourselves with regrets and “if only’s.” By the power of Jesus, you can set yourself free. Through His grace, love, and forgiveness, you can walk away from these past things that still draw you up the steps that lead to Nowhere. Stop climbing those steps, and move onward and upward. Move closer to the Lord who loves you, redeems you, and promises to work all things together for Good, to those who love Him and trust His purpose for their lives. (Romans 8:28)

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Why should Christians care for the earth?

Why should Christians care for the earth?

Since 1970, April 22 has been dubbed Earth Day and is one of many opportunities environmentalists take to bring light to renewable energy, recycling, and other ways to go green. However,  If the planet is one day – may be quite soon – going to be completely burned to frazzle by God’s righteous judgment, why should we Christians put effort into caring for it now?

Could it be because Earth Day is often portrayed, a “liberal” or “progressive”?

It’s a good question as the relationship between human beings and the earth is increasingly complicated and urgent.

Every day there are stories about pollution, global warming and animal species facing extinction.

Sadly, because of bad theology the influence of our consumeristic and greedy culture, ignorance of the problem, and “neglect by association,” we fail to see the world as God’s creation and will ultimately end up abusing it.

“We are responsible for almost all the damage done to the planet and as such we must consider the welfare of future generations in our planning for and utilization of the earth’s resources.”

Christians can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Millions die annually from preventable water-related diseases. Most are children. Our energy consumption funds mountaintop removal and coal mining while our oil addiction fouls the air and laces oppressive dictatorships.

What’s the solution?

As Christians, we must reject the view that nature should be worshipped for worshipping nature is idolatry, but that doesn’t mean that we should view nature as created simply and solely to serve our needs and wants.

“The earth and all life on it is a gift from God given us to share and develop, not to dominate and exploit.”

Although God intends our care of creation to reflect our love for the Creator. Don’t lose sight of something that is even more important: your relationship with God.Is Christ first in your life, and are you seeking to follow Him every day?

Our faith provides an inspiring narrative to face these crises—we serve the One who created everything, called it “good” and asked humans to care for and protect it—but most Christians haven’t tapped into the storyline.

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Garden of Eden is in Singapore!

Garden of Eden is in Singapore!

From vertical farms to living buildings, the city is on the cutting edge of environmentally sustainable urban solutions in the world.

Home to over 5.5 million, Singapore had no choice but to adopt high-density development because of its tight land constraints.

“We take steps to ensure our self-sufficiency,” says Yvonne Soh, general manager of the  Singapore Green Buildings Council. “In Singapore, we have a lot of initiatives to promote sustainability.”

As Singapore expands, a novel approach preserves green space. New developments must include plant life, in the form of green roofs, cascading vertical gardens, and verdant walls mandatory since 2008. This has resulted in urban planners literally weaving nature throughout the entire city – visible from across the landscape. Innovative design has created the illusion of space using “green” and “blue” elements. This includes the creation of one of the largest freshwater city reservoirs in the world.

Much of that vision to keep Singapore both sustainable and livable stems from Cheong Koon Hean, the first woman to lead Singapore’s urban development agency (UDA).  With a rising population and finite freshwater resources, some positive action was needed fast, so ministers set up a national water agency, PUB, which became the sole body responsible for the collection, production, distribution, and reclamation of water in the city.

 The Gardens: look east for Eden, Singapore Style

Symbol of Singapore and its efforts to promote green space, these “Supertrees
Symbol of Singapore and its efforts to promote green space, these “Supertrees” belong to a display at the 250-acre Gardens by the Bay. The high-tech structures range from 80 to 160 feet and collect solar energy to power a nightly light show. They have a softer side too: their trunks are vertical gardens, laced with more than 150,000 living plants.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCA LOCATELLI, INSTITUTE

Throughout the city, there are many green buildings such as the CapitaGreen office tower, the Park Royal on Pickering hotel and the Tree House condo near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

“Singapore is an island about half the size of London which has managed to preserve its cultural—Chinese, Indian, and Malay—and architectural legacy through a heritage conservation program.”

The futuristic ‘Gardens by the Bay’ in central Singapore, is a revolutionary botanical garden spanning over 100 hectares of reclaimed land. It’s  a beautiful asset to the city but may also offer a path to the health and happiness of its citizens.

Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!
Garden of Eden is in Singapore!

Transport is another sector that has seen investment recently. On an island of 4.8 million people with limited space.  After a series of smart card innovations, people have been able to use e-Symphony, an IBM-designed payment card that can be used to pay for road tolls, bus travel, taxis, the metro, and even shopping.

Have little ones with you? Take them to the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, where they’ll learn all about shrubs, plants, and all things green.

Up for a hike? Visit the  MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park. Complete the 11-kilometer-long nature trail and don’t miss the Treetop Walk, a 250-meter high suspension bridge that connects two of the park’s highest points.

History buffs can make a beeline for  Fort Canning Park. Conveniently located in the heart of town, this site is home to numerous historical landmarks, such as Fort Gate, a remnant of a fortress that was built in the 19th century.

Singapore in 1965

When Singapore became independent in 1965, it was a city filled with slums, choked with congestion and a lack of jobs with limited land and no natural resources.

Singapore’s version of public housing is unique.

In 50 years, it has built a clean, modern metropolis with a diversified economy and reliable infrastructure and has transformed from a nation of squatters to a nation of homeowners with a 90% home-ownership rate, currently the highest in the world.

For vulnerable families who cannot afford a flat of their own, HDB helps them through its public rental program.

PARKROYAL on Pickering | © Patrick Bingham / Courtesy of PARKROYAL on Pickering
PARKROYAL on Pickering | © Patrick Bingham / Courtesy of PARKROYAL on Pickering

All these measures combine to make Singapore a smarter city.

“What we have done is to research and try to distill the principles for Singapore’s success in sustainable urban development – we call it a liveability framework,” says Khoo Teng Chye, executive director at the Centre for Liveable Cities based in Singapore.

Back to Eden

The planet simply can’t sustain current levels of resource use and environmental degradation. It has not a choice; cities have to change.

Cities cover just 2% of the Earth’s surface yet consume about 75% of the world’s resources.  By 2050, it is expected that 70% of the world population will live in urban areas.  According to a 2014 study by the United Nations, rural living is in decline on a global scale. Whereas just 30% of the world’s population were urban dwellers in 1950, more than half (54%) are now housed in cities, therefore, it’s clear they are key to tackling climate change and reducing resource use.  

However, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and competitive economics. These are the components that make cities liveable and there  is very strong evidence to show that maintaining a  connection to nature is good for our health;

“People are happiest when they’re most connected to nature,” says Chris Trott, Head of Sustainability at Foster and Partners, who believes setting schemes and legislation in this way can create awareness in the mind of both developers and the public.”
Fredi Devas, producer of the Cities episode of Planet Earth II says.
“Many studies show that hospital beds with a window onto greenery result in their patients recovering faster. Schools have better attendance and companies have better staff retention, if they have vegetation close at hand.”  

Visitors to Singapore are often surprised by how green the island is considering how large a population it crams onto its small landmass.  According to the latest Siemens’ Green City Index for Asia, Singapore is the best-performing city in the region when measured against a range of sustainability criteria.

Singapore stands as a model of sustainability and water management in the region and beyond and is the Eden garden city of the future.  

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What Does Spiritual Power Look Like for Christians Besides Reading Scripture?

I watched a local football match in a school playing ground. As I sat down, I asked one of the boys what the score was.  With a smile, he replied; “They are leading us 3-0”. and I said, REALLY!

I have to say you don’t look discouraged. Discouraged, the boy asked with a puzzled look.  Why on earth should I be discouraged when the referee has not blown the final whistle?  I have confidence in the team and the managers; we shall overcome.

The match ended 5-4 in favor of the boy’s team.  The boy waved at me gently, with a beautiful smile as he left. I was amazed, mouth wide open. Such confidence, such beautiful faith.

As I got back home that night, his question kept coming back to me,

“Why should I be discouraged when the referee has not blown the final whistle?”

Life is like a game.  Why should you be discouraged when the almighty God is your manager? Why should you be discouraged, whilst there’s still life? Why should you be discouraged when your final whistle has not sounded?

The truth is that many people blow the final whistle themselves, but as long as there is life, nothing is impossible and it is never too late for you.  Halftime is not full-time and God’s calendar for your life is not man’s calendar. However, everyone needs a bit of encouragement from time to time. Thankfully we have the Bible as our ultimate source of encouragement!

Let your heart be captivated as you go through these encouraging quotes that inspired us:

  1. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  – (2 Corinthians 4:18)
  2. “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.”  – Corrie Ten Boom
  3. “Forgiveness is the fragrance the flower leaves on the heel of the one who crushed it.”  – David Jeremiah
  4. “Love covers a multitude of sins. So loving the unlovely and moving in love gives us strength, power, and victory.”  – Unknown
  5. “Waiting on God builds spiritual muscles. This transforms us, develops our character, and deepens our relationship with God.”  – Unknown
  6. “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”  – Augustine
  7. “Rejection is an opportunity for your selection.”  – Bernard Branson
  8. “Do all the good you can,  By all the means you can,  In all the ways you can,  In all the places you can,  At all the times you can,  To all the people you can,  As long as ever you can.”  – John Wesley
  9. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.”  – Billy Graham
  10. “We may speak about a place where there are no tears, no death, no fear, no night; but those are just the benefits of heaven. The beauty of heaven is seeing God.”  – Max Lucado
  11. “Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.”  – Charles Stanley
  12. “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.”  – Helen Keller
  13. “Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.”  – John Piper
  14. “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”  – Francis Chan
  15. “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.”  – Corrie ten Boom
  16. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”  – Mother Teresa
  17. “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”  – Elisabeth Elliot
  18. “The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.”  – Abraham Lincoln
  19. “This is our time on the history line of God. This is it. What will we do with the one deep exhale of God on this earth? For we are but a vapor and we have to make it count. We’re on. Direct us, Lord, and get us on our feet.” –Beth Moore
  20. “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Chuck Swindoll
  21. “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”  – Billy Graham
  22. “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.”  – John MacArthur
  23. “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”  – Deuteronomy 7:9
  24. “He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he’s moving daily toward his treasures. To him, death is gain.”  – Randy Alcorn
  25. “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.”  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  26. “There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.”  – Alistair Begg
  27. “Relying on God has to start all over every day as if nothing has yet been done.”  – C. S. Lewis
  28. “Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one.”  – A.W.Tozer
  29. “His grace is cheapened when you think that He has only forgiven you of your sins up to the time you got saved, and after that point, you have to depend on your confession of sins to be forgiven. God’s forgiveness is not given in installments.”  – Joseph Prince,
  30. “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”  – Augustine
  31. “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”  – Max Lucado
  32.  “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”  – The Holy, Mark 9:23 (KJV)
  33. “God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”  – Tony Evans
  34. “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”  – Winston Churchill
  35. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” – John Piper
  36. “Christ literally walked in our shoes.” – Tim Keller
  37. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”  – Jim Elliot
  38. “Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us — a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.”  – John Piper,
  39. “If you can’t fly, then run, If you can’t run, then walk, If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”  – Martin Luther King Jr.
  40. “If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.   It is we, of course, to whom things look ‘little’ or ‘big’.”  – Elisabeth Elliot
  41. “As long as you do things for God, you are a Hall of Famer on heaven’s list.”  – Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?

Pastor Rick Warren wrote that when he feasts on the Word of God, he feels even hungrier for the presence of the Lord.

We don’t need temporary pleasures that bring only momentary satisfaction. Keep your eyes on that ultimate prize of heaven, eternity, paradise! Don’t lose heart – Jesus is making you new!BE ENCOURAGED! DON’T GIVE UP.

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Why Is the Relationship between a Father and His Daughter So Special?

Why Is the Relation between a Father and His Daughter So Special?

On the first day of their marriage, wife and husband agreed not to open the door for any visitor! That same day, the husband’s parents came to see them and knocked on the door. Husband and the wife looked at each other. The husband wanted to open the door, but since they had an agreement, he did not, so his parents left. After a while, the same day, the wife’s parents came visiting. Wife and husband looked at each other, and even though they had an agreement, the wife with tears on her eyes whispered and said “I can’t do this to my parents”, and she opened the door! Husband did not say anything. Years passed and they had 2 boys. Afterwards, they had a third child which was a girl. The father planned a very big and lavish party for the newborn baby girl, and he invited everyone over. Later that night, his wife asked him what was the reason for such a big celebration for this baby, while we did not do so for the boys!

The Husband simply replied, “because she is the one who will open the door for me!”

One of the most beautiful things in this world is – A Father-Daughter relationship.

We now live in a culture where Dad is an equal partner in caregiving. From day one, dads are encouraged to be hands-on, changing diapers, giving baths, putting Baby to sleep and calming her cries. That presence and effort is the beginning of a very important relationship.

Daughters are so special.  However,  a daughter needs a dad to be the standard against which she will judge all men.  It is also the reason why fathers are very influential in their daughter’s lives, especially when it comes to self-esteem and decision making.  A father may  hold his daughter’s hand for a short while, but she holds his heart forever.  Their inside jokes and understanding for each other make them absolutely adorable.

“How Dad approaches life will serve as an example for his daughter to build off of in her own life, even if she chooses a different view of the world,” says Michael Austin, associate professor of philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University and editor of Fatherhood — Philosophy for Everyone: The Dao of Daddy.

Let your heart be captivated as you go through these cute and short  father daughter quotes.

  1. He is the first man she looks up to and he totally brings out the best in her.  — Unknown
  2. There is this girl who stole my heart and she calls me Daddy.  — Unknown
  3. Dear Daddy, no matter where I go in life, you’ll always be my number one man.  — Unknown
  4. Fathers, be your daughter’s 1st love and she’ll never settle for anything less.  — Unknown
  5. Husbands, love your wives well, your children are noticing how you treat her.  — Unknown
  6. Some people don’t believe in heroes but they haven’t met my dad.  — Unknown
  7. The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.  — Unknown
  8. As a daughter of the king of kings, your purpose is not to turn heads but to turn hearts toward our Heavenly Father.  — Unknown
  9. He gives her the confidence to do things on her own and become independent.
  10. It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping. —John Sinor
  11. Behind every great daughter is a truly amazing dad.  — Unknown
  12. When it comes to careers, a father is the first person every daughter goes to for proper guidance and advice.  — Unknown
  13. A real man treats his lady the same way he wants another man to treat his daughter.  — Unknown
  14. I’m so glad when daddy comes home, I would hug him and give him a great big kiss.  — Unknown
  15. Guns don’t kill people”¦ dads with pretty daughters do.  — Unknown
  16. I am the daughter of a King who is not moved by the world for my God is with me.  — Unknown
  17. You are a daughter of an Almighty God, you are a princess destined to become a queen.  — Unknown
  18. No matter when a girl finds her Prince Charming, her father always remains the king of her life.  — Unknown
  19. A father opens doors for his daughter pulls her seat out and treats her with the utmost respect.  He sets a daughter’s expectations on how a man should treat a lady and that she should not settle for anything less.  — Unknown
  20. DAD – A son’s first hero. A Daughters first love.  — Unknown
  21. Fathers give the best piggyback rides. They are ready to do anything that makes their daughter smile.  — Unknown
  22. He dreams for you and takes pride even in your smallest achievements.  — Unknown
  23. He makes you feel like the most important person, most beautiful girl and the most capable person on earth.  — Unknown

Are you inspired by these cute and short father daughter quotes?

It’s ‘DAUGHTER’S WEEK’, and if you are a daughter or have a daughter who makes life worth living, by just being around – and you love her as much as your own breath. if you are proud of your daughter or being a daughter, send this to other people who have daughters or who are daughters. Daughters are angels!

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25 Wonderful Christian Quotes for the New Year

Another year of your life closes today. How can you look back upon it? Have you made advancement in the divine life? Have you increased in spirituality? Have you crucified self, with the affections and lusts? Have you an increased interest in the study of God’s Word? Have you gained decided victories over your own feelings and waywardness?

Oh, what has been the record of your life for the year which has now passed into eternity, never to be recalled?  

As you enter upon a new year, let it be with an earnest resolve to have your course onward and upward. Let your life be more elevated and exalted than it has hitherto been. Make it your aim not to seek your own interest and pleasure, but to advance the cause of your Redeemer. Remain not in a position where you ever need help yourself, and where others have to guard you to keep you in the narrow way. You may be strong to exert a sanctifying influence upon others. You may be where your soul’s interest will be awakened to do good to others, to comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak, and to bear your testimony for Christ whenever opportunity offers. Aim to honor God in everything, always and everywhere. Carry your religion into everything.  

Prepare for eternity with such a zeal as you have not yet manifested. Educate your mind to love the Bible, to love the prayer meeting, to love the hour of meditation, and, above all, the hour when the soul communes with God. Become heavenly-minded if you would unite with the heavenly choir in the mansions above.

A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel.  Let a record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels.

These great quotes will get you ready for the new year!

  1. “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” ’- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
  2. “It is better to make a thousand failures than to be too cowardly to ever undertake anything.” ’- Clovis G. Chappell
  3. “If you prayed as much as you complain and quarrel, you’d have a lot less to argue about and much more peace of mind.” ’- Rick Warren, The Purpose of Christmas
  4. “A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.” ’- Charles Finney
  5. “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” ’- Psalm 40:3
  6. “You were made by God and for God and until you understand that life will never make sense.” ’- Rick Warren
  7. “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” ’- Oswald Chambers
  8. Faith”¦involves trusting in the future promises of God and waiting for their fulfillment.” ’- RC  Sproil
  9. Never decide on anything or start to do anything while emotion is agitating like a roaring sea. Again, during that time even our conscience is rendered unreliable.” ’- Watchman Nee
  10. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” ’- Proverbs 3:6
  11. “The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.” ’- Rick Warren
  12. “Apparently it was okay for me to like Jesus as long as I didn’t get too serious and actually start to do what He said.” ’- Trip Lee, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story
  13. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” ’- Corinthians 5:17
  14. “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.” ’- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
  15. “He loves using lackluster ingredients because doing so makes it clear where the true credit should go.” ’- Trip Lee, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story
  16. “The only way to get rid of your past is to make a future out of it.” ’- Phillips Brooks
  17. “As Mack Stiles says, Most Christians in the world must fear the raised fist; Americans fear the raised eyebrow.” ’- Trip Lee, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story
  18. “Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present.” ’- Alexander MacLaren
  19. “There are no super-Christians, only regular Christians denying themselves and embracing their Lord.” ’- Trip Lee, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story
  20. “Our quitting point is God’s beginning point.” ’- Woodrow Kroll
  21. “Cool is fickle, and we can’t live for it”—the words of Trip Lee.” ’- Trip Lee, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story  

  22. “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” ’- Peter Marshall

  23. “Time heals griefs and quarrels, for we change and are no longer the same persons. Neither the offender nor the offended are any more themselves.” ’- Blaise Pascal

  24. “You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new.” ’- Leviticus 26:10

  25. “God specializes in giving people a fresh start.” ’- Rick Warren

     

 

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