Godinterest – Page 118 – Sharing the life changing Gospel message found in Jesus Christ

May 26, 2018

6 Qualities of A Man Worth Waiting For

Waiting for the right person to come by can be frustrating. Over a seemingly unending period of waiting time, one will tend to compromise. Please, refrain from doing that, do not ever settle. It’s better for you to be lonely now than be with someone who would not lead you closer to Jesus.

I’ve thought up of 6 signs that a man is worth waiting for. And while everyone has different criteria, I believe, with my whole heart, these 6 qualities you should never compromise. Here goes :

1. He puts Jesus before anything else.

Loves Jesus like crazy, reads the bible and lives by it, prays as if there is no tomorrow. This quality is an absolute must. Ladies, if you desire for a Joshua 24 : 15 kind of family, you would want someone who will lead you and your children to Jesus.

2. He treats his family well.

Does he honor his parents? (Exodus 12 : 10) Guide his siblings? How he acts as a son in his current family is probably how he’s going to act as a husband when he owns a family. Especially, look at how he treats his mom, that is probably how he is going to treat his future wife. Look for a man who treats his mom like a queen.

3. Love others crazily and selflessly puts others before himself.

A living embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13 : 4-8 who lives out Mark 12 : 31. Sacrificially goes to any length to lovingly help out anyone.

4. Humble and has a teachable heart.

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5 : 5

No one is perfect – no matter how godly a man is, he’s still imperfect and is bound to make mistakes. Look for a man who is humble enough to listen to you and is willing to be corrected and learn from his mistakes.

5. He controls his tongue.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. – Proverbs 21 : 23

He has to be able to tame his tongue. Whatever comes out of his mouth should always be “such as is good for building up” (Ephesians 4 : 29). Don’t go for a man who hurts others with his mouth, even if he passes it as a joke (I’m heavily guilty of this). Blessing and cursing should never come from the same mouth (James 3 : 10). A man who can’t lead his own tongue will not be any better at leading a family.

6. He is goal oriented.

Go for someone who plans out things, has a goal in life and would work hard to reach that goal, or simply put, someone who leads himself well. You need someone who will be able to cast out God-given vision for his family and lead his family towards it and if he can’t lead himself, he won’t be able to do that.

Finding a man who meets all these ‘requirements’ is going to be really hard. I myself, am not even a close picture of this list. But it is better to set the bar high. Stay faithful, keep praying and shape yourself to be a woman worth finding. The right guy will come along, trust me. I’m no Joshua Harris and I’m inexperienced in this area, but I really pray that this list will keep you from dating the wrong people. You’re a princess of the most high King, you deserve a prince.

And God has prepared just that.

May 26, 2018

What It Means To Be A Genuine Prisoner of The Lord?

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB)

Paul considered that his imprisonment was from the Lord. He wasn’t bitter, but he was concerned for those Believers with whom he had interacted, to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. Why is this? I believe that it is because Paul could no longer walk among them. God had imprisoned Paul for the purpose of writing the Epistles which would ultimately become a large portion of the New Testament. Now Paul didn’t know that while he was writing them. Perhaps his imprisonment perplexed him, made him feel trapped and useless a bit. But Paul did not become bitter and began to do his “walking in a manner worthy,” through the writing of letters to all the Churches he had helped establish.

God has a purpose for all the happenings in our lives, whether we are walking in freedom, or we feel imprisoned within our circumstances. God has a perfect plan. God promises us that He will work all things together for our good and calls us to love Him and trust His purpose for our lives (Romans 8:28). There were times that I felt imprisoned at home with three little ones under my feet, but I knew I was called to raise them up. Looking back now, I see how important that really was, and what an awesome privilege it was. I work in a learning center with young children now, and I see mothers every day, who wish they could stay home with their little ones. I was blessed, and enjoyed that blessing immensely, even on the days I felt trapped. I love what Henry Blackaby says about our circumstances in his book Experiencing God.

“Never allow your heart to question God’s love. Settle it on the front end of your quest to know Him and experience Him: He loves you. Every dealing He has with you is an expression of His love for you. God would not be God if He expressed Himself in any way other than perfect love! What you believe about God’s love for you will be reflected in how you relate to Him. If you really believe God is love, you will also accept that His will is always best.”’- Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God

God was using Paul’s imprisonment, to help us learn to walk in a manner worthy. If Paul had not been imprisoned, he would have just gone to the Churches in person and shared his heart. Because of his imprisonment, we have the writings that God accomplished through Paul to teach us how to live the life of faith we have, and to glorify God in all we are.

So yes, at times we are all “the prisoners of the Lord,” for a purpose, and that purpose cannot necessarily be known while we walk the earth. Trust God in your circumstances. He has reason for all He does, and He promises to work it all for good, as we love and trust Him and His purposes for our lives.

May 26, 2018May 26, 2018

Countries Where It’s Hardest to Be Christian

In 2017, Open Doors released their World Watch List (WWL). The findings and trends noted by Open Doors are both shocking and grim. The modern persecution of Christians has risen to an all-time high, and the primary cause of this- Islamic extremism- now has a rival: ethnic nationalism.

The WWL data is compiled from reports spanning November 1, 2015, to October 31, 2016. The list is audited by the International Institute for Religious Freedom.

In order to rank the top 50 countries where Christians face the most persecutions, the pressures faced by Christians in five spheres of life- church, family, private, community and national- are examined, as well as levels of religiously motivated violence. In 25 years of noting the political and societal restrictions on religious freedom experienced by Christians throughout the world, Open Doors researchers identified 2016 as the “worst year yet”. It is now 2018, can you imagine the levels of persecutions happening? Many of us are ignorant of the atrocities that are being committed against Christians.

Approximately 215 million Christians experience higher, very high or extreme persecution. For 14 consecutive years, North Korea remains the most dangerous place to be Christian.
Islamic extremism remains the main reason behind persecution, responsible for initiating oppression and conflict in 35 out of the 50 countries on the 2017 list.
Ethnic nationalism is fast becoming a driving force behind persecutions. In Asia, it seems to be a common thing for vulnerable governments to gain quick support by scapegoating Christians. Israel seems to be another state in the role of a scapegoat.
The most violent country has been Pakistan, which rose to No. 4 on the list for a level of violence surpassing that of northern Nigeria. The killings of Christians in Nigeria increased to more than 62 %.
The worst increase has been Mali, which has moved up on the list from being No. 44 to 32.
Asia is a cause for concern with their persecutions rising sharply in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Laos, and Bhutan.

Open Doors states, “ In many countries, governmental raids of suspected Christian households increased, certain Christian books have been banned and the membership requirement to remain a legal church doubled, resulting in many churches to be deemed illegal overnight.”

Over the past 25 years, only three countries have topped the list: North Korea (2002-2017), Saudi Arabia (1993-1995; 1998-2001), and Somalia (1996-1997).

The top 10 nations where it is most dangerous and difficult to practice the Christian faith for 2017 are:

North Korea
Somalia
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Sudan
Syria
Iraq
Iran
Yemen
Eritrea

Persecution is defined by Open Doors as “any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ.” They also state that Christians continue to remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world. It stated that “Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, beheadings, rape and even death as a result of their faith.”

“The Open Doors World Watch List is the most accurate, thorough and intensive research available on the persecution of Christians,” said David Curry, president, and CEO of Open Doors USA. “It calculates not only the deaths reported in the news but also persecution at a grassroots level, where family-to-family persecution is tracked. The 25-year research shows where the most unstable areas for Christians have historically been and, in many countries, remain.”

Since this list was published, persecution of Christians has risen to astronomical levels. Places like California are trying to control Christianity, many people are voicing their hatred for Christians in the western world and because of this (and other factors), we are facing the Great Falling Away of the church. Christianity has become synonymous with violence, aggression, hatred, fear, and doubt. This is when we, as those who still enjoy some freedom in expressing our faith, should show our fellow brothers and sisters across the world that we love them and that we are praying for them. If we need to send some sort of provision such as money, food or even provide shelter, and we are in the position to do it, we should do so. We cannot profess to walk in love but ignore the plight of those being persecuted. They may believe that we have forgotten them or choose to ignore what is happening to them. For the time being, many of us do experience freedom to practice our faith openly, but there will come a time when we will not be able to, and that will be a dark day indeed. However, even in the most forsaken places, Jesus continues to shine His Light, bringing the lost out of the darkness and revealing the truth as well as His love for them.

“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father as well” (John 15:20-23).

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O LORD, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then white robes were given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed” (Revelation 6:9-11).

The persecution is only going to get worse. It is time that we stand as the Church, full of faith, courage, obedience, and strength from our Heavenly Father. Put on your armor of GOD, bringing your prayers and petitions before the LORD. It is time for fasting, a time for prayer warriors, a holy army and a people who seek the LORD with all of their hearts and strength. Read GOD’S Word, see what He has to say to you as His people- do not be destroyed by the schemes of the devil due to your lack of knowledge. Beloved, draw near to God with a pure heart, and He will draw near to you.

May 25, 2018

How to Give Advice so That People Will Listen?

Some people think helpful advice is all about knowing things and saying a lot. To the contrary, you can know little yet give solid advice and with sparing words you can help a person greatly.

Here are 4 ways to give helpful advice.

Wait to be asked.

Most of the time, unsolicited advice is not helpful. It is ineffective especially when a person is not ready to hear what you have to say. To some, you may be viewed as a meddler who knows nothing better to do. For example, stories are told of those who try to mediate a conflict they have no business involving themselves with. Proverbs 26:17 has this to say about that: “Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.”

Have the connection.

Sometimes, you can perceive things other people can’t. In a church setting, this can both be an asset and a liability. If you feel burdened to give advice or correction to someone who is not close to you, a direct approach may be unhelpful. That brother or sister may get discouraged or offended. Find someone connected with that person whom you can talk with to handle the matter or to give clearer insight. Or better, have that person introduce and connect you to this individual you want to give advice or correction to. Pray while you establish a connection. Pray and watch for the soonest opportunity to bring the matter up.

Have the qualification or experience.

Has it ever happened to you? To have someone giving you advice about something they have no experience or qualification for? People with no children advising a mother about raising her kids properly; people who’ve had an easy life teaching those in hardship about perseverance. Indeed, with supernatural enablement, God can teach us things through just about anyone. However, most of the time, God chooses to use those who’ve undergone the same things as we are undergoing to get us through the humps and bumps of life. 2 Corinthians 1:4 talks about how God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

You may have ideas that can help and you may present them to the person in need of advice. But better yet, understand your limitations and find someone with experience who can help the individual better than you can.

Focus more on remedies, not faults and failures.

It may have happened to you. You’ve come to a friend for comfort and clarity only to leave the conversation heartbroken and more shaken. When you are invested in the person, it may be hard to keep your emotions in control but you need to. While it may be right to say, “I told you so.” and blame the person for his failings, what’s helpful is to redirect the person towards taking steps to resolve his problems.

For instance, instead of rubbing it in by saying, “You are such a spendthrift. You really don’t value money at all.” Scrap those two sentences and get your friend to take out a paper and pen and visually determine what are necessities and luxuries based on the limited funds that he or she has.

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018

What Does the Bible Say About Our Top Worries?

Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety” as most people live their lives “crucified between two thieves — the regrets of yesterday and the anxieties of tomorrow.”

Chronic worrying (often referred to as anxiety) can affect your daily life so much that it interferes with your work, appetite, relationships, sleep and reduces your overall quality of life.

But chronic worrying and anxiety are mental habits that can be broken. Many have sought counsel from the word of God when faced with worry and anxiety, and for good reason. The Bible contains a great number of stories and quotes that remind and encourage us to trust in the love and power of God in order to find peace.

Here’s what the Bible has to say about our top worries and how to overcome them:

1. Regarding Finances

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 says, “You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

How to sustain our needs and that of our family is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. Scriptures here remind us to stay reliant on God, to hope in Him, and to acknowledge that provision comes from God and that He will continue to supply our need. There may be delays but trusting in the proven goodness of God assures me that He will come through for me.

2. Regarding the Future

Matthew 6:25-34 discusses our worries about the future: food, life, clothing, and the like. In the passage, Jesus reminds us that our Father values us. He knows our needs. He provides. Jesus reminds us that worrying never improves nor changes anything.

Ensuring a good future is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. Scriptures here remind us to have confidence in our God, to have faith in His love and capability to take care of us. Furthermore, Scriptures here discourages us about over worrying. In verse 34, Jesus says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He means that we should not overburden ourselves with concerns way before their due time.

3. Regarding Life and Health

Acts 17:26-28 says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being..”

Psalm 139:15-16 says, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Our health and wellbeing are valid concerns but these should not turn to worry. God has appointed us to a certain lifespan here on earth and for a good reason. When our purpose is accomplished, we will leave this world for a better place. We will trade the companionship of loved ones we must temporarily leave behind for the presence and companionship of our Father God. Should sickness be part of God’s plan, we must thru pain and suffering keep trusting that He has a purpose for everything. And, like Paul, may we desire to point everything to the glory and honor of God, even in the midst of great difficulties.

4. Safety

Psalm 32:7 says, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Deuteronomy 23:14 says, “For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you.”

Joshua 24:17 says, “He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.”

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Safety is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. God is our protector and deliverer. He keeps us from harm and evil. He actively safeguards the lives of His children. We should enjoy a peaceful sleep knowing that God stands awake keeping our homes safe. Even when perils come, may we keep the faith as Paul, Abraham, and other believers who have lived before we did. They trusted in a proven God. He is good. He has a purpose. He will work all things for our good. Even when death comes, we know it is part of God’s plan. Our exit from this world is our entrance into heaven, and God counts that moment precious because we will finally be with Him. (Psalm 116:15)

Did You Know?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018

My Dog Brought Me Closer to God

God works in mysterious ways sometimes! He will use who or what He deems crucial in order for us to learn a specific lesson. I know I sure did learn a very important lesson, two years ago, when I was at my lowest. At that time, the chronic pain I was suffering from was making me unable to walk very far and I had to start using a cane for most of my walking around. I was very depressed and I was having a hard time staying positive. I was praying, studying the Bible but my heart, felt heavy and I was discouraged.

I was in a place of doubts, more regarding my capabilities, not God’s of course! I was wondering if I was doing enough and I let those doubts control my thoughts which did not help at all to keep me hopeful. I felt very lonely since my dear husband was working but also trying is best to spend as much time as possible with me, I still found myself alone pretty often and it was making me crazy.

One day, I had the great idea of getting a dog! Did I know anything about having a dog? No. But I thought for sure, this would solve my problems and my husband being so comprehensive, agreed.

The next week, I go get this cute little puppy that I named Chloe! That poodle would eventually rock my world! You see, I’m an only child and I never was able to have children, so right then and there it should give you a clue of how much maternal instincts I had! After one week, I was ready to bring her back. After 1 month, I was lacking sleep to a degree that made me wish I could have enough strength to get to the nearest bridge and jump off of it!

After one year, even after watching countless hours of training videos, of having the best food for her, reading the best books, going to a trainer and being available to her 24/7, I could no longer deal with that stress. I was already at my wits’ end with the chronic pain being unbearable, the sleepless nights, and the anxiety was at its worst. I did what I thought was right and put her for adoption. Yes, I know how you feel”¦I hated myself too at that point!

I’m pretty certain it’s exactly at that moment that God intervened. Well, He must have been there for a long time, I just didn’t realize it, I was too busy being stressed out!

Our dear God, whom I love so much, had a plan. He was going to teach me a very profound lesson on perseverance, love, and courage! And so He did.

After receiving that call from that lady who was going to adopt Chloe, I spend the last 2 days crying like a baby, thinking I was the meanest woman on this planet! Who could be this cold as too get rid of a small dog, that I had wanted all along, so what was wrong with me? Chloe knew something was wrong because, for the first time in one year, she became very still, calm, and could not stop looking at me, more “staring” at me and wanted to always be very close to me. A lot of staring was done on her part. I could not get why she suddenly changed so fast and so much. So, I cried even more, thinking this lady was now coming in a few hours. I started praying so hard, asking God to guide me, to help me make the right decision. I was so convinced that I was not the mother Chloe needed. I thought for sure, that’s why I couldn’t have any children: I would’ve been a miserable mommy! Oh, I was going downhill and fast!

The time came and went, without any signs of the lady. I called her twice, messaged her twice and we stood by the door waiting for hours, thinking she would eventually arrive. She never did.

That night, Chloe and I became best friends. I totally opened my heart to her and I think she did the same. I’m telling you, I could feel God’ presence with us, and I understood what He wanted for me and why He decided to send me Chloe. I now had to take courage and keep the faith we would become a great team. It was a question of faith: In God, in Chloe and in me!

You see, I was so busy convincing myself, I could certainly not be a good “mother” to this dog, since my mom was in no way a good role model, that I was preventing God to use Chloe to fill something in my life and more so, to enable me to play a role I had never played before. This role I would have to play it with confidence, love, and perseverance. This would in the long run, show me, I could care for someone properly and that I would’ve been a good mother! I needed to get in touch with that part of me that had not been activated. Yes, it’s just a dog! For a lot of people, animals are “just” animals and they don’t really care for them but for me, Chloe has become my daughter, my hope in a better me. I was able to take courage and start taking care of her with less anxiety and with more calmness. She was, of course, feeling all my stress, and I was surely stressing her out! But, God filled me with something I did not know I could have and I have been enjoying it for the last year.

Now, my dog and I, have a great relationship. She loves me so much, it’s unbelievable. She understands me very quickly and when my health is not at its best, she never leaves my side. She cuddles and stays with me for hours without asking anything in return except a few hugs and kisses which I gladly give her.

I did not understand how God sometimes works. He does what He has to do, so we can learn our lesson and become closer to Him in the long run. If it takes a dog to do it; He will get a dog and the next thing you know, you are buying dog’s clothes which you specifically said you would never buy. You find yourself staring at those beautiful brown eyes and you get happy just seeing that little dog running around without a care in the world.

The day God brought me to Chloe, I embarked on a very hard journey. But that journey permitted me to discover myself and also to transform my attitude. To start thinking that “I could” instead of thinking that “I couldn’t”!

So, next time, God brings in your life, something or someone, you did not expect, don’t be surprised if your life gets thrown upside down for a while. It’s part of His plan anyway. We often need to be shaken up a bit, to finally be able to properly understand the lesson.

A little “shaken up” does a body good sometimes! Even more so, if our Believed Father, is doing the shaking!

-Smile.

May 24, 2018

They Were “Spiritual”…But Not Christlike

Anyone who says the Christian life is unadventurous hasn’t hung out much with the Apostle Paul. You can feel the tension rising as he goes to bat for the things Jesus has done in his life. You can hear him momentarily go off-roading in order to defend the message of the Gospel and pursue those whom he loves. Let’s not forget–Christianity is not meant to be a bunch of “do’s and don’t’s”–it’s meant to be relational!

The false teachers of this day were masquerading as image bearers of Jesus. They were Christian-fakers. They could talk the talk. They were “spiritual”…but not Christlike. They had head knowledge…but not heart. Take a closer look at how Paul describes them: “You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn’t admit it to you, but our stomachs aren’t strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff (v.20–MSG).”

From a distance, it appears obvious that these leaders did not have the best interest of others in mind. They were selfish and wrongly motivated. However, it is so easy to get entangled with others (even in the church) who persuasively influence you or impact your thinking. When you are looking for a place to belong and people to accept you…it is surprising what you will put up with. It may take some personal introspection to examine your friendships and relationships in order to determine whether or not they are Christ-centered.

What are the characteristics of a godly leader, mentor, or friend? Ask yourself…

What word best describes the other person: arrogance or humility?
Do they tear you down, or build you up?
Do they talk over you, putting you in your place? Or do you consider them a place of refuge and comfort?
Do they brag about their self-accomplishments? Or, their weakness that was made strong in Jesus?
Do they want to hurry you on out the door? Or are they patient with you, filled with grace?
Do they make every problem “your” problem? Or, do you find them relatable and human, willing to put themselves in your shoes?
Do they point you to Jesus above everything else?

Paul was a committed leader who was willing to endure incredible hardship and suffering in order to pursue the heart of the ones he loved. He leveraged his talents, abilities, knowledge, lineage, education, and career to steer the believers back to Jesus. We need more people like this today! People who are willing to take risks for others. People who will humbly take a stand, regardless of the fallout. People who are fearless faith-walkers to defend the truth.

Why is it necessary to stand up for the truth? Why do we find it so difficult to do so?

May 23, 2018

Ireland: Yes or No to Abortion?

Stunning Photos of Babies in Womb Expose Pro-Abortionists lie About Human Development.

On the 25^th of May, Ireland will vote to either keep or relax their strict abortion laws. Presently, Ireland’s abortion referendum states that unborn babies are human beings, but as the world falls further into sin, the pro-choice voters are gaining ground, saying that abortion laws punish women and that women have the right to abort a helpless fetus because, after all, it is their body.

For a country that was once known as the most Catholic country in the world, they have become increasingly secular in these recent years. Three years ago, the Republic voted in favor of same-sex marriage- the first country in the world to do so by public vote. This time, Irish voters will decide whether to ‘liberate’ or keep their ‘restrictive’ abortion laws. Voters will be asked if they want to repeal article 40.3.3- also known as the eighth amendment- which gives unborn fetuses and pregnant women an equal right to life, making it the sole Western democracy to do so. It was back in 2013 that high-risk pregnancies (where the mother’s life is in danger) were allowed termination. Currently, illegal abortion can put you away in prison for up to 14 years.

Ireland is most certainly a nation divided. For Yes voters, they believe that a repeal would be the most humane decision. At the moment, women in Ireland who seek to have an abortion have to travel to Britain, they do it quietly and in secret, feeling great shame. They also have to pay quite a bit of money to get the abortion done, with costs rising as the pregnancy progresses. Costs including accommodation and transport are included, which makes abortion an option for those that can actually afford it. Others are buying abortion pills secretly on the internet, knowing that if they were found out that they would face years in prison. Pro-choice voters believe that Ireland’s harsh abortion laws only serve to control and repress women and take away their right over their own bodies. When Savita Halappanvar died due to complications of a septic miscarriage at 17 weeks’ gestation- after being refused an abortion- Irish pro-choicers were in an uproar and have since referred to her whenever speaking of a woman’s right to make decisions when concerning her body. Abortion, they believe, is synonymous with women’s empowerment and individuals’ rights.

Voters who are pro-life believe that abortion is mass murder. They hold a deeply held conviction that abortion at any point after conception is the killing of a baby. Some are voicing their concerns about the vanishing children of a country that prizes family, children and the less fortunate. They believe that Ireland is built around community, protection of the vulnerable and faith. Others fear that if abortion becomes legal, it would lead to the eradication of people with Down’s syndrome. They claim that prenatal screening teamed with legal abortion would lead many women to make the decision to abort their unborn babies. They look at countries like Iceland, where only 15% to 20% of women who find out that the fetus potentially has the condition will decide to keep the baby.

What does GOD’S Word say about abortion? While the word abortion is not used, Scripture is far from silent about the sanctity of human life, especially pre-born life in the womb. As Christians, we value life, but why should we value life?

“Know that the LORD Himself is GOD; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3).

“For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, an in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16).

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

“Then GOD spoke all these words, saying…’You shall not murder'” (Exodus 20:1,13).

But what if a child is conceived as a result of rape or incest? “Father’s shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their father’s; a person shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16). You cannot blame that unborn baby for the atrocities committed by others. Oh yes, society will tell you to get rid of that baby, but will that heal you? Just as you become a victim of rape and incest, that baby receives a death sentence because of your need to get rid of any evidence of that tragedy.

Should a child who might be born deformed or disabled be aborted? “So the LORD said to Him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11). I also believe that GOD is a Mighty and All-Powerful One who can work miracles of all sorts- He specializes in the impossible. Instead of listening to what the doctors have to say, know what GOD can do for you. Also, understand that a deformed or disabled person is no less deserving of love than the next person. GOD knows each person by name, and He knows the number of hairs on your head- it is not the outward appearance that GOD sees, but the inward man.

How should a woman view her body and the pre-born life growing in her womb? “Behold, children are a gift from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3). “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from GOD, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify GOD in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Does GOD forgive those who have had abortions? “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…” (Ephesians 1:7). “I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).

We must understand that killing an unborn baby is a sin, even if you try to convince yourself that it is a fetus and is thus not a life or human. GOD sees everything – there is nothing that we can hide from Him. On Judgement day, we will give an account of everything that we have ever done in our lives, every idle word said, every evil intention and any disobedience. I do not say this is in judgment to women, but as one who wishes that your eyes would be opened and that you would understand the Truth. Father loves each and every person, regardless of what you have done and who you are. However, sin is a sin, and each person will be punished for that sin. GOD’s Word is clear about the end of those who continue to sin, and that is death. When we repent, GOD is just and merciful to forgive us, but we cannot continue to knowingly sin and expect everything to be okay- you mock GOD if you believe that.

Step away from the world, stop being swayed and influenced by society as it changes. Lawlessness, debauchery, idolatry, adultery, fornication, selfishness, covetous, murder- all these and more are increasing on the earth. People are allowing all sorts of abominations and labeling it liberalism and a human right. GOD will not contend with this generation forever, once He comes, He will take His own and send the rest of the world to hell.

May 23, 2018May 23, 2018

Child Abuse in the Church, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The society has slowly tried to come to terms with the monster called child abuse. It happens everywhere regardless of the race, ethnic or social-economic class. The shocking part is that it has penetrated to our churches and that’s the reality on the ground.

The Roman Catholic Clergy

Majority of Roman Catholic clergy are celibate and the number of the Priests who abuse children and the youth is much greater than the Christians and non-Christians religious readers. The church has been in the limelight for the allegations of child abuse in the recent past. The rising cases of child molestation by the priests have made Australia to advocate for the removal of compulsory celibacy in the Catholic Church. The situation has been bad, to say the least. The year 2014, the UN accused the Vatican of coming up with a plan of allowing priests to sexually abuse children. Pope Francis said that dealing with the cases of abuse was crucial for the church integrity. He also said that a penalty was to be imposed on the offenders.

The issue of child abuse was really discussed in public before the year 1970 not until 1980 when the first cases of child abuse were reported in the US and Canada. In the 1990s, cases of child abuse emerged in Ireland. Later on, in the new century, more cases were reported in quite a number of countries.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said that the Vatican should suspend all clergy who abused children or were suspects. Following the UN report, Barbara Blaine the president of Snap (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said that it showed that the Vatican considered the reputation of the church officials more than the protection of children.

Spiritual growth and mentorship

Every other Sunday or any day there’s an activity for children, I always make sure I accompany my children or drop them to church. We entrust our children to the pastors, priests or the Sunday school teachers for spiritual growth. It can never ring to our minds that people whom we trust that much can be wolves in sheepskin. It’s not the whole clergy that is rotten but the few in the vicinity leaves one with more questions than answers. We have the best that serves the LORD in spirit and truth and impact our children with the word of God.

Mathew 19:14 the Bible says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to release the children to him and us as Christian parents we have an obligation to ensure our children get spiritual enrichment as the word says. Allow them to follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ by teaching them the word of God.

What happens when the enemy feeds the minds of our shepherds with immoral thoughts from the pit of hell? Who is to blame for the sexual child abuse happening in our churches? Most children never report that they’re molested and when they open up, the issue is always pushed away. We all need a listening ear. When a child decides to open up and share what he/she is going through, never sweep the issue under the carpet.

Through some research and personal experiences, I have learned that if you become a good friend to your child, he/she will always open up and share with you what they are going through. Woe unto you if you’re still chasing that dream of earning much or getting higher education at the expense of your children welfare. We all yearn to have the best in life but let’s do it in moderation. Befriend your children; cultivate that trust and I assure you that nothing crosses their path will pass unmentioned.

The Good

Do we always vet the people who we entrust our children with? Do we equip them with the knowledge on how to tell whether a child is going through sexual abuse? The best we can do is to allow these people go through some basic education because, in this, they will be in a position to tell and monitor our children if they notice something unusual.

The Bad

All over the world cutting through ethnic, social-economic and religious affiliations, a large number of adults were once abused sexually. Surprisingly, the number may be higher because many victims never speak out or report such cases. The shocking revelations are that these molesters are well known and trusted by the victims.

The Ugly

Sexual abuse has become a bitter pill to swallow in our society. It is never talked about and it’s because of this silence that has allowed it to spread and continue. The Catholic Church is leading in responding to this crime and educating people on the same. Let us talk about this by condemning it. May we safeguard our children and raise our voices to condemn this vice.

May the Holy Spirit convict us whenever we try to do things against the will of GOD?

The resignation of Chile’s Catholic Bishops

On 18/5/2018, all 34 Chile’s Bishops handed over their resignation letters to Pope Francis and asked for forgiveness from the victims and the church. It is not yet clear whether the Pope accepted the resignations. He was highly criticized in Chile for ordaining Bishop Juan Barros who was accused of covering sexual offenses committed by priest Fernando Karadima. Apparently, the Vatican found Fr Karadima guilty of sexually abusing young boys in 1970s and 1980s and was sentenced to a lifetime of “prayer and penance”

The Pope termed the allegations as malicious until proven guilty. He spoke to the Chilean journalist and said, “I will speak the day they’ll bring me proof against Bishop Barros. There is no proof against him. Everything is malicious. Is it clear?”

The Pope apologized

The pope later felt remorseful for his utterances and apologized for hurting the victims of the clerical sex abuse. At the end of the month of January, he sent his Vatican’s top expert on sexual abuse to investigate the accusations.

The victim’s response

Juan Carlos Cruz, who was abused by Fr Karadima in the 1980s, tweeted. “This will change things forever.”

Another victim Jos Andr’s Murillo said that Pope should accept the resignation offer by the Bishops.

“They did not know how to protect the weakest, exposed them to abuses and then prevented justice.” he tweeted. “That’s why they all deserve to go.”

Our prayer is that justice will prevail and a concrete solution will be found to save more children from sexual abuse.

May 23, 2018April 5, 2020

Charities Benefit from the Royal Wedding

As an American living in England, the recent nuptials of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle were a cultural point of interest for me for a variety of reasons. I remember being utterly enthralled as a little girl seeing television clips of Princess Diana on her wedding day. And now here is little red-headed Harry, marrying an American.

While Harry’s relationship with Meghan has come with more than a small amount of skepticism and drama from the press, it has certainly shown that the royal family is changing with the times.

But no matter what people think about Ms. Markle personally, or the monarchy in general, one thing is for certain—the royals know how to throw a wedding.

Of course, whenever there is such a large public event, opposition is sure to follow. Some people seem to be bothered by the fact that such a large amount of money should be spent on a wedding ceremony. Flowers, the dress, transportation, entertainment, catering, security, stationery, pageboy outfits, and even little silver party favors. Certainly cheap champagne wasn’t served! I imagine they had the best of everything.

Estimated guesses for the wedding cost come in around the £30 million mark. For reference, that’s twice the annual budget of some small countries like the Dominican Republic.

Fairy tales are getting expensive these days, it seems.

On the other hand, it is important to note that the wedding festivities were not funded by tax dollars. Kensington Palace paid for the wedding, reception, and related celebratory costs. Security was covered by local tax dollars—in the same way it would for any large sporting event or other gathering. This likely cost another £30 million but some portions could be subsidized by grants.

Politically, many people question whether the monarchy is even relevant today. On the other hand, the popularity of the royal family continues to endear much of the world to Britain with plenty of intangible benefits. Just like with most royal weddings, people all over the world crowded around their televisions and held tea parties in their homes in honor of the royal couple’s big day.

I walked into my little medieval English market town and found the wedding playing on a big screen in one of the churchyards. Shop windows were decorated for the event and excitement was certainly in the air! (Although, admittedly, some of the excitement may have been related to the soccer match scheduled for later in the day.)

While I was in the churchyard, I observed a gruff-looking man walking quickly by. He commented loudly to no one in particular about the ridiculous waste of money that the whole event was. (He’s likely not an avid supporter of the monarchy.)

So if we’re thinking more along the lines of tangible economic spending, how does it shake down? Well, many intelligent people with lots of experience have estimated that the wedding will boost the country’s economy by a favorable £500 million in tourism and merchandise. I’m not a financial genius, but that seems like a decent return-on-investment.

Not only that, but Harry and Meghan’s hearts were shown to be in the right place when they asked guests to donate to charity in lieu of wedding gifts. Like older brother William and his wife, Kate, the newest royal couple chose several charitable organizations close to their hearts.

While William and Kate’s wedding raised more than £1 million for 26 charities, Harry and Meghan chose to limit their charity choices to just seven. Many of these are small, local non-profit organizations that will find themselves able to provide much more for their recipients with the influx of donations from the wedding. Only one of them is overseas—the others are all in the UK.

7 Royal Wedding Charities

Harry and Meghan’s favorite charities include:

Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports children who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces. http://scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/

Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) supports UK children growing up with HIV. https://www.chiva.org.uk/

Crisis is a national charity for homeless people in the UK. https://www.crisis.org.uk/

StreetGames uses sports and athletics to change the lives of young people. https://www.streetgames.org/

Surfers Against Sewage works to conserve marine life and tackle plastic pollution. https://www.sas.org.uk/

The Wilderness Foundation UK promotes the enjoyment and benefits of nature. https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk

Myna Mahila Foundation supports and empowers women in Mumbai’s urban slums by promoting education, professional and personal support. https://www.royal.uk/myna-mahila-foundation

In addition to these gifts, the country of Wales (Harry’s dad’s official place of Prince-dom) donated a gift of £1,500 to go toward training approximately 30 midwives in Sub-Saharan Africa through Life for African Mothers. http://lifeforafricanmothers.org

So whether you think spending millions of pounds on a wedding is a good idea, or if you aren’t sure that Harry and Meghan’s marriage will last, at least some good seems to be coming out of it. Even if you weren’t one of the 600 people on the guest list, maybe you’ll be inspired to donate to one of these or a charity of your choosing anyway, just in the spirit of celebration.

May 21, 2018

Smiling Page Boy at Royal Wedding That Captured the Heart of Christ

Millions of Americans forsook their precious Saturday morning sleep for the chance to tune into a grand moment in history.

Whether you’re a fan of the royal family or not, I think we can all agree that this live event was something to behold.

Some argue the simplicity of two hearts being joined together as everyday fodder.

Others, like myself, were perhaps caught off guard by the magnitude and solitude of the ceremony.

The sights and sounds set the stage for a fairytale moment in time. When, for a brief encounter, we saw a piece of our common selves lain in the vows between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

As I marveled at the procession, my heart was enthralled at the sight of a little page boy.

Upon entering the castle and hearing the orchestrated music thunder through the century old walls, it was obvious this child was having the time of his life.

I wondered if the thousands of viewers on this particular live feed had just experienced the delightful joy that was found in his innocent face of wonder.

My throat tightened a bit and I was puzzled at the puddle of tears that had formed in the corner of my right eye.

Within seconds, I determined that I would store away the picture of a toothless smile- to use as a reminder of the essence of God. A mental note that could bring us all back to ground level- to recapture the awe of the simple rugged cross that held a remarkable man with an extraordinary plan for the world.

Click here to watch the clip!

May 19, 2018January 15, 2024

12 Scriptures About Becoming More Christlike

How can imperfect people like us live a Christ-like Life?

Is it even possible?

What does the Bible say?

For the Christian, heaven is not a goal; it is a destination and becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. We bear the name of Christian. Let us be true to this name. To be a Christian means to be Christlike. It means to follow Christ in self-denial, bearing a banner of love, honoring Christ by unselfish words and deeds.

In the life of the true Christian self is dead as there was no selfishness in the life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our nature, He lived a life wholly devoted to the good of others. In word and deed, Christ’s followers are to be pure and true. In this world — a world of evil and corruption —Christians are to reveal the love of Christ. If we will die to self, if we will enlarge our idea of what Christ can be to us and what we can be to Him, if we will unite with one another in the bonds of Christian fellowship, God will work through us with mighty power. Then we shall be sanctified through the truth and showered with grace. We shall indeed be chosen by God and directed by His Spirit. Every day of life will be precious to us because we shall see in it an opportunity to use our entrusted gifts for the blessing of others.

You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be completed here on Earth. It will only be finished when you get to Heaven or when Jesus returns.

We today lack a theology of growth. And so we need to learn how we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. God’s purpose is to make us like him before he takes us to Heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

Read these 12 Bible Verses about living a Christ-like life ”¦

1 John 2:6

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 Corinthians 11:

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John 13:13-17

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Ephesians 4:22-24

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Galatians 3:27

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Titus 3:1-8

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, …

Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Romans 8:2-8

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Are one of these verses particularly meaningful to you? Share your thoughts in comments? Want to add another verse? Add it in comments as well”¦

May 19, 2018

Kanye West’s Breakdown: A Christian Weighs In

In recent months, the internet has been abuzz with reactions from Kanye West’s latest tweets which have become quite reflective, political and controversial. As Christians, we may not necessarily be concerned about this sort of tabloid news, but amidst all the emotional and irrational responses of people, there is certainly more to it than what meets the eye.

On November 21 (2016), Kanye West was hospitalized following a series of bizarre on-stage proclamations and ultimately the cancellation of twenty-one Saint Pablo tour dates. A mixture of exhaustion and depression over his mother’s death reportedly contributed to his break. TMZ claims that Kanye was at his trainer’s house when the cops received a call because he was “acting erratically”. He was then forcibly hospitalized at the UCLA medical center. Apparently, he was actually handcuffed to a gurney during transport to the hospital, which cops claimed was a standard protocol. He was later released on November 30 with a higher dosage of prescribed medication than when he went in. He stated that he had been addicted to opioid after having had liposuction, which was done to avoid people calling him fat during his wedding to Kim Kardashian. He had been prescribed the opioid after his plastic surgery and had been taking them ever since, but states that when he decided to stop taking the pills, he landed up in hospital two days later. Prior to his forced hospitalization, he used one of his concerts as a platform for a political rant, claiming that he loves Donald Trump.

After his hospitalization, Kanye West resurfaced with bleached hair, which reminded me of the rapper, Eminem. A few years ago, he went through the same process after he began to speak out about certain issues, and when he returned from hospitalization, he not only came back with Baphomet horns on his album cover but with the bleached hair too. If you begin to look back on the public breakdowns of other celebrities, you begin to see a pattern. Celebrities like Amanda Bynes, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and his daughter Paris Jackson have all attended this hospital. We may say that it is merely a coincidence, or that it probably means that the hospital is one of the best in the country, but I believe that something far darker lurks behind the walls of the hospital.

At one point in the history of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, it was home to the top mind control programmer and psych ward head, Louis Jolyon “Jolly” West. In the years 1974 to 1989, he received at least $5,110,099 in grants from the federal government, channeled through the National Institute of Mental Health, a major funding conduit for CIA programs. Many other millions were poured into the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute that West led, including over $14 million in federal funds in one year before he stepped down. There are stories circulating about the mind control programs inflicted upon the patients of the hospital. Reports of people being admitted one way but coming out completely changed have surfaced, with some patients claiming that their memory prior to hospitalization had been completely wiped out. It was stated that the program had stopped, but evidence seems to suggest that it still continues today.

You would need to be living under a rock to not have heard about conspiracies such as the Illuminati, MK Ultra Mind Control, Cloning etc. These conspiracies are circulating around the web like wildfire, with some believing them and others tooting them as made up stories, with some even making fun of them. When it comes to celebrities acting strangely or breaking down, people will automatically associate it with drug abuse, mental health problems, and exhaustion, but if you took the time to listen to these people during their moments of “odd and erratic behaviour”, you may just find yourself realizing that there is a hidden powerhouse that seems to be controlling everything, from banks to the media and even governments. These celebrities refer to this powerhouse as ‘they’, but never seem to reveal just who ‘they’ are.

In one of his tweets back in April, Kanye said “be fearless. Express what you feel not what you’ve been programmed to think.” He believes that people are being programmed to think a certain way, but he says that expressing your feelings is the way to get out of that programming. As Christians, we know that our feelings are not reliable and that we should base our thinking on the truths of the Bible. In another tweet, “Don’t follow crowds. Follow the innate feelings inside of you. Do what you feel not what you think. Thoughts have been placed in our heads to make everyone assimilate. Follow what you feel.” Once again, the idea of programming is brought into this tweet, and his solution is (again) following your feelings. One of his tweets centered around GOD says, “I don’t subscribe the term and concept of GOD fearing. That’s a dated mentality that was used to control people. We are in the future. If GOD is love and love it’s the opposite of fear then… to fear GOD makes no sense…” In his search for truth, he totally misses what the fear of GOD means. It’s not about being terrified of Him, but showing respect and fearing the loss of His presence in our lives. In some way, we fear our parents, not because we’re worried about what they can do to us, but because we understand their authority and position in our lives. A loss of fear can result in a lack of respect. The fear of GOD is the beginning of all knowledge, but it is our love for Him and His love for us that cultivates the relationship that we have with Him.

In his interview with radio personality, Charlamagne, he said that his breakdown came from “fear, stress, control, being controlled, manipulation… stressing things that create, like, validation that I didn’t need to worry about as much.” He also spoke about fearing that he would be killed in the hospital, “…I can’t express to you how traumatizing that moment is, and then you wake up drugged the f-k out.” Although some would brush off his words and think nothing more of them, I cannot help but think that he is trying to say something or even warn the public about something without saying too much. For a man who has been described as ahead of his time, a forward-thinker and a maker of his own rules, why would he turn around and say that he was fearful? That he was being controlled and manipulated? And then to fear for his life in hospital? There is definitely a lot more to this story than what meets the eyes.

Kanye West has also expressed his love for Donald Trump, which has earned him disdain from other celebrities. He has received a lot of criticism for his new way of thinking, with some even going so far as to say that the person that came out of the hospital isn’t Kanye West. Could Kanye have been ‘reprogrammed’? Or is he waking up from his programming?

Although we are not of the world, I believe that we should take note of what is going on to avoid being fooled. I know that many Christians continue to listen to secular music and do not censor what they watch on TV. We are being bombarded with irrelevant information to keep us in the dark of what is really taking place in the world. We are being lulled into thoughts of safety when the reality is that hidden powerhouses are plotting our demise through the control of the media, Hollywood, the music industry and the government. There is a hidden agenda, and Kanye West is just one person in a sea of celebrities that is being controlled to influence us and program our thinking to fit into dangerous ideologies. The next time a well-known figure suffers a breakdown, is labeled as crazy, commits ‘suicide’, is taken to a hospital, prescribed drugs and seems changed, take note of it. We need to open our eyes to what is happening in the world, even the smallest of events is part of one big event: preparing the world to accept the Anti Christ.

May 19, 2018May 19, 2018

Instead of Waiting for Better Times You Better Create Them

This morning I awoke as Sal the Grumpy Gal. The world is so demanding. Trying to swim amid raising my children, balancing bills, and busily patching potholes of our life’s path had me in a mega funk when I opened my eyes this morning.

Ever noticed how we are always waiting? Lately, I’ve been checking things off my to-do list waiting for a break to be at home, on my machine resting, and with nothing on the agenda. Guess what? Two or three things pop up that need my attention. I know I’m preaching to the choir. We are all waiting for rest, vacation checks to hit our checking account, children to become self-sufficient, cars and homes to be paid off, retirement, and for our lives to just chill down a little. Endless waiting.
The other day I watched a documentary on an exercise guru who joined the ALS Club Med. My main caregiver, Ben, came through the living room and said, “Sal, what are you thinking? Don’t watch that. You don’t need to see it.” He was right. As I watched a handsome, Greek-God looking man wither, my mind went to the dark place of waiting. Waiting to when I’m frozen and can’t whiz my scoot around, roll my dogs, or check out the garden areas in my yard. Waiting for a cure for ALS. Waiting until I want to just stay in bed and wave the white flag. Waiting for my diaphragm to fail. Waiting for someone to scratch that place on my nose because I can’t. Waiting for God to take me home. This happens every so often. I get overwhelmed of trying to live with my limitations. Believe it or not, my family still looks to Sal the Frail Gal to patch holes and glue our tattered lives so we can stick together and have a smoother ride.

If you’re waiting for the highway of life to be smooth, I have bad news. Even Sal the Hole-filling Gal can’t write everything. I can only do the best I can. All we can do is be the best person we can be in each moment and choice we are given.

When I’m waiting for better times or worrying about a huge hole in the road ahead, I think of birds. I think of heaven. I think of plans God has for me. Birds remind me that God will provide. I know Heaven is not of earth. It’s the time when my soul takes flight. I trust the plans for me because it’s not on my to-do list. It’s time to pull up my sleeves and let my waiting turn into action. Don’t waste your time waiting; live. What are you waiting for?

May 19, 2018May 19, 2018

What To Do When Your Best Friend Leaves The Church?

I have a best friend. That alone is a shocker statement, as a lot of people I’ve come in contact with have fickle or fake “friends” that they maybe talk to once every two weeks. But my best friend and I talk to each other almost every day and see each other at least once a week. If we know that plans are going to change and we won’t see each other when we normally do, we try to plan a different day to hang out just so that we won’t have a week without physically seeing each other. Texting is great, but I wanna see her reaction every time I say something stupid that I think is funny.

Both of us had gone to the same church, and that’s actually where I met her. We both served in the Youth Group, and we both attended Bible study together. But one Friday night, we were out shopping for our Easter dresses when she broke the news to me; she and her family would be leaving the church. Three more Sunday’s and she wouldn’t be the first person who greeted me at the door. Three more Sundays and we would no longer serve in ministry together. Three more Sundays before I had to wonder, “is church just going to be super lonely now that pretty much the only one I talk to isn’t going to be here anymore?” Obviously, that’s not what the church is about, but for that entire time before the final Sunday I was missing her, and she hadn’t even left yet.

She and her family are starting a new church, and so entering a new season means leaving the old one behind. I understood that, and of course, I wanted her to do what God called her to do, but that didn’t mean my heart wasn’t broken. Eventually, the day came when neither she nor her family was there to give me a hug just before service. Honestly, walking through the doors knowing that things would be different was gut-wrenching. I didn’t want to talk to new people, I didn’t want to pretend that I could just move on so easily, but somehow I got through that first Sunday and sure enough, I and her went out to celebrate her bother’s birthday right after the Pastor concluded. It’s not like she’s moving away, this is just a new season and she’s doing great things for the Kingdom.

If something like this has happened to you, I’d encourage you to read the book of Acts. This book has a lot of instances where Paul had to leave people that he loved and considered family in order for him to go where God was calling him to go. It’s okay to mourn the changes ahead, but just as God’s Word says, “In your anger do not sin,” in your sadness, do not sin. This is a difficult time for your friend too. He or she does not want to leave you, but obeying God’s call for their life is first and foremost. Encourage them, talk to them just as much as you normally would. Especially in an era of Facetime and social media, there’s no reason why you still can’t be best friends.

Be grateful to God for the new opportunities; for you and for them. Change is hard, but in time, things will settle into place. It’s okay to make new friends at church, and you never have to stop being someone’s best friend just because God took them in a different direction. God works all things together for good.

May 17, 2018May 19, 2018

Europe’s Rising Anti-Semitism Forces Jews to Leave or Hide

The rise of violent anti-Semitism in Europe has made Jews justifiably concerned about their personal safety. In 2017, a study authored by Dr. Johannes Due Enstad of the Center for Research on Extremism was released, providing the public with a methodological and comprehensive report that dissected the growth of Europe’s anti-Semitism problem.

The study spans the years 2005-2015 with seven countries being analyzed. The countries include France, the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Russia. Due to a direct consequence of violent anti-Semitism, one in five Jews in Sweden and the U.K., one in four in Germany, and half of the Jews in France have considered emigrating. In 2015, many Jews took action and about 10,000 Western European Jews left Europe for a better life in Israel, the largest number leaving the continent since 1948. What was interesting was that the period measured did not show an upward or downward trend level of anti-Semitism. When compared with data from the 1990s, there is a consistently elevated level of anti-Semitism.

It seems that French Jews are more likely to have personally experienced a violent attack during the last five years of the study. The Swedish and German Jews are not far behind in their experience of personal attacks, but the largest gap in anti-Semitism lies between British Jews and Jews living in Norway, Denmark and Russia.

Out of all the European Jews mentioned, it is those living in France and Sweden that are less likely to attend Jewish events or even visit Jewish sites because they do not feel safe. More than half of them will avoid wearing, carrying or displaying anything that would reveal their identity as Jews. Although this behavior is not reported to be at the same levels in Germany and the U.K., nevertheless a growing number of Jews in those countries also tend to avoid doing things in public that would label them as Jewish out of fear for their safety.

French Jews have more of a reason to be fearful for their lives as France has experienced more violent, dramatic and fatal anti-Semitic incidents than any other European country. In 2012, three Jewish children and a rabbi were murdered in Toulouse. Mohammed Merah, a 23-year-old al-Qaeda terrorist, had carried out the Toulouse attack, stating that he wanted to kill the Jews because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Fearing for the lives of the Jewish people in France, the head of the Jewish community of Marseille cautioned his fellow community members not to appear in public in any way that would identify them as Jews.

The main people responsible for these attacks are of Muslim background. These attacks are on the increase due to certain trigger events happening in the Middle East. What has been surprisingly dumbfounding is German authorities refusing to classify anti-Israeli incidents as anti-Semitism. Germany should know better, especially with their history.

The only country where the perpetrators were not necessarily of Muslim background, was Russia. In Russia, the Jewish and Muslim populations are separated by a vast expanse of land, with most Jews living in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and most Muslims living in the Eurasian Caucasus region.

As refugees continue to make their way into Europe due to the war in the Middle East, anti-Semitic attacks are rising. On the 14^th of May, 2018, The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv was moved to Jerusalem, sparking outrage among the Palestinians. This move coincides with the 70^th anniversary of Israel as a state- a prophecy from the Bible that came to pass in 1948. We, as Christians, need to open our eyes to the world events taking place. It is alarming that there are so few people today, especially in the Church, who recognize how important the modern state of Israel is in GOD’S plan. GOD has predicted many times in Scripture that the sons and daughters of Israel would return to the land of Israel just before Jesus would come again. What more do you need to convince yourself that our LORD and Saviour is on His way?