tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10486719645110064702024-03-13T00:11:50.286-07:00Shadow of The Cross IndonesiaSebuah pelayanan yang dirintis oleh Morria Nickels di Amerika Serikat untuk melayani kaum subkultur yang tersisihkan dari masyarakat. Pada tahun 2006 telah menunjuk dan mengutus Dave Broos sebagai Regional Director di IndonesiaDave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.comBlogger873125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-55605579519228594372017-12-11T17:58:00.001-08:002017-12-11T17:58:14.997-08:00The Homeless Share Touching Thoughts about Christmas<div class="yiv9431344995art-postcontent yiv9431344995clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, verdana, segoe, sans-serif;">The Homeless Share Touching Thoughts about Christmas</span></span></strong></h2>
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<strong>By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service</strong></div>
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<strong><img alt="christmas 2017 holiday difference smaller" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/christmas_2017_holiday_difference_smaller.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); float: right; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none;" />ALBUQUERQUE, NM (ANS – December 10, 2017)</strong> -- It was chilly early evening in Albuquerque, and close to sunset -- not a time to be out walking the streets of Albuquerque lugging heavy backpacks.</div>
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However, that was exactly where my wife Elma and I saw three guys. Two put their luggage on the ground, while another gave his back a quick rest by placing their belongings on the outside tables of a coffee shop.</div>
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It was for times like this and more that carried $5.00 fast food gift cards. I rolled down the window and offered the guy closest if he would like one. He quickly said he would, blurting out “Now?”</div>
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“Absolutely,” I said. He went into a little happy dance and pointed out his two friends. They came over and we also gave them one each. Their strength seemingly quickly return (doesn’t that happen to you at the prospect of a good meal), they thanked us and went on their way.</div>
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They probably thought Christmas had arrived early, but if it had for them we felt the same way for us.</div>
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I was thinking that Christmas means many things to different people. To some it’s a time of joy and thankfulness, while to others it means commercialism and gifts.</div>
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After that experience, I wondered what the season means to our Joy Junction guests, so we posed this question in writing to some of them.</div>
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“With Christmas getting increasingly closer, how are you feeling? Can you resolve to be the hands and feet of Jesus - and make a real difference in the lives of those around you - or will it just be another holiday to be “endured” rather than “enjoyed?” If you resolve to make a difference, how will you go about doing so?</div>
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There were a variety of responses, all of which were worth reading</div>
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One individual wrote, “I am well pleased that Christmas is getting near.” It helps me to show love and peace to all because of Jesus Christ, and just remembering how Christ was to all his people. By me being kind, it will bring love and peace to all people I am around. It (helps) people come together for the remembrance and to have Christ's Love in all people. This (makes) everyone’s holiday very loving ... ”</div>
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Another person commented that while they’re looking forward to the holidays, they’re missing family and the opportunity to spend time together. However, they resolve to make a difference nonetheless by “sharing the word of God with people and being happy and humble.</div>
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“Just being someone filled with love and filled with the Holy Spirit – someone who others can come to when they are hurting and in pain or sad.”</div>
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Stephanie noticed how fast Christmas seem to come around each year. She said her first emotion is one of frustration because of the upcoming Christmas advertisement barrage.</div>
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“It is the focus of the world that worldly possessions and going in debt is what Christmas is about. Then sadness sets in knowing that they forget that it is when Jesus came to earth as a little baby to fulfill God's plan that he would give His life so that we might have eternal life if we believe.”</div>
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However, Stephanie wants to share the love of Jesus with those who are lost and hurting. She is committing to pray daily, read the Bible, and share it with others.</div>
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She wants to “Let my actions match my words and my character be the same whether, I am surrounded by people or alone. I want people to see Christ in me, not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”</div>
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Frederick said that Thanksgiving this year was better than he had expected, as he didn’t have to fight with his addiction.</div>
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“I wasn't using or worried about using. This Christmas will be awesome. I don't have money for gifts, but I would rather be with my family. My family's love is better than all material things. I am still waiting till I know I am ready to help others. I will do what I can.”</div>
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One woman said she wants to be sober for the rest of her life.</div>
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She added, “I know I made mistakes ... in life, and I truly want to turn my life around and become what God has planned for me in my life ... I have faith and I believe in God. I know He will guide me in the right direction this year. I am willing to change, and I will do it.”</div>
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Kate isn’t as excited as she once was. “Sometimes it just doesn't seem worth the effort.”</div>
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However, she added, she celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, in her own way by reading the Bible on her own.</div>
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On a more positive note. “I will try to hand make something special for a few people who I have become close to and trusted.”</div>
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Someone else said she will “be focusing on my kids and allow God to be first in my life, like it says in Matthew 6:33. ‘Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.’”</div>
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Another person said she doesn’t like the holiday much because she lost her daughter during the time, and that leads to depression.</div>
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She continued, “Being a transgender is the hardest thing in life. I try to solve my troubles by going to my God, so He can help me. Being around people who have been in the same path can help me get out before I go back. Being in this shelter is helping me to become a better person, and be able to help others. I know I will be able to help others in the LGBT community. Thank you for everything you guys have done for me and everyone.”</div>
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Someone else poignantly commented, “I can say I'm very happy to be back here at Joy Junction. This is the only safe, holy place that I have known since I have been here in New Mexico for two years.</div>
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This time around in my life is a very traumatic change. I have made a solid decision to fully surrender to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I plan to resolve to make a difference by staying grounded and focused on God.”</div>
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Joy Junction Christ in Power life recovery program teacher Marcos Atwood Marcos also weighed in.</div>
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“I will make a difference by allowing my Lord to change me first, then others will see Him in me, and give Him glory.”</div>
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Photo captions: 1) Christmas illustration. 2) Jeremy and Elma Reynalds.<strong></strong></div>
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<strong><img alt="Jeremy and Elma Reynalds very latest" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/Jeremy_and_Elma_Reynalds_very_latest.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); float: right; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none;" />About the writer: Jeremy Reynalds, who was born in Bournemouth, UK, is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, </strong><strong><a href="https://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=d9a9d17b9b&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">www.joyjunction.org</a>. He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. One of his more recent books is “From Destitute to Ph.D.” Additional details on the book are available at </strong><strong><a href="https://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=ffb985bf94&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">www.myhomelessjourney.com</a>. His latest book is "Two Hearts One Vision." It is available at </strong><strong><a href="https://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=a830495f5c&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">www.twoheartsonevisionthebook.com</a>. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Elma. For more information, please contact him at <span id="yiv9431344995cloak9137f81e17a4f9013596a75adc904a69"><a href="mailto:jeremyreynalds@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:jeremyreynalds@gmail.com">jeremyreynalds@gmail.com</a></span>.</strong></div>
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** You may republish this and any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (<a href="https://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=aafea9bdf9&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">www.assistnews.net</a>). Please also tell your friends and colleagues that they can receive a complimentary subscription to the ASSIST News Service by going to the ANS website (see above) and signing up there.</div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-23149358337601944602017-08-05T22:12:00.000-07:002017-08-05T22:12:57.721-07:00EAGLES NEST DISCIPLESHIP COURSES<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">EAGLES NEST </span><span lang="IN" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">DISCIPLESHIP COURSES</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><img alt="Hasil gambar untuk PEMURIDAN SARANG RAJAWALI" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" name="KBqFihrfI66V4M:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQDZUrbP0PVuhop2RVHceWYPVqdx7Wc3Juz051PT4yMt3tbsGmQ" style="height: 178px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -5px; width: 237px;" /> </span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Perkenalan</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Selamat datang di pelatihan kami bagi para
pemimpin masa depan gereja abad ke-21 dan para pemimpin misi. Ini adalah
pelatihan tanpa tembok, tanpa batas, tanpa biaya dan bebas dari batasan-batasan
politik, agama, ras, jenis kelamin maupun denominasi. Kami berharap bahwa
pelajaran-pelajaran ini akan mengilhami dan memberkati ribuan orang yang
hatinya sedang berkobar-kobar dalam kasih mula-mula kepada Yesus.</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Fakta bahwa Anda segera mengikuti pelatihan
ini sudah menunjukkan bahwa Anda sangat rindu untuk mengenal Tuhan dengan lebih
baik, dan bahwa dalam hati Anda, Anda ingin melihat orang-orang dalam keluarga
Anda dan bangsa Anda, dan bahkan juga mereka yang belum terjangkau, juga
orang-orang miskin di dunia ini, diubahkan ke dalam kehidupan</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">sebagai seorang murid, yang kudus dan tinggal
dalam kasih dan pemeliharaan Allah di dalam iman kepada Yesus Kristus.</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Pelatihan ini akan membantu Anda mewujudkan
hal di atas. Ini adalah Pelajaran Pertama, sangat sederhana dan merupakan
perkenalan. Pelajaran-pelajaran selanjutnya lebih lengkap, dan berisikan
hal-hal yang baik untuk dipelajari dan dipraktikkan. Secara pribadi saya</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">
dan rekan-rekan pelayanan</span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">
telah melakukan semuanya, dan mengajarkannya di kelas, memberikannya kepada ribuan
orang, dan sekarang pelajaran-pelajaran ini menjadi milik Anda. Saya berdoa
agar Anda mendapatkan berkat yang sama, tertantang dan dibawa kepada Tuhan dan
jalan-jalan-Nya sebagaimana yang pernah dan terus saya alami.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pelatihan atau Sekolah Alkitab ini tidak menawarkan gelar teologia
tetapi melatih umat Tuhan secara praktis menjadi seorang murid Kristus yang
dapat menghidupi kebenaran, mengabarkan Kabar Baik terhadap sesama, memuridkan,
memulai pelatihan serupa ini maupun merintis atau menanam gereja.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">P</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">asto</span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">r. Dave Broos</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">The Eagles Nest Ministries</span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Eagles Nest </span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Discipleship
Courses</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> bekerjasama dengan DCI dan United Christian Faith Ministries</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bagaimana
Mengikuti Eagles Nest<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipleship
Courses dengan Sukses?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">1. Pertama-tama kami akan memberikan Anda garis
besar tentang apa yang telah kami pelajari selama bertahun-tahun. Dengan
pertolongan Roh Kudus, Alkitab, doa kami dan pikiran yang terbuka, kami percaya
bahwa Anda akan dapat menangkap seluruh pelajaran.</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Pelatihan ini terdiri dari berbagai tema yang
saling berkaitan secara berurut, yang pasti penting dan bermanfaat bagi
gereja-gereja, terutama di negara-negara berkembang:</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Penginjilan</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Misi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Pemuridan tingkat dasar untuk orang percaya
baru</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Pemuridan tingkat lanjut</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Panggilan Allah</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Mempercayai Allah dalam hal keuangan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Pelatihan kepemimpinan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Pembangunan gereja</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Datanglah kerajaan-Mu</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Kehidupan doa sebagai gaya hidup &
nafas kehidupan</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Menjadi alat Tuhan di dalam masyarakat</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">- Menjadi umat yang profetis</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">2. Kedua, kami ingin agar Anda menyampaikan
kepada orang lain, semua yang telah Anda pelajari dari pelatihan ini, supaya
Firman Allah tersebar luas. Kami akan menunjukkan kepada Anda cara melakukannya
tanpa mengeluarkan banyak uang, karena kita semua tahu betapa sulit
mendapatkannya. Sekolah yang kami maksud, tidak harus berupa gedung khusus
dengan staf pengajar yang profesional. Para murid kami dapat berkumpul di</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">gedung gereja, rumah, toko, dan bahkan di
bawah pohon di udara terbuka. Yang Anda perlukan hanya satu kelompok dengan
orang-orang yang siap, Alkitab, bahan-bahan ini dan kehadiran Allah di
tengah-tengah Anda. Kami akan membantu Anda dari awal sampai akhir.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Akhirnya, kami sangat berharap agar mereka
yang sudah belajar dari Anda dapat pergi mengajarkan kepada orang lain, dengan
menggunakan catatan-catatan yang sama, dan cara-cara sederhana dalam
menyampaikan Firman Allah.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bagaimana pelatihan ini dapat berjalan dengan maksimal?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Pelatihan ini akan berjalan dengan maksimal
manakala sang pemimpin mengikuti pendekatan efektif yang sama seperti
diterapkan Yesus kepada para murid-Nya, dan juga seperti yang dilakukan Paulus
terhadap Timotius.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">“<span lang="IN">Apa yang telah engkau dengar
dari aku di depan banyak saksi, percayakanlah itu kepada orang-orang yang dapat
dipercayai, yang juga cakap mengajar orang lain.</span>”<span lang="IN"> (2
Timotius 2:2)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Kami berharap Anda dapat menangkap firman ini
sejak awal. Di tahun 2001 pendekatan ini sangat dikenal di antara gereja-gereja
yang bertumbuh pesat di seluruh dunia dengan nama G12, yaitu suatu pengembangan
dari prinsip gereja sel yang diajarkan oleh Pastor Yonggi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Cho dari Korea, dan sekarang dijalankan
dengan sangat berhasil oleh Pastor Cesar Castellanos dari Bogota, Kolombia,
yang melihat jemaat yang dipimpinnya bertumbuh dari 8 menjadi 120.000 orang
dalam kurun waktu 10 tahun. Dia berkata, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">“<span lang="IN">Saya mulai melihat pelayanan Yesus dengan jelas. Banyak orang<span style="color: black;"> </span>mengikuti-Nya, tetapi Ia tidak melatih mereka. Ia
hanya melatih 12<span style="color: black;"> </span>orang, dan apapun yang Ia
lakukan di tengah-tengah banyak orang<span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">adalah dalam rangka mengajar 12 murid-Nya itu. Kemudian
Tuhan bertanya kepada saya pertanyaan yang lain. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">“<span lang="IN">Jika Yesus melatih 12 orang, apakah Anda harus memenangkan lebih dari
12 atau kurang dari 12?</span>”<span lang="IN"> Yesus memilih 12 orang untuk
menjangkau banyak orang. Ia tetap bersama 12 orang ini, sampai mereka dilatih
dengan baik, dan Ia melepaskan mereka, memberikan mereka otoritas dan
memampukan mereka untuk memuridkan bangsa-bangsa.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Gembala, pemimpin, murid </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">–<span lang="IN"> hal terbaik yang harus dilakukan adalah mencari 12 orang itu untuk
Anda ajarkan pelatihan ini. Firman Allah dan Roh Kudus akan menyatukan iman dan
komitmen setiap orang, dan mentransferkan karakter Kristus di dalam kelompok
Anda melalui pemuridan ini, sebelum Anda melepas mereka yang siap untuk
memenangkan 12 orang lagi, sementara Anda tetap dalam persekutuan dengan mereka
sebagai kelompok Anda yang tetap.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Lihatlah betapa luar biasa kekuatan G12 ini:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bila Anda mengajar diri Anda sendiri ~ hanya 1 orang
mendengar firman</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Tuhan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bila Anda membagikan pelajaran kepada 12 orang ~ 13 orang
mendengar</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">firman Tuhan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bila 12 orang itu masing-masing mengajar 12 orang lagi ~
157 orang</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">mendengar firman Tuhan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bila 157 orang itu masing-masing mengajar 12 orang lagi ~
1.884 orang</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">mendengar firman Tuhan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bila 1.884 orang itu mengajar 12 orang lagi ~ 22.608
orang mendengar</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">firman Tuhan.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Dan tiba-tiba Anda mengalami kegerakan dari Allah. Hal
ini terjadi di Cina, dan terus terjadi hari ini di Amerika Latin dan Afrika, di
mana </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">“<span lang="IN">Pelatihan Pelipatgandaan</span>”<span lang="IN"> seperti ini terbukti menjadi satu-satunya cara yang paling efektif
untuk mengajarkan ribuan orang yang memutuskan untuk mengikut Kristus.
Bersama-sama kita dapat melatih banyak orang, untuk menjadi orang percaya yang
dewasa rohani, dan yang bersedia pergi melakukan pekerjaan pelayanan </span>–<span lang="IN"> menginjili, memuridkan, dan membantu orang-orang yang miskin, untuk
membangun iman, usaha dan keuangan yang penting untuk menyebarluaskan Injil. Di
dalam Kitab Kejadian pasal pertama, dituliskan bahwa ketika Firman Allah datang
bersama-sama</span></span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">dengan Roh Allah, terjadilah suatu ledakan dari kehidupan
baru, dan inilah doa kami, agar Tuhan melakukan hal yang sama sekarang ini, di
dalam kehidupan Anda, dan dalam komunitas pergaulan Anda.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Apakah pelatihan ini sulit?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Pelajaran-pelajaran ini telah teruji dengan
baik di gereja-gereja di Afrika, India dan di kalangan komunitas Latin,
tentunya disesuaikan dengan budaya setempat. Mereka mengatakan bahwa pengajaran
ini Alkitabiah, benar, relevan dengan negara-negara berkembang, dan difokuskan
pada semangat mereka untuk menjalankan Amanat Agung, agar Yesus segera datang kembali.
Kenyataannya, keadaan di banyak negara berkembang</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">sekarang ini, tidak jauh berbeda dengan
keadaan di abad pertama di zaman Alkitab.</span></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Dengan pertolongan Allah, pelajaran-pelajaran
ini tidak akan terlalu sukar bagi mereka yang hanya mempunyai bekal pendidikan
rendah sekalipun, atau bahkan bagi mereka yang tidak mengenyam pendidikan sama
sekali. Pengajarannya sangat sederhana dan tidak rumit. Kata-katanya pasti
mudah bagi Anda untuk dimengerti. Pastikanlah bahwa Anda mengajarkan pelajaran
ini kepada orang-orang lain. Berdoalah selalu dan persiapkanlah diri Anda
sebaik-baiknya. Waktu Anda mengajar, tambahkanlah ayat-ayat Alkitab dan
ceritera-ceritera yang anda pilih sendiri sebagai ilustrasi supaya proses
pengajaran menjadi menarik, semarak dan hidup. Anda belajar dan dimuridkan
untuk memuridkan orang lain. Tuhan mau melakukan pekerjaan besar dalam hidup
anda, sadarkah anda akan hal tersebut?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Kami juga menerima undangan pelayanan untuk memperlengkapi tubuh
Kristus yang ada di manapun baik itu gereja, persekutuan, sekolah Alkitab
maupun setiap kumpulan orang percaya yang merindukan untuk dimuridkan.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Bimbingan pribadi hubungi kami pada email <a href="mailto:davebroos@yahoo.co.uk">davebroos@yahoo.co.uk</a> atau WA (only) 085863761509
(Dave Broos)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pelatihan ini tidak dipungut biaya sama sekali tetapi bila anda
ingin mendukung pelayanan kami secara finansial hingga kami dapat menolong
gereja-gereja di daerah dalam menanggapi panggilan Tuhan dan amanat agungNya
dapat menyalurkan donasi ke rekening BCA 0081824788 atas nama Dave Broos.
Donasi anda akan digunakan untuk memperlengkapi tubuh Kristus di garis depan
dan tubuh Kristus yang tak mampu. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Harapan kami pada akhirnya umat Tuhan bukan hanya sekedar
menghangatkan bangku gereja tetapi menjadi murid Kristus yang menanggapi amanat
agung Kristus dengan menjadikan segala bangsa murid Kristus. Impian kami
melihat setiap gedung gereja menjadi tempat memperlengkapi umat Tuhan untuk
diutus memberitakan kabar baik, memuridkan orang lain dan menanam gereja di
tempat mereka bekerja, belajar atau dimanapun.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Links yang berguna bagi para murid:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">The
Eagles Nest Ministries = <a href="http://3a9l35-n35t.blogspot.com/">http://3a9l35-n35t.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Renungan
Kehidupan = <a href="http://renungandave.blogspot.com/">http://renungandave.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Ekklesia
(Gereja) = <a href="http://gerejaperjanjianbaru.blogspot.com/">http://gerejaperjanjianbaru.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Global
Prayer Network = <a href="http://globalprayernetwork.blogspot.com/">http://globalprayernetwork.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Shadow
of The Cross Indonesia = <a href="http://shaddowcross.blogspot.com/">http://shaddowcross.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Guardian
Angels = <a href="http://9u4rd14n-4n93ls.blogspot.com/">http://9u4rd14n-4n93ls.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Spiritual
Growth = <a href="http://davebroos.blogspot.com/">http://davebroos.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">Market
Place Ministry = <a href="http://dave-broos.blogspot.com/">http://dave-broos.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">In
My Darkness Hours = <a href="http://inmydarnesshours.blogspot.com/">http://inmydarnesshours.blogspot.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: TTE1787448t00; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN; mso-bidi-font-family: TTE1787448t00; mso-fareast-font-family: TTE1787448t00;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">LK10
= <a href="http://www.lk10.com/">www.LK10.com</a> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">SAMPAI JUMPA MINGGU DEPAN DENGAN PELAJARAN
KEDUA, LANGKAH-LANGKAH PERTAMA. DON</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">’<span lang="IN">T MISS IT!!!! GOD BLESS YOU.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="IN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: IN;">NB: PELAJARAN BARU AKAN DI UPDATE SETIAP
MINGGUNYA, BAGI YANG SERIUS MENGIKUTI PELAJARAN DAN MENGERJAKAN TUGAS ANDA
SAMPAI SELESAI AKAN MENDAPATKAN DIPLOMA IN MISSION. </span></div>
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Kirimkan tugas-tugas tersebut ke alamat email: <a href="mailto:davebroos@yahoo.co.uk">davebroos@yahoo.co.uk</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dengan judul Kursus Pemuridan.</span></b></div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-11230870722360238272017-07-08T21:27:00.002-07:002017-07-08T21:27:27.029-07:00Perjalanan Misi Lottie Moon <div class="yiv1319883272judulKolom" style="background-color: #089ac6; color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.17em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; padding: 0.5em 1em; text-align: center;">
Perjalanan Misi Lottie Moon
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Lottie Moon melayani sebagai
misionaris selama 39 tahun di provinsi Shantung, China, tepatnya di
Tungchow dan Pingtu. Sulit untuk menggambarkan keadaan di kota kecil di
China pada tahun 1873, saat Lottie pertama kali menginjakkan kaki di
kota itu. Lottie sudah terbiasa dengan kehidupan yang serba mewah karena
dilahirkan dalam keluarga pemilik tanah yang kaya raya di bagian
Selatan Amerika Serikat, tetapi sekarang ia harus beradaptasi dengan
lingkungan yang sama sekali baru dan asing, baik dari segi bahasa,
budaya, makanan, maupun cara pemikiran, semuanya terasa sangat asing
baginya. Adiknya, Edmonia Moon, tiba di China satu tahun sebelumnya dan
ia mengalami <em><a href="http://kamus.sabda.org/dictionary/culture%20shock" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">culture shock</a></em> atau kekagetan terhadap kebudayaan yang begitu luar biasa sehingga mengalami <em>emotional breakdown</em>
atau gangguan secara emosi dan histeris. Adiknya akhirnya harus
dipulangkan. Tidak semua orang, misionaris sekalipun, yang dapat
bertahan di China pada tahun 1800-an.</div>
<center>
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<div style="background-color: #fcfcfc; border: 1px solid #CCCCCC; display: inline-block; padding: 5px;">
<img alt="Gambar: Charlotte (Lottie) Moon" class="yiv1319883272gambarResponsif" src="http://static.sabda.org/kisah/kisah_424_lottie.jpg" style="float: none; min-height: auto; padding: 0; width: 300px;" />
<div style="font-size: .7em; padding-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 300px;">
Sumber gambar: <a href="https://lights4god.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/dramatization-of-lottie-moon-serving-cookies-image-courtesy-of-international-mission-board-southern-baptist-convention.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://lights4god.files.wordpress</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Bagi Lottie, semuanya itu tidak
menjadi masalah. Dengan penuh semangat, Lottie memulai studi bahasa
serta mendalami sejarah dan budaya China. Dari segi pakaian dan tutur
kata, ia berusaha untuk menjadi sama seperti orang-orang yang ingin
dijangkaunya. Dalam waktu yang singkat, ia dapat menguasai bahasa China
secara lisan, dan beberapa minggu setelah tiba di Tungchow, ia melakukan
<a href="http://c3i.sabda.org/18/nov/2003/konseling_pentingnya_suatu_kunjungan_pastoral" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">kunjungan</a> dari rumah ke rumah untuk membagikan buku kecil berisi Injil kepada <a href="http://wanita.sabda.org/node/1388" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">para wanita</a>. Pada waktu itu, badan misi yang mengutusnya tidak mengizinkan wanita untuk mengajar kaum pria.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Dalam bahasa China, orang asing,
terutama orang kulit putih, disebut dengan sebutan "setan asing", tetapi
Lottie berhasil membuat anak-anak di kotanya memanggilnya "wanita kue" (<em>cookie lady</em>)
dengan selalu menyediakan kue-kue manis yang dibagikan kepada
anak-anak. Setelah memakan kuenya, anak-anak sering kali akan
mengajaknya ke rumah mereka dan dari situ Lottie memiliki kesempatan
untuk <a href="http://c3i.sabda.org/bab_p3_langkah_langkah_membagikan_injil" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">membagikan Injil</a> kepada ibu dari anak-anak tersebut. Selain dari <a href="http://wanita.sabda.org/peranan_wanita_dalam_penginjilan_0" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">penginjilan</a>,
Lottie memulai sebuah sekolah di rumahnya khusus untuk anak-anak
perempuan. Dari Tungchow, Lottie mulai melakukan perjalanan misi ke
pendalaman dan dalam waktu yang singkat berhasil membawa banyak orang
untuk mengenal Tuhan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Banyak dari antara orang yang
diinjilinya adalah buta huruf. Di suatu kota bernama Huanghsien, Lottie
meminta bantuan seorang sarjana Konfusius, Li Show Ting, untuk
membacakan Alkitab kepada orang Kristen yang baru bertobat. Walaupun
pada awalnya Li tidak percaya, tetapi karena hari demi hari ditugaskan
membaca Alkitab, ia akhirnya mengakui <a href="http://www.sabda.org/gubuk/mengenal_kebenaran_injil_" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">kebenaran Injil</a>. Sewaktu ia mengaku percaya, saudara-saudara kandungnya menganiayanya dengan memukul dan mencabik-cabik rambutnya, tetapi ia <a href="http://sabda.org/publikasi/e-rh/2011/08/04" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">tetap teguh</a> dalam imannya. Pada kemudian hari, saudara Li menjadi seorang penginjil yang terkenal dan dikabarkan telah <a href="http://alkitab.sabda.org/lexicon.php?word=membaptis" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">membaptis</a> lebih dari 10.000 orang selama pelayanannya.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Lottie Moon bekerja siang dan
malam demi pengabaran Injil. Dalam waktu 6 bulan, ia telah berhasil
mengunjungi sekitar 139 desa. Selama 14 tahun, ia tidak pernah pulang ke
Amerika untuk cuti. Walaupun berat, tetapi ia tahu itulah harga yang
harus dibayarnya karena pada saat itu misionaris yang berangkat ke <a href="http://wanita.sabda.org/perempuan_indonesia_permata_di_ladang_misi" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ladang misi</a> tidak pernah berpikir untuk pulang. Banyak yang disebabkan oleh penyakit dan kekurangan gizi meninggal di tempat pelayanan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Namun, bagi Lottie, hal yang
paling berat baginya adalah masalah kesepian. Dalam suratnya, ia pernah
menulis, "Biarlah tidak ada misionaris yang akan mengalami kesepian
seperti yang aku alami." Selama bertahun-tahun, Lottie harus melayani
sendirian tanpa teman kerja. Namun demikian, Lottie sempat menjalin
kembali hubungannya dengan seorang profesor di sekolah teologia di
Amerika yang pernah melamarnya sebelum ia memutuskan untuk ke ladang
misi.</div>
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<div class="yiv1319883272kontainerResponsif" style="display: inline-block; float: none; padding: 0;">
<div style="background-color: #fcfcfc; border: 1px solid #CCCCCC; display: inline-block; padding: 5px;">
<div style="background-color: #fcfcfc; border: 1px solid #CCCCCC; display: inline-block; padding: 0;">
<img alt="Gambar: Misi" class="yiv1319883272gambarResponsif" src="http://static.sabda.org/kisah/kisah_424_misi.jpg" style="min-height: auto; padding: 0; width: 400px;" />
</div>
<div style="font-size: .7em; padding-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 400px;">
Sumber gambar: <a href="https://majalahdia.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/our-mission-button1-748x267.gif" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://majalahdia.net</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Akan tetapi, pada waktu itu,
Lottie menolak lamarannya. Pada tahun 1882, setelah berada di China
selama 9 tahun, ia menulis surat kepada keluarganya bahwa ia telah
bertunangan dan akan menikah pada tahun itu. Akan tetapi, akhirnya entah
apa alasannya, pertunangannya dengan profesor Crawford Toy dibatalkan.
Beberapa tahun kemudian, keponakan dari Lottie pernah bertanya apakah ia
pernah jatuh cinta. Lottie menjawab, "Ya, tetapi Tuhan memiliki
prioritas yang terutama atas hidupku, dan karena keduanya berkonflik,
sangatlah jelas mana yang harus diutamakan." Walaupun ia mengaku
tidaklah mudah hidup sendiri, tetapi Lottie tidak pernah mau mundur dari
jalan yang sudah dipilihnya. Tahun-tahun setelah itu diwarnai <a href="http://misi.sabda.org/penganiayaan_terhadap_misionaris" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">penganiayaan</a> yang dahsyat, perang, dan bencana kelaparan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Pada tahun 1890, sewaktu Jemaat di
Shaling dianiaya, Lottie langsung menuju ke tempat itu dan berkata
kepada kepala penganiaya di situ, "Jika Anda mencoba untuk memusnahkan
gereja ini, Anda harus membunuh saya terlebih dahulu. Yesus memberikan
Diri-Nya bagi kami orang percaya. Sekarang, saya siap untuk mati bagi
Dia." Dapat dibayangkan betapa anehnya situasi pada saat itu, seorang
wanita bertubuh kecil dengan tinggi badan di bawah 130 cm mencoba
menghadang massa yang sedang mengamuk. Ada yang berusaha untuk
membunuhnya, tetapi dapat dihalang oleh yang lain. Lottie tidak pernah
meninggalkan jemaat yang sedang dianiaya, ia berada bersama mereka
sampai <a href="http://misi.sabda.org/gereja_bertumbuh_di_tengah_penganiayaan" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">penganiayaan</a>
itu berhenti. Salah seorang Jemaat, Dan Ho-Bang, diikat ke batang kayu
dan dipukul oleh kerabatnya setelah ia menolak untuk menyembah
leluhurnya. Akan tetapi, tidak kira apa yang dilakukan ke atasnya, ia
tetap menolak. Seperti yang selalu terjadi setelah penganiayaan, banyak
orang bertobat, termasuk orang yang menganiaya karena mereka melihat
ketabahan dan kesetiaan orang-orang percaya. Dan, Jemaat di Shaling
menjadi <a href="http://alkitab.sabda.org/resource.php?topic=1227&res=almanac" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">gereja</a> yang kuat dan melakukan banyak penginjilan ke daerah sekitarnya.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Revolusi China bermula pada musim
gugur tahun 1911, Lottie yang sudah berusia 71 tahun pada waktu itu
menolak untuk mengevakuasi diri, tetapi malah berangkat menuju zona
perang. Ia ingin memulai <a href="http://artikel.sabda.org/pelayanan_adalah_anugerah" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">pelayanan</a>
medis untuk menangani korban perang di kota Huanghsien. Periode itu
merupakan permulaan dari kelaparan yang berkepanjangan, diiringi oleh
tersebarnya berbagai wabah penyakit. Pada waktu itu, dana misi sudah
tidak lagi tersedia dan Lottie harus menggunakan uangnya sendiri untuk
menopang pelayanan. Lottie telah melihat dirinya sebagai orang China,
tidak ada lagi tembok yang memisahkan dia dari orang yang dilayaninya.
Melihat orang yang kelaparan dan tidak memiliki cukup dana untuk
membantu, Lottie sendiri sering kali mengalami kelaparan bersama-sama
dengan orang-orang Kristen yang ada di sekitarnya. Pada musim panas
tahun 1912, fisiknya mulai melemah. Saat dibawa ke rumah sakit Baptis
yang baru dibangun di China, doktor yang merawatnya menyimpulkan bahwa
Lottie yang berat badannya hanya 24 kg mengalami kelaparan yang sungguh
parah. Diputuskan bahwa Lottie harus segera dibawa pulang ke Amerika.
Pada tanggal 12 Desember 1912, ditemani oleh seorang perawat, Lottie
meninggalkan China dari pelabuhan di Shanghai. Akan tetapi, dua belas
hari kemudian, saat kapal sedang berlabuh di Kobe, Jepang, Lottie
mengembuskan napasnya yang terakhir, satu hari sebelum Natal 1912.</div>
<center>
<div class="yiv1319883272kontainerResponsif" style="display: inline-block; float: right; padding-left: 15px;">
<div style="background-color: #fcfcfc; border: 1px solid #cccccc; display: inline-block; padding: 5px;">
<img alt="Gambar: Lottie Moon Christmas Offering" class="yiv1319883272gambarResponsif" src="http://static.sabda.org/kisah/kisah_424_offering.jpg" style="min-height: auto; padding: 0; width: 400px;" />
<div style="font-size: .7em; padding-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 400px;">
Sumber gambar: <a href="http://www.foothillsbaptist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/lottiemoon-graphic.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.foothillsbaptist.org</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Semangat dan pengorbanan Lottie
Moon tetap dikenang sampai hari ini lewat Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
yang diselenggarakan setiap tahun oleh gereja-gereja Southern Baptist
di Amerika Serikat. Dana yang terkumpul sejak pertama kali
diselenggarakan telah mencapai miliaran rupiah yang semuanya dipakai
untuk mendanai <a href="http://pelayanan.org/Pelayanan_Misi" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">misi pelayanan</a>.
Sembilan puluh lima tahun setelah Lottie meninggalkan dunia ini, setiap
tahun menjelang Natal namanya tetap dapat membangkitkan semangat umat
Kristen untuk turut mengambil bagian dalam pengabaran Injil di seluruh
dunia.</div>
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<td style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;" valign="top">My side Blog - The Beloved Son - Only For Christian</td>
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<td style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="100">Alamat situs</td>
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<td style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;" valign="top"><a href="http://thebelovedson.blogspot.co.id/2014/07/kesaksian-hidup-misionaris-charlotte.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://thebelovedson.blogspot.co.id/2014/07/kesaksian-hidup-misionaris-charlotte.html</a></td>
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<td style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left;" valign="top">Kesaksian Hidup Misionaris Charlotte (Lottie) Moon</td>
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POKOK DOA</div>
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal; padding-left: 1.5em;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Mari berdoa untuk setiap orang
yang terbeban dengan panggilan pelayanan misi, kiranya Tuhan menguatkan
dan meneguhkan hati mereka sehingga mereka boleh melayani dan
memberitakan Injil dengan sukacita.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Mari berdoa bagi setiap
penginjil yang diutus ke setiap daerah, khususnya daerah rawan konflik,
daerah yang kekurangan, maupun daerah terpencil agar senantiasa mendapat
kesehatan, penghiburan, dan kekuatan dari Tuhan.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Mari berdoa bagi kita semua
agar mau memberi diri dibentuk oleh Tuhan, menerima panggilan
pengutusan, dan berani memberitakan kebenaran firman Tuhan di mana saja
Tuhan tempatkan.</li>
</ol>
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #d3d3d3; border-right: 10px solid #d3d3d3; color: black; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 40px; padding-right: 40px; text-align: center;">
Sedangkan
kamu, waspadalah dalam segala hal, bertahanlah dalam kesukaran,
kerjakanlah tugas pemberita Injil, dan selesaikanlah pelayananmu.<br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;">(<a href="http://alkitab.mobi/ayt/2Ti/4/5/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2 Timotius 4:5, AYT</a>)</span></div>
Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-11471767361856698762017-07-08T21:26:00.002-07:002017-07-08T21:26:05.318-07:00Preparing You For Battle<img src="http://www.apostolic-movement.com/images/NBerry.jpg" /><br />
<h2>
Preparing You For Battle</h2>
My child, I have called you to be a warrior in my army. I have called
you to tear down the plans of the enemy and set my plan in motion
instead. However, to be as effective as possible to do this, you need to
be trained to fight and to go into war. Without you even realizing it, I
have been training you to be the warrior that my army needs.
<br />
In every correction you are given, every challenge from co-workers,
every fight with your friends, every accusation from your family, each
of these things are preparing you to stand strong on the front lines of
battle. Each challenge you face is equipping you to be a warrior that
defeats the enemy, instead of one that the enemy defeats.
<br />
So rejoice when you are corrected, when you are chiseled, when you
are frustrated, and someone calls you on it. In these times, my hand is
shaping you. I am calling you on those things that take your eyes off
the vision. I am calling you on those things that stop you from
realizing that you are at war with the enemy and not with those around
you.<br />
My Church, for far too long, has been taken out by the enemy in
sickness, accidents, shootings, etc. Yet, I am raising a breed of
warriors that will know how to withstand the enemy's attacks and come
out victorious. You, my child, are one of my warriors. Trust me. I have
arranged these circumstances in your life because I am making you battle
ready, says the Lord. Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-86730370937397398262017-07-08T21:25:00.002-07:002017-07-08T21:25:24.896-07:00Walk Forward<img src="http://www.apostolic-movement.com/images/Colette_Toach.jpg" /><br />
<h2>
Walk Forward</h2>
My child, step forward boldly and realize that the way is prepared
ahead of you. Do not look to the left or to the right, but only in the
direction that I send you. For the enemy would distract you from the
path that I have laid, so do not allow the noise to take your eyes off
the prize.<br />
For I know that at times you become weary and I know that at times
you are unsure of your direction, but if you would listen to my voice
alone, you will see the direction open up before you again and you will
find your rest. So look up! Look and see that I have prepared the way
before you and that I carry you in my hand.<br />
Take a step! Walk forward! Do not be afraid of what waits for you or
wonder if you will fail, but put your trust in me more than you put it
in yourself. Put your faith in me and not in your fears. Put your hope
in me and not in man. Invest your love into me and not into your flesh.
As you do this, the way will open and I will show you how I have ordered
your path. I will be the one who rewards you and covers you with my
favor.<br />
So step forward this day in faith and trust that I will see this journey through with you, says the Lord. AmenDave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-49985376853216806052017-07-08T21:24:00.005-07:002017-07-08T21:24:48.278-07:00Free Creative Package: “What Would Jesus Post?”<div class="td-post-header">
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Free Creative Package: “What Would Jesus Post?”</h1>
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By</div>
<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/danielso">Daniel So</a><div class="td-author-line">
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2016-08-03T23:00:09+00:00">August 3, 2016</time></span> </div>
</header>
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<a class="td-modal-image" data-caption="" href="http://churchleaders-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CP-WWJP.jpg"><img alt="" class="entry-thumb td-animation-stack-type0-1" height="428" src="http://churchleaders-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CP-WWJP.jpg" title="CP - WWJP" width="642" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Free Creative Package</h2>
From CCV Resources, “Posts, tweets, pins and likes. Let’s face it,
we’re always online. It doesn’t take much to get to a place where our
lives are described in only 140 characters. Join us as we discover what
Jesus would post in today’s society of viral videos, hashtags and
selfies.”<br />
This creative package includes:<br />
<ul>
<li>Editable Photoshop File – 1920×1080 px; 72dpi; .psd</li>
<li>Image for HD Screens – 1920×1080 px; 72dpi; .jpg</li>
<li>Social Media Squares for Facebook & Instagram – 700×700 px; 72dpi; .jpg</li>
</ul>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.ccvresources.com/what-would-jesus-post/" target="_blank"><br />
Get Download Now</a></h2>
<em><span style="color: #888888;">Resource provided by <a href="http://www.ccvresources.com/" target="_blank">CCV Resources</a></span></em><br />
<strong><br />
Download Instructions: </strong>Follow the on-screen directions at the download site.Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-5982720615214542022017-07-08T21:24:00.002-07:002017-07-08T21:24:23.212-07:007 Questions to Ask When Your Youth Ministry Isn’t Growing<div class="td-post-header">
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7 Questions to Ask When Your Youth Ministry Isn’t Growing</h1>
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By</div>
<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/Rachel">Rachel Blom</a><div class="td-author-line">
- </div>
</div>
<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-06-21T23:00:00+00:00">June 21, 2017</time></span> </div>
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We’re finding inspiration for blog posts in the interesting search
terms people have used to find this blog. It strikes me how many times
you can find a story behind a search term by targeting its deep,
underlying emotion. Today’s topic is another example of this: My youth
ministry isn’t growing.<br />
My youth ministry isn’t growing. If someone would tell me that, my
first response would be: How does that make you feel? Because I feel a
world of emotions behind this simple search term.<br />
<strong>Disappointment,</strong> because God isn’t blessing the youth ministry the way you had hoped.<br />
<strong>Anger</strong>, because you’ve given it your all and it just isn’t enough.<br />
<strong>Frustration</strong>, because you’re doing the best you can under almost impossible situations and nobody is helping you.<br />
<strong>Self-doubt,</strong> because you’ve tried everything you can think of and nothing seems to work…so maybe it’s you.<br />
<strong>Fear</strong>, because this lack of success might just cost you your job.<br />
These emotions are all understandable and completely valid. Let’s
face it: None of us go into youth ministry because we want things to
stay the same. We want to change the world, make a difference and, above
all, we want growth. It’s only natural and logical and spiritual for
youth ministries to grow…right?<br />
We all want our youth ministry to grow. But when growth doesn’t happen, it doesn’t mean we’re necessarily to blame…<br />
Everything that’s planted is supposed to grow. So yeah, your youth
ministry is supposed to grow. But that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily
to blame if it doesn’t grow. Let’s look at a few questions you should
ask yourself about why your youth ministry isn’t “growing”:<br />
<h2>
<strong>1. Is it growing in depth?</strong></h2>
Your youth ministry may not be growing in numbers, but if it’s still
growing in depth that’s actually something to be very grateful for.
Numbers don’t mean squat if you’re only making converts and not
disciples. Focusing on depth is always the best choice because real
discipleship can lead to genuine numerical growth.<br />
<h2>
<strong>2. Do you have a vision for growth?</strong></h2>
Your youth ministry is unlikely to grow spontaneously. You’ll need a
vision and a plan to actually realize growth. Do you have one and is it
God-inspired? I’m not talking about following all the latest
trends—that’s not going to bring you anything of lasting value. I’m
talking about a God-given, unique strategic plan that fits the
circumstances of your youth ministry and speaks to the needs of young
people in your community.<br />
<h2>
<strong>3. Is your plan still up to date?</strong></h2>
You may have had a vision and a plan once upon a time, but is it
still effective and up to date? I left my last church just around the
time I felt its youth ministry needed to update its vision and plan for
growth. (That wasn’t why I left—we moved to Germany because my husband
got a job there.) The youth ministry had a vision, but many things had
happened that had changed our circumstances, and we needed a new plan to
reflect these changes.<br />
<h2>
<strong>4. Is there a shared vision for growth?</strong></h2>
You cannot make a youth ministry grow all by your lonesome self. You
need a team of dedicated leaders and volunteers who share your vision.
If they don’t, that’s a good place to start to make some improvements.<br />
<h2>
<strong>5. Is the church leadership supportive?</strong></h2>
It’s one thing to lay down certain expectations of growth, but if the
leadership of your church doesn’t support you in any way, growth is not
going to happen. They need to not just ask it from you, they need to
actively support it, facilitate it and share your vision for how to get
there. If they don’t, invest a lot of time in building relationships
here and getting your vision across.<br />
<h2>
<strong>6. Are there circumstances that prohibit growth?</strong></h2>
There may be circumstances outside your influence that still
negatively affect your opportunity for growth. In my last church, for
instance, there was conflict between the pastors that affected the
church and the youth ministry. We lost a lot of young people because of
that conflict and there was not much I could do to help mediate that
conflict. If you find yourself in a similar position, keep praying for
God to solve the issues and trust Him to care for all those involved and
affected.<br />
<h2>
<strong>7. Is there prayer support?</strong></h2>
I should have put this question in the number one slot because it is
by far the most important aspect of a growing youth ministry. You cannot
do anything without dedicated prayer support behind you and your
ministry. You need people who pray for you daily, with passion and with
the conviction that God is going to answer. If you don’t have prayer
warriors like these, go find them first.<br />
When all is said and done, remember that God is still the sovereign
God. He will give His blessing according to His will. He may choose to
make your youth ministry go through some rough waters, but do not give
up. God is faithful and He will keep His promises.<br />
As Keith Green said so beautifully: Keep doing your best, pray that it’s blessed, and He’ll take care of the rest.<br />
<div class="post-content">
<strong><em>Have you had periods where your youth ministry didn’t grow? How did this make you feel? Were you able to find a reason for this?</em></strong><br />
</div>
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/my-youth-ministry-isnt-growing/">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-303183439428409592017-07-08T21:23:00.003-07:002017-07-08T21:23:53.960-07:00How to Address Sexuality With Teenagers<div class="td-post-header">
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How to Address Sexuality With Teenagers</h1>
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By</div>
<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/michaelguyer">Michael Guyer</a><div class="td-author-line">
- </div>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-06-21T23:00:25+00:00">June 21, 2017</time></span> </div>
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<strong><em>In our families and in our churches, we are far too often
late to the conversation about sexuality with our teenagers and
reactionary once we speak up</em></strong>. This should not be the case.
The kitchen table and living room are perhaps the best places for this
discussion. And the church is called to equip its people to follow
Christ and make disciples within our culture. To overcome this we must
talk about the issues—homosexuality, same-sex attraction, gender
fluidity, pornography and sexual immorality—and we must do so clearly
and compassionately. <strong><em>Within our cultural climate we cannot
retreat out of fear or remain silent out of ignorance in either the home
or the church. Now is the time to engage. Now is the time for honest
answers to hard questions. Now is the time to listen well and speak
truth in love. Now is the time to address the issues of sexuality with
our teenagers.</em></strong><br />
<strong>1. We must help teenagers see the Bible as their authority and guide</strong><br />
<strong><em>The issue of sexuality is closely connected to the trustworthiness of the Bible for many teenagers</em></strong>.
Too many teenagers are not grounded in the Bible enough to discuss a
biblical response to the issue, and when pressed the Bible does not
function in authoritative way in their life.<br />
Kevin DeYoung is right:<br />
<em>“The challenge before the church is to convince ourselves as much
as anyone that believing the Bible does not make us bigots, just as
reflecting the times does not make us relevant.” (143)</em><br />
This challenges means two things:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><em>Don’t shy away from teaching what the Bible says about sexuality, but do it with grace and love.</em></strong> Teach
what the Bible says about gender, sexuality and purity with clarity.
Don’t neglect, dismiss or deny what God has clearly said. However, while
what you say is important, how you say it has never been more
important. Don’t highlight the issues of sexuality as if it is all the
Bible speaks against. Rather, teach what the Bible says about sexuality
in light of its bigger picture—the goodness of God’s design for human
beings and the good news of God’s redemption. The Bible invites us into
something much bigger and better than our broken sexual desires—it
invites us to know and enjoy the God who made and redeems us.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t neglect to teach why the Bible is trustworthy and why it functions as our ultimate authority. </strong>Students
need to know what the Bible says, but they also need to know why they
can trust it. This begins with demonstrating a high view of God’s Word
and its authority in our teaching. It will also involve showing students
what the Bible says about itself and how it is historically reliable.
This cannot be taken for granted or only given lip service. It must
evident in our practices and explicit in our teaching.</li>
</ul>
<strong>2. We must listen to teenagers</strong><br />
<strong><em>While there are many important and essential things we
need to teach teenagers about gender and sexuality, it is imperative
that we learn to listen well.</em></strong> We must be invested and
involved in the lives of students so that we have the opportunity to
listen. We must also create spaces where students are not only receiving
God’s Word but discussing their lives and applying God’s Word to
specific areas of it. When it comes to discussing issues of
sexuality—especially homosexuality and gender issues—make sure to learn
the stories of students who are struggling with these issues or have
friends who are. <strong><em>Many teenagers fear being labeled
judgmental or intolerant, especially when they have friends who identify
as homosexual or as transgender. We need to hear this struggle and
speak directly to it with grace and truth.</em></strong><br />
<strong>3. We must be patient with teenagers</strong><br />
This topic cannot be addressed in a sermon series and then put on the
shelf. It must be addressed faithfully as we teach through the Bible in
our ministries. It must also be addressed personally through
discipleship relationships. In the home, parents must be equipped with
resources to discuss these issues with their children around the dinner
table. In light of our current cultural climate, many teenagers will
likely take a soft stance on these issues and maybe even disagree with
the clear teaching of God’s Word, especially when it comes to its
political aspects (i.e., same-sex marriage). Please don’t misunderstand,
this is not an agreeing to disagree position. <strong><em>While we
cannot compromise the consistent biblical witness about God’s design for
gender or sexuality, we must also not cut off conversation with
students the first time they push back against it. Like all areas of
discipleship, we must commit to patiently walking with teenagers as they
come to know and grow up into Christ.</em></strong><br />
<strong>4. We must keep our focus on the good news of the gospel</strong><br />
<strong><em>Whatever we do, regardless of the issue we are addressing, we cannot shift our focus from the hope of the gospel.</em></strong> Following
Christ is hard and it will entail holding unpopular positions within
our culture. We should not only make the gospel clear in our teaching,
we should show why the gospel is really good news. We should be showing
the worth of Jesus in the way we live and what we teach. We should
highlight the joy of knowing and being known by our Redeemer. We should
show how the gospel really is good news to the lives of teenagers in our
culture.<br />
The gospel is good news for all people regardless of age, gender, race or sexuality.<br />
<ul>
<li>It is good news about God coming to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).</li>
<li>It is good news that our old self is gone and that we now have a new identity in Christ (Col. 3:1-11; Eph. 4:17-32).</li>
<li>It is good news that our past does not define us nor do our present
circumstance limit the work God wants to do in and through us (Phil.
3:12-14).</li>
<li>It is good news about God coming to set us free from the bondage and shame of sin (Luke 4:18-19; 1 John 1:9).</li>
<li>It is good news about God forgiving the guilt of our sin (Mark 2:1-12; 1 John 1:9).</li>
<li>It is good news about God bearing the full wrath of God in our place (Rom. 3:24-26; 5:1).</li>
<li>It is good news about God bringing us out from the rule of sin into his glorious kingdom (Mark 1:15; Col. 1:13-14).</li>
<li>It is good news about God making us a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).</li>
<li>It is good news about God bringing us from death to new, abundant life (Eph. 2:1-10; John 3:3-5; John 10:10).</li>
<li>It is good news about God beginning the restoration of all things (Rom. 8:19-20), including our broken sexual desires.</li>
</ul>
The gospel holds out a better way for teenagers in the midst of our hyper-sexualized world. <strong><em>Now
is the time to press into God’s Word, draw near to our neighbors, and
speak and live with compassion and without compromise as we address the
issues of sexuality with our teenagers.</em></strong><br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="https://michaelguyer.wordpress.com/2017/06/07/teens-sexuality-addressing-sexuality-with-teenagers/">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-48376877221419776062017-07-08T21:22:00.001-07:002017-07-08T21:22:32.430-07:003 Ways You Can Help Teens Who Struggle With Porn<div class="td-post-header">
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<h1 class="entry-title">
3 Ways You Can Help Teens Who Struggle With Porn</h1>
<div class="td-module-meta-info">
<div class="td-post-author-name">
<div class="td-author-by">
By</div>
<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/Doug">Doug Fields</a><div class="td-author-line">
- </div>
</div>
<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-07-02T23:00:00+00:00">July 2, 2017</time></span> </div>
</header>
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There are so many areas of life that are damaging that we’re unwilling and/or afraid to talk openly about. Porn is one of them.<br />
I’m so tired of hearing about this! It breaks my heart when I see the
grip it has on Christian leaders, and it kills me knowing that our
youth groups are full of teenagers who are dying in this
battle/struggle.<br />
I meet every week with a small group of 10th grade guys whom I love
deeply. They’re great kids, yet I know every single one of them
struggles with lust/porn and is always one click away from a
self-defeating spiral. This trap has a cost!<br />
Neighboring youth worker and apologist <a href="http://www.conversantlife.com/morality/the-social-costs-of-pornography">Sean McDowell wrote an interesting post on The Social Costs of Pornography</a>. He writes:<br />
<em>Today’s pornography is different from any in the past in three
ways. (1) Accessibility. The Internet has made porn ubiquitous. (2)
Quality. Today’s porn is much more hardcore. (3) Consumption. Porn
consumption has increased radically with the advent of the Internet. 69
percent of men and 10 percent of women report viewing pornography more
than once a month. 87 percent of men admit using it in the past year.
The researchers conclude, “In sum, there is evidence that more
people—children, adolescents and adults—are consuming
pornography—sporadically, inadvertently or chronically—than every
before”.</em><br />
<strong>Here are a few actions you and I might consider taking to
help the awesome teenagers who are entrusted to our care and looking for
help.</strong><br />
<h2>
<strong>Be educated.</strong></h2>
Even if you are one of those who isn’t/hasn’t/won’t be tempted by
pornography—that’s great…but, recognize that you’re in the minority.
Don’t assume it’s not an issue for your teenagers. Get the facts. Do
your homework. Know what’s happening.<br />
<h2>
<strong>Model accountability.</strong></h2>
I know there are dozens of great software and filter options out
there, but I love the software developed by XXXchurch.com because it
promotes accountability. We’re only as sick as our secrets, and this
software shares your “secret” with a friend—it forces you to talk about
it when you fail. Check it out—for $7 a month it should be mandatory for
family computers.<br />
<h2>
<strong>Talk openly. </strong></h2>
I took a risk when my small group was in 9th grade and said, “I’m
just going to assume that pornography is an issue in your life. If it’s
not, let us know—that’s great. But, based on my conversations with a lot
of guys—I’m betting that you struggle with it.” Wow! That risk paid
off. Great conversations followed. Guys signed each other for filters
and accountability and it’s now an open subject in our small group.
There was healing in them knowing that they’re not alone.<br />
I know there’s a lot more that could be written and discussed and
that’s why the rest of this week on this blog will be “porn week” (not
as much fun as “shark week” but just as dangerous).<br />
<strong>Question: </strong><em>What are you doing to help the students in your ministry in dealing with pornography?</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-54406875222707355872017-06-15T01:25:00.002-07:002017-06-15T01:25:24.560-07:00Culture and Discipleship<h1 class="page_title">
Christiana Rice: Culture and Discipleship</h1>
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By <span class="story_author">Taylor Bird</span>
<span class="story_date"> • March 20, 2017</span>
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“We need to learn reconciliation and unity. How can we love our neighbors when we can’t even love our sisters and brothers?”<br />
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<h3>
Recent Stories</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="title" href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23030-spiritual-disciplines-pastors.html" title="4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect">4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect</a>
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<a href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23030-spiritual-disciplines-pastors.html" title="4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect"><img alt="" class="attachment-80x60 size-80x60 wp-post-image" src="http://omag-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17-Feature-4-Spiritual-Disciplines-Pastors-Often-Neglect-0615-300x225.jpg" /></a>
<span>“I have a hunch
that we often unintentionally miss these practices. As you read each
one, ask yourself when you last practiced it.”<br />
</span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<a class="title" href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23028-selfie-culture-worship.html" title="The Selfie Culture: Who Are We Worshipping?">The Selfie Culture: Who Are We Worshipping?</a>
<div>
<a href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23028-selfie-culture-worship.html" title="The Selfie Culture: Who Are We Worshipping?"><img alt="" class="attachment-80x60 size-80x60 wp-post-image" src="http://omag-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17-Feature-The-Selfie-Culture-Who-Are-We-Worshipping-0614-300x225.jpg" /></a>
<span>“It appears people have lost the ability to appreciate the world around them without inserting themselves in it.”<br />
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<a class="title" href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23010-pastor-isolation.html" title="4 Ways to Escape the Pastor-Isolation Trap">4 Ways to Escape the Pastor-Isolation Trap</a>
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<a href="http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/23010-pastor-isolation.html" title="4 Ways to Escape the Pastor-Isolation Trap"><img alt="" class="attachment-80x60 size-80x60 wp-post-image" src="http://omag-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17-Feature-4-Ways-to-Escape-the-Pastor-Isolation-Trap-0614-300x225.jpg" /></a>
<span>“As my mentor has said to me in so many occasions, ‘The Enemy works in isolation; God works in community.'”<br />
</span>
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<a href="http://outreachmagazine.com/culture-and-discipleship" target="_blank"><i>Culture and Discipleship</i></a>
is a conversation, a roundup of nine compelling voices—authors, church
leaders, culture observers and disciple-makers. Together, they present a
hopeful, pointed challenge to pastors who are looking to redemptively
engage the culture for the purpose of effective discipleship.<br />
<span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>CHRISTIANA RICE</b></span><br />
<i>To Alter Your World: Partnering With God to Rebirth Our Communities</i> (IVP, 2017)<br />
<h2>
<b>1. What do you see as the biggest challenge to effective discipleship in the American church?</b></h2>
I think there is a grave contradiction at play. On one hand, many
people want to find their own truth and have the freedom to question the
traditional beliefs of the church. On the other hand, these same people
still expect clergy or spiritual leaders to do the work of excavating
truth for them, and addressing their questions with more questions or
possible answers. This kind of contradictory paradigm produces inactive
and self-absorbed disciples who will struggle to grow and thrive in
their faith. They remain independent consumers, never tasting the joy of
committed community on mission together.<br />
<h2>
<b>2. How does the expression of the church’s mission look different today than it did a few years ago?</b></h2>
Learning to become more culturally aware is currently a common
discussion among church leaders and planters. Many churches have begun
to turn their attention toward “the neighborhood,” desiring to be more
attuned to their contexts and committed to the felt needs of their
neighbors. It’s a wonderful shift.<br />
We still wrestle, however, with an inconsistent definition of what it
means to engage our neighborhoods. For some, engagement means getting
to know the context where our church gathers or where our church
building exists and seeking to make a positive, Christ-spirited impact
there. For others, engagement is more holistic and involves inhabiting
neighborhoods with our lives, choosing to live more deeply as the church
in a particular place and fostering Christ’s transformation from the
inside out.<br />
No matter your expression, every church must continually ask the
question, “What is God already doing (or birthing) here, and how do we
participate?” In our book <a href="http://amzn.to/2o0D4pe" target="_blank"><i>To Alter Your World</i></a>,
we contend that participating in God’s world-altering mission means we
begin to live a new narrative, telling an alternative story to that of
the prevailing impression of Christian thought and practice. This will
require more sacrifice, authenticity, collaboration, commitment and
service, and much more willingness to be shaped by the mission of God
along the way.<br />
<h2>
<b>3. How can the church redemptively engage the culture while remaining faithful to its discipleship mission?</b></h2>
With Jesus as our model, it is impossible to be faithful to God’s
mission without engaging culture. The entire story of God is about an
embodiment of love, redemption and salvation, in and for the world. The
biblical narrative instructs us on how to love God, love ourselves and
love our neighbors as an interdependent community, incarnating Jesus
wherever we are. This requires that we stay connected to God, to our own
hearts and to the community. When we disconnect, we forget our call to
love and our identity as God’s beloved. Disembodiment and disconnection
are the antithesis to effective missional engagement.<br />
<h2>
<b>4. Which cultural issues will have the biggest influence on the church in the next five years?</b></h2>
There’s no doubt that our Christian family is divided. We have
polarizing theological views that divide us further and further apart.
Perhaps now more than ever, we need to learn the everyday practice of
reconciliation and unity. How can we love our neighbors well when we
can’t even love our sisters and brothers?<br />
<h2>
<b>5. What encourages you about the recent re-emergence of church planting in the church?</b></h2>
I’m encouraged when I see church plants really “planting” by taking
the time to tend to the soil of a real place and establish healthy
roots. A rooted church becomes a part of the cultural ecosystem,
affecting everything around it. The future impact of the church, rooted
in neighborhoods, has the potential to transform societies with the
loving redemption of Jesus.<br />
<strong><a href="http://outreachmagazine.com/culture-and-discipleship"><i>Read more from our discussion on C</i><em>ulture and Discipleship</em><i> »</i></a></strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://outreachmagazine.com/culture-and-discipleship"><i>
</i></a></strong><strong></strong><em><strong>Christiana Rice</strong>
is a practitioner and visionary voice in the missional church movement,
a leader of a neighborhood faith community in San Diego, California,
and the co-author of </em>To Alter Your World: Partnering With God to Rebirth Our Communities<em> (IVP, 2017).</em><br />
</div>
Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-64709469474307947142017-06-15T01:23:00.002-07:002017-06-15T01:23:15.369-07:005 Keys for Pastors Leading Small Groups<div class="td-post-header">
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5 Keys for Pastors Leading Small Groups</h1>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-06-08T23:00:56+00:00">June 8, 2017</time></span> </div>
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<div class="first-child ">
Since beginning Grace Community Church I have
personally led a small group study, many times meeting in our home.
Cheryl and I have loved each of our groups. Some of our best friends in
life have come from these groups. I hear from pastors who don’t want to
lead a group or feel that they shouldn’t, but from my experience, I
think it is best when a pastor does.</div>
<ul>
<li>It models groups for the church</li>
<li>It keeps a pastor close to people</li>
<li>It helps a pastor know the real thoughts of people with the church</li>
</ul>
Of course, the pastor, as a small group leader, leads the group
in Bible study, but there is so much more that helps a group be
successful.<br />
<h3>
Here are five suggestions for pastors leading a small group:</h3>
<strong>Fellowship</strong> – We don’t just do group with our group.
We do life with our group. Recently we went to a ballgame together,
because one of the members of our group coaches the local university
baseball team. We periodically suspend group just to fellowship
together. The closer our group grows to each other, the more relevant
our Bible studies seem to be and the better we are at sharing our hearts
with each other.<br />
<strong>Serve</strong> – With our most recent group, we started
serving together once a month. We help feed families at a local
ministry. It’s been a great commitment for our group and we’ve grown
closer together and learned to better appreciate all God has given us as
individuals and as a group.<br />
<strong>Access</strong> – With a large church, I can’t always be
available to everyone in the church, but those in my small group always
have access to my time. They have my cell phone and permission to
contact me at anytime. We’ve walked through multiple tragedies and
struggles with people in our groups. They begin to see me as a fellow
group member during those times, far more than they see me as their
pastor.<br />
<strong>Be authentic</strong> – I have flaws too. Hopefully my
preaching reveals that also, but my group especially knows it to be
true. Cheryl and I don’t hide the fact that we have personal struggles.
The longer our group is together the more real they find us to be. In
fact, they realize we aren’t that different in our struggles from the
struggles life brings them.<br />
<strong>Let others lead</strong> – I try not to have all the answers.
The expectation at first may be that I do, but I don’t. This is not the
time for me to show my biblical knowledge. (Some in my groups have had
as much or more than me.) This is the time to learn the Bible together,
without the pressure on any of us to be smarter than the others. I like
to hand off teaching responsibilities when possible. It raises new
leaders, spreads the responsibility around the group and emphasizes the
fact that everyone is part of the discipleship process.<br />
Pastors, jump in the middle of this ministry. It will help you and your church!<br />
What do you think? Should pastors lead a small group Bible study or not?<br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://ronedmondson.com/2012/03/5-suggestions-when-the-pastor-leads-a-small-group.html">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-66941626305746803752017-06-15T01:22:00.002-07:002017-06-15T01:22:39.961-07:008 Ways to Shape Your Family Spiritually<div class="td-post-header">
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8 Ways to Shape Your Family Spiritually</h1>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-06-11T23:00:51+00:00">June 11, 2017</time></span> </div>
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<em>“Hear, O Israel: The</em> <em>Lord</em> <em>our God, the</em> <em>Lord</em> <em>is one. You shall love the</em> <em>Lord</em> <em>your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your
heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk
of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and
when you lie down, and when you rise.” </em><strong><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Deut 6.4-7" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deut%206.4-7">Deuteronomy 6:4-7</a></strong><br />
A parent’s most basic task is to help their children learn how to
live in God’s world. This isn’t a once in a while task, but
an opportunity that is available nearly every moment.<br />
One of our elders recently shared how he an his wife help their
seven children develop spiritually. What follows are my reflections on
the principles he shared with us.<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Family Devotions</strong></li>
</ol>
Few habits are more important in a home than daily Bible
reading. There is no magic formula to the reading, just open the Bible
and read it together. Read through chapter by chapter and discuss what
you learn about God, about people and how you should respond. Then ask
God to help you. How much you read is less important than the
consistency of your reading. A family that feasts on daily manna
together is a family that will grow in their love for the Giver of
the manna.<br />
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Individual Devotions</strong></li>
</ol>
Children that can read should be encouraged to read the Bible.
They should not be forced to do it, but they should be encouraged to do
it. One of the most important parts of parenting is teaching
your children to listen to the voice of their heavenly Father. Encourage
your children to read, write down questions and talk about what they
are reading with you. And make sure you are in the Word as well. Seeing
their parents make the Word a priority will only reinforce their need to
do the same.<br />
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Corporate Prayer</strong></li>
</ol>
Pray together. When you are short on money, gather together and
ask God to provide what you need. When you face bullies at school
or problems at work, gather together and pray. When God provides for
your family, gather together and celebrate. When there are sorrows or
suffering or sickness, gather together and cry out to God. Fill
the atmosphere of you home with prayer. There’s not one thing we face in
which God is not needed, so gather together often to pray.<br />
<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Individual Prayer</strong></li>
</ol>
Encourage your child to pray. At first, they will not know how,
but neither did the disciples. Show them how Jesus taught His disciples
to pray (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 6.9-13" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%206.9-13">Matthew 6:9-13</a>).
Show them how the psalmists prayed. Praying as a family is important,
but teaching them to pray as an individual is also important. Show them
that the Father in heaven hears when they come to Him in secret (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 6.6" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%206.6">Matthew 6:6</a>). I do not think you ought command them to pray, but I cannot think of a better constant encouragement.<br />
<ol start="5">
<li><strong>Talking About What God Thinks About Everything</strong></li>
</ol>
We live in God’s world. He made everything in it. That means
that every blade of grass, every sip of water, every note of music and
every movie made by an image bearer points to Him. Learn to help your
children see with enlightened eyes. This is one of my favorite parts of
parenting. We try to not allow an experience we have together go
unexamined. What would God think about the movie we just watched? What
message is in the song we just listened to? Why did God create an
underwater world so few ever see? Why would God give us pets that
die? Why does God make us sleep so much of our lives? Questions about
God’s creation and our experiences in it are an inexhaustible mine of
mind-shaping opportunity. Help your family to examine all things through
the lens of God’s Word.<br />
<ol start="6">
<li><strong>Talking about our sin and the sins of others</strong></li>
</ol>
Everyone in your house is a sinner—and everyone knows it. Teach
your children what to do about it. They ought see their father
and mother humbly confessing sins to each other, and to them. Few family
trips are more important than the ones to the throne of grace. Has
someone used harsh words? Has someone lied? Confess it to God together.
Ask one another for forgiveness. Parents need to wisely consider what to
confess to their children, but it should happen. A family that learns
to confess sins together will know the power of the Gospel in a way that
is unattainable any other way.<br />
<ol start="7">
<li><strong>Consistent Church Life</strong></li>
</ol>
The life of the family should be oriented around the life of
God’s people. Few things teach a child apathy toward God like skipping
church for sports or unnecessary weekend getaways. A child should see,
from their earliest age that gathering with other Christians to sing,
pray and hear God’s Word is the greatest of privileges one can have.
Certainly there are other things families can and ought do together, but
faithful service of God’s mission as part of a healthy local church is
one of the most essential.<br />
<ol start="8">
<li><strong>Individual Time With Each Child</strong></li>
</ol>
Each child is unique. This means each child requires unique care
and attention. In families with numerous children, individual time with
each child is important. Some will need stern direction where others
will require gentler shepherding. Some will respond well to structure
while others may be stifled by it. Each child will have unique questions
and abiding sin struggles. God the Father relates to each of His
children uniquely, we must do the same for our children.<br />
There is no perfect strategy to produce perfect children. But these
are a few principles that if followed in faith, can be used by God to
help create a spiritual-mindedness in our children that we hope will
bear fruit for His glory.<br />
<em>These eight principles came from a talk one of our elders, <a href="http://delraybaptist.org/welcome/our-leadership/shepherds/">Mercury Payton</a>, recently shared with our church. </em><br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://garrettkell.com/8-ideas-to-shape-your-family-spiritually/">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-69171309402602468102017-06-15T01:21:00.003-07:002017-06-15T01:21:47.546-07:00Three Indonesian Soccer Players Show Us All How to Practice Religious Harmony<div class="td-post-header">
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Three Indonesian Soccer Players Show Us All How to Practice Religious Harmony</h1>
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By</div>
<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/mbriggs">Megan Briggs</a><div class="td-author-line">
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-06-09T09:39:28+00:00">June 9, 2017</time></span> </div>
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When the following picture was posted to Bali United’s Football Club
on June 4, 2017, it made a statement to fans of the team. But after a
few days, the picture circulated beyond the team’s fans and is making a
statement all around this world that is rife with religious tension.<br />
The picture shows three Bali United players giving thanks for a goal.
It’s a snapshot of religious harmony—a Hindu, Christian and Muslim
side-by-side, giving thanks for a goal they accomplished together.<br />
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The caption on the photo reads, “Because different beliefs will not
prevent us from achieving the same goals.” The symbolism of the players’
simple act of thanks and unity isn’t going unnoticed.<br />
The players in the photo, Hindu defender Ngurah Nanak (left),
Christian forward Yabes Roni (middle) and Muslim striker Miftahul Hamdi
(right) each assumed the posture their respective religious typically
use to pray. The players had a sense what their simple act of prayer
would convey. Speaking to Indonesia’s <a href="http://bola.kompas.com/read/2017/05/18/07060028/memaknai.selebrasi.keberagaman.ala.bali.united" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kompas newspaper</a>, Christian Yabes Roni said, “Even though we all come from different religions and ethnicities, we’re all one.”<br />
The practicality of religious harmony in a diverse society has proved
troublesome for this Asian nation. An archipelago composed of more than
17,000 islands and a very diverse population to go along with it,
Indonesia has a reputation for religious tension. The vast majority of
the population (over 260 million people) are Muslim, however Christians,
Hindus and Buddhists also call Indonesia home—especially on the island
of Java, where the capital city, Jakarta, is located and over half the
population resides. Indonesia’s motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” which
means “Unity in Diversity,” or more literally, “Many, Yet One.”<br />
This motto is what the soccer players were hinting at with their
photo. The country has struggled to maintain what religious harmony it
has been able to achieve recently, after a drawn out case involving
Basuki (“Ahok”) Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta’s first Christian governor,
ended in the well-respected governor deemed guilty of <a href="http://churchleaders.com/news/international/302510-one-brief-moment-history-indonesia-worlds-largest-muslim-nation-christian-governor.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blasphemy against Islam</a>
and sentenced to two years imprisonment. Christians and Muslims alike
are reeling after the verdict, convinced it is the work of hard-line
Muslims who do not share the majority of the population’s practice of
Islam or views on politics.<br />
This picture of the soccer players may seem like a small,
insignificant step toward gaining back some of the country’s peace, but
it is a step nonetheless. In the broader story of the world, it can
remind all of us—Indonesian or otherwise—that we can work together to
achieve the same goals and that, when achieved, we can all give thanks
according to our respective traditions.Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-19750733737663566082017-06-07T23:12:00.001-07:002017-06-07T23:12:45.815-07:00New Movie ‘Faithkeepers’ focuses on the Persecuted Church Around the World<div id="yiv0397765604art-main">
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<strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134858">New Movie ‘Faithkeepers’ focuses on the Persecuted Church Around the World</strong></h2>
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<strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134856">By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=acfac62f59&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.assistnews.net</a>)</strong></div>
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<strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS - June 7, 2017) --</strong>
“America will stand by followers of Christ in this hour of need,” US
Vice President Mike Pence told the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted
Christians, the recent conference on the topic of persecution held in
the nation’s capital.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134872" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<img alt="mi Vice President Mike Pence 06 07 2017" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134871" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/mi_Vice_President_Mike_Pence_06-07-2017.jpg" style="border: 0; float: right; margin-left: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />“Our
administration is fully committed in bringing relief and comfort to
believers, not only across the Middle East but across the world,” he
said.</div>
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People
from 130 countries were represented at the summit, which was organized
by evangelist Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134874" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
So what is happening to Christians around the world that is worrying so many people?</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134876" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Clarion Project’s new film <em>Faithkeepers</em> uncovers the horrific reality faced by so many simply for being who they are.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134878" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
In
the Middle East, the birthplace of Christianity, Christians and other
minorities are being violently persecuted, driven out of their homes,
and killed,” the <em>Faithkeepers</em> team says. “Their places of worship are being destroyed, and their history is being erased.”</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134880" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Across
the world, but particularly in the Middle East, Christians and other
religious minorities are persecuted for their faith. Most of this
persecution is meted out at the hands of radical Islam, although by no
means all of it.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134882" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<img alt="mi Paula Micah Sasha Film Team 06 07 2017" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/mi_Paula-Micah-Sasha-Film-Team_06-07-2017.gif" style="border: 0; float: left; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />In
Iraq and Syria, ravaged by war, Christians, Yazidis and other minority
groups are suffering grievously under the yoke of terrorist groups like
the Islamic State. Christian communities that fall under their control
are given a simple choice: convert to Islam, pay the jizya, a
humiliating protection tax, or die.</div>
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Thousands
of Yazidi women and girls were kidnapped into sex slavery and sold in
the markets of Mosul and Raqqa. They have suffered unimaginably.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134886" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“<em>Faithkeepers</em>
gives face and voice to the humanitarian crisis and genocide affecting
millions in the Middle East as a result of religious and ethnic
persecution,” the <em>Faithkeepers</em> team added.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134888" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“The film is a testament to the stories of the persecuted and an inspiring portrait of the human spirit. <em>Faithkeepers</em> – the movie and movement – will awaken, enlighten and inspire all people of faith to stand up and take action.”</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134890" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
In an exclusive interview with <em>Faithkeepers</em> Producer Paula Kweskin by Elliot Friedland, obtained by ASSIST News Service (<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=58d395034a&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.assistnews.net</a>), she was asked why she’s so excited about her latest movie, which premiered on May 23.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134892" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“It
brings much needed attention to the horrific persecution faced by
Christians and other minorities in the Middle East,” she said.</div>
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<strong>What is the goal of <em>Faithkeepers</em>?</strong></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134895" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<img alt="mi Faithkeepers Poster 06 07 2017" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134894" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/mi_Faithkeepers-Poster_06-07-2017.gif" style="border: 0; float: right; margin-left: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />“We
would like to awaken the Christian community and all people of
conscience to understand and be empowered to take action on behalf of
Christians and other minorities in the Middle East who are experiencing
genocide. We feel there is a real lack of information and this is first
and foremost a film to educate people and wake them up about this
humanitarian crisis.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Asked
what efforts is the U.S. government doing to protect Christians in the
Middle East and is it enough? Kweskin said: “Congress has taken a number
of steps to protect Christians and other minorities in the Middle East.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134897" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“House
Concurrent Resolution 75, which passed the House of Representatives in
March 2016, correctly states ‘the atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) against Christians, Yezidis, and
other religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria constitute war
crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.’ The bill is currently
awaiting passage through the Senate but if passed it will push the U.N.
and other international bodies, working with U.S. leadership, to
establish war crimes tribunals for ISIS leaders and take other more
robust steps to tackle ISIS. There are other proposed bills, including
one which would expedite the asylum process for Christians and other
minorities fleeing ISIS persecution. [Editor’s Note: HR (House
Resolution) 390, ‘The Iraq and Syria Emergency Genocide Relief and
Accountability Act’ passed the U.S. House of Representatives on the
evening of June 6 by unanimous consent].</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“In
addition, President Trump has increased the number of soldiers deployed
to Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS and earlier this year he gave Defense
Secretary Mattis the authority to set troop levels in Iraq and Syria.
This means the U.S. military has the freedom to commit the forces it
needs to eliminate ISIS, working with local partners on the ground.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“We
have a three-pronged call to action: Awareness, advocacy, and aid.
Visit our website for more information on how exactly to help (<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=db02e1efe0&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">https://clarionproject.org</a> ).</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“Awareness:
Spread the word by posting the trailer on your Facebook page or sending
it to family and friends – each one of has the capacity to do that and
awareness leads to action.</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“Advocacy:
Speak to elected officials and make sure they are engaged on the issue
and are supporting steps to end the genocide and help these communities.</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“Aid:
We are collecting funds to distribute to selected charities and
organizations in the region doing critical work on the ground.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Visit <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=dbeee56140&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.faithkeepersfund.com</a> to donate.</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong>What
needs to be done to help Christians and other minorities who are now
returning to villages and towns that were devastated by ISIS?</strong></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“First
and foremost, there has to be strong security in place. But we can’t
just protect them, we also have to help them rebuild. Right now they’re
going back to destroyed churches and homes and are in a terrible
situation. We need to give them the support to restore their devastated
communities, whether that is politically, economically or in other ways.
But I don’t think it will be possible for them to return unless there
is a strong effort from the international community to assist them, not
just in the short term but in the long term.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
How
do you respond to people who say the United States has already wasted
too much blood and treasure in the Middle East and that it’s not our
problem to fix?</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“This
is a humanitarian mission that goes beyond any one country. I see a
genocide happening and I feel compelled to act. Minorities in the Middle
East are a stabilizing and moderating force in the region.</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“A strong, peaceful and diverse Middle East is definitely in America’s interests.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
The film premiered in the United States on May 23. Watch the trailer now: <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=9a088ca4fb&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/q6tW4_2F7oc</a></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Photo
captions: 1) Vice President Mike Pence. 2) Faithkeepers team on set
with Paula on filming duties with Micah Smith and Sasha Gorev. (Photo:
Faithkeepers). 3)Faithkeepers movie poster. 4) Michael Ireland.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134901" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134900"><img alt="Ireland Michael FEB.2009 320x276" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1496898781176_134899" src="http://assistnews.net/images/pictures/Ireland_Michael_FEB.2009_320x276.JPG" style="border: 0; float: right; margin-left: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />About
the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving
as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an
Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for
ANS since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Please consider
helping Michael cover his expenses in bringing news of the Persecuted
Church, by logging-on to: <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=6aa85eb8b5&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">https://actintl.givingfuel.com/ireland-michael</a></strong></div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-55376388846920680462017-06-01T23:37:00.001-07:002017-06-01T23:37:22.469-07:00Can You Be Too Creative for Your Own Good?<div class="td-post-header">
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Can You Be Too Creative for Your Own Good?</h1>
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<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/Phil">Phil Cooke</a><div class="td-author-line">
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-05-28T23:00:27+00:00">May 28, 2017</time></span> </div>
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I’m a big advocate for creativity and creative people. In fact, I’ve written an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Phil-Cooke-Creativity-ebook/dp/B01B5EIQ7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494298625&sr=8-1&keywords=Phil+Cooke+on+Creativity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ebook on the subject</a>,
and I’ve taught it to teams around the world. But occasionally, I find
creative people who use their creativity like a weapon to undermine
projects, become control freaks or play to their laziness. Here’s what I
mean:<span id="more-15331"></span><br />
<strong>It happens when creative people think creativity is the only issue.</strong>
But no matter how creative a product, idea or project is, if it can’t
be delivered on time, it will fail. Plus, no matter how creative the
idea, if you can’t get along with other members of your team, it will
never be completed.<br />
Creativity is incredibly important, but if it doesn’t have a strategy
to be used correctly, it will never reach the right audience and make
an impact.<br />
I spoke to a book agent recently who told me about a writer he
represented. The writer was a bestselling, incredibly talented author.
But because he treated his editors with contempt and his publishers with
scorn, nobody wanted to work with him. In spite of his gigantic sales,
he’d been through nine publishers, and his current project will probably
never be read.<br />
A few years ago, I worked with a very contemporary church who had one
of the most creative television teams in the country. They really did
amazing work on a weekly TV program produced by the church. The problem?
They weren’t willing to adapt their creativity so the programming would
get a better response. They weren’t willing to consider fundraising,
promotional or other response techniques. As a result, the program,
which was otherwise amazing, never gained support. Because the video
team wanted to have fun and be wildly creative, the program eventually
crashed and today just limps along in a few markets.<br />
The bottom line is—creativity is a powerful God-given gift—but it’s
also an amazing tool. That’s why the best creative writers, directors
and producers know how to embrace techniques that create powerful
advertising, massive film releases and win international awards.<br />
<em>Be wildly creative. But unless your work impacts an audience, you’ll fail.</em><br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://www.philcooke.com/can-you-be-too-creative-for-your-own-good/">here</a>.</em><br />
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<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/Phil"><img alt="Phil Cooke" class="td-animation-stack-type0-1" src="http://churchleaders-eszuskq0bptlfh8awbb.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/files/author_images/PHIL_Cooke_Headshot_151994416.jpg" style="float: left;" /></a><div class="desc">
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<span class="fn"><a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/Phil">Phil Cooke</a></span></div>
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Phil
Cooke is the founder and CEO of Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California
(cookepictures.com)where he helps church, ministry, and nonprofit
organizations engage the culture more effectively. He's a filmmaker,
media consultant, and author of "Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age
of Brands and Social Media." </div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-83256665106234149832017-06-01T23:36:00.001-07:002017-06-01T23:36:30.819-07:00Ten Questions Christians Should Ask of Their Entertainment<div class="td-post-header">
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Ten Questions Christians Should Ask of Their Entertainment</h1>
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<a href="http://churchleaders.com/author/kevin-2">Kevin Halloran</a><div class="td-author-line">
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-05-30T23:00:10+00:00">May 30, 2017</time></span> </div>
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“But,” says one, “are we not to have amusements?” Yes, such
amusements as you can take in the fear of God. Do what Jesus would have
done.” —Charles Spurgeon<br />
We live in an unprecedented age of entertainment. The average American spends over 10 hours per day in front of a screen.<br />
Never before have we had so many options of TV shows, movies, music,
blogs, social media and books available through so many different
mediums (TV, Internet, Netflix, etc.). How can we make sure we
faithfully follow Christ in this new entertainment age?<br />
<div class="p1">
Discerning media consumption needs more than a litmus test
of saying we shouldn’t watch excessive violence and sexuality (which is
true). We need to understand the complex and often subtle effects of
media on our lives.</div>
Let me be the first to say that I love all sorts of digital media,
and get much spiritual benefit from thinking through them in light of
Scripture. My goal with this simple list is to help you think more
Christianly about what you consume. As you read, ask the Lord how He may
want you to change to make the most of your short life.<br />
<h3>
1. Do your entertainment choices add anything of value to your life?</h3>
For Christians, media consumption can range from a harmless diversion
and relationship-builder to an idol-creating machine that wastes your
life and effectiveness for the Lord. Think through how entertainment
helps you achieve God’s purposes for you on earth. What value would be
missing if you were to never flip your TV on again or to delete the apps
that most distract you?<br />
<h3>
2. What desires do my entertainment choices cultivate in my heart?</h3>
What impact does entertainment have on your desires for God? If I’m
not intentional, my media consumption cultivates sinful desires.<br />
I remember watching a movie I didn’t expect to be so raunchy at a
friend’s house in high school and feeling distanced from God afterward. I
realized my desires changed after watching the movie. I no longer
desired to pray or read the Word like before. My flesh craved the
raunchiness I saw in the movie and I had to confess my sin to God and
feed on His word for a renewed mind (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 12.2" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.2">Romans 12:2</a>).
Chances are my example doesn’t sound strange to you. Psalm 1 describes
the blessed person as one who both constantly meditates on the Word of
God and doesn’t sit in the path of the wicked. That night at my friend’s
house I was sitting on a sofa in the path of the wicked as the movie’s
warped messages subtly shaped my desires.<br />
Not every entertainment choice will have the same effects, however.
We can train ourselves during more ‘neutral’ entertainment to direct our
gaze to the Lord in worship and ponder entertainment through the lens
of the gospel (read <a href="http://www.kevinhalloran.net/review-of-the-stories-we-tell/"><i>The Stories We Tell </i></a>by Mike Cosper for how to do this). Here are four questions that can help us with this:<br />
<ul>
<li>How does this reflect the beauty and goodness of God’s creation?</li>
<li>How does this reflect the sinfulness of humanity?</li>
<li>How does this reflect our need for a Savior who changes hearts?</li>
<li>How might this deepen our longing for the restoration, peace and fullness of life we will enjoy for all of eternity?</li>
</ul>
<h3>
3. Do you complain about wickedness in entertainment more than you pray for the people who make it?</h3>
Entertainment is filled with the silly, the sensational and the
sinful. It can be a temptation to complain about the dumb/wicked things
people do more than seeing them as sinners who need a Savior. Instead of
complaining, pray for the salvation of those you could easily criticize
(<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 Tim 2.1–4" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Tim%202.1%E2%80%934">1 Timothy 2:1–4</a>).<br />
<h3>
4. Does my entertainment consumption help me redeem the time in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16)?</h3>
Kent Hughes writes in <a href="http://amzn.to/2pPUBxU"><i>The Disciplines of a Godly Man</i></a>,
“It is impossible for any Christian who spends the bulk of his
evenings, month after month, week after week, day in and day out,
watching the major TV networks or contemporary videos to have a
Christian mind… A Biblical mental program cannot coexist with worldly
programming.”<br />
If the world compared your entertainment habits to your habits
seeking God through prayer and Bible reading, what would they see as
most important for you? Life is a breath, a vapor, and grass that
quickly fades. Don’t let the easy things in life steal from the more
valuable.<br />
<h3>
5. Do I want my entertainment habits to be imitated by my children (or those I lead)?</h3>
If you are a parent or leader of any kind, be warned that you pass on
your bad habits to the next generation. You are also susceptible to let
your kids be discipled by entertainment and leave them as
pleasure-loving materialists with dull hearts toward spiritual truth.
Seek to set a godly example in your consumption of entertainment.<br />
<h3>
6. What does this entertainment glorify?</h3>
<span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-7389ac70">Every entertainer holds values, and many entertainers promote their values through what they produce.<span class="sumo_twilighter_shares">1</span></span>
Many times their values are purely financial; meaning they would make
whatever would sell. Rarely do Christian values like wisdom, integrity,
the fear of God or exalting of Jesus Christ ever get airtime. Thus, we
must ask ourselves what values does a certain TV show or movie promote?
If we fail to discern this, the desires of our heart will be formed and
pulled away from Scripture. (See #2.)<br />
<h3>
7. Does TV amplify my gossip?</h3>
Gossip looks different for different people. Gossip for many women
might mean criticizing an actress’ weight or what they wore to XYZ
awards show. For men who scoff at celebrity culture, they might not
realize they do the same thing when it comes to the athletes they like
or dislike. Just because we may not know someone personally doesn’t mean
we have free reign to gossip.<br />
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is
good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to
those who hear.” <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Eph 4.29" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%204.29">Ephesians 4:29</a><br />
<h3>
8. What are you more willing to compromise: your Christian beliefs or your entertainment choices?</h3>
Again, this doesn’t assume that all entertainment is all bad, but
this question should help you unmask an idol if one exists. Be careful
if you often find yourself saying or thinking, “I know as a Christian I
shouldn’t watch __________, <i>but</i>…” This could be a sign you love entertainment over God.<br />
<h3>
9. What entertainment can you sacrifice for a <a href="http://www.kevinhalloran.net/a-prayer-to-live-a-life-worthy-of-the-gospel/">more God-honoring life</a>?</h3>
My wife and I choose to live without cable TV and thus hardly watch
any TV. This helps us not only save money but also steward our time by
not getting sucked into shows (or games) that add no value to our lives.
I also choose to not have Facebook or Twitter apps active on my phone
to remove another temptation to waste time. Less is more and life is
fuller when we make the right sacrifices to honor God.<br />
<h3>
10. Do your entertainment choices help you fulfill your God-given callings?</h3>
Entertainment used rightly can serve a great purpose: to help us
enjoy the life God has given us, to bring us closer to those we love,
and to have a greater understanding of the complex world we live in. It
can also distract us from our God-given callings.<br />
If entertainment is only about passive consumption and doesn’t
motivate you to actively create or think deeply, your entertainment
choices are unhealthy. If “fellowship” around entertainment is the main
basis of relationships for you, your entertainment choices are
unhealthy.<br />
<span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-290e73f">God
wants more from us than amusing ourselves to death (to borrow a phrase
from Neil Postman). He wants to be our greatest delight. He wants
greater Christ-likeness and abundant lives for His children.<span class="sumo_twilighter_shares">1</span></span> He wants to lead and guide us with His still, small voice. <em>Are you listening?</em><br />
My prayer is that the Lord would use these simple questions to shape your mind and heart to love Him more in all you do.<br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://www.kevinhalloran.net/ten-questions-christians-should-ask-of-their-entertainment/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-30836314846627762112017-06-01T22:53:00.002-07:002017-06-01T22:53:26.249-07:00Spiritual Strength<table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv5923530471innerTable" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52927" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52926">
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52977" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52976" style="font-family: arial;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52975" style="font-size: 16px;"><em id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52974">“When I am weak, then I am strong.”<br />2 CORINTHIANS 12:10</em></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52988" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52987" style="font-family: arial;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52986" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />The
way of the world says that in order to be
stronger, we must build ourselves up and seek strength and dominance
over others. Christians everywhere are keenly interested in how to be
increased, how to be stronger, how to take authority, how to rise up,
how to get more. They look for methods, formulas, and techniques for
becoming bigger and better. The results have been disappointing. Many
mistakes have been made and many people have been hurt and
disillusioned.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />The
Lord has a different approach for us to take. He invites us to accept
weakness in order to be strengthened. We do not become strong by
embracing strength, but by embracing weakness! This is the secret of all
spiritual power. When Paul learned this secret he was able to say,
“When I am weak, then I am strong.” This makes no sense to the natural
man.</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />Source: “Embrace the Cross” by Chip Brogden<br /><a href="http://www.chipbrogden.com/embrace-the-cross" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chipbrogden.com/embrace-the-cross</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Like this? Share your comments:<br /><a href="http://www.chipbrogden.com/may30" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chipbrogden.com/may30</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_52995">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53034" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53033" style="font-family: arial;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53032" style="font-size: 16px;">I am your
brother,</span></span></span></div>
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<img align="left" alt="Image" border="0" class="yiv5923530471model" height="108" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53027" src="http://www.chipbrogden.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/chip_sig.gif" style="margin: auto; max-width: 100%; min-height: auto; overflow-x: auto; padding: 0px 10px; width: 152px;" width="152" />
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<tr id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53006" style="border-spacing: 0px;"><td class="yiv5923530471container" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53005" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 33%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="yiv5923530471definition-parent" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53004">
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<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_53001" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chip Brogden </span></span></div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-12712375157769930012017-06-01T22:52:00.005-07:002017-06-01T22:52:49.535-07:003 Ways to Share Tech With Seniors<h1 class="page_title">
3 Ways to Share Tech With Seniors</h1>
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By <span class="story_author">Outreach Magazine</span>
<span class="story_date"> • May 29, 2017</span>
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Three idea starters for using technology to reach the seniors in your community.<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="body_text">
<b>Computer Help.</b> Host an evening for
seniors to bring in their laptops and ask all of their questions, from
understanding how their programs work to navigating the internet. Be
sure to show them around your church’s website as well as other sites
they may find helpful—the local library, their bank, etc.<br />
<b>Social Media.</b> Hold a class or a series of classes to help
seniors learn the ins and outs of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Consider bringing in teens from the youth group to help teach. You can
even show seniors how to FaceTime and/or Skype with their children and
grandchildren.<br />
<b>iPod drive.</b> Collect gently used iPods and then donate them to
Music & Memory—an organization that helps people in nursing homes
and other care facilities suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia to tap
into memories through music. For more info, check out <a href="http://musicandmemory.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MusicandMemory.org</a>.<br />
<a href="http://outreachmagazine.com/seniors"><em><strong>Find more seniors outreach ideas »</strong></em></a><br />
</div>
Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-53204185758458216682017-06-01T22:52:00.002-07:002017-06-01T22:52:21.513-07:00 Going to the “No-Go” Area<table align="center" bgcolor="#fafafa" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="yiv2091965048layoutTable" style="width: 600px;"><tbody id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_50033">
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<br /><span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_50039" style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
There
was a place in Sierra Leone the locals didn’t talk about. It was a
“no-go” area. Loko Town. A secret location on a mountain where evil
things were done. There, a manipulative occultist ruled over a gang of
violent men who terrorized the surrounding villages. And if that wasn’t
enough, Ebola had broken out in the area.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Would you ever dare to trek into such a place?</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_50053" style="margin-bottom: 1em;">
Our EHC pioneer missionaries did.</div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-30339740765775254322017-06-01T22:46:00.002-07:002017-06-01T22:46:08.781-07:00Leading Millennials? Core Issues You Need to Know<div class="td-post-header">
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Leading Millennials? Core Issues You Need to Know</h1>
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- </div>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-05-19T22:55:31+00:00">May 19, 2017</time></span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/25/millennials-overtake-baby-boomers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">According to a Pew Research study</a>,
Millennials have surpassed Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living
generation. Millennials, whom we now define as those ages 20-36, number
over 75.4 million, surpassing the 74.9 million Baby Boomers (ages
53-71). Businesses such as <a href="http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/millennials/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goldman Sachs are studying this trend</a>,
recognizing they will “change the ways we buy and sell, forcing
companies to examine how they do business for decades to come.”<br />
I too have been thinking about this new culture of Millennials as
they increasingly become the dominant culture in many of our churches.
What are the critical issues we must address to make mature disciples,
build sustainable communities and reach the world effectively? <strong>The following are my top five:</strong><br />
<div class="churc-post-content" data-id="287071" id="churc-1788771785">
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<ol>
<li><strong><u>Practice Presence</u> in a Digitally Connected World.</strong>
Millennials are the first generation where social media and smart
phones are the air they breathe. But screens can’t teach empathy or
face-to-face conversation. We have an amazing opportunity to offer Jesus
through our authentic presence—with eye contact, vulnerability and
attunement. And if we teach them how to practice presence with
themselves and others, they will passionately bring it to their
families, friendships and workplaces.</li>
<li><strong><u>Be Alone</u> in Community.</strong> Millennials’ longing
for community is deep and profound. Yet healthy communities are built on
people who are able to be alone and who are comfortable in their own
skin. Integrating silence, stillness and solitude into our discipleship
and churches is, I believe, particularly critical for this generation.</li>
<li><strong><u>Embrace Limits</u> in “Trying to Do It All.”</strong>
Millennials are particularly overwhelmed and overloaded in an effort to
“make it” in our intensely competitive worlds. From sports to academics
to the workplace, there has been a significant increase in pressure to
perform and not miss out (aka FOMO). The problem is we are human and
limited. God is God. We are not. Trusting God with our limits has been
with us since the Garden of Eden. We offer Millennials a gift when we
model and teach an applied theology of limits.</li>
<li><strong><u>Learn Healthy Relationships</u> in Conflicts.</strong>
The longing for life-giving, healthy relationships may be the greatest
felt need of Millennials, especially as it relates to conflicts—with
friends, parents, co-workers, bosses, dating relationships and marriage.
When we offered <em><a href="http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/courses/eh-relationships-course/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Emotionally Healthy Relationship Course</a></em>
last October at our church, 225 people signed up before we had a chance
to advertise it. Most were Millennials. We had to close registration.
They have inherited the brokenness and fragility of my Boomer generation
and desperately want to be learn a better way.</li>
<li><strong><u>Cultivate a Deep Inner Life</u> in Impacting the World.</strong>
Millennials want to change the world. That is a God-given, wonderful
desire. The problem is that it is not sustainable without an inner life
rooted in God. We are uniquely positioned in the church to meet this
profound need. To do this well, we must draw from the multiracial,
global church and the riches of different traditions going back to the
Church Fathers (2nd to 6th centuries).</li>
</ol>
This is my list. What might you add?<br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/5-core-issues-leading-millennials/">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-61646614491943595352017-06-01T22:43:00.000-07:002017-06-01T22:43:06.719-07:00 A Naked Conversation About Sex<div align="left" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17474">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17473" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17472" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17471" style="color: #010101;">I hope your holiday was as awesome and restful as mine was. Team K was in full bloom this weekend!</span></span><img height="1" src="http://caesarkalinowski.ontraport.com/o?ih=va_s_s_5Dw_5i_tDNe_AG_6ZB5ya_zKsV57crCT" width="1" /></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17480" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17479" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17478" style="color: #010101;">Right now I’m excited to tell you about this week’s Lifeschool podcast– <b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17486">my favorite episode we’ve done so far!</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17490" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17489" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17488" style="color: #010101;">Nothing
has exposed the gap between the church and the broader society quite
like the cultural argument over sexuality. Relationships, identities,
orientations and even seemingly straightforward concepts such as gender
have cut battle lines between the church and the world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17507" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17506" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://caesarkalinowski.ontraport.com/c/s/5Dw/tDNe/6/zZ/AG/6ZB5ya/vxlPxSQ4tM/P" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">In this episode</span></a> <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17505" style="color: #010101;">we speak to Debra Hirsch, author of the book <i>Redeeming Sex</i> , and discover a holistic, biblical vision of sex and gender that honors God and offers good news to the world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17515" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17514" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://caesarkalinowski.ontraport.com/c/s/5Dw/tDNe/s/zZ/AG/6ZB5ya/0vU9D3MkB/P" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17513" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17512" src="https://i.ontraport.com/28236.227c39eea92f6c22bf904ba5112ca6cb.PNG" style="min-height: 220px; width: 440px;" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17523" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17522" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17521" style="color: #010101;">Deb
reflects on some of her own journey with us as she brings fresh
language and insightful definitions of sexuality into the context of the
church.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;"><b>In This Episode You’ll Learn:</b></span></span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17533" style="margin-bottom: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17532" style="color: #010101; margin-left: 5pt; margin-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">Why sex and sexuality is such a “hot button” issue for the church</span></span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17535" style="color: #010101; margin-left: 5pt; margin-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">Why we need a much broader definition of human sexuality</span></span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17537" style="color: #010101; margin-left: 5pt; margin-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">How our understanding of sexuality can deepen our relationship with God</span></span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17539" style="color: #010101; margin-left: 5pt; margin-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">How the search for intimacy in relationships mirrors our search for God</span></span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17541" style="color: #010101; margin-left: 5pt; margin-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17572" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17575" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_17574" style="color: #010101;">What the church and Christians need to wake up to concerning sex</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://caesarkalinowski.ontraport.com/c/s/5Dw/tDNe/v/zZ/AG/6ZB5ya/vfmnXU1dDb/P" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">[Listen Now]</span></a></span></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">–Caesar</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #010101;">P.S. If you have any questions or thoughts, please hit Reply...we love hearing from you.</span></span></span></div>
Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-25096092683123536272017-06-01T22:39:00.000-07:002017-06-01T22:39:25.345-07:00Wonder Woman movie: Want her on your side?
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<strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14672">Wonder Woman movie: Want her on your side?</strong></h2>
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<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">By Rusty Wright, Special to ASSIST News Service (ANS Movie Review) </span></strong></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14669" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><img alt="WWposter Wonder ANSsize" src="http://assistnews.net/images/WWposter-Wonder-ANSsize.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #000000; float: right; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />MOUNT HERMON, CA (ANS – May 31, 2017)</span></strong><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14681" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
– She deflects speeding bullets with her bracelets, swan dives off a
tall cliff to rescue an Army officer who's crash landed in the ocean,
and dazzles with spectacular sword-and-shield combat moves. Her golden
lasso compels you to tell the truth. She's a friend/companion to the
Army officer, a princess to her Amazonian sisters. And she does it all
with power, grace, wisdom, and…wonder.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14683" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">If you were choosing teammates to defeat the bad guys, would you pick Wonder Woman?</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14687" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=a2ff4e872a&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Created</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> in 1941 as a kinder, gentler comic book superhero, she most recently appeared onscreen in 2016's </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, intervening in the nick of time to help the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader. They'll all return this November in </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Justice League</em><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14689" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">.
But first, Diana Prince/Princess Diana (Gal Gadot) gets her own film –
filled with action, excitement, nobility (parts made me want to cheer),
plot twists, compassion, and love – to remind the world of her roots,
her mission…and femme power. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14691" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Strength and beauty</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Wonder
Woman's comic book creator, William Moulton Marston, was a
Harvard-trained psychologist with a complicated, multifaceted life. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1496381613566_14701" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Superman
(1938 comic launch) and Batman (1939) were becoming too violent for
many readers' tastes. Seeking a family-friendly solution, publisher
M.C. Gaines hired Marston, who </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=8c91e3fadc&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">recommended</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> a "female superhero" with powers related to "love and truth and beauty" to inspire and sell comics to girls.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Strongly influenced by the women's suffrage movement, Marston </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=9cb4bd7b22&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">wanted</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> "to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman." He once </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=6fe3695570&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">admitted</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, "Frankly, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who, I believe, should rule the world."</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Feminist icon</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><img alt="SteveandDiana ANSsize" src="http://assistnews.net/images/SteveandDiana-ANSsize.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #000000; float: left; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />Wonder Woman has indeed become a </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=55f18b37cd&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">feminist icon</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, gracing the cover of </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ms.</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Magazine</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
three times. Gloria Steinem – huge fan – complained to DC Comics when
writers stripped her heroine of magical powers. The publisher restored
them.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The United Nations </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=5f7e617291&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">named</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
Wonder Woman its ambassador for female empowerment – until a slew of UN
staffers and others complained she was too white, too American, and too
curvaceous. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Regarding creator Marston's </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=a1b12d144e&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">life</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">:
his wife (Elizabeth Holloway), his lover (Olive Byrne) and he all lived
together. Each woman bore two children. Marston also invented the lie
detector (think Wonder Woman's golden lasso) and the famous </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=3705d23f95&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">DISC</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> psychological personality model (Dominance, Influence, Submission, and Compliance contribute to Diana's mission).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Olive Byrne's aunt was Margaret Sanger, whose feminist views also </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=8738b8a0ee&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">influenced</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Marston. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Greek and Roman mythology </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=25eabd3cd8&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">figured prominently</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> in Marston's youth, so it's not surprising that Wonder Woman's saga is steeped in such lore. She hails from </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=08ff46e153&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Themyscira</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, a fictional island with only female inhabitants who </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=1c3df6b424&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">fled</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Greece to escape enslavement by males. She worships and interacts with Greco-Roman gods. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Superhero spirituality</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Many comic book/cartoon characters exhibit spiritual links. </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=13957b90d5&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Superman</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=3ad42a2a7c&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">often</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
is a Christ figure. (A father sends to earth his only son, who becomes
a savior.) Charles Schultz wove numerous spiritual themes into </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=84f720ec87&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Peanuts</a></em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">. </span><em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=673ba1cda2&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Simpsons</a></em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> depicts multiple faiths including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Some find </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=13c443f7fc&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">biblical parallels</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> in the Wonder Woman canon. Amazons first </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=076cadbc70&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">lived</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
in an earthly paradise, then were cast out (Eden allusions?). The
comic book Wonder Woman died, rose again, ascended to heaven for a time,
then returned to earth. Jesus certainly elevated the status of women
(a central Wonder Woman cause). In contrast to social norms, he taught,
befriended, and traveled with them. Women were the first at his empty
tomb, first to see him alive again, first to spread that news.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The biblical </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=9d06bcbf03&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Deborah</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
was a judge, prophetess and military strategist with wisdom somewhat
similar to Diana's. She instructed Barak, a male military leader, to
engage in a strategic battle. Barak </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=5aed9fb9b5&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">replied</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">,
"I will go, but only if you go with me." Deborah chided Barak: "Very
well … I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this
venture, for the Lord's victory over Sisera [the opposing commander]
will be at the hands of a woman." Another woman, Jael, used guile and
stealth to kill Sisera. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Do humans need superheroes?</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><img alt="Dianaonhorse ANSsize" src="http://assistnews.net/images/Dianaonhorse-ANSsize.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #000000; float: right; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />Of
course, significant differences exist between Greco-Roman deities and
the biblical God. The former were multiple, could be capricious, and
exhibited flawed behavior. The latter is depicted as being "</span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=bd3ee6841d&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">one</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">," </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=8ddc207a11&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">unchanging</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> and "</span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=839e159d2c&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">holy</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">." </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In
any case, superhero stories remain widespread, perhaps because they tap
human needs to negotiate a hostile world. Fantasizing about
vanquishing evil and darkness – or cheering imaginary characters that do
– can provide temporary diversion from life's fears. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Consider
this: Many who embrace God as their "superhero" would say he is
reality, and that he sees a deep longing for deliverance in human
hearts. Could fictional-hero stories' popularity reflect genuine human
desire for divine connection?</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Something to chew on as you enjoy watching your superheroes this year.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Rated PG-13 (USA) "for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content." </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=e1010c0e02&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.WonderWomanFilm.com</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Opens June 2 (North America) </span><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=d9fb6e2fce&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">International Release Dates</a></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Copyright © 2017 Rusty Wright</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Photo
captions: 1) Wonder Woman poster. 2) Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine)
and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Copyright © 2017 Warner Bros. / Ratpac/
Photo: Clay Enos / TM & (c) DC Comics. 3) Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot).
Copyright © 2017 Warner Bros. / Ratpac. Photo: Clay Enos / TM & (c)
DC Comics. 4) Rusty Wright.</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=234da8e6b0&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><img alt="RustyWright ANSsizesmall" src="http://assistnews.net/images/RustyWright-ANSsizesmall.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #000000; float: right; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />Rusty Wright</a></span></em></strong><em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
is an author and lecturer who has spoken on six continents. He holds
Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from
Duke and Oxford universities, respectively.</span></em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=530ff341bc&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.RustyWright.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"># # #</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Editors:</span></strong><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">For access to these images and more, check <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=56a4569982&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=115e63d141&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=6870e29cad&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=621e06908b&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=b1e92e900a&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=1dfd693a59&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=26cfd0c83e&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=e45e7f1ce9&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-26329986009793517842017-05-27T23:14:00.001-07:002017-05-27T23:14:45.714-07:00Addicts in Serbia find Freedom in Jesus Christ<div id="yiv4951665643art-main">
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<strong>Addicts in Serbia find Freedom in Jesus Christ</strong></h2>
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<strong>By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (<a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=f24d14e524&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.assistnews.net</a>)</strong></div>
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<strong>NOVI SAD, SERBIA (ANS -- May 19, 2017) --</strong> Since the 1970’s Serbia has faced a growing problem with drugs and addiction.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257703" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Years
ago hospitals were unable to offer much help, so in 2006 Novi Sad
Christian Fellowship decided to open their church facilities for drug
addicts. The chief desire was to introduce them to Christ.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257712" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<img alt="mi Serbia drug addiction 05 19 2017" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257713" src="http://assistnews.net/images/mi_Serbia_drug-addiction_05-19-2017.jpg" style="border: 0; float: right; margin-left: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />Funding
is the first challenge for the Rainbow Rehab Center program led by
Danny and Vera Kuranji, who accept men and women in the rehabilitation
program without a charge because they and their family members do not
have funds.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257714" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“We
always take the step of faith and believe that God will provide. The
program lasts around 18 months and depends on how each person responds
to the change that Christ can bring in their lives,” the Kuranjis said
in an interview with Transform Europe Now <a href="http://assistnews.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6241e4f975144df9aa41202d6&id=1f84ddfbfc&e=6a86f10502" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.ten-uk.org</a>.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257715" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
The
next challenge is when someone wants to leave the program. “After a few
months some residents feel that they are no longer addicted and they
leave early. Often they go back to drugs. This is hard for us since we
have given ourselves for them and know they are not yet ready to face
life out of center,” the Kuranjis said.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257716" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Mihajlo
is 32-years-old, but he is not the same person who walked into the
center -- because now he is free from drugs and transformed from all
that the addict lifestyle involves.</div>
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The
Kuranjis said: “His parents divorced when he was a teenager and his mum
left the country for a new life in Germany. By this time Mihajlo was
already deep in his drug problem and living on his own in Belgrade.
Somehow, he decided to stop doing drugs and for a few years was clean
until he slipped back into the old habit. “Most of his former friends
were no longer alive and he knew that he was on a similar path. He was
desperate for change. Some friends brought him to the center. At first
he was tempted to leave. All the talk about a God was so foreign to him
because of his atheism! He doubted that he would ever be able to
believe. He stayed and after a couple of months he asked Jesus to take
over his ruined life.”</div>
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The
Kuranjis said two years later Mihajlo is a changed man, and has since
joined their staff in the center. “He helps other addicts to come to
Jesus and follow Him, and now has a big family that loves him --
something that he never had. His life finally has a purpose.”</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257719" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<img alt="mi Daniel and Vera Kuranji 05 19 2017" src="http://assistnews.net/images/mi_Daniel-and-Vera-Kuranji-05-19-2017.jpg" style="border: 0; float: left; margin-right: 15px; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" />Shortly
after the Kuranjis started the rehab for girls, Sofija was brought in
by her father, who was unable to help her or provide accommodation. “Her
husband also feared the impact on their little son watching his mother
unable to function. We watched her shaking, weak, pale and lost. We knew
that we had to do something. We couldn’t turn her away, and now we are
so are so glad that we didn’t! Eighteen months later Sofija is a changed
woman. She looks different, thinks differently, and has a bright new
identity. She is a child of God, who is loved, accepted, forgiven, and
free!</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“I
have a new wife,” said her husband. The family will soon be reunited
and little 3 -year-old Filip is patiently waiting for his mum to come
home. Sofija is free after 15 years of heroin addiction. She came in (to
the center) depressed and hopeless, and now she is glowing and
growing!”</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257720" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
According
to the Kuranjis, all the men and women from the center attend church
services and many of their family members come along as well. “The
church is the family. It’s the place where those staying at the center
have sister and brothers, as well as solid teaching. It’s the place
where they worship God.”</div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
They
were asked what has been their personal involvement in the rehab work?
“My wife, Vera and I started the ministry, and now we oversee the team
and are personally involved in rehab for both men and women. We often
bring them to our home and counsel them…we are like parents to them.
Work with them is more than work, (it is) ministry; it is our life,”
said Danny.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257721" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
“Our
biggest need and challenge is financial support. We always have at
least 20 people in rehab for at least 16 months and they do not pay at
all. Running costs for each person are more than GBP£200 (USD$260) for
each month. For this we totally trust God to provide and are grateful to
all that are part of His plan to provide.”</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495945487324_257724" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Photo captions: 1) Drug addiction is a serious problem in Serbia. 2) Danny and Vera Kuranji. 3) Michael Ireland.</div>
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the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving
as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an
Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for
ANS since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Please consider
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Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-5466656967983097732017-05-27T20:32:00.002-07:002017-05-27T20:32:26.132-07:00Are We Pandering to Millennials?<div class="td-post-header">
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Are We Pandering to Millennials?</h1>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-05-24T23:00:12+00:00">May 24, 2017</time></span> </div>
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Should churches change for the sake of the rising generation? This is
a perennial debate. At the Juicy Ecumenism blog, my friend Mark Tooley
has given <a class="ext-link" href="http://juicyecumenism.com/2014/03/31/should-the-church-pander-to-millennials/" rel="external nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some historical perspective</a> on why changing <em>theology</em>
to suit the perceived preferences of the younger generation is always a
bad idea. While the church should never “pander” to anyone, however,
the church does have a responsibility to “cater” to those who might be
making decisions about faith and the church. Such lifelong decisions are
most often made in one’s late teens and early adulthood, sometime in
the transition between high school, college/career, and (where
applicable) marriage and parenting. Reaching and retaining that rising
generation is a constant challenge to churches. Many churches have died
because they failed to meet the test.<br />
Reaching the rising generation involves three main factors.
Liberalizing one’s theology is not one of them—in fact, point #1 is the
opposite strategy.<br />
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1. Offer the transcendent, compelling message of the gospel. Ordering
one’s life around faith and the church requires considerable sacrifice.
Therefore, people have to see why church is so compelling that they
would bother to get out of bed on Sunday morning. Moralistic pabulum and
vague niceties don’t cut it. Pastors and teachers need to constantly
trumpet the shocking claims of the gospel. Our sin has put us in
jeopardy of hell. God became incarnate as a man, Jesus, lived a perfect
life, and died on the cross so we could be forgiven. He rose again
bodily to defeat death. He reigns forever now with the Father. These are
historic, bracing truths of Christianity, and they <em>compel</em> a response of adherence, for those with ears to hear.<br />
2. Bolster the families of the church to woo the rising generation, including the up-and-coming “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Generation Z</a>.”
The healthy church has a missionary mindset, but the church’s children
are its number one God-given mission field. In spite of dire warnings to
the contrary, children who grow up in functional, churchgoing families
are quite likely to embrace and practice their parents’ faith as adults.
Parents must learn to model the Christian faith, and to talk about it
intelligently and lovingly with their kids.<br />
3. Don’t sanctify the cultural manifestations of Christianity of a
bygone era. Christianity is incarnated into specific times and places,
and it can and does adapt to the culture of rising generations. (We can
argue later about whether the qualities of certain cultures are less
hospitable to genuine Christianity than others.) Can churches today
succeed who insist upon 1950s methods and styles (no email! 1st and 4th
stanzas from the hymnal!)? Yes, I am sure they can, but why let the
culture of previous generations dictate your strategies today?<br />
Getting a Twitter account and providing WiFi at your church is not
going to win the adherence battle alone. But refusing to adjust methods
and style can become an additional barrier to reaching the rising
generation. Churches should adopt a generous, outward-focused attitude
toward young people who are making faith and church decisions, and
“cater” to the forms of communication that speak to them.<br />
“Pandering” to the rising generation suggests modifying the historic
message of Christianity to suit contemporary ideology. As many churches
and denominations have found out to their peril, doing this is not
faithful. Ironically it does not work to recruit and retain young
people, either. But as long as the compelling message of Christian
orthodoxy remains in place, there certainly is justification for
“catering” to the rising generation. “Catering” implies serving, and
serving is a Christian virtue.<br />
<em>Sign up here for the <a href="http://eepurl.com/LA2Ln" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thomas S. Kidd newsletter</a>. It delivers weekly unique content only to subscribers.</em><br />
<em>This article originally appeared <a href="https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/evangelical-history/2017/04/12/pandering-to-millennials/">here</a>.</em>Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048671964511006470.post-4351231516860769862017-05-27T20:31:00.002-07:002017-05-27T20:31:22.456-07:00Why You Should STOP Being “On Fire for Jesus”<div class="td-post-header">
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Why You Should STOP Being “On Fire for Jesus”</h1>
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<span class="td-post-date"><time class="entry-date updated td-module-date" datetime="2017-05-24T22:55:00+00:00">May 24, 2017</time></span> </div>
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<strong>The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? </strong><strong>—Jeremiah 17:9</strong><br />
Christians love clichés. Maybe the one you’ll hear most often,
especially amongst youth groups, is being “on fire.” But is that just
something we say, or does it actually mean something? Before this steps
on too many toes, I need to be clear that I don’t consider using this
term a sin or anything of the sort. What I am asking is simple: Is the
phrase, and the accompanying attitude, biblical, or something less than
that?<br />
<h2>
What It Typically Means to Be on Fire</h2>
You’ll hear this phrase plastered on the A-list Christians. Most often, people will be referring to the ones who:<br />
– Donate millions or are moving overseas<br />
– Sing loudly at church<br />
– Post their devotionals on Instagram often<br />
– “Feel God’s presence” a lot (or talk about it, at least)<br />
– Have just gotten back from summer camp and are on their spiritual high<br />
However, as much as we may hate to admit it, being on fire really just comes down to feeling.<br />
Feeling like you are good with God. Feeling like the singing at
church is awesome, feeling like prayer is really going well in your
personal life. Feeling like you are close with God.<br />
Are any of those things necessarily bad? No.<br />
Does our relationship with God, and the vitality of it, often produce emotion in us? Yes.<br />
Does our relationship with God, and the vitality of it, necessarily produce the same positive feelings in us all the time? No.<br />
And that’s the rub. Yes, if I am living my life in obedience to
Jesus, in worship of him, and striving to grow in His grace, then I will
have the positivity that often comes along with it.<br />
But by no means does the Bible tell us to gauge our spiritual lives
solely (or even primarily) based on our feelings. It’s a reality in the
Bible that we will go through seasons of pain, doubt, failure,
feebleness and loss. Not every second of our lives will be exhilarating,
news-worthy, record-breaking happiness and excitement. Most of the
Christian life is radically ordinary.<br />
This leaves the standard of “being on fire” less a biblical encouragement and more of emotional legalism. Why?<br />
<h2>
Because the Bible Never Says It</h2>
It’s true. The Bible never refers to Christians (mature ones or new
ones) as being on fire. It never commands Christians to be on fire. As a
matter of fact, most people in the Bible that have fire in or around
them are normally under judgment.<br />
Most likely, people use this term as an off-shoot of the happening at
Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descends as “tongues of fire” on the
apostles, signifying the authenticity of their message and that the
presence of God dwelt in man, no longer in a temple building.<br />
Beyond that, the term has closer ties to counterfeit Benny Hinn revivals than it does to an explicit scriptural reference.<br />
So at best, we are making up our own term and shoving it into the
context of Acts 2. At worst, we become emotional Pharisees commanding
others to “feel on fire” when the Bible doesn’t command it. We may not
think of that as legalism, but it’s at least a mild form of it, as we’re
measuring other people’s maturity in relation to a subjective,
non-biblical standard.<br />
<h2>
So What Do We Do?</h2>
We do what the Bible tells us to do: We measure our standing with God by what we know to be true, not by what we feel is true.<br />
That’s where Jeremiah 17:9 comes in. Our hearts are deceitful. They
will be wrong. They will have feelings that are incorrect. They are not
the authority for life: God and His word is. We can have great feelings
and emotions during worship on Sunday while we still are casual with sin
in our lives. Conversely, we can feel broken while at the healthiest
spiritual place possible (c.f. 1 Peter 5:6).<br />
This is really the point of Romans 1-8 and the entire book of 1 John.
Truth determines how we live, not what we determine in our own
feelings. In particular:<br />
<em>For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart… —1 John 3:20</em><br />
<em>I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. </em><em>—1 John 5:13</em><br />
We will falter. Our faith will be weak at times. Our affection for
God will go through ups and downs. But the Bible never says that we
ought to question the validity of our faith based solely on feeling on
fire. John writes these things so that we may know.<br />
The Bible tells us that we must know. Truth is more important than
feelings, even good feelings of being on fire. Besides, if we base our
assurance of a relationship with God on how we feel the connection to
be, we will be left in despair more times than we can count.<br />
<h2>
Assurance Comes From Knowing</h2>
Assurance of salvation comes from what we know. We must know God. We
must know what he has done. We must know that those in Christ stand
permanently justified before God. We must know that He loves His
children even while we struggle and come back in repentance over and
over and over again.<br />
Because we are saved by looking to Jesus, we receive assurance by
looking to Jesus. Even more so we find all our joy and fire in looking
to Jesus. Not our own feelings.<br />
Jesus Christ is the anchor for your soul. He is unchanging, and
unwavering. Not you. Lean on Jesus, not your feelings. Lean on His work,
not your religious fervor and stamina. Find joy in His perfection, not
your ability to feel good.<br />
The mark of a mature Christian is not the perfect, unceasing
intensity of their faith; the mark of a mature Christian is the
knowledge of God and the reliance on the perfect, finished work of Jesus
Christ.<br />
<div class="ck_form_container ck_inline" data-ck-version="6">
<em> This article originally appeared <a href="http://theblazingcenter.com/2017/05/stop-fire-jesus.html">here</a>.</em></div>
Dave Brooshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400500398264976717noreply@blogger.com0