Category Archives: Articles about Christianity

Articles about Christianity, Marriage 101

Great article for anyone who is, was, or will be married!

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I stumbled across this in my Facebook feed the other day and it captured my attention.  I thought “hmmm… more click bait”

Since it already had my attention, I am glad my curiosity led me to the article.  Wow is all I can say.

It’s not click bait.  She’s right on target.

This article is packed with thought provoking content. With numerous things to ponder, it’s almost a marriage seminar rolled up into one blog post that can be read in less than  5 minutes.   Even if you have a great marriage, what you can actually practice after reading this article will take it up another notch.

Go from Mar”RAGE” to the God designed Marriage.

Thank you Meg Marie Wallace for sharing from you heart!

Without further ado… here’s a link to the article..

The ONE thing guaranteed to end ALL marriages.

An2g

Bible Study, Christianity, Church Issues in America, Daily Bible Reading, Devotional, Evangelism

We must wear Faith, Love, and Hope of salvation.

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There is no need to write you, friends, about the times and occasions when these things will happen. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. When people say, “Everything is quiet and safe,” then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape.

But you, friends, are not in the darkness, and the Day should not take you by surprise like a thief. All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober. It is at night when people sleep; it is at night when they get drunk. But we belong to the day, and we should be sober.

We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.

And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing. We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.

We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.

This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages.

Put all things to the test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil.

May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.

Pray also for us, friends. Greet all the believers with the kiss of peace. I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 GNB)

Sometimes no commentary or explanation is needed. The Bible really is a straight forward letter of instructions for today.  #ForeverTrue #ForeverApplicable

Bible Study, Church Issues in America, Daily Bible Reading, Ministry Issues in America

Job & Zophar Round 2

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In today’s Old Testament  Bible reading   Job loses it as he answers Bildad and goes for another round with Zophar.   Now remember,  Job had to repent for most of what he rambles off today as the three of them spend their time pontificating mistruths about God.

Stay tuned as the original drama between Job and his “friends” antagonize each other.   I think this is where the phrase “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” came from.

I added The Message version for this Drama to read and hear it with today’s language.

Job Chapters 19-20 Scriptures   (NIV)  (MSG)    Audio (NIV Dramatized)  (MSG)

In the New Testament We pick up at the end of Verse 19 in Acts Chapter 9.  Saul has received his vision and now he is starting to preach about Jesus at the synagogues in Damascus.  Those that heard him were confused because they had heard about the havoc he caused in Jerusalem regarding the people who were believers in Christ.

Acts 9: 19- 43  Scriptures (NIV)     Audio (NIV Dramatized)

Saul receives his vision and starts preaching the truth.   Job however is losing his vision and hacks away at his faith as he continues to argue with his “friends”.   Just like Saul, the things that are blinding Job’s vision will be removed and he will come to know the truth about God later on when Job has his own meeting with God.

Isn’t it nice to know that in spite of all the mistruths about God and poor representation by his people, we too can have our vision restored when we seek after the truth in God’s word?

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV)

Christianity, Churchy stuff... you gotta laugh., Evangelism, Ministry Issues in America, Ministry video clips

Improving your relationships

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ID-100114874 Businessman Cover His Head with bag by pakorn www.freedigitalphotos.netPastor George Pearsons delivers a truly inspiring and educational message on communication pitfalls that we all experience but, nobody has “talked” about.

Have a Kleenex handy for tears of Joy. Pastor George brought the message to life with real situations most of us experience, either as the speaker or the listener in a conversation. It was so funny my eyes leaked.

Here are two ways to enjoy the message.   Audio and Video see emic website for third option to download audio message.   Audio is the preferred option.

Audio link:  Opens link in new window/tab

Audio link 2:  Does not open link in new window/tab. (mobile users)

Video link:    Video is playing some users still having issues with playback.

Thank you Pastor George Pearsons and the staff at Eagle Mountain International Church for you online messages and streaming coverage of the miracles and more on Eagle Mountain.   See www.emic.org for more information, video archives, and schedules of upcoming events.

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Image courtesy of pakorn/freedigitalphotos-net

 

Articles about Christianity, Christianity in America, Church Issues in America, Ministry Issues in America, Worship Service

The Worship Wars

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Once in awhile you see something as neat as this. A real worshiper speaking from his heart.

This little article is something worship leaders throughout time have been trying to get across to the public.

It’s not the music or the songs it’s why we’re worshiping in the first place. Enjoy!

Traditional vs contemporary? Hymns vs projector screens? Are you guilty of worshiping music more than you are of worshiping God?

Source: The Worship Wars

Evangelism, Ministry Issues in America

What is Periscope?

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Periscope is the latest opportunity in Ministry.   From a few minutes to an hour or so Periscope is a way to reach your followers quickly and with more of a personal touch.

Tools you will need:

  1. You and either an IPhone or Android Smartphone.
  2. Free Twitter account.
  3. The FREE Periscope app in the app stores
  4. Access to wifi or cellular data.  (Wifi is best unless you have unlimited cellular data plan)

How I’ve seen people use the app.

  1. Ministers getting ready to minister and they broadcast from the “green room”.
  2. Ministers announcing upcoming meetings and hopping on Periscope to pray for viewers.
  3. Mini  devotions.
  4. Interesting “teachable moments” from real life.
  5. I’ve also seen ministries use the app to show what people are going through in Nepal.

Notes about Periscope.

  1. A few helpful terms:  “Scope” is what they call a broadcast.  Here is a link to a good short version of understanding the lingo on Periscope.  Key Terms for Periscope
  2. It’s live.  Be prepared to start as soon as you tap the broadcast button.   A “Welcome” is a good way to start telling people who you are and the purpose of you broadcast or “scope”
  3. Watch a few tutorials before starting your own periscope broadcast.  YouTube has a lot this one is my favorite.  You can spend hours watching short versions or just watch this one.
    1. Terry White Tutorial
  4. It’s live have the camera pointed toward something you want people to see when the “scope” starts.   It will automatically use the back camera.  Then you can tap your phone to turn the camera around to show your face  while you are talking to the camera.
  5. Honestly you really need to find a tutorial you like.  I’ll be posting more helpful videos as I find them to my Media in Ministry playlist on YouTube   Media In Ministry
  6. How do you find other ministries using Periscope to get an idea of how to use Periscope?   Some ministries on Twitter use periscope.  If you are following a ministry on Twitter you can see when they are live on Periscope.
  7. Have something to set your phone in for the broadcast. You really do not want to hold your phone unless you can hold it still.
  8. Just like anything else Periscope is live with real people.  Just like TV there are some shows or “scopes” you don’t want to watch.  Be safe and just watch “scopes” from ministers you know of and follow on Twitter.
  9. About Periscope and the Bible.   Please verify anything you hear on Periscope with the Bible.  Just because someone is broadcasting what they believe to be true doesn’t mean it is.

Well that’s it for now…. Periscope looks like it may be the alternative we’ve all been waiting for in Ministry.   You can broadcast short helpful teachings and make announcements for your ministry.

I would encourage you to open up your Twitter app and type #periscope  in the twitter search box and scroll through to see which of your favorite ministries have broadcast lately.   The replays can be watched for 24 hours on Periscope after the “Live” broadcast (scope)   Tomorrow is Wednesday in the US and a lot of ministers/churches use periscope before going out to preach the Wednesday Night service.  With New Years Eve coming up some ministries are taking behind the scene looks at their preparation for the New Years Eve Services.  This week is a great time to check out your twitter feeds and see if anyone you follow uses Periscope.   It’s brand new so don’t be too disappointed if you do not see many of  your favorite ministries.

Watch my twitter feed this week I’ll be sharing “scopes” by various ministries so you can see how other ministries use periscope to spread the gospel.

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Articles about Christianity, Christianity, Evangelism

An Opportunity to Shine

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Just a word of encouragement for those who holiday times are not as fun as they could be.   It can be challenging to be around people that are not as kind and put a damper on Holiday gatherings.  Maybe they unfairly judge your looks and mutter unkind words that they think you can’t hear.  Or they judge your income and where you live based on their own “perfect” standards.  Being around those kind of people does give us a unique opportunity.   An opportunity to shine.

In light of eternity those times around unpleasant people are just a mere moment.   Something we won’t remember as the years go by.   We have a choice.   We can dread the holidays and gatherings or we can shine through them.   Yeah people can be rude and behave badly.  That’s how people who don’t understand how much God loves them act.  If they knew how much God loved them they wouldn’t act that way.   Instead they would be more interested in sharing God’s love with everyone they meet especially family during special occasions.

Here’s where you come in.   Why can’t you start your own Holiday tradition?  You’re a believer so why don’t you show God’s love to everyone? Instead of reacting to bad behavior from others why not choose to respond with God’s Love instead? You can’t control how others will behave and they may never understand or even care how their words and actions hurt others.   (I’m thinking of the character “Bones”  she has no earthly clue how her words are inappropriate and could hurt others)   There really are people out in the real world like that, extremely talented in certain areas and basically inept in social settings.

The choice is yours.  You can participate in the same ole same ole and leave the gatherings wishing you never went and dreading how many more years of unpleasant gatherings there will be.  Or maybe hoping you get sick so you don’t have to go.    Whatever negative thoughts  you experience before getting around unpleasant people, does affect your reactions.  You can continue to do the same thing getting the same results or you can do something different.

This time plan to shine. How would a person who wants to show God’s love respond to an unpleasant situation?   Now I’m not talking about cornering people and trying to “get them saved, so they’ll quit acting like heathens.”  I’m just talking about be gracious and kind in your responses.  How would your Heavenly Daddy want you to respond.  What would make Him proud?  Wouldn’t it be nice to leave an uncomfortable situation with a smile on your face knowing that you made your “Daddy” happy and was a great witness for Him.   I’m not saying people will change or treat you better but at least you’ll feel better about your responses. Know this, nothing can separate you from the Love of the Father.

 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 KJV)

Be a shining example of Christ’s love this holiday season. Look forward to being a real witness for him, not just in words but by filling the room with His love rather than your hurt.  Ask Him to bless you with HIS love to share with those that are unkind and have HIM flood your heart with how HE sees them. Then love on them with the Love God gives you.

Have a Great Thanks and Giving day.

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Continue reading An Opportunity to Shine →

Articles about Christianity, Daily Bible Reading, Ministry Issues in America

Is what you believe the truth from the Word or a wives’ tale?

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Glasses.Genesis

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables,

and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

Today’s reading in 1 Timothy really made me take a look at what is going on in the world of Christianity.

“Miracles have passed away.” and ” That doesn’t mean physical healing.”  are two of the more common wives’ fables passed down through the ages.

I used to be told as a child that  Thunder was when God was dumping a wheelbarrow full of potatoes after the harvest.  Or God was tapping his foot to the music or “God just said no!” and sent lightening to get our attention.    But now I think it’s the Apostle Paul banging his head against the wall.

Can you imagine being beat, shipwrecked, bit by a snake, imprisoned, etc. to only have people preach the exact “OPPOSITE” of what you spent your entire earthly ministry preaching as long, and as far as you could?

If you believe that God is dead, miracles don’t happen, and the Bible is just a book filled with good moral stories, then you’ve been listening to “wives’ fables.

Don’t worry, at one time Paul was the same way. He believed all the lies of his teachers and was actually arranging for Christians to be killed for their false teachings.   If you remember he was knocked off his high horse and brought to the ground for persecuting Jesus.  It was a few days before what was blinding him was removed by prayer.

If you want to remove your own blinders from knowing the true nature of God then these two prayers are excellent.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

(Ephesians 1:17-23 KJV)

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV)

Don’t live a life of misery expecting God to “get you” for all you do wrong.   Pray those prayers above over yourself and your loved ones.  Expect God to reveal His true nature to you when you read the Bible.   Don’t just skim over the words and read them so fast you have no idea what you just read.   Take time to think about what you read and ask God for help.

I stumbled onto Bible.is  free in the app store.  It helps make the Bible come alive when you listen to someone else read it and follow along.  Bible.is has quite a few dramatic versions which I prefer. I like hearing different voices act out the scriptures rather than reading in monotone.

Spend time in the Word, in prayer and get to know God so you can refuse profane myths and old wives’ tales you might hear being substituted for the Word of God.

Website for Bible.is (Clicking this link opens new window/tab)

Website for Bible.is (Clicking this link does not open a new window/tab)

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Image Courtesy of Janaka Dharmasena at freedigitalphotos.net