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ANiC news
ANiC and ACNA events calendar
Dec 13 – Danielle Martell will be ordained as a Deacon at St Andrew's (Delta, BC)
Dec 14-15 – ANiC Council meeting in Vancouver
Jan 4-8 – ACNA College of Bishops meet in Melbourne, FL
Jan 21-22 – Anglicans for Life holds Summit and US March for Life
Jan 29-31 – Women’s retreat in the Ottawa-area led by Living Water Healing Streams
Feb 24 – ACNA Executive Committee meets in Phoenix, AZ
April 7-10 – New Wineskins for Global Mission 2016 conference, Ridgecrest, NC
April 12-14 – Ontario clergy silent retreat at a retreat centre near Orangeville
May 12 – March for Life 2016
June 14-15 - National apologetics and teaching conference, Vancouver, BC (Details to come)
June 16 – National preaching conference, Vancouver, BC (Details to come)
June 20-22 – ACNA Executive & Provincial Council meet in Mt Pleasant, SC
Audio and video of key sessions from ANiC’s synod, clergy day and workshops
For everyone who has been impatiently waiting, we’re happy to let you know that we have posted audio as well as the remaining video of ANiC’s recent synod – including session from clergy day and workshop day. (Thanks William Au!) You’ll find links to all the audio and video – both the sessions recorded by Anglican TV and those we recorded ourselves – on the ANiC website.
ARDFC update
Already this year nearly $84,000 has been given through the ARDFC to support development projects in South Sudan and now Burundi, as well as for emergency disaster relief in Myanmar and Nepal, and to help refugees from Iraq and Syria. The approximately $20,000 already received for Syrian refugees will be matched by the federal government.
We still have a small quantity of professionally printed ARDFC Christmas gift cards (with envelopes) available for all you last-minute shoppers. These are nice, small but meaningful gifts. Request that cards be mailed to you by emailing Marilyn. (Minimum order of 5 cards, please.) Offsetting donations of any amount can be made at your convenience via the ARDFC website. Proceeds from the card go to ARDFC’s project in Burundi.
Refugee sponsorship
A number of ANiC churches are interested in sponsoring refugees. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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While the local church takes the initiative in sponsorship, ANiC’s On Mission priority team member Deacon Rich Roberts is able to offer knowledgeable advice based on both his experience and research. You will facilitate the process and avoid possible grief by consulting Rich before proceeding. You can contact Rich+ at robertsrj@mac.com or
(778) 549 4953 (cell) or on Skype, user name: robertsrj. |
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Rich+ says churches “…must go into this with their eyes wide open. Sponsorship requires a dedicated team who know what their role is. Some sponsorships are 100% funded by the sponsors, some are 100% sponsored by CIC, and some are 50/50 depending on the situation of the refugee…so it is important to look at the case thoroughly.” |
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To sponsor, you will need to work through an existing refugee sponsorship agency – such as the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) or Journey Home (in the Vancouver area). These agencies have long-standing relationships with the Federal Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and hold official sponsorship Agreements with the government. |
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Most refugees currently approved for sponsorship are from countries outside the Middle East, such as Eritrea. |
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The majority of refugees seeking sponsorship are of non-Christian faiths. Most refugees from the Middle East approved for sponsorship are Muslim. Your congregation will want to make an effort to learn about the faith and cultural background of those your sponsor. |
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If your congregation is unable to take on the full financial and time commitment, consider partnering with other churches or communities groups in your area |
Praying for refugees
Our Archbishop Foley Beach has issued a call to prayer for refugees during Advent and Christmas, with a specific prayer to be said in our churches.
LORD JESUS CHRIST our Refuge and Deliverer, Who as a child sought refuge in Egypt while fleeing from those who would persecute and harm You. Remember those today who must flee in the same manner, and find themselves in foreign and strange lands, granting them Your presence, Your protection, and Your provision. Illuminate us to be a shining light upon a hill amidst the dark evil in our world, that we may do our part with hospitality and resources, and that all who are refugees might be led to the brightness of Your redemptive love made present by Your glorious Incarnation, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Passing of ANiC clergyman
The Rev Kevin McKee, who was a part of The Table in Victoria, BC, died suddenly on November 12. The Rev Josh Wilton writes, “Kevin was a treasured part of our community and will be deeply missed. His concern for others, his quick wit, and his confidence in God's great love impacted us all.” Please pray for his wife and sons and his church family in this great loss.
Bishop Don Harvey visits Recife, Brazil
Bishop Don spent two rewarding weeks in Recife, earlier this month, nurturing the companion relationship between St Luke’s (Pembroke, ON) and Christ the Redeemer in Gravata, Recife.
Parish and regional news
The Table (Victoria, BC) – The Rev Josh Wilton shares with supporters that the parish has an urgent need for $20,000 as a result of ministry expansion.
Christ The Redeemer (Toronto, ON) – On December 2 at 7pm there will be a service both to give thanks to God for the ministry of the Rev Melvin Tai and all other ministry leaders over the past three years, as well as to bless and empower those leading the ministry into 2016 and into the future. Bishop Stephen Leung and Dean Archie Pell will lead the service, with Bishop Charlie as the celebrant. Friends of this ministry are invited to attend.
Bethel South Asian (Brampton, ON) welcomed guest preacher Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali on Sunday, 29 November. Bishop Nazir-Ali is one of the most prominent Anglican leaders on the world stage and is deeply involved in assisting persecuted Christians.
Grace Anglican (Mississippi Mills, ON) has a new worship location – at Almonte Baptist Church building, 207 Reserve Street, Almonte.
Got parish news? Let the rest of us know about it! Email Marilyn.
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) news
Archbishop Bob announces retirement
The founding Primate of the Anglican Church in North America, Archbishop Bob Duncan, has announced he will retire from diocesan leadership in the Diocese of Pittsburgh at the end of June. His successor will be elected at a special convention on April 22-23.
Primate interviewed
Archbishop Foley Beach, in a short video interview, talks about recent ministry highlights, where he sees God at work, and what attracted him to Anglicanism. He also offers insight into his personal journey into Anglicanism and his prayer practices.
Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and Anglican Communion news
Recognized and promoted
Bishop Charlie Masters and Archbishop Foley Beach appeared in a photo in an Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) article on the meeting of Primates with the Coptic Pope and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo. (The ACNS is the official news service of the Anglican Communion.) The article does subtly distinguish between the ACNA leaders and the Anglican Communion primates; however it kindly promotes Bishop Charlie to Archbishop (in the last paragraph). Unfortunately, the writer hasn’t been following the actions of ANiC’s synod as “Archbishop” Charlie is referred to as our moderator.
International news in brief
Canada
Euthanasia – You can now add your name to Canada’s Church leaders who have signed the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s statement on assisted suicide and euthanasia. This 900-word declaration, released by the EFC and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, says “any action intended to end human life is morally and ethically wrong” and calls our new federal government to improve palliative care. The Montreal Gazette reports that a palliative care centre in Sherbrooke, Quebec plans to begin offering doctor assisted suicide as early as February 1. LifeSiteNews, however, reports that, the province will defy federal requests and implement its “right-to-die” legislation effective December 10.
Abortion – A National Post commentary states that “Despite abortion being a fully funded medical procedure, it is the only medical procedure where hospitals and clinics do not have to report statistics… Both Ontario and British Columbia have exemptions in their Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts that prevent the release of abortion-related data to the public. These exemptions are made with no legal grounds and with no real public debate. Such measures infringe on the public’s ability to access information regarding how their tax dollars are spent.”
A Holy Trinity Brompton-trainer church planter has been engaged by the Anglican Church of Canada’s [ACoC] Diocese of Montreal to plant “a new congregation into the historic Montreal-centre parish building of St James the Apostle…”
“The [ACoC] Archbishop of Toronto, the Most Rev Colin Johnson has been re-elected to a second six year term as Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario...”
The ACoC’s Diocese of Brandon has elected Canon William Cliff, rector of the Huron College chapel to replace Bishop James Njegovan.
The ACoC’s Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (in BC) – which was formerly the Diocese of Cariboo until bankrupt by residential school-related lawsuits – has been recognized officially as a territory with the status of a diocese.
The Diocese of Quebec has elected Archdeacon Bruce Myers to succeed Bishop Dennis Drainville, who plans to retire in 2017.
The City of Toronto has banned a 2016 Christian concert simply because it is Christian and the songs worship Jesus Christ. The Toronto Sun reports: “Voices of the Nations (VOTN) has…used Yonge-Dundas Square for the past five years without issue, the City of Toronto is refusing to grant VOTN a permit for next year’s music festival.” The article forcefully recounts the growing evidence of anti-Christian bigotry in Canada. Although Canada won accolades as “freest and most tolerant country in the world” earlier this year, that could be changing as intolerant political correctness takes hold.
United States
The US Episcopal Church (TEC) installed a new presiding bishop. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who is the denomination’s first black leader, takes over from Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman to lead TEC.
Bishop George Sumner, former principal of Wycliffe College (Toronto) was consecrated and installed as bishop of the US Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Dallas. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion brought congratulations from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Stephen Andrews (ACoC’s Diocese of Algoma) preached.
Abortion – The police officer killed while rescuing people at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, Garrett Swasey, was an elder and a preacher in an evangelicalchurch that believed the Bible and opposed abortion “He was shot saving people at a place he abhorred.” See more here.
England
An advertisement prepared by the Church of England (CoE) and intended to be shown in cinemas has been banner because it could offend some viewers. The 60-second video ad is nothing more than the Lord’s Prayer. It was intended to direct viewers to the CoE’s Just Pray website. The BBC reports that the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed his bewilderment and the Church warned that such censorship would have a chilling effect on free speech.
Bishop Stephen Croft lists seven reasons why The Lord’s Prayer is offensive to the gods of our secular, consumer age. He concludes, “Yet these words shape our identity, give purpose to our lives, check our greed, remind us of our imperfections, offer a way of reconciliation, build resilience in our spirits and call us to live to the glory of our creator. No wonder they have been banned in the boardrooms of consumer culture.”
The just concluded CoE General Synod steered clear of more controversial issues, debating the Church’s program of reform and renewal, the refugee crisis, and the future of as many as 16,000 under-used, mainly rural, church buildings. Anglican Mainstream has assembled links to some General Synod highlights.
A preacher invited to address General Synod – Fr Raniero, a preacher to the pope – cleverly slipped in an oblique comment on the elephant in the room. In a passing remark, he said, “We should never allow a moral issue like that of sexuality to divide us…” In discussing this, Canon Gavin Ashenden says, “No doubt those who invited Fr Raniero, hoped that his progressive affirmation of the abandonment of faithfulness to Scripture and tradition might give the impression he was speaking on the current Pope’s behalf. But he wasn’t. In fact he was speaking against the Pope.” Canon Ashenden, a Queen’s chaplain, then goes on to discuss the pope's views based on his past actions as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina.
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments in an interview were willfully misconstrued with media headlines such as, “Archbishop of Canterbury admits doubts about existence of God”. In a statement posted on his website, Archbishop Justin Welby responded, explaining what he had actually said and acknowledging the need to be media-savvy.
An employment tribunal has ruled in favor of the CoE in a case brought against it by a hospital chaplain who was blocked from promotion in another diocese following his marriage to his same-sex partner in defiance of Church policy. The Telegraph reports that the complainant “…still works in his existing role as a chaplain in Lincolnshire”. It also quotes the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Rev Alan Wilson, who supported the chaplain in the case and was highly critical of the Church pointing out the irrationally inconsistent standards within the Church.
Iceland
Anglican Ink reports that “The Church of Iceland has scrapped its freedom of conscience clause, ending the right of clergy to refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages.”
Egypt
Flash floods in northern parts of Egypt have caused significant damage, including loss of medical supplies and damage to equipment and electrical systems at an Anglican hospital in Sadat City. The Diocese of Egypt asks for our prayer support.
Morocco
All Africa reports that “A new Anglican congregation in Rabat has held its first confirmation service in what is believed to be the first such service in the Moroccan capital. The north African country has had an unbroken Anglican presence for just over 100 years with churches in Casablanca and Tangier – although the first C of E church, in Tangier, has its origins in the time of Charles II. Official statistics show that 99.9 per cent of the population are Muslim. Islam is the official religion of the country but the King of Morocco gives permission to four churches - Roman Catholic, Orthodox, French Protestant and Anglican - to minister to their own communities.”
Nigeria
Al Jazeera reports that Boko Haram has destroyed more than 1000 schools this year alone in the Lake Chad area – including schools in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The Islamic terrorist group has killed at least 17,000 people since 2009 and forced 2.6 million people to flee their homes.
Kenya
Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCon Primates, has announced his planned retirement in June. One of Archbishop Wabukala’s objectives is to combat corruption. Recently, according to The Star, he “…called for a national referendum to cap salaries of elected officials and save the country from “greedy leaders”.
Uganda
On his tour of three African countries, Pope Francis visited Uganda, November 27-29, where he joined Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, Primate of the Anglican Church of Uganda, in visiting the Uganda Martyrs Museum and the Anglican Shrine in Namagongo. As he toured the site where, 1885-6, 22 Roman Catholic and 23 Anglicans young men were brutally killed for their faith, Pope Francis commented to Archbishop Ntagali “This is ecumenism”. Archbishop Stanley reflected, “The Roman Catholic martyrs died for the same Jesus Christ as the Anglican martyrs.” A Church of Uganda news release continues, “Together they suffered; together they sacrificed; together they sang. Together their blood has been the seed of the church in Uganda.”
South Sudan
An article in the Diocese of Southern Queensland’s magazine profiles a newly minted bishop who has returned to South Sudan to serve the Diocese of Duk. Leaving his family in the safety of Australia, Bishop Daniel Abot serves in primitive and dangerous conditions, in one case delivering truckloads of food to war-ravaged, starving civilians on behalf of the UN, which considered the trip too dangerous for its own personnel. Bishop Daniel’s goals are to both provide spiritual support and help bring reconciliation between the warring ethnic factions. Bishop Daniel, who was one of Sudan’s “lost boys” and spent nine years in refugee camps, is raising funds to meet one of the greatest needs, theological training for Sudanese clergy.
Eritrea
A two-part Al Jazeera article details the brutal dictatorship that has held Eritrea in an iron grip since 1993, causing 5000 Eritreans to flee the country each month. Those who survive the treachery of double-crossing smugglers and slave traders account for the highest number of refugees risking the Mediterranean Sea crossing from North Africa. “After Syrians and Afghans, Eritreans are the third-most-common asylum-seekers arriving in the European Union…” A UN commission on Eritrea reports “…systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations… Some of these violations may constitute crimes against humanity.”
The article notes that “…arbitrary detention was found to be “ubiquitous,” violence against women “perpetrated in an environment of impunity,” forced labor so prevalent that “all sectors of the economy rely on it” and torture so widespread that the commission concluded it must be government policy.”
The second part of the article recounts the horror experienced by Eritreans who are captured by Sudanese soldiers, then sold to slave traders who torture them, kill many, and demand outrageous ransoms from their impoverished families in Eritrea. While those who somehow make it to Europe, refugee status is virtually automatic, and yet the world does nothing to help until they step onto European soil.
Ethiopia
Archbishop Mouneer Anis (Jerusalem and the Middle East) officially opened the first Anglican theological college in Ethiopia. Saint Frumentius' Theological College is affiliated with the Alexandria School of Theology in Egypt will provide desperately need training for Anglican clergy in the country. Initially the college will offer a two-year certificate program which will, hopefully expand to a three-year diploma and then a four-year Bachelor’s degree.
Pakistan
The New York Times reports that a Christian cable television station in Karachi was destroyed by fire which is thought to have been deliberately set. The article notes, “There have been a number of recent attacks on religious minorities in Pakistan. More than a dozen people were killed in two bombings outside churches in Lahore in March, and Christians in Pakistan are routinely targeted by sectarian militant groups and local criminals.”
Indonesia
Christianity Daily reports that “An Indonesian law to promote "religious harmony" has caused the closure of over 1,000 churches since 2006, and pose significant hurdle in the opening of many new ones, according to recent reports… Last month, the Indonesian authorities tore down many churches in Aceh region, where Sharia law is being practiced, followed by a series of mob violence that targeted Christians.”
Vietnam
An article on the Church in Vietnam concludes that the more government persecutes Christians, the more people are drawn to Christ and join the Church.
Iraq
There are reports that the extreme violence perpetrated in the name of Islam has driven many to rethink their faith and turn to Christianity. The work of Christian agencies providing care for refugees is a factor in piquing interest in Christianity.
Syria
Christian Today carries extracts of an interview with the Syrian Catholic Church’s leader who blames the West for betraying Syrians and causing utter chaos and endless conflict in the country.
Refugees
Sentiment in support of refugees cooled rapidly following the Paris terrorist attacks as concerns grew that terrorists were entering Europe posing as refugees. Further concerns have been raised about the how Christian refugees are among those being granted asylum in the west. Numerous articles have been published exploring all sides of the issue. If you have to only read one article, read Bishop Nazir-Ali’s.
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali writing in Stand Point Magazine, acknowledges the “seamier side of this huge migration, with traffickers making fortunes out of human misery” and economic migrants imbedded among the refugees. He adds, “We can be sure that among those arriving in Europe are radical Islamists who will wish to use this mass movement of people to infiltrate and implant sleeper cells for future terrorism in Europe… we are confronted with a globalised religious ideology which has world domination in its sights.” Never-the-less, as Christians, “…we must not fail in compassion... [T]his is a fundamental Christian duty… Having said that, we must also ask about the causes of the crisis and what can be done to address them…. Although only a minority of those on the move are actually from Syria, it is quite clear that it is the multi-faceted civil war there which has given a fresh impetus to people from different parts of the world moving towards Europe.”
He then explains the folly of the west in initially intervening in support of the Saudi and Qatari-backed Muslim Brotherhood rebels in Syria and the resulting consequences for the Middle East, and now Europe. “The West has to learn that, in the Middle East, the choice is not between angels and monsters but between different kinds of monsters. In such a situation, Assad is by no means the worst of them.”
He also notes that “…it is clear that Christians, Yazidis, Mandaeans and Druze, for example, are at special risk because of their religion and/or their ethnic identity.”
He commends the British approach of working to improve living conditions in the refugee camps in Middle Eastern countries. And says, for refugees arriving in western countries integration is critical. “We have witnessed how isolated and segregated communities, and especially the young among them, have been exposed to extremist radicalization.”
Despite the risks, he concludes, “We should not harden our hearts and we must show compassion for the needs of refugees, but this should not be confused with or substituted for a proper analysis of the global situation and the need to develop appropriate policies of response to it.”
Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, argued in a Washington Post article that national security and compassion for the refugees need not be mutually exclusive. He promotes a three pronged response, appropriate screening of the refugees by governments, military action against the Islamic State and those driving the refugee crisis, and compassion on the part of the Church in caring for the refugees.
Father Raymond De Sousa, writing in the National Post, argues for a compassionate response to the refugees but suggests that Christian and those from other minority religions should be given priority as they are the primary victims of genocide and have nowhere to turn for safe refuge, whereas Muslim refugees could be welcome in surrounding Muslim nations.
Ross Douthat, writing in the New York Times, wonders how Europe, based on its history on failure to integrate Muslim immigrants, will successful integrate the current flood of refugees and economic migrants from the Middle East. He concludes that a key must be doing a good job of caring for refugees in the Middle East.
Terrorism
Responding to the Paris attacks – An article on The Gospel Coalition website, helps us think through how we should respond to terrorist actions, offering four principles: Mourn with those who mourn; Pray for our leaders; Be peacemakers; and Be unashamedly convinced of God’s sovereignty.
Canon Phil Ashey, in a short video, discusses how we as Christians should respond to terrorist acts in the same way Jesus responded to his crucifiers. He also provides concrete suggestions such as a renewed focus on prison ministries where many terrorists were initially radicalized.
Andrew Symes, writing on the Anglican Mainstream blog notes that recent acts of terror remind us that we are engaged in a titanic spiritual conflict and must use spiritual weapons, especially prayer.
In his article on the currently global crisis, Bishop Bill Atwood proposes that a “hero” generation is rising and that, “No one can offer a vision with greater inspiration than winning the world to Christ. The best way to defeat a terrorist is to reach them with the Gospel of Transformation introducing them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” His article also explores the history of the Islamic State (or ISIS or ISIL) and notes that “Those who ignore the Islamic roots that are inspiring so many young people to join ISIS, are doomed to fail…”
Roman Catholicism
Pope Francis has named Bishop-elect Steven Lopes to be the first bishop of the Anglican Ordinariate, which is equivalent to a diocese for Roman Catholics from the Anglican tradition.
Islam
Giving the likely influx of refugees of the Muslim faith, we need to become better versed in the tenets of Islam. These resources are a start:
10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam
Does Islam Inevitably Lead to Violence?
Resources for ministry
The War on Advent
On the Anglican Pastor blog, Greg Goebel challenges us to postpone the Christmas parties and carols and return to a genuine Advent of reflection and preparation. Then, on Christmas Eve, begin to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with gusto.
Advent and Christmas resource
The Advent Conspiracy challenges us to rethink the consumerism of Christmas and a 2-minute video explains Advent.
Preaching from an iPad or tablet
If you are considering switching from paper notes, Tim Challies offers helpful suggestions to make the process more seamless.
Are you a guest speaker? Or do you host guest speakers?
Here’s excellent advice both for those who invite speakers and organize conferences as well as for those invited to speak.
Leading leaders’ retreats
On The Gospel Coalition website, Kevin De Young offers advice around holding retreats for both staff and church leaders.
Why pedophiles target churches
Tim Challies discusses six reasons sexual predators may target your church and recommends a book to help protect those who may be targeted.
New pastors’ resource
Tim Challies highly recommends The New Pastor’s Handbook by Jason Helopoulos, saying it is “ultrapractical and stuffed full of timeless wisdom”.
Spiritually weary?
Mark Altrogge offers 10 ways to overcome spiritual weariness.
The art of preaching
This author and preacher offers five practical ways to deepen your sermons. To encourage you, he begins with a quote from Charles Spurgeon: “There is no good preacher who is not moved almost to the point of tears at the end of every sermon at how poor was the message he just delivered.”
Resources for ministry Christian living
Biblically grounded
Tim Challies explains how David could say “Oh how I love your law!” He writes, “The law of God is God’s character externalized. It comes to us from the very heart and mind of God… Its purpose is to tell us first who God is and what he is like… If we don’t love the law and don’t want to do the law, we don’t love the God who gave the law."
Job
This 11-minute video summarizes the Old Testament book of Job, exploring the main ideas and flow of thought – specifically the difficult question of God's relationship to human suffering. The book invites us to trust God's wisdom and character in a deeper way. This video is part of a series by The Bible Project which aims to tackle each book of the Bible. These are a great way to get an overview of the books of the Bible.
Meaningful gifts
Looking to buck the tide of materialism and commercialism this Christmas? Give him or her something that will encourage their growth in the Lord, such as the newly released ESV Men’s Devotional Bible or Women’s Devotional Bible. Learn more here.
Bold witnesses
Canon Phil Ashey has prepared a short 3-minute video on evangelism, what it is and what it is not.
Apologetics
Os Guinness’ recent book on Christian persuasion, Fool’s Talk, comes highly recommended. And Crossways offers 4 Tips for Defending Your Trust in the Bible.
Has the devil got his hooks into you?
Max Lucado offers advice to those wishing to tear down Satan’s strongholds in their lives.
Sexual purity
Tim Challies notes that God’s commands are neither suggestions nor unrealistic. When He commands us to be morally pure, He is ready and able to help us be purer than we ever dreamed possible.
Soul food
Just for fun
The family was gathered for US Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house.
As the food was being served, little Johnny began to eat before the blessing was said.
"Johnny!” his Mother cried, “We haven’t prayer yet!”
"It’s OK.” replied Johnny innocently. “We don’t need to pray here. Grandma knows how to cook!”
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Thoughts
"Any theology that does not lead to song is, at a fundamental level, a flawed theology." ~ J I Packer
“Nobody stands under the wrath of God save those who have chosen to do so.” ~ J I Packer
And now a Word from our Sponsor
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21 ESV
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