8/31/10

F.A.I.T.H. Team

Okay, FAITH Team is basically an evangelism program that my church participates in. We learn a certain outline called F.A.I.T.H. which is an acronym that stands for Forgiveness, Available, Impossible, Turn and Heaven; and includes Bible quotes all which point to the Gospel message. We go out on visits in teams of three to various neighborhoods and people in our community, sometimes even in different nearby towns. We have ministry visits, evangelistic visits and "welcome wagon" visits. There are two "semesters" of Faith Team a year and each lasts for 12 weeks. This is my 5th time doing Faith and I am trying to report about my visits for each week during this semester...

Week 1: went to four houses, but no one at home (or at least no one answered the door)

Week 2: Got in some good visits. We were able to speak to a mother who seemed very interested in our church. Her daughter went to VBS at our church in the summer. She said that she was baptized at 15, but she gave a rather "works" answer when we gave her the F.A.I.T.H. outline.

Week 3: first we visited a family that comes to our church very often (though they are not yet members) that is in a serious situation as the wife/mother has a serious medical condition, and we were just stopping by to say hi, they were happy to see us, and actually the previous week whilst we were out making visits we saw the husband running and he flagged us down saying how he would like to see us hoping we would stop by soon so we did in fact stop by this week; we will probably go back and visit them in about a month; as for the rest of our visits tonight, well each team was assigned to a certain street in our area to go door knocking and promote the Back To Church Sunday event that our church is participating in which is on september 12th, we were able to pass out a few books to people about rediscovering church; got some sweat happening as we had to walk up a lot of steep street and driveways and steps on that street lol and it's still hot here this time of year very humid not very many mosquitos out tho so yh but anyway overall a good night, praise God

Week 4: Went out onto a street in a neighborhood, knocked on doors and passed out a booklet called "Rediscover Church" with information about our "Back To Church Sunday" event on september 12th. We also gave the "Opinion Poll" to a man and he gave a "works" answer. We talked to him a bit about faith and salvation.

8/29/10

Good, Clean Comedy

I've just been listening to some old clips from Bill Cosby stand-ups. Man that stuff is funny and it's good, clean funny. Not that garbage "comedy" that is loaded with filthy language and perversion. One of the best things a person can do is laugh to something that is okay to laugh to. I love it!

8/27/10

VOM–USA Prayer Update for August 27, 2010

VOM–USA Prayer Update for August 27, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39–40

CHINA — Update: Family Visits Imprisoned Church Leader — China Aid Association

Psalm 23:1–5
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

On July 13, the family of Uyghur house–church leader, Alimujiang Yimiti, was permitted to visit him for 20 minutes, according to China Aid Association. Alimujiang’s family was relieved to see him alive, as guards had repeatedly refused to allow them visits in recent weeks. During their meeting, Alimujiang confirmed that he had received his wife’s letters. However, only one of his letters has been delivered to his wife, and he warned her that she and the children should not expect to see more letters from him because of the difficulty he had in sending them. In 2009, Alimujiang was sentenced to 15 years in prison for ‘providing state secrets to overseas organizations.” Thank God that Alimujiang was able to visit with his family, and pray that authorities will continue to allow the visits. Pray that God will protect and comfort his family and that his testimony might draw other prisoners and guards to Christ.

TANZANIA — Christian Evangelists Acquitted — Compass Direct News

2 Timothy 1:7–12
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

On Aug. 12, a court acquitted two Tanzanian evangelists of “illegal preaching,” according to Compass Direct News. The evangelists, Eleutery Kobelo and Cecil Simbaulanga, were arrested in October 2009 after Muslims invited them to participate in a religious debate. The evangelists said that on the day of the debate, the Muslims arrived with government security agents. The government agents then charged the evangelists with “using religious sermons to incite Muslims and Christians into viewing each other with suspicion.” The Muslims claimed that the evangelists’ gospel message had annoyed Muslims, disrupting the peaceful coexistence between the two faiths. During 10 months of hearings, the Muslims reportedly failed to show up in court to support their allegations against the evangelists. “We are grateful that the court has done justice and made its ruling based on Tanzania’s constitution that allows for freedom of religion and assembly,” Eleutery said. “We thank the Christians worldwide for praying for us.” Praise God that these Christians have been acquitted. Pray that Eleutery, Cecil and believers throughout Tanzania will trust fully in Christ and continue to preach the gospel without hesitation.

BELARUS — Pastor Fined for Sharing the Gospel — Forum 18 News


Hebrews 10:32–34
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

The pastor of a village church in Belarus was recently fined three times in one day for sharing his faith, according to Forum 18 News Service. “We resolved to suffer for God,” said Pastor Viktor Novik, who decided not to appeal the fines. According to authorities, Pastor Novik “understands that to hold events, appropriate permission is needed.” Pastor Novik told Forum 18 that he had applied several times for permission to rent a building for meetings and to share the gospel, but that authorities had denied his requests. Praise God for Pastor Novik’s faithfulness. Ask God to provide for and protect his family and congregation.

Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

8/25/10

I firmly believe that a person's possessions, money, property, etc. belongs to that person and no one on principle has the right to tell them what to do with it or to force them to give it away just so that others can have a piece of the pie. I think that is wrong and that is what I'm talking about.
The early church written of in the book of Acts gave out of their generosity because God had been generous to them. They were not forced into giving to each other by some ruling dictate, they were each choosing to give out of the generosity of their hearts as they each felt compelled. Which is also my point in Acts 5 when the Apostle Peter states that it was Ananias's property and he could do whatever he wanted with it. He confronted Ananias because he lied about giving, not because he didn't give. There are numerous other Scripture references that I can think of that show it is not that we should be forced into giving and sharing equally, but that every person should decide for himself as he pleases what he/she wants to do with their own possessions. They should want to be so generous, but not forced to do it against their will. But, talking about the early church isn't exactly the same as talking about a civil, national government.
But, what exactly are we talking about here? What is socialism and how does it work, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Now talking about socialism can get very complicated, as there are different types of socialism and there's a difference between economic socialism and political socialism or national socialism. I've even heard the term democratic socialism. It's all good when everyone is getting something, but, the point that I've been trying to get at this whole time is that a system in which the government controls all businesses/companies is a system that is limiting personal freedom. The little guy gets brought up but the big guy gets shrunk down so that everyone is exactly at the same level. How is that fair? Is it not more fair to have equal opportunities, but to get what you actually earn? A system in which those who have more money by their own merits are forced into giving to those who have little money by their own merits is not fair. And a system in which those who are successful by their own merit have to be limited so that those who aren't by their own merit can be at the same level is not fair either. In society the majority people need to vote to agree to make things a certain way not be forced into it by a few elite.
It's the whole thing about limiting personal freedom, succession and property that I dislike. I don't want the government to end up controlling everything, especially a person's own property. I am against greed and I do not like people being robbed of their money and I do not like people being denied opportunities just because they're poor or something like that. But, is that because the system has failed or because people are corrupt? How does someone become poor or lose out on something, for example? If it's because they're being robbed of something or being discriminated against then yes of course that is wrong and that corruption needs to end. But, if it's of their own background or doing then that's their personal issue and other people shouldn't have to be forced to compensate for that. Everyone should have equal opportunities, but get something based on their own merits, their own work.
So what are we really against here? A corruption in the way things are being run or people being poor, for example? Is everyone supposed to make good money or make good grades in school and if they don't because that's just not happening then everyone else has to compensate for that? It doesn't make sense. It makes it seem like everyone is supposed to be living in some sort of Utopian state ideal or trying to do whatever it takes to make that happen and if it's not happening the bigger guy will get robbed - so to speak - in order to make that happen. That's as unfair and corrupt as the little guy getting robbed just because he's the little guy. But the reality is that not everyone is equal, not everyone has the same abilities, talents, connections, backgrounds, upbringings, beliefs, opportunities for whatever reasons. Everyone should have the right to make their own choices and have their own possessions as they please and give as they please.
When I think about the state of the nation, or even the world, and how corrupted and messed up it is, I feel a sense of hopelessness (not completely but somewhat) as if it is so bad that it's so hard to imagine that it can truly be fixed. There is hope, but I feel like there has to be such a major change and I don't know what it's going to take for people to make all of this happen. And it's not going to happen by constantly flip-flopping between political parties hoping that party will bring the "real change" whenever there's an election, because the problems always seem to be the same and they're never truly fixed no matter what party is in charge. I don't think that looking to the government to solve all our needs is the answer, but that to truly change things it all needs to start with turning to God primarily and I also think we as Americans need to get back to basics, get back to what our Founding Fathers intended for this nation.

the importance of personal freedom and individuality

everyone needs to be their own individual and make their own choices, a person shouldn't be forced into this or into that; i'm not talking about a person going out and committing certain crimes which harm others, but when a person is forced to give to another against their will that is wrong, or when a person is forced to limit their abilities so that others can keep up, or when a person is forced to adhere to certain beliefs rather than by choice than that is wrong, which is why God gives us the choice of whether or not to believe in Him, we must not ever forsake the personal freedom of choice, whether we believe that person is right or wrong, people need to be able to be genuine

The way I approach that as a Christian in this world is that primarily I try to be a good influence in my behavior and lifestyle hoping that others will see how I live my Christian faith out in my life, through prayer, at certain times actually speaking to people about God in some way that I feel led to even if it's just something small, participating in an evangelism group connected through my church, inviting someone to church or some kind of church activity and through other things like Gospel tracts or other Christian material. I also have two blogs on the Internet and I often write about God on Facebook, as most of my posts have to deal with that.

Through all of that I am not forcing anyone to believe what I believe. And you cannot actually make someone believe something they don't want to believe anyway because you can't control that aspect of them and we are not meant to either. I am only displaying to them what I believe and inviting them. And I try to not make anyone feel pushed, just that I'm putting it out there for them.

I try to live my faith out in my life as it is really my whole life because when you put God #1 in your life then everything revolves around Him, not you or anything else. It's all about Him and you allow Him to lead you, guide you in your everyday life through the Holy Spirit inside you and through His Words in the Bible. That doesn't mean that you spend 24/7 praying or in church. It means that you are putting His desires, His will, His word, His principles, His plans for your life as #1 and then living that out day by day. Sometimes we go off course and sin which we should repent of and we can know that God forgives us through Jesus, or sometimes we might do things that aren't bad but it's just not what God has planned for you, and we need to get on the right course. When we say that God is our Lord, that means that He rules our life, He is the master of our life, we are His servants. We make our own choices, as He has given us personal freedom ("free will"), but it's all meant to be in line with His will, His principles.

The driver, the convict and the skydiver. What do they all have in common?

1. The Driver

A driver was once stopped by a police officer. He was a good driver and as far ashe knew he had done nothing wrong.The police officer said, “I pulled you over because you were going 60 through a school zone. There were ten warning signs that the speed limit was 15 and you ignored them all.” Just like the driver had ten warning signs, God has given us ten clear warning signs in the Bible. They are called the Ten Commandments. Have you ever told a lie, stolen something or used God’s name as a cussword? If you’re like me the answer is ‘yes’. Listen to what the Bible says:

• Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10 God is saying that by breaking one Commandment we have sinned and will be held accountable for breaking all of them, including adultery and murder.

• God’s judgment for our sin is death. (Banishment to hell because He will not allow sin in His presence). Romans 6:23a


If the story ends here, there is no hope for us…


2. The Convict

An innocent man approached a judge and volunteered to be executed in the place of a convicted murderer. The judge consented. The next day the judge told the convict he had adecision to make.“An innocent man has been put to death in your place. If you will accept his payment for your crime, you are free to go. If you will not accept his payment, you will be executed for your crime. Which do you choose?” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sinless but voluntarily gave his life to pay the penalty for your sins and mine. (God’s judgment for our sinis death). Three days later he rose from the dead.

• God showed his great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

• The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23b

As a result of Jesus’ death in your place, you have two choices: Receive both God’s pardon for your sins and eternal life by repenting (sensing your sinfulness and desiring to turn from it) and placing your trust in the Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21) OR Reject both God’s pardon for your sins and eternal life by trusting in anyone or anything other than Jesus to make you acceptable to God, thus bearing the penalty for breaking God’s law yourself.

• Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,but whoever rejects the Son of God will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.John 3:36


Knowing about Jesus doesn’t mean you believe in Jesus…



3. The Skydiver

Skydivers demonstrate their belief in their parachutes when they jump from the plane. Followers of Jesus demonstrate their belief in Him when God’s Spirit changes their thoughts and desires.

• If anyone is in Christ, he is a newcreation; the old has gone, the newhas come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

• God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” Ezekiel 36:26

Just as entering a garage won’t make you a mechanic, attending a church won’t make you a Christian. If you would like to receive God’s pardon for your sins and the gift of eternal life, consider a prayer like this: “Jesus, I believe you paid the penalty for my sins when you died on the cross and rose from the dead. I want to turn from my sins and place my trust in you as my Lord. I am willing to follow you the rest of my life. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Amen.”

• Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13


The desire of real followers of Jesus is to:

• Live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10


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Saint Bryn's Faith

Check out my husband's new Christian blog: http://saintbrynsfaith.blogspot.com/

8/21/10

really relying on God right now, I thank Him for His peace that surpasses all understanding, which has got me through so many difficulties

8/17/10

Christ Is Supreme

Colossians 1:15-23

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

17 He existed before anything else,and he holds all creation together.

18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

19 For God in all his fullnesswas pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God's servant to proclaim it.