Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Mormon missionaries go online in search of new converts
By Peggy Fletcher Stack
PROVO, Utah—Tyson Boardman sits before the computer screen at the LDS Missionary Training Center, discussing Mormonism with Jason and Travis in two Internet conversations at the same time.
Why do people say Mormons aren’t Christian? What does it mean to be baptized for the dead? How do Mormons view Jesus? Why do you have a prophet?
Answering these and many other Mormon-related queries is Boardman’s full-time assignment as a two-year missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he loves it.
“I’ve had questions from Canada, England and every part of the U.S.,” Boardman said. “It’s been an amazing experience. Every day it’s something new.”
The 20-year-old from Oak City, Utah, has been at this computer terminal in the area known as the Missionary Training Center’s Referral Center for nearly a year, chatting with interested strangers from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.
Boardman is part of a pilot program that calls on Mormon missionaries to attract new converts to the faith via the virtual world, rather than the traditional, face-to-face approach.
The portal into this world is http://www.mormon.org, a Web site the church established in 2001 primarily aimed at curious outsiders—a complement to http://www.lds.org, which is mostly for members and the news media.
People find their way to mormon.org from various Internet sites, from literature the church puts out or from one of its many television ads. On its home page, people can explore sections marked “Basic Beliefs,” “Worship With Us,” “Our Stories” and “Ask Your Questions—chat now.”
The online missionaries draw on Mormon scripture, speeches by church authorities and other official publications to provide answers to the questions posed. If a person is interested, the missionary can lead him or her through a whole series of doctrinal discussions, follow up at a future time and even set a baptism date.
To date, between 20 and 25 baptisms have come directly from the online contact.
Church officials added the chatting feature in 2006, and now every missionary who is trained at the MTC takes a turn in the Referral Center for a total of 12 hours online during the three-to-nine-week stay. By the beginning of last year, missionaries were engaged in about 100 chats a day, with conversations lasting from five to 50 minutes.
Now the number is closer to 500 a day at one of the 38 stations in the center. So far, the service is only available in English, but the MTC is gearing up to launch a Spanish chat.
The plan is to meet the demand, said Daniel Ware, manager of the Referral Center.
“The point is to get to know them, find out what questions are relevant to them personally and then teach them. Many people would love to investigate the church but are not ready to have missionaries come to their house.”
This way they can preserve their anonymity, added Richard Heaton, who oversees operations at the MTC, which houses and trains 1,500 Mormon missionaries every year.
It’s also an excellent chance for missionaries to practice their proselytizing skills, Heaton said. “It brings a reality to the training. It’s a wonderful practice for the field.”
There is, he said, a certain kind of experience that can’t happen online.
“In every case, local missionaries have to get involved,” Heaton said. “But they do love to let us know.”
Boardman was the first of a handful of missionaries specifically called to the Referral Center who would not have been able to serve a mission otherwise for health reasons. He enjoys the range of questions he has faced. One woman came to mormon.org after the professor in her “cult” class at a Christian college offered a fairly harsh critique of Mormonism and she wondered whether it was true.
He helped clarify Mormon beliefs, Boardman said. “Most anti-Mormons who come to the site are pretty sincere. We let them know that arguing is not the purpose of the site and then we try to ignore them.”
Emily Hardy from Farmington, Utah, and Kristen Kiriyama from American Fork, Utah, were in training for their missions in Romania. They were taking their turn at an online station.
“Some people are lonely, but most are just looking,” Hardy said. “We work with them from wherever they are.”
Rafe Gandola of San Diego returned to the MTC to serve some of his time in the online world after an injury in the field. Gandola was goofing around with his companion in Helsinki, Finland, and fractured his leg.
“One day I’m out in snow talking to people, seeking converts. Two days later, I’m chatting online with people seeking us,” Gandola said. “That’s been a real treat.”
(Peggy Fletcher Stack writes for The Salt Lake Tribune.)
PROVO, Utah—Tyson Boardman sits before the computer screen at the LDS Missionary Training Center, discussing Mormonism with Jason and Travis in two Internet conversations at the same time.
Why do people say Mormons aren’t Christian? What does it mean to be baptized for the dead? How do Mormons view Jesus? Why do you have a prophet?
Answering these and many other Mormon-related queries is Boardman’s full-time assignment as a two-year missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he loves it.
“I’ve had questions from Canada, England and every part of the U.S.,” Boardman said. “It’s been an amazing experience. Every day it’s something new.”
The 20-year-old from Oak City, Utah, has been at this computer terminal in the area known as the Missionary Training Center’s Referral Center for nearly a year, chatting with interested strangers from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.
Boardman is part of a pilot program that calls on Mormon missionaries to attract new converts to the faith via the virtual world, rather than the traditional, face-to-face approach.
The portal into this world is http://www.mormon.org, a Web site the church established in 2001 primarily aimed at curious outsiders—a complement to http://www.lds.org, which is mostly for members and the news media.
People find their way to mormon.org from various Internet sites, from literature the church puts out or from one of its many television ads. On its home page, people can explore sections marked “Basic Beliefs,” “Worship With Us,” “Our Stories” and “Ask Your Questions—chat now.”
The online missionaries draw on Mormon scripture, speeches by church authorities and other official publications to provide answers to the questions posed. If a person is interested, the missionary can lead him or her through a whole series of doctrinal discussions, follow up at a future time and even set a baptism date.
To date, between 20 and 25 baptisms have come directly from the online contact.
Church officials added the chatting feature in 2006, and now every missionary who is trained at the MTC takes a turn in the Referral Center for a total of 12 hours online during the three-to-nine-week stay. By the beginning of last year, missionaries were engaged in about 100 chats a day, with conversations lasting from five to 50 minutes.
Now the number is closer to 500 a day at one of the 38 stations in the center. So far, the service is only available in English, but the MTC is gearing up to launch a Spanish chat.
The plan is to meet the demand, said Daniel Ware, manager of the Referral Center.
“The point is to get to know them, find out what questions are relevant to them personally and then teach them. Many people would love to investigate the church but are not ready to have missionaries come to their house.”
This way they can preserve their anonymity, added Richard Heaton, who oversees operations at the MTC, which houses and trains 1,500 Mormon missionaries every year.
It’s also an excellent chance for missionaries to practice their proselytizing skills, Heaton said. “It brings a reality to the training. It’s a wonderful practice for the field.”
There is, he said, a certain kind of experience that can’t happen online.
“In every case, local missionaries have to get involved,” Heaton said. “But they do love to let us know.”
Boardman was the first of a handful of missionaries specifically called to the Referral Center who would not have been able to serve a mission otherwise for health reasons. He enjoys the range of questions he has faced. One woman came to mormon.org after the professor in her “cult” class at a Christian college offered a fairly harsh critique of Mormonism and she wondered whether it was true.
He helped clarify Mormon beliefs, Boardman said. “Most anti-Mormons who come to the site are pretty sincere. We let them know that arguing is not the purpose of the site and then we try to ignore them.”
Emily Hardy from Farmington, Utah, and Kristen Kiriyama from American Fork, Utah, were in training for their missions in Romania. They were taking their turn at an online station.
“Some people are lonely, but most are just looking,” Hardy said. “We work with them from wherever they are.”
Rafe Gandola of San Diego returned to the MTC to serve some of his time in the online world after an injury in the field. Gandola was goofing around with his companion in Helsinki, Finland, and fractured his leg.
“One day I’m out in snow talking to people, seeking converts. Two days later, I’m chatting online with people seeking us,” Gandola said. “That’s been a real treat.”
(Peggy Fletcher Stack writes for The Salt Lake Tribune.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Prayer For Sunday
Matthew 6:9-15
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins"
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins"
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Invisible Face Of Prejudice by Lynda Schultz
"My brothers, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting, or a couple with two and a half children, and a woman unaccompanied by a husband. If you show special attention to the man and the family and say, 'you are just what we prayed for to built our church. Here's a place for you,' but say to the woman, 'we're happy to have you work and contribute, but the church is built on men and families," or "we have to close our doors because we have no men and families, only you,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen women without men to come to faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you have insulted them. Is it not those who are not present, who have disappointed you? Are they not the ones who have abandoned the church by their absence? Are they not the ones who give a bad name to Christ to whom we belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that has freed both men and women and treats them equally, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (From James 2:1-13, with my application of the Scriptural principle.)
I really wanted to say amen to the prayers of others when they pleaded with God to bring men into our church who could become leaders, to give us families who would serve as the foundation upon which we could grow. Nevertheless, the amen wouldn't come.
I would like to say that such prayers were not wrong, only incomplete. However, in my heart I don't believe that. As I listened to the prayers, I felt diminished, and I wondered if my sisters in the faith felt the same way. If the single women, the divorced and widowed, the women married to men who were not saved, sensed any bitterness, rejection, sadness at not being "good enough" upon which to build a church.
What does God think when we pray for people to come into our church and then, when He sends them, we beg Him for something other than what He has given? No insult can be worse than having your gifts thrown back in your face. "These women weren't what we meant when we asked for souls, Lord!"
What is the church? I didn't know it was only men and families. I thought it was made up of all those who belong to the One who saves us all equally, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28). I didn't know that to be worthy of being the body of Christ expressed locally, I had to be a man, or at least, attached to a believing one.
That in itself is hard enough to take. But what really hurts is the knowledge that my gifts, skills, and money are welcome, but who I am, isn't not really.
I can hear the protests and denials already. However, the test comes, not in the words that we so glibly speak, but in the actions we so easily take. God forgive me, I've done it myself. I took a group of women through the process of closing one church and becoming part of another, based on that very lie, upon the deception that we were not sufficient to be a church without men. In a better world, I would have embraced these dear saints of God and said "we are the body of Christ. God brought us together and has set His seal on us by that very act." And, in a better world, they would have believed me. But we are programmed to think that we are less because we are women, and the establishment that calls itself the church, may God forgive it, perpetuates that in word and deed.
"How many men ?" becomes the standard, the litmus test of how well the body of Christ is doing. It doesn't matter if women are growing in faith and knowledge and reaching out into their families and communities. Our denominations and leaders only count male heads. The organism that is the true church, made up of male and female in whatever combination God allows, and without prejudice, dies under the wheels of the manmade machine.
That the church needs men and families goes without saying, but the church is not only men and families, nor is one member of it superior to another. I am the church. I am just as valuable in God's eyes as any man or any member of a family. How strange it is that families are welcomed enthusiastically into the church, but if the man of the household suddenly disappears, that same family is often considered a burden to the church, rather than the blessing it originally was. There is something wrong with that kind of thinking. It's prejudicial and evil. It offends God and breaks His greatest commandment.
Since I am so invisible, I am tempted to walk away. No one will see me. They may miss my gifts, my skill and my money, and another number on the membership roll. But they won't really miss ME. They didn't pray that God would send me; the truth is, they wanted someone else.
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen women without men to come to faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you have insulted them. Is it not those who are not present, who have disappointed you? Are they not the ones who have abandoned the church by their absence? Are they not the ones who give a bad name to Christ to whom we belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that has freed both men and women and treats them equally, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (From James 2:1-13, with my application of the Scriptural principle.)
I really wanted to say amen to the prayers of others when they pleaded with God to bring men into our church who could become leaders, to give us families who would serve as the foundation upon which we could grow. Nevertheless, the amen wouldn't come.
I would like to say that such prayers were not wrong, only incomplete. However, in my heart I don't believe that. As I listened to the prayers, I felt diminished, and I wondered if my sisters in the faith felt the same way. If the single women, the divorced and widowed, the women married to men who were not saved, sensed any bitterness, rejection, sadness at not being "good enough" upon which to build a church.
What does God think when we pray for people to come into our church and then, when He sends them, we beg Him for something other than what He has given? No insult can be worse than having your gifts thrown back in your face. "These women weren't what we meant when we asked for souls, Lord!"
What is the church? I didn't know it was only men and families. I thought it was made up of all those who belong to the One who saves us all equally, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28). I didn't know that to be worthy of being the body of Christ expressed locally, I had to be a man, or at least, attached to a believing one.
That in itself is hard enough to take. But what really hurts is the knowledge that my gifts, skills, and money are welcome, but who I am, isn't not really.
I can hear the protests and denials already. However, the test comes, not in the words that we so glibly speak, but in the actions we so easily take. God forgive me, I've done it myself. I took a group of women through the process of closing one church and becoming part of another, based on that very lie, upon the deception that we were not sufficient to be a church without men. In a better world, I would have embraced these dear saints of God and said "we are the body of Christ. God brought us together and has set His seal on us by that very act." And, in a better world, they would have believed me. But we are programmed to think that we are less because we are women, and the establishment that calls itself the church, may God forgive it, perpetuates that in word and deed.
"How many men ?" becomes the standard, the litmus test of how well the body of Christ is doing. It doesn't matter if women are growing in faith and knowledge and reaching out into their families and communities. Our denominations and leaders only count male heads. The organism that is the true church, made up of male and female in whatever combination God allows, and without prejudice, dies under the wheels of the manmade machine.
That the church needs men and families goes without saying, but the church is not only men and families, nor is one member of it superior to another. I am the church. I am just as valuable in God's eyes as any man or any member of a family. How strange it is that families are welcomed enthusiastically into the church, but if the man of the household suddenly disappears, that same family is often considered a burden to the church, rather than the blessing it originally was. There is something wrong with that kind of thinking. It's prejudicial and evil. It offends God and breaks His greatest commandment.
Since I am so invisible, I am tempted to walk away. No one will see me. They may miss my gifts, my skill and my money, and another number on the membership roll. But they won't really miss ME. They didn't pray that God would send me; the truth is, they wanted someone else.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Jesus: He Accomplished What No Man Could
The name of Jesus is above all names (see Philippians 2:9). This commendation was given to Jesus because of what He succeeded in doing while He was here on earth. What did Jesus do?
1. He resisted sin.
Jesus was tempted in all points yet He was without sin (see Hebrews 4:15). Think about the phrase "all points" for a minute. This verse is telling us that that every temptation common to man including lying, stealing, bad thoughts, anger, etc. was thrown at Jesus. Yet He never fell for any of it.
"But Jesus is God. Of course He was able to stand against sin," you might say. Yes, Jesus is God. But we must understand He walked this earth as a man. So that He could become a compassionate High Priest, Jesus came to feel what we feel (see Hebrews 2:16-18). Jesus stripped Himself of the **privileges** of being God. Because He was infused with and perfectly yielded to the Third Person in the Trinity, He performed great miracles.
2. Jesus manifested the perfect will of God everywhere He went.
He told the truth, healed,cast out demons, met financial needs, and more.
3. He suffered indignities befitting a criminal although He was perfect in every way.
He was severely beaten and called a liar yet He never retaliated. Finally, He was hung on a cross between two thieves. Still, He did not think of Himself. "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing," He prayed. He entrusted the care of His mother to the disciple named John when He said: "Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother."
4. He became sin who knew no sin.
Jesus, who never sinned, became sin itself so that all who believe in Him could have right standing with God. We have all seen pictures of Jesus hanging on a cross and He looks human. However, the scriptures say He was not recognizable (see Isaiah 52:14). This was the result of every sin and sickness known to man invading Jesus' body.
5. He took our punishment in Hell.
I can't imagine the torture Jesus went through at the hands of the devil and all his demons.
6. He rose in victory and power.
Jesus took the keys to Hell and Death and then made an open display of the devil as a defeated foe (see Ephesians 4:7-9).
Though His brief life on earth could not have been easy, Jesus remained focused on His mission and accomplished what no other had done: the redemption of all mankind.
1. He resisted sin.
Jesus was tempted in all points yet He was without sin (see Hebrews 4:15). Think about the phrase "all points" for a minute. This verse is telling us that that every temptation common to man including lying, stealing, bad thoughts, anger, etc. was thrown at Jesus. Yet He never fell for any of it.
"But Jesus is God. Of course He was able to stand against sin," you might say. Yes, Jesus is God. But we must understand He walked this earth as a man. So that He could become a compassionate High Priest, Jesus came to feel what we feel (see Hebrews 2:16-18). Jesus stripped Himself of the **privileges** of being God. Because He was infused with and perfectly yielded to the Third Person in the Trinity, He performed great miracles.
2. Jesus manifested the perfect will of God everywhere He went.
He told the truth, healed,cast out demons, met financial needs, and more.
3. He suffered indignities befitting a criminal although He was perfect in every way.
He was severely beaten and called a liar yet He never retaliated. Finally, He was hung on a cross between two thieves. Still, He did not think of Himself. "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing," He prayed. He entrusted the care of His mother to the disciple named John when He said: "Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother."
4. He became sin who knew no sin.
Jesus, who never sinned, became sin itself so that all who believe in Him could have right standing with God. We have all seen pictures of Jesus hanging on a cross and He looks human. However, the scriptures say He was not recognizable (see Isaiah 52:14). This was the result of every sin and sickness known to man invading Jesus' body.
5. He took our punishment in Hell.
I can't imagine the torture Jesus went through at the hands of the devil and all his demons.
6. He rose in victory and power.
Jesus took the keys to Hell and Death and then made an open display of the devil as a defeated foe (see Ephesians 4:7-9).
Though His brief life on earth could not have been easy, Jesus remained focused on His mission and accomplished what no other had done: the redemption of all mankind.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Christian Creation Story
The story of the creation of the earth, or the Christian creation story is open to interpretation by many different religions world wide. It is written in the Bible that God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was "void and without form". This has been disputed and discussed by some of the greatest minds of our time as well as some of the most celebrated of our religious leaders, and no one seems to be able to agree on anything more than that they have differences of opinion.
The bottom line seems to be that the Christian creation story will not be believed by everyone, but for those who do accept it, it is a principle of their faith that all that we are, and all that we see was created by the hand of God, who gives all things.
The Bible tells us that God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
This has also been interpreted by many different groups in many different ways. Standard old school Christians believe that the Bible literally means exactly what it says and that the story cannot be reconciled with scientific evidence of other things such as dinosaurs. Newer, more modern Christians see the creation story as something that could have taken place long before the dinosaur advent, or could well have been a story written to teach faith, but was not in fact a "true" story and the arguments rage on. Continuing with the actual biblical story of the creation of the world, the creation story continues in this vein:
God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 1 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.
This aspect of the Christian creation story is interpreted by the fundamental Christian to mean that the hand of God created all things and gave them all life over the course of seven days, while others, who are more modernized in their thinking ask, why is it possible that God created the huge flying dinosaur type birds and they have evolved.
The bottom line seems to be that the Christian creation story will not be believed by everyone, but for those who do accept it, it is a principle of their faith that all that we are, and all that we see was created by the hand of God, who gives all things.
The Bible tells us that God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
This has also been interpreted by many different groups in many different ways. Standard old school Christians believe that the Bible literally means exactly what it says and that the story cannot be reconciled with scientific evidence of other things such as dinosaurs. Newer, more modern Christians see the creation story as something that could have taken place long before the dinosaur advent, or could well have been a story written to teach faith, but was not in fact a "true" story and the arguments rage on. Continuing with the actual biblical story of the creation of the world, the creation story continues in this vein:
God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 1 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.
This aspect of the Christian creation story is interpreted by the fundamental Christian to mean that the hand of God created all things and gave them all life over the course of seven days, while others, who are more modernized in their thinking ask, why is it possible that God created the huge flying dinosaur type birds and they have evolved.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A prayer of guidance by Tolulope Oluokun
God guide me,
Lead my every step,
May I not do that which will be displeasing to you.
God guide me,
Keep me from evil men,
May my every step be ordered to where I ought to be.
God guide me,
Fill me with your will,
May my ways be aligned to your path for me in life.
Lord guide me,
Be my shepherd,
Lead me in the path of life
That I may be an example for others to follow.
Lead my every step,
May I not do that which will be displeasing to you.
God guide me,
Keep me from evil men,
May my every step be ordered to where I ought to be.
God guide me,
Fill me with your will,
May my ways be aligned to your path for me in life.
Lord guide me,
Be my shepherd,
Lead me in the path of life
That I may be an example for others to follow.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
O Lord, Open My Eyes
by Fenny West
O Lord, open my spiritual eyes,
To see the deep truths of God;
That, with wings of eagle I'll rise,
Propelled by Your Spirit and Word.
O that I will grow and fully know
All that You planted, deposited in me;
Partnering with Your Spirit to show
Gifts, gold, goods, freely given to me.
I thank You for giving Christ's mind
That leads, guides, guards and drives.
O that Your deep secrets I will find
To help me finish my race without strife.
Copy it rightly
O Lord, open my spiritual eyes,
To see the deep truths of God;
That, with wings of eagle I'll rise,
Propelled by Your Spirit and Word.
O that I will grow and fully know
All that You planted, deposited in me;
Partnering with Your Spirit to show
Gifts, gold, goods, freely given to me.
I thank You for giving Christ's mind
That leads, guides, guards and drives.
O that Your deep secrets I will find
To help me finish my race without strife.
Copy it rightly
Friday, June 5, 2009
Becoming a Spiritual Christian
By Rhonda Jones
Aren’t all Christians spiritual? That seems like an odd question. Most would equate spirituality with Christianity, yet it’s possible to possess one and not the other. So what are the differences and what characteristics follow the spiritual Christian?
To be a spiritual Christian means to be lead and to live by the spirit of God. It means allowing God’s spirit, that is living inside you, to guide your decisions instead of relying mostly upon your logic and intellect. Galatians 5:16 says that if we are lead by the spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
It takes quieting our minds and stilling our hearts to a spiritual Christian. Too often we can’t hear God’s spirit leading us because our own thoughts and compulsive thinking gets in the way. We are constantly thinking about our past, our future, our worries and cares, and everything else in-between. Because of this, our thoughts often choke out or conflict with the Word of God.
Being a spiritual Christian requires spending time with God in solitude and silence. It was Jesus’s custom to go to a solitary place and pray or abide with God. The relationship built on abiding created a spiritual connection between God and Christ. Jesus said I and my Father are one. In fact, Jesus said, I only do and say and what the Father tells me. Their spiritual union created unity of thought and purpose.
Unfortunately, many Christians have never learned to nurture God’s spirit within them. They don’t trust what the spirit is saying, especially if it goes against natural or logical thinking. They don’t think God talks to them. They have more faith in the pastoral staff than in the Holy Spirit.
In many churches, Christians are not taught how to be spiritual. Instead we are given rules and formulas to live by. It is like going to a Christian seminar. We receive a one size fits all message. However, this does not compensate for our differences- differences in purpose, in personality, and in-style. It also does not account for our uniqueness.
Jesus told us that when it comes to God and being spiritual, that the spirit of God is already within us. He told us not to go on a mission to find God, because when we open our heart to Him, we already possess Him. Just as in the day of Pentecost, when we wait on God, He sends us the tools and the power we need to carry out His mission. In fact, 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Therefore, being a spiritual Christian has more to do with building a genuine and personal relationship with God that is germinated in the soil of “being” and “abiding in Christ,” and as a result of this intimate fellowship, the direction, guidance, power, and instructions we need to fulfill God’s ongoing purpose in our lives will emerge.
Rhonda Jones, MA is the author of 23 Biblical meditation and affirmation Cds and the creator of the awarding winning website, http://www.thechristianmeditator.com. Visit her website to learn more about Christian meditation and its benefits and subscribe to Free Daily Christian Meditations.
Aren’t all Christians spiritual? That seems like an odd question. Most would equate spirituality with Christianity, yet it’s possible to possess one and not the other. So what are the differences and what characteristics follow the spiritual Christian?
To be a spiritual Christian means to be lead and to live by the spirit of God. It means allowing God’s spirit, that is living inside you, to guide your decisions instead of relying mostly upon your logic and intellect. Galatians 5:16 says that if we are lead by the spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
It takes quieting our minds and stilling our hearts to a spiritual Christian. Too often we can’t hear God’s spirit leading us because our own thoughts and compulsive thinking gets in the way. We are constantly thinking about our past, our future, our worries and cares, and everything else in-between. Because of this, our thoughts often choke out or conflict with the Word of God.
Being a spiritual Christian requires spending time with God in solitude and silence. It was Jesus’s custom to go to a solitary place and pray or abide with God. The relationship built on abiding created a spiritual connection between God and Christ. Jesus said I and my Father are one. In fact, Jesus said, I only do and say and what the Father tells me. Their spiritual union created unity of thought and purpose.
Unfortunately, many Christians have never learned to nurture God’s spirit within them. They don’t trust what the spirit is saying, especially if it goes against natural or logical thinking. They don’t think God talks to them. They have more faith in the pastoral staff than in the Holy Spirit.
In many churches, Christians are not taught how to be spiritual. Instead we are given rules and formulas to live by. It is like going to a Christian seminar. We receive a one size fits all message. However, this does not compensate for our differences- differences in purpose, in personality, and in-style. It also does not account for our uniqueness.
Jesus told us that when it comes to God and being spiritual, that the spirit of God is already within us. He told us not to go on a mission to find God, because when we open our heart to Him, we already possess Him. Just as in the day of Pentecost, when we wait on God, He sends us the tools and the power we need to carry out His mission. In fact, 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Therefore, being a spiritual Christian has more to do with building a genuine and personal relationship with God that is germinated in the soil of “being” and “abiding in Christ,” and as a result of this intimate fellowship, the direction, guidance, power, and instructions we need to fulfill God’s ongoing purpose in our lives will emerge.
Rhonda Jones, MA is the author of 23 Biblical meditation and affirmation Cds and the creator of the awarding winning website, http://www.thechristianmeditator.com. Visit her website to learn more about Christian meditation and its benefits and subscribe to Free Daily Christian Meditations.
Prayer For All Churches
by Susan Darling
Prayer For All Churches In The World.
Dear sweet Jesus by the power of your great love and all your merits may you convert all churches around the world. May you cleanse her of all her evil and protect her from false teachings. May she become truly Christ like in all things. A true example of your great love and mercy to all people. May she be so filled with your spirit that she resembles you in everyway and converts people to you. May we all learn to trust you completely. May we offer up our lives for you, in complete loving surrender. Gives us all a spirit of prayer and penance. And may our prayers become so powerful that we can move mountains in your name and cast out devils for your sake. May we make up for our sins by doing great acts of love for you. May you fill the spiritual leaders with humility and a true desire to please you in everything and a great hunger to see souls safely in your heart for evermore. May you raise up many saints so that the world can change and be pleasing to you. May Mary and all the saints in heaven help us bring this about. For your sake and for your great glory may you answer our prayers. Amen
I believe that Christian don't often think just how powerful their prayers can be, so they pray for small things and only for people they know. I believe in praying big because I know God wants to do great things through us.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Prayer For All Churches In The World.
Dear sweet Jesus by the power of your great love and all your merits may you convert all churches around the world. May you cleanse her of all her evil and protect her from false teachings. May she become truly Christ like in all things. A true example of your great love and mercy to all people. May she be so filled with your spirit that she resembles you in everyway and converts people to you. May we all learn to trust you completely. May we offer up our lives for you, in complete loving surrender. Gives us all a spirit of prayer and penance. And may our prayers become so powerful that we can move mountains in your name and cast out devils for your sake. May we make up for our sins by doing great acts of love for you. May you fill the spiritual leaders with humility and a true desire to please you in everything and a great hunger to see souls safely in your heart for evermore. May you raise up many saints so that the world can change and be pleasing to you. May Mary and all the saints in heaven help us bring this about. For your sake and for your great glory may you answer our prayers. Amen
I believe that Christian don't often think just how powerful their prayers can be, so they pray for small things and only for people they know. I believe in praying big because I know God wants to do great things through us.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Early Christian Art - An Evolutionary Tale of Pagan to Roman Styles
The beginning of Christian Art is slated to the end of the second century or the early third century AD. The Early Christian Period, ranging from the year 100 to 500, witnessed spectacular growth in the development & growth of Christianity. During this phase, almost all Christian Artworks were 'Symbolic,' used mostly to educate & instruct the masses. They also served as religious mediums, spreading the words of God. Religion was one of the key forces, influencing most art forms, created after the birth of Christ.
Until the year 200, in Rome, religion was a practice of low class and the strong & mighty did not support it. Therefore, the Early Christian Art was restricted to the decoration of hidden places, like Roman catacombs, where Gods were worshipped secretly. 'Pagan Iconography' and 'Roman Art' style were in a way the foundation of the Early Christian Art, such as the Catacomb Artwork, "The Good Shepherd." These cryptic places were fashioned to respect the memory of the dead. Constantine, the great Roman emperor, however, issued his 'Edict of Milan' in 313 AD for religious tolerance, and declared Christianity as the Roman Empire's state religion. Now, the Christians could fearlessly come out from the hiding, without the risk of being persecuted.
Post 313 AD, in the 4th century AD; Constantine built several huge, well-built churches and shrines. Usually five-aisled basilicas, these buildings had a nave in the center, with an aisle on both the sides, while an apse acquired one end of the structure. Together they formed an elevated platform for bishops and priests to sit on. Basilica buildings, concentrating on a round or polygonal shrine, like "Church of the Nativity" in Bethlehem, "St John Lateran," Rome; "St. Mary Major," Rome; and "Old St. Peter's Basilica," Rome; are some key complexes of this era.
The Early Christian Art employed 'Symbolism,' for example the fish, represented Christ; lamb, Jesus' sacrifice; lambs, Christian sacrifice; cross; Jesus' crucifixion; anchor, hope & steadfastness; garden, paradise; bird, soul; dove, peace & purity; and so on. The art forms practiced were graffiti, paintings, or carvings, using the same artistic media as that of the 'Pagans,' such as frescos, mosaics, sculptures, and manuscript illumination. A carved marble relief, "The Throne of God as a Trinitarian Image," (c. 400 CE) is an ideal example of this 'Early Christian Symbolism.' Later however, the 'Pictorial Symbolism' graduated to the 'Personified' one, such Jonah in the whale's abdomen, Orpheus with animals, and Daniel in the lion's den.
The Christian Art after 313 AD consisted of messages glorifying God, the words of God, the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. The art was not so much about 'Realism' or technique, as much it was about the content, conveyed through the mosaics, which embellished the interiors of the early Christian basilicas, like the "Church of St. Maria Maggiore" in Rome. The paintings also carried the messages from liturgical books and other manuscripts, such as Vienna Genesis, Rossano Gospels, & Cotton Genesis. In addition, the art was even advertised with the help of ornate sarcophagi, elaborated with religious symbols, biblical figures, and narratives, such as "Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus" and "Dogmatic Sarcophagus."
As the Early Christian Art transitioned to Romanesque and to the great gothic cathedrals, it subtly departed from 'Naturalism,' getting more sophisticated until the 'Renaissance Period.' During this time, humanity and Christianity came together, bridging the early Christian Gothic sensibilities and the Renaissance, reflecting an interesting perspective about the Early Christians.
Until the year 200, in Rome, religion was a practice of low class and the strong & mighty did not support it. Therefore, the Early Christian Art was restricted to the decoration of hidden places, like Roman catacombs, where Gods were worshipped secretly. 'Pagan Iconography' and 'Roman Art' style were in a way the foundation of the Early Christian Art, such as the Catacomb Artwork, "The Good Shepherd." These cryptic places were fashioned to respect the memory of the dead. Constantine, the great Roman emperor, however, issued his 'Edict of Milan' in 313 AD for religious tolerance, and declared Christianity as the Roman Empire's state religion. Now, the Christians could fearlessly come out from the hiding, without the risk of being persecuted.
Post 313 AD, in the 4th century AD; Constantine built several huge, well-built churches and shrines. Usually five-aisled basilicas, these buildings had a nave in the center, with an aisle on both the sides, while an apse acquired one end of the structure. Together they formed an elevated platform for bishops and priests to sit on. Basilica buildings, concentrating on a round or polygonal shrine, like "Church of the Nativity" in Bethlehem, "St John Lateran," Rome; "St. Mary Major," Rome; and "Old St. Peter's Basilica," Rome; are some key complexes of this era.
The Early Christian Art employed 'Symbolism,' for example the fish, represented Christ; lamb, Jesus' sacrifice; lambs, Christian sacrifice; cross; Jesus' crucifixion; anchor, hope & steadfastness; garden, paradise; bird, soul; dove, peace & purity; and so on. The art forms practiced were graffiti, paintings, or carvings, using the same artistic media as that of the 'Pagans,' such as frescos, mosaics, sculptures, and manuscript illumination. A carved marble relief, "The Throne of God as a Trinitarian Image," (c. 400 CE) is an ideal example of this 'Early Christian Symbolism.' Later however, the 'Pictorial Symbolism' graduated to the 'Personified' one, such Jonah in the whale's abdomen, Orpheus with animals, and Daniel in the lion's den.
The Christian Art after 313 AD consisted of messages glorifying God, the words of God, the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. The art was not so much about 'Realism' or technique, as much it was about the content, conveyed through the mosaics, which embellished the interiors of the early Christian basilicas, like the "Church of St. Maria Maggiore" in Rome. The paintings also carried the messages from liturgical books and other manuscripts, such as Vienna Genesis, Rossano Gospels, & Cotton Genesis. In addition, the art was even advertised with the help of ornate sarcophagi, elaborated with religious symbols, biblical figures, and narratives, such as "Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus" and "Dogmatic Sarcophagus."
As the Early Christian Art transitioned to Romanesque and to the great gothic cathedrals, it subtly departed from 'Naturalism,' getting more sophisticated until the 'Renaissance Period.' During this time, humanity and Christianity came together, bridging the early Christian Gothic sensibilities and the Renaissance, reflecting an interesting perspective about the Early Christians.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Repentance By Ron Boatwright
Many people believe repentance is when you feel sorrow, guilt, or shame for sin; but this is not repentance. The Bible says, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). If one is only sorry he got caught, then this will not lead to repentance. Godly sorrow helps bring on repentance. Repentance is not sorrow for sin, but one cannot repent without being sorry he has sinned. "Let the wicked forsake his way…let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him…for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7). In repentance, one must first understand he has sinned, feel sorrow for the sin, and then stop and turn away from that sin.
"Truly, the times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). All people are commanded to repent. It is not possible for anyone, except our Lord, to live a sin-free life, but this is no excuse for our sinning. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). We also read in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." It is God’s goodness that should lead us to repentance. "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4).
Paul says, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:1-2). To show our repentance we are to "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). Why should we repent of sins? "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:3). Spiritual death is separation from God in eternity. Jesus says, "I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Unless one repents he cannot go to Heaven, but will eternally suffer the torments of Hell. We must give up our sin and "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body" (Romans 6:12).
If one is an alien sinner then he must, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). But if one is a child of God who has sinned then he must, "Repent of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:22). We must repent before we ask God to forgive us. Our repentance also includes our confessing our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
Repentance is a change of heart, which results in a change of actions for the better. Without repentance we cannot receive forgiveness and be saved. Where we spend eternity, in Heaven or Hell, is determined by our repentance. All of Heaven is anxious for us to repent. Jesus says, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
"Truly, the times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). All people are commanded to repent. It is not possible for anyone, except our Lord, to live a sin-free life, but this is no excuse for our sinning. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). We also read in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." It is God’s goodness that should lead us to repentance. "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4).
Paul says, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:1-2). To show our repentance we are to "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). Why should we repent of sins? "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:3). Spiritual death is separation from God in eternity. Jesus says, "I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Unless one repents he cannot go to Heaven, but will eternally suffer the torments of Hell. We must give up our sin and "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body" (Romans 6:12).
If one is an alien sinner then he must, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). But if one is a child of God who has sinned then he must, "Repent of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:22). We must repent before we ask God to forgive us. Our repentance also includes our confessing our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
Repentance is a change of heart, which results in a change of actions for the better. Without repentance we cannot receive forgiveness and be saved. Where we spend eternity, in Heaven or Hell, is determined by our repentance. All of Heaven is anxious for us to repent. Jesus says, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
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