From Grace to Growth: A Gathering for Women

Moody Bible Institute Presents From Grace to Growth: A Gathering for Women

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18

From Grace to Growth will give you a chance to praise God for his never-ending grace, and will provide you an opportunity to respond to His leading by participating in the work He has already begun through you. God's work will be done, and He graciously gives each one of His children an invitation to play a role in it.

Join us as we seek to embrace His love and to experience His calling for our lives!

Featured Speakers:

Liz Curtis Higgs is a gifted speaker and author of 27 books, with more than three million copies in print. Her best-selling Bad Girls of the Bible series breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history. Higgs has appeared before audiences in all 50 states and 11 different countries. She has also been interviewed on more than 600 radio and television stations, including guest appearances on PBS, NPR, CBC Canada and BBC Radio Scotland.

Susie Larson is an author, speaker, and avid blogger. In addition to authoring several books and many articles, Larson works as a freelance writer for Focus on the Family. She has been a guest on radio and TV programs across the country, including Midday Connection and Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. Larson is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Women in Christian Media and serves on the board of directors for the Christian Authors Network.

Featured Musican:

Chrissy Toledo leads and directs the Chicago Tabernacle Choir on Chicago’s North Side. Her vision is to impact the hearts and minds of listeners with music that feeds life into their souls. She and her husband, Al, planted Chicago Tabernacle in 2002 on the foundation of prayer. Toledo believes that God is uniting people from various walks of life and ethnic backgrounds in their congregation as they seek the Lord, calling on His name together.

April 24th, 2010
Parkside Church
7100 Pettibone Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Cost: $50.00

Registration:http://www.moodyconferences.com/con_mainPage.aspx?id=7522

Getty Concert

Click on the link below to view the full final concert of Keith & Kristyn Getty's "Awaken the Dawn" tour. The Getty's are nominated for a Dove Award and the concert was incredible. Below is an email message they shared:

This past Palm Sunday was the final night of our ten month 'Awaken the Dawn' tour. After beginning in the Waterfront Hall in our home town of Belfast in June, we had the privilege of bringing it to a close at our home church, Parkside Church in Ohio with our pastor and friend Alistair Begg.

Tomorrow we fly back to Northern Ireland to begin a break from the road for six months to write new hymns and to spend Easter with family and friends.

As we prepare for Easter we have been challenged by a recent talk we heard on Mark 5. It's puzzling why after performing several miracles Jesus asks them not to tell others about what He has just done. One insight into this is remembering that after the cross and resurrection He tells them to go into all the world and make disciples - it seems that once they had the full story and not just part of the picture they were ready to tell. The gospel is more than just answers to physical problems but brings the eternal solution to the deep eternal need in all of us.

May each of us know and tell and live this whole story as we sing and celebrate Easter together,

With grace and peace,

Keith & Kristyn

http://www.parksidechurch.com/media-player/2010/3/29/getty-concert-2010/watch/

The Warren Brothers - Dear Mr. God Music Video

Watch the music video of Dear Mr. God by the Warren Brothers from the upcoming movie Letters to God being released April 9th:

John Piper to Take Leave to Reexamine Soul

Well-known evangelical preacher John Piper announced Sunday that he will be taking his first-ever break from ministry to reexamine his soul.

The long-time preacher apologized to his congregation for not a specific deed but for the "sins of my own soul," "ongoing character flaws" and stresses that they have caused to others.

"I see several species of pride," Piper told Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. "They may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry. Nevertheless, while I don't think they do, I grieve over them."

Piper, who is considered one of the most influential preachers among Protestant pastors, made the announcement after preaching about Jesus Christ and the cross he beared. It was the first of four final sermons before his eight-month leave from the church and ministry.

In the 30 years he has been preaching, Piper said he has never let go of his passion for public productivity – ever. That is, until now.

"In this moment (the leave of absence), I'm letting go of all of it," he said.

That means no preaching, no book writing, no blogging, no tweeting, no articles, no papers and no speaking engagements – with a few exceptions that his wife, Noel, agreed to.

"One of the goals of fasting," he noted, "is to determine levels of addiction or, as Paul Tripp of Tim Keller would say, levels of idolatry."

"The reality check is what will happen to John Piper's soul ... and to my marriage ... and to my future ... when there will be no prideful sipping from the poisonous cup of international fame and notoriety," the 64-year-old preacher said. "I need to find that out and I don't know any other way to do it."

"I just want to preach so bad I can hardly stand it," he admitted. "I love what I do."

The break from ministry will also serve as a period for him to work on his marriage to his wife of 41 years.

The couple is "rock solid" in commitment to each other, he stressed, and there is "no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side." However, Piper said the term "rock solid" is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor.

"The precious garden of my home needs tending," he told his congregation.

"I want to say ... to you, Noel, that I want you to feel precious, precious over the ministry."

Piper's leave has been approved by the elders at Bethlehem Church, which currently has three campuses. The elders have also appointed a group to stay in touch and keep Piper accountable for the leave.

Though future plans are not certain, Piper said he hopes to return after the leave of absence to preach for at least five more years.

"My prayer and my high expectation is that these months will be a launching for a humble, happy, fruitful five years – I believe the best five years of 35 years and the best five married years of 46," he said.

Piper will be preaching three more times, including on Easter Sunday, before his leave

Information provided by The Christian Post

The Movie - Letters to God, a Possibility Pictures Production

The Movie - Letters to God, a Possibility Pictures Production

The Story
A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Tyler Doherty (TANNER MAGUIRE) is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy. Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace. To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher and the ultimate pen pal—Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis.

The letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels (JEFFREY S.S. JOHNSON), a beleaguered postman standing at a crossroads in his life. At first, he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters. Overtime he begins to form a friendship with the Doherty family – getting to know not just Tyler but his tough, tender yet overwhelmed mom (ROBYN LIVELY), stalwart grandmother (MAREE CHEATHAM) and teen brother Ben (MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BOLTEN) -- who are each trying to stand strong against the doubts that come with the chaotic turn their lives have taken.

Moved by Tyler’s courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his newfound friends and community –in an exhilarating act of testament to the contagious effect of one boy’s unwavering faith against the odds.

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community.

Christian One-Liners...

Don't let your worries get the
best of you; remember, Moses started
out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and
sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God,
but only as advisers.


It is easier to preach ten sermons
than it is to live one.


The good Lord didn't create anything
without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.


When you get to your wit's end,
you'll find God lives there.


People are funny; they want the front
of the bus, the middle of the road, and
The back of the church.


Opportunity may knock once, but temptation
bangs on your front door forever.


Quit griping about your church;
if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.


If the church wants a better pastor,
it only needs to pray for the one it has.


God Himself does not propose to judge
a man until he is dead. So why should you?


Some minds are like concrete
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.



I don't know why some people
change churches; what difference does
it make which one you stay home from?


A lot of church members who are singing
'Standing on the Promises'
are just sitting on the premises.


We were called to be witnesses,
not lawyers or judges.


Be ye fishers of men. You catch
them - He'll clean them.


Coincidence is when God
chooses to remain anonymous.


Don't put a question mark
where God put a period.



Forbidden fruits create many jams.


God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.



God grades on the cross, not the curve.



God loves everyone, but probably prefers
'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'



God promises a safe landing,
not a calm passage.


Prayer:

Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!


The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.


The Will of God never takes you to
where the Grace of God will not protect you.


We don't change the message,
the message changes us.



The best mathematical equation
I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Tim Hawkins: I'm No Rockstar

If you are looking for a DVD that will have the whole family laughing, checkout Tim Hawkins - he is hilarious and very talented!

Rental cars, motels, ironing clothes---Tim Hawkins is no rock star! But here he performs his unique arsenal of hilarity in straight stand-up, acoustic guitar comedy, and full-blown rock concert bits. Recorded live in Arlington, Texas, this 90-minute DVD is filled with fan favorites---including "Quit the Choir," "Delilah," and "The First Song Prince Ever Wrote"; plus humorous bonus features.

Available from www.christianbooks.com as well as many other places...

Ephesians 6:10-18....Timely...

Today in my daily Bible study I read the following:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Free Music of the Week: Download Revive's latest single, "Blink"

Free music from GMC:

http://www.gmclife.com/news/insider/download-week-revive-blink

Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson

Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, has started a new endeavor My Family Talk. Thank you Dr. Dobson for all your years of faithful service, staying true to your beliefs, and for all the life's you touched while being a part of Focus on the Family! Click on the title bar above to visit Dr. Dobson's new website.

He Saw The List

I was looking through the books in my library tonight and came across this from Max Lucado's book 3:16 The Numbers of Hope. With Easter being near I thought it was something we could reflect on:

Come with me to the hill of Calvary. Watch as the soldiers shove the Carpenter to the ground and stretch his arms against the beams. One presses a knee against a forearm and a spike against a hand. Jesus turns his face toward the nail just as the soldier lifts the hammer to strike it.

Couldn't Jesus have stopped him? With the flex of the biceps, with a clench of the fist, he could have resisted. Is this not the same hand that stilled the sea? Summoned the dead?

But the fist doesn't clench...and the moment isn't aborted.

The mallet rings and the skin rips and the blood begins to drip, then rush. Then the questions follow. Why? Why didn't Jesus resist?

"Because he loved us," we reply. That is true, wonderfully true, but-forgive me-only partially true. There is more to his reason. He saw something that made him stay. As the soldier pressed his arm, Jesus rolled his head to the side, and with his check resting on the wood, he saw:

A mallet? Yes.
A nail? Yes.
The Soldier's hand? Yes.

But he saw something else. Between his hand and the wood, there was a list. A long list. A list of our mistakes: our lusts and lies and greedy moments and prodigal years. A list of our sins.

The bad decisions from last year. The bad attitudes from last week. There in broad daylight for all of heaven to see, was a list of your mistakes.

He saw the list! He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those sins was you, and since he couldn't bear the thought of eternity with out you, he chose the nails.

Walk in the Word Iphone/Itouch Application

This is one of the best Iphone/Itouch applications I have came across in regards features and functionality. Click the title link above to check it out!

Easter Lillies Can Grow in the Right Soil

We have all heard the saying at Easter when churches are full that "the Easter Lillies have come out" in reference to people who only go to church at Easter. I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the parable of the soils in Matthew 13:3-9:

Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and devoured them. And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundred fold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.

The soil illustrates the human heart. The soils in Jesus' parable are the same. The difference in the soils are how they have been conditioned. All the soils could receive the seed, if they were properly prepared. It is the same with human hearts. A person's response to the gospel depends primarily on the preparation of his or her heart. A heart not properly prepared will never bear spiritual fruit.

Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and devoured them. Here our Lord warns that the human heart can be so pounded and beaten down with sin that it becomes completely insensitive to the gospel. This is the heart that knows no repentance, no sorrow over sin, no guilt, and no concern for the things of God. The seed just bounces off the soil and Satan is portrayed as a ravenous bird, hovering over the hard soil, eager to pluck up the seed the moment it lands.

And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. This kind of heart is enthusiastic but shallow. It responds positively but not with saving faith. There is no thought involved, no counting the cost. It is quick, emotional, euphoric, instant excitement without any understanding of the actual significance of discipleship. That is not genuine faith. When trials or persecution comes, these people dry up and wither away.

And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. This represents weedy soil and a heart preoccupied with worldly matters. Do you know people who fit this category? For a while they come to church, identify with the people of God, even show signs of growth. But they never bear spiritual fruit. They are uncommitted and preoccupied with the world's pleasures, money, career, fame, fortune, or the lusts of the flesh. They say they are Christians, but care nothing about a pure life. That is the response of weedy soil. The germinating seed that looks so good will ultimately be overwhelmed by the thorns of worldliness, and eventually the weedy heart will show no evidence that good seed was ever sown. Weedy hearts may be willing to accept Jesus as Savior, but not if it means letting go of the world.

And others fell on good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundred fold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear. This is the good soil. it is a promise to the discouraged disciples that there is good soil in the field. Let them not be shaken by the people's negative response, Jesus wants us to know that there is a huge field cultivated and ready to receive the seed and it will bear abundant fruit. Of the four soils, only one is good. Only one produces fruit. The good soil pictures the believer. The weedy soil and the shallow soils are the pretenders. The soil by the wayside is an absolute rejector. This parable is the message of the gospel. The sprouting of the seed in the shallow soil and the weedy soil simply means that the Word had been received and begun to operate, not that eternal life had been conferred. Fruit is the ultimate test of true salvation. The proof of salvation is not listening to the Word, or having a quick emotional response to the Word, or even cultivating the Word so that it grows in life. The proof of salvation is fruit, for as Christ said, 'ye, shall know them by their fruits' (Matthew 7:16). As sowers, we are called to broadcast the seed of the unadulterated gospel, even if some of it falls on unprepared soil. There will always be wayside soil, shallow soil, and weedy soil, but there will also always be good soil that will be crops thirty-, sixty-, or a hundredfold. That prepared soil needs only to have the right seed thrown in.

As we arrive upon Easter services, take some time to speak with others and invite them to your service or at your service get to know people who you may not have spoken to in the past. They may need their soil prepared and you can help cultivate their transition to the good soil.

R.C. Sproul on Roman Catholicism

R.C. Sproul on Roman Catholicism - For the past week, Dr. Sproul has been going through the series Roman Catholicism on his radio program, Renewing Your Mind, and will conclude the series on March 19. In this series, R.C. Sproul carefully and respectfully looks at the doctrines that are at the heart of the Catholic-Protestant divide.

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/a-look-roman-catholicism-rc-sproul/

Vatican exorcist: Pedophiles tempted by Satan, not possessed

From www.cnn.com:

The Rev. Gabriele Amorth isn't speaking metaphorically when he says that. The 85-year-old priest means people can be tempted and literally possessed by Satan

And as the Vatican's chief exorcist, it's his job to expel the devil when someone is possessed. He's performed more than 70,000 exorcisms in his career, he estimates.

"I have carried out exorcisms on some priests who had been molested by the devil," he said, without going into details.

Read the full article here: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/16/vatican.exorcist.devil/index.html?hpt=T2

Just curious, if you are Catholic did you know the Vatican had a chief exorcist?

Psst...Hey Let's Not Talk About It...

You know the person..."it's private"..."I really don't talk about it"..."If I told someone about it they would find out more about me then I want them to know..."

I think we all know people who on Sunday's (for least an hour or so) can talk about Jesus to people in their church, but as soon as they walk out the door, they put a check mark on the "go to church" spot on their agenda and don't talk (and in some cases even think) about Jesus until Sunday rolls around again.

Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would come and that we were to spread the Gospel to all ends of the earth. Why do some people have a hard time talking about Jesus? If you cannot talk about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit do you really believe deep down that God created everything, that He sent His Son to die on a cross for our sin, and that the Holy Spirit lives in you? I understand someone who states "OK I believe there is a God" but does not go to church, read the Bible regularly or truly understand that it is about relationship and not religion could not speak about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for lack of knowledge (if you know this person please lead them to a good Bible teaching church).

Our jobs are to share the Good News, the rest is up to God and the person you shared the message with. Josuha 1:9 tells us "Have I not commanded you? Be, strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord, your God will be with you were ever you go".

We need to be strong and share the truth.

Then there is my favorite "I do not want to offend anyone if they go to a different church, so I do not talk about it" or "I don't want them to think I am stupid if they are not a believer" and I could go on and on...

Take this test. Go stand in front of a mirror. Ask yourself if you truly believe. If yes, now ask yourself if the world ended tomorrow, and you see two lines - one going to heaven and one going to hell, and then you see your mom, dad, best friend, daughter, son, whoever is close to you, stuck in the line going to hell how are you going to feel? What are you going to say when they shout "Why didn't you tell me?"

The Bible tells us to share the Good News, not to keep it private. Tell someone today won't you?

Reminder That I Am Getting Old...

Yesterday we held a "Family Fun Event" for our 4th grade Children's Ministry classes at our church and I spent 2 hours playing basketball, dodgeball, motion maddness and other games with 50 kids and thier parents. During the event we talked about Josuha 1:9 and the theme of the day was "Be Strong". The "Be Strong" theme was based on the children needing to be strong and share their faith.

The "Be Strong" theme for me today is for my knees...they are both reminding me that I am no longer a "20 something" and when you are generaly inactive for a long period of time over the winter that they do not just bounce back as needed to chase around kids on a Sunday afternoon...

I Am Second: Colt Mccoy

Take a few minutes a watch this video - share it with with kid's who play sports and anyone who does not know Jesus:

THINGS NOT TO SAY TO YOUR WIFE

Tim Hawkins provides another laugh with "Things Not To Say To Your Wife"

I Don't Want My Children To Be Happy

Checkout this blog from:

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html
It is a thought provoking piece from Missy at It's Almost Naptime

Dear Mr. God

If you have not heard the song "Dear Mr. God" by the Warren Brothers I highly suggest you download from Itunes or your favorite MP3 spot. The song is from the upcoming movie "Letters to God". Great song!

Multi-Site Churches and Video

Some churches today with multi-sites are utilizing video to show a sermon from a single pastor. This issue seems to have many people for this and many people against it. Most of the time, multi-site churches have a well known pastor and many people feel that by showing his sermon by video at additional site locations it brings more people to Christ.

I recently read an article this week where the video viewing will soon be replaced with a halogram of the pastor at the pulpit and it is suppose to be so real you cannot tell it is not the real person. My opinion is I like have a real pastor at the pulpit regardless if it is the well known pastor, or a different local pastor of the church. What are your thoughts?

Some people have the position using video to provide the sermon at multi-locations is creating a celeberty of the pastor. Others state "how do I invite a friend to church and tell them we are going to be watching a video?"

I am all for growing the church but if we are going to watch a video of a well know pastor, we can do that online and fellowship at another church that has a pastor in the pulpt. I believe technology has a place in the church, but do not think this is it.

What's in The Bible DVD Series - In the Beginning

The first in a series of 13 DVDs and from the creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer, is In the Beginning. Each DVD is filled with orignal music, animation, puppets and creative writing that will teach kids about God and His Word. The first DVD introduces kids to the Bible and the book of beginnings, Genesis. Kids will learn about the key people in Genesis and the important lessons their stories teach us. Approximately 45 minutes. Also available, Let My People Go - Volume 2.

Vote Now For the Dove Awards

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/fanvoting

Vote now for Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #6

Today we will review the final topic we are addressing from the book Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical.

Final Salvation

Fr. John: What does it take to go to heaven? Catholics believe:

Heaven is not so much a place, but the consummation of our betrothal to Christ. When we die, we will be judged on our love (CCC1022). Our actions in this life-good deeds and sacraments-show God that we want to marry Him, i.e. be with Him forever in heaven. Hell manifests God's love and mercy. The damned choose hell, rejecting heaven and their relationship to God. One doesn't go to heaven by default. Wasting talents-the grace God offers us-or not responding to the needs of others, risks eternal damnation. God is all-holy; nothing unholy can enter His presence; so, complete holiness is needed to enter heaven; thus, we must be purged of any remaining unholiness, or choose hell. This purification process is called purgatory. After having believed and been baptized, we are still free to sin and abandon God's favor, like the prodigal son. If we do sin, God gives us the sacrament of confession.

Pastor Jim: As evangelical Christians, we confess our sins directly to God. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that after baptism, Catholics must confess to a priest every serious sin they commit. Why is this necessary? Would you explain what Rome means when it says that Catholics receive eternal life "as a reward...for their good works and merits"? When New York Times asked cardinal John O'Connor of New York whether he knew if he were going to heaven, he answered:

Church teaching is that I do not know, at any given moment, what my eternal future will be. I can hope , pray, do my very best-but I still do not know. Pope John Paul II doesn't know absolutely that he will go to heaven, nor does Mother Teresa of Calcutta..."

Why cannot even model Catholics know whether or not they will make it to heaven? Having the assurance from God's Word that we are forgiven, at peace with God, and will spend eternity with Him in heaven is something we cherish as evangelical Christians. I heard on the radio last week that the Vatican announced that it will be making Josemaria Escriva, a founder of Opus Dei, a saint. I understand this means they think he is in heaven. How do they know this?

My thoughts: As we draw to a close on topics from this book, I encourage you to read the entire book as both sides present their cases very well. I do not believe there is a purgatory and do believe in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. I think how the Pharisees were viewed indicates God wants relationships rather then religion. I hope this series of blog posts bring you closer to God.

I Really Want to Change...So, Help Me God

Do you long to be different than you are? Transformed in your character, choices, and conduct? Are you weary of self-help methods that focus too much on human power and not enough on God's power? If so, then I Really Want to Change...So, Help Me God is the book for you.

This book can be found at your local Christian Book Store or ordered from www.walkintheword.com

Walk in the Word with Dr. James MacDonald Bus Tour

Walk in the Word with Dr.James MacDonald is coming to a city near you! Walk in the Word with Dr. James MacDonald:

Dates: Tues. April 6- Fri. April 16
Minneapolis, MN; Tues. April 6
Davenport, IA; Wed. April 7
Peoria, IL; Thurs. April 8
Chattanooga, TN; Fri. April 9
Asheville, NC; Sat. April 10
Albany, GA; Sun. April 11
Jacksonville, FL; Tues. April 13
Orlando, FL; Wed. April 14
Tampa, FL; Thurs. April 15
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL;
Fri. April 16

Dates: Tues. April 27- Fri. May 7
Indianapolis, IN; Tues. April 27
Columbus, OH; Wed. April 28
Pittsburgh, PA; Thurs. April 29
Philadelphia, PA; Fri. April 30
New York, NY; Sun. May 2
Albany, NY; Tues. May 4
Buffalo, NY; Wed. May 5
Toronto, ON; Thurs. May 6
Toronto, ON; Fri. May 7"

The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #5

Mary, Angels, and Saints

Pastor Jim: The evangelical position is fairly simple as compared to that of Roman Catholicism. Here is a brief summary as I see it.

Mary was a godly Jewish woman who yielded her life to God's will (Luke 1:38). We consider her blessed, for God chose her to bear the Christ-child (Luke 1:48). Angels are messengers of God sent forth to execute His purposes (Hebrews 1:14). Saints are God's people. The word saints conveys the concept of separation from evil, hence holy and consecrated to God. Scripture uses the term to designate all true believers, not a class of exceptional individuals. See, for example, 1 Corinthians 1:2

Evangelic Christians, for example, do not venerate Mary, angels or saints. We do not pray to them or consider them advocates or mediators between God and us.

My thoughts: Fr. John's response to the above was made in a number of letters in the book and to not take part of different responses it is difficult to post his responses. Fr. John's responses however referenced the Catholic apocryphal books (the additional books in the Catholic Bible) which Evangelicals do not consider part of the sacred Scriptures.

My Thoughts: I believe in Mary, Angels and Saints, but believe all true believers are saints, and that we pray directly to God and only Jesus has interceded for us.

Need Inspired?

This inspiring video about Jason McElwain J Mac will leaving you smiling and thinking about what is possible even when the odds seem to be stacked against you. Check out this video:

http://www.allprodad.com/videos/view_video.php?viewkey=2bf815a88822c447d9dc

The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #4

Today from the book Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical - From Debate to Dialogue on the Issues That Separate Us we will take a a look at the Lord's Supper.

Transubstantiation

Pastor Jim: You say the bread and wine change into Christ's body and blood. The bread and wine, however, look suspiciously similar - identical, in fact-before and after the consecration. Your church favors the theory of transubstantiation to explain the alleged change. I would like to know how you understand this theory and whether you think it makes good sense.

Fr. John: Exactly, how bread and wine becomes Christ body and blood without changing its appearance is a mystery. Yet what happens when we eat? When you consume an apple, its flesh becomes yours. The atoms don't change, yet somehow your body assumes dominion over those atoms and molecules, making them its own. Somehow Christ's body takes dominion over bread and wine, making them its own.

Pastor Jim: The theory of transubstantiation says that at Mass the substance , the inner essence, of the bread and wine change, while their accidents, their outward appearances, remain the same. Yet when Jesus turned water into wine, the disciples tasted it for themselves (John 2:1-11. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, they saw it with their eyes (John 11:1-44). When God the Father spoke to Jesus from heaven, they heard it with their ears (John 12:28-32). When Jesus appeared to Thomas after the resurrection, He invited Thomas to touch the wounds left by the spikes and spear (John 20:26-28). What precedence is there for a "miracle", such as the Catholic Eucharist, that cannot be perceived by any of the senses?

Fr. John: Our Lord chastised Thomas for demanding to put his fingers and hand in our Lord's nail-prints and wounded side: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29. There have also been many accounts of miraculous changes of consecrated bread and wine into flesh and blood. One such miracle is over 1200 years old.

My take: I believe the bread and wine are symbols and that is what Jesus was indicating. I also believe that anyone who has come to faith and believes in Jesus and all He did for us can partake in the Lord's Supper. I also believe the Lord's Supper is one of the two (not seven) sacraments that Jesus commands to us in the Bible. What are your thoughts?

The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #3

Today we continue looking at the discussions of Father John R. Waiss and Pastor James McCarthy from the book Letters Between A Catholic and an Evangelical - From Debate to Dialouge on the Issues That Seperate Us and today will look at Infant Baptism:

Catholics (as well as some other denominations) believe in infant baptism. Evangelicals do not, with the belief a person needs to be old enough to make there own choice to follow Jesus and make there own decision to be baptized.

When I am invited to an infant baptism and here "Joey" is being baptized today, I think to myself they should really be saying "Joey's parents" are electing to make the decision "Joey" is being baptized. Also, I have attended Cathoilic Confirmation services for second grade children and would like to pose the question if any of the second graders truly understood what they were doing?

Obviously, I am all for families bringing up their children in faith, but believe the children should not particpate in The Lord's Supper or Baptism until they are old enough to make there own decision on thier faith. What do you think?

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