One common interpretation of the “fall of the Church” goes this way: Christianity began to go astray when it began getting in bed with the powers-that-be. Its status evolved from persecuted; to legally protected; to the only legal religion. It evolved from non-violent minority; to war-justifying sub-majority; to war-making majority. The cross of Christ evolved from a symbol of suffering love to symbol of crusading militarism. In other words, the cross was transformed from a soul-shattering embodiment of love which refused to “make things turn out right”—to a feared symbol of violent self-righteous that would do whatever it had to do to win, by hook or by crook.
Perhaps, just perhaps, God is hoping that those who follow Him and even those who don’t will finally understand that no political leader is perfect. No human being can meet all of our needs, keep all of their promises, or turn a nation in the direction it needs to go. Nations rise and fall but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
It is okay to vote. It is better to pray (1 Tim. 2:1-5). It is always right to love others (Matt. 22:39). Certainly, it is vital that we remember that our true citizenship is somewhere else.
Chinese Missionary Remains In Prison For Extra Year To Disciple New Converts
He received a 2-year sentence simply for giving witness of God’s grace and glory in China. His wife and newborn child were crushed, and uncertain of their future without a husband and father.
After 1 year, he was to be released on good behavior. But when the police arrived to free him, he declined the early release. I paused in the middle of my translation, surprised by his response to his persecutors.
“How could I leave my prison ministry?” he asked rhetorically. “During the first year of my prison sentence, I led over 20 men to faith in Jesus. I could not abandon them. Who would disciple them and help them grow in their newfound faith?”
Why White Churches Are Hard for Black People
But some white people hold the institution of the black church in contempt. They accuse its supporters of “dividing the body of Christ!” They don’t realize that when blacks speak of the black church, we’re not just talking about a sociological but a supernatural phenomenon—a bunch of black folk faithfully worshipping God. Some white folk, who decry the black church’s existence, don’t realize that their grandpas, who wouldn’t let blacks worship with their white folk, created the black church.
Hacksaw Ridge– The Tale of a Conscientious Supporter
In our increasingly violent America, I would encourage every Christian to go see this film. Guns and killing are frankly not the answers to our many problems. What we need is a major revival in this country and more loyal patriotic and brave Americans like Desmond Doss who will stick to their Christian principles regardless of persecution, prosecution, or even death, while serving their country. As it turns out, there are better ways to serve than killing. Desmond Doss is the only pacifist to ever get the Medal of Honor. May there be many more.
Civic Engagement Strongly Tied to Local News Habits
A new study by Pew Research Center in association with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation reveals that, overall, the civically engaged are indeed more likely than the less engaged to use and value local news. But two particular aspects of civic engagement stand out as most closely associated with local news habits: a strong connection to one’s community and always voting in local elections. Americans with one of these two attributes, the study finds, consistently display stronger local news habits across a range of measures: news interest, news intake (the number and types of sources they turn to) and news attitudes – their views of local news organizations.
Employees Spend Less Than 40 Percent of the Workday on Actual Work
While our work hours are becoming less productive, they’re also growing longer: The average amount of time spent at the office increased from 44.3 hours in 2015 to 45.1 hours in 2016. Thankfully there are alternatives for workers determined to make better use of their precious time. Working from home is becoming more widely accepted and, as you might suspect, remote employees get more done and feel happier overall.
Man Drove 600 Miles To Listen To Cubs Win With His Father At His Grave, Keeping His Promise
“I talked it out with my boys forever. I let them know that I told my dad – we had a pact. When the Cubs – not if, when – the Cubs got into the World Series, we would make sure we listen to the games together,” Williams said.
Look, dad, here’s your son, keeping his part of the bargain.
Williams set up camp in the military section of Greenwood Forest Lawn Cemetery after an all-day drive from North Carolina.
Driver accidentally backs car into San Diego Bay while trying to park
A car accidentally crashed through a barricade and plunged into the San Diego Bay on Wednesday morning.
Local police told Fox 5 they believe the car’s driver may have accidentally pressed the wrong pedal while attempting to park her car outside of Loews Coronado Resort, causing the vehicle to go crashing into the bay.