There is no such thing as an acceptable level of unemployment, because hunger is not acceptable, poverty is not acceptable, poor health is not acceptable, and a ruined life is not acceptable.
When we launched LGF Mobile this month, we gave people opportunity to submit their prayer requests on the go. When these prayer requests are submitted via a mobile device, they go directly and immediately to either me or Becky. Every request is personally prayed over by us and we send a response to each one. I’m excited to tell you that we received our first two prayer requests submitted through mobile devices yesterday!
This functionality extends our point of need ministry potential from 1 Billion people who have access to the Internet and our online prayer ministry to the 3 Billion people who have mobile devices. This is a great milestone for the worldwide ministry of LovingGodFellowship.org.
Our next move is providing the functionality that will enable people around the world to sign up to receive encouraging text messages from us on their mobile devices. The cost of adding this functionality is $19/month for each 100 phone numbers who sign up. As we are not endowed by any group or denomination and totally depending upon donations from those we minister to through technology, we can not add this functionality without financial commitment from those who desire to spread the Gospel of Christ around the world through the technology platform that God has given us in our day to reach more people for Jesus. We are still awaiting the first monthly commitment of $19/month that will enable us to begin to offer this much needed and anticipated point of need ministry that will give us the opportunity of reaching 3 more billion people with the Gospel of Christ. Will you invest $19/month in this ministry today at http://www.lovinggodfellowship.org/monthly_supporters ?
Thanks for partnering with us in spreading the Gospel of Christ around the world through technology!
Many in our day are suffering. Many are isolated socially and financially. Some are not able to earn income, and some are able but can not find employment. There are those who have been separated from family and friends. There are those who are fighting sickness and disease, struggling just to stay alive another day. In the midst of it all, I have hope. My hope is in Jesus. More and more suffering people must feel the touch of Jesus in our day.
Over the next several days I will be blogging on how more and more suffering people can feel the touch of Jesus in our day.
While many non-profits have went under during this great economic recession, Becky and I are still committed to live by faith and obey what God has placed on our heart for Loving God Fellowship (LGF) while steering it through these difficult times. Launching the LGF mobile site last week is testimony of this.
I'm excited about taking LGF mobile because it allows us to potentially reach 3 more billion people with the Gospel of Christ in support of our point of need ministry model. People will be able to listen to Christ Centric Bible Messages while they are on the go with their mobile devices. Our potential on the Internet is 1 billion people, so this now raises our potential to 4 billion out of 6 billion people in the world. I'm excited about this opportunity and feel that LGF needs to take full advantage of it.
Although our mobile site just has the basics now, more and better functionality will be provided as we go. Please take a look at http://mobile.lovinggodfellowship.org . If you like it, be sure and check the "like" button.
The next thing we need to add to LGF mobile is a signup for SMS texting. To provide this functionality will cost $19 per 100 users that sign up to receive text messages such as Be Encouraged! and notification of new Bible Messages on their mobile devices. Would you consider a monthly donation? A donation of $19 per month will enable us to reach 100 people around the world through their mobile device. If you desire to do more than that, each $19 will enable us to reach 100 people with the Gospel of Christ on their mobile devices.
Please know that all donations are an answer to prayer as we are not endowed by any group or denomination and we don't pass an offering plate in any church service. LGF functions only on what is donated by loving Christ followers from around the world who believe in what LGF is all about.
I am a Christ follower and I believe that immigration reform is a moral issue.
I have proclaimed to church congregations for 19 years now that God is bringing immigrants to America to experience the love that flows out of Christ followers as we love God and ALL people. He is allowing them to be our neighbors. Will we love them?
I pray that in these days the church steps up and does not act like many American white churches did during the days of slavery and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. What a negative piece of church history that was. Although we have made many strides towards racial equality in this nation, the church on Sunday mornings continues to be the most segregated place in America. May God help us in our day. And may immigrants experience the love of Christ through Christ followers as we stand for faith and justice while loving God and ALL people.
Martin Luther King Jr. said that "bad laws are worth going to jail over". I'm sure that you would agree with me that segregated buses, restaurants, bathrooms, water fountains and schools were bad laws. Nevertheless, they existed in the 1960s and prior. Dr. King and others took a stand against these bad laws and led the African American community in nonviolent protests against them. Dr. King was placed in jail many times over these bad laws, but as a Christ follower, he took a stand for faith and justice in his day and we must do the same in our day. “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24 ESV)”
The Federal immigration laws need to be reformed to be more compassionate. Until they are reformed, states are left to do their own thing and each state could develop their own laws concerning immigrants like Arizona has already done. I believe Arizona's law is racist in heart and will lead to results in that state that will not be good.
Jesus said (Matthew 25:35-40 NIV) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' [37] "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' [40] "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Welcoming the stranger in our midst (Matthew 25:35) is the direction of Christ, the One we follow.
I have created a group on facebook called “Christ Followers for Compassionate Reform of Immigration Laws”. It’s a place where information can be shared and Christ followers who support compassionate reform of immigration laws can gather, stay informed and be encouraged as we stand for faith and justice.
I give you a personal invitation to click and join this group. Invite other Christ followers you know and utilize the group for information and encouragement.
Let us take a stand for faith and justice in our day showing the world that we love God and ALL people.
The church today should represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of the community. When the church is segregated, the community becomes segregated and this breeds an unhealthy environment that bares the fruit of injustice and all of the racial, gender, economic and health inequality that come with it.
We are entering into the March madness time of year when college basketball has their conference tournaments and then the big dance – the NCAA tournament.
You will hear coaches and commentators commenting on a team’s ability to play offense and defense.
During this time of year, I’m always reminded of teamwork and how championships are won by teamwork and good coaching.
Christ followers belong to a team.
They have been selected by Christ alone.
He is their coach and He is a good coach.
He simply asks them to deny self, take up their cross and follow Him.
He showed them how.
They don’t need a popular sports drink.
Their thirst is quenched by the Holy Spirit who empowers them to continue the point of need ministry of their coach.
A lot of defense has been played, but coach showed them by example how to play offense.
It’s time rise up as a team and play offense in our day!
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness, and pride of power, and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear... Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
According to an article published by WebMD Medical News “Top 10 Causes of Death Worldwide” the top two causes of death is heart disease and stroke. Doctors tell us that the main causes of heart disease and stroke are genetics, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and stress. Genetics are out of our control, but we can eat healthier, exercise and guard our heart from the stresses of our journey. We need to look at what the Bible says about guarding our heart from the stresses of our journey and specifically look at something Jesus tells us concerning this.
In John chapter 13, Jesus is spending time with His followers in an upper room just prior to His crucifixion. Jesus predicts Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial and begins to prepare them for His death. You can detect the heaviness in the room as these followers begin to try to comprehend such news. They had left everything to follow Jesus – jobs, homes, families. They left everything to follow the person they thought was going to set up His Kingdom and rule on earth and deliver them from the Roman oppression that in itself was heart wrenching and depressing.
Jesus senses the heaviness, the depression, the anxiety, the worries, the stress and He ministers these words: (John 14:1-3 NIV) ""Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." In these words, Jesus gives us the cure for a troubled heart.
Do not let your heart be troubled.
We live in troubling times. There are wars being fought and genocide taking place. There are terrorists. There are famines. There are earthquakes. There are increasingly more severe and frequent natural disasters. It is like Jesus said it would be prior to His return (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21).
Many things that are happening bring stress. When devastation occurs in our day it is because of a destructive, life destroying devil and not a loving, life giving God. Jesus said (John 10:10 NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
In the midst of all that is going on around us, we must not let our hearts be troubled. It’s a command given to us by Jesus. Jesus not only gives us this command in John 14:1, but He also gives us the methodology of keeping our hearts from being troubled.
We are to place all of our trust in Jesus.
Jesus said (John 14:1 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me." The only way we are going to keep our hearts from being troubled is to place our total trust in Jesus. We must constantly remind ourselves that He is the Good Shepherd and we are the sheep. Jesus said (John 10:11 NIV) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
King David knew how to trust the Lord. David said (Psalms 23 NIV) "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. {6} Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Beloved, to keep our hearts from being troubled on this journey that we are on, we must place our trust in the Lord. Jesus will see us through whatever comes our way as we fix our eyes on Him and follow Him.
We are to forget the past and look beyond the present.
Some people allow their heart to be troubled by living in the past. Others are so consumed with present trials that are overwhelming. We must put the past behind us and look beyond the present in order to protect our hearts from being troubled. Jesus said “(John 14:2-3 NIV) "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Beloved, no matter what you have gone through in the past and no matter what you are going through now, you have a bright future. Jesus is preparing your eternal home and He is coming back for you. That is the very next event on God’s agenda. All Bible prophecy up to that point has been fulfilled. Jesus is returning for the beloved. God’s Word says “(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV) "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. {18} Therefore encourage each other with these words."
Beloved, be encouraged with these Words today! God is not against you. He is for you! Jesus is coming to rescue you! Keep following Jesus on this journey from earth to glory! Keep your eyes fixed on Him and keep your hearts from being troubled!
I'm sure by now that you have heard, read, or seen the news about the earthquake in Haiti. My husband Greg told me about it when it happened after seeing it on the news channel. My heart is heavy and I feel totally devastated for the Haitian people. This is such a tragedy in an already improvised nation. But I must be honest with you, I have been even more devastated by the comments of so called "Christian's" blaming this disaster on God and saying the Haitian people got what they desired. Yes you heard me right. That is what I have heard from so-called Christian people.
According to Pat Robertson, the Haitian people way back in the day, and I truly mean way back in the day, made a pack with the devil that they would serve him if he freed them from the French.
"And you know...something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, "We will serve you if you will get us free from the French." True story. And so, the devil said, "OK, it's a deal." And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other. Desperately poor." ~ Pat Robertson on the Christian Broadcasting Network
You can watch his comments for yourself as he refers to the destruction of buildings (which fell on people and killed them) being a "blessing".
Of course the devil being against oppression (yea right) helped them to revolt and free themselves. (I'm always humored by what people blame on the devil. The devil in my opinion gets way to much credit and attention for things he doesn't even do.) Now all these years later God decides to send an earthquake to kill hundreds of thousands of people as punishment. I DON'T THINK SO! If we all got what we deserved we would all be dead, but God is love and full of mercy.
What amazes me the most is when I ask these individuals to show me in the new covenant where Jesus ever used natural disasters or violence of any kind to harm or kill anyone they can't, but they quickly take me to the old covenant, which by the way, Jesus came to fulfill. I quickly remind them if they are going to live by the old covenant, they need to take an animal to church to sacrifice on the altar the next time they go. Come on people, let's not pick and choose, cut and paste so that we can say and live by the rules we want. The bottom line is Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly. He does not kill, steal, and destroy. That's what the word of God tells us the devil is doing.
As I ended my conversation with these so-called Christian's I ask them what makes you think the devil didn't send that earthquake to kill all those people; why did it have to be God? After all the devil is the one who kills, steals and destroys.
One day God in all his glory will give us a new heaven and a new earth, the Word of God will be fulfilled and we will live for eternity in His presence. But until then we need to keep the two greatest commandments given to us by God himself; to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. Who is your neighbor you ask? Anybody, anywhere regardless of gender, race, social statics, or sexual orientation; that's who your neighbor is. And by all means live by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Please let's keep the Haitian people in our prayers. I'm sure it will be a long recovery period for them. May God's love, mercy and provision be poured out upon them at their point of need.
The number of casualties of the 7.6-magnitude quake in West Sumatra of Indonesia has reached to 704 and some 295 others are still missing, the provincial Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday. Also 102,646 houses collapsed and 1104,770 were damaged.
Many schools, hospitals and roads were also affected by the quake and are in a bad state. ~ Thaindian News
I am raising funds this week to help as many disaster survivors that we can in Indonesia, Philippines and Samoa, showing them the love of God. With three major disasters occurring in the same week, we need the help of as many generous and compassionate people as possible at this time.
Will you demonstrate your love of God and people by clicking here and joining us in helping survivors?
A massive quake and tsunami struck the Samoan islands on September 29, 2009, killing at least 500 people and trapping survivors beneath debris and rubble from collapsed buildings. Support is needed to get emergency aid to survivors.
I am raising funds this week to help as many disaster survivors that we can in Indonesia, Philippines and Samoa. With three major disasters occurring in the same week, we need the help of as many generous and compassionate people as possible at this time.
Will you click here and join us in showing the survivors the love of Christ?
Health workers fanned out across Padang on Tuesday to douse the Indonesian city with disinfectant over concerns about disease outbreaks six days after a deadly earthquake rattled Sumatra.
The rescue mission in Padang, a port city of 900,000, and in surrounding hills devastated by landslides has now turned to a huge relief effort to help thousands who have lost their homes. ~ PADANG, Indonesia, Oct 6 (Reuters)
I am raising funds this week to help as many disaster survivors that we can in Indonesia, Philippines and Samoa. With three major disasters occurring in the same week, we need the help of as many generous and compassionate people as possible at this time.
Becky and I have been in contact with one of our pastors in the Philippines impacted by the typhoon that has devastated that area.
"We were very busy for serving 300+ Manila flood victims who evacuate in our campus. 1000$ cost of food and materials had been distributed. We will distribute 800$ cost foods and school used to 200 families tomorrow. Please Pray for us.... 300+ died already." ~ Rev. Thang
I am raising funds this week to help as many disaster survivors that we can in Indonesia, Philippines and Samoa and show them the love of Christ. With three major disasters occurring in the same week, we need the help of as many generous and compassionate people as possible at this time.
We will be demonstrating the love of Christ to those affected by these disasters by partnering with those already on the ground providing the medical supplies and relief that is so desperately needed.
Indonesia Earthquake - At least 1,100 people are dead in Indonesia as a result of two large earthquakes in as many days. Hundreds more are believed to be injured. Thousands of people are trapped under damaged houses and buildings.
Philippines Typhoon – Typhoon Ketsana recently dumped twice as much rain on the Philippines as Hurricane Katrina did in New Orleans. More than 250 people have died, 500,000 are homeless and almost 2 million are affected. Another "super typhoon" threatens to hit the same area. There's a huge risk that communicable diseases will take many lives.
Samoan Islands Earthquake and Tsunami – Large areas along the shores of the Samoan Islands have been devastated by vicious tsunami caused by an 8.0 earthquake. Entire villages have been wiped out.
With three major disasters occurring in the same week, we need the help of as many generous and compassionate people as possible at this time.
Some believe that Christ favors one group of people over another or one country over another. Here in America, people always say God Bless America. I love my country and I want God to bless where I live, but what about the rest of the world? Christ is for the entire world!
During the days of Christ and His early followers, the Jews did not like the Samaritans. The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans had lasted a thousand years. It began when the 12 tribes of Israel broke up in the 10th Century BC. Ten tribes made Samaria their capital and the remaining 2 tribes made Jerusalem their capital. In the 7th Century BC, Samaria was captured by Assyria, thousands of people were deported and their land was re-populated with foreigners. The Samaritans intermarried with those of other races. They had lost their racial purity and that for the Jews was an unforgiveable crime. In the 6th century BC, the Jews refused the help of the Samaritans in rebuilding their temple. In the 4th century BC, the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. This really upset the Jews.
But, Christ came into our world and specifically reached out to the Samaritans (John 4). In the paragraph of Scripture found in Acts 8:4-8, we find that the early Christ followers are discovering that Christ is for all the world and we see them reaching out to the Samaritans just as Christ had done.
Note in Acts 8:4-8 what Christ followers brought to these people:
The message of the love of God in Jesus Christ
Health Care
Joy
As we follow Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to use us in continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus, we will discover that Christ is for the entire world. We will put faith before country and develop a worldview that includes all of God’s children no matter where they live. May God bless the world!
My daughter is a pre-med student in college working to be a pediatrician. She wrote the following on health care and gave me permission to share it with you here.
________________________________________________
Health care: The controversy of the moment in the United States
by Kelsey Johnson
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -The Declaration of Independence
Health care: The controversy of the moment in the United States. With all the rumors and accusations flying around, it's hard to know what's true and what isn't true. Most Americans would agree that health care reform is needed, but no one seems to be able to agree on how to accomplish it so nothing gets done. Obama's administration has proposed health care reform; however, it has received tremendous opposition from the Republican party. With about one-third of the population living without insurance at some point in 2007 or 2008, Americans cannot afford to continue being petty and uncompromising ("Health Insurance Coverage"). It's time to get down to the facts and put aside political parties so that we can work towards a solution to the growing health care crisis.
Some facts about health care are:
62 percent of all bankruptcies filed in 2007 were linked to medical expenses. Nearly 80 percent had health insurance ("Health Insurance Costs").
The United States spends more money on medical care than any other industrialized country, yet it performs worse on nearly all measures of health care quality and health outcomes ("Health Care Quality").
Out of 19 industrialized countries, the U.S. ranked last on deaths amenable to health care, which are deaths that could have been prevented with timely and effective care ("Health Care Quality").
Overall, seniors pay about 22% of their income for health care costs despite their Medicare coverage ("Overview of the U.S. Health Care System).
80% of the uninsured are hardworking Americans who are employed or come from working families ("The Case for Universal Health Care").
More than half of the uninsured postponed needed medical care due to financial concerns ("The Case for Universal Health Care").
One third of uninsured Americans reported that they were unable to fill a prescription drug in the last year because of the cost ("The Case for Universal Health Care").
As a result of difficulties accessing health care, the non-partisan Institute of Medicine estimates that the uninsured have an excess annual mortality rate of 25%. This increased mortality translates into 18,000 excess deaths for people between age 25-64 per year, which is of comparable magnitude to the number of people in this age group who die each year from diabetes, stroke, HIV, and homicide ("The Case for Universal Health Care").
The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not have some form of universal health care (defined as a basic guarantee of health care to all of its citizens). ("The Case for Universal Health Care")
Creating a universal, public financed plan would save $1.1 trillion over 10 years ("The Case for Universal Health Care").
Why does there need to be health care reform? Quite simply, everyone in America should have access to affordable health care because our country was founded on the basis that everyone is equal and should have equal opportunities; however, the health care industry does not treat everyone like equals. The facts are clear: No matter if you're insured, uninsured, young, elderly, working, jobless, whatever, most people feel the strain of health care. Americans are choosing to go without needed health care because they simply cannot afford it, which leads to unnecessary deaths. Just as we do everything possible to prevent unnecessary deaths caused by homicides, suicides, drunk driving, etc., we need to work with the same fervor to stop unnecessary deaths caused by inequalities in health care. Without proper affordable health care, the majority of Americans?both insured and uninsured?will not be able to obtain their constitutional rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Now that it has been established that health care reform is needed, why isn't health care reform happening? The number one reason why change isn't happening is due to the arguments between political parties. Recently I read two articles in Time magazine that discussed this problem. Accurately stated by Joe Klein, a lot of Republican politicians ".make precious few substantive arguments but oppose health-care reform mostly because passage would help Barack Obama's political prospects" (par. 6). In the case of health care, Republicans would rather turn a blind eye to inequality and allow the majority of Americans to suffer than support democratic legislation that would help a democratic president. The republicans have resorted to lies and deception to discredit the democratic health care plan. An example of this would be when ".Sarah Palin raised the remarkable idea that the Obama Administration's attempt to include [end-of-life] issues in its health-care-reform proposal would lead to ?death panels'" (Klein, par. 1). The connotation of the word ?death panels' is that a group of people will get to decide who lives and dies; however the purpose of so called ?death panels' is ".making end-of-life counseling free and available through Medicare" (Klein, par. 3). All this means is that ".an independent, professional authority figure." will help counsel the elderly about making plans and act as power of attorney if no one is predetermined to be one (Klein, par. 3). Joel Stein brings up a very interesting point when he admitted that ".we already have death panels; they just prefer to go by the name insurance companies. Some people get rejected by the death panels because of pre-existing conditions, lifetime-spending caps or drug co-payments they can't afford. Others die because they are freelancers and don't have insurance, so they don't go to doctors" (par. 2). Of course, not all Republicans agree with opposing the democratic legislation just because of political loyalties; however, instead of standing up for change, they choose to remain silent. Klein acknowledges that "until recently, the Republican Party contained a strong moderate wing. It was a Republican, the lawyer Joseph Welch, who delivered the coup de grace to Senator McCarthy when he said, ?Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?'" but Klein then poses the question: "Where is the Republican who would dare say that to Rush Limbaugh, who has compared the President of the United States to Adolf Hitler?" (par. 8). Instead of refusing to support legislation proposed by opposing political parties, Republicans and Democrats need to be willing to compromise and to work together to come up with a solution for the health care problem.
Kao-Ping Chua brings up a compelling point when he declared that ".the United States treats health care as a privilege, only available to those who can afford it. In this sense, health care in America is treated as an economic good like a TV or VCR, not as a social or public good" ("The Case for Universal Health Care"). Should a person be punished with sickness and suffering just because he or she cannot afford health care? I think not. It's time that America stops arguing about health care and starts reforming it. Does it really matter if it was a Republican or Democrat who wrote the health care reform legislation? Just as long as the change brings about equality in the health care system, it shouldn't really matter who suggested the change in the first place.
Indeed, over 90 percent of American adults experience sexual intercourse before marrying. The percentage of evangelicals who do so is not much lower. In a nationally representative study of young adults, just under 80 percent of unmarried, church going, conservative Protestants who are currently dating someone are having sex of some sort. I'm certainly not suggestion that they cannot abstain. I'm suggesting that in the domain of sex, most of them don't and won't.
What to do? Intensify the abstinence message even more? No. It won't work. The message must change, because our preoccupation with sex has unwittingly turned our attention away from the damage that Americans - including evangelicals - are doing to the institution of marriage by discouraging it and delaying it.
He builds a compelling case for promoting young christians getting married early and how the church should do more to support it. Before rushing to any judgment or conclusion, I encourage you to click and read the complete article and allow it to provoke some thought.
My wife Becky and I married early and do not regret it. We were high school sweet hearts and got married on spring break during my junior year of college. I was 21 and she was 19. That was 27 years ago. We were in love with each other and knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our life together. And we are.
I'm curious about your thoughts on this issue. After you read the article, click on the "comment" link of this post and share your thoughts. Based on statistics, it's obvious that the method of the institutional church has not worked. Is it time to re-think their method?
I made the following video today about something I feel is of upmost importance.
If you can not view the video below in your browser, you can click here.
Please make a statement and join our group on Facebook, People of Faith for Heath Care Reform, share information, invite others to join us and take a stand for faith and justice.
I just spent 40 minutes on a conference call with President Barack Obama and thousands of faith leaders from across America concerning health insurance reform. I strongly believe that no one in America should be denied adequate and affordable health care. This is not about politics. It is a moral conviction.
Many that prefer to spread fear instead of hope, in order to keep the status quo, have communicated outlandish lies that threaten any health insurance reform. You have seen the anger resulting from the debates that the media has shown. I’m sure you have heard some of the lies such as that elderly will have to go before government lead death panels, that this would bring about government funding of abortions and that illegal aliens would be covered under health insurance reform. I heard our President address all of these lies on this conference call and he assured us faith leaders that these could not be further from the truth.
Many want to hang onto the status quo. Many will continue to spread fear instead of hope. For the sake of 50 million people in America that have no health insurance, and for the 18,000 people that died last year from the lack of health insurance and for all the financial hardship that it causes families that do have health insurance, we all need to get involved. It’s going to take all of us to ensure that health insurance reform becomes a reality so that all people in America can be taken care of properly. It’s the right thing to do. We need to make it clear to Congress that quality, affordable health care for every American family is a moral priority for millions of people of faith.
What can you do? I encourage you today, as a person of the faith community, to go to www.FaithForHealth.org and take the first step by signing the petition. Let it be known that you are tired of shouting, disruptions and distortions preventing an honest debate. Let your friends on facebook and twitter know about the website so that they can take action.
This, my friend, is where belief leads to action. We can make a difference in our day. I pray that you take a stand for faith and justice by getting involved today.
Today as I was watching Meet the Press on NBC, I learned some startling statistics. There are now 50 million people without any health insurance in America and 18,000 people died last year from lack of treatment because of no health insurance. America spends more on health care than any other nation, but yet we have one of the highest mortality rates.
Health-Care reform has been causing much debate around America as the leadership of this nation seeks solutions. I'm glad that it is finally being talked about again because something needs to be done to provide all people with adequate health care. I don't know what the solution is, but I do know that it is not a political issue. It is a moral issue. It is not right that some have the means for the best of health care while others have no means to obtain it at all.
When God started the New Testament Church, His heart was that the church take care of the social needs of people (Acts 6). In our day, the church has placed financial emphasis on buildings and activities within those buildings and for the most part has stepped out of the business of taking care of the needs of people. God's heart is for people and if the church will not take care of their social needs, God will use government to do so. Always remember that Christ died for people and not for buildings, programs and events.
After the early church solved the dispute concerning equal social provision for its people, Stephen is accused by the religionist of that day because they felt that Christ followers were trying to change the status quo. Check out this paragraph of Scripture:
(Acts 6:8-15 NLT) Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. [9] But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. [10] None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke. [11] So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." [12] Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. [13] The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses. [14] We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." [15] At this point everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.
In particular, notice in verse 14 that the religionist's resistance was against change. They were happy with the status quo and didn't want anyone to change their customs. Because of this, they stirred others up against Stephen and even promoted lies. But notice that verse 15 signifies that God's hand was upon Stephen and his continuation of Jesus' point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.
All of Acts chapter seven gives us a record of Stephen's defense. Through his words he begins to point the religionist to their history and how that God used people who embraced change and not fear. Check out the first paragraph of Stephen's defense:
(Acts 7:1-8 NLT) Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" [2] This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and honorable fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he moved to Haran. [3] God told him, 'Leave your native land and your relatives, and come to the land that I will show you.' [4] So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. [5] But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole country would belong to Abraham and his descendants--though he had no children yet. [6] But God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign country where they would be mistreated as slaves for four hundred years. [7] 'But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,' God told him, 'and in the end they will come out and worship me in this place.' [8] God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. And so Isaac, Abraham's son, was circumcised when he was eight days old. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Jewish nation.
Change is inevitable. We can either embrace it or fear it. Great people of the Bible always embraced the change that God was trying to bring.
Abraham of the Bible embraced change in three ways:
He obeyed God. The person of God obeys God even when they have no idea what the consequences may be.
He was a person of faith. The person of God believes that God's promises are true. They may not know where they are going, but they know that under God's guidance, the best is yet to come.
He was a person of hope. The person of God may never see all of God's promises fulfilled in their lifetime, but they never doubt that they will come to pass in God's timing.
Christ desires to change us as we follow Him. He will give us His mind and His heart. He will change the way we think. He will change the way we feel towards others and how we treat them. If we embrace the changes He desires in us, we will become Christ like over time. If we fear the changes He desires to bring in us, we will stay the same - religious, but not Christ like.
I encourage you to embrace change today and not fear. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. And always take a stand for justice.
I pray for those in leadership positions in America. I pray for both Republicans and Democrats realizing that God is neither, but He does use government to take care of the social needs of people when the church steps out and is financially distracted from the mission of Christ by facilities, programs and events. I pray that the leadership of America will provide a health care solution that will take care of all people equally. It's the right thing to do.
You will find some helpful information on Health-Care Reform at these links provided by the great people at Sojourners:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 ESV)
LovingGodFellowship.org is a worldwide interdenominational Christ following fellowship made up of those who love God and people. It is the church without walls!
Copyright 2005-2010 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. Compliance with copyright restrictions requires that no portion of this site (written, audio, or visual) may be reproduced in any form without written permission of Loving God Fellowship, Inc.
"Loving God Fellowship" and the Loving God Fellowship logo are registered trademarks of Loving God Fellowship, Inc.
) in an article posted in the August 2009 issue of 
