Rob FranzenMy brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4 NKJV).
The word “broken” today basically brings negative thoughts or images: broken equipment, broken bones, broken hearts, etc. Many today in our churches are unaware that the Word of God speaks a lot about the subject of brokenness: biblical brokenness. What is biblical brokenness? The Bible speaks of a brokenness that is not only positive but absolutely essential. Jesus reveals a symbolic spiritual pattern in communion when the Bible says; “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it” (Matt. 26:26).
Rob FranzenA Study in the Purpose of Brokenness Part I
By Rob Franzen
Ever wonder why being a Christian can be difficult at times when outright sinners are not experiencing the difficulties you are as a Christian? Isn’t Jesus supposed to be with me delivering me from these troubles and making life easier for me? Why doesn’t God prosper me more than wicked people; I would use the money for the good. Jeremiah the prophet asked the same question in chapter 12:1-3 “Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives? You plant them like trees and they put down their roots. They grow prosperous and are very fruitful. They always talk about you, but they really care nothing about you. But you, Lord, know all about me. You watch me and test my devotion to you” (NET).
The short answer to why we experience sufferings would simply be, “God loves you!” Our heavenly Father loves you too much to leave you in any sinful condition whatsoever; He wants more for you. That’s why the Bible says in places like Rom. 5:3-5; Jas 1:2-4; and 1Pet.1:6-7 that we can rejoice when we’re experiencing difficulties; we know God is at work! “…, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed [at His return](1Peter 1:6-7 NET).
Conventional political wisdom suggests that candidates must avoid, at all costs, the appearance of being focused on “divisive social issues” and instead focus exclusively on the economy. This is a false dichotomy of issues.
When politicians show us their positions on today’s social issues, they show us their philosophies of government. Ultimately, these — their conception of the proper role between government and the governed — will determine our success at restoring national prosperity.
Christians and The Culture: “Defending Faith, Family and Freedom”
There have been several articles in newspapers about what Americans believe. The USA Today December 10, 2009 had a long article about the findings of a survey by the Pew Forum on religion. Here are some of the findings of the survey:
Christians – 23% believe “the position of stars/planets can affect people’s lives” (astrology);
Christians – 22% believe “people will be reborn again and again”;
Christians – 17% believe “people with the ‘evil eye’ can cast curses or harmful spells”.
I posted an article at Renew America several months ago titled “The Coming Criminalization of Christianity in America.” I suggested that the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision on homosexual “marriage” would be to enshrine sodomy into American law and in so doing, would decree that all Americans must bow to homofascism. As expected, they have done the despicable deed. Now what?
Many, many so-called Christian leaders will, of course, do nothing other than what they have done throughout the decades, and that is effectively ignore the homosexual lobby and its lawlessness. Other so-called Christian leaders are clearly apostate and have embraced that lawlessness, while falsely claiming that God agrees with them. That is a despicable lie. God does not agree, as Scripture clearly reveals. And then there are those believing Christian leaders who will fight evil. They are the hope of this nation, at least until Almighty God ultimately determines America’s fate.
Destitution is a fascinating novel. On the surface, it is a heart-stopping sci-fi thrill ride about the impending destruction of an entire civilization. Deeper down, though, it offers a careful treatment of many contemporary issues and spiritual themes that should resonate with every American Christian. As the world is attacking Christianity from all sides, Destitution depicts an alternate world in which the only remaining faith system is similarly being attacked from all sides, with the ultimate goal of eliminating it entirely from society.
There is nothing preachy about the novel; the spiritual messages are all delivered metaphorically, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis. It is done in a way that Christians would understand immediately, but would not dissuade non-Christians from reading it as well. In fact, the story is so compelling that, after hooking non-Christians, it might just end up getting a number of them to think twice about some of their basic assumptions on life.
Brad Huddleston, one of Virginia Christian Alliance advisors is a specialist in dealing with the effects of technologies such as smartphones and the devastation it is having on our children. Brad has returned from missions to South Korea and Australia where he ministered to 6,000 students. He has seen the effect of governments preventing the mention of God is our schools. At the end of the article Brad ask, WHERE TO WE GO FROM HERE?
The answer is we need for him to minister here in Virginia. As a start we are running Brad's article- Smartphones- Not Always So Smart to appear next week.
… the men of ISSACHAR, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do…1 Chronicles 12:32
During our missionary training sessions back in 1981, Art Katz, a converted Jew, made this statement to us during one of his lectures:…
the issue of God was going to become more and more
pronounced in society as we proceed more and more into the future….
Today’s headlines across our nation this April Fool’s Day 2015, are replete with issues related to God and religious belief, and whether conscience can be coerced by any form of governmental or societal pressure. We are witnessing an unprecedented abuse of political and raw economic power in attempts to punish people of faith into submission and silence.
I want to introduce you to a Ministry that is focused in doing so.
While there are six other major thrusts, the central issue is PROMOTING OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND THE PREEMINENCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS REVEALED IN THE HOLY BIBLE. In addition we will seek to refute the atheistic, agnostic, materialistic and humanistic cultures including the left-wing religious denominations that we believe are destroying our country.
The other 6 thrusts are:
Mathew D. Staver | Barbwire
Civil disobedience has a long and noble history in Western culture, and we will need a primer on it if, as seems likely, the Supreme Court rules against natural marriage in June.
Of course, civil disobedience is not justified just because we disagree with a human law, but only when that law conflicts with a higher revealed or Natural Law. When he was jailed for violating a law used to stop him from protesting injustice, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. “A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God,” he argued. “An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”
Dear friend,
It has been a while since I last wrote to you, and there is very good reason for that. It is not because I didn't want to or lacked a word to share. On the contrary, I have been busier than ever with theological research, scholarly studies, writing research papers, and such for the Master of Divinity program at Oral Roberts University. I have become a full-time student in the ORU distant learning program while still maintaining my everyday life with work, children, local church ministry, etc. Last year God was so gracious to open the way for me to go on two missionary trips to the Dominican Republic and Nigeria. There is opportunity to go again this year to these places and more. However, I am seeking God's wisdom as to where to best serve my time. I have already passed up trips to Haiti and India to concentrate on my studies. Yet, I am ready to go as soon as I sense the green light to go, even with my studies.
Last night I was channel surfing and came across a concert with Jennifer Lopez. The concert hall was packed to capacity. It was the beginning of the concert. J Lo’s dancers came onto the stage first, the lights were perfect, the music was creating a sense of anticipation that the star was about to appear.
Suddenly, a crane began to lower from high above and on the attached platform was a costume adorned Jennifer Lopez. As the music continued to create excitement and the dancers were preparing to join the star, the camera cut to shots of the audience.
I was stunned at what I saw.
Tears were flowing. People of all ages were crying as their eyes met the beautiful creation known as J Lo as she descended closer and closer to the stage. Grown women covered their mouths as the tears flowed. The camera cut to a grown man weeping. Children were wide-eyed with awe and wonder.
Our nation once placed a high priority upon the American family. Parents, teachers and politicians alike viewed the family and its moral and cultural virtues as the most basic building block of society. Parents and government recognized the need for the next generation to observe the basic tenants of their Christian values.
Church was a more significant part of family and society, along with the government, which did what it could to support the parents' values.
The U.S. government has been well-served by generations of young people raised with Christian values. Historically, millions of people have made it their life's ambition to come to this God-blessed land. America has welcomed people from all nations to come here, work hard and experience opportunity and freedom unavailable anywhere on Earth, until now!
Resettling Immigrants in Virginia Maps and Content:
CLICK HERE
PDF Brochure | Islam - An Overview
Other Articles by Dan Wolf
Of Governance, Healthcare, and Refugees
About that 1% on Extremists
Extremism, Islam, and Politics
Extremism and Islam - Law and Culture
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