China (MNN) ― Last month, we shared how English camps opened doors for the Gospel in China. Teams working with China Partner
at the two-week Hua Mei Summer English camp demonstrated God's love
and mercy to 110 Chinese youth. Several teens came to Christ as a
result.
Now as college-age team members return to school, God is taking a
backseat to homework and part-time jobs. Sophia,* a teaching assistant
at the Hua Mei summer camps, attends college in Shanghai and shared her
struggles to maintain a close relationship with Christ.
"I am always so busy; I get up early for classes, then I study in the
library," she said. "After dinner I study some more…. By that time, I am
so exhausted that I just want to go to bed and sleep.
"How can I spend more time with God?"
Do you face similar struggles? Share your story on the Mission Network News Facebook page. You can help college-age believers worldwide draw closer to the Lord.
READ MORE
Friday, September 7, 2012
Study: Most churchgoers don't read Bible daily
ASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- While the majority of churchgoers desire to
honor Christ with their lives and even profess to think on biblical
truths, a recent study found few actually engage in personal reading and
study of the Scriptures.
"Bible engagement" is one of the eight attributes of discipleship identified in the Transformational Discipleship study conducted by LifeWay Research. The study produced the Transformational Discipleship Assessment, which measures an individual's spiritual growth in each of these areas of development.
The survey found 90 percent of churchgoers agree that "I desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," and 59 percent agree with the statement: "Throughout the day I find myself thinking about biblical truths." While the majority agree with both statements, there is a significant difference in the strength of agreement. Nearly two-thirds of churchgoers (64 percent) strongly agree with the first statement, but only 20 percent strongly agree with the second.
However, when asked how often they personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible:
-- 19 percent respond "every day."
-- 26 percent say a few times a week.
-- 14 percent say they read the Bible "once a week."
-- 22 percent say "once a month" or "a few times a month."
-- 18 percent say "rarely/never."
"Bible engagement has an impact in just about every area of spiritual growth," said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. "You can follow Christ and see Christianity as your source of truth, but if that truth does not permeate your thoughts, aspirations and actions, you are not fully engaging the truth.
"God's Word is truth, so it should come as no surprise that reading and studying the Bible are still the activities that have the most impact on growth in this attribute of spiritual maturity," Stetzer said. "As basic as that is, there are still numerous churchgoers who are not reading the Bible regularly. You simply won't grow if you don't know God and spend time in God's Word."
READ MORE
"Bible engagement" is one of the eight attributes of discipleship identified in the Transformational Discipleship study conducted by LifeWay Research. The study produced the Transformational Discipleship Assessment, which measures an individual's spiritual growth in each of these areas of development.
The survey found 90 percent of churchgoers agree that "I desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," and 59 percent agree with the statement: "Throughout the day I find myself thinking about biblical truths." While the majority agree with both statements, there is a significant difference in the strength of agreement. Nearly two-thirds of churchgoers (64 percent) strongly agree with the first statement, but only 20 percent strongly agree with the second.
However, when asked how often they personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible:
-- 19 percent respond "every day."
-- 26 percent say a few times a week.
-- 14 percent say they read the Bible "once a week."
-- 22 percent say "once a month" or "a few times a month."
-- 18 percent say "rarely/never."
"Bible engagement has an impact in just about every area of spiritual growth," said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. "You can follow Christ and see Christianity as your source of truth, but if that truth does not permeate your thoughts, aspirations and actions, you are not fully engaging the truth.
"God's Word is truth, so it should come as no surprise that reading and studying the Bible are still the activities that have the most impact on growth in this attribute of spiritual maturity," Stetzer said. "As basic as that is, there are still numerous churchgoers who are not reading the Bible regularly. You simply won't grow if you don't know God and spend time in God's Word."
READ MORE
Women Who Seek Abortions ‘Seven Times’ More Likely To Be Abused
Women who seek abortions are seven times more likely to be abused
than women who do not, according to a new study, published in the
Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. Researchers
also found that poorer women were more likely to terminate their
pregnancy than more affluent women.
Approximately 9,500 women completed a questionnaire distributed by staff at abortion clinics in 2008. Seven percent of the women surveyed admitted to being physically or sexually abused by the father of their child. National surveys have found that one percent of U.S. women are abused by their spouse -- meaning women who seek abortions are seven times as likely to have been abused.
Researchers also found that women who sought abortion services were more likely to be unemployed, poor or separated from their partners than the national average. Poor women accounted for 42 percent of the 1.21 million abortions performed in 2008, and poor women were twice as likely to admit to being physically or sexually abused.
"Most women accessing abortion services in the USA had dealt with at least one disruptive event in the 12 months preceding the abortion," the study concluded.
Researchers said the numbers should be looked at as a "conservative" estimate, as many women are reluctant to report abuse or rape.
READ MORE
Approximately 9,500 women completed a questionnaire distributed by staff at abortion clinics in 2008. Seven percent of the women surveyed admitted to being physically or sexually abused by the father of their child. National surveys have found that one percent of U.S. women are abused by their spouse -- meaning women who seek abortions are seven times as likely to have been abused.
Researchers also found that women who sought abortion services were more likely to be unemployed, poor or separated from their partners than the national average. Poor women accounted for 42 percent of the 1.21 million abortions performed in 2008, and poor women were twice as likely to admit to being physically or sexually abused.
"Most women accessing abortion services in the USA had dealt with at least one disruptive event in the 12 months preceding the abortion," the study concluded.
Researchers said the numbers should be looked at as a "conservative" estimate, as many women are reluctant to report abuse or rape.
READ MORE
Obama Admin Concedes Planned Parenthood Doesn’t Do Mammograms
A deliberate effort is underway to rebrand Planned Parenthood as an
integral provider of healthcare services, without which untold millions
of women would lack basic medical care, or so the story goes. Thus,
whenever any effort is made to cut off funding for the nation’s largest
abortion provider and stalwart financier of leftist politicians, we’re told there is a “war on women.”
But it’s not a “war on women” when a state simply places a higher priority on funds for true health services that Planned Parenthood doesn’t perform Take, for example, mammograms.
Yes,
mammograms. Perhaps there is no greater falsehood than the deceitful,
and largely successful, attempt to persuade Americans that Planned
Parenthood performs mammograms. It doesn’t.
When the Komen Foundation announced in February that it would no longer provide grants to Planned Parenthood—partly due to the fact that Planned Parenthood does not directly provide mammograms – its ideological and political supporters sprang into action. They decried Komen’s decision to eliminate funding for this imagined provider of mammograms. Planned Parenthood’s Executive Director, Cecile Richards, , made the claim. So did President Obama. And an unsuspecting public was led to believe that such bold claims, by people who should know, must be true.
No matter that phone calls to Planned Parenthood from Live Action demonstrated clearly that this was not the case: Obama had spoken. And the president’s campaign together with Planned Parenthood’s ads continue to beat this drum (almost as if they were coordinated), building off the earlier confusion to frighten voters about the prospect of a Romney administration cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood’s “cancer screenings.”
Anytime someone suggests to you that Planned Parenthood performs mammograms, I encourage you to share with them this letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services demonstrating that it’s untrue. No Planned Parenthood clinic in the country is authorized to perform mammograms. If they are nevertheless performing them, they are violating federal law.
Under the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act, administered by HHS, “[n]o facility may conduct an examination or procedure…involving mammography” without a certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While a 2004 amendment to this law permits some states to also authorize mammography facilities, these certificates are still issued under the authority of the FDA, and the FDA records all certificates and investigates facilities holding such certifications. In short, there is no uncertainty: if Planned Parenthood could perform mammograms, the FDA (and HHS) would know it.
READ MORE
But it’s not a “war on women” when a state simply places a higher priority on funds for true health services that Planned Parenthood doesn’t perform Take, for example, mammograms.
Yes,
mammograms. Perhaps there is no greater falsehood than the deceitful,
and largely successful, attempt to persuade Americans that Planned
Parenthood performs mammograms. It doesn’t.When the Komen Foundation announced in February that it would no longer provide grants to Planned Parenthood—partly due to the fact that Planned Parenthood does not directly provide mammograms – its ideological and political supporters sprang into action. They decried Komen’s decision to eliminate funding for this imagined provider of mammograms. Planned Parenthood’s Executive Director, Cecile Richards, , made the claim. So did President Obama. And an unsuspecting public was led to believe that such bold claims, by people who should know, must be true.
No matter that phone calls to Planned Parenthood from Live Action demonstrated clearly that this was not the case: Obama had spoken. And the president’s campaign together with Planned Parenthood’s ads continue to beat this drum (almost as if they were coordinated), building off the earlier confusion to frighten voters about the prospect of a Romney administration cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood’s “cancer screenings.”
Anytime someone suggests to you that Planned Parenthood performs mammograms, I encourage you to share with them this letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services demonstrating that it’s untrue. No Planned Parenthood clinic in the country is authorized to perform mammograms. If they are nevertheless performing them, they are violating federal law.
Under the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act, administered by HHS, “[n]o facility may conduct an examination or procedure…involving mammography” without a certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While a 2004 amendment to this law permits some states to also authorize mammography facilities, these certificates are still issued under the authority of the FDA, and the FDA records all certificates and investigates facilities holding such certifications. In short, there is no uncertainty: if Planned Parenthood could perform mammograms, the FDA (and HHS) would know it.
READ MORE
Free Screening of Documentary that Exposes Human Trafficking -- Christian Ministry to Show Film 'Nefarious: Merchant of Souls'
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 4, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Friday, September 14, 2012 Bright Hope will host a screening of the award-winning film "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls." This hard-hitting documentary exposes the disturbing trends in modern day slavery.
"Bright Hope's mission is to bring Hope to those living on less than $1 a day," said C.H. Dyer, Bright Hope's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Many victims of human trafficking are those living in extreme poverty, and as an organization we desire to bring more awareness to this global crisis."
"Nefarious: Merchant of Souls" was birthed out of one man's conviction that he could not willfully know about this industry that exploits millions of young women each day and not do something. Bright Hope shares a similar burden and hopes that by raising awareness of this injustice more people will want to help combat this global crisis.
Currently, Bright Hope is partnering with the local church in India to equip them to eradicate trafficking and provide Christ-centered aftercare to victims. Bright Hope believes that training the church to identify victims, provide physical and spiritual restoration, as well as education and job training, will empower these young women and children to have a promising future.
"Our goal with this screening is two-fold," continues Dyer. "We want to raise awareness of just how significant and tragic this problem is, but we also want to show people there is hope and they can help be a part of this hope. Awareness is the first step to being a part of the solution."
Bright Hope, located in Hoffman Estates, Ill., will show the documentary at the organization's center at 2060 Stonington Avenue. The screening is free and open to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. Those interested in attending are requested to call the Bright Hope Center at or e-mail Madelynn.Reyes@BrightHope.org.
Event details:
Friday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bright Hope Center, 2060 Stonington Ave., Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. Contact: Madelynn Reyes, phone:, e-mail: Madelynn.Reyes@BrightHope.org.
For more information about "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls" please visitnefariousdocumentary.com.
About Bright Hope
Bright Hope's mission is to bring Hope to those living on less than $1 a day. Bright Hope envisions a world where under-resourced indigenous churches transform their communities and bring Hope to the extreme poor. To learn more about Bright Hope please visit BrightHope.org.
"Bright Hope's mission is to bring Hope to those living on less than $1 a day," said C.H. Dyer, Bright Hope's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Many victims of human trafficking are those living in extreme poverty, and as an organization we desire to bring more awareness to this global crisis."
"Nefarious: Merchant of Souls" was birthed out of one man's conviction that he could not willfully know about this industry that exploits millions of young women each day and not do something. Bright Hope shares a similar burden and hopes that by raising awareness of this injustice more people will want to help combat this global crisis.
Currently, Bright Hope is partnering with the local church in India to equip them to eradicate trafficking and provide Christ-centered aftercare to victims. Bright Hope believes that training the church to identify victims, provide physical and spiritual restoration, as well as education and job training, will empower these young women and children to have a promising future.
"Our goal with this screening is two-fold," continues Dyer. "We want to raise awareness of just how significant and tragic this problem is, but we also want to show people there is hope and they can help be a part of this hope. Awareness is the first step to being a part of the solution."
Bright Hope, located in Hoffman Estates, Ill., will show the documentary at the organization's center at 2060 Stonington Avenue. The screening is free and open to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. Those interested in attending are requested to call the Bright Hope Center at or e-mail Madelynn.Reyes@BrightHope.org.
Event details:
Friday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bright Hope Center, 2060 Stonington Ave., Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. Contact: Madelynn Reyes, phone:, e-mail: Madelynn.Reyes@BrightHope.org.
For more information about "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls" please visitnefariousdocumentary.com.
About Bright Hope
Bright Hope's mission is to bring Hope to those living on less than $1 a day. Bright Hope envisions a world where under-resourced indigenous churches transform their communities and bring Hope to the extreme poor. To learn more about Bright Hope please visit BrightHope.org.
40 Days to Save America Prayer Points
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 6, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- What if the way to create jobs and get out of the $16-plus trillion debt was prayer and repentance? Christians nation-wide are praying September 28 to November 6 to have a God-fearing Christian government that serves the Lord Jesus Christ and follows the Holy Bible -- to bring God's blessings to the USA. "Do you know the Biblical 40 Days to Save America prayer points?" asks Pastor Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries and author of "Making a Strong Christian Nation." Full article.
"What God wants in the 40 Days to Save America prayer and fasting is that Americans give our hearts to God. Will you give all your heart to God? By making God's Word our final authority, instead of our ways, God will heal the USA," the Christian leader says.
He gives five keys to the 40 Days to Save America prayer and fasting. To join him on Facebook, click here. For a more detailed Biblical and historical explanation, with free graphics for sharing, click here.
40 Days to Save America Prayer Points -- Five Keys
"What God wants in the 40 Days to Save America prayer and fasting is that Americans give our hearts to God. Will you give all your heart to God? By making God's Word our final authority, instead of our ways, God will heal the USA," the Christian leader says.
He gives five keys to the 40 Days to Save America prayer and fasting. To join him on Facebook, click here. For a more detailed Biblical and historical explanation, with free graphics for sharing, click here.
40 Days to Save America Prayer Points -- Five Keys
- Objective: Love God in our Hearts as a Nation and Agree to Obey Scripture
- Pray and Proclaim: Jesus Christ is Lord of the USA
"For God is the King of all the earth... God reigns over the nations" (Psalm 47:7-8). "[E]very tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:11). To love Jesus is to make disciples of the USA. It is the duty of nations to serve God. "No King But King Jesus" is an American Revolution motto. When Americans acknowledge God's rightful place as Lord, hope begins.
- Agree: The Holy Bible is the Rock on which our Republic Rests.
Jesus says, "Whoever...hears My sayings and does them...is like a man building a house...and laid the foundation on the rock..." (Luke 6:47-49). "[The Holy Bible] is the Rock on which our Republic rests," shared Andrew Jackson. Obeying God brings blessings.
- Repent: We Repent from Helping the Wicked and from all Sin
Scripture teaches to elect Christians, not non-Christians (Muslims, Mormons...); Otherwise Americans see judgment. The Bible verses on voting are: 2Chronicles 19:2, Psalm 1:1, Exodus 18:21, 2Samuel 23:3, Mark 12:30, 2Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Corinthians 6:1-5, Exodus 20:2-3, Deuteronomy 8:19-20, Psalm 2, Luke 22:26, Galatians 1:9... In our Republic, we are to wisely chose Christian leaders who serve "We the People." Jesus says, "he who governs as he who serves" (Luke 22:26).
We also repent from: Foreign gods (Exodus 20:3); Not including God in government, schools and courts (Mark 12:30, 2Chronicles 15:2); Taking the Holy Bible and Christian prayer out of schools (Ephesians 6:4, Isaiah 59:21); 54-plus million abortions (Exodus 20:13); Sexual and Homosexual sins (1Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:22, 2Peter 2:6); Lukewarm apathy, including pastors not preaching repentance, not warning of cults, and not speaking for God politically (Revelation 3:16, Matthew 5:13-16, Declaration of Independence), and ___. John Adams said, "Let the pulpits thunder against oppression [of King George]." And the pulpits thundered. Then God prospered the USA.
- Trust God: In God We Trust to Deliver the USA from Tyranny, Evil People and a Lukewarm Church
"He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him" (Psalm 37:40). All generations of Americans have trusted God. "In God We Trust" is our national motto because God helps those who trust Him.
To encourage the unity of the Spirit, you can help share the 40 Days to Save America prayer points by Pastor Steven Andrew.
For more blessings, the ministry president is leading Seven Months of National Repentance to Save the USA.
Contact: Pastor Steven Andrew,
USA Christian Ministries,
Christian Newswire
Pastors Call for 'Come to Jesus Meeting' with President Obama
Obama's Trajectory Leads to Tragedy
OPINION, Sept. 6, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Alex Rosenwald:
The trajectory of Obama's ideology has finally arrived at its dark destination ... a godless America, a family-less America, and an un-American America.
Since Obama has taken the White House, he has been effective in his quest to fundamentally change the course of America. He realizes this is not possible unless he removes the fundamentals of America: God, family and country, even if it means going against the wishes of most Americans, which he has done with disdain and contempt.
Country
In 2008, Obama started his first days as president with a world tour apologizing for America's exceptionalism in hopes of propping up other countries by putting America down. He relished the opportunity to vent a well-fostered resentment for the country that voted him in as president. A people who fall prey to both Black pride and white guilt became victims of his twisted ideology. Americans did not expect a president would use the sacred office to dislodge their country with a methodology that smells of corruption, deception and apostasy.
Family
"You may kiss the bride," says the pastor as two people of the same sex lean over to kiss each other inside a Bible-believing church. Why? Because Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage would pass laws that would threaten to jail and/or fine pastors who didn't perform these unions among a group that accounts for less than 2% of the American population. He believes pastors to be homophobic and is committed to punishing such thoughts by law. It is a fact that most Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs, view marriage as being between ONE man and ONE woman. This is how he has purposed to destroy the family -- by doing away with it.
It is not Obama's concerns for the homosexual that has prompted him to support same-sex marriage. It is for the vote and the moneybag. Obama is a master at using individuals as well as groups to accomplish his objective, and if it means taking anti-American positions, he will do it. If it means falsifying genuine concern for a group of people to attain their money and their vote, he will do it. How do I know? It's a reality. Just ask Black Americans. Ask Jeremiah Wright. To render America decrepit and ripe for a dictatorial-style second four-year term, Obama must show just who he is and rally to himself two types of supporters: those who get it and love it, and those who don't have a clue and love it any way.
Godless
Finally, the Democratic machinery has evolved to the only possible conclusion and we can only surmise that their leader has led and approved such a direction. The Democratic National Committee tried to change its platform from 2008:
The trajectory of Obama's ideology has finally arrived at its dark destination ... a godless America, a family-less America, and an un-American America.
Since Obama has taken the White House, he has been effective in his quest to fundamentally change the course of America. He realizes this is not possible unless he removes the fundamentals of America: God, family and country, even if it means going against the wishes of most Americans, which he has done with disdain and contempt.
Country
In 2008, Obama started his first days as president with a world tour apologizing for America's exceptionalism in hopes of propping up other countries by putting America down. He relished the opportunity to vent a well-fostered resentment for the country that voted him in as president. A people who fall prey to both Black pride and white guilt became victims of his twisted ideology. Americans did not expect a president would use the sacred office to dislodge their country with a methodology that smells of corruption, deception and apostasy.
Family
"You may kiss the bride," says the pastor as two people of the same sex lean over to kiss each other inside a Bible-believing church. Why? Because Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage would pass laws that would threaten to jail and/or fine pastors who didn't perform these unions among a group that accounts for less than 2% of the American population. He believes pastors to be homophobic and is committed to punishing such thoughts by law. It is a fact that most Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs, view marriage as being between ONE man and ONE woman. This is how he has purposed to destroy the family -- by doing away with it.
It is not Obama's concerns for the homosexual that has prompted him to support same-sex marriage. It is for the vote and the moneybag. Obama is a master at using individuals as well as groups to accomplish his objective, and if it means taking anti-American positions, he will do it. If it means falsifying genuine concern for a group of people to attain their money and their vote, he will do it. How do I know? It's a reality. Just ask Black Americans. Ask Jeremiah Wright. To render America decrepit and ripe for a dictatorial-style second four-year term, Obama must show just who he is and rally to himself two types of supporters: those who get it and love it, and those who don't have a clue and love it any way.
Godless
Finally, the Democratic machinery has evolved to the only possible conclusion and we can only surmise that their leader has led and approved such a direction. The Democratic National Committee tried to change its platform from 2008:
- "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."
- "We gather to reclaim the basic bargain that built the largest middle class and the most prosperous nation on Earth -- the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us."
The God of the Bible has been rejected by this party as they have welcomed the god of another. With a record increase of Muslims in attendance, the message is clear and President Obama has raised the stakes for the fight for America by throwing in all the chips.
More than Obama, however, we Americans, evangelicals and pastors of the Judeo-Christian faith have become passive and have not fulfilled our duty to defend our faith and to speak the truth.
The trajectory of Obama is leading to a tragedy of untold proportions and in less than 60 days, if we don't remove him, I'm afraid that tragedy is set for America.
Only God, whom the Democratic Party has rejected, can and will save America. Unless those who believe and honor this God, of which much of America was founded and arise in His name, many believe America's real hope is lost.
It's really not about what Obama will do; it's about what most Americans won't do: stand up for our Freedoms and Liberties given by God not by a man nor by President Obama himself.
wecelebratemarriage.comChristian Newswire
Five New Ideas for Dealing with Today's Most Politically Charged Topics from a Biblical Perspective Presented in New Book
Gardner pens title to confront our discontent with government, provide biblical answers to the most politically charged issues known to the Church today, and offer a new way of thinking, and in some cases argue well about those heated topics leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election.
ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Memory Melody Gardner's new book, Christianity and Politics ($14.99, paperback; $7.49, e-book) explains from a biblical perspective why our Democracy and every other world government system is not, and will never, be Christian. The irreversible decision made by the leaders of Israel over three thousand years ago to be ruled and protected by an earthly king, instead of God, sealed our fate (I Sam. 8). No longer would we have God to protect and take care of us; we would have a worldly 'king' govern us.
"Christianity and Politics" says Pastor James T. Roberson, III, of Blueprint Church, Atlanta, GA "confronts the idolization of our government. Melody objectively, biblically, and with detail dissects the relevant issues of our day. Pastors on both sides of the political aisle will be challenged by reading this book."
According to the Prophet Samuel, this worldly king would force their sons to fight battles and wars, whether just or unjust, and make them slaves to ensure his life was comfortable and prosperous. An earthly king would take their very best produce and labor for his advancement. This kind of king would place a tax burden on the Israelites so severe, they would not be any better off financially than a slave; all to support his extensive bureaucracy. Then God told Samuel that the day would come when "the Israelites would call out for relief from this king, but He would not hear and respond to their plea."
Does this description of worldly kings not sound eerily familiar to world leaders today? God's warning about earthly kings even sounds similar to what our leaders under our democratic rule do to its citizens! In Christianity and Politics, Ms. Gardner helps Christians define from the Bible what is moral and immoral. She explains God's view on taking care of "the least of these" and why we must be our brother's keeper. Ms. Gardner explains the debate around embryonic stem cell research and abortion as she discusses life: where it is found and when it begins. She talks at length regarding same-sex marriage (SSM), and how we as Christians, Jews and like-minded citizens can douse the flame blazing the trail to legalize SSM overnight.
"It's my hope," states Ms. Gardner, "that Christianity and Politics will be a resource for Christians to help us argue well the issues pertaining to politics and its role in our lives. The purpose of this book is not to persuade people to choose one political direction over another, but to remind us as Christians that being 'salt' & 'light' in our conversations and interactions with one another is paramount to God."
Ms. Gardner is a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, a former senior leader with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) and The Impact Movement for eighteen years on college campuses and at the national headquarters. Ms Gardner now heads a nonprofit organization called Hesed Consulting, assisting other nonprofit organizations to remain IRS compliant, financially sustainable and human resource viable.
Christianity and Politics can be purchased at BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and Xulonpress.com.
"Christianity and Politics" says Pastor James T. Roberson, III, of Blueprint Church, Atlanta, GA "confronts the idolization of our government. Melody objectively, biblically, and with detail dissects the relevant issues of our day. Pastors on both sides of the political aisle will be challenged by reading this book."
According to the Prophet Samuel, this worldly king would force their sons to fight battles and wars, whether just or unjust, and make them slaves to ensure his life was comfortable and prosperous. An earthly king would take their very best produce and labor for his advancement. This kind of king would place a tax burden on the Israelites so severe, they would not be any better off financially than a slave; all to support his extensive bureaucracy. Then God told Samuel that the day would come when "the Israelites would call out for relief from this king, but He would not hear and respond to their plea."
Does this description of worldly kings not sound eerily familiar to world leaders today? God's warning about earthly kings even sounds similar to what our leaders under our democratic rule do to its citizens! In Christianity and Politics, Ms. Gardner helps Christians define from the Bible what is moral and immoral. She explains God's view on taking care of "the least of these" and why we must be our brother's keeper. Ms. Gardner explains the debate around embryonic stem cell research and abortion as she discusses life: where it is found and when it begins. She talks at length regarding same-sex marriage (SSM), and how we as Christians, Jews and like-minded citizens can douse the flame blazing the trail to legalize SSM overnight.
"It's my hope," states Ms. Gardner, "that Christianity and Politics will be a resource for Christians to help us argue well the issues pertaining to politics and its role in our lives. The purpose of this book is not to persuade people to choose one political direction over another, but to remind us as Christians that being 'salt' & 'light' in our conversations and interactions with one another is paramount to God."
Ms. Gardner is a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, a former senior leader with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) and The Impact Movement for eighteen years on college campuses and at the national headquarters. Ms Gardner now heads a nonprofit organization called Hesed Consulting, assisting other nonprofit organizations to remain IRS compliant, financially sustainable and human resource viable.
Christianity and Politics can be purchased at BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and Xulonpress.com.
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