Methodists look towards Communion in England, Lutherans in America with Methodists and Episcopalians

by Peter Menkin

In an historic move, the Methodist Church in Great Britain “is on its way to rejoining the Church of England” The “Telegraph” newspaper report from the United Kingdom by Martin Beckford goes on to say, “The head of the non-conformist denomination said it was ready to come back to the national church after 200 years apart, if it would help spread the word of God.” (more…)

Being a dwelling place for God

By beatrice ofwona

In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22

God consistently wants us to lead a holy life so that He can boast about us to the devil. The book of Ephesians is primarily about the kind of people God wants us to be so that He can make a dwelling in us. It was appropriately written for people who were originally dead to matters concerning Christianity. The book of Romans 6 tells us how a mind that is controlled by carnality is a dead one. It is one that refuses to submit to God and can neither corporate nor work with Him. (more…)

Power of Praise

By leslie dongh

Power of Praises, Sunday, August 22, 2010,
8:21 PM

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Ex 15:11 (KJV)

Did you know that God has a dwelling place here on earth? Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits in the praise of His people. What an advantage for the believer because “if God be for us who can be against us”.(Rom 8:31).while you are praising God, His presence is all around you ,you in Him and Him in you(2 Chronicles 15:2). (more…)

Are We Really People of the Word?

By Graham Wyborn

Many years ago just after I had left Bible College, I was Pastoring my first church in Aberystwyth, West Wales. I was invited to come along on the annual Women’s Meeting coach trip. My predecessor had done it each year, so I was informed, and I was expected to do the same. I was quite happy to go along, as it gave me the chance to get to know my congregation and also to met those from other churches who weekly attended our Women’s Meeting from other congregations. (more…)

From Slavery to Greatness

By Jerry Ousley

Sometimes we’ve just got to learn to keep our mouths shut. That’s a lot easier said than done. When we were children living in Northern Indiana, there was one cold Saturday during which my brother became extremely bored. He gazed out the window with a deep hunger to be outside. There would be tons of stuff to do out there, and here he was cooped up in the house. He couldn’t take it any longer and so he worked up the nerve to ask Mom, “Can I go outside?”

“You can’t go out there! It’s cold and you might get sick!” came the reply. He thought about it a bit and then defended, “It’s not that cold. I’ll be alright. And besides,” he continued, “I won’t get muddy because all the mud puddles are froze up!” He had said too much.

God wants to take us from slavery to greatness. A few articles ago we talked about being slaves to Christ. But the slavery we’re speaking of today is the slavery of this age. Our Lord wants to lift us up from our bondage of sin and our burdens and set us on the high plateau of greatness. (more…)

Authentically Experienceing God

Authentically Experienceing God
By Peter Craft

Your spirit soars with the music and you hear your voice, rich with commitment, join the rest in Godly song. You just know that His Spirit has bought life into His church. The communion with God is palpable. He has touched you and everyone else. Yet, just a few rows back is another Christian who thinks that you really don’t know God, haven’t been touched by Him, because you are too reserved and don’t seem spirit filled enough! So have you had an authentic experience of God or not? (more…)

The Found Should Seek the Lost

By Fenny West

The found should seek the Lost
Reach out to them in love
God wants them to be just
Born again from above. (more…)

Noted Lutheran minister, poet, lyricist Herb Brokering passed away, an Obituary

By Peter Menkin

The Reverend Doctor Herbert F. Brokering, pastor, author, lyricist, speaker and hymn writer of the grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Nov. 7 of congestive heart failure at his apartment in Bloomington, Minn., according to his son, Mark.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America news service says in its report, “Brokering, 83, was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Bloomington. “Herb Brokering’s legacy includes carefully crafted words on the lips of believers gathered around the means of grace. He has helped us bring our faith to rich expression,” said the Rev. Michael L. Burk, bishop, ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, Iowa City. (more…)

Is My Pastor An Oxymoron?

By Michael Shoesmith

I’ve been friends with an old-school evangelist for almost thirty years now. Recently he decided he shouldn’t hang out with me because I have a, dare I say it, woman pastor. Some people might call the term “woman pastor” an oxymoron. I know my friend would. It is becoming increasingly obvious that he hasn’t been much of a friend, really. He has, as I reflect on the influence he’s had on my life, been quite a stumbling block in my marriage and personal walk with the Lord. So, I rejoice in my freedom and hope that the evangelist friend of mine finds like understanding. I have surpassed him in the area of Biblical comprehension (by the grace of God) and so the Lord has vindicated me with respect to the position I hold and am about to share with the rest of you. Here goes (more…)

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare
By Nellie Shani

I still remember the look of guilt on the face of a young girl who had come to my office for counseling when she asked me ?What is Satanism? Who is Satan? I mean?who created him?? I looked at her for a while, trying to figure out what she really wanted to know. I needed to know whether this was an ?I?m trying to trap you to see whether you know what I know? question of a fifteen year old, or whether she seriously wanted to know about Satanism. I prayed, asking God to give me wisdom. I was the school counselor and had given some talks on ?spiritual warfare? at the Wednesday night youth group meetings. (more…)

Today Is The Day For Change

By Jeff Todd

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” – Luke 19: 9, 10

I find it amazing how when a person surrenders their life to the Lord, not only does this create a change in that person, but it begins affecting others around them. It’s like people are drawn to it and they become convicted that they need this change in their life as well. (more…)

The Difference Between Praise and Worship

By Jim Barringer

When the weather is nice, when the sky is so blue that even a color-blind guy like me can see how beautiful it is, I like to go walking on the campus at Southwestern Seminary. During today’s walk, for whatever reason, I was pondering my personal philosophy of worship, the answer I might give to a church when they ask what I believe about it. In the process of that meditation, I realized that even though they’re frequently used to mean the same thing, praise and worship are actually two very different ideas. The most basic difference is that worship is based in who God is, while praise is based in what he does. (more…)

Is it wrong to use musical instruments in Christian worship services?

By Robert Randle

The worship of God could not be experienced more profoundly without offering up to Him songs of praise, devotion, love, thankfulness, and reverence for all the many blessings which has been bestowed upon those who are His children. Many Christian Churches have choirs who edify the flock with special renditions of praise through songs they have rehearsed and dedicate to the glory of God, while a few others offer praises to God through songs sung by the entire congregation of worshippers. Yet within the body of Christ there are a small minority who take a theological position that it is “sinful” or without Biblical authority to use mechanical instruments of music in the worship of the Lord God. To these strict interpreters of the Bible, acappela singing is the only acceptable manner that is pleasing in the sight of God. It is prudent therefore to examine the Holy Scriptures to determine the proper guidance in this matter of faith practice. (more…)

What is the State of the Christian

By Martin Murphy

Christians must examine themselves in light of the word of God. “I wish Mr. (or Mrs.) X could have heard that sermon. It’s just what he needed,” said Mr. Y as he shook my hand after the worship service. The state of the Christian is sad when Christians avoid self-examination. Christian, examine yourself, not your neighbor, the church, or the world. Examine your real self, your inward self, not the outward appearance. Examine yourself at the present time, not the past, nor what you expect to be in the future. Examine yourself according to the word of God, the whole counsel of God, not according to some spoof text to defend your views and not according to your own subjective feelings. (more…)

Sermon About the Poor, the Widow, the Hungry

Sermon About the Poor, the Widow, the Hungry
By Peter Menkin

“[F]or I was hungry and you gave me food
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