http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/religion-forum/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:11:47 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286284/posts Parenthood abortion center pulled out a gun on a pro-life advocate after she handed him a brochure with information on alternatives. Police say the incident occurred on Wednesday morning. Phoenix police Lt. Larry T. Jacobs told 3TV that the man had just dropped off his girlfriend for an abortion at the Planned Parenthood near Seventh and Campbell avenues. When the pro-life advocate handed the man the brochure, that's when he pulled out a gun and pointed it at the woman for a few seconds before getting in his vehicle and driving off. The pro-life person had the wherewithal to write... Life News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286284/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:11:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286252/posts Special: the Higher Purpose of Freedom, 7/4/95; Jer 80; PPG 3,8 6/19/84; Eph 287, 325 7/8/86 A. Principle of Human Freedom. 1. Freedom is the status of human volition as the uncaused cause of human function. Live and let live is the principle of freedom. Freedom is legitimate self-determination. It is exemption from necessity apart from human consent. Freedom is self-fulfillment. Freedom is exemption from arbitrary control and exploitation. Freedom is related to privacy, property, and authority. Therefore, it emphasizes the need for the laws of divine establishment which define legitimate authority, designed for the protection of freedom. 2. The... Bible Study Notes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286252/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:34:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286246/posts In a rocky job market, there is one field that has thousands of openings waiting to be filled. Wycliffe Bible Translators, the world’s largest organization of its kind, is looking for workers with a range of skills to assist in the translation of the scriptures into the last remaining languages. “Of course, a large number will go into translation,” said Chuck Michaels of Wycliffe to Mission Network News. “But for every translator team we send out we need three support personnel: people who are pilots, IT personnel, teachers that will teach missionary children, managers that will help us in our... Christian Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286246/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:21:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286243/posts Offering a new perspective on the reality of aging denominations, The United Methodist Church studied the death rates of Methodists and the general American population and found that the church is dying faster. The death rates for members of the nearly 8 million-member denomination are about a third higher than the national average, according to the "Pockets of 'Youthfulness' in an Aging Denomination" report. In 2005, the United Methodist death rate was 134 percent of the U.S. death rate among those 15 years and older. Among UMC's 62 annual conferences, or regional bodies, in the United States, 34 of them... Christian Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286243/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:18:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286242/posts After years of discussion, the Baptist and Roman Catholic bodies in Italy signed an agreement on “interchurch” marriage this week. The agreement, called “A Common Document for a Pastoral Approach to Marriages between Catholics and Baptists in Italy,” addresses issues encountered by such mixed church couples. In Italy, there are only about 6,400 Baptists who are members of one of the 116 churches of the Christian Evangelical Baptist Union of Italy (UCEBI). By comparison, more than 87 percent of Italy’s 60 million population identify themselves as Roman Catholic. “As the number of Baptists in Italy is very small, only in... Christian Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286242/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 02:14:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286233/posts Prayer for the Celebrity’s Purgatory There are no eyes that watch me in this place. Did I not spend my earthly life in faith that when the people saw me and adored, their adulation brought its own reward? But truth be told, that faith was never sure. I was bound up, I know - could not break free. The whole of life, from youth, was on a stage. The habits of the child live into age and tempter’s lies so sweet are hard to leave. At least I grew suspicious of the scripts: all different in detail, all ends the... Lutheran Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286233/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 01:59:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286140/posts I grew up in the era of headlong evangelism by the LDS church. We were out to convert the world. Back then, it was "every young man on a mission" and "every member a missionary." The church didn't just leave it to our imagination how to accomplish this. Full-time missionaries were expected to memorize verbatim an entire series of official gospel "discussions." Regular members were exhorted to ask acquaintances, complete strangers, or anyone who held still for five seconds, "What do you know about the Mormon Church, and would you like to know more?" I did the first one on... The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286140/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 22:22:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286097/posts Psalm 119:47-51 How I Love Your Laws! How I Enjoy Your Commands! "Come, Come to me," I Call to them, For I Love them and will Let them Fill my Life. Never Forget Your Promises to me Your Servant, For they are my Only Hope. They Give me Strength in All my Troubles; How they Refresh and Revive me! Proud men Hold me in Contempt for Obedience to God, But I Stand Unmoved. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286097/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 20:55:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286095/posts THE QUESTION that CHANGED MY LIFE -by David Ryser A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this: The Last Crusade http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286095/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 20:51:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286074/posts A Timeline of Catholic Church history1-500 A.D. This timeline is researched and prepared by Suzanne Fortin Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Other Timelines: Timeline of  how the Bible came to us  All Popes back to PeterTimeline of Catholic/Orthodox Church relations  AD Event 20s *c. 29 AD Our Lord's Resurrection. The First Pentecost. St. Peter preaches in Jerusalem and converts three thousand people, creating the first Christian community. 30s *c. 35 Saul of Tarsus has an apparition of Jesus Christ and is converted to Christianity. *c. 39 St. Peter baptizes Cornelius. This event marks the beginning of the missionizing to the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2286074/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 20:21:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285871/posts The talk on Death and Resurrection: Gifts from a Loving Heavenly Father can be heard or watched BYU Education Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285871/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 12:53:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285863/posts Don’t Plan Without God "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" —Psalm 37:5 Don’t plan without God. God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we have made, when we have not taken Him into account. We get ourselves into circumstances that were not chosen by God, and suddenly we realize that we have been making our plans without Him— that we have not even considered Him to be a vital, living factor in the planning of our lives. And yet the only thing that will... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285863/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 12:39:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285848/posts Darlene Love is a genuine American musical icon. With her powerful singing leads, she began her career in 1959 during the glory days of rock & roll girl groups. She caught the attention of Phil Specter and almost immediately began recording the most popular records of that 1962-1963, era including enormous hits like “He’s A Rebel”, written by Gene Pitney,” Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home”, “ Today I Met The Boy I’m Going To Marry”,” The Da Doo Ron Ron”, “ He’s Sure The Boy I Love”, “Why do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts?”, “Not To Young To Get... MIKE WESTFALL'S THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE WORKER http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285848/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 12:09:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285832/posts VATICAN CITY (AFP) – Pope Benedict XVI has not escaped the economic downturn, with donations hit by the global financial storm, official figures showed Saturday. The Vatican City ended 2008 with a deficit of 15 million euros (21 million dollars) and had been affected "like other states, by the economic and financial crisis", a statement said. Gifts from churches to the head of the Roman Catholic Church had gone down, particularly at the festivals of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and came to around 54 million euros (76 million dollars), the Vatican said This represented "a small drop due to... afp http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285832/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 11:18:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285831/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 5 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "Called to be saints." - Romans 1:7 We are very apt to regard the apostolic saints as if they were "saints" in a more especial manner than the other children of God. All are "saints" whom God has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit; but we are apt to look upon the apostles as extraordinary beings, scarcely subject to the same weaknesses and temptations as ourselves. Yet in so doing we are forgetful of this truth, that the nearer a man lives to God the more intensely... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285831/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 10:55:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285813/posts DON'T LOOK BACK AT 'SODOM' ONCE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HAS BEEN CONFESSED, CLEARED When we convert -- when we actively go to Jesus -- we leave worldliness.  We leave transgressions. The spiritual blinders lift. We see "backstage" in the dynamics of life and there is no going back -- or shouldn't be. Too often, however, a part of us remains stuck in history. Are you hung up on the past? Do you spend time hovering over what you once did (before conversion) -- past mistakes? Do you have trouble forgiving yourself (even after correcting the impulse that led to... Spirit Daily .Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285813/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 09:35:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285811/posts CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE THE MANNER IN WHICH WE MAY EXERCISE THE SAME VIRTUE ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN A PRECEDING CHAPTER it was said that application to a particular virtue is preferable to embracing the practice of many at the same time; and it was said that the particular virtue upon which we have concentrated our energies must be cultivated on all occasions. Next to be presented is the manner in which this may be done with great facility. It is possible that on the same day, perhaps in the same hour, you are reprimanded severely for some action, in itself commendable,... Catholictradition.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285811/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 09:10:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285809/posts Indefectibility 530. You have often hinted that the Catholic Church is indefectible, and that she will last forever. Is she not rather in her death-throes? No. She has scarcely ever been in a stronger position, and she will last till the end of the world. Even then, instead of going into oblivion, she will merge into the Church-Triumphant in Heaven. 531. You cannot know that the Church will last till the end of time! If I relied solely upon my finite intelligence as you do, I would not know. But I know precisely because the Eternal and Omniscient God who... Celledoor.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285809/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 09:03:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285723/posts Monday morning 7/6Kohen--Numbers 25:10-12Levi--25:13-15Yisra'el--25:16-26:4 Thursday 7/9--Shiv`ah `Asar beTammuzMORNING Kohen--Exodus 32:11-14Levi--Exodus 34:1-3Yisra'el--Exodus 34:4-10 EVENING Kohen--Exodus 32:11-14Levi--Exodus 34:1-3Yisra'el/Maftir--Exodus 34:4-10Haftarah--Isaiah 55:6-56:8 Strday 7/11--Shabbat Parashat PinechasMORNING Kohen--Numbers 25:10-26:4Levi--26:5-51Shelishi--26:52-27:5Revi`i--27:6-23Chamishi--28:1-15Shishi--28:16-29:11Shevi`i--29:12-30:1Maftir--29:35-30:1Haftarah--Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 EVENING Kohen--Numbers 30:2-9Levi--vs. 10-13Yisra'el--vs. 14-17 Bible, calendar, and prayerbooks http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285723/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 02:09:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285720/posts July 5, 2009                                 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Ez 2:2-5 As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into meand set me on my feet,and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,rebels who have rebelled against me;they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.Hard of face and obstinate of heartare they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285720/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 02:00:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285710/posts Sola Scriptura for Charismatics vs. the Madness of Mysticism by K. Jentoft The ministry of the Holy Spirit is central to living Christianity. Charismatics have emphasized the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and see His power as what separates them from "dead religion." It is true that he Holy Spirit must be present and active in the life of a believer; this is the very claim that the Reformers made, especially Luther. The reformers and Charismatics agree on this. They disagree, however, on something just as crucial – their understanding of how the Holy Spirit comes and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285710/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 01:25:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285709/posts Richard Foster—Celebration of Deception In February 2008, Christianity Today ran a glowing cover story about Evangelicalism's recent embrace of medieval Roman Catholic mysticism entitled The Future lies in the Past.1 The article traced the beginning of the movement as follows: "The movement seems to have exploded in a 24-month period in 1977-1978, which saw the publication of Richard Foster's bestselling Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth and Robert Webber's Common Roots: A Call to Evangelical Maturity."2 The article views Foster as one who continues to guide the movement: "From Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and living practicing monks and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285709/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 01:25:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285654/posts The 500th birthday of John Calvin has gotten me thinking about the influence the 16th-century Reformer has had on my own life and thought. I grew up in a subculture immersed in Calvinism. My family attended a Christian Reformed church in New Jersey, and I went from kindergarten through 12th grade in schools that were founded on Calvinist thought. I'm also a graduate of the college in Grand Rapids that bears Calvin's name, and I've known of that name since my earliest days: My oldest brother began attending Calvin College when I was only 3 years old. But as with... mlive.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285654/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 22:53:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285604/posts A baby boy, 3 months old, name unknown, was injured in a freak accident today. His grandmother, a fellow employee of my wife's, was carrying the baby in her arms on an outside patio, when she tripped, fell, and dropped the baby on the concrete. Due to the softness of his skull the bones in his skull were injured and he was rushed to the premiere Trauma Hospital in WA state. He is unconscious and there are concerns about possible brain damage. This is the 4th attempt by his parents to have a baby. The first 3 pregnancies ended in... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285604/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:49:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285592/posts This month of June will mark my eighth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. What you are about to read is a simple, yet sincere, reflection of some privileged moments which God has blessed me with. There are other beautiful events which I would like to share, but the confines of this paper prevent me. Let me go back to June 2001, right before my ordination to the priesthood. About a week before presbyteral ordination, I received an emergency phone call from my Dad: "Son, you need to hurry up and get home. Your little sister has some rare kind... renew america http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2285592/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:34:20 GMT