US STATE DEPARTMENT EBOLA ALERT
In order to help our Embassy Community better understand some of the key points about the Ebola virus we have consulted with our medical specialists at the U S State Department and assembled this list of bullet points worded in plain language for easy comprehension. Our medical specialists remind everyone that they should be following the guideline from the center for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation.
• The suspected reservoirs for Ebola are fruit bats.
• Transmission to humans is thought to originate from infected bats or primates that have become infected by bats.
• Undercooked infected bat and primate (bush) meat transmits the virus to humans.
• Human to human transmission is only achieved by physical contact with a person who is acutely and gravely ill from the Ebola virus or their body fluids.
• Transmission among humans is almost exclusively among caregiver family members or health care workers tending to the very ill.
• The virus is easily killed by contact with soap, bleach, sunlight, or drying. A washing machine will kill the virus in clothing saturated with infected body fluids.
• A person can incubate the virus without symptoms for 2-21 days, the average being 5-8 days before becoming ill. THEY ARE NOT CONTAGIOUS until they are acutely ill.
• Only when ill does the viral load express itself first in the blood and then in other bodily fluids (to include vomit, feces, urine, breast milk, semen and sweat).
• If you are walking around you are not infectious to others.
• There are documented cases from Kikwit, DRC of an Ebola outbreak in a village that had the custom of children never touching an ill adult. Children living for days in small one room huts with parents who died from Ebola did not become infected.
• You cannot contract Ebola by handling money, buying local bread or swimming in a pool.
• There is no medical reason to stop flights, close borders, restrict travel or close embassies, businesses or schools.
• As always practice good hand washing techniques, but you will not contract Ebola if you do not touch a dying person.
US EMBASSY
Guiding into the way of peace
Tuesday, July 29
Thursday, July 24
Don’t Let Super-Spiritual People Hurt Your Church
A few years ago a prominent charismatic evangelist gained a wide following when he said an angel was visiting him regularly during his televised revival meetings. The angel was supposedly dispatched to unleash the next great healing revival in the United States. One big problem: The revival didn't happen.
Yet month after month, the tales of this evangelist's wild spiritual adventures grew more and more incredible. At one point he wrote that he visited heaven and met the Apostle Paul—and then said Paul admitted he was the author of the Book of Hebrews. A 2,000-year-old theological mystery was solved!
Looking back on these events now, it's hard to believe so many charismatics fell for these wild claims. Anyone with the most basic level of discernment knows God does not allow us to talk to dead people to get spiritual information. So why are we so gullible? I call this the "oooh, ahhh" factor.
In our charismatic circles, there are some super-spiritual people who know how to impress others with their revelations and experiences. They know how to get us to say, "Oooh, ahhh." In some cases these people are sincere but may have emotional problems or even mental illness. In other cases they are simply full of spiritual pride and end up being used by the devil to bring confusion and division into the church.
Time after time I have made it clear I'm unapologetically a charismatic Christian, and I believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are valid today. But I believe God is calling us to clean up our act and stop allowing fringe elements to discredit the power of God. Nothing is more dangerous to a genuine revival than a hyper-spiritual "charismaniac" who flaunts his gifts while displaying a lack of character.
Here are seven indicators of a hyper-spiritual person. If this describes you or someone you know, please seek spiritual counsel immediately.
1. Their feet rarely touch the earth. Super-spiritual people live in the ozone layer. They are not in touch with normal life. They may spend a lot of time in prayer (or claim to), and they may even fast or impose severe discipline on themselves, but their relationships are dysfunctional. Remember: Jesus did not live His life like a guru, floating around while dispensing ethereal wisdom. He lived in the real world and interacted in a healthy way with people. So should we.
2. They place too much emphasis on dreams, visions and spiritual manifestations. God speaks to us through His Spirit, and He can use dreams, visions or prophetic words. Yet His message always flows with love and brings peace. On the contrary, a spirit of weirdness usually follows hyper-spiritual people who claim to receive constant revelations. Paul warned the Colossians about people like this when he said: "Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen..." (Col. 2:18).
3. They find it difficult to submit to authority. Hyper-spiritual people are usually full of pride and believe they are more gifted than pastors or other spiritual leaders. Therefore they find it impossible to receive instruction or correction from anyone. They become renegades, and they separate themselves from the body of Christ, which only puts them in a spiritually vulnerable position.
4. They crave attention. A super-spiritual person often lacks affirmation and love. Their emotional deficit pushes them to seek attention from people, and they find it by impressing others. Some people who seek to serve as intercessors or counselors, or even as members of the worship team, may actually need inner healing before they can be effective in these roles. If you give these people a microphone before they are healed, you will regret it!
5. They develop a victim mentality. Most of the hyper-spiritual people I know believe they are constantly being attacked by the devil—as if they are his biggest threat. The slightest problem in life—from a traffic ticket to a hangnail—becomes evidence of a demonic conspiracy against them. We need to help people realize they are not the center of the universe, and that Satan actually has a lot more important things to do than stop Brother Bubba or Sister Lulu from singing a song in church on Sunday.
6. They become harsh and judgmental. Charismaniacs who don't find a receptive audience for their visions and prophecies sometimes become bitter and resentful—and they end up condemning everyone to hell for rejecting them. I am aware of situations in which angry Christians ended up splitting a church because they became convinced the pastor was evil or the whole congregation was in sin. People who are full of bitterness will become instruments of the devil. Deal with them before they hurt others!
7. They often end up in deception. Super-spiritual people who reject correction or spiritual covering are headed toward disaster. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, started that cult after he declared that all Christian denominations were false churches. He cut himself off from the body of Christ and started the biggest heresy of the 19th century. People who become so focused on their spiritual superiority end up denying Jesus and justifying their own sinful behavior.
Church should be a healthy place. Don't let hyper-spiritual people take your congregation down the wrong road.
J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. He is the author of The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale and other books.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/20882-don-t-let-super-spiritual-people-hurt-your-church
Wednesday, July 23
7 Reasons Christians Don't Evangelize
There is no shortage of pundits who are providing to us the gloomy and dismal state of American congregations, and, indeed, of many churches around the world. For sure, I am among the guilty.
While personal evangelism is ultimately a heart issue between Christians and God, we do see ways this disobedience to the Great Commission is manifesting itself.
Despite all the negative information you have heard from me, I remain an obnoxious optimist about local congregations. One of the reasons I am so optimistic is that many of us are no longer ignoring the problems. One of the early steps to church revitalization is a willingness to "look in the mirror."
With that in mind, in this article I try to help church leaders look in the mirror if their churches are not evangelistic. And here are seven factors that leaders may see when they get that honest perspective.
1. There is no priority of evangelism. I know. That sounds too self-evident. But churches that do not make evangelism a high priority are really making it no priority at all.
2. Many laypersons believe that evangelism is what we pay the pastors and staff to do. Such a perspective is first unbiblical and, second, unproductive. Evangelistic churches always have enthusiastically evangelistic laypersons.
3. Many churches have an excuse mentality. So pastors blame it on the laity. The laity blame it on the pastor. And both blame it on culture, the denomination or some other external scapegoat.
4. Too many church members do not connect prayer with evangelism. Many members are pretty good at praying for those who have physical needs. But many are woefully lacking in praying for those who have the greatest need: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
5. Too many Christians fail to be compassionate and Christlike to others. Evangelism always ultimately includes a clear articulation of the gospel. But too many Christians never get that opportunity to share the gospel, because they fail to show Christ in their actions and compassion.
6. Most church ministries are not intentionally evangelistic. The church should always seek to make certain any and all ministries include intentional efforts to share the gospel.
7. Some church members are concerned that new Christians will change their church too much. I'm serious. I've heard that line many times. When I was a pastor, I was chastised by a church member who told me I was leading too many people to Christ. They were, she said, changing her church too rapidly.
These are seven of the key factors that are hindering evangelism in churches, at least from a symptomatic perspective. What would you add to this conversation?
Thom S. Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Previously, he served the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for 12 years, where he was a founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism.
For the original article, visit thomrainer.com.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/evangelism-missions/560-evangelism/20878-7-reasons-christians-don-t-evangelize
Sunday, July 20
Can You Hear Me Now? 6 Ways To Effectively Communicate With Your Audience
guest post by Dale Sellers
I've been a public speaker for more than thirty years, and as a communicator, my greatest hope is that those in the audience understand the "meat" of my message. Nothing is more discouraging for me than to have a friend enthusiastically approach me after a heart-felt talk and the conversation go something like this:
Friend: "You were awesome today! I was really inspired by your message."
My reply: "I'm so glad! What was your favorite part?"
Friend: "Well, I don't really remember what you said. I just know it was great!"
Really?? I just poured my heart and soul out to a group that will leave cheered up and challenged: however, they won't leave changed. Frustration continues to mount as I understand that my words went into the ears but not the hearts of my audience. This same frustration is also felt by the politician, teacher, coach and supervisor who "thought" the message was clear and directions were easy to grasp.
I first learned the potential for communication problems in a typing class during my senior year of high school. As we neared the end of the school year, my teacher and I struck up a conversation in class one day. During this conversation, she simply stated that communicating would be the biggest challenge we would face in our adult lives. I thought her comments were so crazy that I laughed at her. I stated, "Mrs. Rainey, almost everybody can talk." Her reply still speaks to me today, "Dale, just because your'e talking doesn't mean people understand what you are saying."
Keeping Mrs. Rainey's comments in mind, I want to offer you 6 helpful hints in communicating with your audience:
- Make it personal. No one wants to hear me recite material that I've read. And they certainly don't want to hear me tell someone else's story. Regardless of your topic, tell your audience why it matters to you and how it will make them better.
- Tell it with passion. Passionate people cause a reaction. They become a catalyst for change because they disrupt the atmosphere. Anyone coming into contact with a passionate person is either drawn to them or driven from them. Passion creates action.
- Be perceptive. Just because I have the platform doesn't give me the right to be unaware of my surroundings. Be sensitive to the time of day, the temperature in the room, the comfort of the seats and the affairs of the day as you communicate.
- Prepare with your listeners in mind. I need to know who I'm speaking to and be aware of their needs. Some pre-talk research of my audience is very helpful. Listeners are much more in tune with me when I'm connecting with their felt needs.
- Don't pile on. Sharing too much information is one of the biggest communication mistakes. It's unproductive for me to continue pouring when someone's capacity to receive is full. Here is a communicator's proverb for us, "Always leave them wanting more."
- Plan your exit. I need to determine how long I should speak and stick to it. One of the worst mistakes I can make is to miss the exit. Many great messages have lost their impact because the speaker talked too long.
Verizon had a popular commercial a few years ago, the serviceman would say, "Can you hear me now?" He then responded, "Good!" He then walked a little further and repeated the same thing. This is a great model for all communicators. Make sure that your audience can hear you now.
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Photo Credit: Michael Cory via Compfight cc
The post Can You Hear Me Now? 6 Ways To Effectively Communicate With Your Audience appeared first on TonyMorganLive.com.
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Saturday, July 19
Raising Your Kids in a Culture of Honor
Honor means treating people as special, doing more than what's expected, and having a good attitude. We work hard to develop honor in family life and are continually looking for new ways to teach it.
One helpful way to teach honor is to be generous as a family. Generosity opens our hearts as well as the hearts of the people who receive from us. Giving doesn't just focus on money. In fact, money is one of the easier things to give. A harder gift is that of time, attention, loyalty or commitment to others.
Giving can be exciting. Planning the surprise, delivering it, watching the person's response and enjoying the personal satisfaction of giving all add joy to family life. When a family works together to be generous, something happens in the members who participate. They feel a sense of teamwork. They enjoy the satisfaction of giving, not just individually, but the good sense of family pride.
Giving is fun and doing it in secret can make it even more exciting. Be on the lookout for honor opportunities for your family. Sometimes families will plan an anonymous gift. Hannah, age thirteen, reported that she overheard Mrs. Robertson talk about losing all her encyclopedias when her basement flooded. Knowing that the Robertson family didn't have a lot of money, Hannah's family decided to replace them.
They went to several libraries asking for a used set. They paid a small price for a set that was newer than the one Mrs. Robertson had lost. They decided to give the set anonymously, which meant more planning and careful strategy.
Seeing a need and meeting it through an anonymous gift became a meaningful experience for Hannah's family. In fact, Hannah herself saw that her own observation contributed to the family's decision.
This parenting tip is taken from the book, Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/20853-raising-your-kids-in-a-culture-of-honor
How to Let God Order Every One of Your Steps
God wants us to submit every moment to Him and to use our time as He directs.
How you spend your time changes with the different seasons of your life, but one principle applies to every moment of time: Don't waste it. Every season has various tasks that God has appointed for you to do, and you will give an account to Him of how you have spent your time. God never wants you to look at any time in your life as purposeless. He doesn't want you to spend your time apart from Him.
The important thing to know is how God wants you to use your time. You will not learn this through hard work or schooling or a keen intellect but by seeking God with a pure and upright heart. You also must put aside the schemes of your self-love just as soon as you notice them. For you do not waste time only by doing nothing or even by doing something you know is wrong; you also waste time when you do a seemingly "good" thing that God has not asked you to do.
You must continually depend on God's Spirit for His direction. If you have a doubt about what He wants, ask Him again. When the course becomes clear, move forward with His strength. Bring your heart back to Him whenever you feel yourself drifting away from God.
You are truly blessed if you leave yourself in your Savior's hands, willing to do whatever He wants. Never tire of asking God what He wants from you.
Meet each responsibility as it comes. God prepares you for them. The only thing you need to do is submit your temper, your opinions, your worries—your natural way of responding to things—completely to Him. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by external business.
Seek, in everything you do, to glorify God. Do not get so personally involved with your duties that your whole thought-life revolves around them. Don't let your work either excite you or depress you too much.
Time spent socially with others can be dangerous. You must learn to stay in the presence of God while you are with other people. There is a subtle poison often hidden in conversation. Use your time with others to influence them toward God. Remember: Your words can do great good or great harm.
Spare time is pleasant. You can hardly find a better use for it than by renewing your strength through inward fellowship with God. You will learn the secret of spending intimate time with your Lord. Those who know the Lord well cannot resist turning to Him in every available moment.
François de Fenelon, better known simply as "Fenelon," became the archbishop of Cambrai, France, in the late 1600s. His correspondence on the subject of a deeper walk with Christ still influences us today.
Adapted from The Seeking Heart by François de Fenelon, copyright 1992. Published by The SeedSowers. Used by permission.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/9439-how-to-let-god-order-every-one-of-your-steps
Iraq Christians told to convert or face death
The Islamic State group has threatened Christians in the Iraqi city of Mosul with death if they do not to convert to Islam or pay a tax, Al Jazeera has learned.
The Sunni rebel group issued the orders in a letter after Friday prayers. The document, obtained by Al Jazeera, states that the order was issued after Christian leaders failed to attend a meeting called by the group.
In response, the group says in the letter that Christians must either convert to Islam, pay a special tax on non-Muslims known as jiziya, or face death "as a last resort".
Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, was overrun by the Islamic State group and allied rebel groups last month.
The Iraqi army units stationed in the city, most of whom were Shia, fled after the group crossed from Syria and attacked the north of Iraq.
Before the attack, Mosul's Christian community was estimated at 3,000. Many are believed to have already fled the city as part of an exodus of up to one-third of the population. Churches and Christian-owned shops in the city were reported smashed by those who fled.
The Islamic State's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, held a sermon in Mosul's grand mosque two weeks ago, calling on all Muslims to unite behind his group.
The Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, has issued similar demands in areas in control in Syria, and has posted pictures of Christians being crucified for disobeying orders in Raqqa.
Church leaders in Iraq have not responded to the threats officially.
Nickolay Mladenov, the head of the UN assistance mission In Iraq, condemned the order.
"Any persecution of minorities constitutes a crime against humanity and we urge all sides to protect civilians. We have produced a report listing attacks on civilians and have brought this up at the highest levels of the Iraqi government."
Original Page: http://www.punchng.com/news/iraq-christians-told-to-convert-or-face-death/
Tuesday, July 15
Finding Family Time in a Busier Than Ever World
Finding family balance in a busier than ever world. It's tough.
Cheryl, the boys and I were talking recently. They wanted to know how we did it? How did we keep the balance between a busy life and a healthy family life?
They knew we were busy. We had lots of responsibilities.
I was on the local city council. Served for a time as vice mayor. We owned a small business. I was on dozens of community committees and was active in the church, where I served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Cheryl spent more time in the home than me during that season, but she also worked in our business. She served in the church. She was active leading in the schools where our boys attended.
Yet my boys knew we rarely missed anything they were doing. Ball games. Practices. School events. Church events.
And, they felt we had lots of time for just us as a family. They felt we invested a lot of time in them.
They wanted to know how we did that — how we found the balance.
And, honestly, everything seems busier now. Travel ball. Travel dance. Social media. You know you've got to update your status.
How do you do all you have to do and still find balance?
Well, it may be harder today than 15 or so years ago, but I think the same principles we used then still apply today.
Say no to some good things. That's hard isn't it? Because you want your kids to have every opportunity they want. You want them to be exposed to lots of different things. You don't want them to miss things their friends are doing. How can you say no?
But, sometimes as a parent you have to make the hard decisions for your kids that they aren't mature enough to make for themselves. Of course they want to do it all. They are kids, but is that the wisest decision for them?
One day they'll be gone and you'll wish for more time with them. Some moms, like Cheryl, will wish you could wash some dirty clothes or pick up some socks from the floor (yea, funny how that works). Some dads, like me, will miss coming home tired from work and still getting outside to play catch. But, right now your kids need you. More now than ever. They need your influence. And, that happens more when you're with them. So, which is the greater good — another sport — another activity — or more time with you?
Say yes to intentionality. When you're home be home. Turn off the phones. Put down the laptop. Turn off the television. Be radical with your scheduled time with them. And, yes, my family went on my calendar — trumping other good things.
I know that's. hard. You're tired — and the recliner and remote are your escape. I get it. I cover that more in the next one — but since time is limited you've got to make the most of it. Every moment must count. Every night is another opportunity. An opportunity that quickly disappears with a fast moving calendar.
And invest in your marriage too. Intentionally shut everything down often enough that you stay connected. Yes. It's crazy. It takes time away from an already busy schedule. But , it's life giving to the marriage and your sanity.
Be creative with your time. You've got to learn to use teachable moments. Learn to love the activities your child loves. Throw balls together. Learn to love dancing at home. Play with action characters. Build science projects together (oh I hated those — miss them now). Use bedtime and dinnertime and breakfast time — and car circles — and trips to the garbage dump — whatever you have, whatever it takes, use the time you have with your children well. Use it creatively.
There isn't one moment to spare when you're intentional in raising a busy family. Not one moment.
You can find the balance. It is hard. There's nothing more rewarding.
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GracedAgain/~3/iWIOL9Fh-TY/finding-family-time-in-a-busier-than-ever-world.html
Are You a Boss or a Leader?
Are you a boss or a leader?
I have to be honest I hate the term boss. When someone refers to me as their boss I almost feel like I'm doing something wrong as a leader.
Forgive me for making me think I'm the boss.
There are so many differences in a boss and a leader. If only in connotation.
A boss seems to have all the answers — even if they really don't.
A leader solicits input to arrive at the right answer.
A boss tells.
A leader asks.
A boss can be intimidating — if only by title.
A leader should be encouraging — even if in a time of correction.
A boss dictates.
A leader delegates.
A boss demands.
A leader inspires.
A boss controls systems.
A leader spurs ideas.
A boss manages policies.
A leader enables change.
People follow a leader willingly. You have to pay someone — or force them — to follow a boss.
By connotation there is really only one boss.
In fairness, there are times I have to be the boss. Even the "bad guy" boss — at least in other people's perception.
But I much prefer to be a leader.
And in any healthy organization there will be many leaders.
Do you work for a boss or do you serve with a leader?
Be honest.
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GracedAgain/~3/zm1acmlOGXg/are-you-a-boss-or-a-leader.html
A Word to the Introverted Pastor: Be Extroverted on Sunday
I have a strong word of encouragement to the introverted pastor.
Be extroverted on Sunday.
You can do it.
Every time I post about introversion I hear from pastors and church members who talk about how introversion negatively impacts the ministry of the church.
I get it. I really do. In fact, I am it. On a scale of 1 to 10 of introversion — if there were such a scale — I'm probably a 7 or 8. And, I can be a 9 some days. So, I understand.
But, the interaction we have with people is a key role we play in growing and leading the church. I've written in numerous posts that just because I'm introverted doesn't mean I don't love people. There may be some pastors who don't really love people — and I personally don't see how they can be very successful if that's the case — but introversion is a personality trait. It's not an indicator of how deeply a person loves people.
I love people. Really. Especially people who are excited about what God is doing in their life. That motivates me. My introversion, however, if I'm not careful, can keep me from interacting even with people I love.
If you asked most people in the churches where I have served as pastor, other than those who know me really well, they are surprised I am an introvert based on my Sunday interactions with people. I'm very extroverted on Sundays.
So how do I do it?
Here are a few thoughts.
You have to be intentional. You have to work at it. I'm not saying it will be easy, but is anything worthwhile ever easy? I realize that Sunday is coming. I plan my week around it. I am very careful what I plan for Saturday night, because I know I need to be at my best for Sunday. It is rare for me to schedule a large social gathering on Saturday nights, for example. In fact, I've found that Cheryl and my Saturday date days are the perfect preparation for an extroverted Sunday. (Obviously that's easier for us now as empty-nesters, but I was equally protective of my Saturday night when we had children at home.)
Your family will have to cooperate. This is the hardest one, because it obviously involves other people. The key for us is that my family knows me as I know them. They understand that Sunday takes so much out of me mentally and physically. They realize I need time to recover from a very extroverted Sunday. The ride to the restaurant for Sunday lunch is usually pretty quiet. Over the years, when the boys were home and now that it's just Cheryl and me, my family has learned that if I have my introverted recovery time I'm more engaging with them the rest of the day. It is a way they partner with me in ministry. (I sense a need to clarify. My family understands my introversion — but I don't think they ever feel slighted because of it. That takes intentionality too.)
Realize it's for a purpose. When I taught a very large Sunday school class (over 100 people), every week I'd leave the room as I was praying at the close of my lesson. It seemed the humble thing to do, and I was sincere in that, but honestly, it was the "safest" approach for this introvert. When I came into ministry and was in my first church, I continued this practice. I would "escape" during my prayer to the back of the sanctuary. A dear older deacon pulled me aside one day. He gently, in a very helpful way, said, "Ron, if as you're praying you'll walk to the vestibule and be there to shake people's hands as they leave, they'll be more likely to return the next week." I've been doing that ever since — and how right he was. One of the most frequent comments I receive from visitors is how they enjoyed meeting the pastor. I can't imagine it any other way now. It fuels me and them. I remain thankful for the wisdom of that deacon.
Rely on Holy Spirit help. The pastor that inspired me most in my spiritual walk when I was a 20-something year old trying to figure out my life direction emailed me recently. He had read one of my introversion posts and wanted to echo the sentiments in it. He said he has always marveled at how many introverted pastors he has seen God call to lead in the church — even very large churches. He wrote, "I've been an introverted pastor of large churches for 39 years now. Before every service I'm saying the same thing, 'God, I can't do this—now what are you going to do about that?!'" His humble surrender to God's hand has shaped some powerful ministries under his leadership. I loved being able to email back to one of my mentors that I've had a similar prayer every Sunday — for a few less years.
Just as Moses, Gideon, and others led through what they felt would handicap them in following God's call, introverted pastor, you can do this. With God's help, an understanding family, and some hard, purposeful, intentional work – if God has called you to it, He will equip you. Surrender to His strength and will.
And, the reward is worth it!
The post A Word to the Introverted Pastor: Be Extroverted on Sunday appeared first on Ron Edmondson.
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GracedAgain/~3/2troUXxjqKo/a-word-to-the-introverted-pastor-be-extroverted-on-sunday.html
5 Reasons to Care About Muslims
In case you didn't know, it's Ramadan right now.
If you asked ten Americans their opinion of Islam, depending on who you talk to, you may get two or three formulaic responses.
If you asked 10 Americans their opinion of Muslim people, you might get 10 different answers.
Islam is one of the most talked-about religions in media right now. Reports of genuine spiritual revival are springing out of the Middle East, but meanwhile Western nations are wholesale incorporating little-understood aspects of Islam into culture.
And then there's us Christians. Other than the talking points we may have memorized from watching the news, what do we truly know about the Muslims who live around us? Are we afraid to try to understand them? Are we angry at them because of what we associate them with? Are we even remotely prepared to give sound Gospel witness to them?
Normally I would say "I'm no missionary," but in all honesty, I believe every Christian is supposed to be a missionary in their context, so I'll say this instead: I'm a terrible missionary. But by God's grace, I can testify that the Holy Spirit has overwhelmed my heart over the last few years with a conviction to share the Gospel, and a particular desire to speak with Muslims.
There are endless reasons we should take the Good News to our Muslim friends, neighbors, coworkers and fellow grocery market shoppers. Here are five that I've picked up along the way.
Reason No. 1: Jesus
It bothers me that there are about 1.5 billion people in the world who believe there was a man named Jesus (whom they call Isa), believe he was a prophet, believe he was virgin-born, believe he was the Messiah (al Massih) and believe he had some form of something called the "gospel" (a book called the Injil), yet deny the most critical points of the gospel: Jesus' sin-atoning death and resurrection, His deity and His total lordship.
It saddens me that 2,000 years after the Apostle Paul warned the Galatians not to depart from these facts about Jesus' life, "even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you" (1:8), that these same billion-and-a-half people believe that very thing happened—an angel came from heaven preaching, among other things, a new "gospel."
It offends me that 600 years after Jesus specifically said "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27), the writer of the Qur'an shoved these words in Jesus's mouth: "You [God] know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within yourself" (Surat 5:116).
Now, Paul wrote regarding the Jews in Romans 9:1-5:
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.
If Paul burned in such a way for the people who had God's truth—Jesus Christ in the flesh, walking among them—and knowingly rejected it, how much more should we burn for those who only have a distorted version of the truth?
For the glory and fame of our Lord Jesus Christ, should we not lovingly correct the lies told to Muslims about the Savior?
Reason No. 2: The Bible
If you've ever shared Christ with a Muslim, they probably told you at some point that the Bible has been corrupted and that the Qur'an is the final, supreme revelation of God.
But that's not quite what the Qur'an teaches.
Speaking of the Gospel (the "Injil," the book which Muslims believe contains Jesus' message revealed to him by Allah), the Surat Al-Maida says that it contains "guidance and light" and confirms the message of the Torah (Surat 5:46).
The author of the Qur'an, in fact, was so confident that the ideas of Islam lined up with the Bible that he made note that Muhammad could put the new revelations by comparing them to the people of the book (Ahlul Kitab) before him (Surat 10:94)—that book being the Bible, which has remained unchanged since Muhammad's day.
The problem is that, objectively speaking, the author of the Qur'an doesn't seem to have ever had any idea of what the Bible actually teaches.
Consider this one example, straight from Surat Al-Mai'da (chapter 5 in the Qur'an). It's the final day of judgment. God asks Jesus, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'" to which Jesus replies, in essence, of course not (Surat 5:116, Sahih International).
The clear implication in this passage is that God is supposedly setting the record straight about who the Muslim prophet Jesus really was. The problems, of course, are many:
- No true Christian, neither before nor after the writing of the Qur'an, has ever believed that Jesus told his followers to worship Mary as a god.
- No true Christian has ever believed that Jesus is a "deity besides Allah." This is implying that Christians believe in three gods, among which Allah is the first—a conclusion one could only reach in complete ignorance of actual Christian teaching.
Earlier in that same chapter, the Qur'an again attempts to discredit Christian belief, but itself demonstrates no understanding of Christian doctrine. Verse (ayat) 73 says: "Certainly they disbelieve who say: Allah is the third of the three"—assuming that Christians believe in three gods, when in fact orthodox Christianity has always insisted upon one monotheistic, triune God.
Another critical example comes from Surat 112, possibly the most creedal chapter in Qur'an: the idea that God is one, therefore he "neither begets nor is born."
This definitely is meant as a bold-faced refutation of the idea that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. But what does the Qur'an really mean in terms of God begetting a son, anyway? Surat 6:101 gives the answer: "How could he have a son when he has no consort[?]" In other words, the Qur'an assumes that God having a son requires God having a wife—which he obviously does not. But the Bible, of course, never claims that Jesus Christ is the literal product of any kind of sexual union, nor that God ever had a "consort," nor that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not together still "one" God!
These errors regarding Christian belief are especially egregious when one considers the prevailing Islamic belief that the Qur'an is incorruptible, uncreated, existing in eternity past with Allah—in Arabic, no less.
Yet any Muslim who knows what the Qur'an has already been told in their scripture exactly why the gospel message you're sharing with them is wrong.
Unfortunately, that means devout Muslims relying the Qur'an receive only straw man arguments against Christianity, or arguments that depend fully on the presupposition that the Qur'an is true (backwards reasoning).
It makes my heart ache to think that well-meaning Muslims across the globe learn, recite, and believe in "signs" (the literal meaning of the word "ayat," a verse in the Qur'an) against Christianity that only make sense if one has never let the Bible speak for itself.
Reason No. 3: The Cross
I once heard third-hand that a Muslim debater told him that the idea that Jesus died for his sins was the equivalent of him standing by the shoreline when, suddenly, a man runs and jumps into the ocean and drowns himself needlessly.
Every Muslim is different, but this point could be fairly broadly applied to many Muslims. When they hear "Jesus died for you," the default reaction is: Why would he do such a silly thing?
Such is the reaction of anyone taught to believe that God accepts people if they do the right works.
We wield an incredible power: the message of a self-sacrificing Christ who willingly endured death out of his unconditional love for us.
Yet many Christians waste their time with other detours—the Allah "moon god" theory, or Muhammad's wives, etc.—when the idea of the substitutionary atonement of Christ has the power to be so radically transforming to the Muslim ear.
Evangelistically, why would we bring a fleshly argument to a God-fight? We are, quite frankly, sitting upon the most earth-shattering message of human history: the cross and resurrection of God's own Son.
You don't need to read the Qur'an or speak Arabic to witness to a Muslim. These things help, certainly. But if you understand the focal point of the gospel—the cross—you can share Christ with anyone with love and power.
Reason No. 4: God's Love
It might go without saying that most Christians don't understand Islam, and that there is more than one kind of mistake believers can make in assessing the religion.
The issue of Islamic fundamentalism aside, we must remember that no people group is excluded from the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
In Heaven, a chosen people from among all races and backgrounds will gather at the throne of God, and innumerable multitudes will cry out to Jesus Christ: worthy are you of worship, because "by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9)!
Just like in Corinth (Acts 18), God has selected people from among the Muslims of the world who will hear the Gospel, believe, and be saved, in spite of all the odds against them. How incredible is the love of God for all peoples?
That same God commanded us to make disciples from among Muslim peoples—because of his love for them!
I once had a very unpleasant encounter with a person who claimed to be a "Christian" yet was seeking to stir up violent action against Muslims. Christ himself refused to call down ten legions of angels to rescue himself from the Romans and Jews crucifying him; why would his messengers take any other approach?
Reason No. 5: God's Glory
A friend of mine, a missionary whose identity I won't reveal, recently shared with me his conviction that the current surge in radicalism in the Arab world right now is a counter-reaction to the revival that's unfolding—not vice-versa.
He believes that the seeds of the current revival really began once the Bible started to become available in the Arabic language, and that the enemy has attempted to quench this revival unsuccessfully through terrorism.
How counter is that to those of us watching from the West—whose first exposure to Islam was on 9/11 and who only now have heard about the dreams and visions awakening the Muslim world.
The Spirit of Jesus was on the ground first!
But as we look at the Middle East, it's hard to believe that a land of such spiritual darkness can be home to such an incredible work. That's because we forget two things: (1) God's plan to get all the glory, and (2) our own darkness before Christ.
God is a God of love who is eagerly planning ways to reveal his power in the sight of all kinds of peoples and nations, so that everyone would acknowledge him (read Psalm 67). The Great Commission is the culmination of that vision—proclaiming the excellences of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light to the ends of the earth!
And though witnessing to Muslims may be daunting to us, were we not equally trapped in darkness before the Holy Spirit began drawing us to the cross? Were we any better off, spiritually speaking, amid the lies the American cultural religion told us? Did we come to God by some grant act of the intellect that only we were capable of?
No. We did not.
God is glorified in pouring out his love on stony hearts. He is glorified in making the seed take root and bear fruit on the thorniest of ground.
He is glorified in doing the impossible.
This is the God we serve. He sent Jesus Christ to the world, and now he has sent us to the world too—including to Muslims. Will we go?
For anyone seeking to support the work of reaching Muslims overseas and here at home, I strongly encourage you take a look at the work of Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry, as well as Frontiers and Gospel for Asia's Muslim outreach. I also highly recommend Answering Islam and What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an as resources.
Though the nature of Muslim ministry is often sensitive due to security matters, let the Holy Spirit lead you to pray, give and go however he desires—and by all means, reach out to Muslims where you already live in the power, love and truth of the Spirit.
Alex Kocman is a former associate editor and writer for Christian Life News and Charisma News with a background in biblical studies. You can read his blog or follow him on Twitter via @ajkocman.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/evangelism-missions/20796-5-reasons-to-care-about-muslims
7 Words of Wisdom for Newly Married Couples
I often teach and write about the experiences that I have working with relationships. Personal experience is often some of the best information I have to protect and help other relationships.
In helping marriages, I often try to share some of the barriers that I have seen to having a good marriage. My theory is that if couples are aware of the barriers before they become an issue it's much easier to deal with them when they arise.
One of the consistent barriers I have seen in having a strong marriage is the way the couple deals with outside influences. It could be friends, family, work, or hobbies. It's mostly people.
One of those primary outside influences that many couples struggle with is dealing with in-laws.
And, the in-laws who are causing a problem are now rejecting this post.
The crazy thing about this issue is that I once talked about the issue but now I live the issue. So I realize I am on shaky ground by speaking to a subject I haven't yet mastered.
We have been in-laws now for a couple of years and it is still relatively new for us. But now at least I see both sides of the issue. My wife, Cheryl, and I are trying to be good in-laws by learning from other people's experiences we have encountered in ministry.
I'm speaking primarily in this post about parental in-laws, but these will also apply to other relatives of couples. This type post gets me in trouble. It's a sensitive issue. Keep in mind this is an opinion blog. And this is an opinion post. But these are gained through years of experience working with young couples. Apply as necessary.
Here's some of my best advice for in-laws:
1. Remember "leave and cleave." It's biblical. Two people are trying to become one. That's the goal. That means the two can't be part of another unit in the same way. Yes, they are still family, but they are creating something new. Their new will likely look different from yours — hopefully even better. No doubt you will have influenced who they are as a couple. That may be in good and bad ways. Let them as a couple determine what they keep of your influence and what they leave behind. Again, they are still part of you. But, in the formulation of a new "them" they have to leave some things behind.
2. Know this: Everything you say to your child impacts their spouse, one way or another. And, it will likely either be repeated and injure your relationship with their spouse or cause a hidden wedge in their relationship. You can't expect them to become one if you have a private world of communication with your child. And if they are trying to be a good husband or wife they will not keep secrets from their spouse. Yes, you should always be a safe place for your child. And there may be times where it is necessary for them to come to you in secret. But those should be rare—very rare, in my opinion. You can help them reduce friction in their marriage by not contributing to or promoting private conversations.
3. They sense the pressure to "come see you." Chances are they have pressure elsewhere too. Maybe even from other in-laws. How welcoming is it if you spend most your time talking to them complaining how little you see them? Yes, it's hard when they don't seem to want to — or you feel slighted in the amount of attention you receive—but guilt and complaining won't accomplish what you're attempting. It might even get them there, but it won't promote quality time with them. And, it will often build resentment.
4. Get rid of the phrase "What you should do is." It isn't helpful because it's usually received with an immediate pushback. They are trying to form their own identity as a family. Hopefully they will solicit your input at times but don't offer it unless you're asked.
5. Offer advice only if you're asked. I thought this one merited repeating. Again, it's not that you don't have for good advice. And they would probably be better off if they listened to your advice more often. Most likely you have experience they don't yet have. But most young couples want to discover things on their own just as you possibly did when you were younger. Unsolicited advice is almost never seen as valuable as solicited advice.
6. Be a fun place to hang out. All young couples need to see healthy people and healthy relationships. Marriage is hard without any outside influences. So the more healthy and environment you can create for them the more often they will want to be a part of that environment.
7. Love them unconditionally. I would say equally, but that's hard — isn't it? You're going to naturally lean towards favoring your own child, especially when there is friction or conflict in the relationship. Be patient with them. Give grace generously. Hold you're tongue when you're tempted to say something that could be hurtful. Forgive quickly when needed. Remember, you are supposed to be the maturer people in this season of life.
The point of this post—and this blog—is to help. I'm not trying to stir more frustration. Other blogs do that well. :).
Seriously, my aim is to address issues I see often and help us learn from other people's experiences. I realize this is a hard season for many parents. But, with careful intentionality it can be a great season.
Remember, we are new at this.
What other tips do you have?
Ron Edmondson is the senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. For the original article, visit ronedmondson.com.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/men/20774-7-pieces-of-advice-for-in-laws-of-young-married-couples-newlyweds
6 Keys to Showing Your Husband Respect
Let's face it: Who doesn't want to be adored? Men especially crave that potent combination of respect and admiration; it's just the way they're wired. And when your husband feels your adoration, he'll want to be around you and please you more.
Even if you don't feel like adoring your husband, try some of these six ways below and see if your adoration doesn't inspire him to adore you a little bit more too.
1. Adore Him as He is
Don't wait to adore him until he's nicer, makes more money or is more affectionate with you. The key is to love him as he is right now. Even if he's not 100 percent adorable, accept him as he is and adore him.
2. Adore Him for What He Accomplishes
Sure, you may love and appreciate your husband, but he won't know unless you tell him. So tell him in specifics: "It's amazing the way you handle all of your responsibilities. How do you do it?" "You really are such a great dad. Our kids just love you." "You did an awesome job fixing the garage door. I didn't even know you knew how to do that!"
3. Adore Him by Listening
The next time you're around a husband and wife, listen. Does she finish his sentences? Does she interrupt him while he's telling a story? Does she give him order after order before he can even get a word in? Men process communication differently. It usually takes them more time to formulate their thoughts and get them out. When they do, they take more pauses and speak more slowly. So adore him by listening to him instead of interrupting.
4. Adore Him by Putting Him First
When your kids need you, they need you. You can't tell your 3-year-old to wait while you give your husband a back massage. But you can make the effort to let your husband know he's still a priority. For example, one husband I know told his wife about an upcoming business trip he had in New England. He was excited to take her because he knew how much she loved that area. But instead of zeroing in on her husband's intent, she started thinking of things they could do if they brought the kids on the trip. He later told her he was crushed.
5. Adore Him by Not Giving Advice
When your husband opens up to you about challenges he's having with his business, with his co-workers or with anything else, try not to jump in and give advice. You know how we do; we jump in with a solution just to help. Unfortunately, what you intend as advice, he hears as "She doesn't think I can handle it."
6. Adore Him So Others Can See It and Hear It
A compliment given at home is one thing; a compliment given in front of others is magnified big time. So the next time you're out with your husband with friends or family, or even when you're at the hardware store together, let him hear you complimenting him to others. He'll try even harder to live up to your adoration of him.
© 2012 Family Minute. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/18518-6-keys-to-showing-your-husband-respect
Monday, July 14
How We Limit the Healing Power of God
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Is. 53:5, NIV).
Is there faith in your heart to believe in the message of the cross? You must believe—for in the cross, there is healing and wholeness for you.
The cross is God's plan and His provision to provide fully for fallen, hurting humanity—the whole person. Westerners like to break us up into little parts—body, soul and spirit—but Jesus' ministry touches the whole man.
There is nothing fancy or glitzy about Jesus. Isaiah says there was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance. He was despised and rejected by men and unrecognized for who He was—the Savior of the world!
As Jesus drew nearer and nearer to the cross, the Bible says that despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still didn't believe in Him. Their eyes were blinded, their hearts were hard and they couldn't turn to the One who could heal them!
Eyes were being opened, crippled arms straightened, children raised from the dead and legions of demons being driven out, and yet most of the people who saw these things still did not see. They still did not believe! That can't be you.
There's no benefit, no life, unless we believe and appropriate all of Isaiah 53. Surely, he said, surely He took our infirmities on the cross. Absolutely, surely, when He was hanging there with His hands nailed and His feet pierced, He carried the burden of our sicknesses, our pains and our diseases. Every disease, every infirmity, every traumatic thing done, every birth defect, every heart disease, every blood disease, every form of cancer, every burn—He carried the burden of it all.
You must believe! He carried the weight of those things. Why would we want to carry it one moment longer? How dare we say, "This is my burden to bear," and belittle what Jesus did on the cross?
Don't miss Jesus. Don't miss what He has done for you. Let the cross bring complete wholeness to your broken body, soul and spirit, and be made whole.
He said, "It is finished." Your work is simply to believe and appropriate the message of the cross in your life.
A prayer of faith: Father, take Your Word and make it real to me. Give me the revelation of what Jesus bore on the cross for my wholeness and my healing. I declare that by Your wounds, I am healed. I declare that by the cross, I am made whole. I ask Your peace to come over me now, and I release my burdens into Your hands. In Jesus' name, amen.
©2012 SGM Publishing
Kathy Gray is co-pastor of World Revival Church in Kansas City. Gray is an author and dynamic speaker who has served in the ministry for over 30 years.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/18499-how-we-limit-the-healing-power-of-god
Could This Be the Reason You Haven't Received Your Healing?
Before people can have a steadfast faith for the healing of their body, they must be rid of all uncertainty concerning God's will in the matter. Appropriating faith cannot go beyond one's knowledge of the revealed will of God. Before attempting to exercise faith for healing, one needs to know what the Scriptures plainly teach, that it is just as much God's will to heal the body as it is to heal the soul. The sermons in this book point out and explain those portions of Scripture that will forever settle this point for you. It is only by knowing that God promises what you are seeking that all uncertainty can be removed and a steadfast faith is made possible. His promises are each a revelation of what God is eager to do for us. Until we know what God's will is, there is nothing on which to base our faith.
It is important that the mind of those seeking healing be "renewed" so as to be brought into harmony with the mind of God. This is revealed in the Bible and pointed out in the following pages. Faith for the appropriation of God's promised blessings is the result of knowing and acting on God's Word (Romans 10:17). The right mental attitude, or the "renewed mind" (Romans 12:2), makes steadfast faith possible to all.
We are constantly receiving testimonies from those who, though prayed for repeatedly without success, were afterwards wonderfully healed while reading this book. Many also have been happily converted while reading these instructions.
It would surprise the world if they could read the wonderful testimonies that have come to us from all over the country. We have received more than 225,000 letters from our radio listeners and their friends, most of whom we have never seen.
The truths discussed in this book of sermons, together with "the prayer of faith," have brought healing within the grasp of many thousands of sufferers, who would not have recovered without the direct action of the Holy Spirit. To God be all the glory.
While we rejoice in these miracles, we remember that they are only external manifestations of a thousand times greater and more precious miracle that has transpired within the sacred chamber of the inner soul. The inner cause is so much more precious than the outward effect. External results from prayer are like figures in a bank book that show that you have gold deposited in the bank. The gold is more valuable than the figures.
Jesus said, "The Word is the seed." It is the seed of the divine life. Until the person seeking healing is sure from God's Word that it is God's will to heal him, he is trying to reap a harvest where there is no seed planted. It would be impossible for a farmer to have faith for a harvest before he was sure the seed had been planted.
It is not God's will that there shall be a harvest without the planting of the seed—without His will being known and acted on. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Freedom from sickness comes from knowing the truth. God does nothing without His Word. "He sent His Word and it healed them" are the words of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 107:20 Fenton's translation). "All His work is done in faithfulness" to His promises.
For each sick person to know that it is God's will to heal him, it is necessary for the "seed" to be planted in his mind and heart. It is not planted until it is known and received and trusted. No sinner can become a Christian before he knows that it is God's will to save him. It is the Word of God, planted and watered and steadfastly trusted, which heals both soul and body. The "seed" must remain planted and be kept watered before it can produce its harvest.
For one to say, "I believe the Lord is able to heal me" before he knows from God's Word that He is willing to heal him, is like a farmer saying, "I believe God is able to give me a harvest, without any seed being planted and watered." God can't save the soul of a man before the man himself knows God's will in the matter. Salvation is by faith—that is, by trusting the known will of God. Being healed is being saved in a physical sense.
Praying for healing with the faith-destroying words, "if it be Thy will," is not planting the "seed"; it is destroying the seed. "The prayer of faith" that heals the sick is to follow (not precede) the planting of the "seed" (the Word). Faith is based on this alone.
It is the Gospel, which the Holy Spirit says, "is the power of God unto salvation" in all its phases, both physical and spiritual. All the Gospel is for "every creature" and for "all nations." The Gospel does not leave a man in uncertainty praying with an "if it be Thy will"; it tells him what God's will is. The Holy Spirit's words, "Himself ... bare our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:17), are just as truly a part of the Gospel as His words, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24).
Neither the spiritual nor the physical phase of the Gospel is to be applied by prayer alone. Seed is powerless until it is planted. Many, instead of saying, "Pray for me," should first say, "Teach me God's Word, so that I can intelligently cooperate for my recovery." We must know what the benefits of Calvary are before we can appropriate them by faith.
During the first half of the century, F. F. Bosworth conducted evangelistic and healing campaigns across the country and launched the "National Radio Revival" ministry. This article is an excerpt from his book Christ the Healer. At age 75, he went to Africa to preach and teach. He died in 1958. His son, Robert V. Bosworth, editor of the present edition, continues the ministry through World Outreach, Inc., African Evangelical Mission, and Morning Watch.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/supernatural/20787-could-this-be-the-reason-you-haven-t-received-your-healing
Pentecostal Theologian Stanley M. Horton Passes at 98
Stanley Monroe Horton, 98, of Springfield, Missouri, died on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Maranatha Village in Springfield.
Son of Harry Samuel Horton and Myrle May Fisher, Dr. Horton was born on May 6, 1916, in Huntington Park, California. His maternal grandparents Elmer Kirk Fisher and Clara Daisy Sanford participated in the historic Azusa Street Revival of 1906, leading the nearby Upper Room Mission. As a child of the Azusa Street Revival and Mission, Horton has served, in the words of Assemblies of God General Superintendent George O. Wood, as a "bridge linking the Azusa revival to the present day."
Dr. Horton received his educational training at Los Angeles City College (A.A., 1935); University of California-Berkeley (B.S., 1937); Gordon College (now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1944); Harvard University (S.T.M., 1945); and Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.D., 1959). He was Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bible and Theology at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), where he taught from 1978-1991. Prior to that, he served as chair of the Bible Department at Central Bible College from 1948-1978 and professor at Metropolitan Bible Institute from 1945-1948. He wrote the Assemblies of God "Adult Teacher" Sunday School curriculum for over 25 years. In 1980 he served as president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. Upon his retirement from teaching in 1991, he held the position of general editor of the Pentecostal Textbook Series/"Logion Press" in Springfield until 2000.
Horton has been recognized as the premier Pentecostal theologian. A renowned scholar and prolific writer, he continued to travel the world until age 92, visiting 25 countries as a lecturer. He authored dozens of books — many of which have been translated into multiple languages, book chapters, and manuals and published more than 250 articles and book reviews. He was listed in "Who's Who in Religion and Outstanding Educators of America." His writings have appeared in publications as diverse as "The Encyclopedia Americana and the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements."
He served as chair of the editorial committee for "The Full Life Study Bible" and its 2003 revision titled "Life in the Spirit Study Bible." Foreign translations commonly refer to this as "The Fire Bible." His book, "What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit" (Gospel Publishing House, 1976), has long been the definitive text on that topic in universities and seminaries around the world. Dr. Horton served as the official translator of 1 and 2 Corinthians from Koine Greek to modern Messianic Jewish vernacular for the "Tree of Life" Bible, an undertaking done in cooperation with the Messianic Family Bible Project and now the official Bible of The King's University. Stanley Horton's devotion to the salvation of "All Israel" and biblical translation abilities did not weaken with his length of years.
Robert Cooley, Horton's student at Central Bible Institute in 1949 and later his colleague on the faculty there, would later comment about his writing, "He modeled a biblical scholarship that was practically applied. So if you read the adult quarterly for 25 years, you can see that the lesson material grew out of an academic understanding of Scripture but was very practical. It was the same with his articles and other books — a technical understanding of the biblical text but a remarkable way of translating that into a body of applied theology. This is the meaning of his life, that he had a wonderful way to do that. His scholarship was never esoteric; it was for everyone. To be able to go from an exegetical theology to an applied theology was a real gift."*
Horton's life of service has been characterized by a unique combination of Pentecostal fervor, a commitment to biblical scholarship, and Christ-like character.
In 2010 AGTS honored Dr. Horton as a "Legacy Leader" — one who displays "fierce biblical faithfulness ... long tenure ... a high level of confidence but no appearance of arrogance or haughtiness ... [who] accepts the responsibility for [his or her] ministry ... [who] shows unconditional love for those he or she serves ... is persistent ... has a vision that always includes evangelistic passion ... and [who] makes decisions that will benefit the church ... well beyond their own tenure or even lifetime."** Part of that legacy was Dr. Horton's support of women in leadership as well as his commitment to racial reconciliation. "Scripture makes it clear that we're all one in Christ, and we need each other," he said.
Committed to a sense that following Christ means being a "lifelong disciple," Dr. Horton continued to serve the Church well into his nineties, on the Assemblies of God Commission on Doctrinal Purity, an adviser for AGTS doctoral participants, and an original board member of Israel's Redemption — a role in which he served to the end of his life.
In 2009 AGTS established The Dr. Stanley M. Horton Scholarly Resources Endowment (http://agts.edu/more/horton/) in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to this endowment by contacting the AGTS Development Office at 417-268-1000.
In 2009, Gospel Publishing House released Dr. Horton's biography, "Stanley M. Horton: Shaper of Pentecostal Theology." As an addendum to the biography, a full bibliography of works by and about Dr. Horton up to the present time, and video interviews with him are available at the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center website (click here to view: http://s2.ag.org/hortonbib).
Stanley M. Horton was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Evelyn Gertrude Parsons, and siblings Donald, Harold, David, Evelyn May, and Gertrude. He is survived by two sisters, Esther and Ruth of California; two sons, Stan, Jr. (Linda Self) of Springfield, Missouri; and Ed (Diana Dykes) of Branson, Missouri; and a daughter Faith (Brent Stilts) of Springfield, Missouri. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Matthew (Darci Stonebreaker), Monica (Matthew Bryant), and Zachary Andrew Horton Stilts as well as six great grandchildren: Cale, Aven, Asher, Noah, Lila, and Seth.
Visitation and funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/church-ministry/20786-pentecostal-theologian-stanley-m-horton-passes-at-98
Monday, July 7
Manufacturers of energy drinks are deceivers – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the proliferation of energy drinks in the country.
Noting that the influx of the so-called energy beverages in various flavours into the country had become worrisome, NAFDAC posted a message on its official Facebook page, warning consumers of such drinks – presumed to be designed for athletes and individuals who want an extra energy kick – that they were being deceived into taking high levels of a stimulant known as caffeine.
The agency said it had granted licences and marketing authorisation to about 100 brands of energy drinks to operate in the country over the past years.
Arguing that it had become necessary to express its concern for the safety of consumers of such products, NAFDAC said the high level of caffeine present in a large quantity of energy drinks sold in Nigeria are believed to be responsible for adverse health effects on consumers.
It said it would not lose focus on its mission to safeguard the health of Nigerians, adding that it would ensure that only the right quality of food, drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised and used in Nigeria.
The agency said, "Let's talk about the energy drinks that have become common in our country today. They first appeared in our markets about 18 years ago with the Commando Bear Energy drink, which was imported from Thailand.
"More followed and currently, about 100 brands have been granted marketing authorisation by NAFDAC. The term energy drink is a misnomer, as most energy drinks do not provide energy as in calories.
"Studies show that the calorie levels vary from eight for sugar-free to 120 for drinks with added sugars, but the average soft drink contains 140 calories. This implies that energy drinks do not provide more energy in calories than the ordinary soft drink."
Worried by the negative effect of some energy drinks on consumers, NAFDAC stated that it had already drafted regulations to compel beverage manufacturers to declare the caffeine content in their drinks.
The agency observed that while individual reactions to caffeine vary, energy drinks stimulating properties could have both favourable and unfavourable consequences on consumers.
According to NAFDAC, caffeine could go a long way in boosting the heart rate and blood pressure, yet it can sometimes have devastating effects on consumers – ranging from insomnia (inability to sleep) to abnormality of the heartbeat.
It added that plans were in an advanced stage to encourage energy drink manufacturers to make use of herbal extracts and other ingredients that can actually lead to increased energy when consumed.
"Our recommended regulations are the mandatory declaration of other composing nutrients of energy drinks and that caution should be boldly inscribed on all drinks: 'Not suitable for pregnant women, children and people sensitive to caffeine.'
"NAFDAC is working for the promotion of natural ingredients in energy drinks that can actually lead to increased energy. Caffeine and sugar present in them (energy drinks) are known to cause a variety of adverse health effects.
"However, energy drinks are safe on the whole if consumed moderately. Now that you know people, be wise," the agency said.
The agency also cautioned consumers against mixing energy drinks with alcohol, describing the new trend, especially among the youth, as "worrisome."
"The new habit of mixing energy drinks with alcohol is also worrisome to NAFDAC because the opposing stimulant depressing effects can lead consumers to believe they are less intoxicated while they are not," it said.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC has identified the Mushin area of Lagos as a safe haven for peddlers of fake drugs. Fielding questions from Nigerians on Facebook, it said it had started making efforts to work out a very "effective and systematic monitoring strategy" that would enable it to mop up fake drugs in the area, as well as in other parts of the country.
"Mushin is a peculiar case, but we are determined to root out the evil doers there. Most of the shops we closed in Lagos were located in the Mushin area. Do not hesitate to report any suspicious cases to us. Share with us your suggestions and ideas on steps we can employ to further combat and eliminate the threat of fake drugs and counterfeit products," it said on Facebook.
NAFDAC also announced the development of its mobile app, which according to it, will contain all its "most accurate" data and information.
"Find the contact directory of all NAFDAC offices nationwide, including locations, emails and phone numbers on our mobile app. Download it from the Google Play store," the agency wrote in a message posted on Facebook.
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