News of Joy

Mel Gibson, what are you doing?

Richard — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:35:27 +0000

One of the most prolific Christian movies of the past twenty years was The Passion of the Christ. Evangelicals were so excited at the time that a major movie about the life and message of Christ would be seen by millions of “non-believers.” The opportunity to see so many people saved was just too much. Mel Gibson had really outdone himself.

Then there was the Mel Gibson post-Passion. What was he thinking? To say that Christians were disappointed would be an understatement. We don’t judge him and we don’t condemn him, but Mel; come on.

The information about Mel Gibson in recent months is just more fuel on the fire for the anti-Christian movement. They can boast that here is the man who produced a Christian movie about Jesus and he is behaving like a hypocrite. This is evidence, in the eye’s of the anti-Christian movement and non-believers, which reinforces their stereotypes and assumptions about Christians.

Are Christians perfect? By all means; no! But Christians are the first to admit that. We are human and we have all the imperfections that all humans do. Our mission and duty as Christians is to do something about that. We need to strive to be better, to be more Christ-like and to change our ways. Apparently, Mel Gibson has missed that lesson.

How does a family man with six grown children and one minor child descend into an abyss with divorce, purported abuse and drunken outbursts that make the evening news? This was the same person who created one of the most compelling and gut-wrenching movies about Jesus Christ. How does a person go from devout Christian to Hollywood misfit in the course of a year or so?

For Christians, all we can do is pray for Mr. Gibson. He has only contributed more fodder to a growing anti-Christian movement worldwide. The tiny number of believers in the Millennial generation can only shrink more and can only become more cynical with the events of late. After all, this is the same person who brought a movie about Jesus to a mainstream audience, and now he gives that same audience pause.

Yes, Mel Gibson is only human with all the inherent weaknesses that come with imperfection. With the international recognition that The Passion received, and then the rapid downfall of its producer, it would seem that real evil had intervened. Maybe real evil did see an opportunity for a victory. Only time and corporate prayer will tell.

Catholic Bishop Murdered in Turkey

Richard — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:31:04 +0000

Another Christian victim murdered in Turkey, a country hostile to Christians. Most likely in retaliation for the incident with Israel and Turkey. The Turkish governments’ explanation does not sound plausible.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/03/catholic-bishop-reportedly-stabbed-death-southern-turkey/?test=latestnews

God can handle Your Biggest Problems

Richard — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:33:33 +0000

I found the information below on Evangelist Steve Hill’s website. What a great message to think about. God is so vast, so big, so awesome, that your biggest problems are small in comparison. For that reason, you should trust that God can handle them with ease. Read what Steve Hill says about this and who he quotes:

How many of us take the time to stop and think about the big-ness of God? Is there any problem or circumstance larger than the Maker of the universe? Robert South, theologian from the 1600’s once wrote on this subject:

“We have a very lame and imperfect conception of our great God. And the reason is very clear. We are forced to understand that which is infinite, after a finite manner. Simply put: one thing receives another, not according to the full size of the object, but according to the scanty scope of its own capacity. If we let down a vessel into the sea, we shall bring up not what the sea can afford, but only what the vessel can hold: and just so it is in our understanding of God.”

Christian University Students Attacked in Iraq

Richard — Sun, 02 May 2010 21:05:45 +0000

100 Christian university students were injured and one killed by two bombs that exploded just minutes apart. Sunni Muslims have been behind most similar attacks in recent years. Seventeen of the injuries resulted in hospitalized victims in serious condition.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/02/bombs-target-buses-carrying-christian-university-students-iraq-killing/?test=latestnews

Most Americans know Christ is Alive

Richard — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:21:01 +0000

Rasmussen polling found that a majority of Americans believe that Christ rose from the grave……….that He was resurrected. That’s good news. 78% believed that He rose again. The only bad news is that the other 22% either don’t believe in the reason for Easter or aren’t sure.

The only path to Heaven is to be sure. Commit yourself to accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Read the whole Rasmussen report here:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/april_2010/78_think_jesus_christ_rose_from_the_dead

Christ Died For You

Richard — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:08:24 +0000

Did you know that more than 500 people witnessed Christ after the resurrection? Writers from other religions, at the time, wrote about His resurrection. It was not just the four Apostles in the New Testament who were witnesses to the miracles they wrote about. There is contemporary evidence and archeological evidence of both Christ’s time on earth and his supernatural healings and resurrection.

Don’t let anyone tell you that the only record of Christ was writings authored many years after He hung on the cross. There was a contemporary recording of the events of his last three years on earth authored by many great writers of the time. There is a growing amount of archeological evidence as well.

Rejoice that He conquered death and took the burden of all mankind on His shoulders so that all can see the kingdom of Heaven by being saved. It’s a simple decision that only takes a minute. The reward though is eternal life. It doesn’t matter what you have done in your life, you can be forgiven. Christ paid the ransom for you. Celebrate Easter as the greatest gift to all humans.

The story of Christ’s death and resurrection is the News of Joy.

Why do Christians talk about being SAVED?

Richard — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:13:27 +0000

The Bible actually talks about it A LOT. You have to be saved to go to Heaven. There’s simply no other way. (watch for regular additions)

Consider these scriptures:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Act 16:29-34

You must be Born Again

¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

John 3:1-3

The tail wags the dog more often than not

Richard — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:50:05 +0000

It happens more and more these days. Someone in a public school, a student, will claim that their rights have been harmed by someone else who is a Christian. This can even reach the level where Christian students have no rights…..at all. Especially, freedom of speech. Here we go again.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=934802

We pray for people who dislike or hate Christians. We pray that their hearts will be changed.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Anti-Christian murderers kill six in Pakistan

Richard — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:56:22 +0000

After the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Christian aid workers with World Vision went to the region to help the locals. The anti-Christians brutally murdered six aid workers, including two woman. Four others were wounded in the attack. The murders were senseless and provoked by the intollerance and hatred of Christians by members of another religion.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Missions/Default.aspx?id=930976

Christians murdered worldwide-mass murder in Nigeria

Richard — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:39:52 +0000

Christians are routinely massacred around the globe nearly every week. The media largely ignores this sad fact. In many countries, where the practice of Christianity is outlawed, Christians sit in dank prisons without protest from the outside world.

The latest massacre occurred in Nigeria. As many as 528 Christians were hacked to death with machetes. Woman and children were not spared.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/08/world/la-fg-nigeria-violence9-2010mar09

http://www.worldmag.com/webextra/16494

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100309/ts_afp/nigeriaunrest

Mr. Gyong said he woke to gunfire early Sunday. “Children were frightened and began running helter-skelter,” he said. “People who ran out of town were the ones who were slaughtered….They burned my house down, and they burned my car. I lost three grandchildren.”

Pastor Yohanna Gyang Jugu, of Church of Christ in Nigeria, sat outside his burned-down church, tears in his eyes.

“We were sleeping and we heard gunshots all around,” he said. “I woke up and went outside. There was nowhere to pass. Fulani men had surrounded the village. They caught my wife and killer her, and my daughter. They were cutting people down with machetes.”