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“The Way Back” with Ben Affleck Tackles Redemption and Second Chances

By
Editorial Staff
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Where There’s a Will…

the way back

There comes a time when redemption calls and the road of destruction comes to a dead end. ‘The Way Back‘, starring Ben Affleck, gives us a windshield view of this journey, and how difficult, yet possible it is to find our way back forward.

In “The Way Back”, Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck), is struggling to stay afloat in life. A former high school basketball player-of-the-year turned construction worker, Jack struggles with alcoholism, grief, and a broken marriage. He can barely take a shower without his trusty can of beer, and seems the least likely candidate to take over as head coach of his alma mater’s fragile basketball team.

But, Jack miraculously accepts the job – and that’s when things get interesting. Interestingly worse.

The Unpaved Road to Redemption

the way back movie
The World Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ THE WAY BACK, Los Angeles, CA, USA – 01 Mar 2020 Ben Affleck

While everyone loves an underdog sports team and their battle for respect – as seen in movies a million times – Director Gavin O’Connor kept the focus on Jack and his journey back versus turning the movie into a sports buzzer-beating cliche’. Young viewers will get a kick at the basketball players, with characters we’ve all grown to know and love – from the campus ladies’ man, the chubby funny guy, to the one with pure talent without familial support.

But, with this intense focus on Jack’s rollercoaster ride of destructive decisions, one of the most painful, yet poignant truths viewers will see is this: Helping others find their way back won’t guarantee your passage to freedom by default. A much stockier Affleck makes this point crystal clear, drawing from his own personal struggles with alcohol and loss.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what it looks like for a lonely, depressed alcoholic, who’s lost his way, to confront his demons, grab your popcorn and take a seat in theatres nationwide on March 6th. Will Jack find the road to redemption and the courageous will to walk it?

Rated R for strong language

5 Ways to Discern God’s Gifts vs. the Enemy’s Counterfeits

By
Kim Brightness
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god's gifts

Is the devil in the Blessing Business?

Yep.

Well, at least it starts out feeling like a blessing.

Be honest.  Have you ever prayed for something that you knew (or suspected) was outside of God’s perfect will – but you received it anyway?

At that divine moment of “answered prayer”, did you ever feel like, “Wow, I was wrong. It must’ve been God’s will for me to have ________.  Otherwise, why would He give it to me?

That person, place, or thing became the object of your testimony – look what God has done!  Your whole world was filled with delight. You told your family and friends about how “the Lord has blessed me.” And, when they didn’t return the same joy or congratulations you expected, you chalked it up to jealousy, envy, “such haters”…

But, eventually, something strange happened. After the thrill of victory wore off, and you had ________ for a while now – the blessing began to turn on you!  Uh oh…

When Blessings Go Bad

counterfeit blessingsHow many of you have experienced a “blessing” that turned on you?

Has your “Won’t He do it” ever turned into “Won’t He get me outta this?”

We knew when we signed the papers and bought that _________, we couldn’t afford to maintain it.  Now, it causes extreme, undue stress, trying not to lose it. How embarrassing it would be to lose our “blessing”, right?

Or, how many relationships did we pray for God to bless that He didn’t even accept, call, or choose to be in our lives? We knew he or she had non-negotiable issues – but we were determined to fast and pray them to change. We became gods in our own eyes, creating relationships to mirror the image of our own fantasies.

So, ok. It may not be that the devil is blessing us as much as this: God often allows the manifestation of our selfish, flesh-filled desires to teach us. Desires that are aptly disguised with great intentions and grand promises that are just as hole-y as our self-righteous, filthy rags.

Aren’t you grateful that God would not leave us ignorant?

And, sometimes, delivering us from ignorance involves many days, weeks, months, or years of being chained to our choices and living out our consequences (1 Peter 2:20).

I hated mine, you too? It’s tough love, but love nonetheless, where God’s mercy tolerates our pain, but doesn’t let the pain destroy us.

Did the Blessing Become an Idol?

blessingsWhen’s the last time we spent quality time with God after receiving our “blessing”? Have we confused “gain” with “godliness”? Because we were blessed with _______, God must be so pleased with us? We no longer need THAT much prayer, church, giving, etc.

Our adversary would have us believe that earthly success, wealth, and fame MUST be an indication that God is blessing us. Don’t be deceived, Teammates! Better yet, run from any person, any leader who teaches that money equals godliness, or financial wealth is the barometer of God’s anointing (1 Timothy 6:5-6).

While there is nothing inherently wrong with being successful, wealthy, or famous, if these things pull us away from Christ, or out of God’s will, and into things that displease the Lord – how, again, can a curse “bless” you?

Discern Your “Blessings”

So, how can you tell if something is a blessing, a gift from God – or just another one of the enemy’s counterfeits fueled by self?

1. Be honest about your motives and agenda.

Tell the truth – especially to yourself. We may be able to fool people around us, but we cannot fool God. Is the prayer, “Lord, I want to win the lottery so I can help others”, truly honest? Have you helped others with what you already have – time, resources, a kind word? What’s the real deal? Why are you pursuing ________?

God searches and knows our heart. Ask Him to reveal any selfish, hidden motives in you (Psalm 139:23-24). Repent and commit to aligning your will and desires with His. Therein will lie His blessings for you.

2. Know that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

When God blesses us, the gift will never turn on us (James 1:17).  For in God, there is no “variableness” or “shadow of turning”.  God’s nature toward His gifts will never change, neither will the goodness within the gift.

The blessings God gives are perfect – complete and whole. You never have to worry about God being an Indian giver.  His blessings are predestined and eternal.

3. God’s gifts add no sorrow.

When God blesses you, it does no harm, no damage to your life or relationships (Proverbs 10:22). His blessings will richly add – not subtract – to your life spiritually, emotionally, mentally – not just financially. You will not be named among the many depressed and miserable millionaires and billionaires. The goal of God’s blessings is to prosper your soul for a wealthy legacy of godly living.

4. God’s love is greater than our earthly fathers.

Many of us have experienced great love from our Dads. Yet, even the best earthly fathers are still sinners who need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If our flawed fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, would our perfect, heavenly Father ever fall short (Matthew 7:11)? Nonsense! God loves us more than anyone else could ever imagine. He demonstrates His love by giving us His best.

5. God gifts us with unanswered prayer – be grateful!

No good thing will He withhold from you (Psalm 84:11). So, if you don’t receive it, keep it, have it – it wasn’t good for you. Be grateful for every one of God’s loving No’s.  Give thanks that He cares enough for us to not allow our begging and pleading for something that would destroy us to come to pass. It won’t feel good on the front end, but when God reveals what would’ve been – whew! Thank you, Lord!

So, What’s the Play Call?

Trust God’s choice blessings over what you think you need or want. Allow the joy of the Lord – what brings God joy – to be your strength, your hope, your pursuit (Nehemiah 8:10).  When you do, you will never have to experience the regret and decay of a blessing gone bad. So, be truly blessed!

Forgive Yourself and Move Forward

By
Alecia M. White
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forgive yourself

I Forgive Me.

One day, a few weeks ago, I hit the snooze button at 6:00 a.m.

Now, the problem with that is, it’s my prayer time. I was tired. I’d stayed up way past my bedtime the night before, and decided that I’d push that amazing button just once.

Well, I must’ve just turned the entire alarm off because I didn’t hear it go off again. My 8:00 a.m. alarm went off and I sat up in a panic. I could hear God say, “You missed it, but I’ll give you a chance to come before me again.”

snooze buttonI felt terrible! As I got out of bed to pray, I remember apologizing profusely for not getting up like I know He instructed me to do. After my prayer time, I felt better, much better.

But then, there was that voice in the back of my mind saying, “You failed, you should’ve gotten up. You messed up!” I apologized to God again for my disobedience and He reassured me that He’d redeemed all the time that I’d miss with those two hours of sleep.

Although God forgave me, it took me another hour or so to “get my life.”

You see, I’m a lot harder on myself than anyone else could ever be. I’m the child that rarely got spanked or punished, not because I didn’t do wrong at times, but because by the time my parents got to me, I’d already been punished and grounded for life – by “me.”

Take Advantage of New Mercies

wait on GodThis caused me to think back on other times when I’d done wrong and God forgave me. I thought about how I would continue to feel bad and apologize even after He’d righted those wrongs. I realized that often times, it’s not unforgiveness on God’s part that holds me back, but me not forgiving myself.

See, as children of God, we are granted new mercies each day. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)”. Those mercies cover us so that when we repent, we don’t have to wallow in what we’ve done – we get to move forward.

In the past, I have been known to be my own worst enemy, in that, I kept myself bound by things that I had been pardoned from. Not just with God, but with friends and family as well.

God showed me that I needed to learn to accept forgiveness so that I could actually grow from my mistakes. There have been times when I would sit and think back on stupid things I’d done and begin to feel bad all over again. That was very unhealthy and something that God had to deliver me from.

SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?

Forgive yourself! If we are so busy focusing on where we’ve messed up, we can’t possibly think about the solution. Allow yourself room to grow.

Here are a few lessons that I had to learn in order to move on after being forgiven:

Accept forgiveness.

If you’re anything like I was, you take it really hard when you’ve done wrong. Not because you’re beyond being wrong, but the thought or feeling of letting yourself or others down is a hard pill to swallow. But remember, we are human, we make mistakes, and God forgives us. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7

Let go of the mistake.

Yes, learn from what you’ve done, but don’t allow it to overshadow your momentum. You must learn to let go in order to grow. Our PlayBook says in Ezekiel 18:22 (NLT), “All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.”

Believe God.

If He says that you are forgiven, then you must believe that you are. God doesn’t lie. “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.” Psalms 85:2

Forgive yourself!

Nobody can do it for you, it is a decision that you alone must make. Just as forgiving others frees you, forgiving yourself frees you even more. You cannot properly honor God’s Word and love yourself if you are holding grudges against yourself. In Matthew 22:39, our PlayBook says, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

 

The Surgeon General’s Advice for Churches During the Coronavirus Outbreak

By
Christianity Today
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coronavirus

Health should always be a priority for us. This may be true now than ever as we watch the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread its way through the globe—Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, and more.

You can, in fact, find today’s coronavirus facts on the World Health Organization’s update page here. As of today, there are over 90,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, 64 of those being in the United States. (See updates for the U.S. here.) Of course, compare this to over 18,000 people who have died of the flu this year so far.

However, because this virus is so new and many of us feel unprotected, our first response may be one of fear. Many Americans have in fact even been purchasing protective masks at such a rate that the Surgeon General wrote this in a recent CNN op-ed piece:

Masks are not recommended for use by most Americans and hoarding of masks can actually hurt our response by reducing the supply available for medical professionals who need them. It’s critically important our health providers have masks and other medical supplies when caring for people who have been exposed to the virus.

Protecting ourselves against disease is not a bad thing, and my stock of hand sanitizer is evidence that I’m a believer, but there are more basic precautions we can take as first measures.

So, let’s back up.

In fact, during our meeting this morning, the Surgeon General expressed that “the risk to any individual [American] is incredibly low.” However, he cautioned that, “We can’t hermetically seal the United States” and that the coronavirus task force is moving to a phase of seeking to “limit the spread of cases in the community.”

He pointed out that other rapidly spreading …

Continue reading…

Why Do We Live in Bondage When We’re Set Free by the Cross?

By
Christianity Today
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freedom

The United States of America is built upon the ideal of freedom. Though it has not always lived up to the true meaning of its creed, the great struggle in the conscience of America has been the struggle for freedom.

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry spoke the immortal words in defense of freedom and the American Revolution: “Give me liberty or give me death!” For Henry, it was liberty or death. For Jesus Christ, it was liberty by death. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ set us free. Yet, as all Americans know, freedom is not free. This is never truer than of the freedom we have in Jesus.

The Good News of the gospel is that Jesus died and rose again so we would be free from sin. Sin is a power that enslaves. From the beginning, the sin of Adam and Eve became the sin of all (Rom. 5:12). Consequently, being born in Adam is being born in bondage to sin. This is much like the great evil of human slavery we see in our history; one of the tragedies of the American slave system was that children born to slaves were slaves as well. But Christ broke the curse of sin in Adam and thus set the children of Adam free (v. 19). No longer slaves to sin, but now slaves to righteousness. No longer bound by the yoke of bondage, but now free in Christ. Nevertheless, that freedom is always under attack.

Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the formal end of slavery in the United States, there came a new kind of slavery, namely the oppression of Jim Crow laws. In some regards, this was more insidious and demeaning than the first. It gave the impression of freedom, yet it systematically and institutionally kept black Americans in bondage. This new slave system was not formal bondage, but it was oppression and bondage nonetheless …

Continue reading…

3 Powerful Prayers to Pray When You’re Expecting a Baby

By
Kristina Bolton
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expecting a baby

As a mother of five who is expecting, I’ve encountered the joys and pains of expecting a baby. For some, pregnancy is one of their answered prayers and desires filled with joy, anticipation, and bliss. Contrarily, others welcome the news with worry, stress, and regret.

I don’t know where you may find yourself, but whether your news of expecting a baby was accompanied by joy or sorrow, one thing to remember is that nothing happens without the consent of God. People are intimate all the time, yet each intimate encounter does not yield a child.

There is a divine purpose for God sending this little person your way.

When the Bible talks about children, you cannot find where it says that children are anything other than a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). It is spiritually, mentally, and emotionally healthy to maintain this perspective. If you are worried or stressed and maintaining this attitude, you can overcome your anxiety with faith – knowing that this child is an inheritance from the Lord.

Sure, you are human and challenges are inevitable when expecting a child, both naturally and spiritually. The effects of having a child are not only felt on the mother (who carries) but the fathers as well. These challenges can include thoughts, financial hardships, emotional and physical distress. Still, no matter the struggle, the best way to combat these changes is to take everything to the Lord in prayer.

Pray While You Wait

expecting a babyI learned a long time ago about the power of the tongue relating to prayer. The Bible says both death and life lie in its power (Proverbs 18:21). At times, it’s easy to fall into silence as we encounter an unknown. I believe that silence is a weapon of the enemy during trials. It keeps us from utilizing the power in our mouth. Imagine being in a boxing ring with an opponent and never fighting back with one punch!

While God’s power and abilities are never lacking, some things are not happening because we have failed to make the requests (Matthew 7:7). Indeed, God knows all things (what we need and what we will pray), but in His design of life, some manifestations are reserved in the power of our prayer.

No matter where you find yourself in your 9-month journey, here are three prayers to aid you along the way:

1. Pray for your unborn child.

One thing that my husband and I did as I carried our children was to pray for them. We made declarations concerning their life (health and provision) and pronounced blessings. We didn’t wait for them to be born, we started praying for them early.

God told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was in his mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). This means that there is life even before birth. So, make a practice of praying for your unborn child while they are in the womb.

2. Pray for yourself, spiritually.

One powerful thing I think parents often forget is that not only is your baby a living being, but they are also a soul. As they grow older, Jesus will need to become more than who they know by name, but through relationship.

Think about it, other than God and your spouse, your children are some of your greatest witnesses. The way parents conduct their lives leaves a lasting impression on their children. Pray, parents, to be genuine witnesses of Jesus and for your life to minister to your children. Pray that they are able to see God’s light through you. Pray that God teaches you how to be parents that He is pleased with. It is the will of God not only that people produce children, but that they are a “godly seed” (Malachi 2:15). 

3. Pray for soundness of mind.

Postpartum depression is real. I have experienced it myself. I understand many people rely solely on counseling, which I am not against. The Bible does say there is healing in our confessions to one another (James 5:16). However, the following sentence in the same verse talks about the power of prayer from a righteous person to whom the confession was made.

Spirits that cause infirmity or sickness (Luke 13:11) are very real. These spirits cannot be counseled or medicated out of our lives – they must be cast out (Luke 11:14, Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 9:17-27). That casting must come from someone who possesses authority and power found only in Jesus.

SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?

A child is always a blessing. While circumstances may arise that shape your personal experience, always remember the Word of the Lord concerning your child. Additionally, speak life to yourself, believing that you can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13), which includes parenting.

As you wait on the arrival of your blessing, pray. Challenges arise in a variety of forms while expecting a child. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that the battle is not in the flesh or the natural. Some things have to be overcome spiritually through the power of prayer. As we make our petitions known to our Heavenly Father, as long as they line up with His will, He will do it.

God is our provider. David said, “I never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). It is the will of God that His people are taken care of.

Be sure to add these three prayers to your baby journey. God is only waiting for you to make your request known to Him.

I pray this blesses you.

It’s Working Together: The Sweet And Bitter Seeds Of Life

By
Charlene Evans
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working together

Are you familiar with the pomegranate fruit?

Well, just a few years ago, I didn’t know what it was until my eyes kept noticing them in the grocery store. One day, I decided to pick one up and look at it. I wondered if it had a ‘smell’ so I slowly bent my head down and brought the fruit to my nose. To my surprise, I didn’t smell anything. The different variations of its color and shape brought forth a curiosity that I could no longer ignore, so I purchased two.

Once I got home, I picked up my phone and went to YouTube to see if there were any tutorials on how to cut and eat it. I followed the instructions in the video and began to cut the pomegranate down the middle.

When I opened it up, it was shocking to see so many seeds! I stood there staring at the beautiful hues of red that the seeds displayed along with the juice coming out of the fruit. While watching the video, I noticed that they placed the pomegranate in water after cutting it, which made it easier to extract the seeds.

I couldn’t wait until I pulled all of the seeds out of the shell of the fruit, so I scooped a few seeds in my hand and tossed them in my mouth. Oh My Goodness! I could not stop eating them. They were so good!

They started off with a sweet taste – but the more I ate, the more I noticed the bitter aftertaste. Wow, that’s different, I thought to myself, while I continued to eat more seeds.

The Sweet and Bitter Work Together

working togetherIt was at that moment that God began to spiritually show me, through this fruit, how the seeds are like life and they come in different variations of red – like our experiences.

I’ve eaten some seeds that were sweet moments that I revisit often. When they come, I’m never too busy to entertain. They bring memories that show up as smiles, laughs, and tears of joy.

Some seeds I’ve eaten were bitter moments that I revisit frequently, as well. When they come, it’s difficult to replay but I still entertain them. The lessons still feel real and the blessings have either been revealed or still in disguise.

How Does it All Work Together for Your Good?

But, then there are moments that are not either bitter or sweet – they encompass both sweetness and bitterness.

One of those moments for me was the passing of my mother on April 26, 2011. As I recap my life, I think about those sweet and bitter moments with my mom that have both played a part in me becoming the woman that I am today. While our relationship was very close we also had some ‘bitter’ times as well.

Both experiences have produced ‘fruit’ in me that I have been able to share with others and embrace along the journey of life. Every time I think of my mom’s death and her no longer being here with me, it makes me sad. There are so many moments in my life right now that I long for her advice or even just to hear her tell me something funny while I am sad so that I can laugh through the pain.  She had a way of making some of the hardest times in my life feel less heavy with her love and support.

I carry in my heart beautiful memories of her life with me and decided to share some of those moments in a documentary (called “Viola”) and book (Healing On The Other Side) that I released in July 2019.

So, What’s the Play Call?

God continues to remind us that there’s a plan for our lives that involves these sweet and bitter seeds. Here’s a little reminder on how to consume these seeds:

  • Don’t spit them out: I know it may feel difficult at times in your life, but Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. “ (NLT)
  • Chew: Even though it may not taste good, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”(NLT)
  • Embrace the taste: The sweet juice of the fruit tastes really good before you experience the bitter aftertaste. While you are enjoying the sweet taste, meditate on God’s goodness and the truth that He’s keeping you. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (NLT)

Trust and believe – God has prepared your life’s palate for every unique experience to come!

How to Rekindle Your Child-Like Faith and Wonder in God

By
Tamsyn Cornelius
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child-like faith

Every few months, my little girl expresses a newfound ambition towards a future career. First, her dream was to become an artist, and then a rock star, followed by a doctor, a scientist, and even a squirrel. She is only eight years old, but for her, the world is her oyster and if she can dream it, she believes that she can most certainly achieve it.

Who am I to tell her otherwise?

As we age, we tend to lose that child-like faith, wonder, and confidence to step out into the unknown, into a place where anything and everything is possible. As adults, the choices we make are often rooted in our reality. We err on the side of caution and base our decisions around our present situations and the ‘practicality’ of the moment.

We often forget about those wild childhood dreams and the many plans we may have conjured up about our future selves. If we were to picture our lives as adults, would we see the people we have become today? Or, would we be a little disappointed with the outcome?

Child-like Faith Makes Jesus Smile

child-like faithIt was Jesus who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” (Matthew 19:4). What is it about these little ones that captivate Jesus so? In reality, we can’t stay young and naïve as children forever. But, we can certainly learn a lot about faith and trust when we look at how young children operate in the world.

Children so effortlessly live with carefree abandon. They enter the world as risk-takers and young adventurers. And yet, as we become adults, we dream less and become far more complacent, often letting go of the passions and dreams we once carried in our hearts.

In the same way, when we first become believers, we may experience child-like faith in an all-powerful God who miraculously saved us from death and gave us freedom in Jesus. It truly is the ultimate real-life super-hero story… where an almighty God sacrifices Himself to restore mankind. Wow – such a beautiful and intimate love story that calls us out of the darkness and into the light.

Jesus: ‘Forget Me Not’

When our heads and hearts first begin to process this amazing Good News of our salvation in Jesus, we easily choose to live out of a new-found faith and freedom. We risk more, share more, and love more. With eagerness and urgency, we spend more time with God and we freely tell others about Him.

As time goes on, however, we may become complacent. We slowly lose our zeal for the things of God. Our passion wanes and we may even draw cold as we forget the enormity of who we are in Christ and what He did for us.

So, what’s the play call?

Restore Your Child-Like Faith

Is it possible to restore that child-like faith and wonder in Jesus, even years after making a commitment to follow Him? How do we get back to that place of reckless abandon for God, where nothing else matters and we can live our lives wholly for Him?

Try these simple tips:

1. Remember.

We need to actively remind ourselves and our fellow believers of all the Lord has done for us. In remembering, our faith can be renewed. Even the Israelites, God’s chosen people, forgot about His miraculous rescue. They had to remind one another that God had parted the sea to set them free. In remembering, we honor God, stir up our faith, and can more easily trust Him for the future. If He has done it before, He can do it again.

Psalm 105:4-6: “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth, O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!”

2. Seek Intimacy.

When we spend time with God, worship Him, and read the Word, we open ourselves to hearing His voice and experiencing all that He has for us. Intimacy with the Father will push us into a place of restored faith as we become more and more like Jesus. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” (Galatians 2:20).

3. Imitate Christ.

Jesus’ life was one of remarkable faith and sacrifice. Even as a child, he went about His life wholly committed to His “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). As an adult, He risked it all, performed miracles, and shared the love of the Father. Jesus gave up His very existence as a man to set us free from the depths of sin.

If we are to rekindle a child-like faith in Christ, we only need to study the life of Jesus. Be guided by His walk to see that every day was one of faith and the risk to fulfill the Father’s plan.

4. Step out of the boat.

God’s plan is always bigger than we can imagine. It will demand risk and stepping outside of your comfort zone to accomplish His purposes. We can sit back and become complacent, or we can push through and step out of the boat to experience the fullness of God working in our lives. Who knows, we may even rekindle the dreams in our hearts and walk on water with Jesus!

So, is God calling you to step out of the boat today? We want to encourage you to take the leap and rekindle your first love. For it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love Him,” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Christians, Coronavirus, and a Christ-Centered Response

By
Christianity Today
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coronavirus

Today’s news cycle is dominated by one thing: the rise and spread of the novel coronavirus.

First reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, the virus COVID-19 has made an impact on our world, from international travel to the global markets. Coronaviruses are actually common throughout the world and generally “cause mild illness like the common cold.”[1]

However, this new strain has proven to be far more dangerous than a cold, with 82,000 cases worldwide and 2,800 deaths by late February. As of February 25, 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports the virus has spread to 37 locations internationally, including the United States. The CDC said this about the U.S. involvement as of February 25: “Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan, but at this time, this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.”[2]

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” on January 30.[3] WHO and the World Tourist Organization (UNWTO) are working together to communicate recommendations regarding travel or trade restrictions. In sports, some have begun to wonder about the future of the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

The WHO also has a site with three main headings: When and How to Use Masks and Advice for Health Workers are two of them.[4] The third is Myth-Busters, because our information-frenzied culture is great at spreading news and terrible at filtering myth from fact.

There is talk of a possible pandemic. There is the expected blame-gaming of politicians, turning a health issue into a political football to be kicked around. Facebook, …

Continue reading…

500 of Korea’s 1,000 Coronavirus Cases Tied to Shincheonji Church

By
Christianity Today
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SEOUL — A religious sect whose leader claims he is an angel of Jesus has become the biggest cluster of coronavirus infections in South Korea, which now leads the world in cases of COVID-19 disease outside of China.

President Moon Jae-in put his country on its highest alert for infectious diseases, ordering officials to take “unprecedented, powerful” steps to fight a soaring viral outbreak tallying almost 1,000 cases and 10 deaths as of February 25, mostly linked to a single congregation and a hospital.

Globally, more than 80,000 people have been infected in 37 countries, and more than 2,700 have died.

More than 400 of those infected have been directly linked to a single house of worship, a Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus—viewed as a cult movement by mainstream Korean Christian organizations—where a woman in her 60s attended two services before testing positive for the virus. Nationwide, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) attributes 501 of 977 cases to Shincheonji members.

Officials are also investigating a possible link between churchgoers and the spike in infections at the Cheongdo hospital, where more than 100 people have been infected so far, mostly patients at a mental illness ward.

Health officials were screening some 9,300 church followers and said that 1,261 of them have exhibited cough and other symptoms.

Among them, four had traveled abroad in recent months, including one to China, although that trip came in early January and was not near Hubei.

More than 1,000 churches and other facilities operated by Shincheonji, which claims 200,000 followers in South Korea, have been closed, and members have been told to instead watch services on YouTube. The sect’s …

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