Our Christian Country

Lets Be Ready!

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:07:15 +0000

trician posted:

Petra, youve got to see this, shouted Caleb to his wife. Look at those big tall things walking down the street right in front of our house. They have spots all over them, I heard those animals are called giraffes, he said excitedly. They certainly have long necks, responded Petra. O my, now thats something Ive never seen, shouted Moshe to his neighbor. What are those huge elephants doing in our neighborhood, wondered Anna, Moshes wife. Parents warned their children to stay away from that crazy Noah and his family. The children were excited to see the playful chimpanzees and monkeys running,, skipping, leaping and doing somersaults as they made their way to the ark. Well, just yesterday day I saw Mrs. Caleb grab her five year old Joshua before he followed the lions up that ramp into that monstrosity,quipped Anna. Parents are really going to have to watch their…

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Conservative Leaders Mobilizing Christians to ‘Pray & A.C.T.’ for America

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Christians across America are being called on to unite in prayer and fasting for the nation from Sept. 20 to Oct. 30 as America faces “unprecedented challenges.”

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Soldiers allege punishment over Christian show – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Army Times

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:57:04 +0000

Soldiers allege punishment over Christian show – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Army Times
The Army is investigating allegations that soldiers were pressured to attend a Christian concert — and punished when they refused.

Campus Notes 9/6

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:31:17 +0000

Campus Notes 9/6
BYU

Ground Zero Christian Center Kicks Off with Fire and Brimstone – Newsweek

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:29:27 +0000

New York Daily News

Ground Zero Christian Center Kicks Off with Fire and Brimstone
Newsweek
The controversial Internet evangelist came out swinging in his first Sunday service at the “9/11 Christian Center”– Keller's response to the proposed Park51 …
Anti-Islam Rhetoric Heats Up Ahead of 9/11ABC News
From the Other Side of Ground Zero, Anti-Muslim VenomNew York Times
Bill Keller, Muslim-hating pastor, wants to build Christian center to rival …New York Daily News
Gothamist -The Associated Press -DNAinfo
all 282 news articles »

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Why Does God Allow Suffering, Part 2

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:15:44 +0000

When suffering hits, and we have so many questions, Pastor Greg Laurie says we usually don’t need more answers, we need more of God. Pastor Greg Laurie brings a personal look at the issue of pain and suffering and how believers can cling to the hope we have in God.

View full post on Harvest: Greg Laurie Video

The Power Of a Whisper Book – Bill Hybels

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:09:16 +0000

Full-throttle faith resides in fully yielded hearts. In The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond, Bill Hybels reveals the attitudes and actions that help us hear directly from heaven as we navigate the most significant challenges on earth. Hearing God? Read and share your whispers from God at TheWhisperWall.com

CS Lewis College, Founding the Future, Part 1: “Why CS Lewis”

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:09:15 +0000

First part of a four-segment video titled “Founding the Future,” a video about the establishment of CS Lewis College. This segment concerns why CS Lewis is the namesake of the College. 2010 Copyright CS Lewis Foundation. This film is dedicated to the memory of Derick Bingham, 1946-2010. Photographs of CS Lewis used by permission of the Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

U.S. Judge: Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:09:13 +0000

A Massachusetts-based judge ruled today that a federal ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional because it interferes with state’s rights to define marriage, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled on two challenges to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The state had argued the law denied benefits such as Medicaid to gay married couples in Massachusetts, where same-sex unions have been legal since 2004.

Tauro agreed, and said the act forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its own citizens.

“The federal government, by enacting and enforcing DOMA, plainly encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state, and in doing so, offends the Tenth Amendment. For that reason, the statute is invalid,” Tauro wrote in a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Ruling in a separate case filed by Gays & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Tauro found that DOMA violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The Family Research Council’s Tom McClusky issued a statement saying the organization is confident the decision will be overturned on appeal.

“The federal DOMA does not violate equal protection principles and has not interfered with Massachusetts’ freedom to determine its own definition of marriage,” he said. “In part, this decision results from the deliberately weak legal defense of DOMA that was mounted on behalf of the government by the Obama administration, which has called for repeal of the law.”

The Boston Globe has more on the case.

View full post on Christianity Today Politics

The Tragedy of Tiger and Elin

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:09:13 +0000

More than anything else, divorce demonstrates the sacredness of marriage. The shattering of a family reveals the incredible bonds that were never meant to break…

View full post on Crosswalk.com – Spiritual Life

News & Views 10/04/10

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:09:08 +0000

September 4, 2010
Dear Saddleback Family,
THIS WEEKEND
I begin a new 4 week series, “Preparing For Your Future.” The first message is about overcoming past defeats, present discouragements, and the temptation (especially with the recession) to simply drift into the future. We cannot be “Waiting for the World to Change.” We must move on with God’s destiny for our lives, regardless of the economic situation. Based on the 3 instructions God gave Joshua to possess the Promised Land, this weekend’s message is “Possessing Your Destiny.” I guarantee that you’ll be encouraged and inspired.
PARKING FOR FAMILIES WITH STROLLERS OPENS THIS WEEKEND
Beginning this weekend, September 4-5, the parking closest to our Children’s Ministry Center will become our “STROLLER LOT”. This lot will be reserved for families with young children in strollers. While the Stroller Lot is designated for young families on the weekend, it will be open for general parking during the week and for events.
The handicap parking will still be available for those who need it. If you typically park in this lot on the weekend, we would ask that you park in the next closest lot, unless of course you have a child in a stroller. And for those of you with innovative and creative minds, it doesn’t count if you merely own a stroller or even have one in your trunk……it’s for those who currently have kids in a stroller.
DECADE OF DESTINY LAUNCHES 10-10-10!
I can say without hesitation that I’m more excited about the next ten years than the past thirty years combined. All that’s happened in our past has prepared us for the greatest decade yet! So we’re calling this year’s Fall spiritual growth campaign Decade of Destiny. It’s a plan I’ve been working on all year to help you succeed in 1) fulfilling your personal destiny, and 2) fulfilling our church family’s destiny together.
A BOOK & MOVIE STARRING YOU!
We set a goal a number of years ago to follow Jesus’ command to go to every nation in the world. There are 195 nations in the world and by the end of this year, we will have reached every single one! This has never been done before in Christian history and YOU did it. So in order to celebrate this accomplishment, we’re preparing a historic book and documentary called “To Every Nation” which will include all the names of every person who has gone on a Mission or PEACE Trip.
We’re creating a large coffee table book and a film documentary of the stories and pictures of over 11,000 Saddleback members who’ve served on international P.E.A.C.E. trips and many more of you who’ve served here in America (i.e. Katrina Relief). We want include your name and photo of your group on a PEACE trip, the country you served, and date.
There are 2 ways you can get us your photos and /or movies:

Please bring them with you to the service you attend this weekend.
We will collecting all the names, trip dates & locations, photos, and stories, so I need you to send them to us and loan us your photos.
Respond to this e-mail RIGHT NOW with your full name, date of trip, country of mission/PEACE trip, e-mail address, home address, and phone number. Then, click here to upload your photos and tell us about the highlights of your trip.
If you don’t have a photo you can upload from your computer, place photographs in a large envelope with all of the information above and drop it off at our Ministry Office in Lake Forest (on the corner of Portola and Saddleback Parkways Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

GET WELL CARDS FROM CHILDREN
I’ve loved all the hand-made get-well cards that kids in our church sent me after I accidentally burned my eyes with a toxic poison from a plant I was pruning in my yard. Below, Chad & Niki Huggins sent their drawings of the story of my accident.

It is a privilege to be your pastor. I love you!

Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

View full post on Pastor Rick’s News & Views

Which God Should We Turn To?

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:57:06 +0000

A lot of people are asking me what I thought of Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally.
Listen Now | Download

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ACLJ & Members of Congress Urge Federal Appeals Court to Uphold AZ Immigration Law

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:57:06 +0000

View full post on ACLJ.org Latest News

Christian Leaders Repeat Calls to Halt 9/11 Qur’an Burnings – Christian Post

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:29:27 +0000

Christian Leaders Repeat Calls to Halt 9/11 Qur'an Burnings
Christian Post
As thousands of Muslims worldwide gathered over the weekend to protest one Florida group's plans to burn …

and more »

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UPDATE: Collapsed jogger in critical condition

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:29:26 +0000

UPDATE: Collapsed jogger in critical condition
As of 2 p.m. on Friday, Shell was still in ICU in critical condition. Due to his involvement in Campus Crusade for Christ with Shell, Josh English, an alumnus, was able to contact Shell’s family.

Let Each Esteem Other Better Than Themselves

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:14:18 +0000

billyb posted:

Phil. 2:48, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Of all things we should be laboring for, (Labor Day here in the US), this is one that seems to give the most trouble, to the flesh, in the church, among Gods people. I worked as a helper in a church nursery (preaching service), for several years, because it is always hard to get folks to serve there. One…

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The Abacus Of Sin…!

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:12:37 +0000

tohimbeglory posted:

I was showing my nephew what an abacus was and how that revolutionized the the computer era to come! And it suddenly dawn upon me why the spirit did not let Paul go to Asia! The birthplace of the abacus is early China!…And according to what I know the abacus has four or five rolls of sliding marbles that constitute digits! And getting in the matter, some sins are counted as ones and some as ten and some as hundred or thousands! And the thing is that some sins are moralistic and some are Satan perverse!…And we shouldnt blame Satan for the heavier marvels, because everyone is responsible for each of his, her sin, little or big!…But we must know that some sins are against our fellow man and some heavier marble sins are against God himself and the truth and some against the spirit!…And we dont want anything to…

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What does the Bible say about cremation?

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:12:34 +0000

View full post on Christianity.com – Rich Christian Content for all Areas of Life from Trusted Christian Leaders

Healing: A Cop-out – Lesson 6

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:07:50 +0000

revgenlink posted:

Directly from God Wants You Well Study Guide Andrew WommackHealing is part of Christs Atonement. Its not a separate issue from salvation. The very Greek word associated with salvation over a hundred times in the New Testament was also translated healed, made whole, and saved in reference to healing the sick. God never intended for what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection to be broken up and separated into different elements.Some people have said, Were going to accept forgiveness of sins but reject healing, prosperity, and deliverance. No, its actually all a package deal. Its wrong for the church to present healing as some fringe benefit that could happen but certainly isnt part of our salvation. Its just up to the Lord whether He chooses to heal or not. Gods will is to heal you just as much as it is to forgive you. He wants you to…

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Conservative Leaders Mobilizing Christians to ‘Pray & A.C.T.’ for America

ourchristiancountry — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:05:35 +0000

Christians across America are being called on to unite in prayer and fasting for the nation from Sept. 20 to Oct. 30 as America faces “unprecedented challenges.”

View full post on Most Popular