Tag: Christianity

Why do Christians die even after praying?

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Is a Christian’s death from terminal illness proof that prayer has no meaning?  Is it proof that there is no God? The questions are fair, and to answer them we should consider why we pray, and how we are told to pray.

Prayer is about communion with God. He wants us to bring our concerns, worries, and feelings to Him. We share these things with our family, for example, because that’s what you do with people you care about. Sharing our cares with loved ones bonds us together, and bringing our cares to God brings us closer to Him.  So, why do people sometimes die even when they ask God to spare them?

Romans tells us, “…sin entered the world through one man….and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” And Hebrews tells us man is appointed once to die.  If a Christian prayed that he or she would never die, they would be asking God to go against Bible. Consider that Luke tells us when Jesus prayed before his execution, he said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” Yet Jesus was executed anyway.  He brought his cares to God the Father for communion, not to place an order.  He didn’t ask for his desire without concern of God’s will; he asked for only what is in the will of the Father.

Christians pray to have communion with God.  All people, even Christians, die because we live in a world made imperfect by sin, and their deaths are certainly not proof there is no God.

What are your thoughts?

The Sunday Report, Nov 10, 2019

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Criminal acts against the church in North America continue at a steady pace.  Reported incidents are mostly petty crimes and acts of vandalism.

Halifax-area RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying the people responsible for vandalism at a church in Sackville. Valliant News reports derogatory comments were painted on the building and property was damaged by the vandal or vandals. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to the Halifax District RCMP at . If you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477.)

RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire at a church nursery in Carman, Man.  CBC reports the fire was confined to one room. RCMP ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Two men are charged with multiple charges including defacing religious property and defacing an institution because of religious animosity after bias-related graffiti was found at a Maryland Methodist Church, according to a report from Patch.com.

Two women in Lima, Ohio have agreed to reimburse the congregation of New Life Assembly and enter a diversity program after they pleaded guilty to vandalizing a church.  Hometownstations.com reports prosecutors dropped a higher charge of desecration as part of a negotiated plea deal.

A Former New York University professor is charged with a hate crime after police say security cameras caught him vandalizing a Brooklyn Church.  NBCNewYork.com reports Michael Gould Wartofsky previously taught sociology at NYU.

Investigators in Greene County, Tennessee are asking anyone with information about a fire that was intentionally set at the Gethsemane Methodist Church to call the local sheriff’s office.  The fire was set sometime between Nov 4 and Nov 5 according to a report from WJHL television.

A Toronto church has helped at least 33 families from 13 countries find a new home. The CBC reports the families are helped by the Etobicoke-based Islington United Church under Canada’s Private Sponsorship Program.

Please pray for the affected congregations and for those who committed these crimes.

Inferences based on the Bible are not scripture

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Why do so many in what’s been called the ‘new atheist movement’ promote the myth that science and faith are in conflict? How can the two contradict when one deals with man’s relationship with God and the other deals with understanding God’s creation?

Proponents of the alleged conflict idea quite often point to data that contradicts inferences made from scripture. This comes up so often, I think it’s something we as Christians need to consider when we share our faith.

I need to be very clear about two things.  An inference about science based on scripture is not the same as scripture.  Presenting it as such serves only to push people away from God when they think they have to choose between the inference and science.  Secondly, I am not suggesting we should change our faith in God based on scientific data. I have yet to see any lab experiment that has proven anything about God, only about His creation.

Every Christian should ask his or herself this important question:  When you begin a sentence with “The Bible says…,” do you finish the sentence with scripture every time, or are you guilty of ending it with something based on God’s word, but not actually God’s word?

What are your thoughts?

Sunday Report: Nov. 3, 2019

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Some members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle in Ottawa say there have been injustices against Canada’s Indigenous people and are working to protect their language and cultural.  The B.C. Catholic reports the group published a letter and video acknowledging past unfair actions. 

Investigators in New York say a fire that heavily damaged Luz En Tu Senda church in Riverhead is not being investigated as a hate crime because there is no indication the church was targeted for a racial motive. Riverheadlocal.com reports a Freedom of Information request seeking release of a statement of the suspect, Lee Ragland, that would reveal the motive, but officials have refused to release the statement.

A man who vandalized St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic church Grand Rapids, Michigan and threatened two church members was sentenced this week to a year in jail. Anthony Lee Wabindato was found guilty of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of resisting arrest and one count of malicious destruction of property.  According to WOOD TV, the judge also ordered him to pay $3,690 in fines.

Fire officials in North Hornell, Kansas say they believe an Oct. 27 fire at the Station Church was intentionally set. The Evening Tribune reports the Steuben County Sheriff’s office has begun a criminal investigation. Damage to the church is estimated at over $15,000.

Police made an arrest in two recent vandalisms at St. Patrick’s Parish in Watsonville, California after the release of surveillance video sparked tips that led officers to Arturo Padilla. Patch.com reports the damage is estimated at over $1,500. KSBW reports Arturo Padilla is charged with vandalism of a church.

 

Do Christians fear debate?

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Why would a pastor encourage his congregation to avoid engaging atheists?  Doesn’t 1 Peter 3:15 tell us we should, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”? This question, or a variation of it, is often used by crafty people trying to goad Christians into a fight. It’s also been used as “proof” that Christians are people who don’t think.  Is this a fair complaint?

We are told in 1 Peter to be ready to give answer.  But it doesn’t tell us to throw our pearls before swine.  And there is a very big difference between engaging someone in respectful discussion and entertaining someone whose goal is conflict. Jesus made it clear how we are to act when someone refuses to hear the word.  He said in Matthew 10:14, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Scripture after scripture records Jesus giving answers to those truly seeking answers, but not so much attention to the trolls of his day.

Jeremiah 29:13 tells us anyone who seeks God with all their heart will find Him. God gives us the choice.  We can also choose to reject Him and, as Second Corinthians says, have our eyes blinded to the truth.  Those who claim to have no position, yet spend hours condescending Christians and misrepresenting scripture to “win” an argument are not seeking truth, but picking a fight.

God’s gift of redemption is never forced on anyone.  Will you accept His offer?