Tag: Jesus

A Journey of Faith: Libbi Perry Stuffle’s 54 Years in Gospel Music

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AMY TURNER

On Christmas Day 2024, Libbi Perry Stuffle marked an incredible milestone in her career – 54 years of singing Gospel music. This remarkable journey has been filled with both triumphs and challenges, but through it all, Stuffle’s faith has remained unwavering.

Reflecting on her decades-long career, Stuffle shared, “You know, I look back and there’s been a lot of good times, there’s been a lot of bad times, there’s been a lot of tragic times.” Despite the ups and downs, she maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing that “there’s never been a day that God’s not been faithful and never been a morning that His mercies went new.”

Libbi Stuffle Courtesy Perrysministries.com

Stuffle acknowledges that during difficult periods, it was sometimes hard to see God’s presence. However, with hindsight, she recognizes His constant support. “Looking back, I mean, God has been with us every step of the way. He has provided, He has been everything that He said that He would be, that He would never leave us, never forsake us,” she affirmed.

While the length of her career might make her “feel old,” Stuffle remains grateful for the opportunity to continue her calling. She expressed, “I’m just honoured to be able to still get out here and do the calling that He’s placed on us.”

The Perry family’s commitment to Gospel music continues to thrive. Their latest project, titled “Long, Long Road,” features their current single, “You Can’t Hurry God.” This new release demonstrates that even after more than five decades, the Perrys’ passion for sharing their faith through music remains strong.

As Libbi Perry Stuffle looks back on 54 years of singing Gospel music, her journey serves as a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the enduring appeal of Gospel music.

Understanding God’s Promise of Protection

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JEFF TURNER

God promises to protect his followers, so how come today we see mass shootings and other horrendous actions?

The promise of protection for followers of God does not mean that they will never face suffering or death. In fact, Jesus Himself told his disciples that in this world they will have trouble, but He also promised them peace in Him.

The reality is that we live in a fallen world where sin, evil, and suffering exists because of man’s introduction of sin. Mass shootings and other tragedies are a result of the brokenness of this world. However, as followers of Christ, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world through His death and resurrection. While we may suffer in this life, God has promised to protect us from spiritual harm and eternal separation from him. Even in the face of tragedy, we can have hope and peace in knowing that ultimately, God is in control and has the power to bring good out of even the most difficult situations.

God’s promise of protection extends beyond physical safety and includes the assurance of His presence, comfort, and eternal life with Him.

The Significance of Jesus Birth in Bethlehem

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JEFF TURNER

The story of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem gives us some theological insights about God’s divine plan and grace. In the small, unremarkable town of Bethlehem—whose name means “house of bread”—God chose to bring forth His most significant promise: the birth of the Messiah.

This humble village, too small to even raise an army, became the birthplace of Jesus Christ through divine intention. God deliberately selected an obscure location to demonstrate His power, showing that His greatest works often emerge from the most unexpected places. The choice of Bethlehem highlights God’s ability to use the weak and insignificant to display His extraordinary glory.

The prophecy by Micah, delivered 700 years before Jesus’s birth, foretold a remarkable event where the eternal ruler would emerge from this tiny town. This ruler would not come from a grand city, but from a place of humble origins, symbolizing that God’s salvation is accessible to all, regardless of social status or perceived importance.

God’s selection of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus shows us a fundamental truth about divine grace: salvation is not earned through human achievement, but freely given. Just as Bethlehem was chosen despite its smallness, individuals are invited into God’s redemption not because of their own merit, but because of God’s boundless mercy.

God demonstrated that He can bring hope, light, and redemption through the most unexpected channels. Today, He invites everyone, regardless of their background, to experience His love.

Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime in Arson Case Targeting U.S. Congregation

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Kevin Colantonio, 34, of Rhode Island. has agreed to plead guilty to a hate crime for setting fires at a predominantly Black church earlier this year, federal prosecutors announced. The plea deal includes admitting to arson motivated by racial bias and an additional offence committed while in custody.

Colantonio’s crimes occurred in February, targeting Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence. Court documents reveal that he used gasoline to ignite multiple fires around the church’s exterior shortly after midnight on February 11. The North Providence Police and Fire Departments quickly extinguished the flames, preventing significant damage.

As part of the plea deal, Colantonio admitted to selecting the church specifically because of the race, colour, religion, or ethnicity of its congregants, who are predominantly Black. This admission classifies the arson as a hate crime, carrying enhanced penalties under federal law.

While detained at Wyatt Detention Facility in March, Colantonio committed another serious offence. According to prosecutors, he threw a mixture of faeces and urine at a correctional officer delivering his breakfast.

The potential consequences of Colantonio’s actions are significant. He faces a minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 56 years, along with a possible $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. A hearing is scheduled for January 7 at the Rhode Island U.S. District Court in Providence.

U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha highlighted the importance of the case as part of ongoing civil rights enforcement efforts. Cunha stated that the final sentence would be determined by a federal judge, with recommendations from his office and the probation department.

The arson at Shiloh Gospel Temple, which was unoccupied at the time, left the congregation deeply affected. For many Christians, places of worship represent sanctuaries for prayer, community, and spiritual growth. Targeting such spaces for violence not only damages property but also disrupts the sense of security and unity that churches provide to their members.

Insight into the Star and the Wise Men’s Journey

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JEFF TURNER

They knew the stars well. For years, the wise men of the East had studied the ancient prophecies and watched the night sky, knowing that one day a special star would appear – one that would lead them to a king unlike any other. When that brilliant light finally pierced the darkness, they knew their journey had begun.

These learned men gathered their most precious treasures: gold fit for a king, sweet-smelling frankincense used in temple worship, and myrrh, the burial spice that spoke of mortality. Though the journey would be long and dangerous, they set out with determination, following the star that called them westward. As recorded in Matthew 2:1-2, they arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him.”

Their arrival caused quite a stir in Jerusalem. The whole city was troubled, especially King Herod, who gathered his religious advisors to learn where this prophesied king would be born. The scholars knew the answer immediately – Bethlehem. Yet strangely, though these religious leaders knew the prophecies by heart, not one of them made the short five-mile journey to seek this newborn king.

When the wise men finally reached the house where the young Jesus stayed with Mary, they didn’t hesitate or question. These educated, wealthy men immediately fell to their faces in worship. They recognized something the religious scholars had missed – this child was more than just another king. He was worthy of complete adoration. Their expensive gifts carried deep meaning: gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh pointing toward His future sacrifice.

Their encounter with Jesus changed everything. Though Herod had asked them to return with news of the child’s location, they heeded God’s warning in a dream and chose a different route home. Like so many who truly meet Jesus, they left walking a new path – one of obedience to God rather than earthly authorities.