The God Thing

Friday, July 27, 2012

A God Thing

Help spread the word:

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."1

According to Jim Green, Executive Director of The JESUS Film Project, "A Jesus film team was driving to a film showing site in a Muslim nation, a remote region that has hardly been touched by the Good News. It was a restricted area, with many hazards for those who would dare to openly share their faith. As the team drove along, they prayed that God would go before them and open doors of opportunity and give them safety.

"Just before they arrived at the village, a policeman flagged down their car. It seemed that an Islamic teacher needed a ride. The officer made the introductions and asked if they could help. Feeling it was an acceptable and necessary risk, they agreed and offered a ride, and continued towards town.

"You can imagine the anxiety the team must have felt when this highly respected teacher asked, 'Tell me, are you the ones planning to tell people about God?'

"Entrusting themselves to the Lord, they responded, 'Yes, we are.' Apprehension turned to astonishment as they listened to what this teacher said next. Bouncing along the dusty road, the teacher told the team how he had experienced a unique dream.

"'I was told to come to this spot in the road, at this time, and that I would encounter someone who would tell me about God. It must be you.'

"They gave him some literature that JESUS film teams carry in the local language, and invited him to come the showing of JESUS that night. He not only came but also helped distribute literature to the people!"2

It is my personal conviction that if an individual sincerely seeks God and his truth, God will reveal himself to him/her in whatever way or through whomever he chooses.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that whenever I or anyone sincerely seeks you with all their heart, they will find you. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

For more information about "Jesus Christ: Is He God or Man?" click on http://tinyurl.com/award

For help to know Jesus personally click on: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

1. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV).
2. Jim Green, Executive Director of The JESUS Film Project, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Monthly report letter, July 8, 2005.






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Jesus Would Have Shared Coffee with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2 Mar 2012 14:10 Africa/Lagos

Jesus Would Have Shared Coffee with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Says Author of New Book, Woman Meets Jesus

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Lisbeth Salander, the troubled female in the Oscar-winning film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is exactly the kind of woman that Jesus would invite for coffee," says Ruth Vander Zee, author of the new book Woman Meets Jesus (Edenridge Press). "Salander," says Vander Zee, "may not fit in at most churches but is the type of exploited woman that Jesus would befriend in the face of social and religious criticism."

Salander, played by Rooney Mara, is a gifted, but deeply troubled young woman with bleached eyebrows, a black Mohawk, tattoos, leather-and-chain dress, combat boots, and atypical body piercings.

"Jesus was a radical rabbi who reached out to females who didn't fit in with the religious and social communities," says Vander Zee. "He didn't care what the religious elites - the Sadducees and Pharisees - thought about women."

Vander Zee, who spent years studying Jesus' often-overlooked interactions with women, concludes in her new book that Jesus challenged the religious establishment's oppressive view of women and befriended and advocated for females like Salander. "Jesus stood up for exploited, rejected, isolated, desperate, and self-destructive women," says Vander Zee.

Vander Zee grew up in the church, learned the popular Bible stories, and eventually married a pastor. But later she chose to look at the second-class status women often occupied within the walls of the church. She decided to dig deeper into Jesus' personal encounters with women. What she discovered changed her view of women and Jesus.

In order to show how radical Jesus really was, Vander Zee retells the stories of Jesus' encounters with biblical women from their own, first-person perspectives. One woman is the prostitute who visited Jesus at Simon the leper's house and offended the respected guests by lavishing perfume upon Jesus. Another is the ostracized woman at the well who had multiple husbands. Yet another is the untouchable woman who hemorrhaged for 12 years.

"The whole idea that Jesus was anti-women is a modern myth," says Vander Zee. "I can imagine Jesus sitting in a Stockholm cafe with Salander, tearfully listening to her life story and encouraging her to follow the way of the prophet Micah to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with her new-found advocate, Jesus."

Ruth Vander Zee is the award-winning author of social-issue-oriented children's books, including Erika's Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers, and Always With You. A self-described late bloomer, she earned her college degree when she was 40, wrote her first book when she was 55, speaks to church and women's groups across North America, and writes the popular blog journey-of-faith.com. She lives in Miami, Florida.

For more information about Ruth and Woman Meets Jesus: How Jesus Encourages, Empowers, and Equips Women on Their Personal Journey of Faith (ISBN: 9780982706350; $14), please visit http://www.journey-of-faith.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ruth Vander Zee
ruthvanderzee@gmail.com
786-374-7606

PUBLISHER:

service@edenridgepress.com
FAX: (616) 365-5797

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Ruth Vander Zee

Web Site: http://www.journey-of-faith.com



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Who Owns Christmas? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?

Illustration of Jesus and Santa. Photo Credit: Jason Berggren.

Who owns Christmas? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?
This is the thought-;provoking subject of David Frum's article on the Huffington Post: Santa vs. Jesus and it is one of the most engaging articles on the debate of how the "religion" of Santa Claus is misappropriating the religion of Christianity for which Christmas is being celebrated in commemoration of the birth of the founder Jesus Christ our Lord and Messiah.

This is really How the Grinch Stole Christmas!



Of course How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is an allegory of how Santa Claus has stolen the birthday of Jesus Christ written by Dr. Seuss on the commercialization of Christmas and satirizes those who profit from exploiting the holiday.

As we speak, Santa Claus has just left the North Pole for his Christmas Eve journey around the world, his reindeer-powered sleigh loaded with gifts for boys and girls. ...

As much we should appreciate the goodwill and love in the sharing and exchange of Christmas gifts and greetings, we must stop the abuse and misuse of the Christian festival by greedy capitalists and legions of hypocrites whose idolatry is the antithesis of the charity of Jesus Christ.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka Orikinla Osinachi.





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A Contrast of Births

A Contrast of Births

Jesus said, "'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."1

Walter B. Knight reported how, "An hour after Queen Elizabeth's third child was born, 128 cables were sent to all parts of the world! Lights in Buckingham Palace, the Home Office, Foreign Office, Colonial Office, and Commonwealth Relations Office had burned all night. The palace's big switchboard was manned all night. And personnel on night duty were doubled in the ministries."

How different was the birth of Jesus, "The Prince of Peace." No earthly potentates proclaimed his coming. Atrocious, bloodthirsty Herod concerned himself with the event because he thought some rival rule had appeared.

God, however, signaled the birth of Jesus by dispatching angelic hosts to proclaim the good news and by placing in the heavens the guiding star to direct humble shepherds and seekers to the lowly place of Jesus' birth.

How different will be the second coming of Jesus. The first time, he came as a babe to identify with lost mankind and to pay the price of our redemption through his death on the cross. The good news is that Jesus is coming again and, when he does, he will come in all his divine glory as King of kings and Lord of lords. To him every knee will bow. What a day this will be!

Jesus himself promised that he would come back to earth to get and take his true followers to be with him forever in Heaven. The important thing is to be sure that we are ready for his return and/or to meet God face to face should we pass from this life to the next before Jesus Christ comes back again.

We do this by confessing our sinfulness, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins, and accepting Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. For additional help see the article, How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian at http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your wonderful promise that Jesus is right now preparing Heaven for his true followers and that he is coming back to earth to take these ones to be with him and you forever. Help me to be sure that I am prepared for this great and glorious day to meet you face to face. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen."

1. John 14:1–3 (NIV).

Less We Forget

Monday, May 26, 2008

1. Less We Forget

"And He [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."1

Today in the United States is Memorial Day—a national holiday "originally held in commemoration of soldiers killed in the American Civil War (1868). Its observance later extended to all U.S. war dead. National observance is marked by the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery."2

It is good to remember every day, and to celebrate this day with special thanksgiving for all who gave their lives to give us freedom. May we also remember in prayer today all of our Christian brothers and sisters who live in countries where they don't know the freedoms that we have.

As a kid growing up in Australia during World War II, how well I remember what the Americans did for my homeland. Had it not been for the American soldiers with the backing of the American Congress and people, Australia would not know the freedom it knows today—neither would the rest of the Western World. And if it weren't for the strength and determination of America today, we would all be living in a much different world. What if a Saddam Hussein or an Osama Bin Laden had the military might of the U.S.? The consequences would be unthinkable!

Someone asked Albert Einstein what kind of weapons would be used in the third World War. "Well," he answered, "I don't know … but I can tell you what they'll use in the fourth world war. They'll use rocks."

In spite of its weaknesses Americans still enjoy many freedoms for which its citizens need to be extremely grateful. However, unless America turns back the tide that is rapidly taking it away from its Christian moral heritage and roots, it is highly improbable that our children or our children's children will continue to be blessed by the great freedoms that America still enjoys today. And for all who live in this great land of opportunity and despise, misuse, and/or abuse it, unlike many countries, America gives them the freedom to leave! Very few do though!

May we in the West never take our freedoms for granted for, "Eternal vigilance is still the price of freedom." And above all, that includes moral vigilance. For as God's Word says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."3 And as Jesus told us to remember his death for us, let us also remember all who have given their lives to give us the wonderful freedoms we know today, for there is always a great price to purchase and maintain freedom.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, we thank you especially today for all who have given their lives to keep us living in a land that knows unprecedented freedom. Help all of us in the free world awaken to our need to be eternally vigilant in moral integrity, righteous living, trusting in you. And we pray for all living in lands where they are under great bondage, and where the gospel is forbidden to be preached, proclaimed or followed. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Luke 22:19 (NKJV).
2. Encyclopedia Britannica
3. Proverbs 14:34 (NIV).

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Witnessing Made Easy

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

1. Witnessing Made Easy

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things."1

"Do you remember the Mercedes TV commercial a few years ago that showed a Mercedes crashing into a concrete wall during a safety test? An engineer in a white lab coat walks over after the crash and kneels down to examine the damage, which is minimal. A reporter then asks the engineer about Mercedes' energy absorbing car body. After the engineer tells all about the unique design the reporter asks him why Mercedes doesn't enforce their patent on the design, a design evidently copied by several other companies because of its success.

"The engineer then replied matter-of-factly, 'Because some things in life are too important not to share.' How true this is. There are many things in life that fall into this 'too important not to share category.' Advances in science, in medicine, in technology. But all of these pale in importance to that of sharing our faith."2

As Billy Graham said, "I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God's love for them in Christ."

There are many ways we can do this. Here's one very simple way. For example, whenever I eat at a restaurant, I always leave one of my Good News business witness cards with the tip. And whenever a suitable opportunity arises, without being pushy, I ask the person I am talking to if I can give him or her one of my cards. It is a very attractive card that invites people to visit one of our Good News websites. The site has many articles that speak to the felt needs of the average person—articles that deal with overcoming worry, stress, marriage, relationships, and the like.

And, by the way, speaking to an individual's felt needs is the only known sure-fire way to get people to read any message. The website also has a highly visible link to the clear gospel message, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian … without having to be religious." The general card I give out in the U.S. points to: www.GoodNewsfor.com/usa. (In time we will have them for other countries and in other languages as well.)

I've never had anyone ever refuse to accept one of these cards. They are attractively printed and are not in any way preachy. This is a very easy, attractive, and non-offensive way to witness even for the most timid person. If you live in the U.S., or have friends who live in the U.S., I encourage you to send for a package of 50 of the "Good News for USA" business witness cards to give to family, friends and contacts. They are only a web click away at: https://actscom.com/donate.php and are available for a donation, not only to cover the cost of printing and postage, but also to help support the building and maintaining of this gospel web outreach ministry.

It is true, the gospel message of Jesus Christ is far too important not to share. Please send today for a pack of Good News Business Witness cards so you, too, can be involved in what God is doing in the world today.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I come to you with all my fears making myself available for you to use as a witness for Jesus Christ. Please use me to be 'as Christ' in some way to someone in need today, and give me the courage to share my Christian faith in a non-offensive and gracious way. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Romans 10:15 (NKJV).
2. Rev. Steve Jackson, Sermon: "Come and See."

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Abortion, Atheism, Pornography Mark Routes to Jesus, Heaven, God

10 Dec 2007 17:34 Africa/Lagos


Abortion, Atheism, Pornography Mark Routes to Jesus, Heaven, God

New Christian Book Explores How Salvation Road Includes Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hot-Button Topics Like Homosexuality, Gambling, Alcohol, the ACLU and Evolution

CLEVELAND, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ --

Michael M. Murray's provocative new Christian book, "52 Paths to Heaven: Discover How Simple Joys and Tough Times Shape Your Journey" (published by AuthorHouse -- http://www.authorhouse.com/), shows how people discover Jesus through friendships, poems, churches and the Bible as well as crime, TV shows, terrorism and global spirituality.


"You could meet Jesus after hearing the Gospel or by praying," says Murray. "But just about any experience can help draw someone to Jesus. You need to sin before you know you're a sinner."


If God can speak through a donkey, a burning bush and dreams in the Bible, "he can be just as creative in other ways too," Murray says. Topics in "52 Paths to Heaven" include:


-- Alcohol
-- Catholicism
-- Euthanasia
-- Marriage
-- Movies
-- Nature
-- Racism
-- Suicide
-- Terrorism



"With nasty attitudes and endless arguments, some Christians give Christianity a bad name," Murray says. "However, it all comes down to this: Have you somehow encountered Jesus and owned up to your sins? Your circumstances may cover everything from pure delight to selfishness."


In addition to personal accounts, the book shows how sin-stained, hate- mongering pastors blow homosexuality out of proportion and why sensitivity should prevail; suicide demands mercy and doesn't disqualify Christians; calamities help us become dependent on the Lord; pornography ruins lives, but God has a rescue plan; and world religions other than Christianity fall short of God's demand for the perfect sin sacrifice.


For more than 20 years, Michael Murray has taught the Bible to children, organized spiritual retreats, discipled men, served in a hospice home and supported social justice organizations. He earned a journalism degree at Kent State University and worked in newspapers before becoming a marketing executive. He frequently speaks at national conferences in his field. Michael lives in northeast Ohio with his family. For an excerpt and more information, visit http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~47303.aspx. Additionally, view more excerpts and author videos at http://www.52pathstoheaven.com/.


AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher (http://www.authorhouse.com/) for emerging, self-published (http://www.authorhouse.com/GetPublished/FAQ.aspx) authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com/.


EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 888-728-8467
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)



This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.


Source: AuthorHouse

CONTACT: Promotional Services Department of AuthorHouse, +1-888-728-8467,
Fax: +1-812-961-3133, pressreleases@authorhouse.com


Web Site: http://www.authorhouse.com/
http://www.52pathstoheaven.com/

Abortion, Atheism, Pornography Mark Routes to Jesus, Heaven, God

10 Dec 2007 17:34 Africa/Lagos


Abortion, Atheism, Pornography Mark Routes to Jesus, Heaven, God

New Christian Book Explores How Salvation Road Includes Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hot-Button Topics Like Homosexuality, Gambling, Alcohol, the ACLU and Evolution

CLEVELAND, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ --

Michael M. Murray's provocative new Christian book, "52 Paths to Heaven: Discover How Simple Joys and Tough Times Shape Your Journey" (published by AuthorHouse -- http://www.authorhouse.com/), shows how people discover Jesus through friendships, poems, churches and the Bible as well as crime, TV shows, terrorism and global spirituality.


"You could meet Jesus after hearing the Gospel or by praying," says Murray. "But just about any experience can help draw someone to Jesus. You need to sin before you know you're a sinner."


If God can speak through a donkey, a burning bush and dreams in the Bible, "he can be just as creative in other ways too," Murray says. Topics in "52 Paths to Heaven" include:


-- Alcohol
-- Catholicism
-- Euthanasia
-- Marriage
-- Movies
-- Nature
-- Racism
-- Suicide
-- Terrorism



"With nasty attitudes and endless arguments, some Christians give Christianity a bad name," Murray says. "However, it all comes down to this: Have you somehow encountered Jesus and owned up to your sins? Your circumstances may cover everything from pure delight to selfishness."


In addition to personal accounts, the book shows how sin-stained, hate- mongering pastors blow homosexuality out of proportion and why sensitivity should prevail; suicide demands mercy and doesn't disqualify Christians; calamities help us become dependent on the Lord; pornography ruins lives, but God has a rescue plan; and world religions other than Christianity fall short of God's demand for the perfect sin sacrifice.


For more than 20 years, Michael Murray has taught the Bible to children, organized spiritual retreats, discipled men, served in a hospice home and supported social justice organizations. He earned a journalism degree at Kent State University and worked in newspapers before becoming a marketing executive. He frequently speaks at national conferences in his field. Michael lives in northeast Ohio with his family. For an excerpt and more information, visit http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~47303.aspx. Additionally, view more excerpts and author videos at http://www.52pathstoheaven.com/.


AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher (http://www.authorhouse.com/) for emerging, self-published (http://www.authorhouse.com/GetPublished/FAQ.aspx) authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com/.


EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 888-728-8467
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)



This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.


Source: AuthorHouse

CONTACT: Promotional Services Department of AuthorHouse, +1-888-728-8467,
Fax: +1-812-961-3133, pressreleases@authorhouse.com


Web Site: http://www.authorhouse.com/
http://www.52pathstoheaven.com/