Not long ago, I was in Dallas holding aseminar. My daughter, Zona, was with me,helping with the book and tape sales. Zonaowns two exercise studios and had a financialneed for $3,000. She told me about it, but Ididn't respond. I've taught her for years totrust God. Sometimes the pressure of asituation will nag at you so strongly that youwill bypass God and look to a person—especially one who has what you need.That night, Zona had a night vision—avision that occurs when you are asleep. God speaks to your spirit and shows you what youneed to see. It's from God—not from the pizzayou ate earlier!The next morning, she told me about thedream she received, saying, "Daddy, Daddy, Idon't like it!" She said, "I dreamed I was aninstructor in an exercise place.""Well," I said, "that's what you are.""But, Daddy, I was just an instructor in theexercise place and not the owner."She continued to describe the dream. In it,there was a man who owned the place.Because Zona needed financial help, she askedher boss for more money. He refused and heaped abuse on her. The dream had greatlyupset her. She didn't understand the truth thatGod was trying to reveal to her in this dream, but I immediately did.I said, "Zona, Zona. That dream was for you.God was showing you what happens whenyou prostitute your faith. I've told you foryears what to do, but you flounder around andlook to man for help, and God doesn't like it.Why don't you change?"You might say, "That seems very harsh,Brother Norvel.' But, in these last days, God isrevealing the truth so we won't have tostumble around in darkness for the rest of ourlives. Yes, when I said that, it was harsh.Sometimes the truth can be offensive. But if welisten and apply it, it will always set us free.Meanwhile, Zona sat in a chair mumblingtearfully, "Oh, Daddy, oh, Daddy." I said to her, "Zona, honey, little darling, Jesus lovesyou! Why don't you start thanking Jesus for what you want and Jesus will give it to you.
Youcan be free from your prostitute faith.Don't go to man. God says, 'Forget not togive God thanks in everything.' Why don't youdo it?"Crying, she said, "Okay, Daddy, I will, Iwill.'After this conversation on Saturdaymorning, we both began thanking Jesus forhelping her. Later, she went to work behindthe tape and book table during the seminar.Soon, a person walked up and said, "Zona,God has been dealing with me for two days.Here's a check the Lord told me to give you."She looked at the check—
four thousand dollars!
Not long ago, I was in Dallas holding aseminar. My daughter, Zona, was with me,helping with the book and tape sales. Zonaowns two exercise studios and had a financialneed for $3,000. She told me about it, but Ididn't respond. I've taught her for years totrust God. Sometimes the pressure of asituation will nag at you so strongly that youwill bypass God and look to a person—especially one who has what you need.That night, Zona had a night vision—avision that occurs when you are asleep. God speaks to your spirit and shows you what youneed to see. It's from God—not from the pizzayou ate earlier!The next morning, she told me about thedream she received, saying, "Daddy, Daddy, Idon't like it!" She said, "I dreamed I was aninstructor in an exercise place.""Well," I said, "that's what you are.""But, Daddy, I was just an instructor in theexercise place and not the owner."She continued to describe the dream. In it,there was a man who owned the place.Because Zona needed financial help, she askedher boss for more money. He refused and heaped abuse on her. The dream had greatlyupset her. She didn't understand the truth thatGod was trying to reveal to her in this dream, but I immediately did.I said, "Zona, Zona. That dream was for you.God was showing you what happens whenyou prostitute your faith. I've told you foryears what to do, but you flounder around andlook to man for help, and God doesn't like it.Why don't you change?"You might say, "That seems very harsh,Brother Norvel.' But, in these last days, God isrevealing the truth so we won't have tostumble around in darkness for the rest of ourlives. Yes, when I said that, it was harsh.Sometimes the truth can be offensive. But if welisten and apply it, it will always set us free.Meanwhile, Zona sat in a chair mumblingtearfully, "Oh, Daddy, oh, Daddy." I said to her, "Zona, honey, little darling, Jesus lovesyou! Why don't you start thanking Jesus for what you want and Jesus will give it to you.
Youcan be free from your prostitute faith.Don't go to man. God says, 'Forget not togive God thanks in everything.' Why don't youdo it?"Crying, she said, "Okay, Daddy, I will, Iwill.'After this conversation on Saturdaymorning, we both began thanking Jesus forhelping her. Later, she went to work behindthe tape and book table during the seminar.Soon, a person walked up and said, "Zona,God has been dealing with me for two days.Here's a check the Lord told me to give you."She looked at the check—
four thousand dollars!
First Action, Then Manifestation
You have to have action, and then you get the manifestation. I just walked back over there as if I had all kinds of power, and started praying for them again. I had to fight devils with that bunch, though. They were all messed up in their minds.
I'm telling you, where demons and devils take over places, you have to watch yourself. They will do anything they can to you. Devils will pull every trick in the book to get to you. You can't trust any of them.Remember, Jesus said,Oh, faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
And he [Jesus] asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him." And he said, Of a child.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:19-23
This 6-day reading plan features devotions that will help you reflect on God’s Word as it relates to the life of a woman and the many varied roles she plays. These daily devotions inspire women to spend time with God.
The women of Proverbs 31 Ministries understand what it means to search for encouragement and perspective during the everyday moments in life.
Now you can uncover God’s truth on good days or hard days, in the car pool line or the doctor’s office with devotions designed to meet you where you are.
This 14 day reading plan is built from the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women by Zondervan.
john 3:16, It is God's golden message to the world, comprehending
the sum-total of sixteen hundred years of love revelation. It
tells of a love that loves, a love that serves, a love that
sacrifices. In it we see the father-heart of God, the mother-
heart of Christ, yes, the friend-heart of the world's truest
Friend. Here we are swept out into the universal, beholding
a world-lover, a world-man, a world-thinker, a world-
sympathizer, a non-respecter of persons, one whose mind
and heart reach across races, recognizing no distinctions, no
political lines, no social distinctions.
Find hope in Christ as you are reminded of His amazing promises. This reading plan comprised of articles from a variety of Bibles by Zondervan Publishers offers insights into having hope during a various aspects of life.
First Action, Then Manifestation
You have to have action, and then you get the manifestation. I just walked back over there as if I had all kinds of power, and started praying for them again. I had to fight devils with that bunch, though. They were all messed up in their minds.
I'm telling you, where demons and devils take over places, you have to watch yourself. They will do anything they can to you. Devils will pull every trick in the book to get to you. You can't trust any of them.Remember, Jesus said,Oh, faithless generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
And he [Jesus] asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him." And he said, Of a child.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:19-23
This 6-day reading plan features devotions that will help you reflect on God’s Word as it relates to the life of a woman and the many varied roles she plays. These daily devotions inspire women to spend time with God.
The women of Proverbs 31 Ministries understand what it means to search for encouragement and perspective during the everyday moments in life.
Now you can uncover God’s truth on good days or hard days, in the car pool line or the doctor’s office with devotions designed to meet you where you are.
This 14 day reading plan is built from the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women by Zondervan.
john 3:16, It is God's golden message to the world, comprehending
the sum-total of sixteen hundred years of love revelation. It
tells of a love that loves, a love that serves, a love that
sacrifices. In it we see the father-heart of God, the mother-
heart of Christ, yes, the friend-heart of the world's truest
Friend. Here we are swept out into the universal, beholding
a world-lover, a world-man, a world-thinker, a world-
sympathizer, a non-respecter of persons, one whose mind
and heart reach across races, recognizing no distinctions, no
political lines, no social distinctions.
Find hope in Christ as you are reminded of His amazing promises. This reading plan comprised of articles from a variety of Bibles by Zondervan Publishers offers insights into having hope during a various aspects of life.
This is a study of Jesus humiliating His opponents. He healed on the Sabbath and was criticized for it, but He humiliated them by telling them they do for their donkeys what He did in healing the sick woman, and they felt ashamed.
Jesus was the source of showers of blessingGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus as the source of showers of blessing. This was God's promise to Israel and it was fulfilled in Jesus, and still will be in the future.
The Destruction of America::"Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devour-ing fire. And the Lord shall cause his glo-rious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indig-nation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tem-pest, and hailstones" (Isaiah 30:27,30).
"Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord" (Jeremiah 8:7).
America is going to be destroyed by fire! Sudden destruction is coming and few will escape. Unexpect-edly, and in one hour, a hydrogen holocaust will engulf America—and this nation will be no more.
It is because America has sinned against the great-est light. Other nations are just as sinful, but none are as flooded with gospel light as ours. God is going to judge America for its violence, its crimes, its backslid-ings, its murdering of millions of babies, its flaunting of homosexuality and sadomasochism, its corruption,its drunkenness and drug abuse, its form of godliness without power, its lukewarmness toward Christ, its rampant divorce and adultery, its lewd pornography, its child molestations, its cheatings, its robbings, its dirty movies, and its occult practices.
In one hour it will all be over. To the natural mind it is insanity to come against a prosperous, powerful nation and cry out, "It's all over! Judgment is at the door! Our days are numbered!" The church is asleep, the congregations are at ease, and the shepherds slumber. How they will scoff and laugh at this mes-sage. Theologians will reject it because they can't fit it into their doctrine. The pillow prophets of peace and prosperity will publicly denounce it.
Jesus was raising lazarus from the deadGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In a loud voice He shouted to wake the dead, and Lazarus came out with all his bindings still on, and many wonder how he could walk.
Quantitative Methods in Geography Making the Connections between Schools, Uni...Rich Harris
A report into the nature of and attitudes towards quantitative methods teaching in geography, with recommendations for how the benchmark statement might be changed.
White flight, ethnic cliffs and other unhelpful hyperbole?Rich Harris
In an (unguarded?) conversation with a journalist, I talked about a 'cliff-edge' measure of segregation where neighbouring places have very different proportions of their resident population classified as White British in the 2011 Census. The words, rephrased as 'ethnic cliffs' was soon coupled with talk of White Flight from British cities and has appeared in a number of national newspapers and magazines, alongside like 'self-segregation' and 'sundown segregation' (The Sunday Times and the Daily Mail). In this presentation I look at changes to the ethnic composition of census zones in England from 2001 to 2011 and ask whether such phrases are unhelpful hyperbole or simply vivid but accurate descriptors of "Britain's new problem" (Goodhart, 2013 writing in Prospect Magazine).
There has been long and wide-ranging debate in the social science literature about how best to conceptualise and to measure segregation (see, inter alia, Allen and Vignoles, 2007; Johnston and Jones, 2010; Harris, 2011). A popular measure is the dissimilarity index, usually attributed to Duncan and Duncan (1955). This is somewhat ironic because in another paper published in the same year, the same two authors were much more cautious about advocating any one index as preferable to others and were wise to the geographical limitations: "all of the segregation indexes have in common the assumption that segregation can be measured without regard to the spatial patterns of white and nonwhite residence in a city" (p.215). Whilst one response to this shortcoming has been the development of spatial measures of segregation (Wong, 1993; Reardon and O'Sullivan, 2004; Harris, 2012), a number of papers from the 1980s and 90s treated the measurement of segregation as a (spatial) optimisation problem (Jakubs 1981; Morgan 1983; Waldorf 1993). In this paper I revisit that optimisation literature, substituting geographical distances between places with ‘nearest-neighbour distances’ to determine the cost function. Applying this method to the 2011 Census data and to England, I consider claims of “white flight” that have appeared in the media.
Motion Charts, White Flight and Ethnic Cliffs?Rich Harris
The aim of this presentation is to investigate claims of decreased segregation yet also of ‘white flight’ from English cities during the period from 2001 to 2011. It does so supplementing a traditional measure of segregation, the dissimilarity index,
with measures comparing differences between adjoining small areas. Together these measures provide insight not only into the amount of segregation but also its spatial configuration within local authorities, including the degree to which different ethnic groups are clustered together of dispersed across the authorities. An analysis of change is then undertaken, asking whether the neighbouring small areas with greatest differences in their ethnic compositions in 2001 become more or less dissimilar by 2011, and whether those changes are caused by more population mixing or by the withdrawal of the White British population from those areas. Motion charts also are presented to warning against over-simplification and ‘one-size-fits-all’ explanations, stressing the individual trajectories of different local authorities.
Commentary: Ethno-demographic change in English local authorities, 1991-2011Rich Harris
A commentary on a graphic submitted to the journal Environment and Planning A as one of its featured graphics. That graphic aims to capture various dimensions of population change within English local authorities from 1991 to 2011: the proportional increase in the Asian population, the decrease in the White British population, generally decreasing Asian - White British segregation within authorities on average but with that average concealing some increases in spatial heterogeneity: increased differences between some neighbouring small areas (and also increased differences between local authorities). To see the graph, please visit http://www.social-statistics.org/?p=1064
Sermon given at the 10.30am service, Christ Church Downend, Sunday February 10th, 2013. The Bible reading is Luke 9: 28-36. More sermons and talks at http://www.social-statistics.org/?cat=22
Geographies of ethnicity by school in LondonRich Harris
Maps of the prevalence of various ethnic groups in London’s secondary schools according to their proportion of new entrants to the schools in September 2008.
A comment with new analysis on an Financial Times article talking about the possibility of White Flight from London revealed by the 2011 UK Census results.
Neoconservatism, Nature and the American Christian RightRich Harris
A presentation I used to give to students as the School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, exploring the possible intersections of neoliberal economics and more right-wing Christian theology upon environmental policy in the US under George W Bush
Sleepwalking towards Johannesburg? Local
measures of ethnic segregation between
London’s secondary schools 2003 – 2008/9. Presented at the PLASC Users Group conference, March 6th, 2012
Using geographical micro-data to measure segregation at the scale of competin...Rich Harris
Segregation is a spatial outcome of spatial processes that needs to be measured spatially and at a scale meaningful to the study. This is the axiom from which local indices of segregation are developed and applied to the patterns of admission observed for cohorts of pupils entering London's state-funded secondary (high) schools in each of the years from 2003 to 2008. The indices - local indices of difference, isolation and of concentration – are used to measure social segregation not between arbitrary areas or regions but specifically for schools that overlap in regard to their admission spaces. This is made possible by the use of detailed and geographically referenced governmental micro-data that allow the pupil flows from elementary to high schools to be modeled and therefore "competing" schools to be identified. Using eligibility for free school meals as a measure of social segregation, sizable differences in the proportions of FSM eligible pupils recruited by apparently competing schools are found, with selective schools especially and also faith schools under-recruiting such pupils. Whilst there is some evidence that social segregation has decreased over the period, the trend is considered to be an artifact of using free school meals as a measure of disadvantage. As such the problem shifts from at what scale to measure between-school segregation to what actually is an appropriate measure to use.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptx
Good news or a great challenge? Luke 4: 14-30
1. Good
News?
Or
a
great
challenge?
(Sermon
given
at
the
9.15am
service,
Christ
Church
Downend,
Sunday
January
20th,
2013.
The
Bible
reading
is
Luke
4:
14-‐21).
I
wonder
if
you
have
been
in
a
situation
where
the
mood
turned
ugly?
When
emotions
turn
from
euphoria
to
anger
and
do
so
at
rapid
speed.
It’s
not
a
nice
situation
to
be
in,
is
it?
It
is
scary
and
unsettling
to
be
in
the
midst
of
a
pack
mentality.
So
imagine
the
scene.
You
are
tourist,
visiting
Bristol
cathedral.
As
you
stand
there,
admiring
the
architecture
and
feeling
mildly
guilty
that
you
have
not
contributed
the
suggested
donation,
a
man
steps
up
to
read.
He
is
handed
a
Bible,
open
at
the
book
of
Isaiah.
Flicking
through
it
the
man
settles
on
Chapter
61
–
a
passage
that
talks
to
Israel
about
the
coming
Messiah.
Imagine
the
man
has
an
audience.
And
he
has
their
attention.
Slowly
at
first
but
with
confidence
and
gravitas,
he
reads:
The
Spirit
of
the
Lord
God
is
upon
me,
because
the
LORD
has
appointed
me;
he
has
sent
me
to
bring
good
news
to
the
oppressed,
to
bind
up
the
broken-‐hearted,
to
proclaim
liberty
to
the
captives,
and
release
to
the
prisoners;
to
proclaim
the
year
of
the
LORD’s
favour.
There
is
silence.
You
could
hear
a
pin
drop.
The
power
of
the
words
is
left
reverberating
around
this
magnificent
old
building,
bouncing
off
the
walls
into
the
hearts
and
minds
of
those
who
hear
them.
2. Quietly
the
man
returns
to
his
seat
and
then,
with
perfect
timing,
breaks
the
silence
by
adding,
“Today,
this
scripture
as
been
fulfilled
in
your
hearing.”
The
crowd
is
delighted.
They
go
wild.
“Yes,
God
is
good!”
“God
is
great!”
“He
is
here!”
“He
is
with
us!”
All
eyes
are
upon
the
man
now.
What
will
he
say
next?
This
man
has
the
audience
eating
of
his
hand
and
they
are
hungry
for
more.
But
does
he
feed
them?
No,
he
snatches
it
away.
A
few
more
words,
not
well
received.
And
soon
their
meaning
begins
to
sink
in.
“Hang-‐on,
what
did
he
say?”
“Did
he
just
insult
us?”
“He
did,
didn’t
he?”
“That
ain’t
on,
I
am
not
standing
for
that.”
“I
didn’t
come
here
to
be
insulted,
and
certainly
not
by
him.”
“He
needs
sorting
out
he
does.”
“Needs
to
learn
his
place.”
“Grab
him!”
They
hatch
a
plan.
Simple
but
effective.
They
will
throw
him
in
the
harbour.
Of
course,
he’ll
drown
but
they
don’t
care.
A
mob
mentality
has
taken
over.
A
primeval
urge
to
kill.
It’s
not
looking
good
for
the
man.
Yet,
miraculously,
under
high-‐arches
ceilings
of
chaos
and
confusion,
the
man
safely
passes
through
rivers
of
seething
rage
and
emerges
unscathed
onto
Cathedral
Green.
And
from
there
he
crosses
Broadmead
making
his
journey
ever
onwards
towards
the
wilder,
untamed
lands
of
South
Gloucestershire.
You
stop
and
ponder.
What
had
the
man
done
to
gain
the
wrath
of
the
crowd?
What
did
he
say
that
could
turn
their
emotions
so
quickly?
3. Puzzled,
you
walk
slowly
up
the
aisle
of
the
now
empty
building,
the
sounds
of
your
shoes
echoing
as
you
walk.
You
get
to
the
front,
turn
and
look
down.
There
in
front
of
you
is
the
Bible
he
had
read
from
still
open
at
the
book
of
Isaiah.
Curious
you
begin
to
read
through
it.
What
you
find
is
that
Isaiah,
like
other
Prophetic
books
in
the
Bible,
is
a
mixture
of
lament,
national
self-‐reflection,
a
cry
of
despair
yet
also
a
hope
for
the
future.
It
is
written
after
the
siege
and
fall
of
Jerusalem,
with
the
Jewish
people
living
in
exile
in
Babylon.
The
author
of
Isaiah
cannot
escape
this
reality
so
he
faces
some
tough
questions.
Why
has
it
happened?
Why
has
Israel
been
brought
so
low?
What
of
God’s
covenant
to
his
chosen
people?
And
so,
as
you
stand
reading
this
ancient
old
text,
you
find
it
unsettling.
(Isaiah
9)
The
people
have
not
returned
to
him
who
struck
them,
nor
have
they
sought
the
Lord
Almighty.
So
the
Lord
will
cut
off
from
Israel
both
head
and
tail,
both
palm
branch
and
reed
in
a
single
day.
(Isaiah
10)
Woe
to
those
who
make
unjust
laws,
to
those
who
issue
oppressive
decrees
to
deprive
the
poor
of
their
rights
and
withhold
justice
from
the
oppressed
of
my
people,
making
widows
their
prey
and
robbing
the
fatherless.
What
will
you
do
on
the
day
of
reckoning,
when
disaster
comes
from
afar?
To
whom
will
you
run
for
help?
Where
will
you
leave
your
riches?
Nothing
will
remain
but
to
cringe
among
the
captives
or
fall
among
the
slain.
4. The
text
is
hard-‐hitting
and
austere.
But
here
is
a
curiosity!
Interweaved
in
the
text
there
is
hope,
a
promise
of
a
better
future:
(Isaiah
60)
Arise,
shine,
for
your
light
has
come,
and
the
glory
of
the
Lord
rises
upon
you.
See,
darkness
covers
the
earth
and
thick
darkness
is
over
the
peoples,
but
the
Lord
rises
upon
you
and
his
glory
appears
over
you.
Nations
will
come
to
your
light,
and
kings
to
the
brightness
of
your
dawn.
Yet
with
that
hope
comes
responsibility:
(Isaiah
58)
Is
not
this
the
kind
of
fasting
I
have
chosen:
to
loose
the
chains
of
injustice
and
untie
the
cords
of
the
yoke,
to
set
the
oppressed
free
and
break
every
yoke?
Is
it
not
to
share
your
food
with
the
hungry
and
to
provide
the
poor
wanderer
with
shelter
-‐
when
you
see
the
naked,
to
clothe
them,
and
not
to
turn
away
from
your
own
flesh
and
blood?
Then
your
light
will
break
forth
like
the
dawn,
and
your
healing
will
quickly
appear;
then
your
righteousness
will
go
before
you,
and
the
glory
of
the
Lord
will
be
your
rear
guard.
Then
you
will
call,
and
the
Lord
will
answer;
you
will
cry
for
help,
and
he
will
say:
here
am
I.
Now
you
get
it.
The
reason
the
man
–
shall
we
him
Jesus…?
The
reason
Jesus
got
into
so
much
trouble
is
that
he
insinuated
that
his
audience
were
rebellious
to
God.
Hypocrites,
perhaps.
Listening
but
never
really
hearing.
The
good
news
they
thought
they
were
receiving
became
something
of
a
charge
sheet
against
them.
5.
I
wonder
if
I
take
God
too
much
for
granted.
I
wonder
if
sometimes
–
no,
often
–
I
cheapen
his
love
and
grace.
I
don’t
believe
he
loves
me
any
the
less
for
it
but
I
wonder
if
I
end
up
loving
him
less?
I
wonder
if
I
deny
myself
the
opportunity
to
experience
the
fullness
of
a
life
anointed
by
God.
I
wonder
if
I
sell
both
Him
and
myself
short.
Writing
in
the
Diocesan
Newsletter,
Bishop
Mike
reflects
on
a
book
called
Holiness
by
JC
Ryle.
I
would
like
to
read
to
you
what
he
says.
He
writes,
Ryle
says
that
the
faith
that
justifies
us
is
not
the
same
as
the
faith
that
sanctifies
us.
That
it
to
say,
the
faith
by
which
we
accept
Christ
and
his
salvation
is
not
the
same
faith
by
which
our
lives
should
be
directed.
His
[Ryle’s]
point
is
this:
the
faith
that
makes
us
Christians
requires
no
effort
on
our
part,
other
than
to
accept
Christ
and
what
his
life,
death,
resurrection
and
ascension
have
achieved
for
us.
Salvation
is
not
on
the
basis
of
what
we
have
done,
but
on
the
basis
of
what
God
in
Christ
has
done
for
us.
The
faith
that
makes
us
more
like
Christ,
on
the
other
hand,
requires
effort.
That’s
why
spiritual
disciplines
are
so
important.
Prayer
and
fasting,
generosity
and
worship,
solitude
and
periodic
abstinence
will
help
you
become
more
like
Jesus,
but
they
will
require
effort.
Faith
crucially
involves
living
as
though
we
believe
that
life
with
God
is
eminently
more
fulfilling
and
hopeful
than
life
without
God.
[…]
We
need
to
put
ourselves
in
a
position
whereby
we
have
to
trust
God.
Sometimes
life
puts
us
in
those
situations
–
when
we
are
ill
or
bereaved
or
in
a
breaking
relationship
or
unemployed.
That’s
6. why
it
is
that
some
people
(not
all)
make
huge
strides
in
their
relationship
with
God
in
seasons
of
adversity.
What
being
in
a
position
of
trusting
God
might
look
like
in
your
life
is
going
to
be
different
for
everyone.
It
may
be
to
do
with
honest
relationships,
sacrificial
generosity
of
your
time,
energy
or
finances,
speaking
about
God
and
what
you
believe.
[Nevertheless,]
If
we
can
lift
the
‘faith
threshold’
in
our
lives,
churches
and
diocese
I
truly
believe
that
we
will
together
grow
in
every
sense
of
the
word.”
Let’s
turn
our
attention
back
to
Jesus
and
to
his
words
from
Isaiah.
The
Spirit
of
the
Lord
God
is
upon
me,
because
the
LORD
has
appointed
me;
he
has
sent
me
to
bring
good
news
to
the
oppressed,
to
bind
up
the
broken-‐hearted,
to
proclaim
liberty
to
the
captives,
and
release
to
the
prisoners;
to
proclaim
the
year
of
the
LORD’s
favour.
You
know,
these
words
are
some
of
my
favourite
in
the
Bible.
They
say
immediately
what
God,
what
Jesus,
is
about.
He
turns
the
ways
of
the
world
upside
down.
He
embraces
those
that
society
marginalises.
He
reaches
out
to
those
who
are
left
uncared
for.
He
is
a
God
of
justice
and
of
love.
I
still
love
the
words
but
I
am
beginning
to
think
that
I
am
reading
them
with
too
much
of
a
cosy
sentimentality
that
stupefies
their
intended
impact.
They
encourage
me
because
they
tell
me
what
God
is
about.
But
do
I
let
them
challenge
7. me,
because
they
also
say
what
God
wants
me
–
us
–
to
be
about
also?
Am
I
really
willing
to
make
Jesus’
mission
statement
my
own?
Imagine,
again,
you
are
in
the
temple.
Jesus
stands.
He
reads.
Then
he
challenges.
Do
you
respond
with
anger?
Or
with
humility?
Do
you
bray
for
blood
or
fall
at
his
feet
and
worship?
Will
you
turn
away
or
will
you
arise
and
shine,
for
your
light
has
come,
and
the
glory
of
the
Lord
rises
upon
you?
Jesus
stands
before
us.
The
Spirit
of
the
Lord
God
is
upon
Him.
The
decision
we
need
to
make
is
whether
to
reject,
resist
or
follow.
Amen.