United Traits of America (satirical video poem)

America was ready to explode even before George Floyd was killed by the Minneapolis police. The twin tragedies of 40 million people — one-quarter of the US workforce — losing their jobs and 100,000 people losing their lives during the coronavirus pandemic had turned the US into an emotional tinderbox that was waiting for a spark to set it off.Mark and Pete episode from which this poem is taken on the way forward for a divided America: https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/i-cant-breathe-for-spreaker
Full text of poem:
The United Traits of America
A nation that unites where the law is abided,
Always delights if great protection is provided,
Until one act incites while minorities are derided,
Social media recites as ignorance presided.
But when hate ignites and colour has collided,
And blacks and whites are so sadly divided,
Then civil rights and justice are just one-sided,
It simply highlights that a country is misguided.
[A satirical poem by Mark and Pete]

Illegal Cummings and Goings

Earlier this week a growing number of senior Conservatives are demanding the resignation of Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, over allegations that he broke the government’s lockdown rules on several occasions. Should Cummings go? See the latest Mark and Pete episode: https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/cummings-and-going

Steps to Inspired Success

When we are inspired by the Holy Spirit we have a wealth of ability with which to work. The word “inspire” literally means taking the spirit in. It means breathing in God’s spirit and there are many benefits to this that lead to success.

By inspiration God strengthens us: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phillippians 4:13).  

He gives us understanding “But it is the spirit in man,

    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand..” (Job 32:8)

One of the most important things to remember as we study Christian inspiration is that when we are inspired we are to use our inspiration for the glory of God and to do His will. 

Jesus tells us: "But see first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33). We must seek what he wants ignorer to be able to use his inspiration. 

There are 4 steps to achieving success through Christian inspiration:

1. Recognise that everything we have is from God and that everything we do should be to glorify the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  God gives us His Spirit and His inspiration to be used for His glory.  

God holds all wisdom so it is to him we must turn: “With God are wisdom and might;

    he has counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13)  

2. Ask God for the inspiration that you need.   “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7   Before we can be given the wisdom of God and his inspiration, we must first ask Him for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

3. Plan to use the wisdom and Christian inspiration he gives you for his glory and his purpose.  Once we are given wisdom and inspiration, we have a tremendous responsibility to use it prudently.  Jesus Himself tells us: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48b).

4. Practice using Christian inspiration. Just like any skill we might learn, Christian inspiration is most effectively used long-term when we daily accept it.  When you are inspired or have an inspired thought about something you have been struggling with, write it down, or immediately put it into action.  When you use the Christian inspiration you are given, you place yourself in a good position to receive future inspiration. 

You have been given inspiration, so use it: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Now you have 4 basic steps to Christian inspiration.  When you consistently apply these four steps, and spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on a daily basis, reading the Bible and praying, you will be able to tap into a nearly limitless supply of inspiration.  Look back at the Bible verses in this article study them and take them to heart.

All Bible quotations taken from English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Flame Radio: always here for you

Share the news: anyone can tune into to Christian content anytime of the day who do you know who needs to hear the gospel? Flame Radio broadcasts all day and all week - https://flameradio.org/ Flame Radio Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4SV... .Norman Polden and the team at Flame CCR started broadcasting a local Christian radio station over a decade ago to reach people with the good news. Did they know how important this would become? This is an extract from "The Virtual Vicar Show" with the station Manager Norman talking with Peter host of the show. Flame Radio (Flame CCR) broadcasts at https://flameradio.org/ and on 1521 kHz (medium wave) from South Wirral and covers most of Wirral, and beyond – travel 20 miles from Wirral and you may still be able to hear us. These broadcasts are in mono and “low-fi” although turn your radio up and listen to a quality sound. Flame’s internet simulcast leads on into the digital age and, in harmony with our friends in Commedia, we champion the use of the internet for digital radio. This serves listeners world-wide accessing us via major portals (RadioPlayer, TuneIn, Pure, ……). It also enables listening on the move via mobile phone and Bluetooth interface. Full stereo and hi-fi makes listening via laptop, internet radio or 3G phone a great experience. An interesting set of “local” programmes is maintained overnight for insomniacs and for a world-wide audience. Song: "Walk Thru Life" by PinkZebra used under license.

When You Face Discouragement...

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” – 2 Kings 6:16

The King of Aram was determined to capture the nation of Israel. He set an ambush and waited for the king’s men. Israel’s troops showed up...but they weren’t surprised by the attack. They’d been prepared for it and they fought valiantly. This happened again and again. Finally the King of Aram demanded to know which one of his troops was a spy for Israel. One troop came forward to explain that the prophet, Elisha, was warning Israel about these planned ambushes.

The King of Aram decided that he needed to kill Elisha and then his plans to ambush Israel would be successful. When he learned where Elisha was, he gather edhis troops and surrounded the area.

The next morning, Elisha’s servant looked out the window. He was shocked to see so many troops and more than a little afraid. Elisha saw his servant’s discouragement and uttered a bold prayer: 

“Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

When you’re facing discouragement, it can be easy to focus on what you see—the difficulty of avoiding contagious disease, maybe the relationships in your household on lockdown, the uncertainty of how to get the economy started again. But just as there was a Holy army around Elisha, there is one around  you, too. You are not walking into the battle alone. You are backed by the “Lord of Heaven’s armies”.

God, sometimes, all I can see are obstacles and hardship. Open my eyes. Remind me again that You’re fighting this battle with me. You are present with me even now! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Through The Eyes of Hope

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14, NIV)

Lacey Buchanan’s son, Christian, was born blind and with a bilateral cleft palate. When Christian was a baby, Lacey sometimes received unkind remarks and hateful questions from those in public.

Not wanting strangers to be cruel, she began covering his car seat with a blanket and shielding his face from the world. But one day she heard God whisper not to hide her precious child any longer.

So Lacey decided to educate those who remarked about her son. She created a video about his health conditions and how he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” just as he was.

Twenty-four hours after Lacey posted the video (see above) it went viral. Over six million people saw it and a media storm began. She went on to write a book about life with Christian, titling it Through the Eyes of Hope (it’s available on Amazon).

Sharing your testimony online can be a powerful way to encourage other Christians and draw others to Jesus. Don’t be afraid to show the world what God has done in your life!

God, help me to be bold like Lacey was. I want to share what You’ve done for me and how amazing You are with others! Show me how to share my testimony. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Help me...

In these troubled times and any time could do something very specific: we can take refuge in the Lord and take joy in the fact that he's with us.

"May the god of hope fill you with the joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abandon hope." (Romans 15:13)

Does God want us to go to church?

Here's a thought. God doesn't want you to go to church on Sunday. 

"Well, that's useful," you might say, "that's convenient, because I can't go because the church building is closed." I'm hoping you will virtually go to church: turn on your computer or tablet or phone and join with us in worship at 6pm every Sunday until the restrictions  on using the church building is lifted.

But however you go to church, online or in a building, it is not completely fulfilling what God wants according to this passage: "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." (Isaiah 58:7)

Jesus gave his best, he gave his best for us. He lived the perfect life. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose again to new life. He gave us new birth, a new life. He gave us everything. And so God doesn't want us to go to church, rather in addition to us going to church he wants us to give everything a whole life to him. Because in return, we receive newness of life and all the blessings of heaven.

The challenge posed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Why is the death, burial, and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ such a big deal?  Why didn't Jesus just die like everyone else and go to Heaven and wait for us there?  Why did it have to be so gruesome and public, His death, His burial, and His resurrection? Because it validates everything Jesus said while he was on earth, it validates everything he taught and shared for three years.

You see, if Jesus Christ hadnít come back from the dead after three days, there would be no Christianity, no followers of Christ, no hope.  But he has.  And because JesCreate Linkus Christ came to earth, we can have life and have life everlasting.

When he was on earth, he talked a lot about His Kingdom and how he was going to create a new temple in 3 days.

The people of His time did not understand, thinking that he was referring to an earthly kingdom.

If he had left earth, been buried, and didnít resurrect, he would have been the purveyor of another false religion.  Today, he would be the prophet or god of just another dead religion.

But because he came back from the dead, rose from a sealed, guarded tomb and appeared to over 500 people before he ascended to the Father to prepare a place for us in Heaven, we have proof that he was, is, and always will be, Who he said he is.

Who did he say he is?  he said he is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him.

What do we know about the details of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  ìMore than we know about the death of any other man in all the ancient world.î (Wilbur Smith)

But just to focus on His burial for a moment, Matthew, one of Jesus disciples, tells us:

At the end of the day that Jesus died, a rich man of Arimathaea, Joseph, went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. So Pilate commanded the body to be delivered to Joseph.  So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.
He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and he left.  The next day the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver (meaning Christ) said, while he was alive, After three days I will rise again.
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, in case His disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, he is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. So Pilate said unto them, You have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matt 27: 57-66)

Not only did the chief priests and the Pharisees make sure that the stone that had been rolled over the mouth of the stone cave, where the body was buried, was extra heavy and unmovable, but they stood watch over the tomb.  They had Roman soldiers guarding the tomb.  Nobody was going to come take the body of Jesus!  He would remain in that tomb forever!

But what do we know now that really happened?

Matthew tells us this:

At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre. And there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers shook, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women, Do not fear: for I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall you see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and ran to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.  (Matt. 28:  1-10)

After this time, Jesus Christ appeared repeatedly to the apostles and was seen by as many as 500 people at one time, during a period of 40 days after His resurrection.  He repeatedly offered proofs of His resurrected life.

If Jesus the Christ had not risen from the dead, then he had done nothing any other prophet or god had ever done.  He would have simply died.  But he didn't just die.  He died and rose again, from the dead.  Broke out of His tomb-clothes, escaped from a cave that was sealed with a great and heavy stone, and guarded by brutal Roman soldiers.

Why?  So that we would be without excuse.  So that we would have the infallible proofs, the historical evidence, 2000 years later and counting, that Jesus Christ was not just a man, not just a prophet, but God Himself in living flesh.

What does that mean to you and me?  For me it means that he really is who he says he is.  He said he is the Way the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to the Father but through Him.

That is serious.  That means that there is no other religion, god, or prophet who can offer genuine life, redemption from the fallen state of this earth, no matter what they claim.  You see, Jesus the Christ is the only one who has died and risen again with witnesses.  Mohammed is dead, Buddha sleeps, no tribal gods ever visited the earth, and no man becomes god through his own goodness as many religions claim.

Look at the evidence.  For 400 years, Jesus Christ was predicted to come to earth.  He came to earth as he said he would.  He died and rose again from death, with proof. Either he is who he says he is or he is a fraud, and all the witnesses, on multiple occasions, over 40 days, were deceived, hallucinogenic, and willing to die horrible, bloody deaths via public stonings and hangings and beheadings over something they didn't really see, over a person they didn't really talk to, in whom they did not really believe.

One of the greatest incredulities of history would be that over 500 hundred people who claimed to have seen Jesus resurrected would be willing to die for the belief that he really rose again, and not one of them would have been willing to expose the lie, that Jesus wasn't who he said he was, to escape death.

What does this mean to us, today?  For those of you who have never been presented a logical proof that Jesus was who he said he was, and have never accepted the life Jesus offers, you have no excuse. You now know the facts, what really happened and why. You have seen a logical explanation for why we can believe today what others have believed for two centuries.  You see, truth never changes.  The truth never lies.  And you can see today that the truth is that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. You have but one option: make Jesus Christ the eternal king of your life, and accept his gift of everlasting forgiveness and life.

What about the rest of us?  What do we do now? While he was on earth, showing proof after proof of his resurrection, of his divinity, he gave a final commandment to all of us who believe that he is who he said he is:  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28: 19-20)

Tell them they're wrong

“When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” – Acts 18:26

Aquila and Priscilla were a husband and wife team who believed in Jesus. They were tentmakers by profession and good friends with the apostle Paul. They had followed him to Ephesus, where they heard of Apollos. According to the Bible, Apollos was well-educated and he knew the Scriptures. He was always a passionate speaker in the local synagogue (church). But some of Apollos theology wasn’t correct. When Aquila and Priscilla saw that Apollos did not fully understand the Gospel story, they welcomed him close. They invited him into their home and they explained the Scriptures so his message would be accurate and true. The result of this discipleship is that Apollos would eventually go on to have tremendous Kingdom impact in Achaia. 

“When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” (Acts 18:27-28)

When you see a Christian who does not fully understand God’s Word, it’s important that you humbly correct them. By doing so, you may be preparing the next Apollos.

Listen to "Acts 18:26 Tell them they're wrong! (Discipleship Series) DDP episode 914" on Spreaker.

A Positive Story about Climate Change (paper review)