Podcasts about Bethlehem Baptist Church

Savage Wonder set for Oct. 11-13 The Veterans Repertory Theater, a performing arts nonprofit that is pouring six figures into renovating the 1929 bank building at 139 Main St. in Beacon, will host its first event in the space on Oct. 11, the Savage Wonder Festival of Veterans in the Arts. VetRep's work "is not art therapy, although I am all for art therapy," says founder and artistic director Chris Meyer. "We're not here to help veterans - we're here so that veterans can help American theater, not necessarily with war stories or wallowing in pity, but with world-class, public-facing productions that could be about anything and are informed by the veteran perspective." For the company, veteran is a broad term that includes first responders, law enforcement, intelligence services, foreign service and Department of Defense employees, along with their immediate family members. The performers on Oct. 11 range from opera singer Jesus Daniel Hernandez to live painters. Work by Beacon artists Matt Kinney and Michael Isabell will be on display. Meyer says the event is intended to represent the "ferocity and the creativity" of veterans. "We're looking to present the entire spectrum of the arts with a broad aperture." The company's pillars are intimacy, absurdity, whimsy and jarring stories. Meyer, who enlisted in the U.S. Army after 9/11, began staging readings, producing plays, hosting art shows and holding multimedia festivals in 2021 after returning from deployment in Afghanistan. "I feel like we're 10 minutes old," says Meyer, the scion of a thespian family. Savage Wonder 2024 Friday (Oct. 11) Noon - 5 p.m. Art gallery open with works and live painting by Kat Furrow, Delvin Goode, Lani Hankins, Gina Herrera, Angelo T. Robinson and Beacon artists Michael Isabell and Matt Kinney 2 p.m. Ben Fortier (music) 3 p.m. Lois Hicks-Wozniak + Hot Wrks (music) 5 p.m. Exit 12 Dance Company with guitarist Michael Bard and opera singer Jesus Daniel Hernandez Saturday (Oct. 12) Noon - 5:30 p.m. Art gallery Noon. Ben Fortier 2 p.m. Lois Hicks-Wozniak + Hot Wrks 5:30 p.m. Scott Arcangel & Hexatonic Sunday (Oct. 13) Noon - 6 p.m. Art gallery Noon: Ben Fortier 2 p.m.: Lois Hicks-Wozniak + Hot Wrks Tickets are free. See bit.ly/vetrep-savage-2024. A donor helped underwrite the renovation project to transform the cavernous 12,000-square-foot space into a vaudeville room in the back, a basement art gallery and a theater with a modular stage, 53-foot ceiling and seating for 125 people. VetRep signed a favorable lease-to-own agreement for the building in March. For 60 years, the building housed Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, a historic Black congregation that sold the property in 2021 and moved to a new location in Fishkill. Meyer foresees many shows in the round and lauds the location. "This is what 'right' looks like," he says. "It took six weeks to get the contract completed after we visited the site." Expect a dizzying 48- to 50-week programming schedule, along with public access to the art gallery. "We own the rights to a huge backlog of material," says Meyer. "It's going to be a circus." VetRep is adding a wine bar to the art gallery and a full bar for the main stage and vaudeville room, located in the old bank's vault and created by cutting through the back wall to build a tunnel between the rooms. By year's end, the troupe is relocating its offices from Cornwall, in Orange County, to 6 Commerce St., steps from the theater's back door. The building will also provide housing for actors and apprenticeships and internships for veterans and their families. Meyer's construction crew tells him that all but the main stage should be completed by year's end, "but even I'm a little skeptical," he says. The goal is to have the soaring theater space ready for a new season in March. "We want this to be the mecca for veterans and the arts," he says. "There's a big wellspring of untapped talent out there."

A new MP3 sermon from Bethlehem Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: A Word of Encouragement Speaker: Dr. Cary Kimbrell Broadcaster: Bethlehem Baptist Church Event: Sunday - AM Date: 7/7/2024 Bible: Galatians 6:9 Length: 35 min.

The Rev. Charles W. Quann, Bethlehem Baptist Church Senior Pastor, celebrates MCCC's 60th anniversary by talking about his work with the College as a member of the President's Diversity Council. He also talks shares his personal story and how he became a leader in the Greater Montgomery County community.  Recorded by Cat Perry & Matthew O'brien, edited by Matthew O'brienfrom the College's Sound Recording and Music Technology Program

Guest Bios Show Transcript https://youtu.be/eX7GZjdC4DEWhy can't people get over talking about race? Ever heard that line? Or, how about: We live in a post-racial world. We've even had a black president! If racism doesn't exist, then we don't have to deal with it. Yet racism, sadly, is alive and well—not just in our culture, but within the church. On this edition of The Roys Report (TRR), Dr. Lainna Callentine—an educator, pediatrician, and former evangelical faith leader—delivers a powerful talk from our recent Restore Conference. Lainna has walked an incredibly difficult and painful journey as a Black woman in the evangelical church. This is a journey that white evangelicals often don't acknowledge. And it's an experience that Julie Roys, TRR founder and a friend of Lainna's, admits that she once didn't believe or affirm. But, just as Julie's eyes have been opened to abuse and corruption in the church, the past few years have given her a new awareness of racism in the church, as you'll hear in Julie's introduction of Lainna's talk. Lainna's talk, which is rich with history and personal anecdotes, has the power to open the eyes of many others. Please listen with a heart and mind open to what Lainna and the Holy Spirit have to say. Guests Lainna Callentine, M.D., M.Ed. Lainna Callentine, M.D., M.Ed., is a pediatrician, former homeschool mother, master's trained educator, and creator of curriculum program, Sciexperience. Dr. Callentine received her B.A. from Northwestern University and completed her M.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She has taught all levels from early childhood to postgraduate students. Learn more at sciexperience.com. Show Transcript SPEAKERSJulie Roys, LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. Julie Roys  00:04Why can’t people just get over talking about race? Ever heard that line? Or how about, we live in a post racial world, we even had a black president. Of course, if racism doesn’t exist, then we don’t have to deal with it. But as you’re about to hear racism, sadly is alive and well, not just in our culture, but within the church. Welcome to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys. And on this podcast, you’re about to hear a powerful talk from our RESTORE conference by Dr. Lainna CALLENTINE Lainna is a pediatrician and an educator and a former faith leader in the evangelical church. But she’s also a friend of mine who’s walked an incredibly difficult and painful journey as a black woman in the white Evangelical Church. This is a journey that white evangelicals often don’t acknowledge. And as you’ll hear, it’s an experience I once didn’t believe or affirm. But just like I’ve had my eyes opened to abuse and corruption in the church, the past few years have opened my eyes to racism in the church as well. And coming to terms with this reality has been hard because I’ve had to deal with my own ignorance and indifference. And I’ve had to acknowledge my complicity with a sinful system that treats persons of color as less than full bearers of the image of God. But what Lainna did, coming into a predominantly white space and delivering this message was even harder. And I think that’s something I haven’t realized until recently as well. So many of our Black, Hispanic, Asian, and indigenous brothers and sisters have been profoundly wounded and traumatized by white Christians. And they have every reason to expect that when they speak to us, they’ll be minimized, dismissed, and traumatized again. I’m grateful that didn’t happen at RESTORE and I hope like the audience at RESTORE, you’ll open your heart and your mind to receive this important message from Dr. Lainna Callentine on surviving white evangelical racism.   Julie Roys  01:57 But before we hear from Lena, I’d like to thank the sponsors of this podcast, Judson University and Marquardt of Barrington if you’re looking for a top ranked Christian University, providing a caring community and an excellent college experience, Judson University is for you. Judson is located on 90 acres just 40 miles west of Chicago in Elgin, Illinois. The school offers more than 60 majors, great leadership opportunities, and strong financial aid. Plus, you can take classes online as well as in person. Judson University is shaping lives that shaped the world. For more information, just go to JUDSONU.EDU. Also, if you’re looking for a quality new or used car, I highly recommend my friends at Marquardt of Barrington. Marquardt is a Buick GMC dealership where you can expect honesty, integrity, and transparency. That’s because the owners there Dan and Kurt Marquardt are men of integrity. To check them out, just go to BUYACAR123.COM   Julie Roys  03:01 Well, again, you’re about to hear a talk by Dr. Lainna Callentine on surviving and thriving beyond white evangelical racism. I’ve also included in this podcast a portion of my introduction of Lainna at RESTORE, which includes an important apology. For time sake, I’ve had to remove my description of how my eyes were opened to racism in the church, while investigating what happened at Bethlehem Baptist Church, the Church John Piper pastored for three decades. But I encourage you if you want to understand more about the covert nature of racism in the evangelical church, go back and listen to our two-part podcast on what happened at Bethlehem Baptist Church when you’re finished with Lainna’s talk. But now here’s Lainna’s powerful talk at RESTORE 2023 with a short introduction and apology by me.   Julie Roys  03:49 So, three weeks ago, our next guest and I got together at her request, and we talked for about four hours. And she said, Julie, I just don’t know if I can do this talk. And she said this is what normally happens when I come into a predominantly white audience, and I talk about the trauma I’ve experienced as an African American woman in the church. So, I go out there and I bleed,  I bare my soul, and then they look at me with eyes of disbelief., and they just go on their way. And I mostly listened because I really didn’t have a lot to say, and I just needed to hear. And then she reminded me about how we had gotten together because our next guest is a friend of mine. In fact, she was my daughter’s 11th grade biology teacher. And she reminded me of a time we got together in a coffee house, and she shared her, really bared her soul to me, about all the racism that she had experienced. And she said, Julie, I didn’t feel like you believed me either. And the truth is six, seven, however, many years ago, this was I didn’t really believe it. I mean, I believe there was probably some racism in the church. It really wasn’t until I did the investigation on Bethlehem Baptist Church, John Piper’s church, and I got to know these people who had persons of color that had gotten together, had a dinner for the first time where it was just them. And they shared some of their experiences. And out of that, they decided that they wanted to put together a committee and address why is it that we have so few persons of color on our elder board? And then what happened with this committee is that then they spent, I forget how many months, a lot of months working on this, and then they gave their findings. And you know, it’s kind of death in committee. They gave their findings, that was it, nothing happened. Every single member of that committee ended up leaving the church.   Julie Roys  06:22 And so, it kind of opened my eyes to how this is done. And it’s kind of a covert thing. And I had to say to Lainna, you know what? I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I didn’t see that. And I’m sure that hurt you. And that was wrong of me. And I also told her that you guys are different. And when you’ve had enough bad experiences with white people, it’s hard to say this group is different. But I said, one, this group knows about believing victims, about believing survivors, and believing their stories. And we also know that when you get up and you bleed, when you tell your story, we get the cost. It’s like re traumatizing. And if you’re going to do that, and nothing’s going to happen. It’s like it happened again. Right? And so, I know you guys, I believe in you guys, or I wouldn’t have asked my friend to come, who I care about deeply. And It’s my prayer that this will be a healing experience for all of us. But especially for persons of color who have been hurt profoundly in the church. Just to tell you a little bit about Lainna’s credentials. She’s a pediatrician, who completed her MD at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She’s also a former homeschool mother, Master’s trained educator, a creative curriculum program called SCI Experience. And then she served on a whole bunch of different Christian organizations that we would recognize, although she said to make sure that I say she was the former, or formerly served on the Physician Resource Council at Focus on the Family. But I love Lainna dearly. And I’ll just warn you, she doesn’t mince words. I have no idea what she’s gonna say. Let’s welcome Lainna.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 08:38 Thanks, Julie, for your words, and your apology is very heartfelt. Thank you. One of the things you need to know that I’m just traumatized being in this space speaking to you. Okay? And I know that as we prayed for all of you this morning, how coming into a church space listening to some of the songs that we’re singing, how traumatizing that is to you. And I hold that in my heart and understand that pain. As I’ve walked through evangelical spaces there are many things that have been said to me. These are just a few in the fine collection of lines that have been delivered to me with good intentions. I don’t see color. You are so articulate. You’re playing the race card that I’m doing reverse discrimination and racism. Why can’t people get over talking about race? I don’t even care if you’re black, white, or purple. I’m not sure. Only purple people I’ve seen are dead. But one of my best friends is black. We live in a post racial world. We’ve had a black president, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan. My family did not own slaves, and All Lives Matter. So, these are a few things. These are just a few of the sophomoric, unhelpful, and lacking insight retorts that I’ve received from my white brothers and sisters in Christ when discussing race with them. I’ve questioned myself over and over again, why am I here today? Up to this morning. I really didn’t think I could be here. A few months ago, as Julie said, when she asked me to speak at the RESTORE conference, I have struggled and questioned my need and your need to hear me speak. I have not spoken in front of a large audience since 2019. I swore off speaking in front of white Christian-like audiences, like someone giving up chocolate for Lent. I have been successful up until today to keep that pledge.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 11:08 This is a bit of a public coming out for me. Authentically, being myself, you’re the first people to see this. In the words of Maya Angelou. I no longer are beholding to the white gaze. I must have sat down 1000 times to write some kind of speech for you. I’ve struggled to share intimate parts of me, potentially to an audience and community like those in the past that caused me so much pain. It was then I was a respectable model Negro who provided a limited colorism to their homogeneity, I allowed myself to be squashed and to be strategically unassuming, as I would not convey the angry black woman or intimidate the fragility of the individuals around race. Now, I do not have the motivation or desire to wrap up this in joining into a neat tidy package sprinkled with various Bible verses and then joining hands to sing a rendition of Kumbaya making all feel comfortable with my threatening presence as an educated black woman. I’m going to be completely honest with you; discussing racial trauma in white evangelical spaces to me, as Julie was talking about, is like slitting my wrists for white folks to see me bleed as a bizarre form of curiosity and entertainment, while giving them the power to determine if my blood is red, debate the merits of the tool of my infliction and determine the depth of my wound and the level of pain I may be experiencing. All of this is based on their intellectualized bystander observations and their limited personal experiences. I’m tired of being treated when I talk about race, racism, unfair, unjust practices, and white Christian spaces as not being a credible witness. Being divisive and unloving in some way, my race disqualifies me, because I have a conflicted interest in my blackness, and that only white folks have the power to be the judge in jury in such matters.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 13:37 Julie assured me that this audience would be different. I told Julie, there is a great difference between white folk who have been hurt by the church and by the figures in Christian organizations, than the pain of being black in overwhelming Christian space. There are many nuances. Yes, Julie, they feel pain, isolation, and loss. But here’s the key difference. You see, Julie, you all were part of the family. You and they belonged until you didn’t. Me, however, while I was never part of the family, I was allowed to be in those spaces, tolerated as long as I did not upset the fragile balance or to critique or speak of the lack of people of color, in leadership or in lowly position in that space. I was to be unseen and unheard, and I was allowed to enjoy the delicious morsels that fell from the table where no seat was available for me. I felt a little bit like Charlie Brown ready to kick a football, getting into position to swing my leg, and Lucy quickly going from holding the ball and snatching it away again, and my landing square into my backside. I am so tired of not being believed, watching white folks finding no compelling reason to address the issue, feeling like they will lose something or be subjugated to the evils in demonic treatments that blacks have experienced. As if those like myself want to pay back every horror on white bodies that have been inflicted on us. I’ve watched white folks actively and complicitly be antithetical to the Gospel, denying the Imago Dei in all people. I’m tired of racism being viewed by white folk as a political issue outside the realm of the gospel and being chastised that we are one human race in a story.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 16:04 I hear God whispering, do you love me? A piece of me dies a bit, and my heart hardens repetitively, telling the story even if later a person starts to believe perhaps my story might be slightly credible. I have paid the price over and over. I feel God holding my hand,  will you trust me? I’ll be rejected and dismissed once again God. You are my child and so are they. But they hurt me so much. Look at all that I have lost. I have been hurt and othered all my life in predominantly white spaces. I have lost so much. I do not believe racism will ever go away. It is deeply rooted into the fabric and foundations and the DNA of this country.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 17:04 God can I really love these people? Proximity and the hugging it out doesn’t work. I fought this issue in the world and within my own home. I had no reprieve. I’ve got you, fall back into my arms. I will bear this. God, it’s so hard. But you have sent friends who have done the same who are not the same pigmentation of me. And many of them are here in this audience. They have borne with me the pain and loss that I’ve endured over the last several years. They have shown up with meals, encouragement, and prayer, sat beside me and held my hand on some of the darkest nights. They have listened to my disappointment and even my anger. They have been the hands and feet of Christ. Yes, Lord, I can love them. Because as I look around this room, I see so many of my friends. Although the pain is still there, hope has not been extinguished. I trust you, God, please stay by my side and walk with me and protect me.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 18:30 So, with that, I’m going to tell you a little bit about my story. But I can say something I couldn’t even say 72 hours ago. I love you guys. I have been hurt, but I still have hope. And I want to tell a little bit you know in this time. I’m like, How can I tell a hard story like this in 40 minutes? So, I’m gonna share a little bit about my story. I think parts of it that are  pertinent to this particular audience and my titular brothers and sisters. Unlike most African Americans, I’ve never been in an all-black space. I’ve never been part of a black church. I’ve always lived in white communities. And no, I was not adopted. Okay. So, growing up in white spaces, I also have had and continue to have education, because I just seem not to get enough. Right now, I’m getting a fourth degree from Wheaton College in evangelism and leadership. I decided to go there to see what white people were learning. And I got that done and knew in two weeks what was happening but dang I signed up for a three-year degree. That wasn’t well thought out. In my 30 years of formal education, I’ve only had two black instructors. A total of 12 weeks of those 30 years. I’ve learned to study white people learning to code switch and adapt in order to assimilate and be unassuming. My success depended on knowing how to operate in spaces. Their success I’ve learned culturally in medical school. And there have been times in my life where I was on the brink of wanting to join the Black Panther group and forever being away from white people, not black people, because Lord knows I haven’t been around them. So, I had an amazing mentor by the name of Dr. J. Hirsch, in medical school, he was a traditional Jewish man, amazing man. Had an incredible command of an audience. So, he was a child psychiatrist. And he always did the greeting at UIC, where I went to medical school for the incoming medical first year class. And he had a way that he could capture an audience. And I would be sitting in the audience with over 400 of my colleagues, and make you feel like you were the only one in that auditorium. And I was like, I don’t know what that is, but I want that. And one day he was offering, understanding the family as a patient. Anytime you treat a patient, you’re treating the whole family. And so, I decided I need to go to that class for this mysterious man. And I got into his class, it was just a four-week class. And one day I was walking down the hallway, and I was at that time, engaged to my white husband at the time. So, no one knew about that. We kept it kind of secret  I hung out with many of the black students, he came up to me and asked me if I would allow him to be my mentor. I looked at him like, really? I’m  like, I’m gonna have to think about this. I said, give me some time to think about this, and I walked off. I’m glad to report that I did take him up on his offer. And it was the most amazing time. Actually, my second child is named after Dr. J. Hirsch. He became my academic father; he used his privilege to stand beside me. I didn’t come from a whole line of doctors. I do have a brother that’s a doctor. And that’s something my parents instilled in us. But it wasn’t my background. And there were many times I struggled during medical school where I was close to being kicked out of medical school for academic failure. And he never did my work. I didn’t even know how to write a letter on my behalf. He would make me I would write it, he would edit it, he would make me write it over and over again until I got it right. And at one point, it was so bad that anytime I was called into the dean’s office for academic struggling, he would come with me. Didn’t say a word. I remember one time we were in the elevator, the doors closed, and I was exhausted, I was done. I was like,  I can’t fight anymore. And I remember when the doors close, that man took his fist and slammed it against the elevator door and let out a swear word that they better not eff with me. And at that point, his anger overwhelmed me. He freaked me out, oh, like, Man, this guy’s crazy. He wants it worse than I do. And he stood by my side. And that brought me to the brink of  going to the dark side.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 23:40 I spoke nationally in homeschool conferences all over the country. And I have a publisher that is, just Google my name, you’ll find out who it is. Who I worked with, who has my books. And I thought we believed the same thing. I was walking in any of these really big conservative organizations, even though I wasn’t up front or seen, I believed in the vision and mission. And as I watched the things that my children went through, and I watched my boys who were cute little biracial boys grow up to start looking like men, watching that they suddenly became dangerous. And I watched how I was treated in the world. And about five or six years ago, I said something’s wrong. So, I began to start speaking out about the racism and exclusion of people of color in leadership and the messaging of predominantly national organizations, ones that may have centered on white families using stock photos of black people to colorize their messaging to give the illusion that they were interested in diversity. I think the last thing that brought me back besides my great family from Tov that Julie spoke of, I’m part of that group of our Tov family, was I was bewildered just like you were. And I was like, these people’s orthodoxy do not match their orthopraxy. And I kept talking out, and I found myself at a conference called liberating. And check this. I did not put this on Facebook, liberating evangelism. decentering whiteness, okay. It’s like, what the heck is decentering whiteness? I don’t even know what that means. And so, I went into this conference., and at the time, I was already being kind of, excuse the pun, blacklisted in the evangelical circles. And I went into this conference, and I knew that no one that I associated would ever find themselves there. So, I walked into the hotel conference room, peeked my head in there, and a third of the people were white. I think I gasped out loud. And I stepped back, and I looked at the sign on the door. Yep. Liberating evangelism. decentering whiteness, why are there white people here?   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 26:20 And it was bizarre to me. And because no one in my evangelical circles would have been caught dead there. And so, I was fascinated as I watched the pulpit be shared by people of color of various nationalities. Now, this is the first time I was at a conference that I didn’t see a white male be a keynote speaker. And what I saw from the indigenous to Latinos, and Asians and other people that did it, it had a different flavor. So I was out of my mind, like observing this really weird world. And I asked one of the white individuals, why are you here? And they looked at me like I was asking a trick question. And they’re like, What do you mean? I said, “Did you not read my lips? Let me try this again. Why are you here? And they said, because the Bible says we should love our brother. And I like, seriously? Do you really believe that? Like, yeah, what else would that mean? And it was that adventure that I went into. And as I started sharing my circles, no one in this circle that I was at, had any idea really of Focus on the Family, or any of these organizations I associated in the homeschool world. And I’m like, Don’t you know who they are? I was like, kind of proud., because I was name dropping all those people. They’re like, I don’t know who these people are. And I was like, really? Because they told me they’re the center of Christianity. But you guys say you’re Christians, but you don’t know those people? They're like, nope, no clue. And so, after I would introduce myself, people would look at me at the conference like, and when those ASPCA commercials, you know, with the little dog in the cage shaking, they would look at me like really pathetically like, Oh, bless her heart, look at her. And I didn’t understand it at the time. And so, after one of the meetings, I was sitting on the couch just bewildered because I had not the language to describe what I was experiencing in the white evangelical space. And, lo Behold, this is how God works, a white woman stood and sat beside me. I was in my thoughts. She put her hand on my shoulder, and she goes, I know from which you come. And it’s just like, God, you know, and I was like, Oh, my gosh. And she’s like, Oh, I know all the people you’re talking about. I’m like you do because I was feeling kind of crazy. Like they didn’t really exist. And she goes, Yes, I’m a homeschool mom. I’m from Florida but I live in Philadelphia. And I traveled here because my husband gave me this gift. And I have two little boys, the woman was white, and I vow that I won’t raise them in the stuff that I was raised in. I was like, wow, this is a whole new world. And she goes, Well, where are you staying tonight? I’m like, I don’t know, this hotel is kind of expensive. I’ll find somewhere else to stay. She’s like, why don’t you stay with me? I said seriously, in your hotel room? I’m like It’s been a while since I’ve been in college and stuff. But so, I said, Okay, this is crazy, but I’ll stay in your room.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 29:40 So over two nights, this white woman mentored me. She’s like, and she didn’t chastise me. She’s like, okay, Lainna, you need a little help here. So, get a notepad out. Okay. And she’s like, let me give you names of some podcasts and some authors. She’s giving me black authors and other things, all the stuff that was taboo, and evangelical will start discovering James Cohn. And I started discovering the real Malcolm X and the real Martin Luther King. I started reading all these things. And I’m like, Oh my gosh, I didn’t even know about James Baldwin. Nothing in my education had prepared me for this stuff. And she bandaged my wounds that night and brought me from the brink of hate. So, I share that, in that she was willing to step into space with me and walk with me.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 30:39 And my third story of where my friends have come, the last three years, I have had a new friend group. They don’t know they just laugh when I tell them where I’ve been. And these organizations that I have served, and they’re like, that doesn’t sound like the Lainna we know. Like, I know, I’m kind of a different person now. And the way that they’ve come beside me, and the love that I’ve been shown has been unprecedented. So, I can’t thank my friends enough. One of the things that has been really grounding into me is I had the opportunity to go to Ghana this summer. It was life changing, I will never be the same. I am so grounded now. I went on something called a Sankofa. It’s called and Sankofa is from the language A Twi from Ghana, and it means loosely, go back, and get it. And so the whole idea, and this is me sitting on underneath a Sankofa is the bird is facing forward, its neck is backwards. And as it’s going forward, it has the ability to look back. So, the idea is to retrieve things of value from knowledge of the past, you have to go back to move forward. And living in a country where they’re trying to ban all black history as if it’s alternative American history. I have grown up in a world that has told me my people were nothing; that we were savages until we had the unfortunate issue of slavery. And well, that was kind of a bummer. But now we’ve had the opportunity to be civilized. There is no history that we’ve done anything significant in this country or anything. So, I’ve always felt lost. I felt I couldn’t understand who I was. And so, when I went to Africa, I felt an incredible grounding, and a sense of pride. I couldn’t find it here. But I found it there. I learned about my ancestry, that I’m the descendant of kings and queens, where the European Christianity is not nearly as old as the African Christianity. So, I’m learning all these things I never had an opportunity, and it has been life changing. So, I went to for the first time in my life to be in a place where people look like me. Okay? I get lost in the crowd. I’ve never had that happen to me before. And so, we were able to be entertained by African chiefs. And actually, one of the chiefs reminded me of my father. I’ve never been in a group where I could actually see me, and I saw this man, and he resembles my father. Both my parents died of COVID, a couple of years ago, two weeks apart. And I’m going to tell you a little bit about that in a moment. But to see this man, I just welled up in tears and crying because I could see myself for the first time.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 34:08 So going to Ghana, I’d never seen all these billboards with black folk. Okay? I think I saw one billboard with one white person, but everything from their leaders to their celebration to everything else, I saw me. But the interesting thing in Ghana, there’s no such thing as a black person. And so that kind of understanding that their race is invisible, helped me to understand how white people see their race as being invisible. So, to be able to relish in the joys of being a part of a community where people looked at me, looked like me was incredible.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 34:50 I also had the opportunity to visit the Cape Coast and the Gold Coast. And I went into two castles that housed my ancestors when they were stolen raped and taken from their homes. And these castles are on the Cape Coast, Elmira and a Cape Coast Castle. And these were built in the 1400s. This one, particularly by the Portuguese was a trading post that later became a place for black cargo. So, to walk in these buildings and these castles to try to embody and feel the pain of my ancestors was overwhelming. And as I walked through one of the uncommon things that you wouldn’t imagine belief, do you guys know what that is? This is in the middle of one of the castles. It’s a church. There were churches where white people would come while the suffering and horror happened in the same space. And this was very formative to me. At one point, we were merged with a group of white tourists. And it was interesting to watch the white tourists posture. Believe it or not, our whole group from Wheaton College was black. I don’t know how that happened. But all of us were black that were on the trip. And we were merged with the white group. And as we walked solemnly through the sacred places, we watched our white brothers and sisters act like they were on a field trip. They would push to get in the front to get a better view. As they talked about the carnage that was happening in the space, I remember, we went up to the governors quarters. And they were telling us in the space that the governor’s quarters was, it would house up to nine people. That same space down below, would house over 300 of enslaved Africans in the space, without food, any kind of hygiene. Everything happened in that space. And what did my white brothers and sisters say, as they were in that space? They were looking out the windows and talking about what a beautiful view there was. So, at that point, I was like, I’m done. I can’t be around this. And I was sitting next to one of the cannons that protected the castle, kind of reflecting on it and someone kind of caught that picture of me at the time. This is one of the things on the castle. It reads an everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died Rest in peace, May those who returned find their roots. May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this. So, my whole talk is supposed to be about surviving and thriving. I know about surviving; I have been in survival mode for some time. I’ve had in the last four years I’ve had a total knee replacement as a former athlete along with many health challenges, I’ve ventured into spiritual wilderness teasing out the Jesus of the Bible, versus the twisted Jesus that had no concern for justice. Those who have been harmed in the church, who were unable to refuse to see the imago Dei and all people. I navigated racial unrest and the silence of my white Christian friends and my former circles, who always had something to say about black bleeding and dying bodies laying the street about their character and had nothing to say about the character of a yellow haired man with a bad comb over sitting in the Oval Office. I lost my 30-year marriage to a white man. I haven’t gone public. My divorce was finalized about six months ago. And had a lot to do with this issue. My family has been shattered. I’m watching the politicization of mass while millions die across the world from COVID. And those last being considered expendable. Watching my dad die over FaceTime, due to COVID and not being able to hold his hand or be present as he drew in his last breath,. No funeral and then there’d have to be my mom who died two weeks later. This is just a few of the things that I’ve had to survive over the last four years. I’ve survived a predominantly white churches where my pain and the pain of others who look like me were ignored so that my brighten brothers and sisters could remain comfortable without self-examination.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 39:49 I understand surviving. Surviving is remaining alive. Some days, that was all I could do. It’s continuing to exist after coming close to dying and being destroyed. surviving is holding up holding on and enduring when very little is left in your tank. I know all of you guys understand that. At times surviving is all that we can do. God carried and continues to carry me and you through this. God brought friends into my life who bandaged my wounds and lifted me up when I had no strength on my own.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 40:28 So, I want to get a little geeky, I want to show you something about healing. So, you know, I’m a doctor, and I kind of like that science thing and stuff. So, I’m going to talk about healing by secondary intention. So, this is like a medical picture. So, bear with me, maybe you can see the analogy here is, there are two ways of healing, there’s called first intention versus second intention. So, when a surgeon goes in to repair something, and they make that clean cut, after they repair it, they bring the edges nicely together and sew things up. That leaves a minimal scar. Okay? I feel like what we’re all going through is healing by second intention. And what that is, is when you have a gaping wound, and let’s say it’s been open for some time, or it gets pulled open several times. After about six to eight hours, for more as close to six, we as physicians can’t sew that wound up because of the concern of infection. So, you let that wound stay open. And with that open wound, you have to care for that wound. A lot of times we have antibiotics, and we’ll pack that antibiotic in that wound that the dressings have to get changed often. And as that wound is going through the healing, it actually heals from the bottom up, okay? From the inside, out. And I see us kind of like that secondary intention, as that wounding first we have to start that healing inside of us as we work it out. And then, of course, the scarring from second intention healing is much greater. There’s much scarring, but it’s been restored in a new way. And I feel that a lot of what we’re going through is similar to that secondary healing.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 42:21 So, we talked about surviving, what about thriving? I started looking through this whole idea, what does it mean to be thriving? Am I thriving? I do feel like I have a little more. The fact that I’m here is a big testimony that I’m starting to feel God’s healing presence, and it’s working. And thriving means growing and developing, having resilience. It means you’re comfortable with yourself, you’re able to take control of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. And there’s an increased optimism for the future. Ah, I think I’m starting to thrive. It’s not that the pain is not there. It’s not even that I believe that this world will ever get better. But I know as we walk and take our wounds, and we heal from them, the power that GOD can do with us through our thriving. So, we have a thriving we have flourishing. Like how is thriving and flourishing different? And Acts 2:42-47, If you read that when it talks about the hospitality, it’s a place of a joyous community, where there’s a festival friends. And there are five domains in flourishing; one, happiness and satisfaction that’s gonna look a little different for each of us. It is having the mental and physical health, having meaning and purpose in your life, and character and virtue. Now I know we’ve had a lot of character training in evangelical spaces. So, this will sound bizarre, but that character in virtue cannot be fully embodied unless you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Okay? And most churches and evangelical spaces talk about God, Jesus, and the Holy Bible, because Lord, we won’t get close to the Holy Spirit because that gets a little radical and out of control. And that doesn’t go in our 20-minute sermon series that we’re trying to do. Okay? So, in order to have good character and virtue it has to be nurtured through the Holy Spirit. And lastly, close relationships, close good social relationships. And finally, how do we get there? Okay. In 2019, as I was swearing off white evangelical spaces like chocolate I feel like God laid four words on my heart about this and it seems to apply to all these hard circumstances and prior speakers have spoke of this. So, the four words, the first one is lament. This is not feeling sorry, this is not God created you white. It’s a beautiful thing. No one’s asking you to be anything else than what you’ve been graded. But understanding that hearing these issues, no one wants pity. It’s a legitimate lament, it’s not a sadness. It’s not an Oh! that’s so sad. A lament is a deep longing in pain and sorrow for something. Unless you can lament, you can’t move forward. So, it is a spotty window that someone has talked about that embodying it.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 45:45 The second word he sent me was liberate. Oh my gosh, this seems out of touch. Because of all that stuff I hear an evangelical word about liberating means once Jesus comes, then we’ll be good. No, this means as soon as you see the problem, you have to liberate that issue. You don’t wait till Jesus comes. I lament, there’s a problem, it needs to be corrected now. I love how we like use time; I was told this at a prominent school, Christian school, you know, Lainna, you’re just trying to rush us too much. We’re just going to need a little more time to change hearts. Like seriously? Wait, your Bible says, When you see something wrong, you correct it. How does racism take time? So, you have to liberate.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 46:37 Third thing is to reclaim because Lord knows, you have to, like clean that space out. And you have to reclaim it for Christ because of the distortion and the evilness that’s been pervaded there, that space has to be reclaimed, or that mess comes back. And lastly, you have to reimagine. This is not a little tweaking of systems, you know, like finding a couple more chocolate chips to put into  your little organization to try to give the issue that you have reformed yourself. This is a whole reimagining. It’s a whole reimagining of systems and purposes of what you’ve done. You can’t tweak something that’s already distorted, tainted and evil. So, wow, I’m doing good, it’s only 49 seconds. Yes. Okay, so I didn’t think I could do this.   LAINNA CALLENTINE M.Ed., M.D. 47:40 So, I just want to leave you I have a little bit of I don’t know if you guys know this book, I didn’t write it. Darn! I wasn’t thinking – I should have brought my own books and should have been holding them up like this. But this is not one  I wrote. But it’s by Kate Bowler and it’s The Lives We Actually Have. And I thought something and it’s 100 blessings for imperfect days. And there was a perfect blessing that I want to leave with you. It’s called for when you’ve been hurt by the church. God saw me walk away. I had to, for what was supposed to have been a refuge, a community of hope and purpose, mutual encouragement, distorted all I understand you to be. Oh God, lead me to the heart of love so I might find the healing I need and protect the reverence I have for you. For you do not consume, but rather feed, you do not destroy but build up. You do not abandon your little ones but insist that they belong in your arms. Enfolded here, I see you now. The God who loves us to the end. For though I walked away, you didn’t. You found me and will lead me. Let’s now find the others. Thank you.   Julie Roys  49:17 Will again that’s Dr.Lainna Callentine speaking at RESTORE 2023 and Lainna, thank you so much for sacrificing yourself on our behalf to bring this message. And as you explained, there is no quick fix to racism. We need to lament deeply. We need to totally reimagine our systems and our purposes. And that’s something we’re committed to doing at The Roys Report. And I don’t know exactly what that entails, but I am confident that the Holy Spirit does. And we are committed to listening to the Spirit and to following the spirit. So please pray for us as we continue to take Lainna’s message to heart. And as we continue to discern how to practically walk out our conviction that every human being is a bearer of God’s image and worthy of equal respect and love. And I hope you’ll do the same. There’s so much to process in what Lainna said. But dealing with racism is not optional. Any more than following Christ command to love each other is optional. So, let’s commit to doing that together. And again, thank you so much for listening and supporting our podcasts and our mission here at The Roys Report. As I’ve noted before, we don’t have any big donors or advertisers, we simply have you, the people who care about abuse and corruption in the church and want to expose it. So, if you’re able, would you please consider giving a gift to support our ministry? And this month when you donate $30 or more, we’ll send you a copy of The Great DeChurching. This is a great resource exploring what’s causing the current exodus out of the church, and what can be done to stop the bleed. To donate and to get the book just go to JULIEROYS.COM/DONATE. Also, just a quick reminder to subscribe to The Roys Report on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify. That way you won’t miss any of these episodes. And while you’re at it, I’d really appreciate it if you’d help us spread the word about the podcast by leaving a review. And then please share the podcast on social media so more people can hear about this great content. Again, thanks so much for joining me today. Hope you’re blessed and encouraged.   Read more

In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, sits down with Sally Michael, co-founder of Truth78. They discuss how to help children know, love, and memorize God's Word, and how her new Bible Verses to Remember series for children assists parents, teachers, and church leaders in this important ministry.SALLY MICHAEL ONLINE Website Instagram Facebook Twitter/XMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Give God Your Worries Good Gifts Come from God Our Great God The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New of Jesus and His ChurchLearn more about the podcast here.Timestamps: 1:28 - Intro 2:19 - The Biggest Joy of Sally's Current Ministry Role 2:58 - Sally's New Children's Series, Bible Verses to Remember 5:27 - What are the best practices and goals of Scripture memorization?8:27 - How Memorizing Bible Passages Rescued Sally from Trouble 13:25 - What has been you path into developing so many resources for children? 21:11 - How can we help children across a broad age range love memorizing Scripture? 32:18 - Finding Moments to Emphasize Biblical Virtues in A Busy Family 36:35 - In what ways has John Piper influenced your time at Bethlehem Baptist Church? 39:51 - Farewell

Sam Crabtree is a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has served for over twenty years. He is a former public-school teacher, is the chairman of the board of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Listen in as we talk about thankfulness this thanksgiving season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pagkamangha sa Katapusan ng Kasaysayan At kayong mga pinahihirapan ay [bibigyan ng Diyos] ng kapahingahang kasama namin, sa pagkapahayag ng Panginoong Jesus mula sa langit na kasama ang kanyang mga makapangyarihang anghel, na nasa nagliliyab na apoy, na magbibigay ng parusa sa mga hindi kumikilala sa Diyos at sa mga hindi sumusunod sa ebanghelyo ng ating Panginoong Jesus. Ang mga ito'y tatanggap ng kaparusahang walang hanggang pagkapuksa at palalayasin sa harapan ng Panginoon at mula sa kaluwalhatian ng kanyang kalakasan, kapag dumating siya sa araw na iyon upang luwalhatiin sa kanyang mga banal, at kamanghaan ng lahat ng mga sumasampalataya, sapagkat ang aming patotoo sa inyo ay pinaniwalaan.” (2 Tesalonica 1:7-10, ABTAG2001) Sa pagbabalik ni Jesus sa mundong ito, na ipinangako Niyang gagawin, ang mga di-naniwala sa ebanghelyo, sabi ni Pablo, ay “tatanggap ng kaparusahang walang hanggang pagkapuksa at palalayasin sa harapan ng Panginoon at mula sa kaluwalhatian ng kanyang kalakasan.” Isa itong kakila-kilabot na tanawing dapat katakutan ng lahat ng mga di-mananampalatayang nakakarinig sa katotohanang ito. At naku, dapat itong magpatino sa ating mga mananampalataya at punuin tayo ng kaseryosohan tungkol sa ano'ng nakataya sa mundong ito. Oh, dapat itong magdulot ng pagbangon ng malasakit sa ating puso para sa mga taong di naniniwala, o di man lang nakakaalam, ng ebanghelyo. Ngunit upang magpatuloy tayo sa kabila ng lahat ng ating paghihirap, binibigyan tayo ni Pablo ng dalawang kamangha-manghang salita na nagbibigay-lakas ng loob at pag-asa. “At kayong mga pinahihirapan ay [bibigyan ng Diyos] ng kapahingahan.” Kung nakakaranas tayo ng matinding pagpapaigting ng paghihirap sa nalalapit na katapusan ng kasaysayan, ang salita ng Diyos ay nagsasabi: Kumapit nang mahigpit; paparating na ang ginhawa. Ang iyong mga paghihirap ay hindi mabibigyan ng huling salita. At pagsisisihan ng inyong mga tila makapangyarihang kalaban ang araw na pinakialaman nila ang pinili ng Panginoon. Ngunit pagkatapos ay narito ang pinakamagandang salitang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob at pag-asa. Hindi lamang tayo makakakuha ng ginhawa kapag dumating ang Panginoon, makakamit natin ang pinakadakilang karanasan na siyang dahilan kung bakit tayo nilikha: Makikita natin ang Kanyang kaluwalhatian, at mamamangha tayo sa paraang maluluwalhati Siya sa atin, at makikita ito ng buong mundo.  Talata 10: “Dumating siya sa araw na iyon upang luwalhatiin sa kanyang mga banal, at kamanghaan ng lahat ng mga sumasampalataya.” Nilikha tayo upang mamangha. Wala at walang sinuman ang mas kamangha-mangha kaysa kay Jesu-Cristong ipinako sa krus, nabuhay na mag-uli, at nagbabalik bilang Hari ng kaluwalhatian. Makakamit Niya ang tadhana ng Kanyang kaluwalhatian, at makakamit natin ang tadhana ng ating kagalakan habang sinisimulan natin ang perpekto, walang-sala't walang katapusang pagkamangha sa pinakadakilang dapat kamanghaan. Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, page 321 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/marveling-at-the-end-of-history Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Ang Katarungan ay Makakamtan Mga minamahal, huwag kayong maghihiganti; ipaubaya ninyo iyon sa galit ng Diyos. Sapagkat nasusulat, “Akin ang paghihiganti, ako ang gaganti, sabi ng Panginoon."(Roma 12:19 MBBTAG)  Lahat tayo ay may nagawang mali maaaring hindi lang isang beses. Halos lahat din siguro sa atin ay nagawan ng kasalanan ng isang tao subalit kahit minsan ay hindi sila humingi ng kapatawaran o gagawing tama ang kanilang pagkamamali.  Isa sa mga nagiging hadlang para takasan at kalimutan ang sakit at kapaitan ay lubos mong pinanghahawakan-- makatuwirang pinaniniwalaan-- na ang katarungan  ay kailangang makamtan, na ang moral fabric ng mundon sansinukob  ay malulutas kung ang mga tao ay kinakalimutan lang ang mga masasamang ginawa nila at panlilinlang sa iba. Ito ay isa sa mga hadlang upang magpatawad at alisin ang galit sa iyong puso. Ito ay hindi lang iisa. Mayroon tayong kasalanang kailangang harapin.  Ngunit ito ang totoong kasalanan. Minsan iniisip nating kung pababayaan natin ito, ang katarungan ay hindi natin makakamtan.  Kaya tayo ay kumikimkim ng galit, at paulit-ulit ang sinasabi ng may hinanakit: Dapat hindi ito nangyari; Hindi ito kailangang mangyari; mali ito; maling-mali ito. Paano siya nagiging masaya kung ako ay nagdudurusa? Ito ay mali. Ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap. Hindi natin ito malilimutan. At ang galit natin ang lalason sa lahat ng bagay.  Ang sabi sa Roma 12:19 na ang Diyos ang aalis ng lahat ng ating pinapasan.  "huwag kayong maghihiganti; ipaubaya ninyo iyon sa galit ng Diyos." Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin nito sa inyo?   Alisin mo ang dala-dala  mong galit, alisin mo ang mga bagay na magdudulot sa iyo ng sakit-- alisin mo, tanggalin mo-- ito ba ay nangangahulugang walang mali laban sa iyo, subalit mayroon.  Pero hindi ibig-sabihin na walang katarungan. Hindi ibig-sabihin na hindi ito maituwid.  Hindi ibig-sabihin na makatatakas sila sa mga ginawa nilang mali. Hindi ito matakasan.  Nais kong ipunto ay  kung tatanggalin mo na ang paghihinganti sa inyong mga puso, ang Diyos na ang bahala.  Hindi ito daan para maghiganti pero ito ang daan upang ibigay sa karapat-dapat na maghiganti.  "Ako ang gaganti", sabi ng Panginoon. Ipaubaya mo sa kaniya. Siya na ang bahala at ang katarungan ay makakamtan.  Ito ay isang maluwalhating  kaginhawaan. Hindi ko na kailangang dalhin ang lahat ng aking problema at pasakit. Ito ay tulad ng paghihingang maginhawa sa unang pagkatataon sa maraming dekadang lumipas. At sa wakas, malaya na ulit akong magmahal. Devotional excerpted from “Do Not Avenge Yourselves, But Give Place to Wrath” This article was translated by Ma. Fatima G. Abello and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/justice-will-be-done Ma. Fatima G. Abello is a third year student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino at Aklan State University.  She is an active school leader, writer, digital editor, and an academic achiever. Despite of her schedules, she delights in serving and knowing the Lord more. Being a member of Boracay Grace Baptist Church, she is part of their music team where she sings, plays instruments, as well as Teach children in Sunday schools. John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethelehem as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence

Mag-ingat sa Paglilikod sa Diyos "Ang Diyos na gumawa ng sanlibutan at lahat ng naririto ay ang Panginoon ng langit at ng lupa, at hindi naninirahan sa mga templong ginawa ng tao.  Hindi rin siya nangangailangan ng anumang tulong o paglilingkod ng tao, sapagkat siya mismo ang nagbibigay ng buhay, hininga at lahat ng bagay sa sangkatauhan." (Mga Gawa 17:24-25)  Hindi natin niluluwalhati ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga kailangan Niya, pero sa pananalangin ay Siya ang nagbibigay na kailangan natin at sa pagtitiwala sa Kanyang tugon, at namumuhay sa galak sa gayong pagaalaga, habang inilalaan natin ang ating buhay na mag pag-ibig para sa iba at sa pagtitiwala sa Kanyang tugon, at namumuhay sa galak sa gayong pagaalaga, habang inilalaan natin ang ating buhay na mag pag-ibig para sa iba. Nandito tayo sa puso ng magandang balita ng Christian Hedonism. Nais ng Diyos na tayo'y lumalapit sa kaniya kung tayo ay nangangailangan ng tulong upang maluwalhati Siya. "Kung kayo ay may bagabag, ako lagi ang tawagin;kayo'y aking ililigtas, ako'y inyong pupurihin.”(Awit 50:15). Ang kagulat-gulat na katotohanan ay kailangan nating maging maingat sa pag-iisip na kailangan tayo ng Diyos. Kailangan nating mag-ingat sa paglilikod sa Diyos,   at tayo ay maging maingat na hayaan Niya tayong pagsilbihan tayo, nang hindi natin nakawin ang kaluwalhatian na nararapat sa Kanya.  " Hindi rin siya nangangailangan ng anumang tulong o paglilingkod ng tao, sapagkat siya mismo ang nagbibigay ng buhay, hininga at lahat ng bagay sa sangkatauhan." (Mga gawa 17:25) Ito  katatawa sa pandinig. Halos lahat sa atin ay iniisip na ang paglilingkod sa Panginoon ay isang mabuting gawain. Pero hindi natin iniisip na ang paglilingkod sa kaniya ay nakaiinsulto sa kaniyang kakayahan. Ngunit ang pagbubulay sa tunay na kahulugan ng panalangin ay sinasabi ito ng payak.  Sa nobelang, Robinson Crusoe, ang paboritong mensahe ng bayani ay ang Awit 50:12-15 na nagbigay sa kaniya ng pag-asa noong siya ay na stranded sa isang isla. Sabi ng Diyos, "Kung ako ma'y nagugutom, hindi ko na sasabihin,yamang lahat sa daigdig na narito'y pawang akin. Ang karne ng mga toro, iyon ba'y aking pagkain? At ang inumin ko ba'y dugo ng mga kambing? Ang ihandog ninyo sa Diyos ay ang inyong pasalamat; ang pangakong handog ninyo ay tuparin ninyong lahat. Kung kayo ay may bagabag, ako lagi ang tawagin; kayo'y aking ililigtas,  ako'y inyong pupurihin." Ito ang kahulugan niyan; mayroon tayong ginagawa  na nakaiinsulto o minamaliit ang kaniyang kapangyarihan  bilang Diyos, na kailangan niya ang ating serbisyo. Oh gaano tayo dapat maingat na huwag nating binbinin ang dakilang biyaya ng Diyos ni Cristo. Sabi ni Hesus, "Sapagkat ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at upang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay para sa ikatutubos ng marami.” (Marcos 10:45) Ang layunin niya ay maging isang tagapaglingkod at mapunta sa kaniya ang kapurihan bilang isang tagapagbigay ng ating mga kailangan.  Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, page 168 This article was translated by Ma. Fatima G. Abello and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click:  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/beware-of-serving-god Ma. Fatima G. Abello is a third year student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino at Aklan State University.  She is an active school leader, writer, digital editor, and an academic achiever. Despite of her schedules, she delights in serving and knowing the Lord more. Being a member of Boracay Grace Baptist Church, she is part of their music team where she sings, plays instruments, as well as Teach children in Sunday schools. John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethelehem as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence. 

Ang Pinakadakilang Kaligayahan ng Pag-Ibig Walang taong namumuhi sa sarili niyang katawan. Sa halip, ito'y kanyang pinapakain at inaalagaan, tulad ng ginagawa ni Cristo sa iglesya.  Tayo nga'y mga bahagi ng kanyang katawan. (Efeso 5:29-30 MBBTAG) Huwag kaligtaan ang huling parilala : "tayo nga'y mga bahagi ng kanyang katawan." At huwag kalimutan ang sinabi ni Pablo naunang dalawang verse, na nagsasabi na ibinigay ni Cristo ang kaniyang sarili para sa atin "Sa halip, unawain ninyo kung ano ang kalooban ng Panginoon." Sa magkaibang paraan, ginawa ni Pablo na malinaw na si Cristo ay naghangad ng kasiyahan sa pamamagitan ng paghahangad ng kaluwalhatian , kabutihan at kasiyahan ng kaniyang mga tao.  Ang pag-iisa ni Cristo sa kaniyang bride ay napakalapit ("magiging isa") na kung ano mang mabubuting  mangyayari sa kaniyang bride ay parang ginawa na rin ito para sa Kanya.. Ang nais bigyang kahulugan sa tekstong ito ay ang Panginoon ang gagawa upang pakainin, alagaan, gawing banal ang kaniyang bride dahil ito ang tunay na magbibigay sa kaniya ng kasiyahan.  Sa ibang depinasyon ito ay hindi pagmamahal. Ang pagmamahal ay hindi pumupukos sa sarili lamang-- lalong-lalo na kung ang mala-Cristong pagmamahal-- higit lalo pagmamahal na dulot ng Kalbaryo. Wala pa akong nakikitang ganitong pagmamahal na katulad ngmensahe sa kasulatan.  Ngunit ano ba ang ginawa ni Cristo para sa kaniyang bride na malinaw na ipinahayag sa tekstong ito: "Mga lalaki, mahalin ninyo ang inyong asawa na gaya ng pagmamahal ni Cristo sa iglesya. Inihandog niya ang kanyang buhay para sa iglesya." (Efeso 5: 25). Bakit hindi hayaan natin ang verse na itona  kahulugan ng pag-ibig para sa atin,  sa halip na ang ating mga etika at polosopiya ang  magbibigay ng kahulugan dito? Ayon sa teksto, ang pag-ibig ay ang paghangad ng kaligayahan ni Cristo sa kaligayahan ng kabanalan ng kaniyang minamahal.  Hindi maaaring  ihiwalay ang sariling interes sa pag-ibig, dahil ang  sariling interes hindi tuladng isang pagiging sakim. Ang pagkamakasarili ay hindi iniisip ang ibang tao kundi ang sariling kaligayahan lang niya.  Subalit ang mala-Cristong pagmamahal ay ang pagbibigay kasiyahan sa iba. Kahit na siya ay  maghirap at  mamatay para sa kaniyang mga minamahal upang makamit ang kabanalan nila ay gagawin niya.  Ganito tayo kamahal ni Cristo, at nais niyang ganito rin natin mahalin ang isa't isa.  Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, pages 206–207 This article was translated by Ma. Fatima G. Abello and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/loves-greatest-happiness Ma. Fatima G. Abello is a third year student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino at Aklan State University.  She is an active school leader, writer, digital editor, and an academic achiever. Despite of her schedules, she delights in serving and knowing the Lord more. Being a member of Boracay Grace Baptist Church, she is part of their music team where she sings, plays instruments, as well as Teach children in Sunday schools. John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethelehem as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence. 

Ang Gamit Para sa Mga Misyonero “Hindi ito kayang gawin ng tao, ngunit hindi ito imposible sa Diyos. Sapagkat ang lahat ng bagay ay kayang gawin ng Diyos.” (Marcos  10:27 MBBTAG)  Ang makapangyarihang biyaya ng Diyos ang nagbibigay buhay sa mga Christian Hedonist. Kung saan ang mga mananampalataya ay pinakaninanais nila ay maranasan ang makapangyarihang biyaya ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod sa kaniya at pagtulong sa iba.  Ang mga Christian Hedonist  ay gusto ang"hindi ito dahil sa sarili kong kakayahan kundi dahil sa kagandahang-loob ng Diyos na nasa akin." (1 Corinto 15:10). Sila ay naniniwalang ang bunga ng kanilang ginagawa ay  para sa kapurihan ng  Diyos. ( 1 Corinto 3:7, Roma 11:36).  Nagiging masaya lang sila  kapag  sinabi ng Diyos na "Sapagkat wala kayong magagawa kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin" (Juan 15:5). Sila ay tumatalon tulad ng isang tupa sa katotohanan na  ang Diyos ay kayang gawin ang lahat ng imposible.  Sinabi nila ito nang walang hinanakit," Kung sa aming sarili lamang ay wala kaming kakayahang gawin ito; subalit ang aming kakayahan ay kaloob ng Diyos." (2Corinto 3:5)  Noong sila ay umalis, wala nang makabibigay sa kanila ng tunay na kasiyahan kundi sabihin ito sa mga churches, "Wala akong pinapangahasang ipagmalaki kundi ang ginawa ni Cristo upang maakit ang mga Hentil na sumunod sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng aking mga salita at gawa." (Roma 15:18)  "Hindi ito kayang gawin ng tao, ngunit hindi ito imposible sa Diyos. Sapagkat ang lahat ng bagay ay kayang gawin ng Diyos.”-- itong salita ng Diyos ang tunay na nagbibigay pag-aasa at pagkukumbaba sa ating sarili.  Ito ang lunas sa mga taong nawawalan ng pag-asa at gamot sa pagmamayabang --ito  ang perpektong gamot sa ng isang Misyonero.  Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, pages 235–236 This article was translated by Ma. Fatima G. Abello and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click:  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/medicine-for-the-missionary Ma. Fatima G. Abello is a third year student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino at Aklan State University.  She is an active school leader, writer, digital editor, and an academic achiever. Despite of her schedules, she delights in serving and knowing the Lord more. Being a member of Boracay Grace Baptist Church, she is part of their music team where she sings, plays instruments, as well as Teach children in Sunday schools. John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethelehem as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence. 

Kagalakan sa Kapighatian “Mapapalad kayo kapag kayo ay nilalait, inuusig, at pinagsasabihan ng sari-saring kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan dahil sa akin. Magalak kayo at magsaya, sapagkat malaki ang gantimpala ninyo sa langit.” (Mateo 5:11-12, ABTAG 2001) Sinasabi ng Cristianong Hedonismo na may iba't ibang paraan upang magalak sa kapighatian bilang isang Cristiano. Lahat ng ito ay dapat gawin bilang pagpapahayag ng buong sapat at buong kasiya-siyang biyaya ng Diyos. Isang paraan upang magalak sa kapighatian ay nagmumula sa pag-pokus ng ating isipan sa laki ng gantimpalang darating sa atin sa muling-pagkabuhay. Ang epekto ng ganitong uri ng pokus ay ito: Lumiliit ang ating kasalukuyang sakit kumpara sa paparating pa lamang: “Itinuturing ko na ang pagtitiis sa panahong kasalukuyan ay hindi karapat-dapat maihambing sa kaluwalhatiang mahahayag sa atin” (Roma 8:18 cf. 2 Corinto 4:16–18). Habang tinitiis natin ang pagdurusa, nagagawa nating umibig dahil sa kagalakan natin sa ating matatanggap na gantimpala. “Ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway at gumawa kayo ng mabuti, magpahiram kayo na hindi umaasa ng kapalit. Malaki ang magiging gantimpala ninyo” (Lucas 6:35). Maging mapagbigay sa mga mahihirap “at pagpapalain ka, sapagkat wala silang maigaganti sa iyo. Gagantihan ka sa muling pagkabuhay ng mga matuwid” (Lucas 14:14). Pinuputol ng tiwala sa ipinangakong gantimpalang ito ang lubid ng pagiging makamundo at pinapalaya tayo para sa halaga ng pag-ibig. Ang isa pang paraan upang magalak sa kapighatian ay nagmumula sa mga epekto ng pagdurusa sa ating katiyakan ng pag-asa. Ang kagalakan sa paghihirap ay nakaugat hindi lamang sa pag-asa ng muling pagkabuhay at gantimpala, kundi pati na rin sa paraan na ang mismong pagdurusa'y kumikilos upang palalimin ang pag-asang iyon. Halimbawa, sinabi ni Pablo, “Nagagalak rin tayo sa ating mga kapighatian sa pagkaalam na ang kapighatian ay nagbubunga ng pagtitiis, at ang pagtitiis ng pagpapatibay; at ang pagpapatibay ng pag-asa” (Mga Taga Roma 5:3–4). Sa madaling salita, ang kagalakan ni Pablo ay hindi lamang nakaugat sa kanyang malaking gantimpala, kundi sa epekto ng kapighatian na nagpapatatag sa pag-asa sa gantimpalang iyon. Ang paghihirap ay nagbubunga ng katatagan, at ang katatagan ay nagdudulot ng pakiramdam na ang ating pananampalataya ay totoo at tunay, at pinapalakas nito ang ating pag-asa na matatamo nga natin si Cristo. Kaya mag-pokus man tayo sa kayaman ng gantimpala o sa pagpapadalisay na epekto ng kapighatian, ang layunin ng Diyos sa kagalakan natin sa pagdurusa ay magpapatuloy. Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, pages 283–284 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/rejoicing-in-pain Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

S6E4 is live! On today's episode, we invited special guest Dr. Willie Edmondson to share his perspective on the history of LaGrange and how it has changed over the years. Dr. Edmondson is the first black mayor of LaGrange, and he wears this honor with dignity and strength. Dr. Edmondson grew up in the community, and he shared stories from childhood of advocating for persons of color and the legacy he began building for himself at a young age. Dr. Edmondson is also a preacher of a Bethlehem Baptist Church in West Point, GA. Be sure to give this episode a listen!

Ang Ating Kabutihan ay Kanyang Kaluwalhatian Ngunit kapag mananalangin ka, pumasok ka sa iyong silid at isara mo ang pinto. Saka ka manalangin sa iyong Ama na hindi mo nakikita, at ang iyong Ama na nakakakita ng ginagawa mo nang lihim ang siyang magbibigay sa iyo ng gantimpala. (Mateo 6:6, MBBTAG) Isang karaniwang pagtutol sa Cristianong Hedonismo ay mas itinataas daw nito ang interes ng tao kaysa sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos — mas itinataas nito ang kaligayahan ko kaysa sa karangalan ng Diyos. Ngunit mariin itong di ginagawa ng Cristianong Hedonismo. Siguradong tayong mga Cristianong Hedonista ay nagsisikap sundin ang ating mga interes at kaligayahan nang buong lakas. Iniindorso natin ang pagpapasya ng batang Jonathan Edwards: “Pagpapasya: Pagsikapang makamit para sa aking sarili ang pinakamaraming kaligayahan sa kabilang mundo na puwede kong makamit, nang buong kapangyarihan, lakas, sigla, at lupit, oo dahas, na kaya ko, o kayang gawin ng aking kalooban, sa anumang paraan na maaaring isipin.” Pero natutunan natin mula sa Biblia (at kay Edwards!) na ang interes ng Diyos ay palakihin ang Kanyang kaluwalhatian sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaapaw ng Kanyang habag sa atin — sa ating mga makasalanan, na lubhang nangangailangan sa Kanya. Samakatuwid, ang paghahangad ng ating interes at kaligayahan, kahit na ito'y kapalit ng ating buhay, ay hindi kailanman higit sa interes ng Diyos at kaligayahan ng Diyos at kaluwalhatian ng Diyos, ngunit palaging nasa Diyos. Isa sa pinakamahalagang katotohanan sa Biblia ay ito: Ang pinakadakilang interes ng Diyos ay luwalhatiin ang kayamanan ng Kanyang biyaya sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaligaya ng mga kasalanan sa Kanya — sa Kanya! Kapag nagpapakumbaba tayo na parang maliliit na bata at hindi nagmamayabang na kaya natin ang lahat, kundi masaya tayong tumatakbo sa kagalakan ng yakap ng ating Ama, nadadagdagan ang kaluwalhatian ng Kanyang biyaya at nasisiyahan ang pananabik ng ating kaluluwa. Ang ating interes at ang Kanyang kaluwalhatian ay nagiging isa. Nang ipangako ni Jesus sa Mateo 6:6, “Ang iyong Ama na nakakakita ng ginagawa mo nang lihim ang siyang magbibigay sa iyo ng gantimpala,” ito ang gantimpalang nais Niyang hanapin natin. Hindi Niya tayo inaakit ng kagalakang di natin dapat taglayin! Ngunit ang gantimpalang ito — ang kagalakang ito — ay ang pag-apaw ng pagtalikod sa papuri sa tao, at pagpasok sa ating silid upang hanapin ang Diyos. Samakatuwid, ang mga Cristianong Hedonista'y hindi inuuna ang kanilang kaligayahan kaysa sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. Inilalagay nila ang kanilang kaligayahan sa Diyos mismo at natutuklasan ang maluwalhating katotohanan na ang Diyos ay lubos na naluluwalhati sa atin kapag tayo'y lubos na nasisiyahan sa Kanya. Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, pages 159–160 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/ammunition-against-anxiety Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Sandata Laban sa Pagkabalisa Huwag kayong mabalisa sa anumang bagay; kundi sa lahat ng mga bagay, sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pagsamo na may pagpapasalamat ay ipaalam ninyo ang inyong mga kahilingan sa Diyos. (Filipos 4:6, ABTAG2001) ​​Isa sa mga bagay na pinagpapasalamat natin kapag ipinapaalam natin sa Diyos ang ating mga kahilingan ay ang Kanyang mga pangako. Ito ang mga bala ng kanyon na pumupuksa sa di-pananampalataya na nagbubunga ng pag-aalala. Kaya ganito ako makipaglaban.  Kapag nababalisa ako tungkol sa aking ministeryo, na tila wala itong silbi o laman, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangako ng Isaiah 55:11. “Magiging gayon ang aking salita na lumalabas sa bibig ko; hindi ito babalik sa akin na walang bunga, kundi gaganapin ang ayon sa layunin ko, at magtatagumpay sa bagay na kung saan ay sinugo ko ito.” Kapag nababalisa ako tungkol sa pagiging mahina ko upang gawin ang aking gawain, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangako ni Cristo, “Ang aking biyaya ay sapat na sa iyo, sapagkat ang aking kapangyarihan ay nagiging sakdal sa kahinaan” (2 Corinto 12:9). Kapag nababalisa ako tungkol sa mga desisyong kailangan kong gawin tungkol sa hinaharap, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangakong, “Aking ipapaalam at ituturo sa iyo ang daan na dapat mong lakaran. Papayuhan kita na ang aking mga mata ay nakatitig sa iyo” (Awit 32:8). Kapag nababalisa akong harapin ang mga kalaban, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangakong, “Kung ang Diyos ay kakampi natin, sino ang laban sa atin?” (Roma 8:31). Kapag nababalisa ako tungkol sa kapakanan ng mga mahal ko sa buhay, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangakong kung ako, na masama, ay marunong magbigay ng mabubuting bagay sa aking mga anak, “gaano pa kaya ang inyong Ama na nasa langit ang magbigay ng mabubuting bagay sa mga humihingi sa kanya?” (Mateo 7:11). At sinisikap kong mapanatili ang aking espirituwal na balanse gamit ang paalala na lahat ng nag-iwan ng bahay, o mga kapatid na lalaki, o mga kapatid na babae, o ina, o ama, o mga anak, o mga bukid, dahil kay Cristo, ay “makakatanggap ng isandaang ulit, ngayon sa panahong ito, ng mga bahay, at mga kapatid na lalaki, mga kapatid na babae, mga ina at mga anak, at mga bukid, na may mga pag-uusig; at sa darating na panahon ay walang hanggang buhay” (Marcos 10:29–30). Kapag nababalisa ako sa pagkakasakit, nilalabanan ko ang di-pananampalataya gamit ang pangakong, “Marami ang kapighatian ng matuwid; ngunit inililigtas siya ng Panginoon sa lahat ng mga iyon” (Awit 34:19). At tinatanggap ko ang pangako nang may panginginig: “Ang kapighatian ay nagbubunga ng pagtitiis, at ang pagtitiis ng pagpapatibay; at ang pagpapatibay ng pag-asa. At hindi tayo binibigo ng pag-asa, sapagkat ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay ibinuhos sa ating mga puso sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo na ibinigay sa atin” (Roma 5:3–5). Devotional excerpted from Future Grace, pages 60–61 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/ammunition-against-anxiety Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Ibibigay ng Diyos ang Lahat ng Iyong Kailangan At buhat sa hindi mauubos na kayamanan ng Diyos, ibibigay niya ang lahat ng inyong kailangan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus. (Filipos 4:19, MBBTAG) Sinabi ni Pablo sa Filipos 4:6, “Huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa anumang bagay. Sa halip, hingin ninyo sa Diyos ang lahat ng inyong kailangan sa pamamagitan ng panalanging may pasasalamat.” At sa Filipos 4:19 (matapos lang ang 13 talata), nagbigay siya ng nagpapalayang pangako ng biyaya sa hinaharap: “At buhat sa hindi mauubos na kayamanan ng Diyos, ibibigay niya ang lahat ng inyong kailangan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus.” Kung mabubuhay tayong nananampalataya sa pangakong ito ng biyaya sa hinaharap, magiging napakahirap para sa anxiety, o pagkabalisa, na manatiling buhay. Ang “hindi mauubos na kayamanan” ng Diyos ay hindi masasaid. Seryoso Siya sa plano Niyang huwag tayong mag-alala tungkol sa ating kinabukasan. Dapat nating tularan ang pattern na inilatag ni Pablo para sa atin. Dapat nating labanan ang kawalan ng paniniwala ng anxiety gamit ang mga pangako ng biyaya sa hinaharap. Kapag ako'y nababalisa tungkol sa mga bagong pakikipagsapalaran o pagpupulong, regular kong nilalabanan ang kawalan ng paniniwala gamit ang isa sa mga pinakamadalas kong ginagamit na pangako, ang Isaiah 41:10.  Nung araw na umalis ako sa America para manirahan ng tatlong taon sa Germany, tumawag ng long-distance ang aking tatay at ibinigay sa akin ang pangakong ito sa telepono. Mahigit limang daang beses ko atang inulit-ulit ito sa loob ng tatlong taon para malagpasan ang mga panahon ng matinding stress. “Ako'y sasaiyo, huwag kang matakot, ako ang iyong Diyos, hindi ka dapat mangamba. Palalakasin kita at tutulungan, iingatan at ililigtas.” Napakaraming beses ko nang nilabanan ang anxiety gamit ang pangakong ito, na kapag naka naka-neutral ang makina ng aking isipan, ang tunog nito'y ang huni ng Isaiah 41:10. Devotional excerpted from Future Grace, pages 59–60 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-will-supply-all-your-needs Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Mga Kaaway at Pananampalatayana Binigay ng Diyos Pagsikapan ninyong mamuhay nang nararapat ayon sa Magandang Balita ni Cristo . . . Huwag kayong matakot sa inyong mga kaaway . . . Dahil ipinagkaloob niya sa inyo, hindi lamang ang manalig sa kanya, kundi ang magtiis din naman alang-alang kay Cristo. (Filipos 1:27-29, MBBTAG) Sinabi ni Pablo sa mga taga-Filipos na ang pamumuhay nang nararapat ayon sa ebanghelyo ni Cristo ay nangangahulugan ng kawalan ng takot sa harap ng mga kaaway. Pagkatapos ay ibinigay niya ang lohika ng kawalan ng takot na ito. Ito ang lohika nito: Binigyan ka ng Diyos ng dalawang regalo, hindi lang isa — ang pananampalataya at pagtitiis. Iyan ang sinasabi sa talata 29: “Dahil ipinagkaloob niya sa inyo, hindi lamang ang manalig sa kanya, kundi ang magtiis din naman alang-alang kay Cristo.” Ipinagkaloob sa iyo na manampalataya, at ipinagkaloob sa iyo na magtiis. Ito ang ibig sabihin sa kontekstong ito: Ang iyong pananampalataya sa harap ng pagtitiis, at ang iyong pagtitiis, ay parehong kaloob ng Diyos. Nang sinabi ni Pablo na huwag silang matakot sa kanilang mga kaaway, may dalawang dahilan sa kanyang isipan kung bakit hindi nila kailangang matakot: Ang isang dahilan ay ang kaaway nila'y nasa kamay ng Diyos. Ang kanilang pagsalungat ay kaloob ng Diyos. Pinamamahalaan Niya ito. Yan ang unang punto ng talata 29. At ang isa pang dahilan para di matakot ay dahil ang kanilang kawalan ng takot, ibig sabihin, ang kanilang pananampalataya, ay nasa kamay din ng Diyos. Isa rin itong kaloob. Yan ang isa pang punto ng talata 29. Kaya ang lohika ng kawalan ng takot sa harap ng paghihirap ay ang dobleng katotohanang ito: Ang iyong paghihirap at ang iyong pananampalataya sa harap ng paghihirap ay parehong regalo ng Diyos. Bakit tinatawag itong pamumuhay na “nararapat ayon Magandang Balita ni Cristo”? Dahil ang ebanghelyo ang magandang balita na ang dugo ng covenant ni Cristo ay walang kamali-maling nakamit, para sa lahat ng Kanyang mga anak, ang dakilang gawain ng Diyos na bigyan tayo ng pananampalataya't pamamahala sa ating mga kaaway — laging para sa ating walang-hanggang kabutihan. Yan ang tiniyak ng ebanghelyo. Kaya naman ang mamuhay sa ganoong paraan ay nagpapakita ng kapangyarihan at kabutihan ng ebanghelyo. Samakatuwid, huwag kang matakot. Hindi maaaring gumawa ang iyong mga kalaban ng higit pa sa ipinagkaloob ng Diyos. At ipagkakaloob Niya ang lahat ng pananampalatayang kailangan mo. Ang mga pangakong ito ay binili ng dugo at tinatakan ng selyo ng Diyos. Ang mga ito ay mga pangako ng ebanghelyo. Devotional excerpted from “The Logic of Fearlessness” This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-given-foes-and-god-given-faith Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

In this sermon "The Pain of the World and the Purposes of God," Pastor John Piper addresses the difficult question of why God allows suffering in the world. He begins by acknowledging that the problem of suffering is a real one, and that it is often difficult to reconcile with our belief in a loving and all-powerful God. Piper then goes on to offer four reasons why God might allow suffering in the world: To display his glory. Piper argues that the suffering of the world is a parable of the horrors of sin. It shows us how evil sin is, and how much we need to be saved from it. To conform us to the image of Christ. Piper teaches that suffering can help us to become more like Christ, who suffered and died for our sins. When we suffer, we learn to rely on God, to forgive others, and to love our enemies. To provide opportunities for compassion and service. Piper argues that suffering can create opportunities for us to show compassion and mercy to others. When we suffer, we are more likely to empathize with those who are suffering, and we are more likely to be moved to help them. To prepare us for eternal glory. Piper reminds us that this life is temporary, and that suffering will one day be abolished. When we suffer in this life, we are storing up treasures for the afterlife, where we will experience perfect joy and peace. Piper concludes by acknowledging that the problem of suffering is still a mystery, but that we can trust that God is good and that he is working all things together for our good. In summary, Piper says that God allows suffering in the world to display his glory, to conform us to the image of Christ, to provide opportunities for compassion and service, and to prepare us for eternal glory. Date Preached: April 26, 2015 Passage: Romans 8:18–25  For more information about this sermon, please visit Desiring God Ministries or click here. Copyright Notice: By John Piper. © Desiring God Foundation. Source: desiringGod.org John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For more than thirty years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis. He is author of more than fifty books, and his sermons, articles, books, and more are available free of charge at desiringGod.org. This sermon is being shared in accordance with Desiring God Copyright Policy, which allows for the reproduction and distribution of audio and video messages digitally. We have followed all copyright policies set by Desiring God Ministries to ensure the lawful sharing of this sermon. For any questions or concerns regarding this episode, please feel free to contact us at expositorysermons@gmail.com. Learn more about Desiring God copyright policy here: https://www.desiringgod.org/permissions --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/expositorysermons/support

Kung Bakit May Katawan Ka Sapagkat binili na kayo sa isang halaga. Kaya't gamitin ninyo ang inyong katawan upang maparangalan ang Diyos. (1 Corinto 6:20, MBBTAG) Hindi basta-basta lang nilikha ng Diyos ang pisikal-materyal na sansinukob. May layunin Siya, at ito'y upang dagdagan ang mga paraan kung paano ilalabas at ipapakita ang Kanyang kaluwalhatian. “Ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos ay ipinapahayag ng kalangitan! Ang ginawa ng kanyang kamay, ipinapakita ng kalawakan!” (Awit 19:1). Ang ating katawan ay pasok sa parehong kategorya ng mga pisikal na bagay na nilikha ng Diyos para sa dahilang ito. Hindi Siya aatras sa Kanyang plano na luwalhatiin ang Kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng mga tao at katawan ng tao.  Bakit nagpapakahirap ang Diyos na dumihan ang Kanyang mga kamay para sa ating nabubulok na laman na puno ng bahid ng kasalanan, para gawin itong katawang muling mabubuhay at bihisan ito ng kaluwalhatian at kawalang-kamatayan? Sagot: Dahil binayaran ng Kanyang Anak ang presyo ng kamatayan upang matupad ang layunin ng Ama para sa materyal na sansinukob–na Siya'y luwalhatiin nito, pati sa ating mga katawan, magpakailanman.   Iyan ang sinasabi ng teksto: “Binili na kayo sa isang halaga [ang kamatayan ng Kanyang Anak]. Kaya't gamitin ninyo ang inyong katawan upang maparangalan ang Diyos.” Hindi ipagwawalang-bahala o ikahihiya ng Diyos ang ginawa ng Kanyang Anak. Igagalang ng Diyos ang gawain ng Kanyang Anak sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay muli ng buhay sa ating mga katawan, at gagamitin natin ang ating mga ito upang luwalhatiin Siya magpakailanman.  Ito ang dahilan kung bakit may katawan ka ngayon. At ito ang dahilan kung bakit ito'y bubuhaying muli upang maging katulad ng maluwalhating katawan ni Cristo. Devotional excerpted from Future Grace, page 373 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-you-have-a-body Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Ang Leon at ang Kordero “Narito ang lingkod ko na aking hinirang, ang aking minamahal at lubos na kinalulugdan; ibubuhos ko sa kanya ang aking Espiritu, at siya ang magpapahayag ng katarungan sa mga bansa. Hindi siya makikipag-away o maninigaw, ni magtataas ng boses sa mga lansangan, hindi niya babaliin ang tambong marupok, hindi rin niya papatayin ang ilawang umaandap, hanggang katarunga'y hindi nagtatagumpay nang ganap; at ang pag-asa ng mga Hentil, sa kanya ay ilalagak.” (Mateo 12:18-21, pagsipi mula sa Isaiah 42) Ang mismong kaluluwa ng Ama ay nagagalak sa tila isang lingkod na may kaamuhan at kahabagan ng Kanyang Anak.  Kapag ang isang tambo'y nakabaluktot at malapit nang masira, magiliw itong hahawakan nang patayo ng Lingkod hanggang sa ito'y gumaling. Kapag ang mitsa'y aandap-andap at halos wala nang anumang natitirang init, hindi ito pinapatay ng Lingkod, kundi tinatakpan ng kanyang kamay at dahan-dahang hihipan hanggang ito'y muling magliyab.  Kaya pahayag ng Ama, “Narito ang aking Lingkod na kinaluluguran ng Aking kaluluwa!” Ang kahalagahan at kagandahan ng Anak ay di lamang nagmumula sa Kanyang kamahalan, ni sa kanyang kaamuan, kundi sa paraan ng pagsasama-sama ng mga ito sa perpektong proporsyon. Nang sumigaw ang anghel sa Revelation 5:2, ​“Sino ang karapat-dapat na mag-alis sa mga selyo at magbukas sa balumbon?” ang bumalik na sagot ay, “Huwag kang umiyak. Tingnan mo! Ang Leon mula sa lipi ni Juda, ang anak ni David ay nagtagumpay at may karapatang mag-alis sa pitong selyo at magbukas sa kasulatang nakabalumbon” (Revelation 5:5). Mahal ng Diyos ang lakas ng Leon ng Juda. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit karapat-dapat Siya sa mata ng Diyos para buksan ang mga balumbon ng kasaysayan at ilantad ang mga huling araw. Ngunit hindi kumpleto ang larawan. Paano nagtagumpay ang Leon? Inilalarawan ng susunod na talata ang Kanyang anyo: “Nakita ko sa pagitan ng matatandang pinuno at ng tronong napapaligiran ng apat na buháy na nilalang ang isang Korderong nakatayo na ang anyo ay tulad sa pinatay na” (Revelation 5:6). Karapat-dapat si Jesus sa kaluguran ng Ama hindi lamang bilang Leon ng Juda, kundi pati na rin bilang pinatay na Kordero. Ito ang katangi-tanging kaluwalhatian ni Jesu-Cristo, ang nagkatawang-taong Anak ng Diyos  — ang kamangha-manghang pagsasama-sama ng kamahalan at kaamuhan. Devotional excerpted from The Pleasures of God, pages 29–30 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-lion-and-the-lamb Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Maawa Ka sa Akin, O Diyos Maawa ka sa akin, O Diyos, ayon sa iyong tapat na pag-ibig; ayon sa iyong saganang kaawaan ay pawiin mo ang aking mga paglabag. (Awit 51:1, ABTAG2001) Tatlong beses: “Maawa ka,” “ayon sa iyong tapat na pag-ibig,” at “ayon sa iyong saganang kaawaan.” Ito ang ipinangako ng Diyos sa Exodo 34:6–7: “Ang Panginoon, ang Panginoon, isang Diyos na puspos ng kahabagan at mapagpala, hindi magagalitin, at sagana sa wagas na pag-ibig at katapatan, na nag-iingat ng wagas na pag-ibig para sa libu-libo, nagpapatawad ng kasamaan, ng pagsuway, at ng kasalanan, ngunit sa anumang paraan ay hindi ituturing na walang sala ang may sala.” Alam ni David na may mga may kasalanang di patatawarin. At may mga nagkasala na sa pamamagitan ng mahiwagang gawain ng pagtubos ay di mabibilang sa mga makasalanan, kundi patatawarin. Ang Awit 51 ang kanyang paraan ng pag-unawa sa misteryo ng awa na ito. “Maawa ka sa akin, O Diyos, ayon sa iyong tapat na pag-ibig; ayon sa iyong saganang kaawaan ay pawiin mo ang aking mga paglabag.” Mas marami tayong alam sa misteryo ng pagtubos na ito kaysa kay David. Kilala natin si Cristo. Ngunit pinanghahawakan natin ang awang ito sa parehong paraan ng pag-unawa niya.  Ang pagpapasyang ginagawa niya ay bumaling, nang walang ibang magagawa, sa awa at pagmamahal ng Diyos. Ngayon ang ibig sabihin niyan ay pagbaling, nang walang ibang magagawa, kay Cristo, na ang dugo'y sinisigurado ang lahat ng awa na kailangan natin. Devotional excerpted from “A Broken and Contrite Heart God Will Not Despise” This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/have-mercy-on-me-o-god Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Kung Ano ang Ibig Sabihin ng Pagbibigay-Puri sa Panginoon Si Yahweh ay papurihan, O aking kaluluwa! At lahat ng nasa aki'y magsipagpuri sa kanya, purihin mo sa tuwina ang banal na ngalan niya. (Awit 103:1, ABTAG2001) Ang awit ay nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa pangangaral ng salmista sa kanyang kaluluwa na papurihan ang Panginoon — “Si Yahweh ay papurihan, O aking kaluluwa!” — at pangangaral sa mga anghel at sa mga hukbo ng langit at sa mga gawa ng mga kamay ng Diyos na dapat din nilang gawin ito.  O purihin n'yo si Yahweh, kayong mga anghel ng Diyos, kayong mga nakikinig at sa kanya'y sumusunod! Si Yahweh nga ay purihin ng buong sangkalangitan, kayong mga lingkod niyang masunurin kailanman. O purihin ninyo siya, kayong lahat na nilalang, sa lahat ng mga dakong naghahari ang Maykapal; O aking kaluluwa, si Yahweh ay papurihan!(Awit 103:20–22)  Ang awit ay lubos na nakatutok sa pagpupuri sa Panginoon. Ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagbibigay-puri sa Panginoon?  Nangangahulugan ito ng pagbigkas nang mabuti tungkol sa Kanyang kadakilaan at kabutihan — na nagmumula sa kaibuturan ng iyong kaluluwa. Ang ginagawa ni David sa una at huling talata ng awit na ito, nang sabihin niyang, “Si Yahweh ay papurihan, O aking kaluluwa!” ay sabihin na dapat nagmumula sa kaluluwa ang tunay na pagbigkas tungkol sa kabutihan at kadakilaan ng Diyos.  Ang pagpupuri sa Diyos ng bibig pero walang kaluluwa ay pagiging hipokrito. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Iginagalang ako ng bayang ito sa kanilang mga labi, ngunit ang kanilang puso ay malayo sa akin” (Mateo 15:8). Alam ni David ang panganib na ito, at nangangaral siya sa kanyang sarili. Sinasabi niya sa kanyang kaluluwa na huwag hayaang mangyari ito.  “Halika, kaluluwa ko, tingnan mo ang kadakilaan at kabutihan ng Diyos. Sumama sa aking bibig, at purihin natin ang Panginoon ng ating buong pagkatao. Aking kaluluwa, hindi tayo magiging mapagkunwari!" Devotional excerpted from “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-it-means-to-bless-the-lord Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Ang Mensahe ng Sangkalikasan Sila'y nagmamarunong ngunit lumitaw na sila'y mga hangal. Tinalikuran nila ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos na walang kamatayan, at ang sinamba nila'y mga larawan ng mga taong may kamatayan, ng mga ibon, ng mga hayop na lumalakad, at ng mga hayop na gumagapang. (Roma 1:22-23, MBBTAG) Isang malaking kalokohan at trahedya kung mas mahal ng isang lalaki ang kanyang wedding ring kaysa sa kanyang mapapangasawa. Ngunit iyan ang sinasabing nangyari ng talatang ito. Umibig ang mga tao sa alingawngaw ng kahusayan sa paglikha ng Diyos, at nawalan ito ng kakayahang marinig ang walang kapantay at orihinal na sigaw ng pag-ibig at kapangyarihan at kaluwalhatian. Ang mensahe ng sangkalikasan ay ito:  May dakilang Diyos ng kaluwalhatian at kapangyarihan at kabutihang-loob sa likod ng lahat ng kahanga-hangang sandaigdig na ito; pag-aari ka Niya dahil Siya ang lumikha sa iyo. Siya ay matiyaga sa iyo; sinusuportahan Niya ang iyong buhay kahit ikaw ay rebelde sa Diyos. Bumaling at umasa at malugod sa Kanya, hindi lamang sa Kanyang mga nilikha. Ayon sa Awit 19:1–2, sa araw ay walang humpay ang “pahayag” sa mensaheng iyon sa lahat ng makikinig dito–nagsasalita ito nang may nakabubulag na liwanag ng araw at asul na langit at mga ulap at di-mabilang na mga hugis at kulay at magagandang disenyo ng lahat ng bagay na nakikita. Sa gabi rin ay walang humpay ang “kaalaman” sa parehong mensahe sa lahat ng makikinig dito–nagsasalita ito nang may malalim na kadiliman at mga buwan ng tag-araw at di-mabilang na mga bituin at mga kakaibang tunog at malamig na simoy ng hangin at mga ilaw sa hilaga. Isang bagay ang sinasabi ng araw at gabi: Ang Diyos ay maluwalhati! Ang Diyos ay maluwalhati! Ang Diyos ay maluwalhati! Tumalikod sa sangkalikasan bilang iyong pinakamataas na kasiyahan, at malugod ang sarili sa Panginoon ng kaluwalhatian. Devotional excerpted from The Pleasures of God, pages 85–86 This article was translated by Joshene Bersales and was originally written by John Piper of Desiring God. To read the original version, click https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-message-of-creation Joshene Bersales considers Joshua her Bible hero, and strives to have faith that can make the sun stand still. She graduated with an AB Literature (English) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She is a writer, editor, and translator. Joshene loves theater, traveling, and tea. You can find her on IG (@joshenebersales) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/joshenebersales/). John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Providence.

Today, we're pleased to share with you John Piper's "seashell" sermon that he gave on May 20, 2000. John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including 'Don't Waste Your Life'. Originally published on DesiringGod.org. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, John Piper reflects on his last 23 years of ministry starting with him giving his "seashells" sermon back in 2000. John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including 'Don't Waste Your Life'. Read the full transcript of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

This discussion with the pastor of New Braunfels Bible Church in Texas, Phil Congdon, will help you understand the theology of John Piper. Piper is pastor emeritus of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, and a popular and prolific writer and speaker. He has influenced many with his views that come from a Calvinistic theology. But is that good? Piper's views on assurance of salvation can be confusing, and when understood, crippling to the conscientious Christian. Phil has read Piper extensively, analytically, and critically, and you will benefit from his insights. Phil is the author of The Church in the World: Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, a Commentary. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+church+in+the+world+congdon&crid=LV5XZV16J1MB&sprefix=the+church+in+the+world+congdon%2Caps%2C141&ref=nb_sb_noss He has also contributed to Living by Grace. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=living+by+grace+bing+congdon&crid=30HR00IMTI50A&sprefix=living+by+grace+bing+congdon%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_noss You can hear Phil's sermons on the church web site NewBraunfelsBible.org and contact Phil at PhilCongdon@NewBraunfelsBible.org. Be sure to share this podcast and give a good rating so more will hear.

CRAMER, Norma Rogers, 90 of Henrico, passed away May 11, 2023. She is the widow of Herbert L Cramer. She was preceded in death by her parents Singleton and Betty Rogers and sister Betty R. Jennings. She is survived by her daughter Karen Cramer Mead and her husband Tim; son, George Gregory Cramer; two grandsons, Nathan and Ryan Mead; brother, Albert R. Rogers, sisters June R. Nunn, Shirley R. Clift and many loving family and friends. She retired from Verizon after 42 years of service. She was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4210 Penick Rd. Henrico, Va. 23228....Article LinkSupport the show

Pastor John Piper joins the podcast to share a hopeful vision for the second coming of Jesus. Hear how anticipating the return of Christ can help people who are suffering with hardship and disability today, plus the importance of cultivating a deep love for the Savior as we await his return.John Piper serves as founder and teacher at Desiring God and is chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. For 33 years, Piper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He has authored more than 50 books, and more than 30 years of his preaching and writing are available at DesiringGod.org.KEY QUESTIONS:What will happen when Christ returns?How can anticipation of Christ's return provide help and hope when you're suffering?How can you cultivate a deeper affection for the Lord while longing for his return?  KEY SCRIPTURES:1 Thessalonians 41 Corinthians 15Matthew 13:43Luke 12:372 Timothy 4:8Galatians 2:20  Read more in Pastor John Piper's book Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ.As you listen, send the podcast team a message with your comments and questions.  ----Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast  and daily devotional.Follow Joni and Friends on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.Your support  makes this podcast possible!Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by  Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, and offer disability ministry training.

On this weeks episode, Jon tells about his run in at the Y and his experience at the anniversary of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Peachtree City. It is the oldest African American church in the city and is so full of history. Next the guys talk about our US military shooting down….. hobby balloons? It's finally time for the first Movie of the Month review! My Cousin Vinny gets reviewed and the movie for next month is revealed! A bit of an off-the-wall choice for This Week in History involving a baby being held for ransom. And of course The Meme of the Week! Check out the show on Facebook or you can email the guys at chuckandjon@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, John Piper answers tough questions surrounding the second coming and points out that the most important question is the one we are not asking. John Piper is the founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including his newest book from Crossway Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ. Read the full transcript of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

What's up Nightshifters! This weeks episode starts out with Jon giving an update on his triathlon preparation and we get a long awaited update on the new car from the Oxenford Racing team. The #2 is moving up to Hobby class! Go Young Charlie! They address the recent news about President Carter and the local Bethlehem Baptist Church. Then the guys have a blast talking about some stolen monkeys from a Dallas zoo but they fear the worst for the ones stolen in Louisiana… check out the meme of the week on our Facebook page and don't forget to watch the movie of the month! My Cousin Vinny! Thanks for tuning in Nightshifters! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Miming The Message with Pastor Joe Hill  DTB The art form of Gospel Mime is a unique praise and worship practice within the African American Church community that combines popular gospel music with the theatrical medium of miming. One of the most recent forms of praise song and dance to emerge in Black congregations nation-wide, Gospel Mime was formally introduced into worship services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the early 1990s. Whereas traditional gospel performances are structured around live vocal and instrumental performances, Gospel Mime blends non-verbal communication with pre-recorded gospel music. As a ministry, Gospel Mime expands the line of liturgical song and dance, which has been an important part of Black Christian worship services since the 1970s, and has sparked debate about the role of dance and the body in worship practices. This thesis seeks to historicize Black gospel performance within the framework of an African American music continuum in order to locate Gospel Mime as a nationally mediated and popularized circuit of Black expressive culture that produces meaning—both celebrated and contested—about race, religion, and gender. By investigating the history, social meanings, and embodied practices of Gospel Mime as an innovative outlet for creative spiritual expression rooted in traditional gospel practice, this thesis analyzes Gospel Mime as a set of aesthetic values and practices that articulate African American identities through sound and gesture. Based on research conducted during 2015 and 2016 with Bethlehem Baptist Church, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, along with a self-identified “rogue” Gospel Mime who no longer performs in the church, this thesis serves to investigate two contrasting styles, or paradigms, of Gospel Mime: the mainstream style of anointed ministry, as it is understood and popularized within the Black church, and an alternative style that reinterprets the practice and actively acknowledges mainstream Gospel Mime as patriarchal and monolithic. By examining the performative and pedagogical ways in which the art form of Gospel Mime reappropriates entertainment outside of the African American music continuum and infuses it with innovative religious and spiritual expression, this thesis serves to highlight the social significance of Gospel Mime in the Black community. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrZriCc01bnp0Amb2gXDtQ/join Ask your bible question https://www.quora.com/profile/Anthony-Wilson-973/Subscribe  https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyWilson73Promote your channel https://veefly.com?referrer=101982   Hi to everyone out there welcome to my YouTube channel I'm your host Anthony Wilson. I'm a father, husband, author, preacher and teacher of God's word. I love reaching out and connecting with people of all backgrounds. I also love to study God's word. Please join me every week for in-depth studies on various bible subjects and engaging conversation with different guest. My goal is to equip the saints, reach the lost and serve the least. Links Support https://anchor.fm/anthony-wilson/supportcash.app/$awilson2273 linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-wilson-85233176/Website https://thelovethynayborpodcastnetwork.wordpress.com/Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-love-thy-nay-bor-podcast-network/id1331809750Quora https://www.quora.com/profile/Anthony-Wilson-973/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anthony-wilson/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/anthony-wilson/support

"O say does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" These lines, written by Francis Scott Key (1779–1843) were not penned in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War and its elation. Nor in the euphoria of the late 1940s and early 50s, when Americans felt they had saved the world from the Axis powers. Key's poem hails not from one of American's high times, but one of its lowest. The star-spangled banner he saw was not a symbol of American dominance, but of mere survival in a dark moment.It was written in the midst of a war that Americans don't talk much about: “Mr Madison's War” of 1812. The President and Congress responded to Great Britain's mistreatment of American ships and sailors on the high seas by making a landgrab at Canada. It wasn't pretty. In the end, it was humiliating.In August of 1814, the British sacked and burned the nation's new capital named Washington City, including the White House the U.S. Capitol. But at that point, Washington had only been the capital for 14 years. The real prize for the British would be Baltimore, just 40 miles away.The Battle of Baltimore came two weeks later on September 12–15, 1814. America was weak and vulnerable, on the defensive. Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry, anticipating another devastating loss for America. But “through the night” by the light of “the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” he saw the banner still flying. Not as a symbol of American dominance and strut, but mere survival under threat. The flag still waving was a sign that hope was not forsaken. The fort, and its weak nation, despite the odds, still endured as long as the banner yet waved.Shock, Devastation, FearSo too Psalm 60 mentions a banner, as a sign of survival, and a place to fall back and flee in devastation, when the invading army is advancing and routing the front lines. As the tides of defeat rise around them, surviving soldiers turn to look for the banner, a place to return and regroup, to escape and fight another day. While the banner still flies, hope remains, even as the odds mount.Psalm 60 is the seventh and final psalm in the sequence of 54–60 which mention seven specific enemies of David. What a catalogue of foes we've seen: “relatives from his own tribe, a closest friend, neighboring Philistines, King Saul, rulers of the land, murderous henchmen, [and now] enemies from distant lands” (O. Palmer Robertson, The Flow of the Psalms, 110-111; see Psalm 54:7; 55:12; 56:2, 9; 57:3–4; 58:1ff; 59:1, 10; 60:3, 11–12). In each psalm, David is under threat from enemies. Yet each ends with a note of David's confidence in God.We learn the particular context of Psalm 60 in the superscript: “When [David] strove with Aram-Naharaim and Aram-Zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.” Aram was the region to the north and east of Israel in David's day, sometimes called Aramea; you may have heard of the ancient language Aramaic, which Jesus would have spoken a thousand years after David. Later, this region became Syria.Interestingly enough, this conflict may have started, like the War of 1812, with a landgrab. Along with 2 Samual 8, we find some background in 1 Chronicles 18, where verse 3 says, in summarizing David's victories, “David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument at the river Euphrates.” It may have been that David heard that Aram had its back turned, and David tried to catch them off guard.Meanwhile, while the Israelite army went north to Aram, the nation of Edom, to the south, invaded Israel. That's the reference in the superscript about Joab, leader of David's army, “on his return” striking down “twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.”David's Spiritual DynamicIf we only knew the broad brushstrokes of 1 Chronicles 18 (and 2 Samuel 8), with its refrain “the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went” (verses 6, 13). We might assume that David just rolled from victory to victory. But Psalm 60 gives us a remarkable window into the fears and uncertainties of that moment, and into the spiritual dynamic that eventually led to victory after victory, but not without painful setbacks and fears and distresses along the way.Psalm 60 comes in the dark moment when David has been caught off guard by Edom, and has suffered an unnerving, even devastating, first wave of losses. David and the nation are undone. In their shock and embarrassment and fear, they feel rejected by God. As we'll see in verses 1–3, they are anxious, in some measure, of God's abandonment. Was he not supposed to protect them? And yet, in this psalm, in this painful defeat, David sees the banner still flying. Hope is not lost yet. He falls back to the banner.For InstructionOne last note about the superscript: I love that it says “for instruction.” Psalm 60 not only captures a moment in history, when David finds himself in the tension between present darkness (vv. 1-3) and the light of God's promises (vv. 6-8). It's not only David's expression of self-humbling in that moment, and rehearsing of God's word in that moment, and a fresh plea to God for help in that moment. What's implicit in all the Psalms is explicit here: “for instruction.” That is, for teaching God's people, in David's day, and in every generation since, including ours, the spiritual dynamic of fleeing to God in our devastations. So, let us learn!What timeless lessons, then, might we draw as instruction for our times of devastation from Psalm 60?1) Hope begins with the sovereignty of God.Whatever the devastation — cancer diagnosis, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, disease, depression — hope does not begin by pretending that God didn't see it coming or couldn't have stopped it. A God so small that he couldn't have prevented it will be no real help and comfort in it.David does not begin with a few exercises in shrinking God, or trying to get him off the hook. Rather, from the get-go, he owns God's absolutely sovereignty over the defeat of Israel's army, and in doing so, he acknowledges a God big enough to actually pray to for help. Look at verses 1–3: "O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;you have been angry; oh, restore us.You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;repair its breaches, for it totters.You have made your people see hard things;you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger." Acknowledging God's sovereignty does not make David and Israel cavalier. They feel rejected. They feel confused, disoriented, made to stagger. Not only is this humiliating, but now they are pierced with fear. Will Edom win the next battle? Will Edom march on Jerusalem? Will Edom overthrow the nation? Has God rejected his people?David begins with “O God” and then says “you” six times. And he does it, not with his finger pointed to heaven in accusation, but with his hands spread, prostrate on his knees. O God, you, you, you, you, you, you. He is humbled, not arrogant.God not only rules over the greatest triumphs of his people, but also their greatest losses. The devastations of his beloved are by his allowance, but not toward the end of destruction but in service of his good purposes. We might talk of an asymmetry in his sovereignty over the good and bad. He stands directly behind the good, as it were, and indirectly over the evil. The good reflects his character, but he is no less sovereign over devastation. But for his people, for David, for us in Christ, any felt-sense of rejection from God is never the final word for his people.So even as David casts this military defeat as quaking earth and a cup of staggering, even as he counts it as if God has rejected the nation (not actually rejection, but it feels like that in the moment), David does not come at God in cynicism but humbles himself.So, #1, in our devastation, hope begins with the sovereignty of God.2) Our God gives us a banner to flee to.As Francis Scott Key saw the banner flying, and knew there was still hope, so too, in the devastating news, David sees a banner still flying.Verses 4–5: “You have set up a banner for those who fear you,that they may flee to it from the bow. SelahThat your beloved ones may be delivered,give salvation by your right hand and answer us!” So, all hope is not lost. But what is this banner David sees? Where does he flee? It's not a star-spangled banner. It's not cloth waving in the breeze at the top of a pole.In one sense, the banner is God himself, as we'll see, but more specifically here, it is something that he has “set up.” One way to say it would be that the banner is prayer. God has set up a banner for his people, in his covenant, with his open ear. He hears our prayers. In our devastation, he inclines his ear. So, then, this very psalm is David's running to the banner. It is, “a hand upon the throne of the Lord” (Exodus 17:15–16), petitioning him for help. In particular, the culminating plea to God comes in verses 9–12. But before we get there, we have an even more specific answer still as to what this banner is. Verse 6 is the hinge of the psalm. Verses 1–3: devastation. Verses 4–5: hope, there is a banner. Verses 6–8: specificity: “God has spoken.” The word of God is the turning point in the psalm. “God has spoken” changes everything. Brothers and sisters, this is so precious and practical. He has spoken. His oath, his covenant, his blood-bought promises support us in the whelming flood. He has spoken. Do you flee to banner? In your devastations, in your fears, in your disappointments, in your anxieties, do you fly to the banner of what God has spoken? Not a visual banner, star-spangled over Fort McHenry, but the audible banner of God's own words to us. Not an image-banner, but a word-banner. Do you ask, in your devastation, in your fears, what does God have to say? That God has spoken changed everything for David, and that God has spoken will change everything for us.Cities Church, very practically, the Bible is no ordinary book. This is the very words of God to us his people, — a record of his words to his people in the past, and the treasury of his words to us in this age — not dead words, but living and active by the power of God himself in his Spirit. How well do you know this Book? How well do you know this treasure chest of holy balms and tonics, not just applicable to our devastations, but designed especially for them? Do you come here, when the arrows come your way? Do you fall back first to God's banner, or flee elsewhere?God has spoken — and not casually but “in his holiness,” that is, with the full force of divine authority and power. And in the last part of verse 6, “with exultation.” He not only speaks promises good as gold, but rejoices to say them for us. He will not change his mind. Fly to the banner.3) God's action is decisive; our action matters.Now, there are glorious exceptions. Our action is not always required. In fact, there are moments when we dare not act, except to watch in faith. Like we saw a couple years ago in Exodus 14:13–14, just before God parted the sea: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. . . . The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Or, as we saw earlier this summer, Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Or as we saw this spring in Galatians 2:16: “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” Now, we might say that David does have his moment of being still and knowing that God is God, when he rehearses God's promises and bows in prayer. But then David doesn't stand by passively. There's another battle to fight. He sends Joab. He sends Abishai. The psalm ends in verses 9–12 with a prayer that leads to action, and a burst of confidence. When David asks “Who?” in verse 9, he knows exactly who. He has rehearsed God's word. Now he asks, “Who will bring me to the fortified city?Who will lead me to Edom?Have you not rejected us, O God?You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.Oh, grant us help against the foe,for vain is the salvation of man!With God we shall do valiantly;it is he who will tread down our foes.” Vain is the salvation of man. In other words, we dare not go forth in our own strength. We dare not try to effect our own salvation. To do so is to live like the lost, to be like Edom.But, verse 12 says, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.” Notice that we-he: we shall do. And he will tread. We act, in faith, but God's action is decisive. And our acting will be in vain, unless he acts.The decisiveness of God's action does not make us passive, nor do we dare act in our own strength. But word-informed, prayer-requested, faith-inspired action works here, in David, and in God's people, replacing fear, valiancy. That is, the courage needed for war. War demands the training of two kinds of strength: bodily strength and emotional strength, a determined, undeterred spirit or soul. We call it valor, or bravery, or courage; the heart of a lion (2 Samuel 17:10). And this is precisely what Balaam prophesied, hundreds of years before David, about Israel defeating Edom in Numbers 24: Edom shall be dispossessed;Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.Israel is doing valiantly. (verse 18; also 1 Samuel 14:47–48) So, though quaking and staggering, David and the nation will put to rest their fears. How? Now that we have some key pieces on the table, let's trace the spiritual dynamic: in our devastation, fleeing to God means acknowledging his sovereignty, flying to the banner of his word, and trusting his words, and then turning to him in prayer and asking for help. This is very basic, and powerful, and this is our life.This is what God made us for: turn to him, come to him, listen to him, trust him, ask him for help, and act in faith. This is the dynamic of the Christian life, individually and corporately, again and again. This is what we do every Sunday in worship, and this is the pattern for our days. Let every fear and threat turn you to God, to hear him, trust him, ask him for help, and act in reliance on him.But we have one final lesson that's at the very bottom and center of the spiritual dynamic.(4) God protects his own without fretting or breaking a sweat.The raging of his people's enemies is child's play to our God. The heart of Psalm 60, and this is the main lesson, is the bigness and calmness and power of our God in verses 6–8. It's this vision of God, through his word, which then leads to David's confidence in verse 9–12. But God's majesty and composure comes first. So, let's finish with verses 6–8: “God has spoken in his holiness:‘With exultation I will divide up Shechemand portion out the Vale of Succoth.Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;Ephraim is my helmet;Judah is my scepter.Moab is my washbasin;upon Edom I cast my shoe;over Philistia I shout in triumph.'it is he who will tread down our foes.” Verses 6–7 mention parts of the land God has promised his people, going back to Jacob. Shechem (in Canaan) and Succoth (across the Jordan) were the first places Jacob settled when he returned from Aram, of all places (Genesis 33:17ff). So too Gilead is across the Jordan. Manasseh spans the Jordan. And Ephraim and Judah (north and south) compromise the heart of the promised land. The effect of rehearsing God's claim on these lands in verses 6–7 is it reminds David, in his time of need, of God's unbreakable commitment to Israel, and that he would not let Edom take his lands.In fact, now in a reversal, God calls the neighboring lands his. That's verse 8, the culminating verse showing God's bigness and strength and power. Fret as David may over Edom, Edom does not make God sweat. He will wash his feet in Moab. And he will fling his shoe on Edom like it's just a shoe rack in the corner. And by the way, Philistia will be his too. This vision of God in his power, without fretting, without sweating, calmly bringing his people's foes into submission, with his feet resting on their backs is the heart of what moves David, and the nation, from fear to faith.God Threw His Shoe on EdomForty years ago this fall, our mother church Bethlehem Baptist was worried about this massive stadium that had come to downtown, just across the street. Tens of thousands of Vikings fan would be descending on that corner of downtown, on Sunday mornings, before noon games, and little Bethlehem across the street wondered, Are we doomed? Will the hordes streaming in overrun us and send us fleeing elsewhere for a place to worship?On Sunday, September 12, 1982, they came. And two days later, on September 14 — so exactly forty years ago this week — pastor John Piper quoted Psalm 60:8 and wrote this: “Picture Edom in rebellion against Yahweh and his people. Picture them mustering thousands and thousands of warriors. Picture the iron chariots, the war horses snorting and stamping, the bulging muscles and bronze skin of the mighty men, the razor sharp swords, the awful pointed spears, the shields flashing in the sun, the unflinching countenance of seasoned soldiers. . . . Fearful, dreadful, fierce and powerful. When God sees them coming he sits down. . . . God sits down to wash his feet! And then, as one would flick a fly, he tosses his shoe on Edom. And 18,000 soldiers fall. God never even looked; he scarcely heard the noise. The world sits stunned at the victory; God sits with his feet in the water. God is never ruffled. He never jerks. When attacked from behind, he is never startled. At just the right moment he tosses his shoe and all the enemies are crushed. He does not honor them with any nervous preparation. He has set his own schedule for the day and he will accomplish all his purpose. The enemy may try to interrupt, but will not be able to cause the slightest pause in the washing of his feet.” Cities Church, this is our God. He never frets about our enemies. He never sweats over our foes. Not because he doesn't care. Oh does he care! But because he is God! Psalm 2 says, “The nations rage and the peoples plot,” “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Christ . . .” And: “He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:1–4). “All the nations are as nothing before him,” says Isaiah 40:17, “they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.” Never ruffled. Never jerks. Never startled. No nervous preparation. “At just the right moment he tosses his shoe and all the enemies are crushed.” Derek Kidner says about verses 6–8: “It is as though, at the height of a children's quarrel, which has come to blows, there could be heard the firm tread and cheerful voice of the father. . . . Like a colossus, God dominates the scene[of verses 6–8]: it is no longer a matter of rivals fighting for possession, but of the lord of the manor parcelling out his lands and employments exactly as it suits him” (Psalms 1–72, 217). Here's how Piper closed his letter to Bethlehem back in September of 1982, “Last Sunday the Vikings drew their crowd. And we survived. We not only survived; Sunday School attendance shot beyond last fall. . . .The dome is dead as a threat to Bethlehem Baptist Church. We saw the hordes coming. But we waited for God, and he threw his shoe upon Edom. He was never nervous. He never wrung his hands. He had no plan B. And now? Let us dream. We will be at 13th Ave. and 8th Street in ten years. The dome is dead as a threat. It is as harmless as a big strapped marshmallow.” Which brings us to the Table.Staggering to ClarityIn Christ, we now know so much more than David, about this God, and his salvation, as we come to God's banner, the place where we flee in danger. And the banner of God's word tells of the banner of the cross to which we fly in our sin. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1–2). In Psalm 60, verse 3, David said, about God's will in allowing Israel's first loss to Edom, “you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.” But here at this Table, Christ gives us wine to drink that sobers us and brings clarifying reminders of his word and makes us rejoice. At the Table, in Christ, our God reminds his people who feel rejected that they are are his beloved.

Andy Naselli • Selected Scriptures • “Let go and let God” theology may sound appealing, but this popular approach to sanctification is both deeply unbiblical and extremely harmful. This seminar will explore the roots of Higher Life theology and the dangers of its application. Andy Naselli is associate professor of systematic theology and New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis and one of the pastors of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He further serves as a guest lecturer for the DMin program at The Master’s Seminary. Andy and his wife, Jenni, have four girls.

Andy Naselli • Selected Scriptures • “Let go and let God” theology may sound appealing, but this popular approach to sanctification is both deeply unbiblical and extremely harmful. This seminar will explore the roots of Higher Life theology and the dangers of its application. Andy Naselli is associate professor of systematic theology and New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis and one of the pastors of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He further serves as a guest lecturer for the DMin program at The Master’s Seminary. Andy and his wife, Jenni, have four girls. • Sundays in July

"Bible memory is NOT in the Bible" admits John Piper in one of his sermons, and yet Piper is known for preaching entire books of the Bible from memory. Learn the 6 specific reasons John Piper gives for why Scripture memory is important. Dr. John Piper is an American pastor and theologian who spent 33 years teaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church and has written multiple best-selling books. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential evangelical scholars of this century and has spoken repeatedly from the pulpit about the benefits of memorizing the Bible. Resources from this Episode Resources from Desiring God (John Piper's ministry):     ▶ Piper recites 1 Peter: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/john-piper-recites-1-peter-from-memory    ▶ Advice for Better Bible Memory: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/advice-for-better-bible-memory Are you inspired to memorize more of the Bible?    ▶ My Recommended Resources: https://www.biblememorygoal.com/resources/    ▶ Join me here: https://www.biblememorygoal.com/join/ Help Support Bible Memory! If you enjoy this podcast and have been encouraged to memorize more of the Bible as a result, would you consider supporting what we're doing here? There are three ways you can do that: Leave a review: Even a one-sentence review on your podcast player of choice is amazing! Wear the gear! Share your passion for the Bible with shirts and stickers from the Bible Memory Goal store. Become a patron: It is only through the support of patrons like you that we are able to continue running this podcast and the free online community. Thank you!

What is the Culture War? Should Christians engage in it or shy away from it? Will taking a stand in the culture hurt our witness? I discuss this topic with my guest, Abigail Dodds. Abigail Dodds, a graduate of Bethlehem College & Seminary, is a wife, mother of five children, and member at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota. She is the author of (A)Typical Woman and Bread of Life: Savoring the All-Satisfying Goodness of Jesus through the Art of Bread Making. She regularly contributes at Desiring God and World Opinions. Subscribe to my new YouTube Channel!

Rev. Dr. Michael Evans, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Mansfield, TX and Mayor of Mansfield shares 5 Good Thoughts on Political Discourse.

This morning, Saint Christopher's was pleased to welcome the The Rev'd Eric Tarver. Pastor Tarver is the preacher and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Beeville, Texas. His Sermon today was about the role and the cost of worship our Blessed Lord. We were also happy to welcome the members of the Bethlehem Baptist Church Choir to sing in our Liturgy. Pastor Tarver's text was the beginning of the 12th Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John.

Join in conversation with Pastor Paula Alexander and her husband Deacon Harolton Alexander from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Holyoke, MA. They share with us what it means to serve as a couple as co-laborers in Kingdom building. They also challenge us to think broadly about seeing God at work on short-term mission trips through lived experiences, listening, learning, and the willingness to see Jesus in broader lenses.

In this week's episode of The About Her Podcast, I chat with Abigail Dodds about Feminism and the Transgender Movement. Abigail and I address a number of questions in this episode including the following: (1) Is it sinful or wrong to consider oneself a Feminist? (2) Has the Feminist Movement advanced in recent years and if so, how? (3) How do we rightly or biblically empower women, especially on issues where women are being mistreated or misrepresented? In addition to these questions, we also discuss two events/articles that made their way into the public eye this past week. First, USA Today's publication of an article identifying Dr. or Admiral Rachel Levine as “one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year.” USA Today considers this award, “A recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact” (USA Today). Second, the NCAA's recognition of Penn State Swimmer Lia Thomas as "the first transgender woman to win an NCAA championship" (The Washington Post). Abigail Dodds is a Wife to Tom and a mom to five great kids. She is a Regular Contributor at Desiring God and the author of '(A)Typical Woman.' She also writes frequently for her own blog hopeandstay.com and is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Twin Cities where her husband, Tom, serves as an elder. In her free time, Abigail is a baking enthusiast, gardener, and, as she says, a mediocre knitter, but I'm sure she is wonderful at knitting too. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theaboutherpodcast/support

Welcome to Bethlehem Baptist Church! We'll be looking at Genesis 12:4-9 this morning. If you're new to BBC, we are going verse by verse every week through the entire book of Genesis! Check out our Youtube channel for the entire series.

Join the team as they chat with Sally Michael about her life's work in Children's ministry, and her new book ‘More than a Story'. Be inspired by her tears, and her passion, about Gods word being used in churches and homes with families and children. Dare to open her book, and rest easy knowing that ‘God will do what He says He will do.'People: Ed Drew - Director of Faith in KidsAmy Smith - Writer for Faith in KidsSally Michael -  is a co-founder of Truth:78 and has authored curricula and books that are all marked by a passion for developing God-centred resources for the spiritual development of children. For 16 years, Sally served as minister for children at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, under the leadership of John Piper and her husband, David. Sally and David live in Indianapolis where they continue to spread passion for the discipleship of the next generations through the ministry of Truth78. They enjoy spending time with their daughter Kristi, daughter Amy and her husband Gary, and three grandchildren.Books:More than a Story: Old Testament by Sally MichaelMore than a Story: New Testament by Sally MichaelThe Disciple-Making Parent by Chap BettisGospel-Powered Parenting by William FarleyIf you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with us at podcast@faithinkids.org. We won't read out your emails on the podcast if you don't want us to, but we'd love to hear your stories and feedback.  We would love to speak to some families or share your stories on social media, be brave and get in touch!Support the show (http://www.faithinkids.org)These podcasts are only possible because of the faithful generosity of our supporters and listeners. Faith in Kids exists because people like you give generously. If you've enjoyed listening, you share our passion for the Gospel to be shared with children and for them to be raised in faith. Will you support us financially? For the cost of a cup of coffee per month, you could enable Faith in Kids to reach more parents, churches, and ultimately, children for Christ. Click here.  (http://Faithinkids.org and select 'donate' or go to Stewardship)Join the Secret Agents academy and take on the mission to find out who Jesus really is. The package includes talks, drama scripts, secret agent challenges and more!What's more its FREE to download from our resources page on our website HERE!Support the show (http://www.faithinkids.org)

On September 11, 2001, Christina and Brian Stanton were blown back into their apartment and knocked unconscious by the impact of the second plane hitting the south World Trade Center tower.Four miles north, the staff of Redeemer Presbyterian Church climbed out a window onto a balcony. From there, they saw both towers collapse. Four hours south, the staff of Capitol Hill Baptist Church could feel the reverberations of the plane slamming into the Pentagon.Half a country away, John Piper looked at the staff of his Bethlehem Baptist Church and told them, “This changes everything.”In these stories of loss, trauma, redemption, and eternal hope, we see that God was, and is, and always will be at work—even in the darkest moments.Resources and references from this episode: "Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace" (Tim Keller's sermon delivered to his congregation of Redeemer Presbyterian Church on September 16, 2001)"A Service of Sorrow, Self-Humbling, and Steady Hope in Our Savior and King, Jesus Christ" (John Piper's sermon response on September 16, 2001)"Terrorism, Justice, and Loving Our Enemies" (article by John Piper on September 12, 2001)"21 Ways to Comfort Those Who Are Suffering" (article by John Piper on September 12, 2001)"Boatlift, An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience" (video documentary on the boat rescue evacuation September 11, 2001)

Jessica Johnson, a visiting scholar in religious studies at the College of William & Mary, talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about her book Biblical Porn: Affect, Labor, and Pastor Mark Driscoll's Evangelical Empire. She also discusses issues of spiritual abuse, hypermasculinity, and Calvinism. In the conversation, she mentions a new podcast on Mars Hill and a Christianity Today article about Bethlehem Baptist Church.  Note: Don't forget to check out our subscribe e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics.

Ep. 50 - Today I discuss an article from Christianity Today titled, Bethlehem Baptist Leaders Clash Over ‘Coddling' and ‘Cancel Culture' Article - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/august-web-only/bethlehem-bcs-minneapolis-resign-meyer-empathy-rigney.html Man Rampant w/ Doug Wilson and Joe Rigney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i9a3Rfd7yI --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spiritualthoughts/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/spiritualthoughts/support

The media glamorizes people making the choice to defer marriage and children in order to focus on other priorities like career. While this is a free country and people absolutely have the right to live their lives how they want, the longer term consequences of this for many is not as well advertised. The proliferation of older singles in the pews is in part a downstream consequence of these decisions. The church should not simply become an underwriter of other people's choices to live life on their own terms. While the church absolutely be adjusting to the new realities of more singles in congregations, it should also make sure the role of individual choice in how people ended up where they are is fully acknowledged. And people should be challenged to make different choices going forward.I also look back at a famous sermon on abuse by Jason Meyer, the successor to superstar evangelical John Piper as senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Blog post on Jason Meyer's sermon: https://themasculinist.com/bethlehem-baptist-churchs-jason-meyer-thinks-kathy-keller-is-a-severe-physical-abuser/Text and video f Jason Meyer's sermon: https://bethlehem.church/sermon/fooled-by-false-leadership/NYT article on deferring marriage:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/us/declining-birthrate-motherhood.html

Brandon Sickling is the new associate pastor of worship at Bethlehem Baptist Church, so we decided to pick his brain a little on how he views worship. We talk through what it means for worship to be seen as a celebration and we get a glimpse into the process Brandon uses in picking out songs for the congregation each week.  "Is this a song that I would want a member of my church to be singing on their deathbed?" Is a question Brandon asks of himself each week. He explains how we internalize a lot of theology through our singing and he wants us to be able to remember these truths not just throughout the week but for years to come. Let's worship God and encourage one another through the truth sung together each Sunday morning. 

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan preaches from Ephesians 3 as the second part of our ROOTED sermons series. In 2014 Cities Church was commissioned out as a new church plant from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Now, in our seventh year, our pastors believe that this is the time—both consciously and practically—that we transition from having been a church planted to becoming a church rooted. One of the most important elements of a church that is rooted is being rooted in love for one another. The cosmic centrality of Jesus is expressed in the radical reality of the church, and that expression is seen and felt and known, when we love one another. Love one another.

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan, opens the "ROOTED" sermon series and explains the importance of this sermon series in the life of our church. In 2014 Cities Church was commissioned out as a new church plant from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Now, in our seventh year, our pastors believe that this is the time—both consciously and practically—that we transition from having been a church planted to becoming a church rooted. The foundation for this, and for all we do as a church, is the reality of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is real and he saves sinners! He is worthy of our worship and our adoration. In this life we have no certainties other than Jesus is real and he saves sinners, that's it. As much as we want to control the script, we ultimately have no guarantees, which is why it is essential that we be rooted in Christ--personally and corporately. God does not owe us anything, but he promises that he will give himself to us. Being rooted in that reality is essential to the Christian life—and essential for our congregation in this next season. We love Jesus and we root our lives in him because he is worthy.