Gaza Baptist Church seized by Palestinian Authority Police

An official with Open Doors International says the only evangelical church in Gaza has been seized by Palestinian Authority police, and the pastor of that Baptist congregation is describing conditions in the violence-riddled area as "the worst situation we ever went through."

Last week Pastor Hanna Massad of Gaza Baptist Church, the only evangelical church in Gaza, reported that Palestinian Authority police of the Fatah party had seized the church as a watch point against terrorists supporting the governing Hamas movement. Massad says police demanded the building key from a guard, who had no key, and then broke in after church leaders refused to supply one.

Al Jenssen is communications director with Open Doors International, a ministry which serves the persecuted Church. He says Gaza Baptist Church is caught in the middle of the fighting between the secular Fatah party and the majority Islamic party, Hamas.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Instantaneous and Insistent Sanctification

By Oswald Chambers

Christian Post Contributor

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 KJV)

When we pray to be sanctified, are we prepared to face the standard of these verses? We take the term sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared for what sanctification will cost? It will cost an intense narrowing of all our interests on earth, and an immense broadening of all our interests in God. Sanctification means intense concentration on God's point of view. It means every power of body, soul and spirit chained and kept for God's purpose only. Are we prepared for God to do in us all that He separated us for? And then after His work is done in us, are we prepared to separate ourselves to God even as Jesus did? "For their sakes I sanctify Myself." The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of sanctification from God's standpoint. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. Are we prepared for what that will cost? It will cost everything that is not of God in us.

Are we prepared to be caught up into the swing of this prayer of the apostle Paul's? Are we prepared to say - "Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace"? Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father. The one and only characteristic of the Holy Ghost in a man is a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, and freedom from everything that is unlike Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit's ministrations in us?

Choosing A Web Name

Inerrancy isn't enough

This is a very thought provoking editorial by Douglas E. Baker that will make you think, and hopefully, pray! I've included a few of his thoughts below. You can read the entire editorial on Baptist Press. Post your comments below about this editorial.

Early church standards indicated an understanding that an individual who professed to be a Christian actually knew and believed certain theological tenants -- so much so that the person actually showed up for meetings of the church. Regular attendance was a result of spiritual knowledge combined with a genuine faith and the belief that a church was more than another social network.

The church of Jesus Christ was established to be a theater for God's glory. Today, however, it is hard to see His glory in churches whose rolls list as "members" chronic no-shows who in reality are unregenerate pagans in urgent need of saving faith. How has the modern church moved so far from being the church of the book of Acts?

Enticed by the business model of Wall Street and the political organization and action of K Street, churches have weakened themselves with widespread adoption of programs void of strong biblical content.

Oprah's and Dr. Phil's thoughts on marriage, parenting and family are so common in some pulpits that they compete with Jesus' words on such matters, edging out what Christ has to say about solving a marital crisis or combating an addiction. Even "conservative" churches seem to employ more worldly teachings than biblical counsel.

Read the entire editorial on Baptist Press.

The Discipline of Dejection

By Oswald Chambers

But we trusted . . . and beside all this, to-day is the third day . . . (Luke 24:21 KJV)

Every fact that the disciples stated was right; but the inferences they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that savours of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If depression and oppression visit me, I am to blame; God is not, nor is anyone else. Dejection springs from one of two sources - I have either satisfied a lust or I have not. Lust means - I must have it at once. Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Who gives the answer. What have I been trusting God would do? And to-day - the immediate present - is the third day, and He has not done it; therefore I imagine I am justified in being dejected and in blaming God. Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off the track. The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected. Dejection is a sign of sickness, and the same thing is true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.

Read the rest of this devotion on The Christian Post.

Krystal Meyers' Song Continues to Soar in NBC

Dove Award-nominated Christian artist Krystal Meyers is excited that her song “Together”, from her latest album, Dying For A Heart, will continue to be used by NBC throughout 2007 for promotional efforts behind their hit drama “Heroes”.

The network now has plans to include the song in several DVD releases of their hit primetime show, which will be available between September and December of 2007. In addition, Meyers' song will remain a feature on NBC’s music website for the rest of the year.

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

Bathtub Test

It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time, and this should help get you started.

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"

DID YOU PASS THE TEST, OR DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE?

North American People Groups NAMB/IMB website launched

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--The presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board and International Mission Board simultaneously hit buttons to launch the new North American People Groups website (www.peoplegroups.info) on Feb.7 during a joint ceremony.

With interim NAMB President Roy Fish in Alpharetta, Ga., and IMB President Jerry Rankin in Richmond, Va., to "throw the switch," the new interactive website - developed and funded jointly by the SBC's two mission boards - now offers a wealth of data to Christian users and the public at large.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

North Korea Tops Persecution Watch List Again

North Korea has once again topped the Open Doors’ “World Watch List”, the annual blacklist of the world’s 50 worst persecutors announced this week by Open Doors USA.

The reclusive communist nation of North Korea tops the list for the fifth year in a row, followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and Maldives. The five worst countries are unchanged from last year's World Watch List. Yemen (No 8 last year), Bhutan (No 6 last year), Vietnam (No 7 last year), Laos (same) and Afghanistan (No 11 last year) hold spots six to 10.

The annual list is compiled on the basis of answers to 50 questions covering various aspects of religious freedom from Open Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and persecuted believers.

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

The Road

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Gideons arrested after school officials complain they were handing out Bibles

Two men who are members of Gideons International, the Christian organization that is famous for, among other ministries, placing Bibles in motels and giving them to children, have been arrested after trying to hand out Bibles on a public sidewalk in Florida, according to a law firm.

Officials with the Alliance Defense Fund have confirmed they will be representing Anthony Mirto and Ernest Simpson, who were arrested, booked into jail and charged with trespassing.

Jeremy Tedesco, one of the ADF's lawyers on the case, confirmed to WND that the organization's clients were on a public sidewalk when they were handing out Bibles and school officials summoned police.

Read more of this story on WorldNetDaily.

Castaway

Our Daily Bread

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: 1 Kings 19:1-10

He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. —Mark 1:35

About this cover

In the film Castaway, Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a clock-conscious Federal Express manager who gets shipwrecked on a desert island. Completely cut off from other people and modern conveniences, he must learn the primitive skills of a caveman. He puts arduous effort into harpooning fish, making fire by rubbing sticks together, and opening a coconut to get its milk and sweet fruit. The movie is rich with insights on how difficult life can become for someone who is stranded in an isolated wilderness.

In the Bible, the wilderness is often the setting for the mighty work of God within the human heart. Jesus made a practice of withdrawing to the wilderness to pray and receive direction (Mark 1:35). In a similar setting, God fed the despondent prophet Elijah with heavenly food (1 Kings 19:1-10), and in the wilderness the Ethiopian pondered the gospel (Acts 8:26-40). After Paul’s conversion, he withdrew to the Arabian Desert and was taught by the Spirit (Gal. 1:15-18).

Do you find yourself in a "wilderness" experience, isolated from friends and family? If so, the Lord may want to teach you lessons of faith and endurance that you could never learn in a busy crowd. —Dennis Fisher

In solitude, on wings of prayer
My soul ascends before the throne;
My only hope of strength is where
My heart and His meet all alone. —Anon.

God is with you in your most barren wilderness.

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Relationships > Relating to God > Devotions/Quiet Time

Forgiving Injustice

This is fascinating and encouraging, please share with your friends.

By Mark Earley

Christian Post Guest Columnist

Tue, Feb. 06 2007 01:54 PM ET

Every now and again, I come across a news story that stops me dead in my tracks. Last week, I came across two such stories about mind-boggling injustice and mind-bending mercy.

The first story concerns Willie “Pete” Williams, an African-American man from Georgia. He served more than two decades in prison for crimes he never committed.

In 1985, Williams was accused of aggravated sodomy, kidnapping, and rape. Despite his claims of innocence, Williams was sentenced to forty-five years. For the next twenty-two years, he slept on hard bunks, ate prison hash, and could only wonder about the life he might have lived on the outside.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Grass Is Greener

Black History Program

I will be one of the speakers for a program on Black History Month on February 20, 2007. The presentation will be held at the Florida Department of Corrections' Reception Medical Center (RMC) in Lake Butler, Florida.

God continues to open some unique doors of opportunity for me to share the Gospel. Please be in prayer for this opportunity.

Thousands Seek Jesus Through Internet Church Campaign

Following the recent Churches Advertising Network (CAN) multimedia campaign, thousands of Jesus’ MySpace friends and acquaintances clicked through to visit “Jesus’ official homepage” at www.rejesus.co.uk.

The hugely popular “Where will you find him?” beer glass campaign saw Jesus gain 2,300 “new friends”, and more than 57,000 people viewed his myspace profile.

Many of these wanted to know more about the famous carpenter from Nazareth, whose myspace site describes him as also “interested in beard care, extreme water skiing and mass catering (parties of 5,000 a speciality)”.

Read more of this article on Christian Today.

Random Ax Of Kindness

Read: 2 Kings 6:1-7
. . . his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, "Alas, master! It was borrowed." (v. 5)

A few years ago "practicing random acts of kindness" was all the rage. People were encouraged to resist the world's hatred and violence by doing small, anonymous good deeds: buying the lunch of someone in line at the fast food place, paying the toll of the car behind you, those sorts of things. Without a doubt, the world can't have too much kindness. But kindness needs to be demonstrated in more than merely random ways.

In one of the strangest stories in the Bible, Elisha's prophetic company is building a meeting place near the Jordan River. One man's ax head flies into the water, leaving him devastated because the tool was borrowed.

Read more of this devotion on The Christian Post.

Colts Punter Signs Christian Record Contract after Super Bowl Win

Hunter Smith, punter for the Indianapolis Colts, just won a Super Bowl this past Sunday in Florida, but has now moved in a new direction - signing a record contract with Christian label INO Records.

The football player’s group, Connersvine, is an acoustic duo consisting of Smith and Chris Wilson, who both lead worship at the Every Nation Church in Indianapolis.

"Winning the Super Bowl has been one of the highlights of my life and career. It is completely humbling that God has allowed me to not only be a part of an amazing football team, but also is giving me the chance to pursue His calling in music," said Smith in Jesus Freak Hideout, a Christian music resource website and ministry. "I feel just as strong of a call to worship leading and ministering through music as I do in football."

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Lake Butler Fire Escape Tonight

I will be speaking during the youth service of First Baptist Church of Lake Butler tonight at 6:30pm. The service is held at the Fire Escape located at 102 SW 11th Street in Lake Butler, Florida. For more info call the church office at (386) 496-3704.

TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC

A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.

Set in the first century AD, the UK-produced Friends and Heroes, is the epic animated tale of two young people - Macky and Portia - whose idealism and friendship leads them across the ancient world."

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

Zee News - Muslims converts face ostracism in France

Zee News - Muslims converts face ostracism in France: "Muslims are converting to Christianity in their thousands in France but face exclusion from their families and even death threats.

Most Muslims hide their conversion and Protestant ministers do their utmost to protect new converts. It is estimated that every year in the world some six million Muslims convert to Christianity.

The Muezzin call to prayer. But here in France it is no longer reaching all Muslim ears.

Around 15,000 Muslims each year are converting to Christianity - around 10,000 to Catholicism and 5,000 to Protestantism. "

Read more of this story on ZeeNews.

Fellowship With God

John 1:1 - 2:6

Through fellowship with God, the Apostle John was changed from a blustering, physical, possibly mean-tempered person who had a very high opinion of himself (Mark 3:17, Luke 9:54, Mark 10:35-37) into the humble, loving, kind, gentle soul who penned the books of John, 1 & 2 John, and Revelation, and came to be known as "the one whom Jesus loved."

Through fellowship with God, the Apostle Paul went from the greatest persecutor of Christians to one of Jesus' greatest warriors, a man filled with humility and with the Spirit of God who wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament (Acts 7:58; 9:1-2 ; 9:20-22 ; Philippians 3:7-14).

Read more of this devotion on The Christian Post.

INDIA: HINDU EXTREMISTS ATTACK PASTORS’ CONFERENCE

Dharam Sena members injure 10 Christians.

NEW DELHI, February 5 (Compass Direct News) – About 25 members of the Hindu extremist group Dharam Sena (Religion Army) attacked a pastors’ conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh state, on Friday (February 2), injuring at least 10 Christians.

The attack took place at about 3:30 p.m. as organizers were preparing the opening session at the Singh Palace banquet hall in Pandri, a sub-district of Raipur.

“When the Dharam Sena barged into the hall, my female manager tried to stop them, but they manhandled her and then proceeded to attack the participants,” Jay Prakash, the Christian owner of Singh Palace, told Compass.

The extremists shouted “Jai Shri Ram! [Hail god Rama]” as they beat the Christians with sticks, verbally insulted them and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus.

Read more of this story on Compass Direct News.

Two More Super Bowl Stories

I think this will be the final two Super Bowl stories for this year. I have posted a great number of stories related to this year's event, because it was so exciting to see Christ receive so much positive media coverage thanks to coaches and players. It also brought about a flurry of stories related to "proper uses" of the game by churches.

Indianapolis Colts' Tony Dungy, at NFL's pinnacle, points still higher to God

MIAMI (BP)--Tony Dungy closed out a soggy night riding the back of his players with his fists clinched, pointing to the sky, after his Indianapolis Colts captured Super Bowl XLI, 29-17, over the Chicago Bears Sunday night in Miami.

Dungy again used his nationally televised platform to give glory to God during the post-game awards ceremony.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

NFL spokesman: Curbs on churches unchanged

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--In an e-mail to Baptist Press Feb. 4, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello emphasized that the NFL had not altered its policy about mass out-of-home viewing of the league's championship game.

"Nothing has changed. We have no issue with churches holding Super Bowl parties under our longstanding guidelines that hundreds of churches adhere to every year," Aiello wrote hours before the game. He was responding to a question about a report on WorldNetDaily.com that the NFL apparently had eased curbs on churches planning festivities related to the championship.

Unknown is the impact the restrictions had on churches on game day nor what the eventual fallout will be for the NFL and its advertisers because of the NFL's inflexibility toward churches and favoritism toward sports bars.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Columbia President Acknowledges Role Of Church

The President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, has paid tribute to the positive role of the church in Colombia at the annual conference of the International Charismatic Mission church in Bogotá on Wednesday 24 January.

In recognition of the influence of the church in bringing transformation to Colombia and cultivating a positive image of the nation abroad, President Uribe said he came “with great affection” to visit the church.

“Here I encounter a great spiritual energy that helps many in the advancement of Colombia.”

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

A Bad Time

Ministry Now on YouTube

The Flash presentation titled "Walking with the Giant" created by Jon M. Fletcher has now been posted on YouTube. The presentation can also be viewed below. This particular presentation was part of an article by Jon that appeared in the April 20, 2003 issue of the Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville, Florida. The presentation also received an "Honorable Mention" in The Best of Photojournalism 2004 awards by the National Press Photographers Association.

Other videos will be added to our channel on YouTube in the future.

Temporary Storage

The Price Of A Soul

Our Daily Bread

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Matthew 16:24-28

He who wins souls is wise. —Proverbs 11:30

About this cover

According to a Wall Street Journal article, Hemant Mehta wanted to find out if he was "missing something" as an atheist. So the DePaul University graduate student went on eBay with this proposition: He would spend 1 hour of church attendance for each $10 bid by the highest bidder. A former evangelical minister won with an offer of $504.

How much would you pay for the opportunity to present Christ to an unbeliever? The apostle Paul gave a lot more than $504 in his endeavor to bring the gospel to people who had never heard of Jesus Christ. He traveled many long, hard miles across the world. In a gripping account he told of his experiences: shipwreck, imprisonment, floggings, stoning, beatings, exhaustion, hunger, cold, and peril (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

In the past 2,000 years of missionary effort, valiant men and women have left their homelands to proclaim Christ in remote, primitive, and dangerous settings. Many have lost their lives; others have suffered persecution. In many parts of the world today, to talk publicly about Jesus is to risk hardship, jail, and even death.

When we consider Jesus’ sacrifice for us, any sacrifice we make to bring others to Him is worth the cost. —David C. Egner

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored
And welcomed at any cost. —Tovey
© 1914 Herbert G. Tovey

When we open our heart to the Lord, He opens our eyes to the lost.

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Basics Of Faith > Salvation > Cost of

Colts' coach more proud of Christ than 'blackness'

Super Bowl XLI had been hyped as a major social milestone in U.S. history, since for the time, the head coaches of both teams were black.

But when the game was over and the Indianapolis Colts had defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17, the winning coach said Jesus Christ was more important than any racial moment.

Read more of this story on World Net Daily.

Statenville Revival Added To Schedule

I will be preaching revival services in Statenville, Georgia in April. The meetings will begin on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at Statenville Baptist Church. The Sunday services will begin at 11am and 7pm. Services will continue Monday-Wednesday, April 23-25, 2007 at 7pm nightly.

Statenville Baptist Church is located at 109 Baptist Church Street in Statenville, Georgia.

American Heart Month

February is "American Heart Month" in the United States.

Heart Disease is something that I, and several members of my family, have dealt with. For more information on American Heart Month follow the links below:

American Heart Month 2007: A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

American Heart Association

National Safety Council

Below are some links relating to my personal experience with Heart Disease:

The "Heart" of the Matter

Croft Recovering From Heart Surgery

Completed Cardiac Rehab

Sleep Workout

Super Bowl coaches Dungy, Smith

MIAMI (BP)--Super Bowl XLI will feature two teams making their first super game appearance in two-plus decades, two Midwestern teams separated by only a couple hundred miles, but most importantly two coaches who are strong believers in Jesus Christ.

Head coaches Tony Dungy of Indianapolis and close friend and fellow Christian Lovie Smith of Chicago gave credit to God following their respective teams' victories in the conference championships Jan. 21.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Bridle Your Tongue

James 1:26 NIV

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

It's Friday morning. You overslept, burned your finger on the stove, and couldn't find any clean underwear. It's already been a tough week, with one thing after another going wrong. On the way to work, traffic snarls slow you down even more, making you late to work. When you walk in, your boss growls at you for being late. And your desk looks like you haven't been there for weeks, with work piled impossibly high. At lunch, the regular group is sitting around the lunchroom, bad-mouthing everyone they can think of. When they start in on the boss, someone who at this point, you'd just as soon smack as look at, what comes out of your mouth? How's your witness?

Read more of this devotion on The Christian Post.

A Unifying Wall

Our Daily Bread

READ: Nehemiah 4:10-18

So we built the wall, . . . for the people had a mind to work. —Nehemiah 4:6

About this cover

Walls divide. That’s the reason they’re built. The Great Wall of China was built to keep back marauding tribes. That remarkable line of defense once snaked for 4,000 miles across Asia, and much of it still stands. In contrast, the Berlin Wall kept people in instead of out. Its destruction in 1989 brought people together in a joyous celebration.

Centuries ago, the reconstruction of another wall served to bring people together. God had told Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. It was essential for protection but had been demolished during the Babylonian invasion. But the enemies of the Jews opposed the reconstruction project and looked for ways to sabotage their efforts (Neh. 4:7-8). While half the men worked, the others stood guard to protect them.

In addition to providing protection, this wall was a demonstration of teamwork and unity (Neh. 3). All the team members brought their talents and skills, blending them together to accomplish far more than they could have achieved as individuals.

It should be that way in the church today. Our talents are gifts from God to be used for building His kingdom. We work better when we work together. —Cindy Hess Kasper

God builds His church with different stones
And makes each one belong;
All shapes and sizes fit in place
To make the structure strong. —Sper

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

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Relationships > Relating to others > Peacemakers

Is It Really So Super?

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--Prior to Super Bowl VI between Dallas and Miami in 1972, Cowboys' running back Duane Thomas was asked by a reporter what it felt like to be playing in the ultimate football game. Thomas replied, "If it's the ultimate, why are they going to play it again next year?"

Read more of this editorial on Baptist Press.

Low-Tech Transmission

Prayer Breakfast Features Coach Tony Dungy

MIAMI (BP)--Athletes in Action celebrated its 19th Annual Super Bowl Breakfast with Tony Dungy as the first-ever Super Bowl coach to appear in person a day before the most pivotal juncture in his coaching life.

"We usually have special team practice and meetings the day before a game," Dungy said, "but because I'm the boss, I can set the schedule. So we just pushed everything back today to be here."

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

What is Religion?

James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

To say a person is religious could mean all sorts of things - you can be religious about your exercise program, religious about keeping your house clean, religious about your daily schedule, religious about changing the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. but what is religion in God's eyes?

Read more of this devotion on The Christian Post.

Football fans' passion turns against NFL over 'anti-church' policy

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--Football fans are up in arms over a National Football League policy that allows bars to host Super Bowl parties but essentially prevents churches from doing so, with some fans saying it once again shows why the NFL is often referred to as the "No Fun League."

The policy prevents large groups from watching the game on anything larger than a 55-inch screen -- which is too small for gatherings numbering in the hundreds. It also prohibits the Super Bowl from being shown in connection "with events that promote a message" -- which, of course, is a major reason most churches host such parties in the first place.

The policy applies to "mass out-of-home viewing," which includes churches.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

CBS' Nantz: Owner's, coaches' beliefs worthy of airtime

MIAMI (BP)--When CBS announcer Jim Nantz asked Colts owner Jim Irsay and head coach Tony Dungy for comments after winning the AFC title two weeks ago, each man gave credit to God before a national TV audience.

"I had some people ask if I didn't already know what they were going to say about their faith, but I thought, "What's wrong with them expressing their beliefs?" Nantz said. "We allow everybody else to say what they believe, why not them?"

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Vocabulary Spin

I found the following on a blog called The Watchman:

For those who love the philosophy of hypocrisy and ambiguity….

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the
self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the
purpose.

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

Is there another word for synonym?

What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an
endangered plant?

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

One nice thing about egotists: they don’t talk about other people.

Whose cruel idea was it for the word “Lisp” to have “S” in it?

If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times, does he
become disoriented?

Asst. coaches also spiritual leaders on NFL's top teams

MIAMI (BP)--Indianapolis Colts associate head coach Jim Caldwell has been interviewed, analyzed, praised, blasted, hired and fired during nearly 30 years as a coach on the NFL, college and high school level.

But when it comes to sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, Caldwell often finds that writers tune out what he has to say.

Read more of this article on Baptist Press.

Good Sales Rep?

NFL: Sports bars in, churches out

After reading these stories you may want to let the NFL know your thoughts.

The thousands of churches across the country that want to host Super Bowl parties Sunday night had better not pull out big-screen TVs, or they could face the wrath of NFL attorneys.

The NFL is telling Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis that the church's plans to use a wall projector to show the game at a party for church members and guests would violate copyright laws.

NFL officials spotted a promotion of Fall Creek's "Super Bowl Bash" on the church Web site last week and sent pastor John D. Newland a letter -- via FedEx overnight -- demanding the party be canceled.

Initially, the league objected to the church's plan to charge partygoers a fee to attend and that the church used the license-protected words "Super Bowl" in its promotions.

Newland told the NFL his church would not charge partygoers -- the fee had been intended only to pay for snacks -- and that it would drop the use of the forbidden words.

But the NFL wouldn't bite. It objected to the church's plans to use a projector to show the game on what effectively was a 12-foot-wide screen. It said the law limits the church to one TV no bigger than 55 inches.

The league even took exception to the church's plan to influence nonmembers with a video highlighting the Christian testimonies of Colts coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith.

"While this may be a noble message," NFL assistant counsel Rachel L. Margolies wrote in a follow-up e-mail, "we are consistent in refusing the use of our game broadcasts in connection with events that promote a message, no matter the content."

NFL PARTY RULES

For groups that want to host Super Bowl parties -- other than sports bars and businesses that normally show televised sports -- here are rules the NFL says must be followed:

• No admission fees (even to pay for snacks).

• Only one television (55 inches or smaller).

• No use of the words "Super Bowl" in promotional materials.

• No exhibition of the game in connection with events "that promote a message."

Source: NFL

Read more of this story on Indy Star.

The following is from Baptist Press.

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--The National Football League has told a Southern Baptist church in Indianapolis it will run afoul of federal copyright law if it hosts a Super Bowl party this Sunday, even though the league makes a major exception for such large-scale viewings at sports bars.

Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis was one of probably thousands of churches across the nation scheduled to host a party this Sunday evening as part of an outreach to the congregation and the community.

But now, the church -- whose hometown Colts will play the Chicago Bears -- has canceled the event under pressure from the NFL, which says large-group events can show the Super Bowl on a TV no larger than 55 inches wide. The church had planned on showing the game on a projector that would have resulted in a 12-foot screen. A 55-inch screen would be too small for the hundreds that were planning on attending. NFL policy also prohibits the use of multiple televisions. The league even said the church legally couldn't show a video highlighting the Christian testimonies of Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy and Chicago coach Lovie Smith.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Greatest Gift For Politicians

WASHINGTON (BP)--The "greatest gift" an American can give public officeholders is to pray for them, President Bush said Feb. 1 at the National Prayer Breakfast.

The president thanked all those "who lift all of us up in prayer" in an eight-minute speech to legislators, administration officials, foreign diplomats, religious leaders and others who gathered in a Washington hotel ballroom for the 55th annual event.

He also sent a message to the armed forces carrying out the military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Our troops must understand that every day - every day - millions of our citizens lift them up in prayer," Bush said, according to a transcript provided by the White House. "We pray for their safety; we pray for their families they have left at home; we pray for those who have been wounded, for their comfort and recovery. We remember those who have been lost, and we pray that their loved ones feel the healing touch of the Almighty. During this time of war, we thank God that we are part of a nation that produces courageous men and women who volunteer to defend us."

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Read a transcript of the President's speech.

Podcast Downloads In January 2007

Episode	Guest	Jan. 2007 Downloads	Total Downloads
January 2006	Kevin Owen & Cheryl Kent Musicians	9	296
February-March 2006	Dr. Harold Hudson Pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church Raiford, Florida	11	283
April 2006	Jack & Ali Spin 103.8, Dublin, Ireland	9	320
May 2006	Dr. Sterling Huston Internet Evangelism Coalition & Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.	11	434
June 2006	Evangelist Bobby Brindle “World’s Smallest Evangelist”	13	378
July 2006	Howard Butzer Amazing Grace Mission	6	378
August 2006	Ruth H. Westgate Songwriter/Author	5	133
September 2006	Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Kilgore Bagram, Afghanistan	6	103
October 2006	Junior Combs & Southern Joy 2006 National Quartet Convention Group Talent Competion Winners	3	109
December 2006	Paul Braun Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Regional Director	21	43
Total Downloads		94	2477

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A Boy's Lunch

Our Daily Bread

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: John 6:5-14

I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger. —John 6:35

About this cover

Once I made the mistake of thinking I could single-handedly finish a 28-ounce steak at a restaurant. I had the remainder boxed up to take home. I thought, At least it will give me another feast to look forward to.

As I left the restaurant, a homeless man approached me, asking for money. At first I refused. But struck by sudden guilt, I called him back, gave him $5, and blessed him in Jesus’ name. Having done my Christian duty, I was happy to go on my way, boxed-up steak in hand, until he asked, "What about the box?" I have to admit, I had a hard time parting with my steak.

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is about the little boy who brown-bagged it to a revival service (John 6:1-14). If he was like most boys, his lunch was a very important commodity. Yet he was willing to give his lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish to the Lord. I think he may have known that by putting his lunch in the hands of Jesus, He could do something extraordinary with it. And He did. He fed thousands of hungry people.

Jesus is still looking for a few common folk like you and me who are willing to commit out-of-the-ordinary, intentional acts of selfless sacrifice so that He can turn our offering into His glory. Commit such an act today! —Joe Stowell

Let me give of myself, dear Lord,
Always ready to sacrifice,
Willing to share what I hold dear,
Never deterred by the price. —Hess

Let Jesus share with others what you want to keep for yourself.

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Christian Life > Attitudes > Compassion

Among the Colts, faith has made a difference, players say

MIAMI (BP) - From South Beach with all its glitz and glamour to an array of parties in other parts of Miami, the Super Bowl XLI scene is one large distraction for faith-filled players and coaches.

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Matt Giordano has found a way to keep his focus on the things of Christ.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Bears credit Lovie Smith for coaching without cursing

MIAMI (BP)--Chicago Bears offensive tackle John St. Clair says he is proud to play for head coach Lovie Smith, who not only shares his faith in Christ publicly but has led his team to the Super Bowl without the need to berate or curse at his players.

"In the Book of James, it talks about controlling your tongue and Lovie has been able do all of this without cursing," St. Clair said during the team's media session in advance of Sunday's Super Bowl XLI at Dolphins Stadium in Miami.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Five Second Rule

Dungy, Starr, Jones to Speak at Super Bowl Breakfast

Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Tony Dungy, legendary Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, and ex-San Francisco 49ers’ All-Star tight end Brent Jones will speak at this year’s Super Bowl Breakfast.

The program, which is scheduled to air on Super Bowl Sunday on the Sky Angel Network, will showcase life stories and personal faith testimonies of Dungy, Starr, and football stars from this year’s Super Bowl teams. Jones will emcee the event.

The purpose of the breakfast is to emphasize faith in football and to honor those who have shown exceptional character. That honor is played out during the highlight of the annual breakfast - the awarding of the prestigious Bart Starr Award. Starr himself hands out the prize to a current NFL player who has been voted by his peers for demonstrating outstanding moral fiber and leadership on and off the field.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Photo: AP / Michael Conroy

Study: What Standout, Growing Churches Have in Common

Amid critical reports of churches becoming less effective in evangelism, LifeWay Research measured some of the top Southern Baptist churches that meet the evangelism criteria.

The new study found only 22 out of 43,000 SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) churches met the criteria of baptizing at least 26 people per year, overall attendance growth and a membership to baptism ratio of no more than 20 to 1 over the last 10 years.

Most common among the standout churches is the role of the senior pastor. While a study earlier this month by Ellison Research found that 39 percent of American pastors are not highly interested in expanding outreach programs, researchers at LifeWay found the churches that are growing have pastors who prioritize evangelism as the most important. And the pastor strongly sets the tone of the church.

"These pastors do more than stress the importance of evangelism, they lead by example as they are personally passionate about and involved in sharing Christ both from the pulpit and through personal interaction with the unchurched and lost,” said Brad Waggoner, director of LifeWay Research, in the report.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Total Coverage

NFL Shuts Down Church's Super Bowl Party

I would love to know your thoughts about this story, post a comment below.

The National Football League (NFL) has ordered Fall Creek Baptist Church to cancel their Super Bowl viewing party on the grounds that the church used its trademark name in their promotions in addition to the church’s plan to charge a fee to attend.

The church, located in Indianapolis, hometown of the Colts who are playing in the championship game, had planned on projecting the game on a 12-foot-wide screen to their congregation as well as anyone interested.

Originally, Fall Creek had promoted the event as a “Super Bowl Bash” on their church website, which the NFL officials came across. The league sent an overnight FedEx immediately to the church’s pastor, John D. Newland, instructing them to terminate the event.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Satanic Diversion

By: A.W. Tozer

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)

Failing in his frontal attacks upon the child of God, Satan often turns to more subtle means of achieving his evil purpose. He resorts to devious methods in his attempt to divert the Christian from carrying out the task God has committed to him. He often succeeds by involving the saint in some other lesser occupation and so distracting him.

Read more of this devotion on The Christian Post.

'Proof' Temple Mount 'belongs to Muslims'

Head custodian says site will never be returned to Jewish sovereignty

By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

JERUSALEM – The replacement tomorrow in the Al Aqsa Mosque of a key podium transported with the coordination of Israeli security forces is "proof" the Temple Mount belongs only to Muslims and will never be returned to Jewish sovereignty, according to the leader of the Wafq – the Muslim custodians of the Temple Mount.

"This historic occasion proves that the extremist Jews will never achieve their goals of taking over the [Temple Mount.] It shows that we are much closer to liberating the Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem from Israeli occupation," said Waqf chief Adnan Husseini.

At a ceremony in the Al Aqsa Mosque, the podium is set to be unveiled and installed at the "exact spot" Waqf officials state the prophet Muhammad went up to heaven to receive revelations from Allah. The podium will be used by Al Aqsa preachers to deliver sermons.

The new stand replaces a 1,000-year-old podium believed to have been shipped to Jerusalem by the Islamic conqueror Saladin. That stand was destroyed in 1969, when an Australian tourist set fire to the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The replacement stand, a near replica of the original, was funded by the Jordanian and Saudi governments. It took craftsmen four years to construct. The podium's nearly assembled parts were shipped to Waqf offices on the Temple Mount earlier this month with help from the Israeli police, and will be installed at the center of the Al Aqsa Mosque tomorrow.

According to a Waqf official speaking to WND, the theme for tomorrow's installation ceremony will focus on exclusive Islamic domination of the Temple Mount.

"The official reason for the ceremony is to mark the installation, but unofficially it will be a celebration that this podium is proof we are the rightful owners of the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount). This podium solidifies our eternal presence here," the Waqf official said.

Read more of this story on World Net Daily.

For another interesting story on this subject, read "Al Aqsa official: Jewish temples existed".

Repent America members to witness during Super Bowl weekend

Despite opposition to their efforts at last year's Super Bowl, a Philadelphia-based Christian group will be at this year's NFL championship game in Miami. Their minds, however, will not be on the game, but on a much more important matter: people's relationship with their Creator. Volunteers with the pro-family activist group Repent America are preparing to travel to Miami for a weekend witnessing blitz during Super Bowl XLI on Sunday.

Read more of this article on One News Now.

Canadian official fined for stating biblical stance on homosexuality

A city councillor in British Columbia, Canada, has agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and apologize for his remarks about homosexuality, uttered at a public meeting last summer, rather than face a Human Rights Tribunal. Americans for Truth's Peter LaBarbera is warning U.S. Christians to pay heed, as they may be in danger of facing the same kind of censorship.

A Kamloops (British Columbia) City Council member will pay a hefty fine and also apologize for comments he made about homosexuality at a public meeting last summer. Those comments by the local politician led to a complaint being lodged with Canada's Human Rights Commission and could have proceeded to a tribunal.

LifeSite News reports that John DeCicco, who is Catholic, made the remarks at a Kamloops City Council meeting in June of last year and repeated them to the media afterward, saying that homosexual acts were "not normal and not natural." A homosexual activist couple filed the human rights complaint against him in August.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Evangelist says the church must refocus its priorities

Sharing one's faith in Christ -- an act that some find literally terrifying -- is a skill that can be learned, says evangelist Ray Comfort. And churches in America, he suggests, need to get back to understanding that personal evangelism is a priority.

Evangelist Ray Comfort says it's no surprise that a majority of people who claim to know Christ as Savior do not regularly share their faith. But it's a skill that can be learned, says Comfort -- and toward that end, he believes firmly that the church in America must rediscover its number-one priority: personal evangelism.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Dungy & Smith pose for Christian ad

MIAMI (BP)--Borrowing from the traditional photo of both opposing coaches posing with the Super Bowl trophy, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts and Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears are giving it a new twist for their shared faith in Jesus Christ.

Dungy and Smith, both good friends and fellow Christians, will appear in a full-page ad saying that while they may attain the height of their profession with a Super Bowl victory, their faith in Jesus Christ is still more important.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

'Jesus Loves Osama' Signs Draw Ire

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - A sign saying "Jesus Loves Osama" outside some churches in Australia drew criticism from the prime minister and religious leaders on Thursday, though they conceded it was probably true according to Christian beliefs.

One sign outside the Central Baptist Church in downtown Sydney also had a smaller footnote saying "Jesus said: `Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."' Several other churches in the city had similar signs urging prayers for Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda terrorist leader, according to local media.

A photograph of the sign was published in The Daily Telegraph newspaper on Thursday, prompting debate about whether it was a suitable message.

Prime Minister John Howard said something else would have been better.

"I understand the Christian motivation of the Baptist church," Howard told reporters. "But I hope they will understand that a lot of Australians, including many Australian Christians, will think that the prayer priority of the church on this occasion could have been elsewhere."
Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Bibles Hit Cities in News Ads

Scripture distribution has taken on a different medium of delivery - the local newspaper.

Going into its third year of ministry, CityReachers has spread the NIV New Testament to hundreds of thousands of homes across the nation and in Canada through normal local newspaper delivery.

Each book of the Good News, called "Our City. God's Word," is city-specific, coming to homes packaged and complete with testimonies from residents in their local area.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Bible Sword Drill

Colts owner Jim Irsay infuses faith into team's leadership

MIAMI (BP)--Linebacker Hunter Smith, like other Indianapolis Colts players prepping for Sunday's Super Bowl, sees the team's spiritual leadership as coming from the top. In a Media Day interview, Colts owner Jim Irsay concurred.

"It's important for me to show humility and humble yourself before God -- to let people know that's where the power comes from," Irsay said Jan. 30 during his AFC championship team's media session in Dolphins Stadium, site of Sunday's NFL title game.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.