the_social_worker

Job Summary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers primarily work for government agencies as well as social assistance and healthcare agencies. They might also work in schools, churches or community organizations. They can specialize in such areas as family and school, medical or public health and mental health or substance abuse, as per BLS. Their role may require them to plan or develop policies, help families through social conflict or find day care. Social workers can obtain membership with the National Association of Social Workers or the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Career Training

A bachelor's degree is the minimum degree required for entry-level employment in social work. Advanced education and experience are necessary for licensure at more advanced levels in the field. Students in a Bachelor of Social Work program need to complete a specific number of hours in a social-work practicum. Common course requirements include the study of human behavior and research methods. With a bachelor's degree, an individual can qualify to be employed as a social worker or enter into a Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

A Master of Social Work program focuses on clinical skills and developing relationships with clients. These programs take two years to complete. Common course requirements include two semesters of generalist practice, field seminars and study of social welfare policies. During the second year, it's not uncommon for graduate students to begin clinical practice with individuals and groups.

Licensure Information

According to the ASWB, jurisdictions may regulate licensure through four levels of social work, including bachelor's, master's, advanced generalist and clinical. The last two levels require an MSW and two years of experience, either supervised or direct clinical. The BLS notes that every state or jurisdiction may have its own requirements regarding licensure or certification. Applicants are encouraged to graduate from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, although it's not required.

Salary and Employment Outlook

The BLS reports that social workers could see employment opportunities increase by 19%, overall, during the 2012-2022 decade. Social workers' salaries also vary according to their area of specialization. As of 2013, the BLS reported that healthcare social workers earned a median annual wage of $50,820, while child, family and school social workers earned slightly less at $42,120. The median annual salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers was $40,970, according to the BLS.

Liberties

"there are responsibilities that both 'the strong' and 'weak' have one towards another for the sake of unity among the children of God".

Romans 14:3 gives the instruction, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not."

There are things that different Christians respond to in different ways due to the limit of their knowledge or the scope of their background. (STANDARDS?)

The word despise means "to make of no account." It would carry the idea of the stronger Christian making the weaker feel inferior, or less of a Christian, because of their more restrictive decision to not eat meats.

"the strong believers understood the freedom they had in Christ; the weak were ones who were more restrictive due to the limitations of a misinformed conscience"

. . . "the last part of Romans 14:3 warns the weaker Christian, "let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth." The biblical usage of the word "judge" in this context would be "to pronounce an opinion concerning right or wrong" or "to pronounce judgment and subject to censure."

The weak were not to stand in the place of God, passing judgment as pointed out in the next verse, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4). It is then reinforced in verse 12, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

A KEY PHRASE/CONCEPT: "to engage in liberties they are not ready to exercise" ***

http://bit.ly/1RT3CQI

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Idol

DRAWING
THE WRONG
CONCLUSION

Compelling evidence?

I once heard an older man say
"whenever you begin to
think truth, you are
IN ERROR".

We elevate ourselves with our reasonings. We make ourselves. We are our own god. We use our words to create 'realities' that become our world. IDOLATRY is when we think that the reality that we make is all there is. I can only know what I know. You can only know what you know. There is no need for me to convince you of anything or vice versa. Feel free to tell your story.

IS THERE A NEED TO BEBUNK OR DISPROVE THE OTHER GUY?

=========================

John F. Haught is a Distinguished Research Professor at Georgetown University. He specializes in systematic theology, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology, and religion. He has authored numerous books and articles, including Science and Faith: A New Introduction (2012), Making Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and The Drama of Life ( 2010), God and the New Atheism: A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens (2008), Christianity and Science: Toward a Theology of Nature (2007), Is Nature Enough? Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science (2006), Purpose, Evolution and the Meaning of Life (2004), God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution (2000, 2nd ed. 2007), Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversation (1995), The Promise of Nature: Ecology and Cosmic Purpose (1993, 2nd ed. 2004), What is Religion? (1990), What is God? (1986), and The Cosmic Adventure: Science, Religion and the Quest for Purpose (1984). In 2002, Haught received the Owen Garrigan Award in Science and Religion, in 2004 the Sophia Award for Theological Excellence, and in 2008 a "Friend of Darwin Award" from the National Center for Science Education. He also testified for the plaintiffs in Harrisburg, PA "Intelligent Design Trial"(Kitzmiller et al. vs. Dover Board of Education). SOURCE - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Haught

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

James Baldwin, arguably America's greatest black writer, was a popular Pentecostal preacher in Harlem at age 14 - but at 17 he renounced religion as a sham.

Years later, he described his boyhood transformation in an essay titled Down at the Cross, first published in The New Yorker, then reprinted in his civil rights book, The Fire Next Time.

He told of growing up amid the bitter hopelessness of the black ghetto, watching jobless men drink and fight, resenting tyrannical treatment by his preacher stepfather, wishing for escape. The misery around him "helped to hurl me into the church," he wrote.

One night at a prayer meeting, "everything came roaring, screaming, crying out, and I fell to the ground before the altar. It was the strangest sensation I have ever had in my life." He soon became a junior minister at the Fireside Pentecostal Assembly, and became "a much bigger drawing card than my father."

"That was the most frightening time of my life, and quite the most dishonest, and the resulting hysteria lent great passion to my sermons - for a while," he said. Considering all the evils of Harlem street life, "it was my good luck - perhaps - that I found myself in the church racket instead of some other, and surrendered to a spiritual seduction long before I came to any carnal knowledge."

The "fire and excitement" of Pentecostalism were captivating, Baldwin wrote -- but he sensed subconsciously that it was bogus, and by 17 suffered "the slow crumbling of my faith." It happened "when I began to read again.... I began, fatally, with Dostoevski."

He continued handing out gospel tracts, but knew they were "impossible to believe."

"I was forced, reluctantly, to realize that the Bible itself had been written by men." As for the claim that the Bible writers were divinely inspired, he said he "knew by now, alas, far more about divine inspiration than I dared admit, for I knew how I worked myself up into my own visions."

Baldwin wrote that he might have remained in the church if "there was any loving-kindness to be found in the haven I represented." But he finally concluded that "there was no love in the church. It was a mask for hatred and self-hatred and despair." So his religion ended.

Years later, he visited Black Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad and concluded that Elijah's "revelations" about Satan creating "white devils" were just as irrational as Christian beliefs. 

When Elijah asked his faith, Baldwin replied:

"I left the church 20 years ago and I haven't joined anything since."

"And what are you now?" Elijah asked.

"I? Now? Nothing," the great writer replied.

By James A. Haught

SOURCE - http://www.wvinter.net/~haught/baldwin.html

Author/Editor/Journalist

Haught, editor of the Charleston Gazette, has several books including Holy Horrors: An Illustrated History of Religious Murder and Madness (Prometheus, 1990) and Holy Hatred: Religious Conflicts of the '90's (Prometheus, 1995).

Haught's writings can be found at his web site http://www.wvinter.net/~haught.

---

Haught is the editor of 2000 Years of Disbelief, Famous People with the Courage to Doubt (Prometheus Books, 1996)

TWICE A CHILD

final hse101

FINAL EXAM IS DECEMBER 17^th @1230

1.       ROLE OF A CHANGE AGENT (identify one and explain how that person is a CA) workers who use their skills to bring about change in an unhealthy agency or situation either alone or in concert with others

2.       BRAINSTORMING – a  technique in which people generate ideas without judgement so that their most innovative thoughts can flow

3.       ASK – attitudes * skills * knowledge * values

4.       INTERVIEW – interviewing is soliciting  relevant information, knowing how and when to ask questions while preserving dignity and privacy

5.       CRISIS INTERVENTION – getting involved to help in an unforeseen dramatic situation

6.       SELF DISCLOSURE – freely given information about ones self

7.       AN ACTION PLAN –  proposed steps to utilize appropriate resources to solve a problem

8.       CONTRACT – verbal or documented rules and mutual expectations agreed between 2 or more persons

9.       GOALS OF THE CASE MANAGER COUNSELLOR -  that the client be able (a)  to express or change a negative emotional state (b) to increase understanding of self and situation (c) to make better important decisions (d) better implementation of decisions

10.   PHYSIOLOGICAL & PSHYCOLOGICAL – RESPONSES OR EFFECTS OF BURNOUT – sleeping issues, irritability, stomach problems, headaches, breathing problems * values conflict, alienation, careerism, emotional stress, overidentification

11.   A thinking question – how did I come to the conclusion that: (a social problem like hunger)

 

Poverty

Hunger

Addiction

Abuse & Neglect

Injustice & Crime

Housing

Healthcare

Women & Children issues

 

 

 

 

TWICE A CHILD

thefamily

FAMILY TIME

DID YOU KNOW?

Mothers’ Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. Its members are not all mothers or even all women, as there are many parents, men, widows, singles and grandparents involved in its work. It main aim is to support monogamous marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity.

DID YOU KNOW . . . the leading provider of fatherhood skill-building resources in the country and the leading trainer of practitioners seeking to offer fatherhood programs in their communities is the National Fatherhood  Initiative.

“Do you wonder how to convince a mother to encourage the father of her child to be more involved in that child’s life? Have you tried to convince a mother to allow the father of her child to be more involved only to be thwarted in your attempt? Do you work with a mother who can’t seem to say one nice thing about the father of their children? Do you work with a couple that continually fights and has poor communication and conflict-resolution skills? Do you ever wonder why a certain couple can’t seem to put their children first—who think about no one other than themselves?”

 

EBCSINGS

HPU121215A

good report

Feel free to send an email to see the remaining pages

looking_ahead

I AM JUST READING AN ARTICLE BY THE Pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church of Las Vegas.

Husband and Father
http://joshteis.com

I like it . . . he said this:

"we bristle at preaching that minimizes God's work and maximizes man's effort".

"an artificial list of holiness based on personal preferences"

We love expository preaching. We desire to expose what the Bible is actually saying! We loathe the practice of twisting a scripture to fit a preconceived idea

takes great interest in being true to the original intent of the author. This is why we dismiss preachers who continually misappropriate the very Word of God. At best these men are naïve, at worst they are knowingly prostituting the Word for personal profit.

Not only do they separate from godly leaders outside of our denomination they actively attack fellow independents. This has led our movement to divide into splinter camps of varying influence and size

They also want uniformity in personal convictions and preferential issues like worship style, service scheduling, building design, and pulpit attire. To question the status quo brings suspicion. To express disagreement brings swift separation

the world is going to hell, and if we are going to reach them it is going to take a wide range of doctrinally sound churches that are going to look extremely different from one another. This is not only acceptable it is preferable

"our proclivity toward the inane practice of 2nd degree, 3rd degree, and 4th degree separation . . . I will be discussing this odd practice in an upcoming post called: THE SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION ! "

Fear will lead a man to say what he doesn't believe in order to please a critic. Fear will cause a man to sacrifice transparency at the altar of influence. Fear will keep a man quiet when he ought to speak but he will call it discretion

speaking the truth is rewarding, expressing your position is freeing, and saying what you really think is tremendously liberating. Transparency doesn't seem to limit influence it seems to expand it


1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

No pride should be taken in ignorance. We should primarily be well read in the Scriptures for they contain what is needed for a life and ministry. But we should also be well read in history, science, literature, leadership, and pop culture

Jesus Christ. We hold the solution to the world's problems and we are ready to give Him away. We are willing to do anything it takes to please our Lord and advance His Kingdom.


@joshteis
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Goodwin Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVn2oP9ceCI


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Sweet_ballgame

Deep

GOING DEEPER - Pastor Cary

Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." (1 Chronicles 4:10)

He wanted his life to be what God eternally purposed it to be. He wanted to be in on what God truly desired to do with his life.

He wanted the heart not just the stuff. He wanted to walk with God through life, not just to "get stuff from God."

He took a different path. He made different choices, and God described him as "more honourable" than his peers. He chose God. He chose a life of honor toward God. He chose a life of worship, obedience, and devotion. http://bit.ly/21jNnj2

Praisenthanks

MY 2 CENTS WORTH:
I somehow think about the person who come to our house from the bank. THE APPRAISER.

He said he was there to see what our house was really WORTH. The bank needed to know the VALUE of the property.

Sooo. . . when I praise Him I understand His VALUE to me; without Him I am zero zilch nada nothing !

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

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11.10.15 PM from Calvary Baptist Church on Vimeo.

our_gifts

J O E L N O E L

From the Cathedral, 1993, the Atlanta Boy Choir under the direction of Fletcher Wolfe singing Ave Maria and O Holy Night. One of the soloist on O Holy Night is one of our own kids, Joel Young.

Posted by Don Paulk on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

starbux

you

This is the story of the knife fight that people are talking a...

Ben Carson tells how he overcame his outrage and anger and learned “wisdom” from the Bible.

Posted by The Stream on Friday, November 6, 2015

mi

LIFE SUPPORT
Him that is weak in the faith receive, but not to doubtful disputations.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. - Romans 14:1, 7

We often think of life support
in terms hospitalization and sophisticated equipment
connected to a sick patient.

Do you know how long you
would live without water?

Many people would literally die overnight without takings meds.

How about people. Are there people in your life that you "could not live without"?

Or just simple people . . .
At the barbershop or
The grocery store

NOW IS THE TIME
TO LET THEM
KNOW.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

http://bit.ly/1RgzoIe

Real

SERIOUSLY ?
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that you love one another
with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

MEANING
fervently [ fur-vuhnt ]
Main Entry: busily
Part of Speech: adverb
Definition: actively; intently
Synonyms: agilely, animatedly, ardently, arduously, assiduously, briskly, carefully, diligently, eagerly, earnestly, energetically, enthusiastically, expeditiously, fervently, hastily, hurriedly, indefatigably, industriously, laboriously, like all get out, like the devil, like the dickens, nimbly, painstakingly, perseveringly, persistently, purposefully, restlessly, seriously, speedily, spiritedly, strenuously, studiously, unremittingly, unweariedly, vigilantly, vigorously, vivaciously, zealously

OPPOSITES - Antonyms: idly, inactively, quietly

http://bit.ly/19ockmB

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TheStates

Who am I

http://youtu.be/Uyrjm107UkE

7th Day Adventist President

http://youtu.be/H-7CZTyFP3k

GOSPEL ?

http://youtu.be/Nsh0aUNX9PQ

End of ISIS

http://youtu.be/-euaAoKbBdE

BABYLON

http://youtu.be/2YTrt0baVIo

Come out

http://youtu.be/-8Y8HLLvejU

Ezekiel 38

http://youtu.be/S-HbOjg-z7s

Jet downed

http://youtu.be/4n4j468MyA4

Syria - Icke 

http://youtu.be/FL4KgOZBTWI

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culture

Thoughts on Engaging Culture

​

How should we engage culture?

—Express the love that culture needs

—Speak the truth that culture craves

—Use words that culture understands

—Display the gospel that culture misunderstands

—Teach the gospel that culture has forgotten

—Show grace that culture doesn't comprehend

"Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him." Luke 15:1 

Matthew 10:16— "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

Acts 17

Paul Preaches at Thessalonica

1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Jason Seized

5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Paul and Silas at Berea

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. 14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Paul at Athens

16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Paul Before the Areopagus

22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Tweets by @pastors 32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33So Paul departed from among them. 34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

TWICE A CHILD

chidon

" FIXIT" - THE DEADLY URGE


Stumbling?
Steadying?
Slain !

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God." - ‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭13:9-10‬ ‭

All around us we see the "stumbling oxen" in our communities and in lives of our loved ones and friends. The timeless "institutions" of God like the family and the church seem unsteady. We think they may fail.

. . . but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ◄ 2 Corinthians 4:7 ►


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repair

It's CHANGE TALK WEDNESDAY!Today remember that family matters. Whatever your role is in your family you can be a catalyst for change. Who will repair the breach? Who will heal our society? It starts with us and it begins in our homes!#belivingwater
Posted by Belivingwater on Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Who will repair the breach? Who will heal our society? It starts with us and it begins in our homes!

Bad_evil_wrong

As far as human actions go
EVIL is simply ill WILL.

Natural events are beyond
the control of individual
human will.

free will is the defining
human characteristic.

The only forbidden option
to man was defining good.

Whenever we attempt to
define good we make
ourselves "as God"
which was the lie
"promised" by
the serpent.

How is it possible for all of the following statements to be true at the same time:

(1) God is omnipotent (that is, all-powerful).

(2) God is omniscient (that is, all-knowing).

(3) God is perfectly good.

(4) Evil exists.


The existence of evil and suffering in our world seems to pose a serious challenge to belief in the existence of a perfect God.

If God were all-knowing, it seems that God would know about all of the horrible things that happen in our world. If God were all-powerful, God would be able to do something about all of the evil and suffering. Furthermore, if God were morally perfect, then surely God would want to do something about it. And yet we find that our world is filled with countless instances of evil and suffering. These facts about evil and suffering seem to conflict with the orthodox theist claim that there exists a perfectly good God. The challenged posed by this apparent conflict has come to be known as the problem of evil.

The "logic" of these kinds of arguments breakdown with the defining of good or evil.

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Hurt

I used to cry a lot as a kid.
I got chastised a lot too.
I can't remember which
started first. Neither
has stopped BTW.

I know this for sure it never mattered to me during the "chastisement" whether or if my parents loved me
or whether they were angry. In fact I did notice a couple of times that they did not seem angry. I was always too busy bawling !!! So, is this punishment, correction or vengeance? . . . and why it matters.

I DON'T KNOW
FOR SURE !
Do you?

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:6-14‬ ‭

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Pastor_McCook

PASTOR'S PEN 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11, 2015

Deliver us from evil

The presence of evil is one of the most unwelcome and unexplainable aspects of human existence.  In a world of such awesome beauty, abundant resources, pleasurable experiences, wonderful people, abundant opportunities and so much good, why is there so much evil?

We live in the most technologically advanced age in recorded history.  The level of knowledge in all fields of learning is light years ahead of what used to be.  One would say that mankind has made tremendous progress.  We should be experiencing a golden age of peace and prosperity.  But the awful reality is that our progress in so many areas is overshadowed by an ancient foe, evil.

This unwelcome visitor that haunts and harasses the human experience that mocks our claim to progress and laughs at our claims of being cultured and civilized.  Evil is a reality of the human experience.  It manifests itself in the most sophisticated of society as well as in the most uncouth and unsophisticated of people.  It exists among the most highly educated and among the most unlearned.  It exists in highly developed countries where unemployment is unheard of and poverty is foreign.  It exists in advanced metropolitan cities and in isolated rural villages.

Great social experiments have sought to eliminate the effects, if not the existence of evil. We have better schools, better health care, better social services, better cultural experiences, better economic welfare, better social intervention, better education, better this, and better that.  But society seems incapable of producing better human beings, human beings who are more committed to the good than they are to the evil.

We are seeing the manifestation of evil in our country in tragic and troubling ways.  The brutal killing and burning of a family in the quiet community of Logwood in Hanover is the most recent example of how much evil there is among us as a people.  It is a condition that captures and controls the hearts of men removing their capacity to be human and converting them into brutish beasts.  But it is not a 'Jamaica thing' it is a universal problem, the news is filled with stories of evil acts being committed all across the world.

But the Bible has warned us against these days.  We are told that in the last days, perilous times shall come, and that 'evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse' those days are here.  We must stand up to evil and fight for the good, each of us in our own way can make a difference.  Too many us as Jamaicans are turning a blind eye to evil and then throwing up our hands in horror and shock when the seeds of evil become massive trees of destruction.

We need to get involved in serving where the needs are; helping at risk youth, troubled parents, dysfunctional families, hurting children, hopeless men and women, the hungry, the angry and the lost.   

It is time for the word Christian to mean more than just people who go to church. It should begin to mean people of hope and help, people who inspired and empowered by Christ, are actively fighting to reclaim our country and the lives of our people, from the clutches of the 'evil one.'   People who can pray with conviction and expectancy, "DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER."

God Bless

Pastor Sam

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King

EVERLASTING GOSPEL
OF THE KINGDOM

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭

THE BOOK OF ACTS

SHOWS HOW THIS

"gospel of the kingdom"
Instructs the subjects
Invades enemy territory
Intrudes upon enemy efforts
Infiltrates enemy strongholds
Interferes with enemy operations
Interrupts enemy plans

overcomes evil with good

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers."
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:3-5, 7-8, 10, 13-14‬ ‭

SOLDIER
A) Preparation - training, diligence, regimen 

B) Performance - personal accountability 

C) PERSISTENCE
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." - Proverbs‬ ‭24:16‬ ‭
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THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
1. Someone is in charge. 
There is a King
"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:3‬ ‭

"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." - John‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭

2. I cannot do whatever I want.
The kingdom has rules
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:1-3‬ 

3. I will be punished for my sin
but not if Jesus forgives/covers them
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭

"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."‭‭ - 1 John‬ ‭1:3, 7, 9‬ ‭

4. I don't have to sin
unless I don't love the King

"If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." - ‭‭John‬ ‭14:15, 23-24‬ 

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." - ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:1-2, 12, 14-15‬ ‭

5. I can live forever
If I believe and receive the gift of "citizenship/sonship" - salvation
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭

6. The only other choice is hell
the anger of the King
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16, 18‬ ‭

7. The rest of the covenant/agreement is in the "fine print - the BIBLE. You/I won't understand all of it but we have to believe it or else . . .

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
‭‭John‬ ‭5:39‬ ‭

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:18-19‬ 

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:7-8‬ ‭

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭
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"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." ‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭24:4-5, 8, 10, 13-14‬ ‭

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭
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ABRAHAM
"But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."‭‭ - Genesis‬ ‭13:13, 15‬ ‭

"And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,"
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭14:12-16, 18-20, 22‬ ‭
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MOSES
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.

And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭13:1-2, 6, 8, 18-20, 23, 25, 27-28, 30-33‬ ‭
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DAVID
"And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5:12, 17-19, 21‬ ‭

http://www.vtaide.com/gleanings/Kings-of-Israel/biography_David.html

"And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt."‭‭ - 1 Samuel‬ ‭30:1-4, 6, 8-12, 16-19, 23, 25, 31‬ ‭

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MISSION

Standing - ideas

Leaning - individual 

Making decisions 

you can celebrate

GOOD CALLS

rest in Gods

sovereignty

Every decision 

in submission 

to His dominion

WHAT ARE YOU

WORRIED ABOUT?

Family, finances, physical health

This week in the world:

Christians martyred in the US

If you believe the bible you cannot believe the pope.

1st century Athens like 21st century America.

Acts17

What will this babbler say? 

"the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent! 

EPICURIANS 

Came from nothing

Going to nothing

Self fulfillment 

STOICS - fate, karma

Self sufficient 

Self discipline 

Based on pride

Reason is king

 LIVING IN

A deceived culture

AGNOSTIC - "the unknown god"

Paul in the "public square"

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 

I DONT MAKE GOD

HE MAKES ME

24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things - PSALM 33

I DON'T RULE GOD. 

HE RULES ME !

 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being

Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked

Mocking doesn't change truth

GOD IS IN CONTROL

OF EVERYTHING !

http://ebcnewington.com/media/

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Rain

East coast flooding

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Yes

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭

steep

What's the problem ?

Steve

There is no attention deficit
I just spent over an hour doing math problems in the math lab.

It was incredibly unpleasant or to use your word, annoying. I was able to concentrate.

The problem was I didn't "want to".

So yes, perseverance is making yourself DO IT !!!

Now I'm back in the library.
Reading is easier. I developed the habit (persistence) when I was younger. The problem is, this particular book (prescribed reading) is disgusting, PERIOD !!

So once again I must force myself through at least an hour of this.

It is the end of week 5.
Reality is setting in. I need to stay off the computers!

Do the math ONLY in the Lab and use the library for reading.

I am reconstructing.
I still love writing my blogs
but I can't spend time on the computers.

The name of the game now is discipline.

TTYL

PS Thanks for the listening ear

BTW, you were right these professors are not your friends, they can destroy you !

Nobody is really your friend ?

Maybe

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

troubled

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. - James 1:12

THEY APPLAUDED the return to school. The thing reported as pleasant may not always be. To get the infants to swallow the bitter medicine we tell them it is good.
THIS IS THE TEST.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9, 11‬ ‭

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RAC

Acts17

What will this babbler say?

"the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent !

CONTRARY & DISRUPTIVE
"and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus"

"his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry."

ARGUMENTATIVE ?
Acts17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

In some assemblies Doctrine is preached; in others Doctrine is suggested. Are Laws suggestions?

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭

". . . this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:3‬

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
‭‭John‬ ‭15:11-12

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caring

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them 

on ahead of him two by two into every town and place 

where he himself was about to go. He said to them, 

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. . . 

Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves.

Russia Launches Airstrikes in Syria

Hurricane Joaquin forms near the Bahamas

"she was prostituting herself at the time to raise money to pay the rent for her apartment"

"The one who was kind enough to help"

Do you ?