From Hitler

From Hitler

From Hitler's Wolves to Christ's Lambs

They walked to the gallows together, pastor and penitent. Each step up took them closer to the fall—the abbreviated, fatal fall to come. As the criminal stood above the trapdoor that, moments later, would open to rope him into eternity, an officer asked him if he had any final words. "I place all my confidence in the Lamb who made atonement for my sins," he said. "May God have mercy on my soul."

Then, turning toward the man who had been the shepherd of his soul during his incarceration—the man who had been his confessor, his preacher, and the one from whose hand he had received the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord's Supper, he said, "I'll see you again." Then noosed, hooded in black, and legs tied, he dropped out of this world into another.

Different Kingdom: Connections and Calling

Different Kingdom: Connections and Calling: This is a really tough one. I think it lies at the heart both of our own personal growth and the functioning of an effective, growing church...

What Makes a Full Atonement Full?

What Makes a Full Atonement Full?

I can illustrate the relationship between the theories with a cake. Christus Victor is the cake itself—the thing that Jesus was doing on the cross. Penal substitution supplies the ingredients, the flour and sugar. And moral influence and example are the frosting, the lingering sweetness of our great salvation. The cross assures us that we are loved, and it motivates us to love others as God has loved us.

Christus Victor explains why Jesus died, penal substitution explains how his death worked, and the double-sided moral influence and example theories explain what we should do in response.

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT JESUS, PRAYER, MISSION, AND LOVING PEOPLE Judah Smith »

View the What I Wish I Had Known about ______ series

Judah Smith talks about timing his prayers, saving the world, and what he wishes he had known about Jesus, prayer, mission, and loving people. Pastor Judah is the exclusive live speaker at theResurgence Conference broadcast location in Bellevue, WA.

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT JESUS

I wish I had known that Jesus is first, and Jesus is enough.

When I was a youth pastor, I remember talking with a lot of young men about issues they were going through. My stock answers to their problems were prayer, Bible reading, and sheer grit: “You’re struggling with purity issues? How much are you praying every day? Ok, pray twice that much, read your Bible—three times in the Old and two in the New—and I’ll see you next week.”

My intentions were good, but my advice missed the point. I thought that if I focused on righteousness and behavior, people would grow closer to Jesus. In reality, it’s when people grow closer to Jesus that true change happens.

We don’t expect good things because we are good—but because Jesus is good

Matthew 11:29–30 says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” As I’ve come to know who Jesus is and what he has done for me, my focus has shifted from my sin to his grace and from my works to his perfect, finished work. Now I understand: Jesus is enough.

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT PRAYER

I wish I would have known that prayer is about intimacy, not about impressing God.

I remember asking a new believer years ago how much he prayed every day. He looked at me blankly. “I don’t know—I’ve never timed it. Do you time your prayers?” It was an honest question, and I was embarrassed to realize I did time my prayers, and that that number was actually pretty important to me. For me, my prayer time represented my spirituality and therefore my right to expect good things from God.  

It’s when people grow closer to Jesus that true change happens

But I was wrong. We don’t expect good things because we are good. What a depressing, dead-end way to live! We expect good things from God because Jesus is good, and he is our righteousness.

One of my dad’s favorite passages was Matthew 7:11, and the longer I pastor (and the longer I parent my three kids) the more profound it becomes: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT MISSION

I wish I had known that our mission as individuals and as a church isn’t complicated: it’s simply to show people who Jesus is. I love the simple way Philip tells Nathanael about Jesus (John 1:45–46). To paraphrase: “Hey Nathanael, we found the Messiah. Come and see for yourself!”

Our “mission” doesn’t have to be a ten-letter acronym, a three-part alliterated statement, or a doctrinal thesis. We just show people Jesus. It’s a privilege, it’s fun, and it’s way less pressure than carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.

When Jesus looked at people, he didn’t see them through the filter of their sin

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not criticizing detailed mission statements or well-thought-out strategy. I believe God gives each church and ministry a specific calling and he reveals to us in detail what he wants us to accomplish.

But the bottom line is that our mission is more about Jesus than about us. I’m not smart enough to figure out how to save the world, my country, or even my city. The very idea is exhausting. But I can show people who Jesus is: one day at a time and one person at a time.

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT LOVING PEOPLE

I wish I had known that it’s okay to love people even though they are still sinning. That sounds like a no-brainer, so let me explain.

I know I’m supposed to love everyone. I’m a Christian, and besides that I’m a pastor, so it’s pretty much in my job description. But in the past, especially when it came to people with blatant problems such as addictions or sexual sins, I felt like the relationships had to be filtered by their sin. I couldn’t enjoy their friendship or celebrate their successes without qualifying everything with, “Hey, that’s great and all, but you know, God wants you to change in this area.”

Our mission isn’t complicated: it’s simply to show people who Jesus is

But Jesus was actually famous for enjoying the company of sinners. Just look at the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jesus clearly cared more about this man’s salvation than about his sin. He wanted his heart first, not his behavior.

When Jesus looked at people, he didn’t see them through the filter of their sin. He saw them through the filter of his grace. He knew he was the answer for their sin, and that freed him to love them right where they were. Sooner or later their behavior would catch up to the relationship.

I know we need to help each other grow in Christ, and I know there are times to confront sin. But that is not our first priority. We are called to love like Jesus: an ongoing, unconditional, extravagant, and even scandalous love toward those who deserve it least.

David Vigil: The Decapitated Church

David Vigil: The Decapitated Church

"Christians are being attacked just because of their faith", says Archbishop of Canterbury | World | News | Daily Express

"Christians are being attacked just because of their faith", says Archbishop of Canterbury | World | News | Daily Express

10 Diseases That Make Churches Unhealthy

10 Diseases That Make Churches Unhealthy

Person of Interest’s interest in the person

Person of Interest’s interest in the person

Different Kingdom: Connections and Continuity

Different Kingdom: Connections and Continuity: I still can't stop thinking about connections. And I have recently had a number of significant conversations with people about this; so ...

LEADING VOLUNTEERS, PART 1: WHY AND WHO

Brandon Andersen » Scripture Church Leadership Wisdom Coaching

Why are we recruiting volunteers in the first place? Who are these people we’re recruiting? In this first of a two-part series, Mars Hill Deacon Brandon Andersen will cover some of practical tools to help organize and lead volunteers with a mind toward ministering to the volunteers themselves.

The most common mistake in leading volunteers is over-prioritizing a ministry objective and under-prioritizing the development of the volunteers themselves. A volunteer ministry is just as much about ministering to the actual volunteers as it is being in what they are doing. Balancing the two is the key to a healthy, fruitful volunteer ministry. I have been leading and utilizing hundreds of volunteers for many years and learned a lot of tough lessons along the way.

THE WHY

“Why are we doing this in the first place?”

Before you and your ministry team set out to do something, it’s a good rule of thumb to pin down why you’re doing it in the first place.

IT HAS TO BE FOR JESUS

Jesus needs to be the motivation for your team, and vision is the instrument to lead them there. A lot of what volunteers do is not glamorous, so if they don’t understand the importance and impact, their motivation will drift. Always begin with vision that what they are doing is to serve God out of gratitude and to serve his people. This needs to be established before you move to expectation and imperative.

IT’S ALSO FOR THE VOLUNTEERS

When recruiting, if you feel like you are twisting someone’s arm into volunteering, then you have the wrong view of serving. You are inviting them to be sanctified as they learn to serve like Jesus and participate in the work he is doing (Rom. 12:1–2). If you truly believe that it is for their good, your “recruiting” will turn into “inviting” and you will yield a better response.

THE WHO

Who will lead and who is being impacted?

GET THE RIGHT LEADER

You could have the best system in the world and the wrong leader and it will fail. Or you could have a horrible system and the right leader, and it will succeed. I am in no way advocating bad systems. I would however advocate for simple systems that allow right leader to get in place quickly, and enough flexibility to utilize their unique gifts.

MAKE GOOD, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS

Invest in a few key people well, rather than many people poorly. In my experience, you can only invest well into about a half a dozen people at a time before you efforts become diluted. If you try to be everything to everyone, you will exhaust yourself and/or no one will be led well. Focus on the development of a few key leaders and teach them how to lead well through your example, so they can turn around and the same.

DON’T FORCE IT

Don’t try to make the wrong leader into the right leader by doubling your effort.

If you have leaders on your team who are OK with being unreliable, mediocre, and passing the blame, address this immediately and make adjustments as necessary. You will exhaust yourself trying to be someone else’s motivation. If they are not motivated enough by Jesus, then you probably need to remove them from leadership (Col. 3:23–24). I have spent months trying to make the wrong leader work, and when I replaced the leader, things turned around almost overnight.

This said, don’t give up on the removed leader: either place them under an inspired leader, or find a different role that more adequately suits their gifts.

DON’T RUN FROM PEOPLE’S LIVES

People are messy and amazing—usually at the same time. Don’t be afraid to get in the trenches and walk with them through their struggles (Prov. 27:23). It is ministry, after all. Remember, part of your ministry is to the volunteers themselves (Rom. 12:9–15).

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT YOUR TEAM

If a volunteer skips a week of volunteering, don’t just assume it’s because they are lazy, but make sure you know the whole story (Prov. 25:8). It is more about their hearts than your objective. I would suggest the following dialogue:

Leader: “Hey, I noticed you missed last week, is everything alright?”

Volunteer: “Yeah, why?”

Leader: “Oh, since you missed last week, I figured something was wrong.”

It is kind of sneaky, but it also shows you care and communicates importance.

LEAD WITH STORIES OF WHO IS BEING CHANGED

The church has a lot of moving parts, all serving different purposes that impact countless lives. Not everyone gets to see the harvest, and some roles are simply farming. Volunteers need to hear stories about the fruits of their labor to reinforce importance of their role.

In the next post, Brandon will address the methods of what and how.

Convicted Anti-Christian Domestic Terrorist Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Convicted Anti-Christian Domestic Terrorist Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Recovering From Church Burns: Advice for the Wounded

Recovering From Church Burns: Advice for the Wounded

If you've been burned by a pastor, you need a pastor. 

 

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'” (1 Pet. 5:1-5, ESV).

Different Kingdom: Dealing with Disconnection

Different Kingdom: Dealing with Disconnection: I have said that I think God is doing something in terms of realigning parts of his Body in the UK for his purposes in our generation. I don...

Christian Piatt: Five Things that are Holding Christianity Back | Red Letter Christians

Christian Piatt: Five Things that are Holding Christianity Back | Red Letter Christians

I’m often asked about what trends I see within Christianity, both good and bad. So in my ongoing effort to help name trends and offer an alternative way of thinking about our faith, here are the five biggest things I’ve seen that tend to keep us from doing our best work as the living, breathing body of Christ in the world today.

Church Buildings - Many of our church buildings were established in a time when Christianity was booming numerically in the United States. We could hardly keep up with the growth, happening all around us. Understandably, churches popped up where the people were too, drawing many away from their old downtown churches to a more convenient suburban community. But as our numbers have dwindled – combined with the fact the we’re a much more mobile society now that ever before – many churches are becoming monuments to what has long since passed. They have become an albatross rather than an asset.

In some cases, these financial burdens are being turned back into the soil as they are sold off, repurposed or given away to those who can do something relevant and exciting with them. For example, our new church start in southern Colorado benefitted from the gift of an old church building that hadn’t been occupied by one of our denomination’s congregations in more than fifteen years. In Amarillo, a church finally closed its doors and sold off their property, only to have it reinvested by their region into what is now called Chalice Abbey. With it, they are doing all kinds of nontraditional – and yet creatively sustainable – kinds of work within the community.

- See more at: http://www.redletterchristians.org/five-things-holding-christianity-back/#sthash.naqfqIJf.dpuf

Female teachers at Islamic school 'made to sign contract agreeing to wear headscarf even if they're NOT Muslim', Daily Mail

• Female staff at Al-Madinah School, Derby, claim they have been asked to wear hijabs and make females sit at the back of classes
• 
  
• Non-Halal food and unacceptable jewellery also banned, it is claimed
• 
  
• Muslim faith free school was established in 2012 and caters for 200 students aged four to 16
• National Union of Teachers have said they are 'worried over practices concerning discrimination at the school'
• 
  

By LIZZIE EDMONDS

PUBLISHED: 12:57, 20 September 2013 | UPDATED: 17:40, 20 September 2013

Claims: A member of staff from Al-Madinah School, some of whom are claiming they have been asked to wear headscarves

Female teachers at a Muslim school have been told to cover their heads with Islamic scarves during school hours - even if they are not Muslim.

Staff at Al-Madinah School, Derby, claim they have been told to sign new contracts agreeing to wear hijabs and even make girls sit at the back of classes.

The Muslim faith school, which caters for 200 students aged four to 16, is also thought to have forbidden teachers from bringing in non-Halal food or wearing unacceptable jewellery.

Non-Asian staff have been spotted removing the headwear immediately after stepping outside the school building during lunch hour, but today refused to reveal the extent of the school’s demands.

It is thought that at least five teachers at the school have complained to union bosses about the dress code change - which was introduced over the summer.

Stunned staff at the free school - who faced losing their jobs if they did not agree - are now working with the National Union of Teachers to seek legal advice.

Sue Arguile, branch secretary of Derby National Union of Teachers (NUT), insists that the possible breach of employment law is a result of the Al-Madinah's status as a free school.

She said: 'We have always had a number of concerns about this school ever since it was first set up as essentially they can do what they like.

'There is no buffer between them and the state and no protection for staff and pupils.

'Our understanding is that the teaching staff were told about the contractual changes over the summer in time for the new academic year.

'But at least five teachers - both male and female - have made complaints to the union of concerns about the school breaching employment law.

'We will now be seeking legal advice in order to determine what action to take - but it may very well be that teachers have to bite the bullet and agree.

'Free schools set their own rules, curriculum and dress codes and so long as pupils and staff are aware of them before joining then there is no upset.

'But forcing people to agree to contractual changes or face being out-of-work could breach employment law.'

Nick Raine, regional NUT officer, said: 'We are very worried about the school and the education of the 200 children there.

Banned: Non-Halal food is thought to have also been banned at the school, some of which is based in Norman House in Derby, pictured.

'It’s one thing to have a dress code which we can challenge and quite another to build it into a contract.

'The school is publicly accountable so there needs to be greater transparency.'

However, acting Principal, Stuart Wilson, says he has not received any complaints from staff.

He said: 'I've been told not to speak about the school's policy. I haven't received any complaints from members of staff.'

The school, which caters for primary-age children and secondary children, was set up in September 2012.

 

More...

• Front-line staff in 17 NHS hospitals have been secretly banned from wearing veils
• Islamic schools in Britain forcing girls as young as 11 to wear full-face veils

It is based in two different locations in Derby - one in Midland House, Nelson Street and the other in Norman House, Friar Gate.

The then head teacher Andrew Cutts-Mckay, who has left after less than a year in post, said at the time that the school was being set up so that ‘the timetable will be flexible with time for Islamic teaching but pupils will be able to opt out of this and there will be a chance to learn about other faiths’.

He said the school would ‘honour all faiths’ and that he envisaged a school where 50 percent of pupils are Islamic and the other half were not.

Allegations: The National Union of Teachers have said they are concerned about the school, the Midland House campus of which is shown above

The free school was initially scheduled to admit 120 reception and year-one children, together with 180 pupils into years seven and eight. Eventually, the all-groups school will have up to 1,100 pupils.

Al-Madinah is a new type of free school, which the government is allowing groups of parents, or interested parties, to set up.

THE HIJAB: 'A SYMBOL OF MODESTY'

A hijab is typically worn by a Muslim female beyond the age of puberty in the presence of adult males - it covers the head and chest, but not the face.

It not only refers to the physical body covering, but also a state of mind, where al-hijab refers to ‘the veil which separates man or the world from God’.

Hijab can also be used to refer to the seclusion of women from men in public.

Most often, it is worn by Muslim women as a symbol of modesty, privacy and morality. If differs from a burqa, a veil that covers the entire body head and face, and the niqab which covers the entire head and face except for the eyes.

These operate in much the same way as private schools, outside local authority control but qualifying for government funding.

Sue Arguile, the branch secretary of Derby National Union of Teachers, added: 'There are worries over practices concerning the discrimination between male and female pupils in the school, with the girls being told to sit at the back of the class regardless of whether they can see the board properly.

'This school was first launched as based on Muslim principles and not as a Muslim school.

'If the school is not sticking to the original reasons behind why it was set up, then it does call into question whether public money is being used properly and for its intended purpose.'

The school has yet to receive an inspection by the Office for Standards in Education, but is due one this academic year.

However, the inspection could be brought forward in view of representations from the teaching unions and the city council.

An Ofsted spokeswoman said: 'As schools are only notified the afternoon before inspections begin, we would not be able to let anyone know when the school is being inspected.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2426626/Female-teachers-Islamic-school-sign-contract-agreeing-wear-headscarf-theyre-NOT-Muslim.html#ixzz2fSHeus9E
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Some Thoughts for Today, Hold Fast

2 Thessalonians 2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Man of Lawlessness

2 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the [a]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your [b]composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a [c]message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the [d]apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

 4 who opposes and exalts himself above [e]every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His [f]coming; 9 that is, the one whose [g]coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and [h]signs and false wonders, 10 and with [i]all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

 11 For this reason God [j]will send upon them [k]a deluding influence so that they will believe [l]what is false, 12 in order that they all may be [m]judged who did not believe the truth, but [n]took pleasure in wickedness.

13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you [o]from the beginning for salvation [p]through sanctification [q]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, [r]that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter [s]from us.16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

The Bible Panorama

2 Thessalonians 2

V 1–4: DON’T BE DECEIVED Continuing teaching on the second coming of Christ, Paul deals with those who have been deceived into thinking that ‘the day of Christ’ has already come, because of the tribulations they are facing. He tells them to stay firm: that day will not come without a falling away, and the revelation of the man of sin  who will oppose everything to do with God, and exalt himself. He will even sit in the temple of God claiming to be God.

 V 5–12: REMEMBER MY REMINDERS Paul reminds them that he had often told them what would happen before the second coming of Christ. (The verb for ‘told’ is in the imperfect tense, indicating he kept on doing it.) As God withdraws His restraining influence (thought by some to mean that the Holy Spirit will withdraw), the lawless one (the man of sin) will be revealed. God the Son will consume him with the breath of His mouth and ‘destroy him with the brightness of His coming’. The lawless one will perform satanic works and lying wonders with great powers and signs. Those who are perishing will be deceived. Having rejected God’s truth, He will send them a delusion that they will believe. Condemnation awaits them.

 V 13–15: SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION Paul thanks God that the Thessalonian Christians have been chosen for salvation to be sanctified through God’s Holy Spirit and a belief in the truth of His word and His gospel. This glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and he urges them to stand fast in these godly traditions.

 V 16–17: GRACE OF GOD Grace from the Father and Son will give those Christians consolation and comfort, establishing them in ‘every good work and word’. Paul prays for this for them.

The Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.

How to Make Your Wife Happy With You, from All Pro Dad.

Home » Articles » Dads & Marriage » How to Make Your Wife Happy With You

The below suggestions come from the book Educating The Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson, and we think their right on!

All Pro Dads, you know your wife is happy when you…

·         Initiate and lead regular planning times with your wife, without the children (and you plan the baby-sitter!).

·         Take the kids regularly for several hours on planned, meaningful outings…i.e., take them away (see below). Taking them to the Chick-fil-A Playground while you have coffee and read the paper does not qualify as an outing. Your wife wants to know that the time will be more than just babysitting.

·         Assist with the "Uppers" whenever possible, and be sensitive to the "Downers."

·         Defend and protect your wife's time boxes against time consumers (people, distractions, children, calls, etc.).

·          Plan in time boxes to be with your children during the day and the week, especially when it gives your wife free time, or when it makes her tasks easier (such as while she is preparing dinner).

·         Budget in your heart and mind (and checkbook) for paid household help, if you are able, especially when your children are young. Anyhelp goes a long way.

·         prepare an arsenal of ideas that you can do with the children on a moment's notice (see below).

·         are sensitive to the end of the day stress level, planning ahead to take control of the kids at the end of the day even when you are tired.

Do-Dads:

Activities Dad can do with the kids to give Mom time alone.

Big Times (outings):

·         Take them to the park.

·         Take them to a nature center.

·         Take them to a lake or beach area.

·         Take them to a museum.

·         Ride bikes in the country with them.

·         Take them on a mini field trip.

·         Go on a hike with them.

·         Go swimming with them.

·         Take them to the library reading time.

·         Play tennis with them.

·         Take them to special events.

·         Take them to seasonal festivals.

Little Times (innings):

·         Read books to them.

·         Play a game with them.

·         Throw a ball or shoot baskets with them.

·         Take a walk around the block with them.

·         Teach them something.

·         Clean up the yard together.

·         Make a tent with them.

·         Build something with them.

·         Give them "driving" lessons.

·         Play table tennis with them.

·         Overhaul bicycles (clean, tighten, etc.) together.

Dad-Dates

Every child needs individual time with Dad. Plan regular times to take each child on a "date" to be together and talk about life.

·         Go out for breakfast, child's choice of restaurant, even if it's the donut shop. Go as early as possible to make it more special.

·         Go to a favorite park, playground, or outdoor area. Take a picnic meal or snack. Play and talk.

·         With sons, plan an overnight campout. With daughters, plan a dress up night out for dinner.

·         Take them for a special shopping trip.

Some thoughts for Today, Perseverance and Faith

2 Thessalonians 1

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Thanksgiving for Faith and Perseverance

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your [a]perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 [b]For after all it is only just [c]for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted [d]and to us as well [e]when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with [f]His mighty angels in flaming fire,

 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

 10 when He comes to be glorified [g]in His [h]saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will [i]count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:

2 Thessalonians 1:4 Or steadfastness

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Lit If indeed

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Or in the sight of

2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit along with us

2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit at the revelation of the Lord Jesus

2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit the angels of His power

2 Thessalonians 1:10 Or in the persons of

2 Thessalonians 1:10 Or holy ones

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Or make

The Bible Panorama

2 Thessalonians 1

V 1–2: THESSALONIANS Paul, along with Sylvanus and Timothy, again writes to the church of the Thessalonians. He uses an identical greeting to the one in the first letter

. V 3: THANKSGIVING Paul again thanks God for them because of their growing faith and love which abounds towards each person in the church.

V 4–7: TRIBULATIONS The growth of their faith and love is in the context of the tribulations that they are enduring along with persecution. This is producing patience in them that causes Paul to hold them up as an example to other churches, and he reminds them that God will repay those who are troubling them at Christ’s second coming.

 V 8–10: THEN This takes Paul on to his focus on the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This will be a day of vengeance for those who do not obey His gospel and who will be punished with ‘everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord’. ‘On that day’, He will come to be ‘glorified in His saints’.

 V 11–12: THEREFORE This causes Paul and his party to pray for the Thessalonian church, that they will glorify God and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive divine grace.

The Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.

Sunday's no longer a day of rest from parking fines: Wardens target 'churchgoers and choristers' as tickets increase 13% in just five months, Daily Mail

• Motorists are being handed nearly 900,000 parking fines a month
• Tickets issued on Sundays have increased by 13 per cent
• The AA says some traffic wardens 'target churchgoers and choristers'

By RAY MASSEY, TRANSPORT EDITOR

PUBLISHED: 01:31, 20 September 2013 | UPDATED: 01:32, 20 September 2013

 
 
 

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The number of parking tickets issued on a Sunday has rocketed after scores of councils introduced seven-day patrols.

Figures show motorists are being stung by almost 900,000 parking fines a month at a cost of £30million – a 4 per cent rise on the previous year.

And tickets issued on Sundays have increased by 13 per cent – with nearly 300,000 tickets issued on that day of the week in the first five months of 2013.

Increase: Motorists are being stung by almost 900,000 parking fines a month at a cost of £30million - a 4 per cent rise on the previous year. While tickets issued on Sundays have increased by 13 per cent

It is believed the rise of Sunday shopping has prompted more town halls to crack down on parking on a day when rules were traditionally relaxed. 

And the AA says some traffic wardens had even ‘targeted churchgoers and choristers’.

The figures were revealed by LV= car insurance in a series of freedom of information requests.

The AA says some traffic wardens had even 'targeted churchgoers and choristers'

The company said: ‘While there has been  a general increase across all council areas, there has been  a significant spike in the number of tickets being issued on Sundays.’

 

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Westminster Council in London has given out the largest number of Sunday parking tickets so far this year at 16,464, followed by the London borough of Lambeth (6,590), Birmingham City Council (3,909), the London borough of Bexley (3,786) and Bristol (1,686).

Councils across the UK now hand out an average of 162 parking tickets a day, compared to 154 in 2012, according to the LV= report.

But drivers suffer a postcode lottery when it comes to rules on Sunday parking. 

John O’Roarke, managing  director of LV=, said: ‘Parking on a Sunday is becoming increasingly difficult and it’s easy to get caught out if you don’t know the local rules.’

AA president Edmund King said it was ‘as if nothing is sacred’, adding: ‘It’s mean-spirited to fine people on a Sunday. 

‘The traditional day of rest – when even motorists deserve a bit of relief – is being eroded  in favour of revenue raising. Money destined for the collection plate is instead flowing into council coffers.’

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