Saturday, 21 September 2013
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...
Friday, 20 September 2013
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'
|
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.
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)
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.
The below suggestions come from the
book Educating The Whole Hearted Child
by Clay and Sally Clarkson,
and we think their right on!
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'
|
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.’
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.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2426145/Traffic-wardens-target-churchgoers-choristers-Sundays-parking-tickets-increase-13-just-months.html#ixzz2fPw3eGHF
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