News and Opinioin in and around our church
God created people to be productive, says Rick Warren
Christian Today – Czarina Ong - Published February 20, 2015
Pastor Rick Warren is urging Christians not to slack off because God designed people to be productive and create wealth for His kingdom.
Warren shared in his devotional that the problem with the economy now, including America's, is that there are more wealth takers than wealth makers. He said that the economy takes a turn for the worse when there are more consumers than contributors, and this is sadly the reality of today's economy.
"Yet God designed us to create wealth, to produce wealth; he designed us to be productive people. God wants you to be productive, and his plan for your life includes wealth creation — not wealth redistribution," he reasoned.
Warren blamed Wall Street in particular for the economy's collapse, saying that the people working there have been making outrageous amounts of money without really creating anything.
"They didn't create services. They didn't create benefits. They didn't create products. They didn't create jobs. They simply made money on money," he lamented.
The pastor said that Wall Street's way of making money is not what God wants for His people. "God wants us to provide benefits, services, and protection to others. He wants us to create opportunities to help people," he said.
Warren then explained the differences between capitalism, communism, and Christianity. With capitalism, people are self-centred and believe that "What's mine is mine, and I'm going to keep it."
Communism is greedy because it believes, "What's yours is mine, and I have a right to take it."
Christianity is instead what God wants people to strive for. It teaches, "What's mine is really God's, and I'm willing to share it."
Warren said that when people are voluntarily generous to help others, it builds their character and helps them grow as individuals. "Becoming more productive and generous helps you to become more like Christ," he said.
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Franklin Graham: One day ISIS will bow to Jesus
Christian Today – Carey Lodge - Published 18 February 2015
In the wake of more brutality by militant group Islamic State, Franklin Graham has said that even they will one day bow to Jesus.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, wrote: "The evil of ISIS really shouldn't shock us – it is fully in keeping with their ultimate agenda of hastening a final apocalypse. God's Word tells us that there will be a final battle one day, but it will result in the defeat of Satan and all those allied with him.
"One thing is for sure – one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Graham highlighted the video released by IS on Sunday showing the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya, as well as the fatal shootings in Denmark over the weekend by a gunman suspected to have been inspired by the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.
The evangelist criticised President Obama for failing to "acknowledge the truth and call Islamic extremism what it is."
"After a weekend of terrorism in Libya and Denmark, beginning today the White House is hosting a three-day "Summit on Countering Violent Extremism." I am perplexed as to why our President will not acknowledge the truth and call Islamic extremism what it is," Graham wrote.
"In a statement the White House even called the 21 Christians who were beheaded 'Egyptian citizens,' refusing to identify them as Christians. The truth is--their barbaric murderers openly said they killed them because they were 'people of the cross.' Why is the President seemingly continuing to protect Islam and refusing to open his eyes to the truth?"
On Monday, Graham posted a statement to his Facebook page warning that "the storm is coming".
"Can you imagine the outcry if 21 Muslims had been beheaded by Christians? Where is the universal condemnation by Muslim leaders around the world?" he asked.
"As we mourn with the families of those 21 martyrs, we'd better take this warning seriously as these acts of terror will only spread throughout Europe and the United States. If this concerns you like it does me, share this. The storm is coming."
Graham has previously encouraged Muslims to turn from Islam and accept Christ.
In a live panel interview on Fox News in January, he said: "I want to say something to all the Muslims that may be watching this that are confused and are afraid themselves. I want them to know that God loves them and that Jesus Christ died for their sins – and Christ will forgive them and heal their hearts.
"And they don't have to die in a jihad, they don't have to kill somebody else to please God. God loves them and he will accept them through faith and through his son, Jesus Christ."
In an interview with Christian Today in December, he said Islam is "a religion of war".
Past Articles
First Baptist Church Wants Rezoning of Former Milk Plant
Smoky Lake Town Council – February 5, 2014
by Bernie Heinz, Smoky Lake Signal, February 12, 2014
Council chambers overflowed with a contingent of 21 supporters from the Baptist Church, with some of the delegation having standing room only in the lobby of the Town office.
The Church completed the purchased the old milk plant after Council had previously given first reading (Dec 4/13) to rezone the lands from industrial to institutional. This was based on the assumption that second and third reading were to be given after the purchase was complete.
It was done this way since the land owner did not want the property rezoned to institutional if the sale did not materialize. If the sale did not go through, Council could then defeat second reading and the rezoning would be dead.
Mayor Brousseau thanked the delegation for attending and said, "We asked you to come to fill us in as to what's happening with the site, what's going on, so our decision will be easy to make."
Dwight Pritchard, Chair of the Leadership Team, spoke on behalf of the group. "Basically, what we would like to do is put forward the benefits that we feel what we're doing there with the old milk plant (to renovate into a church building) and future considerations for a community type centre, or things that would benefit the community."
"Some things in our vision - first off -renovate the big warehouse part as a worship centre that will seat approximately 350 people. Other things we would like to see happen (and we are open to suggestions) is a daycare centre. We are definitely going to develop a gym for a teen walk in centre (floor hockey to concerts for the youth). We also plan to put in an industrial kitchen so we can have a banquet facility -even meeting rooms for groups that want to have meetings (example Chamber of Commerce) or whoever."
Pritchard emphasized that .they want to develop it as a community centre as opposed to just a church. He also stated that "It is not going to happen overnight! We will develop a bit at a time. We are excited about it and we know the community is too. We plan to sell the existing church property and parking lot and take that revenue and pour it into the new building. But, also, we want to dispel any concerns or misinformation you may have."
Councillor Mykitiuk asked Pritchard about the timeline of the project and Pritchard responded, "We hope to be using part of it by fall time. It all depends on how fast we can raise funds."
Councillor Palechuk told the delegation, "We have been hearing rumors in the community, so we really appreciate you coming to talk to us." Palechuk expressed concern over the loss of tax base to the Town, upon rezoning, as only the daycare area would be taxed. "However, that property has been sitting empty forever."
Pritchard acknowledged the loss of tax base, "However, it will be an asset. Even to the businesses locally. There is always the possibility of conventions, where people come from all over the province and western Canada, and that definitely will put money into the community. Local businesses will benefit."
Councillor Palechuk, regarding the banquet facility, "A personal caution...we have the Ukrainian National Hall, and there is a skeleton crew of us working, and it is really difficult to get people to pay the price you need to keep the facility going. Between the Complex and ourselves, we always seem to be under booked."
As there are usually about 100 people at the service, the delegation indicated that they "need a fellowship area for coffee and lunch after service. We would do the kitchen for our own use anyhow"
CAO Harvey Prockiw indicated to the delegation that "There are two parcels. Actually, lots 16 and 17 have been consolidated on one title and then there is the vacant lot on lot 18. Are you opposed to having that vacant parcel on the south side rezoned from industrial to institutional?"
Helen Axford responded, "It is all part and parcel of the church. We want it all to be institutional. It was on those grounds that we purchased it. As far as losing the tax base, it might be a loss for about a year, but we have all the confidence we are going to bring in new life with the church. Things like the pumpkin festival -if people want to park their cars there or just take time away from the busy rush. We want to be there, available for the community. So, it might look like it's a $10,000.00 loss every year, but it's really nothing. It's going to be an asset to our community. So, for the parking lot, we would like it to be institutional as well, as it is part and parcel of the church."
Council motioned for second and third reading on the rezoning and both motions carried.