On this edition, Pastor Matthew tackles the topic, “Do I Have To Attend Church If I’m A Christian?” Is it possible to be an unchurched Christian? Do you need to be part of the local church to be used by God? Listen to this, we’re going into the Word!

WE ARE A MOVEMENT WITH A MODEST BEGINNING

We are a worldwide ministry in which millions of children reap the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision.

More than 65 years ago, Rev. Everett Swanson flew to South Korea to minister to American troops fighting in the Korean War. During his time there, he grew increasingly troubled by the sight of hundreds of war orphans living on the streets, abandoned by society.

One morning he saw city workers scoop up what looked like piles of rags and toss them into the back of a truck. He walked up to the truck for a closer look — and was horrified to see that the "piles" were not rags, but the frozen bodies of orphans who had died overnight in the streets.

Appalled, Rev. Swanson began including this experience into his revival meetings, and Christians responded by donating funds to purchase rice and fuel for the orphans. Within 10 years, 108 orphanages and homes in South Korea were receiving support.

WE ARE "SUFFERING WITH" CHILDREN IN NEED

The etymology of the word compassion stems from the Latin com meaning "with, together" and the Latin pati "to suffer." Compassion literally means to suffer with.

Compassion, suffering with another person, combines sympathy with an active response or a desire to help. Because we have compassion, we want to act and lessen someone else's suffering. This desire to act is what differentiates compassion from empathy, understanding or sharing the feelings of others.

We take a long-term approach to child development by investing in and for the life of each child.

Through our holistic child development model, we blend physical, social, economic and spiritual care together to help children in poverty fully mature in every facet of life and transcend what is often a generational legacy of poverty. We deliver whole-life care, by way of our frontline church partners, that is personal, individualized, relational, and tailored to the child's age, gender, health, culture and family situation.

 

WE ARE COMPASSION

Compassion. A movement. A calling. A cause. A people.

Compassion is global, reflecting the beautiful diversity of God's kingdom.

We are collaborative, depending on teamwork and partnership.

We are inclusive and accepting of others.

We are honest. We say what we mean, and we do what we say.

We are respectful, protecting the divine character in everyone.

We strive to always be grace filled, kind, forgiving and merciful.

We are advocates for children committed to Jesus Christ in all that we do.

We are loving. God's love fuels us, and we unabashedly love one another.

We are passionate, against injustice and for our cause.

Compassion is authentic, facing hard realities with an adventuresome spirit.

We are totally focused on our our mission. Single-minded in our pursuit.

Our ministry is contextual, customized and culturally relevant. It is effective, proven and outcome driven.

Our creative spirit drives innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities before us.

Compassion is professional. We do our work with excellence but without pretension.

Our faith in God and in His promises empowers us to be confident. In the face of evil raging around us, we remain hopeful and lift one another's spirits as we go about our mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

Sparks of Revival are burning all around us. What can you do to fan the flames? It may loom as a question within you that seems unanswerable.. Begin to develop your eyes to see revival in your world. Learn the truth of revival history. Discover the joy of true repentance in Jesus and pray with the global Body of Christ for the Holy Spirit to flow unhindered through the United States and the world. 

 

Throughout the years, hearkening back for centuries, there have been many instances of revival, not only in our land, but around the world. So, if you are a student of history, those accounts will provide at least twenty major illustrations of these times throughout the years. Yet, there is a hidden key to all of this history.

There have been many “known” revivals…but hundreds of countless others that have never been recorded. That is where you come into the picture.

 

It is precisely because of these historical accounts of revival, coupled with the current needs in our world that we want to bring you into a conversation that will explore, over the coming weeks, the answers that will equip you to join in this fight. Understand this… you hold within your hands, the power to literally change the world. Jesus has already chosen you. Believe it. Receive it…and act on it.

 

So, it now becomes our goal to teach, preach and train the “common man”, even if they feel obsolete or lacking, in providing a platform to carry out a simple truth that may have been buried inside of us for years. A truth that is simply this…to awaken the hearts of men, women and children around the world, to come to a knowledge of the saving work of Jesus.

 

If we explore the very definition of Christian revivals, we find that it simply means, “An improvement in the condition or strength of something. Or, a restoration of force, validity, or effect.”

What does this mean to us though?

 

The answer is staring us in the face and peering deep into our hearts. Make no mistake…there is a fire that is brewing throughout the world, just as it has been for centuries, that we must act upon. It may be something as simple as reaching a family member or a treasured friend. It may be that God is calling you to be a vessel for revival in your local church body, or most of all…to the men and women on the streets that have been forgotten.

 

Ask yourself…where and how does revival begin? What separates this concept from any other outpouring of what mankind has ever tried to offer for a particular cause that may feel relevant to our time and culture?

The answer is simple. Evil has engaged itself in a war for the souls of mankind. Yet it’s not about an uprising to just simply fight in a particular war. It is about taking the message of love, salvation and ultimate redemption to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior.

 

A simple love story of a man that laid down His life and rose again, to provide salvation for all of those that will hear this message and in turn, lay down their life for Him.

 

Evil has engaged itself in a war for the souls of mankind. May we be unified in Christ, crushing this army that already stands defeated. Once revival has begun in the hearts of people that need Jesus, it will grow as we fan the flames of the Gospel message, the ultimate love story.

 

Join us at www.thecenterforawakening.com  and share about the Sparks of Revival you are experiencing, right where you are.

A number of years ago I sat in an audience listening to TL Osborne the legendary evangelist. Heasked us to stand if we would give up our eyes for a million dollars.  Not one person stoodrealizing how much we take for granted.Fifteen years ago I lost the sight in my left eye from a condition for which there is no treatment.Recently I began experiencing similar symptoms in my right eye and was catapulted into thepossibility of total blindness. Please pray for miraculous intervention.Jesus said, “the eye is the lamp of the body” (Matt. 6:22). Close your eyes for two minutes andimagine what it’s like not to see. Of the five senses, which would be most devastating to lose?Imagine the trauma of never seeing your children or grandchildren again; never driving, reading,writing and seeing the light of day. It's a terrifying prospect.No Sight or No Vision?Helen Keller, who had no hearing or sight, told us, “The only thing worse than having no sightis having no vision.” As we all experience the realities of aging, it’s imperative that to have abiblically informed perspective on maladies we may face. Some have faith to live until 120 or canpurchase facial makeovers, injections and implants, but scripture tells us, “The outward man isperishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). While it’s important to eat right, exercise regularly and regulate stress for temple maintenance,are there times when our physical bodies come under attack by the devil? If so, should weremain passive or simply “chalk it up” to building of character or the sovereignty of God?Reading Paul's letter to the Galatians we learn that he first preached to them when he was ill.He told them he was blessed knowing they would be willing to pluck out their eyes to help him.He mentioned that he wrote with large letters. This is the apostle who said, “Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). He told the Corinthianchurch “a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me lest I beexalted above measure" (2 Cor. 12:7).

I’m not good enough. It’s my fault. I am alone. I am worthless. The voices and lies you give power to shape who you are and attempt to hijack your identity, twisting your perspective on God, family, career, church, and other relationships. Whose voice are you listening to?You are a champion by God’s design. In Fight Forward , Brenda Crouch bravely shares her story of overcoming the abuse she suffered as a child and an adult. She offers practical solutions that will help you

 

• find courage to dismantle the façade and embrace your true identity.

 

• break the cycle of a victim mindset and trust the power of God to set you free. 

• discover the strength to say no to users and learn to recognize authentic love. 

• ditch self-ambition and explore the wealth of your divine purpose. 

• find your voice and help others heal.Be propelled into favor and fulfillment as you listen to God’s voice. He wants you to know the relevance of your authentic value and the unique purpose for which you were born. 

www.brendacrouch.com

As an executive coach and relationship architect, Dr. Johnny Parker helps men and women achieve success by viewing their lives as a story. Through his “Turn the Page” system, CEOs, pro athletes, coaches, and other high-impact men and women have gained high-definition clarity and discovered the story they were born to live. Johnny is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches Introduction to Positive Psychology, an evidence-based approach that focuses on conditions leading to happiness and flourishing. Recognizing that families and organizations share similar relational dynamics, Johnny uses his clinical background and research in positive psychology to help people revolutionize their relationships, work and lives. His work on developing healthy, fulfilling lives and strong relationships has been featured on CNN International and national media outlets. In May, 2008, Johnny was a part of a select group of marriage educators and researchers invited to the White House to discuss ways to strengthen marriages in America. He has authored several books, including Turn the Page: Unlocking the Story Within You, Exceptional Living: 31 Exercises for Enriching Your Life, Work and Relationships, Renovating Your Marriage Room by Room and Faith Like a Child. Johnny earned a M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University. He and his bride, Lezlyn, reside outside Washington, D.C., and love hanging out with their three sons, JP, Jordan and Joel and their energetic Cocker Spaniel, Jay-Jay.

When mass trauma strikes, faith leaders are called upon to guide and sustain communities through the aftermath. Their role is to help us heal...

But Who Heals the Healers?

 

Healing the Healers is a new multimedia resource intended to support clergy, laity, social workers, first responders and other spiritual care providers facing community-level trauma. The five-part film series is accompanied by written reflections and discussion guides written by scholars, clergy and other experts.

In the series, Reverend Matthew Crebbin, of Newtown Congregational Church, leads an important conversation with faith leaders who’ve experienced mass trauma, either suddenly, as at Newtown or during 9/11, or through ministering to a community facing chronic violence, such as Hartford, CT, or St. Louis, MO.

Websites:  https://www.odyssey-impact.org/

http://healingthehealers.com

I speak with Dave Donaldson, Co-Author of the new book "CityServe, Your Guide To Church Based Compassion"

40 EXPERTS SHARE THEIR WISDOM

About CITYSERVE

You want to make a lasting difference through compassion ministry; however, you’re busy with all of the other demands and its hard to know where to start; You want your church to be known for meeting needs but at times feel under-resourced and overwhelmed. CityServe was written for difference makers like you.

CityServe, written by forty leading experts in community-based and global compassion will inspire and equip you to

 become a leader of influence in your community

adopt proven models for churches of any size

recruit and mobilize volunteers to serve

partner with government and local businesses

acquire funds and in-kind gifts

Read CityServe and find the guidance you need to impact your community in ways you’d never imagined.

www.cityservebook.com

I heard a man of God rehearsing his upbringing when he inserted the following, evoking a hearty laugh from the audience. "People ask me in my mischievous childhood if I ever got spankings? I surprise them when I say I was never spanked. But I sure got some 'wuppins!'" Enjoying Turner Classic movies and reruns of wholesome family shows like Andy Griffith or Lassie, an occasional spanking for little children was just the norm when they persistently misbehaved. A little protoplasmic stimulation to the backside of learning got a wayward child back on track with a lesson learned.Celebrating Mother's Day brings  pleasant memories for moms along with some persistent questions like the appropriateness of spanking in our hyper politically correct culture.

Years ago I authored a book now titled, "The Little Handbook of Loving Correction." It was formerly called, "God, the Rod and Your Child’s Bod" but I changed it out of cultural sensitivity. For every wonderful mother in America struggling with this nagging issue, receive this biblically informed reassurance as a gift. May it bring peace from alignment with God's plan for raising happy, respectful and obedient children.

     

Realism in Raising Kids

 

Raising children requires a realistic perspective on our inherited sinful nature and a rejection of the "inherent goodness of man." Adam rebelled and all of us have ratified that rebellion because of our inherited sin nature.

 

We don't have to teach children to be selfish, lie, hit their siblings, steal or pout when they don't get their way.  We do have to train them to learn to control themselves and do what is pleasing to God.

 

Don't you just love it when parenting "experts" expound their views on TV in their world of Utopia? A couple living together with no children confidently shares their "wisdom" philosophy about raising their future children by simply reasoning with them, calmly affirming them and ignoring clear cut disobedience as "a stage they'll grow out of."

 

Yeah, right. Wait 'till they confront strong-willed little Grayson in all his glorious defiance one day! This is why seasoned veterans wince at this idealism and understand bumper stickers reading: "Insanity is inherited. You get it from your children."

I can think of no better epitaph than "He helped others to better themselves." If that's what they end up saying about you, you can consider your life a success. This is the purpose that Charlie Cina has and is applying to his life, for others. It is an honor for me to speak with Charlie about his new book, that has been released "Expose and Close" Simple Networking, Marketing and Sales Techniques to Activate, Acquire and Achieve Massive Success.