20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that Lb>all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
The Gospel of John - 17 - Today's Christian Videos
Do you know what that would accomplish - if we were "one" - in unity? Jesus said (in verse 21), "that the world may believe that You sent Me." …That the world may believe! How can the world believe that the One we are following (and trying to lead them to) is a loving God if we can't even love each other?
In John 15:12, Jesus said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." It's so important to Jesus that we love each other that He put it as a commandment - not a request or suggestion - a commandment!
Would you like to see an end to our "house divided"? In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."
This is not about religion or doctrines! It's about HIS HOUSE in division! Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God? Do you believe that He died for our sins and was resurrected on the 3rd day? Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? If so, then you're part of the house of God, the Body of Christ, the Kingdom of God. Doesn't that make us part of the same house, Body, and Kingdom - if we believe that, too? So, why are we a "house divided against itself"? Nobody said we have to all go to one church to be one "body" and to be in unity. We just have to do what Jesus said to do - Love the Lord God with all our heart, and to love each other.
If we want the world to know that "God is love," we need to start representing Him by living as He commanded us to live. Let's love each other and start down the road towards unity in the Body of Christ!
To connect with others who want unity in the Body, please send us email to unity@john17.org. This is not affiliated with any particular church, religion, or organization. We're just followers of Jesus Christ who love Him and love His people! Let's bring healing to His Body together!
"...in fact, the latest research offers a sobering reality regarding Faith@HomeFewer than 10% of parents who regularly attend church with their kids read the Bible together, pray together (other than at meal times) or participate in an act of service as a family unit. Only 28% of churched youth have talked with mom about faith. Only 13% of churched youth have talked with dad about faith. And finally, 69-94% of evangelical children are leaving the church shortly after they graduate from high school....
"ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Health officials say the holidays are the perfect time to talk about health history since many families are getting together. Knowing that history is not only important for you but for future generations as well.
Joelle and Rick Montzka of Anoka knew an important part of their family health history when they were deciding to have children. Joelle's grandfather had Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Joelle is a carrier.
She had a 50/50 chance of passing the gene. Their five-year-old son, Thomas, does have the disease.
Joelle said, "We were really prepared."
She calls Thomas a blessing saying, "He's very fun and he's very social, kind of a flirt."
There are other health issues in their family history too. Rick said "there's heart issues" on his side of the family. He added there's stroke and type 2 diabetes as well.
Kristin Oehlke, a genetics counselor in charge of the birth defects program at the Minnesota Department of Health, said it is important to record family health history.
Holiday gatherings are a great time to discuss it. Oehlke said while you may not want to discuss it over a big meal she recommends, "Letting people know that you're interested in this and opening the door to future conversations."
Oehlke helped create a tool offered by the Surgeon General called My Family Health Portrait. It's a tool you can use to list health issues of your various family members.
The information can only be stored on your computer but if you wish you can invite other family members to add to it as well.
Oehlke said it's important to not only list illnesses, but also the age of onset, symptoms, treatment and outcome.
A detailed family health history can help your doctor better diagnose symptoms, screen you earlier for diseases like breast or colon cancer, and in the case of autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease or type 2 diabetes, Oehlke said, "Having a family history of many of the chronic diseases, especially if you identify it earlier in life, can help you prevent them altogether."
The Montzka's believe knowing as much as you can about the past is important. Rick said, ""It's good to know that information so you can make decisions."
Joelle said medicine has advanced since her grandfather had the disease. And she said Thomas' form of muscular dystrophy is considered less severe than some others.
For those reasons they are optimistic about the future.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) "
"SOUTH ST. PAUL (WCCO) — In communities all around Minnesota, there is no shortage of good, hard-working families who just need a little help to get through tough times.
So, in this Season of Hope, WCCO-TV is connecting families in need with those who can help. On Thursday, we met a family from South St. Paul who lost everything — and almost lost each other — after a trailer with all of their belongings was stolen.
Now, however, they’re on the rebound, thanks to a helping hand from a local charity. WCCO’s Chris Shaffer and Liz Collin were there when they got some extra help to make their holidays a little nicer.
“You don’t think you have a lot,” said Kevin Demers, “but when it’s all gone, you really realize how important toothpaste is, you know?”
Sitting with their five kids in their cramped, two-bedroom home, Kevin and his wife, Melissa, talked about the bad break that changed their lives.
“We had moved to Texas to get a new start,” said Melissa. “While we were there, everything we owned was stolen, except the clothes we were wearing and the vehicle we were driving.”
Fortunately, they were able to get together enough money to drive back to Minnesota, but they were homeless. Agency after agency turned them away, because they no longer qualified as state residents, and they were desperate.
“We had come to the decision,” said Melissa, choking back tears, “that we weren’t going to be able to raise our kids, and so we were going to give them over to the state, and we were going to leave.”
As a last ditch, they turned to Sharing and Caring Hands, the charity founded by Mary Jo Copeland.
“She came up and she hugged us,” said Melissa, “and she said, ‘it’s OK, you won’t have to worry anymore. It’s over now.’”
It was the helping hand they needed. Kevin got a job as a machinist, which was enough to pay the rent at their current home. And while Melissa stayed home to take care of Jacob, who has autism, she studied, earning her associate degree, her bachelor’s degree, and this summer, the Masters that will help them turn the corner.
“Sharing and Caring Hands literally kept my family together,” said Kevin.
Times are still tight, though, so WCCO-TV got together with some of our partners to help make their holidays a little brighter.
They got free pizza for a year from Papa Murphy’s, a $100 gift card from Great Clips, and a family pack from some of our other partners, including a stay at the Water Park of America, a family pass to Nickelodeon Universe, a family membership to the Science Museum of Minnesota, tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters and a show at the Ordway Theater.
Then, Sister Nesta from Sharing and Caring Hands came into the room to present a $500 Target gift card, and gifts for the kids from Target, including a camera and a Kindle.
We also had more surprises outside their house: a snow thrower courtesy of the Toro Company and its Twin Cities employees, and a washer and dryer, from Warner’s Stellian Appliance Company.
“It’s really made a difference,” said Kevin. “My children are going to have extra gifts under the tree this year, and they deserve it.”"
"..is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization committed to helping create healthy communities for every young person. Because we believe that “all kids are our kids,” we create books and other materials that welcome and respect people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, religions, economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities. Our Mission: To provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities...
Renee Swope D6 Story - Be careful what you look through!
"While walking with my mother one day, she began to critique the color of my hair and my nails. After the second time, I realized why she was being so critical and we were able to talk through it and it ended with a good laugh. Little did I know that my son was listening the entire time. The wisdom he gained out of that conversation was both profound and challenging. I used this as an opportunity to strengthen his faith even further and deeper. Enjoy!"
"This video, posted by permission, is for the Financial Peace University Class by Dave Ramsey - Syndicated Talk Radio Host and is also on Fox Business Network. Go to www.daveramsey.com and find a class near you!"
"....But parents' arguments usually don't mean that they don't love each other or that they're getting a divorce. Most of the time the arguments are just a way to let off steam when parents have a bad day or feel stressed out over other things. Most people lose their cool now and then.
Just like kids, when parents get upset they might cry, yell, or say things they don't really mean. Sometimes an argument might not mean anything except that one parent or both just lost their temper. Just like kids, parents might argue more if they're not feeling their best or are under a lot of stress from a job or other worries....
"...At the Heart of God Ministries in Beckley 14 churches are gathering to celebrate their faith.
It's the Back to Pentecost: Fire in the Air event.
People will be singing and listening to speakers..
They will also be remembering victims of September 11th and they'll be taking up an offering for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Just coming together to be a part of the church and to be with us in celebration," says Bishop Fred Simms with Heart of God Ministries. "To be with us in prayer, to be with us as we try to again, outreach to the individuals of, the victims of Hurricane Katrina."
"We could not pass this up," says Bishop Clarence Moore with Greater Mt. Zion Pentecostal Church. "Jesus would feed those folks. He would reach out to them so we're doing all that we can."
The event starts of 6 p-m this Saturday September 11th at the Heart of God Ministries in Beckle..
Related: Christians play lead role in Katrina disaster response, from cnnw.com "
The disaster that took place in late August in New Orleans, La., and the Gulf States as a result of Hurricane Katrina defies description, it was so massive.
But the level of response by concerned agencies — including countless churches and ministries right here in the Pacific Northwest — also is hard to summarize because of its size. Virtually every gathering of Christians sought to show Jesus’ love in some tangible way to the victims of the hurricane.
Here — as examples — are brief news items that came to Christian News Northwest in the weeks following the devastating hurricane:... Dublin comes together to aid hurricane victims "Dublin Texas - - Businesses, churches and individuals in Dublin, Texas are coming together to help provide basic necessities to people who have lost everything or have been forced to leave their homes because of Hurricane Katrina. Working with a disaster relief agency in Louisiana, the people of Dublin will be putting together Health Kits for distribution to affected peoples. "So many people want to do something...anything...to help." said Pat Leatherwood of First National Bank. "It's in our nature to care for others. All we are doing is helping to provide that opportunity to the good people here in Dublin."
.. OAKLAND / Churches plan rally for hurricane funds
September 05, 2005|By Glen Martin articles.sfgate.com "Oakland churches are planning an ecumenical rally and prayer meeting from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Arena in Oakland to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina's victims.
"We will come together not to mourn but to celebrate rebuilding and restoring," said Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., the senior pastor of Allen Temple, a major East Oakland church.
Smith and Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church, another large East Oakland congregation, are leading the event, called "Oakland United in Love."
"This is really an hour for the church in Japan as well as for brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe to pray and work together," said Preston Parrish, Executive Vice President of Ministry at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “It’s a time to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus Christ.â€
That love and hope will be delivered in many different ways.
Most pressing, the physical need in Japan is great and BGEA, along with Samaritan’s Purse, is responding by providing food, water, blankets and medical supplies. Already, BGEA has sent $200,000 to get relief efforts going.....
"
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, “I follow Cephas[b]â€; still another, “I follow Christ."
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power....
"49 "Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
50 "Do not stop him," Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you." "-Luke 9
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