Our church is located within half an hour of one of the largest Marine bases in the world, so naturally, we try to stay informed of what’s going on in the military world. What affects them affects us, and likewise, our church needs to know how to minister to the many demands facing families in our US Marines.
Here are twelve areas the Marines anticipate change in the new year:
Are we the only ones who find this nativity scene strange? That looks a lot like a mosque behind the stable. But the Muslims didn’t exist for another 600 years. This came from a picture story book in the Playmobil Nativity Set. It’s a really cool set, but this is a very strange picture.
We showed this video during last Saturday’s Christmas Mission Banquet. The need for the gospel in our world is absolutely staggering. May God use us to rescue the lost and declare His glory among the nations.
The International Missions Board has an amazing story today out of North Africa. Here’s an excerpt.
Hospital doctors discovered that Ali had a perforated colon — an extremely rare condition in younger men without trauma or previous infection, and Ali had neither. Castle couldn’t explain how it happened, but Ali had a theory: He believed his illness was the product of a curse placed on him by an Islamic witch doctor. Things got worse after the surgery…
You can read the exciting conclusion of this story here.
I am not a charismatic. I believe the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit (i.e. tongues, prophecy, miracles, healing) ceased by the end of the first century AD for several reasons: (1) the purpose of these gifts was revelatory and to authenticate the apostle’s ministry (2 Cor. 12:12). (2) Paul said these gifts would go away (1 Cor. 13:10). (3) the later years of the New Testament already seem to indicate the sign gifts were fading out (e.g. Phil. 2:27; 1 Tim. 5:23).
But that does not mean cessationists like myself deny the reality of miracles. I have never heard a cessationist say miracles do not happen. Our Almighty God can and does still perform miracles according to His Sovereign will and even sometimes in direct answer to our prayers. But note, the story above and other joyous incidents around the world are something quite different from the apostolic gift of healing, where for example Paul was performing extraordinary miracles in Acts 19:11-12.
Here’s a refreshing article from one of our Navy Physicians that shows how average people in Afghanistan are being helped by the presence of American troops. The mainstream media really needs to pick up some of these positive reports and give a more balanced perspective on this war.
Yesterday was an altogether wholesome and satisfying day. It always feels good to give or provide services to those with so little. At the end of a day it is a very good feeling when I can say that Afghanistan is better off because of what we did today…
…With the help of the prison mentor staff, we started immunizing the women incarcerated there. After a short orientation time of observation and teaching, our Afghan medic friend gave immunizations with us.We also immunized their children, since they stay with the mother during her time in prison. Based on previous experiences we decided this was the best population to start with so that they did not get “forgotten”.
The women were all pleasant and for the most part very cooperative. Their area was new and clean, although it did lack heat. The children were cute and captivating. Thankfully I remembered to bring some Shiryni (sweets or candy) to give them for after they braved their vaccines. We left the medic enough supplies of all types to immunize the rest of the population and staff. I think this was a good call, since rather than doing the whole thing ourselves, we taught, coached and provided the means for the staff to complete the task themselves.
. It’s a really cool set, but this is a very strange picture.
Pinch Of Clay 