Postagens

Mostrando postagens de abril, 2006

Beneficência

Beneficência A nossa sociedade possui muita pobreza, miséria, carências físicas que afligem uma enorme parte de nosso povo. Nosso propósito não é considerar a mensagem espiritual, da qual os descrentes necessitam. Estamos partindo do entendimento de que, concordamos que a questão da mensagem do evangelho é sempre prioritária e nunca pode ser suprida apenas pelo alívio das necessidades temporais. Queremos, entretanto, examinar o que a Bíblia tem a nos dizer sobre beneficência e, principalmente, examinar nossas responsabilidades pessoais para com os necessitados. A realidade Incontestável da Existência da Pobreza. O próprio Jesus afirmou esta realidade em Mateus 26:11, quando ele disse: “..os pobres; sempre os tendes convosco”. Infelizmente alguns evangélicos têm utilizado esta expressão como se ela representasse uma visão imutável da questão social, pela qual eles não possuem responsabilidades, ou seja: “é inevitável, nada há a fazer!” Examinando toda a Palavra de Deus, vemos que Jesus

Joy in the Journey

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Joy in the Journey The relational glue that helps us pursue oneness By John and Nancy Ortberg Psychiatrist William Frey spent years studying the dramatic impact that laughter, humor, and joy have on our lives. He found that joy increases our pulse rate, blood circulation, and oxygenation. Joy causes remarkable relaxation. Frey discovered, "Humor banishes the tightness and the severity necessary for anger. If mirth is experienced, rage is impossible." Joy is a kind of relational glue. It gives us intrinsic motivation to pursue intimacy and oneness in marriage. Bill Bright says it this way: "As long as you're going to be married the rest of your life, you might as well enjoy it." In other words, marriage is supposed to be a source of joy. "Joy does two things for our marriages. It causes us to remember the good. And it causes us to live in the present." And it's God's plan for marriage. Throughout the Bible marriage is used as a picture of joy th

What Difference Does Easter Make?

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What Difference Does Easter Make? The Resurrection's effects on life and death. by Rick Warren, A lot of people say, "I believe in the resurrection; I just don't understand it." Pollster George Gallup said even 84 percent of people who never go to church believe Jesus rose from the dead. It is historical fact; it wasn't done in secret. The whole city of Jerusalem and the whole Roman Empire knew about it. It was news. If CNN had been there, they would have had it live. There are at least 15 historical references to Jesus meeting people, touching people, and talking with people after he had been crucified. One time he cooked breakfast for some people. One time he talked to about 500 people after he had risen from the dead. A lot of people saw him. Jesus did rise, he is who he said he was, he has the power he said he had, and he keeps the promises he makes. So what? Why does the resurrection matter? What difference does it make? It matters for three reasons. 1. My pa

The Judas We Never Knew

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The Judas We Never Knew Disgraced disciple actually conspired with Jesus, according to newly released Gospel of Judas. Should we believe it? by Collin Hansen The Gospel of Judas debuted Thursday in Washington, D.C. What's the Gospel of Judas, you ask? Well, it's not a gospel. And it's not written by Judas. But it's still important, if not the most important nonbiblical text discovered during the last 60 years, as a National Geographic Society executive told The New York Times . The text, a copy of the document written during the second century, reveals some big news. Turns out Judas wasn't the renegade disciple who betrayed Jesus and committed suicide after remorse overwhelmed him. No, this Judas was just doing what Jesus told him to do. Jesus explained to Judas that he would "exceed all of [the disciples]" by getting Jesus crucified. Well, that sure would change things. If it were true. This "news" isn't what makes the Gospel of Judas signif

Convite de Jesus

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Convite de Jesus "Vinde a mim, todos os que estais cansados e sobrecarregados, e eu vos aliviarei. Tomai sobre vós o meu jugo e aprendei de mim, porque sou manso e humilde de coração; e achareis descanso para a vossa alma". Mateus 11:28-29