Passover Eve: 3 Wounded In Ramming Attack In Jerusalem, Terrorists Flee The Scene Three pedestrians were wounded in a ramming attack in Jerusalem on Monday morning (22nd) Israel Police reported. ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 4/22/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Hezbollah attacked IDF troops in the Mount Dov area of Northern Israel with anti-tank missiles early Friday morning, according to Israeli media.The IDF responded with artillery fire at the source of the fire, while the air force struck multiple targets in southern Lebanon.

Sweden will move ahead with plans to send troops to Latvia as part of NATO's deployment in the Baltic countries, which share land borders with Russia and its ally Belarus, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday."This morning, the government took the formal decision to assign the armed forces the task of preparing the Swedish contribution to the reduced battalion," Kristersson told a news conference with his Latvian counterpart Evika Silina."The goal is to have this force operational from the beginning of next year."The contribution will include armored vehicles and Leopard tanks, Kristersson added.Sweden had already said it aimed to contribute a reduced mechanized battalion to NATO's deployment in Latvia as early as next year, troops intended to deter and defend against any attack, but the final decision awaited NATO membership.Sweden's armed forces have previously said the country's deployment to Latvia could include about 600 army troops.

By Dave DeCamp Updated 1:14 am EST on 4/19/24 US officials told multiple media outlets that Israel launched an attack against Iran early Friday morning....Israel Launches Attack on Iran

Today's category: DrunksGive Me A Push? ? ? ? ? ? A man is in bed with his wife when there is a rat-a-tat-tat on the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock, and it's half past three in the morning. "I'm not getting out of bed at this time," he thinks, and rolls over.? ? ? ? ? ? Then, a louder knock follows. "Aren't you going to answer that?" says his wife.? ? ? ? ? ? So he drags himself out of bed and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is man standing at the door. It didn't take the homeowner long to realize the man was drunk.? ? ? ? ? ? "Hi there," slurs the stranger. "Can you give me a push?"? ? ? ? ? ? "No, get lost. It's half past three. I was in bed," says the man and he slams the door. He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened.? ? ? ? ? ? "Dave, that wasn't very nice of you," she says.? ? ? ? ? ? "Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the babysitter, and you had to knock on that man's house to get us started again? What would have happened if he'd told us to get lost?"? ? ? ? ? ? "But the guy was drunk," says the husband.? ? ? ? ? ? "It doesn't matter," says the wife. "He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him." So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere, he shouts, "Hey, do you still want a push?" And he hears a voice cry out, "Yeah, please." So, still being unable to see the stranger, he shouts,? ? ? ? ? ? "Where are you?"? ? ? ? ? ? "I'm over here," the stranger replies, "on your swing."View hundreds more jokes online.Email this joke to a friend

Sirens? rang in Jerusalem as air defense systems shot down missiles over the city early yesterday morning after Iran? launched more than three hundred missiles and drones at Israel.

The 35th Annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon, in which volunteers read every word of the Bible from cover to cover, kicks off Saturday afternoon and runs through Wednesday morning.?

Church leaders can offer clear moral and ethical guidance for a practice that violates biblical mandates.On April 8, the Vatican issued Dignitas Infinita, a 20-page document rejecting a variety of practices that violate human dignity. Unsurprisingly, these included human trafficking, violence against women, abortion, euthanasia, sex change, and child abuse. It also included surrogacy.This isn’t the first time the pontificate has come out against this “deplorable” practice, which “fails to respect the dignity of [the] child” and “violates the dignity of the woman.” Pope Francis made waves in January when he condemned surrogacy, noting that “a child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract.”Evangelical Christians and pastors value the life of the unborn. That’s why we march across the capital on freezing January mornings and pray outside of abortion clinics. Our motivation for child protection must also lead us to confront the ways children are impacted by the baby-making industry as well.But when did you last hear your pastor address the issue of surrogacy from the pulpit? Odds are, never. Protestants have a dearth of official guidance on reproductive technologies. While some are clear on abortion, very few denominations have clear teachings on IVF, let alone the much rarer practice of surrogacy.Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ethics professor Andrew T. Walker told The New York Times that when he suggested introducing a resolution about artificial reproductive technology at the denomination’s annual convention, his colleagues hesitated.Some Christians are directly involved in surrogacy and see their role as a calling to help families have children, as CT reported in 2018. But many Christian bioethicists cite ...Continue reading...

Professional golfer Scottie Scheffler said he woke up Sunday morning before the final round of the Masters at Augusta, Ga., with anxious thoughts but took solace knowing that his future is “secure on the cross.”

Professional golfer Scottie Scheffler said he woke up Sunday morning before the final round of the Masters at Augusta, Ga., with anxious thoughts but took solace knowing that his future is “secure on the cross.”

Early on Sunday morning (April 14, 2024), Iran launched a barrage of 300 missiles, drones, and rockets at Israel in retaliation for Israel's alleged airstrike “of a building near the ... Read MoreThe post Israel at War: Week 27 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Israel Debates Response To Iranian Assault Israel's airspace reopened on Sunday morning (14th) following an unprecedented direct attack by Iran during the overnight hours that saw over 300 drones, and ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 4/15/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Most pastors will tell you of the importance of small groups. Speaking from personal experience, I know that if someone is connected in a small group, there is a greater likelihood that they'll be involved in a wider mission and more involved within the local church's life. They also have a built-in support system to help them grow in Christ. A recent LifeWay study found what I already knew through personal experience—small groups are important. Scott McConnell summarized the study with these words:"Small groups and Sunday School classes provide the relational glue that allows a local congregation to be a place where people love one another. Groups and relationships that are centered on the Word of God unify a congregation and motivate people to work together on the mission of the church. Churches with few people participating in groups are not in a healthy position to make more disciples."? [1]We also know that, just as with Sunday morning attendance, there are more women than men in attendance—about 60-40. Why is it harder to get men to be actively involved in small groups? Do they not like going? Or are there other reasons?Before answering these questions, I should say that in my own experience, I have witnessed many men absolutely love going to small groups. If a man is engaged in other disciplines within the body of Christ, these "reasons" are usually not a big enough hurdle. And in my experience, many of the men who attend small groups say it's their favorite time of the weak. Nevertheless, it can be a tough hurdle for some to overcome. Here are some of those reasons: ? [1]? https://research.lifeway.com/2023/03/07/research-reveals-importance-of-small-groups-evangelism-assimilation-for-church-growth/Photo Courtesy:? ? Jantanee Rungpranomkorn from? Getty Images

Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church? There are plenty of scriptures about meeting together, so, maybe it's out of obedience. Or maybe it's tradition, or maybe it's the fear of being accused of not being a good Christian. Maybe you go to church because it's something to do or it feels like a good thing to have some sort of faith-based support. Maybe you've formed good friendships, or you enjoy the programs churches have to offer. Maybe you like being part of a community of like-minded people. Maybe you've just always gone and so you continue to go out of habit or routine.? Everyone has their opinions about church, but does God have an opinion?Today, when churches almost everywhere are broadcasting online, does it really matter if you actually get dressed and head out on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night? What about a Bible study, does that count? You can read the Bible alone and grow in your faith and you can pray alone and grow in your faith, and you can worship alone and grow in your faith. Yet each one of these faith actions has two sides: personal and inter-personal.? Most people are comfortable with reading the Bible and praying together, but worship is different. Why is that? People are sometimes less comfortable expressing themselves in worship when others are around than they are worshipping alone. But is one “better” or more spiritually beneficial than the other? Photo Credit:©GettyImages/CreativaImages

Sirens? rang in Jerusalem as air defense systems shot down missiles over the city early yesterday morning after Iran? launched more than three hundred missiles and drones at Israel.

This morning, while running errands before Shabbat, the threat became real on another level. The cell phone store in the neighborhood shopping center is now selling gas powered generators. We've been talking for weeks about the likelihood that an attack by Hezbollah or Iran could take out the power grid for some time. People are stocking up.

This morning, while running errands before Shabbat, the threat became real on another level. The cell phone store in the neighborhood shopping center is now selling gas powered generators. We've been talking for weeks about the likelihood that an attack by Hezbollah or Iran could take out the power grid for some time. People are stocking up.

Ramming Attack Injures Four Police Officers In Central Israel A ramming attack injured four police officers, one seriously on Wednesday morning (3rd), near Kochav Yair located in central Israel.? Following ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 4/3/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Saying you live in Sodom would be about like saying you named your kid Judas. Sodom is known most by its immorality. There has been considerable discussion about the nature of the sin which caused Sodom to be destroyed. But do we know anything about the city itself? Have there been any artifacts from this city?? Where Is Sodom in the Bible?? The city of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 18 and 19. It is often paired with Gomorrah, as both were destroyed as an act of God's judgment. In Genesis 18, God reveals to Abraham his plan to focus upon the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham attempts to negotiate with God—asking if it can be preserved if even a handful of godly people are present. God agrees, but the problem is that no righteous individuals are found there. Genesis 19 is an explanation in story form of their wickedness. As that chapter closes, we read this:? The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.? And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Sodom continues to appear throughout the Bible but not as a standing city. Instead, it is mentioned only as a reference point for Israel. Israel's wickedness is often compared to that of Sodom—invoking a memory of God's judgment upon that place. Jesus even mentions it to highlight the wickedness of Capernaum. Jesus says, “If the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.”? Sodom, then, is known for its wickedness throughout the Bible. But what do we know of the city itself?Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka?

On Wednesday morning, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi shared that the airstrike killed a team of international workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) during their return from an aid delivery in Gaza.

On Wednesday morning, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi shared that the airstrike killed a team of international workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) during their return from an aid delivery in Gaza.

Taiwan faced its strongest earthquake in a quarter century Wednesday morning, damaging buildings resulting in the deaths of four people as of this writing.

We had a great Sunday this past week as we celebrated the fourth of July by having our annual Tailgate Sunday. Many different Sunday school classes made different foods from Tamale’s to BBQ sliders to Indian food. We had a great time celebrating with each other. We had 290 people in attendance Sunday morning with […]The post Sunday in Review – Tailgate Sunday appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

We had another great Sunday at Vision Baptist Church this past Sunday. This Sunday was a unique Sunday, in that we had our first lunch/ afternoon service of the summer. We are planning to have a lunch/ afternoon service once a month this summer to give church people the opportunity to fellowship together. Sunday morning […]The post Sunday In Review! appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

After the service this morning I attended the Vision Bible Institute Informative Luncheon. I had the opportunity to start the meeting with prayer and ended up with a front row seat to hear the teachers speak about their upcoming classes. A free lunch is always something that I get excited about but God brought a […]The post 3 Short Stories: Concerning having friends that study the Bible appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.