“Ten University Students Speak Out”
By Harold Shank, National Spokesperson for CCFSA
Fall semester, 2006
Anyone who witnesses first hand the misery of others usually wonders how they can convince the Christian community to share the same awareness. For example, after a young couple hears about the dozens of abandoned infants kept in institutional foster care in their[.....]

God’s Vision for Every City and Town
 
I  Biblical conflict in Bethel

Early version of worship wars
People disagreed over fasting on a certain day
Sent Sharezer and Regemmelech to Zechariah for solution

II. Zechariah – arbitrator of conflict

Two answers

You fasts are hypocritical and self servin
How you treat community is as important as worship

Not new teaching

Samuel stressed obedience (1 Sam[.....]

Lesson for a church setting
 
 
God’s vision for every city and town
Conflict is as old as humanity.  From wars to spousal abuse, from terrorism to sibling rivalry, from debate in Congress to church fights, we humans seem destined for conflict. 
The Bible itself tells about serious conflict.   Cain killed Abel.  Lamech abused a younger man.  Sodom[.....]

 
The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Biblical ideals

Mt. 6:33

I Cor. 13:13

I Cor. 15:3-4 

Core of biblical religion – James 1:27

What does it mean

Pure– get ride of junk in souls

Undefiled – function as a Christian without our vigor being impaired

Where did James get it?

The Bible

Deut 10, 14, 16

Ps 146, 10, 82

Isaiah 1

Jeremiah[.....]

The following lesson could be used for a church setting about Christian Childcare
 
Steven R. Covey, known for his advice about effective living along with training and day planner products, popularized the line, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”  That complicated sentence speaks volumes once it is understood.  Don’t get[.....]

Wanted: Loving Christian families for foster-adoption
By Lori Vandagriff |
In my 27 years of working for Children’s Homes Inc., I have had the privilege of seeing hundreds of children cared for and raised by loving, nurturing and dedicated Christian foster and adoptive parents. There just never seem to be enough families for the number of children[.....]

THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE
Finding her voice: Abuse victim’s experience spurs ministry to others, as she urges church to speak out By Linda Ramirez | the Christian Chronicle
The climax came the night my ex-husband pointed a gun to my head and threatened to kill me. The police surrounded the house and he let me go. They moved[.....]

Birth of disabled child teaches me about suffering, God and true hope
By Jim McDoniel | for the Christian Chronicle
The birth of a handicapped child sent me back to study the problem of human suffering. I had plenty of answers until Chet came, and then, I knew I had more study to do. Chester James[.....]

Fulfilling wishes of the homeless is faith-affirming
By Jennie Keeran | the Christian Chronicle
When we see homeless people, we often want to turn away and not see the pain that they endure. We sometimes think that they want to live that way. But reason dictates that no one in their right mind wants to live[.....]

Child-care agencies challenge all of us, offer opportunities to get ‘up close’
By Harold Shank | The Christian Chronicle
 
Delightfully furnished, the stylish brick homes could be in any American suburb except for one thing: Each has bedrooms for eight children and two sets of houseparents. Although such fashionable dwellings are becoming increasingly common on the campuses[.....]