Wednesday, April 10, 2013

A Wake-up Call From Hell



Testimony from CBN.com

A drug binge put Carl Knighton at death's doorstep. The result was an experience of hell that changed his life forever.

(This sobering story about Carl Knighton will lead you back to God's love and mercy...a God of forgiveness and second chances.  ~Loci B. Lenar)

Monday, April 08, 2013

Pope Francis meets with first Protestant leader



News from RomeReports.com

April 8, 2013 -  On Monday morning, Pope Francis welcomed the president of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Nikolaus Schneider, in his first papal audience with a Protestant leader and his wife.

In a 30 minute meeting, the two leaders spoke about ecumenism. Both spoke about the martyrs as a bond between Christians, as well as the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, and the possibility that both Churches will celebrate it together. 

At the end, the two exchanged greetings as well as gifts. Schneider gave Pope Francis a Bible in German, while the Pope gave him a papal medallion. After the exchange, the Pope enthusiastically thanked Schneider in German. 

Other leaders present at the meeting were German Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as well as German Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

The Evangelical Church in Germany is a federation of 22 Protestant Churches representing a third of that country's population. 

Roma Downey Says Pope Francis Is 'A New Pope of Hope'

The following excerpt is from Christianpost.com

By Anugrah Kumar , Christian Post Contributor
 
Roma Downey, a Roman Catholic and co-creator of the History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries, said Pope Francis is "a new pope of hope," whose leadership and humility are sowing the seeds of hope in people's hearts and lives.
 
"It certainly feels like there's divine planning in all of it," actress and producer Downey, known for her 10-year role on the TV series "Touched By An Angel," said, referring to the pope's election last month, during an interview with Zap2it.

"The new pope, he's been wonderful, hasn't he? He's just inspiring such hope and belief," said Downey, who starred in the role of the Virgin Mary in the hit miniseries she co-produced with her husband, Mark Burnett, who is the creator of reality TV shows such as "Celebrity Apprentice," "Survivor" and "The Voice."

"People are reconnecting. People are being inspired by his leadership and his humility, by the tenderness with which he's approached his office, and the choices he's made so far," Downey said in the joint interview with Burnett, adding the pope is "showing a servant's heart."

Read more at Christianpost.com

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Divine Mercy Sunday



DIVINE MERCY by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Today, Sunday, April 7, 2013, is the Feast Day of Divine Mercy, which always falls on the first Sunday after Easter.

In one of His many miraculous visitations with the Polish nun Sister Faustina (1905-1938) - now Saint Faustina - Jesus asked her to tell the world that, "the very depths of my Mercy will be opened on that day. I will pour out a sea of graces upon those souls that will approach the fount of My Mercy on this day....let no soul fear to come to Me, even if its sins be scarlet..."

In February 1931, Jesus had appeared to Faustina and asked her to have an image painted as He appeared before her - with his hand held up in blessing; the other hand on his breast, from which flowed two rays: the pale symbolising the water, which cleanses and purifies the soul. The red representing the blood which gives new life to the soul. Jesus said " These rays will shield the soul before the justice of my Father..."

He asked that the painting be inscribed with the words, Jezu Ufam Tobie (Polish) - meaning Jesus I Trust in You.

Since February 2002 I have felt compelled to paint and draw my own interpretation of this Divine Mercy image, according to the instructions given by Jesus - each time hoping to reveal this message ever more powerfully - often on Divine Mercy Sunday. Yesterday , in prayer, I felt a 'divine push' to create in order to show today - keeping all those most suffering in my heart and with hope for world peace.

Love Christ and your life will change: Jesus I Trust in You.

Peace and Healings on this day.

Divine Mercy 2013 by Stephen B Whatley
Charcoal, chalk Pastel & Oil pastel on paper.
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

A Prayer for God's Divine Protection: Psalm 91

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Psalm 91
 
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

They say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

 Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
 
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
 
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
 
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
 
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
 
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
 
 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because they love me," says the LORD, "I will rescue them;
I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name.
 
They will call on me, and I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will deliver them and honor them.
 
With long life I will satisfy them
and show them my salvation."
 
 

Son's Life Sets Example for His Father



News Story from CBN.com

Andrew Sobel experienced enviable success in the business world, but something was missing. He turned to the Bible for answers and found more than he had ever hoped for.