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You can watch the entire video in the Members area. I never fucked her before because im not into BBW's. For everyone else(Non- paying), New Preview Videos will start in Jan. @Derrick @Emma Tony @lucky dick @motiala NOOOO @GMC Bo YZ Have no clue who he is. Shorty BIg and the crew were all drunk and high and shit just went bananas. She knows how to slobber and suck on the dick just right. You all going to have to break some serious bread to Join. MEMBERS: We will still be updating our MEMBERS AREA EVERY WEEK during the holiday season with new shit you all never seen before. Samson Folarin There is anger at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos State, after the Presiding Chaplain, Venerable Femi Taiwo, was sacked by the Governing Council allegedly on the order of the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.Despite pleadings from church leaders and other reputable elders in the church, the government was said to have insisted that the cleric must leave the church.learnt that Taiwo still had two years to spend as the presiding chaplain when he was fired.
The governing council members, however, said they should forget it because whatever came from Alausa was final.
Most of the church members are civil servants who can’t talk too much.” Our correspondent reached out to leaders of the church, including Oyadotun, who refused to comment.
However, one of those that confirmed the incident begged not to be named.
Whatever you are hearing is what members of the church believed could have happened. He said, “If you have any inquiry, direct it to the church.
And there was, indeed a protest by the church but the governing council assuaged them on the sacking. But one thing I can say is that I have tried as a pastor to live above board.
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“The man that signed the letter is also a civil servant,” the source said.


SANTEE - George Benton Lewis, Jr., 79, of Santee, husband of Joan Genry Lewis, died Saturday, October 15, 2011 at his home. A graveside funeral will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Elloree Hillcrest Cemetery, SC Hwy 6, west of Elloree with Rev. Terry Fleming officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at Avinger Funeral Home in Holly Hill from 1 until 2:30 p.m. Mr. Lewis was born in Lanett, Ala., a son of the late George B. Lewis and Caroline Mathews Lewis. He was a graduate of Huntington College in Montgomery, Ala., and an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. A retired insurance adjuster and a former principle at Holly Hill High School, Mr. Lewis was a member of Elloree United Methodist Church. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing golf when his health permitted. Surviving in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Caroline (Jacob) Shuler of Holly Hill; sons, Russell (Liz) Lewis and Ben (Kathy) Lewis, both of Holly Hill, and Michael (Jenny) Lewis of Santee; grandchildren, Hillary Shuler, Jake Shuler, Noah Lewis, Elizabeth Jane Lewis, Caroline Camille Lewis, Michael Kays, Connor Kays, Robert Lewis, Caitlynn Way, Reese Lewis, Chandler Lewis, and Cale Lewis. Memorials may be made to Elloree United Methodist Church, PO Box 681, Elloree, SC 29047.


In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church Educational System (CES) provides a seminary for high school age youth (usually ages 14 to 18). It is typically attended daily during the school year (Monday through Friday) and provides youth with instruction in the scriptures and in gospel principles. These courses are not for credit or degree purposes, for while Latter-day Saints encourage advanced learning in every field, a theological degree is not a requirement for a call to serve or preside in the kingdom of God. Friends of other faiths are also welcome to participate in seminary classes.
Instruction concentrates on a different volume of scripture each year, rotating between the following four courses: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. By the time a student graduates from seminary, he or she will have completed the study of all of the standard works of scripture.
The purpose of the Seminary and Institute of Religion program of the Church is to help youth and young adults deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven.
Changes to the seminary credit requirements were announced in January 2023. The seminary student learning assessment will move from an individual assessment to a group review. Also, instead of reading in the assigned book of scripture for the course of study for 75 percent of semester calendar days, students will be required to read selected scriptural passages each term and then create additional personalized reading goals.
Five prophetic emphases for seminary and institute students, influenced by the teachings of President Russell M. Nelson and other Church leaders: Know your divine identity; Draw on the power of Jesus Christ and your covenants; Let God prevail, and follow His prophet; Teach truth with love; Take charge of your testimony.
Chad H. Webb, the Church’s administrator of seminaries and institutes said to Church Educational System employees during the 2023 Seminaries and Institutes Annual Training Broadcast: “Whatever may change or might be emphasized in our efforts to effectively teach the gospel, what will never change is that we will be Christ–centered, learner–focused and scripture-based. And we will always strive to infuse our teaching and learning experiences with the inspiration and witness of the Holy Ghost.
The classes are free, and the Church Educational System provides manuals and student materials, except for scriptures.
There are three types of seminary:
- Daily (formerly called Early-morning)
Released-time seminary is offered in areas where there are large populations of Latter-day Saint students and where laws to do not forbid it. Seminary classes are attended during school hours in a Church-owned building near the school. The teachers are full-time and are employed by the Church Educational System. Students do not receive any school credit for taking seminary.
Daily (formerly called Early-morning) seminary is available in most areas that have a smaller population of Latter-day Saint youth. It is held each school day, most often before the normal school classes begin. Classes are often held in the local church building or at a member’s home, and are taught by volunteers.
Home-study seminary is available in areas where daily or released-time seminary attendance is not possible, because it is either not offered, or because it is too far away. Youth in this type of seminary are provided with materials to help them study the scriptures daily. They then meet with a CES teacher for class once a week.
All youth are encouraged to complete and graduate from seminary, if the opportunity is available to them. President Boyd K. Packer said, “Parents, encourage, even insist, that your students register for seminary or institute. Presidents, bishops, youth leaders, you are responsible to encourage every youngster, without exception, to enroll. Few things you do will benefit them quite as much” (Boyd K. Packer, “Agency and Control,” Ensign, May 1983, 66).
After high school, the Church offers institute of religion classes for college-age young men and women across the country (often near major colleges and universities).
For More Information visit the Church Educational System website


Formula for Success
© August 2003 by Asher Intrater
In recent years many teachings on biblical success were presented in such a carnal way, that they became theological cover-ups for greed and lust. You could almost feel the anger of Yeshua (Jesus) against such teachings, as in His overturning of the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple. Yet, there is a biblical principle of prosperity that is according to the will of God.
Daily Scripture Meditation
The word Torah (law) comes from the Hebrew root meaning teaching or instruction. In this context it refers to the entire word of God. We cannot succeed spiritually by just hearing a message in congregation on the weekend. A daily time in the word is the foundation for all success. Imagine God saying that if you will do this simple daily discipline, He will direct and prosper your path. I can think of no other more important habit in my life over the past 25 years than daily scripture meditation.
Say No to Peer Pressure
Human society is seen by the biblical worldview as generally flowing in the wrong direction. To walk with God we must go against the stream. Most young people start to do wrong, not because they want to do wrong, but because they want to please their friends and be accepted by them. As there is peer pressure for young people, so is there a more subtle, yet still evil influence on us as we mature.
The problem here is that by its very nature, social influence appears to be what is socially acceptable. Therefore it seems okay. "Everybody's doing it, so it can't be that wrong." If we are to succeed with God, we can't just be positive about everything. We are going to have to say, "No." This negative command, not to be influenced by those around us, is repeated three times: Not to walk, not to stand, not to sit. This includes friends at work, neighbors, family members, television, entertainment, advertising, etc.
Distancing ourselves from the wrong kinds of friends, and cultivating the right kind of friends, is part of leading a successful lifestyle. The kind of company we keep does affect our moral standards (1 Corinthians 15:33).
The positive command to meditate on scriptures is given only once. On a day-to-day basis we are likely to encounter three times as many negative opportunities, to which we will have to say, "No," than we will have positive opportunities for godly edification. We cannot be "friendly" toward the social influences of this world, and still be a friend of God (1 John 2:15, James 4:4). Yeshua said that we have to deny our self-centered feelings everyday in order to follow Him (Luke 9:23). Yeshua's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours (Matthew 26:39)," serves as the ultimate model for each of us to dedicate our lives to God on a daily basis.
Say It and Do It
If we do not "do" the word, then our meditation is simply mystical, and we end up deceiving ourselves (James 1:22). Scripture meditation is not mystic, it is moral.
We are not saved by theoretical faith, but by real faith, which leads to a change in our actions. That's why there is no contradiction to saying that we are saved by our faith and judged by our works. Our works do count, and we will give an account of our deeds on the day of judgment (II Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12-13).
Scripture meditation is not only an issue of the imaginations of our hearts, but also of the words of our mouths (Psalm 19:14). The word hegeh in the Hebrew means both a heart meditation and a verbal expression at the same time. Notice in the above quote from Joshua 1, that we are challenged not to let the word of God depart from our mouths. We are to speak of them wherever we go (Deuteronomy 6:7). When our "confession" of the word is backed up by daily Bible study and a moral change in our behavior, our words will have spiritual power of miraculous dimension. Then our words will move mountains and whatever we say will come to pass (Mark 11:22-23). We cannot live a life of spiritual victory without making sure that our speech is according to biblical standards. We must both walk the walk and talk the talk.
Attitude Toward Authority
This command is part of the overall biblical attitude of submitting to authority. God is benevolent. God is ultimately in charge of all authority. He seeks to bless us through that authority. If we will have an attitude that is submissive toward authority we will more easily find God's blessing. This attitude of submission is quite opposite to the spirit of rebellion and resistance to authority that is found in the world. It is often seen to be embarrassing or weak to submit to those in authority. However, we do that, not out of weakness, but out of faith in God, who has a sovereign providence over the authority.
If we are to succeed we must re-order our priorities. On a day-to-day basis we make decisions according to that order of priority. Yeshua said that we should seek first the spiritual and moral values of His kingdom, and then afterwards we would be blessed in all the other things as well (Mathew 6:33). We live in a material world, created by a spiritual God. As long as our priorities reflect first the Creator, and then the creation, we will make the right decisions and be biblically successful in all that we do.


Okay, I’m going to try this again. I know that writing about morality puts one on very shaky ground these days. The last time I tried I was met with some….. unkind words on social media. But as we go through the life path found in 2 Peter 1 or as I like to call it, “Sanctification Street,” one must either do a spiritual broad jump over verse 5 or address morality. In my previous blog entry we looked at faith. I defined faith as believing and trusting; when we believe AND trust something or someone – we have faith. Faith just so happens to be the way to get in the Kingdom of God and onto “Sanctification Street.” Regardless of race, color, creed, socio economic status, or sin proclivity God’s grace is available. Anyone may enter into the Kingdom of God – by faith….. ANYONE! But just like orangejuice isn’t just for breakfast, faith isn’t just for salvation. Faith is the fuel for the engine that takes us up Sanctification Street. Without faith fuel we stall out! So, if you have entered into the Kingdom of God by faith…. What’s next? Well, you follow the path (Sanctification Street) found in 2 Peter 1 and pick up the next quality – MORAL EXCELLENCE.
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1 NASB)
Jesus bought your righteousness and gave you the right to stand before a perfectly Holy (set apart from sin) and just (cannot allow sin to go unpunished) God. You received this righteousness by faith (believing and trusting). The next step is moral excellence (virtue or good character) depending on what translation you read. The Greek word rendered “moral excellence” in the New American Standard Bible means moral goodness in thought and action. In other words, we are to begin thinking and acting like a child of God. Another way of putting it is that we begin to agree with God’s view of what is best. The Bible is big enough to keep us busy for a lifetime growing in our knowledge of what God has said. Actually, growing in knowledge is the next quality on Sanctification Street after moral excellence, so let’s not jump ahead. Moral excellence is a natural next step after one enters by faith through the door of salvation – which is faith in Jesus Christ. Think about it, we don’t earn salvation, we receive it by believing Jesus paid for our salvation with His death, burial and resurrection from the dead….. and then trusting Him alone for our salvation and with our lives. This is another way of saying we are saved by “receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior.” Doesn’t it go without saying that if you have a Lord (aka master), then you do what He says? Now, Jesus isn’t a harsh task-master of a Lord. He is a loving Shepherd, willing to give His life for His sheep! So, in essence, Moral Excellence is agreeing with God about what is best for us! We believe that God is good, that God loves us, that God knows us and that God will lead us to what is best. So when God instructs, we follow….. why? Because our faith (belief and trust) leads us to do so for our own good!
What is Moral Excellence?
There are hundreds… perhaps thousands of examples one could use to illustrate moral excellence. But how about we stick with one that has become the most controversial today – homosexuality. We’re not talking about attraction or struggling with homosexuality but whether or not the lifestyle is something a child of God is to avoid. The answer is yes. As a matter of fact we could say the same about many other lifestyles that are celebrated in today’s world which stand in contrast to the following statement: In the Kingdom of God, sex is a gift that is to be enjoyed only in the marriage covenant. In other words, sex is to be enjoyed between a husband and a wife. If you are in a sexual relationship outside of those boundaries, you are outside of God’s will. I know this isn’t easy, but it is possible. We could go into each and every argument that the world offers, but it boils down to this question: Do you believe what the Bible says on this topic? If yes – then trust it for your life (believe + trust = FAITH). If you know what Scripture teaches but willfully choose something else, I submit to you that the problem is with your faith. Somehow, someway you don’t think that what God prescribes is best FOR YOU. So, if you BELIEVE the Bible – then act like it. I chose homosexuality because it is a hot-button topic today, but I could have chosen: adultery, fornication, quick temperedness, drunkenness, addiction, dishonesty, foul language, not giving, not forgiving, not loving…. you get the point.
This is not hate speech. It is love speech aimed at only a specific group of people in the world… born again Christians. If you are not yet a Christian it is not my nor any other Christian’s job to police your conduct. I have no interest in making homosexuals into heterosexuals outside of the Kingdom of God. I would like to introduce any non-Christian to my Lord and Savior who loves them very much and died so that they might enter into the Kingdom of God, not by works but by faith. And if you are a Christian, then what is best for you is to agree with God – your loving Father who knows and communicates what is best for His children. Start traveling up Sanctification Street, by faith. It is what is best for you – and that is what I want!


The Message of the Cross
During this time of year, we reflect and remember Jesus’ suffering and death. We remember His sacrifice and what God did to redeem us. Our good works will never be enough to receive salvation. Instead, our sins deserve the consequences of eternal death apart from God.
The message of the cross is God’s answer to sin. He demonstrated His love by sending Jesus Christ to be our substitute. Trusting Christ receives what He did on our behalf to be worthy before God and fully forgiven of our sins.
What an amazing message to share with the world – and especially with Mormons!
I recently returned home from work and spotted two Mormon missionaries knocking on the door across the street.
I prayed that the occupants of the new renters were not home, so I could chat with them. The Lord answered my prayer. When I came out to greet the missionaries, I was pleasantly surprised to see an Elder that I met with before. Over the course of several visits, I was granted the opportunity to share the real truth of the gospel in a way he could understand. And I knew he was listening!
He immediately came over to greet me and tell me that he was returning home next week. He seemed eager to touch bases with me before saying goodbye.
I quickly invited them inside and we sat down in the living room. After several minutes, the other missionary companion pointed to the cross that was hanging on my living room wall.
“Are you a Christian?” he asked. “What church do you belong to?”
“I belong to a church that believes in the message of the cross.”
“We also believe in Jesus’ sacrifice and what he did for us,” the missionary expressed.
“How we view the cross,” I explained, “really depends on what lens we use.”
The lens of Mormonism views the cross much differently and I was grateful for the opportunity to put on a new pair of glasses for my new young friend to see.
Through the lens of the Bible, believers point to the message of the cross and receive comfort with the words, “You are forgiven!”
Through the lens of Mormonism, they point to the cross and say, “You can be forgiven!”
In this month’s First Presidency message entitled “Encircled in His Gentle Arms,” he refers to an oil painting by Frans Schwartz called “The Agony in the Garden.” Mormons will routinely point to the Garden of Gethsemane as the place of Christ’s greatest suffering that is equal to the cross.
And there is a reason for that.
The process of receiving forgiveness figuratively starts in the Garden of Gethsemane. Like Jesus, a Mormon believes they can receive comfort in their resolve to carry out the will of Heavenly Father and do all they can do to eternally progress. “We can be made spotless and pure once again. We can be redeemed by the eternal sacrifice of our beloved Savior.”
Mormons believe it’s possible to be like Christ and suffer in this life like he did in the Garden of Gethsemane – to sacrifice themselves in their obedience – and to inherit Eternal Life through their determination, resolve, and good works.
Looking back at the Mormon missionary who was staring intently back at me, I stated to him, “The cross is not a symbol of death and defeat, but a reminder of God’s promises. Because Jesus substituted himself on the cross, I receive all the benefits of his sacrifice. Right now, I am forgiven. Right now, I am declared worthy. Right now, I am redeemed. When I look at the cross, I don’t focus on what I have to do, but what Christ has already done for me. Peace, joy, and assurance come from trusting God’s promises that my status is secure.”
My prayers go out to my young Elder friend. I trust the Lord’s promise that the harvest is plentiful, the Lord promises. And I pray that my Elder friend is one of those whom the Lord harvests soon.
For more information on how to share God’s Word with Mormon missionaries, please go to pleaseopenthedoor.com.


This is yet another clarion call for millennials to arise and build this country.
When we were young children we referred to us future leaders but the season has now changed. We are no longer future leaders. The time is ripe for us to lead this country not merely at the forefront in politics, but with our own lives. The greatest leadership is how you will choose to steward your life.
The country as is lies in a sad state with an almost negligible value system. It is upon us to build a value system for this country. This is not an easy task. But, this nation is our inheritance from God, it is a land that flows with milk and honey. There are talks amongst us that this country cannot be changed but we must arise and give a different report.
The land that the Israelites said was full of giants and could not be subdued, was the same land Joshua and Caleb said flowed with milk and honey. Are there giants in this land? Yes! But God has given us weapons and strategies to defeat these enemies. A whole generation missed out on its inheritance because they complained and criticized the inheritance that God had prepared for them.
The blessing that rests on the righteous releases strength and favour to the entire city, but shouts of joy will be heard when the wicked one dies.
Many times just like Elijah we are discouraged because we feel like we are the only ones who care. Often I have found myself wondering whether my choices affect our country. Whether my prayers as an individual make a difference in this nation. However, Daniel is a great example that one man’s prayer can change the course of a nation. Esther is an example that one woman can save a nation. Through one man Jesus Christ the light has come to the world.
Our lives will only make a meaningful difference if we decide to live for more than ourselves. Like Esther, we must be willing to take risks for our nation. Like Daniel we must pray without ceasing for our nation. Like Joshua and Caleb we must always give a good report about our country. Like Joseph we must be faithful in all the places that God has placed us. Like Nehemiah we must build in spite of heckling voices. Like David we must choose to pursue above all else the heart of God for ourselves and for our generation. This is how we must lead this generation.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows whether you have attained royal status for such a time as this.
Coincidentally, as I was writing this post I came across an article that stated that this is the Jewish month of Adar where many moons ago the Jewish people celebrated the feast of Purim after averting a possible Jewish holocaust that was being orchestrated by an evil man Hamaan. When Esther realized that she had a become a queen for that very moment, it was a defining moment. We were born in this nation at such a time as this and like Esther we must choose to make bold and courageous choices for this generation.
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Paula Beth Blanton Taylor, age 40, passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Baptist Health in Richmond, Kentucky. Paula was born in Pineville, Kentucky to Paul and Judy Ann Lipps Blanton.
In addition to her parents, Paula is survived by her loving husband, Jerad Taylor; her brother, Aaron Blanton; her second parents, Scott K. and Carla Taylor; her little sis, Lauren Jones and her little bro, Cody Jones; her aunts and uncles: Janice Blevins, Margie Sandusky, Lucy Cummins, Kathy Lipps, Marsh and Geneva Blanton, Doris and Chad Blanton, and Marie Onkst; a special uncle, Greg Harrison; her papaw by marriage; Ray Harrison; her best friends, Jamie Lee and Kristy Newell; a host of cousins; her beloved dogs, Lincoln and Sebastian; and others who had the privilege to love her.
Paula was a light to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered as someone who loved doing for others and for loving the people in her life. She enjoyed doing yardwork, trips to the beach, and family gatherings. She adored her husband and loved spending time with him, whether they were traveling or working outside together. Paula was a member of Crestview Holy Sanctuary and truly loved her church.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 11, 2022, from 6pm-9pm at Crestview Holy Sanctuary. Services will be Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 11am at Crestview Holy Sanctuary. Burial will follow after the service at Madison County Memorial Gardens. Bro. Kevin Newell, Bro. Anthony Lee, Bro. Jerry McKinley Holland, and Bro. Charlie Napier will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Aaron Blanton, Cody Jones, Patrick Lipps, Jordan Lipps, Patrick Blanton, Caleb Alexander, Shane Blanton and Kenny Sandusky. Honorary Pallbearers will be Elisha Blanton, Shawn McGuire, Achee Eads, Joel Onkst, Richard Onkst, Adam Blanton, Kevin Blanton, Tim Alexander, Jason Neal, Jim Lamb and Kevin Newell.
Services will be lived streamed. Lakes Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
The family has requested that facial coverings are worn for visitation and the service.


God is giving you His signet ring
Genesis 41:41-43 (MSG)
‘So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: “I’m putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph’s hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal, and as he rode people shouted “Bravo!” Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt.’
The time came for Joseph when all he had been through and dealt with had elevated him to a place of favour with Pharaoh.
His faithfulness during his wilderness period finally carried Joseph into influence and this was his time to shine.
It was the moment that defined his life. He was given charge over all of Egypt which was represented by a single ring. This ring was powerful. It symbolised favour, kingship and authority.
Like Joseph, God is giving you His signet ring. It is a defining moment in your life where the things that have held you back are no longer an issue anymore.
The ring gives you charge over all your Egypt. The dead and unfruitful places are coming to life. The things you saw in your dreams long ago are becoming a reality bringing supernatural power and influence to you.
God is trusting you with His signet ring to bring about freedom to a nation that is waiting for the full manifestation of the sons of God.


First Baptist Church Tallahassee Hires Minister of Music
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - First Baptist Church Tallahassee (FBCTLH) in Florida has expanded its team with the addition of Greg Williams as their new Minister of Music. FBCTLH’s purpose and goal as a church is to follow Jesus by striving to honor Him in all things, loving and serving others in His name, and helping others follow Him. They are committed to ministering to people in the Tallahassee area and around the world. Greg’s gifts will help them pursue this mission and point people to the Lord through worship.
Greg began his ministry career at FBCTLH as a young college student and is thrilled to be returning back to this community and serving in this role. He has a deep love and appreciation for the community of believers at FBCTLH and is excited to be part of what God is doing through this church.
In his new role as Minister of Music, Greg will serve the church by leading, coordinating, overseeing, and continuing to develop the church’s music ministry. It is Greg’s goal to connect people to God’s word and to equip believers to express their worship through music and the creative arts. He also seeks to mentor and raise up emerging worship leaders.
"First Baptist Tallahassee, throughout its long and storied history, has maintained an excellent, comprehensive, multi-generational music ministry and long-tenured leadership. Greg Williams will do a wonderful job for years to come guiding the ministry alongside Pastor Gary Schultz. It was a joy to partner with this fine church and see the connection made between candidate and church." - Executive Search Consultant, Brian Dunks
Greg and his wife of over 20 years, Susan, are excited about their move to Tallahassee. He has always referred to her as his “partner in ministry,” so they are eager for this new ministry opportunity. Vanderbloemen is honored to have partnered with First Baptist Church Tallahassee on this search and we are thrilled for them in this new season of leadership.
Vanderbloemen serves teams with a greater purpose by aligning their people solutions for growth: hiring, compensation, succession, and culture. Through its retained executive search and consulting services, Vanderbloemen serves churches, schools, nonprofits, family offices, and Christian businesses in all parts of the United States and internationally.
For press inquiries or more information, contact: email@example.com or (713) 300-9665.


“The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church that demonstrates God’s love and compassion.”
ADRA India has been implementing humanitarian projects to help the most vulnerable in India for more than 20 years since 1987. With formal registration in 1992, it has implemented more than 140 projects worth more than 30 Million USD, and reached over 22 million people.
Thank you for visiting the ADRA India web site! Our organization is part of a global network of independent humanitarian organizations established in 1984 by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church now with presence in 125 countries. ADRA provides individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.In India, the gap between the rich and the poor is maybe more prevalent here than anywhere else in the world. It is true that India is a growing economic power, however we cannot hide from knowing that more than two thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people, live close-to or below the poverty line.
One of the latest projects ADRA India is implementing is the so-called 10 + Plan. This is a plan that gives each of the Seventh-day Adventist Church attendants the opportunity to participate in this humanitarian adventure every week by giving a donation of 10 rupees or more to support ADRA India ministry of behalf of the most vulnerable.
The main goal of this plan is to allow ADRA India to work closer with the Seventh-day Adventist Church constituency in such a way that each member can become acquainted with the work, activities and mission of ADRA in the country while humanitarian culture is being seeded in their heart.


The Not-Quite Empty Tomb
James Montgomery Boice
Publisher, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Inc, 1716 Spruce St Philadelphia PA 19103 USA. Smashwords Edition.
Copyright 2010, Linda M. Boice.
Revised 2011, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. All rights reserved.
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved
Material from this book was excerpted from The Christ of the Empty Tomb, chapter 6, pages 75-86. P&R Publishing, 2010.
This article may be duplicated in its entirety and without edit, including this full disclaimer for personal, small group, non-commercial use. No more than 200 copies may be made. No electronic use beyond email is permitted. Any use other then those listed herein are forbidden without prior written permission. All rights reserved. ARJMB090.
The Not-Quite-Empty Tomb
One of the great historical evidences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the empty tomb. But the remarkable and quite startling fact is that when Peter and John arrived at the tomb on the first Easter morning it was not quite empty. The body of Jesus was gone, but something was still there. The graveclothes remained behind. The Bible suggests that there was something so striking about them that John saw them and immediately believed in Jesus' resurrection.
That is significant, for it marks the first time there was an indication of belief by one of the disciples. Ernest Renan 1 argued that faith in the resurrection was the result of rumors spread by Mary Magdalene who had suffered an hallucination, thinking she had seen Jesus. But that could not be. Mary suffered no hallucination. The last thing in the world she expected was the resurrection of her Lord. And John, at least, testified that he believed some time before Mary ever returned to the tomb and met Jesus in the garden.


I am indeed aging both physically and cognitively. I can only extrapolate speculatively into a foggy, uncertain future. How will my old age evolve? How should, or can, I plan for it? I expect there will be more losses, but will there be any new opportunities? What do I want to be able to look back on?
To me, the first task of old age is to come to terms with the fact of our mortality. Not all do. Many hide from this, putting the question off, or hiding in pleasant fantasies. Many other people in our society do address mortality in some fashion, making out wills and appointing POAs. You can read the words of the old preacher “Qoholeth” in Ecclesiastes or take a stroll through a cemetery. All around us, we see signs of our finitude. Our bodies and abilities are slowly deteriorating. In one way this is a blessing. No one can say we don’t get advance warning! “Ye know not the day or the hour,” said Jesus.
As for questions of life beyond death, for most people, it’s a matter of speculation. They feel that no one really knows, so we should muddle on as best we can, looking for some meaning in our offspring and finding some sense of purpose in whatever legacy we can leave to the next generation. What of the interim, if we don’t die suddenly? Shall we try to fill the time with a “bucket list” of pleasures, or hang on to family and friends even as they move elsewhere or pass away? For most of us,the “Golden Years” are ultimately a fraud. Our opportunities will dwindle as our burdens multiply. A psychiatrist that I knew used to call our Palliative Care ward “the waiting room of the Lord.”
How will we cope while we wait for the Lord? Will we still find hope? Will we find any meaning in life as it deteriorates into the final night? Negative perceptions can haunt us. We look back and rue our losses. We look ahead and fear yet more loss of certainty, safety, and control. We may look around us and feel shame: we’re of no use to anyone anymore, we’re just a burden to our families and to our society. We can get angry about this rotten life. Euthanasia may feel like we’re somehow taking control of death by causing our death in the timing and manner of our choosing, even though death constitutes the loss of all control.
However, the resurrection of Jesus changes everything. How? Because it’s crucial to our world’s future and our own. Because it really happened on this earth, in humanity’s time and space. It has power to renew us and the world. “Because I live, you too shall live,” Christ consoles us. We are given “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah from the dead.” His resurrection is both the sign and means of our own coming resurrection after our death. By faith in Jesus’ resurrection, we can find hope for our own, seeing beyond the valley of the shadow of death a faint but strengthening glow on the eastern horizon. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus’ resurrection can be experienced not only beyond our death, but also right now in our daily trials. He walks with us unseen, but heard in the footsteps of the apostles and saints who’ve gone before us, and also of those who walk alongside us now. Let’s learn from them all. Having fellowship in Jesus’ sufferings, we’ll find compensation for our losses and support for our burdens as He walks with us. The more our life’s a downer, the more we can find refreshment in His resurrection.
Which bring us to another question: How shall we live our old age in light of Jesus’ own death and resurrection? Here follows advice that I’m still learning myself.
Meditate regularly on Jesus’ resurrection, the accounts in the Gospels and other NT passages expounding its significance.
Refresh your apologetic of the resurrection, both for yourself and others. We live in a culture where many deny or ignore Jesus’ resurrection, and that can sap our own belief and our testimony to others.
Practice daily thanksgiving, especially when you might not feel like it. If we think about it, we can always find something for which to say, ‘Thank you.’ That becomes for us a sign of God’s unseen presence and His ongoing care for us.
”The Golden Years”? This is a pathetic substitute for heaven, and a substitute that will sooner or later disappoint. What is our “bucket list” in light of the Resurrection? A chance to repair and deepen our relationships? A chance to re-focus on projects that will outlast us? If you’ve put your affairs in order, stretch yourself: don’t be afraid to take some new, calculated risks. We can take our years of decline as yet another of God’s gifts to us.
Try to make new friends. Your old friends may be passing away. I think it behooves us to reach out to others who are as lonely as we are. Who knows? They might even become our friends.
Try to make young friends. Stretch yourself to enter their world. Yes, the IT world is a vast jungle, and you’ll succeed only partly, but they’ll notice your effort and appreciate you for it. As they get to know you, they’ll value your life experience when you relate it to their own lives. Look not just for what they can give to you, but also for what you can give to them.
Take care of yourself, even in your old age. He Who made you in His image wants you to. “But I’m of no use to God or to anyone else!” Rather than believe this thought, consider these words from a Christian poet who went blind in old age and could no longer serve his God in the same way; “They also serve who stand and wait.” Consider the resurrection of the Son of Man, and His presence with you even now. God loves you.
Regarding Power of Attorney and Living Wills: If you move into dementia, your POA is your best human defense. Try to find someone wise who shares your values, and ideally who’s younger than you, so they won’t get disabled before you do! As a physician, I’m unimpressed with most of the Living Wills I’ve seen. Too often they’re simply an attempt to bind the future, to somehow control the fearful unknown. But your best security is in your choice of POA, someone who knows you well enough to say when asked for a decision, “Yes, I think he would want this”, or “No, he would not want that.” I have frequently found this approach fruitful in helpingfamilies to make difficult decisions for their loved ones. My very conscientious sister is my own POA. I’ve told her, “If you make a mistake, I forgive you in advance.”
How can I cope with my losses? Losses come with the territory. “Old age is not for sissies,” said Billy Graham, as he coped with his Parkinson’s disease. Opportunities, including social opportunities, dwindle as our physical and mental disabilities increase. However, if we address our losses with faith in God, we can continue to live with gratefulness and joy,
Discover silver linings in these clouds. For example, two years ago I had to give up cycling because of my deteriorating balance. Coupled with COVID-19 rules, this meant I had to give up leading my beloved nature outings. Consequently, I began hosting one on one socially-distanced, nature walks. These made for more peaceful and intimate walks with a friend.
Graceful relinquishment: When we outlive our usefulness for a particular job or position, we shouldn’t fight it. Move aside for another of God’s servants. You’re never “useless” to God, and you can ask Him to give you something else to do. I learn that it never all depended on me. God has a silver lining.
Look for God’s gift in little things. God is glorified in the little things of our lives if we look for them. We learn this in our old age. if I’m in Palliative Care, a word of thanks to my caregiver, a kind word to my roommate, a prayer for the institution may not seem like much, yet these little things are meaningful in the eyes of the Eternal One. We can also find new pleasures in things that previously would have been too little to bother about. For example, many years ago I spent five weeks in our local cancer hospital and was very limited in what I could do. I had lots of time just to look around from my hospital bed. My window looked out onto the dark and dingy brick wall of the next building. However, I noticed that for about five minutes each day before supper, the rays of the setting sun hit that wall, bringing out a rich variety of colour in the bricks. It was beautiful! I found myself looking forward to this treat each day.
Our sufferings and frustrations can be used by God to refine our character, producing the virtue of humility (which is different from humiliation). The Bride is being prepared to meet the Bridegroom. Look past the refining work of pain, shame, and disability to the benefits. Chief among these is freedom from the taskmaster of pride. This reality-check prompts us to turn to God with our pleas and our hopes. The result can be a more intimate relationship with God. Old men like me are stereotypically called “crotchety” or “cantankerous”. Humility is the antidote to our futile anger. We discover that we don’t need pride to bolster our self-esteem. We’re sent the affirmation of grace from the Top. When we humbly resign control, laying it at His feet as it’s taken away from us, this is worship of the One from whom all things come. Yet, Jesus will restore our control and more in the resurrection to come: “Don’t you know that we will judge angels?” wrote St. Paul.
Are we ruefully fixated on the past? Do “old people hate change”? Loss prompts us to look
backward, dwelling on the rosy bits of our past. But we can’t go back there. When we try to, it can mire us in sorrow, and turn us into obstacles for everyone else. Instead, let the past go, as we would grieve for and release a departed loved one.
Treasure the memories as memories, and move on. Live in the present. We already know that we all will ultimately lose our valiant fight against disability and death. But because we know that Jesus is risen, we know that there is light and life on the other side. Scripture says not only that Jesus is risen, but that He ascended, was glorified at the Father’s right hand, and intercedes for us. “All authority in Heaven and Earth is given to Me.” So, He is here with us. “Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the Age. So, I can live in the present with Jesus. Let me not hide from the future either. Only God knows what the future holds for any of us, but He sent His risen Son to walk into this unknown future with us. Since the Son of Man has risen, we know He’ll be with us both now and in whatever the uncertain future may hold, right up to our last breath.
Have I lost hope of anything good coming tomorrow? Whatever tomorrow may lack, it will never lack the Presence of the Lord Jesus, walking with us, suffering with us, and loving us. The little deaths that we experience on the way are often followed with little resurrections that we haven’t foreseen. Instead of ruing the loss of opportunities that I can no longer have, let me look for new, if humbler, opportunities resulting from the losses. Though smaller, the new ones, if embraced with humble thanks, can open me to a fuller experience of God’s grace and love. If I can’t find any new opportunities, let me remember that God loves me anyway, and desires my fellowship in His love. After my retirement He’s been giving me more of this than before. Have I lost all family and friends? This is hard. If our attempts to make new friends fail, we are driven back to our best friend, Jesus.
If I’ve lost my independence, let me discover the new ways God shows His love for me. This might be through my family or through the caregivers who change my diapers. This relieves me of the pride-monkey that clings to my back. Say, “Thank you”.
Does my life feel meaningless? Our life’s meaning is not just here on Earth but also in the heavenly places. Those who stand and wait can also serve. We don’t have to see meaning in our lives in order for meaning to be. All will be made clear in the World to come. “Then we shall know as we are known.”
Legacy is an opportunity of old age: Yes, we have to bow out, but there’s a generation coming behind us to whom we can pass the torch. What is our testimony to them? What in our life have we learned of the Lord and life with Him that they can learn from us? If our answer is ‘nothing’, then we can make our confession of this to them: Let them learn from our mistake so that they can avoid it. Even at this last chapter of our life, we can repent and ask the Lord even now to teach us, and thereby to give us a word of encouragement for the youngsters.
To conclude, in light of the Resurrection of Jesus, we can pray with the Psalmist confidently; “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”


A post on Francis Berger's excellent blog discussed how many people have been distressed by the apparent lack of divine support in these dark times. Why are the faithful not given spiritual aid when the world is so much with us and people feel attacked by it more than ever? I completely agree with Francis's response to this question and would advise anyone who hasn't read it to do so in order to gain a better understanding of the current spiritual situation.
I commented on his post as follows:
"It is just as you say. God is communicating with us and doing so all the time but he is doing so on a spiritual level, through impression and intuition. It is up to us to raise our minds up to spiritual levels and not expect to be spoon-fed like spiritual babies. We are not just required to believe nowadays but to know and this knowledge can only be acquired if we work for it by preparing our minds to respond to the Word of God spiritually which means from the soul. God wants us to come up to him and will no longer come down to us except in extreme circumstances and maybe for many of us not even then.
This may sound cruel but is actually a great compliment for he wouldn't do it unless he knew we were capable of it. At least we have to make a start."
Here I'd like to elaborate a bit on my comment. First of all, I'd like to offer something from my own experience. Those who have read my book Meeting the Masters will know that I was spoken to by spiritual beings who described themselves as messengers from God over a period of 21 years, regularly at first but increasingly rarely as the years went by and it was assumed I had enough to be working on. Or, if I didn't, I should have. This was essentially spiritual instruction, tailored to my particular needs. But I was also told that I was additionally instructed through what was called impression and this was the preferred method because it put the ball in my court. I didn't just have to obey, relatively easy and passive, but to take the initiative and be responsible for myself. I had to attune myself to true spiritual levels and develop response to those levels to hear this impression. In this way, I could develop what one might think of as spiritual muscles.
Imagine the human being as a multi-levelled creature. The levels we are most familiar with are the physical, emotional and mental but there are instinctive and spiritual levels too, one often below the threshold of consciousness, the other usually above it. The spiritual level is the soul which is the source of our individuality and free will. There is no free will on a purely material level but we all know free will exists. Even those who deny it do not live as though it were not a real thing. Free will does exist but is exists at the spiritual level of the soul.
Now, those people who are yearning for a sign or a communication from God are expecting it at a material level. A voice or a sign that can be perceived by the senses. Something like I experienced years ago. But this is the desire of a spiritual adolescent. Someone who may be growing in the spirit but is still interpreting it in terms of the material self. God wants us to advance into the spiritual self, the soul which exists above the strictly phenomenal level. And he knows we are now capable of this. We have developed intellectually and are ready, or some of us are, to move on to the next stage. Thus his communication to us takes place nowadays largely at the level of the soul and is not in the form of words or even visions (both sensory) but impressions which we have to first pick up on and then translate into a mental form to understand clearly. This is where our own spiritual development comes in. We have to have enough sensibility to respond to the soul and also a mind capable of interpreting it correctly. Both are important.
This is not to say that God never sends us more direct experiences or communications but often we find that is at the beginning of an individual's spiritual journey. It is to get him started, to show that the spiritual world does indeed exist. But it is a mistake to demand these things continuously or to expect them as a regular favour. It will keep us trapped at a low level of spiritual understanding if we do that. It might even stimulate egotistical desire which is the very thing we are aiming to grow out of. (Not desire per se which is good since without it we would have nothing to call us to God, but egotistical desire).
We have moved into a new world but this new world is simply a development of the old one. Nonetheless, our spiritual approach must be different to that of the past. It must be more creative, more co-active meaning we work with God. We don't just sit there passively and expect him to move us. We move ourselves but always in his direction. God will communicate with us but through the medium of our own soul. If you want to hear him, you must work hard to become aware of that soul.


Being that I serve in a Lutheran Church, I have had many people reach out to me inquiring about the theological basis of a repentance prayer, like the one laid out in Day 13, which states:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.
As Lutherans, we are often leery of taking credit away from God in the process of salvation, and so I wanted to post a theological response as to the basis of a prayer like this.
This was one of the questions I received:
I serve in an LCMS church and there was some confusion about how to take this prayer, especially in light Luther’s explanation to the third article. Could you possible help give some insight on how you saw this being played out in a Lutheran context? I
I will assume you are referring to Part 1 of the third article which I’ll include below.
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
The central thought, according to the central explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism is that “I believe…that I cannot believe.” As fallen people, we are unable to find God on our own, let alone choose to entrust our lives to Him.
This was reiterated in the entire reading of Day 13, and I will walk you through it.
Beginning with the story of my speeding tickets and being unable to save myself from the verdict (and a fair verdict, I WAS guilty) …it continued with a confessional in Romans 3:10 and the understanding that we are all sinful and lost. “We are all guilty- that includes you.”
This is a bleak and troubling realization; a sobering one that should hit hard to both the life-long Christian and also the person who may be coming to this realization for the very first time.
It is the crushing blow of the Law. (1 Cor. 2:14, Gen 8:21, Romans 5:12, Eph 2:3)
at the bottom of page 89 there is a shift in direction. “Yet no matter how serious, big or awful your sin is, God’s grace extends to cover it.” Everything after that is a deliverance of the Gospel, the good news of what Jesus did.
The devotional continues, “When our hearts object and say we could never be forgiven, God says, “Objection Overruled” because the blood of His Son Jesus is powerful enough, pure enough, and strong enough to cover all your sins.”
In the explanation of the Third Article part 1 of Luther’s Catechism (pg. 195) it is suggested that the reader read Acts 9:1-22, and that is the exact scripture that the devotional ends with, just in case a person’s role in conversion still isn’t clear.
So back to your question. After reading the entire devotional, we come to the challenge, or response at the end.
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, Amen.”
The Holy Spirit calls, enlightens and sanctifies us so we can have faith.
The primary purpose of the prayer is an acknowledgement of that work of the Holy Spirit though the saving death and resurrection of Jesus.
Over and over in the Psalms King David asked for God’s help on the grounds that he is innocent and righteous. He was not declaring that it is by his own merits or strength. He can only make those claims about himself based on His understanding of what God has declared over him.
In Day 13 the reader would have heard the Word through the Holy Spirit as they read the scripture portions for that day and, enabled by the Holy Spirit, the reader can cry out to the Lord. The declaration of repentance and the invitation of lordship over their heart comes from the understanding that this is the work of God alone, and not them.
With the understanding that we cannot come to faith by our own reason or strength, (1 Cor 2:14, Ephesians 2:1, and 1 Cor 12:3) we understand it even further that not only are we dead in our sins, but we actively resist the Gospel’s call to faith ((Acts 7:51, Romans 8:7, Gal 5:17).
Not all who hear the Gospel believe in Jesus as their Lord. Many people reject the Gospel and resist the Holy Spirit. (Matt 23:37, Acts 7:51, Matt 22:1-10 or Luke 14:16-24).
To pray the prayer in Day 13 is going against their fleshly desire to reject the Word.
The description of the action on the part of the sinner, “I turn from my sins” or “invite you to come into my heart and life” does not teach salvation by works any more than Christ, Paul, or James teaches salvation by works when they stress the necessity of good works in the lives of God’s children. In dozens of places, Scriptures emphasizes that we are saved by grace through faith, and not our own works.
But all of the writers of Scripture agree that a living faith expresses itself through good works. Our works, motivated by Christian love, demonstrate the reality of our faith. On judgement day, Jesus will point to these works of love as evidence of our faith.
So as a reader prayers this prayer it is a demonstration of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives enabling them to even pray the prayer and not their own work.
The emphasis is always, and will forever be on the work of Jesus alone.
I hope this helps.
Written by Allison and Zach Zehnder