Pastor Ron’s friend shared an excellent article about Paul’s quote, For we know that our old self was crucified with Christ. (Romans 6:6)
For a young woman by the name of Anne Greene, the year 1650 was a year she would never forget. Anne was employed as a maid by Sir Thomas Reade. One of Sir Thomas’ grandsons seduced Anne with promises and enticements. Eventually, Anne consented to having sexual intercourse with the teenage boy and became pregnant at the age of 22. Six months later, Anne went into labor while stirring a vat of malt and gave birth prematurely while in the outhouse. Frightened of what had happened, the servant buried the stillborn child near a cesspit. This was soon discovered and Anne’s actions were reported to Sir Thomas. Anne was put on trial in Oxford for killing her baby. The medical evidence indicated that the child was stillborn, but the court determined that Anne had murdered her child and condemned her to death. She was sent into Oxford Gaol [jail] and was to be executed by hanging on the 14th of December. Falsely accused and wrongly convicted of murder, Anne Greene faced the gallows. The hangman carried out her execution. Immediately afterward, the coffin bearing her body went to a team of doctors for medical research. Upon lifting the lid, however, the doctors detected faint breathing. They tried many remedies to revive her. Finally, she began to recover quickly, beginning to speak after twelve to fourteen hours of treatment and eating solid food after four days. Within one month she had fully recovered, aside from amnesia about the time surrounding her execution. In so doing, they saved her life with God’s help.
For a young woman by the name of Anne Greene, the year 1650 was a year she would never forget. Anne was employed as a maid by Sir Thomas Reade. One of Sir Thomas’ grandsons seduced Anne with promises and enticements. Eventually, Anne consented to having sexual intercourse with the teenage boy and became pregnant at the age of 22. Six months later, Anne went into labor while stirring a vat of malt and gave birth prematurely while in the outhouse. Frightened of what had happened, the servant buried the stillborn child near a cesspit. This was soon discovered and Anne’s actions were reported to Sir Thomas. Anne was put on trial in Oxford for killing her baby. The medical evidence indicated that the child was stillborn, but the court determined that Anne had murdered her child and condemned her to death. She was sent into Oxford Gaol [jail] and was to be executed by hanging on the 14th of December. Falsely accused and wrongly convicted of murder, Anne Greene faced the gallows. The hangman carried out her execution. Immediately afterward, the coffin bearing her body went to a team of doctors for medical research. Upon lifting the lid, however, the doctors detected faint breathing. They tried many remedies to revive her. Finally, she began to recover quickly, beginning to speak after twelve to fourteen hours of treatment and eating solid food after four days. Within one month she had fully recovered, aside from amnesia about the time surrounding her execution. In so doing, they saved her life with God’s help.
The authorities granted Greene a pardon from execution and believed that the God had saved her demonstrating her innocence. The consensus among all involved was that her official execution had taken place; there was no need to pursue the matter further. As a result, Anne Greene enjoyed a full and free pardon. Displaying an extraordinary sense of wonder about her indescribable experience, she took her coffin as a souvenir, settled in another town, got married, and raised three children. On the day of her execution, Anne Greene labored under massive debt. Afterward, however, Anne received more than enough contributions from others to wipe her debt away. In our crucified and risen Lord, the debt of our sin is gone, too. It’s official.
In Romans chapter 6, the apostle Paul tells us that our official execution has taken place as well. When Jesus went to the cross outside the city walls of Jerusalem, God took all the sins of my old self and placed them on his Son. This means that, as far as God is concerned, my old identity as a lost sinner is no more. It’s no more because a first-century crucifixion detail carried out my execution just outside the city walls of Jerusalem. And now, through faith in Jesus, I enjoy a full and free pardon. Jesus’ death has washed my old identity away. I stand forgiven. A fresh, bright future now awaits me. And beyond that is eternal life in heaven.
Source: whataboutjesus.com – WELS
In Romans chapter 6, the apostle Paul tells us that our official execution has taken place as well. When Jesus went to the cross outside the city walls of Jerusalem, God took all the sins of my old self and placed them on his Son. This means that, as far as God is concerned, my old identity as a lost sinner is no more. It’s no more because a first-century crucifixion detail carried out my execution just outside the city walls of Jerusalem. And now, through faith in Jesus, I enjoy a full and free pardon. Jesus’ death has washed my old identity away. I stand forgiven. A fresh, bright future now awaits me. And beyond that is eternal life in heaven.
Source: whataboutjesus.com – WELS
Is Temptation is a sin?
It is a tricky question. Temptation is not of itself sinful. We have to look at when it becomes sin. Once we allow temptation to become action, it becomes a sin such as in our minds. For instance, lust is sin even though it may never show outside of you (Matthew 5:28). Covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are sins of the heart; even though they may not show to anyone else, they are still sin (Romans 1:29). When we yield to temptation, we replace the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-23; Ephesians 5:9). Many times, what first began as a thought turns into action (James 1:15).
The best strategy against giving in to temptation is to go away in the first place. Joseph showed a great example of someone who prevented temptation to become sin (Genesis 39:6–12). Although tempted to sin sexually, he did not give the temptation time to preside. He used his legs given by God to physically run away. Rather than stay in a potentially risky situation and attempt to dialogue, justify, or otherwise weaken his resolve, Joseph took off. The temptation was not sin for him because he dealt with it in God’s approved way. It could have become sin easily if Joseph had presented around and attempted to beat the temptation in his own power.
Pastor Andy
It is a tricky question. Temptation is not of itself sinful. We have to look at when it becomes sin. Once we allow temptation to become action, it becomes a sin such as in our minds. For instance, lust is sin even though it may never show outside of you (Matthew 5:28). Covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are sins of the heart; even though they may not show to anyone else, they are still sin (Romans 1:29). When we yield to temptation, we replace the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-23; Ephesians 5:9). Many times, what first began as a thought turns into action (James 1:15).
The best strategy against giving in to temptation is to go away in the first place. Joseph showed a great example of someone who prevented temptation to become sin (Genesis 39:6–12). Although tempted to sin sexually, he did not give the temptation time to preside. He used his legs given by God to physically run away. Rather than stay in a potentially risky situation and attempt to dialogue, justify, or otherwise weaken his resolve, Joseph took off. The temptation was not sin for him because he dealt with it in God’s approved way. It could have become sin easily if Joseph had presented around and attempted to beat the temptation in his own power.
Pastor Andy
Life in prison can be discouraging. Day after day is the same routine. When something happens to break that routine, it usually isn’t something good. For the guys who simply are focused on serving their time, staying out of trouble, there is the constant annoyance of power-politics of prison gangs and young insecure inmates who feel that they need to show that they are tough.
Recently our friends in prison studied a Bible verse from Isaiah 40: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
We found two pieces of gold in the last verse that says, They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.
First, that word wait does not mean simply waiting for time to pass. Rather, it means eagerly anticipating something good that will certainly happen. When an inmate is notified that those in authority have set a specific date for his release, he is no longer just “serving time.” He is eagerly counting the days when he can go home, as he gives away his precious possessions to fellow inmates. God’s promises are like that. We may not know exactly when God will do as He promised, but we are confident that He will.
The second thing we find is that the word renew is a Hebrew word that literally means exchange. They who wait for the Lord shall exchange their strength... They exchange their strength for His strength. When we are weak, then God is strong.
Recently our friends in prison studied a Bible verse from Isaiah 40: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
We found two pieces of gold in the last verse that says, They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.
First, that word wait does not mean simply waiting for time to pass. Rather, it means eagerly anticipating something good that will certainly happen. When an inmate is notified that those in authority have set a specific date for his release, he is no longer just “serving time.” He is eagerly counting the days when he can go home, as he gives away his precious possessions to fellow inmates. God’s promises are like that. We may not know exactly when God will do as He promised, but we are confident that He will.
The second thing we find is that the word renew is a Hebrew word that literally means exchange. They who wait for the Lord shall exchange their strength... They exchange their strength for His strength. When we are weak, then God is strong.
Remember those who are in prison
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
Celebrating 90 Years of Birthday Blessings!
Recently two members of Christ/Deaf each celebrated their 90th birthday:
Alice Hagemeyer
Tony Munoz
Both are going strong!!
Congratulations Alice & Tony
Alice Hagemeyer
Tony Munoz
Both are going strong!!
Congratulations Alice & Tony
2024 FOLDA Theme
Every family has a story. Welcome to ours.
Laurent Clerc and American Sign Language
Every family has a story. Welcome to ours.
Laurent Clerc and American Sign Language
“The knowledge of history is extremely useful. It lays before our eyes the great picture of the generations that have preceded us.” – Speaker 78-year-old Laurent Clerc at the inauguration of what today we call Gallaudet University on June 28, 1864.
March 13 - April 15, 2024 is National Deaf History Month, originated in November 1972 by the Colorado Association of the Deaf, led by David Anthony and Jerome Moers. Colorado Governor proclaimed it. It was then called Deaf Awareness Week. Today the public acknowledges the three most important Deaf historical events in America’s history.
September 20 – 26, 2024 (Sunday –Thursday) is International Week of Deaf People, founded by the World Federation of the Deaf on September 23, 1958. The 2024 theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for All”. This week, events and campaigns aim to raise awareness about the human rights of Deaf people and promote sign language through coordinated efforts and media coverage.
December 3~10, 2024 (Tuesday-Tuesday)
Clerc-Gallaudet Week, the 50th founding anniversary. It was proclaimed in 1974 as Deaf Awareness Week by the D.C. Executive Office. It was launched by the D.C. Public Library with the dual purpose of educating the public about the Deaf and the Deaf about the Library. The DC Deaf community and the NAD participated in the week of activities. In 1989 the Week was renamed to honor Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet as the two first visionary leaders in America's history of public education. And a new annual event was also added what we today call National Deaf History Month, March 13-April 15.
International Days proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
September 23, 2024 (Monday) Sign Languages (2017, began 2018)
December 3, 2024 (Tuesday) Persons with Disabilities (1992)
December 10, 2024 (Tuesday) Human Rights Day (1948)
March 13 - April 15, 2024 is National Deaf History Month, originated in November 1972 by the Colorado Association of the Deaf, led by David Anthony and Jerome Moers. Colorado Governor proclaimed it. It was then called Deaf Awareness Week. Today the public acknowledges the three most important Deaf historical events in America’s history.
- March 13, 1988 (Deaf Civil Rights Victory),
- April 8, 1864 (Gallaudet University)
- April 15, 1817 ( State Deaf Schools and the birth of American Sign Language (ASL).
September 20 – 26, 2024 (Sunday –Thursday) is International Week of Deaf People, founded by the World Federation of the Deaf on September 23, 1958. The 2024 theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for All”. This week, events and campaigns aim to raise awareness about the human rights of Deaf people and promote sign language through coordinated efforts and media coverage.
December 3~10, 2024 (Tuesday-Tuesday)
Clerc-Gallaudet Week, the 50th founding anniversary. It was proclaimed in 1974 as Deaf Awareness Week by the D.C. Executive Office. It was launched by the D.C. Public Library with the dual purpose of educating the public about the Deaf and the Deaf about the Library. The DC Deaf community and the NAD participated in the week of activities. In 1989 the Week was renamed to honor Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet as the two first visionary leaders in America's history of public education. And a new annual event was also added what we today call National Deaf History Month, March 13-April 15.
International Days proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
September 23, 2024 (Monday) Sign Languages (2017, began 2018)
December 3, 2024 (Tuesday) Persons with Disabilities (1992)
December 10, 2024 (Tuesday) Human Rights Day (1948)