Happy Independence Day!
What a blessing it has been that for 246 years we’ve been surviving in freedom and especially freedoms of religion and conscience. It is imperative that we pray that we do not lose these freedoms! We can’t take them for granted. “Utilize it or lose it” might be proper to say when it comes to not only the freedom to gather on Sunday, but to speak freely about the truth that Jesus is the Savior, that sin is the cause of all unfortunate incidents, including sin in our own hearts, and that repentance and faith is the only solution to our destination with Him.
There are examples of patriotism in the Bible. Jeremiah was one who was concerned that his fellow countrymen understood the truth. In our Old Testament Lesson, he thought that being a prophet would lead to become an honored profession. However, it led to plots against his life. So being a patriot for the Bible in Jeremiah’s time means facing persecution for just preaching the Word of Israel’s God!
Like Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Jesus firmly warns His disciples that they too, like Jesus Himself, will deal with furious events, denunciation, and persecution as they proclaim the way of salvation.
There are examples of patriotism in the Bible. Jeremiah was one who was concerned that his fellow countrymen understood the truth. In our Old Testament Lesson, he thought that being a prophet would lead to become an honored profession. However, it led to plots against his life. So being a patriot for the Bible in Jeremiah’s time means facing persecution for just preaching the Word of Israel’s God!
Like Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Jesus firmly warns His disciples that they too, like Jesus Himself, will deal with furious events, denunciation, and persecution as they proclaim the way of salvation.
“You will be hated by all people because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. And when they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.”
But persecution is not a legitimate reason to be stay silence about His essential teachings in life: being prepared for the next life through faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Frankly, Jesus says,
“Do not be afraid of them, because there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. …Everyone who confesses me before others, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.”
Paul urged his apprentice, Pastor Timothy, to always be prepared to preach and educate the truth of God’s Word, “in season and out of season.” People will solicit false teachers to have them to twist the Bible. But that doesn’t make the need for preaching the truth any less acute. Instead, it makes it even more imperative. “Endure hardship,” Paul advised the young pastor, and do the work to which you were called. God recruits each one of us to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet and mouth to glorify his light and love through what we say and do.
The good news of the Gospel reveals that in Jesus there is full forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life opens hearts and minds. People who welcomed and receive this good news opened their homes to welcome the apostles. And if no welcome was given, the apostles were to “shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11b). Jesus’ command still works like this on the front line of patriots today.
Be a patriot for the Gospel and serving His will!
Happy Independence Day!
~~Pastor Andy
The good news of the Gospel reveals that in Jesus there is full forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life opens hearts and minds. People who welcomed and receive this good news opened their homes to welcome the apostles. And if no welcome was given, the apostles were to “shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11b). Jesus’ command still works like this on the front line of patriots today.
Be a patriot for the Gospel and serving His will!
Happy Independence Day!
~~Pastor Andy
Lee Strobel, who graduated from Yale University and became a lawyer and Chicago Tribune journalist, had been an atheist for a lengthy period. He was intrigued to investigate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Eventually, he was convinced that Jesus Christ indeed resurrected and He is the Messiah. Strobel became a pastor and professor of Christian thought at Houston Baptist University.
In our previous newsletter we discussed Strobel's research regarding the question: "Did Jesus die on the cross?"
Now we look at the follow up question:
In our previous newsletter we discussed Strobel's research regarding the question: "Did Jesus die on the cross?"
Now we look at the follow up question:
Did Jesus walk on earth after death?
Dr. Gary Habermas utilized the creed of Christian beliefs, found in 1 Corinthians, as the foundation of his argument and expounded that Jesus was not only seen by hundreds of people, but He also ate with them, spoke to them, and interacted them.
Strobel examined to determine whether the resurrection is substantiated outside of the Bible, while consulting Dr. J. P. Moreland. During the interview, Dr. Moreland furnished five examples supporting the real resurrection, including a mass conversion of Jewish skeptics shortly after Jesus’s death and the rapid emergence of the early Christian church.
The best evidence for the empty tomb is that even the enemies of Jesus implicitly admitted the tomb was empty. When the opponent said, “The disciples stole the body.” How did it vanished is the pivotal issue.
There were eyewitnesses from ancient history. It comes from about two sources of information and for the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the resurrected Jesus. There are at least nine ancient sources inside and outside the New Testament confirming and corroborating the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the risen Christ. That is significant valid historical data.
~~Pastor Andy
Strobel examined to determine whether the resurrection is substantiated outside of the Bible, while consulting Dr. J. P. Moreland. During the interview, Dr. Moreland furnished five examples supporting the real resurrection, including a mass conversion of Jewish skeptics shortly after Jesus’s death and the rapid emergence of the early Christian church.
The best evidence for the empty tomb is that even the enemies of Jesus implicitly admitted the tomb was empty. When the opponent said, “The disciples stole the body.” How did it vanished is the pivotal issue.
There were eyewitnesses from ancient history. It comes from about two sources of information and for the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the resurrected Jesus. There are at least nine ancient sources inside and outside the New Testament confirming and corroborating the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the risen Christ. That is significant valid historical data.
~~Pastor Andy
Strobel, Lee. The Case of Christ, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1998.
Strobel Lee. The Case for Faith, Grand Rapids, Mich. Zodervan, 2000.
See the movie, The Case of Christ (2017) on the Internet!
Strobel Lee. The Case for Faith, Grand Rapids, Mich. Zodervan, 2000.
See the movie, The Case of Christ (2017) on the Internet!
"We are back!"
Finally, the prison gates in Maryland are open for us to enter every week to meet for Bible study with our incarcerated Deaf brothers in Christ, with their hearing and hard-of-hearing colleagues. Inmate-led Sunday worship is also up and running.
Very few other prison programs are back in action yet. Kairos Prison Ministry is still waiting for the green light to resume their weekly “Prayer and Share” meetings.
During the long absence of outside volunteers like ourselves, God has raised up ministry leaders among those who reside inside the prison fences. Now that we are allowed to back in, these same inmate pastors are blessing us who come in from the outside.
The pandemic has not hampered the power of God’s Word, nor has it quenched the work of the Holy Spirit.
For two years churches on the outside were closed. Many struggled to the point that their doors of fellowship and ministry remain permanently closed. But in those populations that were most at risk of catching a highly contagious virus because of their forced confinement, many used their unwelcome “free time” to grow in God’s Word and share that Word of encouragement with one another.
Hearing Christians in prisons that we serve have a tradition. When their fellowship meeting ends, someone shouts a question: “Who is the Church?” and all respond in loud voice: “We are the Church!”
The Church in prison is still strong.
~~ Pastor Ron
Very few other prison programs are back in action yet. Kairos Prison Ministry is still waiting for the green light to resume their weekly “Prayer and Share” meetings.
During the long absence of outside volunteers like ourselves, God has raised up ministry leaders among those who reside inside the prison fences. Now that we are allowed to back in, these same inmate pastors are blessing us who come in from the outside.
The pandemic has not hampered the power of God’s Word, nor has it quenched the work of the Holy Spirit.
For two years churches on the outside were closed. Many struggled to the point that their doors of fellowship and ministry remain permanently closed. But in those populations that were most at risk of catching a highly contagious virus because of their forced confinement, many used their unwelcome “free time” to grow in God’s Word and share that Word of encouragement with one another.
Hearing Christians in prisons that we serve have a tradition. When their fellowship meeting ends, someone shouts a question: “Who is the Church?” and all respond in loud voice: “We are the Church!”
The Church in prison is still strong.
~~ Pastor Ron
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
Inclusive Deaf Community Engagement
Deaf Definitions
The Deaf of Maryland Culture
Look at this collage of photos from events in the early history of Christ/Deaf.
- The deaf community refers to deaf groups from many cultures. Hearing groups are included. Family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
- The Deaf (noun) deaf (adjective) is defined as partially or wholly lacking the sense of hearing.
- Deaf Culture: The shared languages, arts, customs, folklore, history, traditions, and values of deaf groups -- The deaf of many cultures. American, Disability, Ethnic, Family, Literary, Mental Health, Prison, Sports, and many more.
The Deaf of Maryland Culture
Look at this collage of photos from events in the early history of Christ/Deaf.
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If you could not find a picture in this poster of your favorite late celebrities, pioneers, and heroes or of many late library friends for giving back to Maryland and America over years, your library would have such information.
E.g., Raymond Baker, Rita Corey, Alexander Ewan Jr, Jack R. Gannon, Melvin Garretson, Francis Higgins, Rudy Hines, Bernice Hoeper, John Lopez, Jeanette Mortzfeldt, Don & Ruth Peterson, Mary Jane Rhodes, Frederick Schreiber, Willard Shorter Jr, Linwood Smith, Paul & Anna Snyder, Jackie Stover, George Veditz and many more. RIP.
E.g., Raymond Baker, Rita Corey, Alexander Ewan Jr, Jack R. Gannon, Melvin Garretson, Francis Higgins, Rudy Hines, Bernice Hoeper, John Lopez, Jeanette Mortzfeldt, Don & Ruth Peterson, Mary Jane Rhodes, Frederick Schreiber, Willard Shorter Jr, Linwood Smith, Paul & Anna Snyder, Jackie Stover, George Veditz and many more. RIP.
Did you know Maryland is the only state so far that our governor signed Deaf Culture Digital Library (DCDL) into state law? However, Ohio is the only state where the governor signed into law - March 13 – April 15 as Deaf History Month.
Today in 2022 Americans celebrate the 50th anniversary of such an annual event.
Libraries in the US
There are 116,557 libraries of all kinds in 59 states.
DC and territories are counted as states.
The largest library number is School 99,094.
The smallest is Academic. 3,094.
Some universities and colleges have separate library buildings. Gallaudet library is located inside the building of Merrill Learning Center. Gallaudet once had a separate library building called Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Library.
Quite a few state deaf schools and programs have a library. Unfortunately, very few known librarians work at deaf schools.
About 15 such schools have a museum. Maryland School for the Deaf has a building called Bjorlee. It houses a collection that began in 1872. Artifacts of importance to the Maryland School for the Deaf’s history as well as to the Frederick community. The building was formerly called Bjorlee Library.
More to tell later. Have a great summer!
Today in 2022 Americans celebrate the 50th anniversary of such an annual event.
Libraries in the US
There are 116,557 libraries of all kinds in 59 states.
DC and territories are counted as states.
The largest library number is School 99,094.
The smallest is Academic. 3,094.
Some universities and colleges have separate library buildings. Gallaudet library is located inside the building of Merrill Learning Center. Gallaudet once had a separate library building called Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Library.
Quite a few state deaf schools and programs have a library. Unfortunately, very few known librarians work at deaf schools.
About 15 such schools have a museum. Maryland School for the Deaf has a building called Bjorlee. It houses a collection that began in 1872. Artifacts of importance to the Maryland School for the Deaf’s history as well as to the Frederick community. The building was formerly called Bjorlee Library.
More to tell later. Have a great summer!
Printed with permission, by Alice L. Hagemeyer, FOLDA.
Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action
www.foldadeaf.net
Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action
www.foldadeaf.net
