Sticks and Stones

Written by Barbara Alpert

It’s been said that we are all the walking wounded. You can help come alongside wounded people by applying to be a mentor. Your prayer and kind words can make a difference. Apply today!

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

Many have heard or even recited, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”. How false the second part of this old time saying is! Cruel words spoken to or about us do hurt. In fact, many people, regardless of age, remain wounded for years because of hurtful words tossed at them. The power of just one unkind word can crush a person’s spirit for a very long time.

Manny Pacquiao Uses Bible to Rebuke Obama's Support for Gay Marriage

By Christine Thomasos , Christian Post Reporter




World Boxing Organization welterweight champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines gestures during a press conference in Manila in this March 26, 2012 file photo.

Manny Pacquiao, Christian Filipino boxer and congressman, has reportedly disagreed with President Barack Obama's support of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, and has insisted people should always put God's word first.

After Obama vocalized that he was in support of gay marriage earlier this week, Pacquiao was adamant that the president had got it wrong. In an interview with the National Conservative Examiner while training in Los Angeles, Calif., Pacquiao spoke about the need for society to put "God's words first."

The Evolution of the Views of a President

Published on May 10, 2012 in Current Issues in the World.

Well, it was all over the news yesterday and seen in headlines this morning in our newspapers:  “Obama: ‘I Think Same-Sex Couples Should Be Able to Get Married.’”

In an ABC TV news article, we read, “In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an ‘evolution’ that led him to this decision, based on conversations with his staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and his wife and daughters” (emphasis and link in the original).

Also, see this video clip AiG staff member Tim Chaffey sent me to help show you how the president’s view has changed:

Obama's Spiritual Adviser Rebukes President on Golden Rule, Same-Sex Marriage

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
May 10, 2012

The Rev. Joel Hunter of the 15,000-member Northland church, who is often referred to as President Barack Obama's spiritual adviser, said he is disappointed with the president's use of the "Golden Rule" to explain his endorsement of gay marriage.

"The Golden Rule is in the Bible but it cannot be used to contradict God's marriage pattern reaffirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-5," Hunter shared in an interview with The Christian Post. "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh?'"

Obama affirmed his support for same-sex marriage in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, which has sparked a great deal of debate in America among supporters of the traditional definition of marriage, and those who want to see gay marriage legalized.

"In the end, the values that I care most deeply about, and she (Michelle Obama) cares most deeply about is how we treat other people. We're both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but when we think about our faith the thing at root that we think about is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it's also the Golden Rule – treat others the way you'd want to be treated," Obama stated.

44 Percent of Americans Believe Homosexuality Is a Sin, Survey Says

By Katherine Weber , Christian Post Reporter
May 10, 2012|5:24 pm

A new survey conducted by LifeWay Research finds that 44 percent of Americans believe homosexuality is a sin. Meanwhile, 43 percent believe it is not, and 13 percent are not sure.

The survey, conducted among a random sampling of 2,144 adult Americans, asked the question: ""Do you believe homosexual behavior is a sin?" Results indicate that gender, education, church attendance, and religious affiliation affect one's views.

According to the survey, 47 percent of men believe homosexuality is a sin while 40 percent of women believe the same.

Seventy-one percent of those who attend a church service once weekly or more believe it is a sin, compared to a mere 8 percent who never attend a church service.

Assemblies of God Opposes Obama's Same-Sex Marriage Stance

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter
May 11, 2012

George O. Wood expresses his humble gratitude for the confidence placed in him to lead the Assemblies of God as general superintendent.

One of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States has officially announced its opposition to President Barack Obama's stance on same-sex marriage.

The Assemblies of God USA, a fellowship with more than 3 million members, sent out a statement on Thursday addressing the president's recent remarks endorsing gay marriage. "The Bible clearly teaches that marriage should be a life-long commitment between one man and one woman," said Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies.

"Although it has become popular to quote Scripture grossly out of context to serve a personal or political agenda, it still doesn't change what God's Word clearly states."

Your Deeds Do Make A Difference!

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
“Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18 NIV). Wow! What a command! How often do we forget to back up our feelings with good, old-fashioned action? How often do we fail to show Christ’s love to others through our behavior? I am talking specifically about caring for one another’s needs.
This reminds me of the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” I always thought this meant, “Don’t do things to others that you yourself would not like done to you.” But it doesn’t say, “Don’t do.” It does say, “Do.” And that means we should actually do for others what we would like people to do for us.
More and more, I find that it isn’t all that hard to serve another. Service can be many things: from small actions like a kind word or an encouraging hug, to larger ones such as listening to another’s problems or helping with a task. Whether small or large, our actions will make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Have you ever watched the face of a person when you do something for them that is completely unexpected? It’s great! Do you know what else is great? It’s contagious! One good deed encourages others to do good deeds too. Sometimes a simple hug can totally change a person’s day! I know because it has happened to me, and I’m sure you can remember when it has happened to you.
The Bible says that we are to “serve one another in love.” Then it says that this command must be our law: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:13-14). It is no mistake that “the fruit of the Spirit” within us is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). These are the things that are to be displayed through our actions, and what a difference they make!
The Bible also says that we are to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.“ (Eph. 6:7). Whatever we do for another, we are doing for our Lord. And believe me, He notices - no matter how small a thing we do. Why? Because “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph. 2:10).
Think of it: we are actually created to do good works! Praise the Lord! We are not alone in our walk with Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and it’s a remarkable privilege to have such a loving family! God has given each of us special talents, gifts, and interests, so we can serve Him. What better way than to minister to the needs of others?
This reminds me of Tabitha (or Dorcas) in Acts 9:36-42. Though she was a woman of no special status, she was well known and loved for serving the poor and the widows by making them clothes. She used her God-given talent for His glory. What a difference we could make if we did the same!
Let me give you a simple example from my own life: an elderly Christian man in our church, my “adopted grandpa” I called him, took an interest in me since I was a child. He showed me how to work with wood, how he built things, told me stories and gave me a hug every Sunday at church for nearly 28 years. A hug is a really simple thing, but his had a great impact on my life. Who knows how different I might be were it not for his ongoing expression of love to me?
Our deeds do touch lives. They will be the things that people remember about us, and they might even lead others to Christ. We may never have the opportunity to be missionaries, but we can all be servants. Be encouraged today that the little things you do for the Lord and for others are worth your effort; they do make a difference. Let’s always remember the servant-like character of Christ, and mirror it in our lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Heather Darling worked in the mail room at Grace & Truth while studying to become a veterinary technician. When not caring for animals, she serves the Lord by teaching pre-school children in Sunday School, assisting in a teen ministry and conducting an e-mail ministry of encouragement with adults.
Grace & Truth Magazine February 2000