This Post Won't Go Viral - JESSILYN JUSTICE CHARISMA NEWS

The Islamic State martyred these Ethiopian Christians on Libyan soil. (Reuters)

This Post Won't Go Viral Because That Would Mean You'd Have To Do Something About Your Faith

11/16/2015 JESSILYN JUSTICE  charisma news

I put my heart on the line every day as I write about the Islamic State torture,crucifixions, beheadings, shootings and child abuse.  

I hold back the tears as I type out the words, pull horrific quotes and sort through photos to use with my articles to protect the innocent but draw attention to the violence.  

But readers don't care. Sometimes, even my co-workers don't care. I've spent nearly a year working at what I consider my dream job, writing stories that I think matter, hoping to raise awareness about the tragedy of what's happening to my brothers and sisters, only to realize people would rather talk about Paula White's Halloween costume.  

How do I know? My post about her Instagram photo garnered a whopping 28,000 shares and calls and comments from co-workers about my gifts.  

A week earlier, my story about "Christians" maliciously abusing child "witches" netted 546 shares. I'm not a math person, but my calculator tells me White dressed as Little Red Riding Hood was over 5,000 percent more successful for site traffic.

This is horrifying.  

We would rather gossip about a controversial evangelist than put our money where our faith should be and try to stop the evils of this world. More recently, our breaking news story about the heart-aching violence against Paris received just over 700 shares, which means White got 4,000 percent more shares.

My soul aches for the men and women involved, and yet some outrage creeps in. Outrage because believers care about Western attacks, but not the violence facing our brothers and sisters who endure persecution every day. Internationally, refugees are fleeing the very men who attacked Paris, but some are blaming the refugees for ushering in the violence. 

Social media-wise, few of us cared about the suicide bomber in Turkey who took out 90 last month. What about the 43 killed in Beirut the day before Paris? But when the city of love is attacked, we draw a line?

Just imagine how our world could change if we would breach our comfort zone and stand up to evil.

Though I'm throwing accusations, I am just as guilty of wanting to clear my mind of what burdens my heart and watch a fluffy Hallmark movie to avoid reality. I share funny Facebook memes before I share stories about Coptic Christians forgiving the men who slaughtered their husbands, fathers and brothers.  

As believers, we are called to be set apart (Deut. 14:2, Heb. 10:10-12), but we buy into what culture propagates as entertainment because it seems easier than letting our hearts do the talking.  

How often do we as Christians let the Holy Spirit guide our social media habits? How many people spent even 30 seconds praying before firing off some comment about Starbucks red cups (I'll raise my hand, as I opened my mouth before I considered what God would want from me).  

While your feed may have been filled with complaints about the complaints about Starbucks, comedian Bill Dixon tweeted, "If you're mad about Starbucks coffee cups, wait until you hear about sex trafficking!" 

I'm pretty sure he isn't a believer, but his comment highlights an unfortunate truth in the Christian community: We get up in arms about situations that don't actually impact the Kingdom. 

We complain about persecution but we largely ignore the devastation happening across the world. If we did, Real Housewives of Orange County's Vicki Gunderson's boyfriend's cancer scandal wouldn't be the one of the top stories of today.  

Thanksgiving's coming up. So I have a challenge for us: Take the next week and share a post about something that's happening in the Christian community outside the United States and think of reasons why they might be grateful. Share it on your platforms and use your social media standing to make a difference. 

Help us rebrand Christianity to be something Jesus would be proud of—as in something that would look like the Acts 2 church and not a quick hit for Internet traffic.

Jessilyn Justice is the assistant news editor for Charisma. Born and raised in a pastor's family in Alabama, she went to Lee University and the Washington Journalism Center. She's passionate about the church, jogging, news and cupcakes not necessarily in that order. Tell her what you think of this story on Twitter@jessilynjustice.

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You Think Jesus Is Worried About Starbucks Coffee Cups? - JARRID WILSON CHARISMA MAGAZINE

What's all the commotion about these red Starbucks coffee cups? (Facebook)

You Think Jesus Is Worried About Starbucks Coffee Cups?

11/13/2015 JARRID WILSON  charisma magazine

Yes, this is another post about Starbucks and their decision to remove any mention of Christ or Christmas from their new holiday-themed coffee cups. There seems to be a lot of hype around these cups, their lack of Christ and the so-called "outrage" taking place among Christian circles.

I recently did a poll on Twitter to see how many people truly cared about these cups, and the results were as I expected. Not many people actually care ...

It would be silly for us to expect non-Christian companies to do Christlike things during holidays that celebrate Christ. So instead of worrying about whether or not a coffee company not run by Christians is going to put "Merry Christmas" on their cups, we should rather focus on loving our neighbors, extending grace and being tangible examples of what it means to follow Jesus. God isn't worried about red cups; He's worried about Christians reflecting an image of Christ all year long.

It would be unbiblical for someone to force another to follow Jesus, so why would it be OK to force a non-believing company to follow Him?

Starbucks may not be a Christian-founded company, but over the years they have graciously allowed me to host hundreds of Bible studies at numerous locations around the country. I've never once been asked to leave because I was a Christian or even looked at wrong because I had a Bible with me. Starbucks isn't out to get Christians, but for some reason people have crafted the lie that Christians are out to get Starbucks. It's just not true.

There are people all around the world who are being persecuted for their faith to the point of death, and I believe 100 percent of these people would laugh at the Americans' red cup riot against Starbucks. It's really not that big of a deal. We as Christians should be known more for what we are for than what we are against.

And if we really want something to rally about, how about we start with the fact that there is one death by suicide in the U.S. every 13 minutes, that over 400,000 children are living in the foster care system in America and that 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year.

There are a lot more important things that need our attention. Let's leave cups to Dixie. 

Jarrid Wilson is a husband, pastor and author relentlessly sharing the love of Jesus.For the original article, visit jarridwilson.com.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Satanists Take Culture Wars to Deadly Level - Jennifer LeClaire

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Satanists Take Culture Wars to Deadly Level

 8/13/2014 JENNIFER LECLAIRE

A McDonald's in Morehead City, North Carolina, served this McChicken—with a swastika on the bun—to a guest. (News 12)

First an artistic, devil-inspired barista took demonic to a whole new level with one lady's latte—crafting a satanic symbol in a Catholic woman's Starbucks drink. That's only somewhat surprising, given Christian complaints over Starbucks' so-called Jezebelic logo over the years.

Now, a burger chain symbolized by its golden arches is making headlines for something nearly as sinister: a golden swastika depicted in butter on a chicken sandwich bun she bought from a McDonald's drive-thru in Morehead City, North Carolina. Swastikas are anti-Semitic symbols made famous by Germany's Nazi Party during the Holocaust that killed millions of Jews.

"Is this a joke? Does somebody really think they're funny?" Charleigh Matice, the customer who discovered the swastika when she set out to put mayo on her sandwich, told WCTI12.com. "Many people died because of that symbol, and it's not something that should be taken lightly. It's not something that should be thrown around. I really didn't have an appetite at that point, so I said I'd rather have my money back."

Satan Growing Bolder

McDonald's fired the employee involved in the incident, but what does this incident—and the occult symbols in the Starbucks latte some months ago—really say? What's going on in the spiritual realm? Clearly, it's one more manifestation of Satan's subtle—and increasingly not-so-subtle—works in a sinful world.

The pentagram and the 666 in the Starbucks lattes were easy enough to discern as demonic in nature, but the swastika is more than just offensive to Jews or anyone who fought against the Nazis in World War II. It's also rooted in false gods.

According to the Holocaust Teacher Resource Center, the swastika is a symbol in both Jainism and Buddhism. Moreover, it's considered a representation of the sun that is associated with the worship of Aryan sun gods. Images of Aryan sun gods are unmistakably demonic. It doesn't take a prophet to discern that Adolf Hitler was demon-controlled in his reign of terror. The symbol he chose to represent his movement is now widely considered an antichrist—and an anti-Semitic—sign.

It doesn't take a prophet, either, to see that satanism is on the rise; their moves are all over mainstream media. Satanists are using the Hobby Lobby decision to play devil's advocate, ABC reports, while a Houston teen is being tried as an adult in a girl's satanic ritual killing. Satanic rituals are being performed in a so-called Black Mass in the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, a Satanist gallery recently brought Charles Manson to Chinatown.

The list of headlines goes on and on. Satan's army is highly organized (see Eph. 6) and his human followers are rallying the troops. Satanists are actively working to get monuments erected to the false god they serve even while others kill in his name. The prince of the power of the air is no longer willing to work behind the scenes in our media. He wants a place of prominence in our culture.

Beyond Culture Wars

Satan, who often disguises himself as an angel of light (see 2 Cor. 11:14) is coming out of the darkness and into public arenas—even making his presence known in our fast-food chains with demonic symbols in our coffee and burgers. I'm glad Matice spoke out about the swastika on her bun, and I'm glad McDonald's fired the employee who painted it on there. But this is just one small manifestation of a growing issue with satanism in America.

Folks, this is much different than culture wars against atheists who want prayer taken out of the public square or our doctrinal differences with Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and  other religions. This is Satan himself working to get a stronghold in our nation through the legislative branch of our government, through arts and entertainment, and through public gatherings in mainstream venues. This is brash, bold—and prideful. Would you expect anything less from Satan?

Listen to what one ex-Satanist said about America and judge for yourself:

"Our society is submerged in the occult; Harry Potter has filled the minds of our children for a decade and vampirism meets our teens with the illusions of grandeur. Witchcraft went mainstream decades ago, and Wicca is its offspring," Jeff Harshbarger, author of Dancing With the Devil, told the Christian Post. "'Christian' witchcraft is on the up-rise, and new-age spirituality fills the church pews. Time has come for the church to be equipped and be effective."

Amen. Peter warned us to, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). And Paul warned us to "give no opportunity to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). Finally, 1 John 5:19 says, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one."

The bottom line: Satan has been working subtly to lull us to sleep, but he's growing bolder in these last hours. Don't be deceived. Get anything that has occult markings out of your home—and away from your eyes and ears—and stay watchful in prayer.

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor of Charisma. She is also director of IHOP Fort Lauderdale and author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet and The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

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Do We Really Need More Churches in America? by GREG STIER (CharismaNews.com)

Are more churches needed in America? (Lightstock)

Do We Really Need 

More Churches in America?

4/28/2014 GREG STIER  CHARISMANEWS.COM

Right now there are over 300,000 Protestant churches in America. Just do the division—300,000 divided by 50 states—and that equals 6,000 churches per state. Wow! That’s a lot of churches!

Think about it this way: There are just over 10,000 Starbucks stores in America and well over 300,000 churches. So Starbucks can saturate the United States with caffeinated drinks, but almost 30 times more churches can’t saturate the United States with the Living Water. Seriously?

According to church growth and discipleship multiplication expert Bill Hull, “It still takes 100 church attendees, a pastor and $100,000 a year to win a convert. Among evangelicals. ... This is an ugly fact that should grieve us all.”

So our solution is planting more and more churches so that we can reach America for Jesus? Is that really the best solution, or is a revitalization of current churches the best solution?

My answer is a resounding yes! We need more churches planted, and we need to revitalize the current ones.

When I was a 23-year-old part-time youth leader at a church in Arvada, Colo., I wanted to revitalize the congregation concerning evangelism and outreach. This very traditional church was solid theologically but not growing steadily with disciples being made and multiplied.

I’ll never forget presenting an 11-page document called “Operation Arvada” to the senior pastor and asking him to consider it. In those pages were ideas for infusing relational evangelism into the lifeblood of the church. He said, “Let me pray about it” (which is a pastor’s way of buying time so that he can think of a nice way to say no to your idea). Days turned to weeks and I finally realized that it wasn’t going to happen.

It was then that I remembered the words of a former pastor who gave up trying to revitalize that same church to plant a new one. He told me, “It’s easier to give birth than to resurrect the dead.”

That’s when my best friend and I decided to start a church ourselves, Grace Church, in Arvada. Through prayer, tons of mistakes and sheer perseverance, we were blessed to plant a church that grew deep and wide in some powerful ways.

Today, Grace Church is a thriving congregation with over 60 percent of the 3,000 or so who go there having come to Jesus as a result of the church’s focused outreach efforts. What about the other church I was involved in? The new pastor and youth pastor are working hard to revitalize it so it can be more effective in the community where it’s located.

Yes!

We need already existing churches to drop an evangelistic engine into their church chassis. We need new churches planted that grow primarily through new believers being added (as opposed to transfer growth).

So the real question is not how many churches do we have in North America, but how many gospel-advancing churches do we have? We need to revitalize current ones and plant new ones until we reach everyone.

If you are in an established church, work with all your heart to get the people there making and multiplying disciples. Start with those who are willing and build from there. Pray for your church. Challenge your church. Equip your church. By the way, we at Dare 2 Share can help with that. Start by downloading and using our free evangelism training app.

If you feel led to plant a church, determine to build one that grows primarily through relational evangelism and discipleship multiplication. Make intercessory prayer the engine and not the caboose of your efforts and, over time, you will succeed.

It’s time to revitalize current churches and plant new ones that bleed the Good News. Let’s give birth and raise the dead!

Greg Stier is a husband, a father, a preacher, an author, a twitchy revolutionary and a fanatic for Jesus. He’s the president of Dare 2 Share Ministries, which has led thousands of students to Jesus and equipped thousands more to reach their world with the gospel. He blogs at GregStier.org.

For the original article, visit pastors.com.

Every Good Thing - The Afters (- with lyrics)

The Afters - "Every Good Thing"

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The Afters

Band

The Afters are a Christian pop rock band founded by Joshua Havens and Matt Fuqua. Havens and Fuqua first worked together in a Starbucks coffee shop in Mesquite, Texas, where they played for customers, before deciding to form a band. Wikipedia

Origin: Dallas, TX

Members: Joshua Havens, Matt Fuqua, Jordan Mohilowski, Dan Ostebo,Marc Dodd, Brad Wigg

Record labels: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Fair Trade Services,Columbia, Integrity Media

Published on May 3, 2013

Brand new song with a catchy tune from Christian group The Afters set to beautiful landscape video; a reminder that every good thing comes from God!

Lyrics:

I tend to be busier than I should be
And I tend to think that time is gonna wait for me
Sometimes I forget and take for granted
That it's a beautiful life we live
I don't wanna miss the moments like this
This is a beautiful life You give

You're the reason for every good thing, every heartbeat
Every day we get to breathe
You're the reason for anything that lasts, every second chance
Every laugh, life is so sweet
You're the reason for every good thing, every good thing
Every good thing, every good thing...

There will be days that give me more than I can take
But I know that You always make beauty from my heartache
Don't wanna forget or take for granted
That it's a beautiful life we live
I'm not gonna miss the moments like this
This is a beautiful life You give

You're the reason for every good thing, every heartbeat
Every day we get to breathe
You're the reason for anything that lasts, every second chance
Every laugh, life is so sweet
You're the reason for every good thing, every good thing
Every good thing, every good thing...

It's our family, it's our friends
It's the feeling that I get when I see my children smile
You're the reason for this life, everything we love
It's You alive in us
You're alive in us

You're the reason for every good thing, every heartbeat
Every day we get to breathe
You're the reason for anything that lasts, every second chance
Every laugh, life is so sweet
You're the reason for every good thing, every good thing
Every good thing, every good thing...

You are, You are here in every moment,
And I know that You're every good thing
You are, You are here in every moment,
And I know that You're the reason for
Every good thing, every good thing...

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