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The Seventh Commandment: Faithfulness from cogwebcast on Vimeo.
Does our private behaviour impact our public life? Jeff Patton reflects on the recent fall of the former head of the International Monetary Fund and answers this question with the biblical perspective on fiduciary relationships. What are the spiritual lessons that God wants us to learn as we delve into the scriptures on the seventh of God’s “prime directives.”
Comments Off on When is it Murder? Part 2, Sermons and Media, Videos, by COG Webcast.
When is it murder? Part 2 from cogwebcast on Vimeo.
For many people the big right–to-life issues in our society involve the slide down the slippery slopes of abortion and euthanasia. Yet, in these matters God gives us a choice, but He also tells us what we should choose, if we are to have a relationship with Him. Jeff Patton takes a closer look at these life and death questions and asks, “Is it murder?” What does the bible say?
Comments Off on Differences between Rich and Poor?, Blog, by CGP.
Your average person assumes that the rich people of this world are just like them—only that they have a lot more money! Well, you know what they say about the word “assume,” don’t you? When one assumes something he or she takes a risk of making an “ass” out of “u” and “me.” So how are the rich different from the poor?
Comments Off on Be a Stress Survivor, Sermons and Media, Videos, by COG Webcast.
Being a Stress Survivor? from cogwebcast on Vimeo.
Stressed? If you are going to be a Christian in a post-Christian world you will be stressed. Does the bible, written millennia ago, offer an anti-dote to the stresses of the 21st century? Can men like Jeremiah, Elisha, and Paul give us encouragement to deal with our daily burden of financial, health, family, or work stressors? Jeff Patton sheds light on the scriptures that will help us overcome anxiety, fear, and exhaustion so we can be stress survivors.
Comments Off on Making the Hard Decisions, Articles, by COG Webcast.
Making the Hard Decisions
Are you fellowshipping in a place that provides the right elements for Christian Growth?
This week, my eldest son brought to my attention an article I wrote over 15 years ago that he had discovered on-line. A lot of changes have occurred since that time, and though I had not reread this piece I wrote so long ago, I have had to revisit the question of, “Where do I fellowship?”on several occasions. I feel it is worthwhile sharing this article with you now, as the question of finding a church (fellowship) home where you can encourage and be encouraged by God’s word and faithful brethren is as important now as it ever was in the past.
Reprinted
From theJournal.org
Why I left the WCG – Worldwide Church of God (now GCI – Grace Communion International)
By Carolanne Patton.
The author, a native of Canada, graduated from Ambassador College, Pasadena, Calif. in 1976. She and her husband Jeff have three sons, and live in Ramona, Calif. They are members of the Global Church of God, San Diego. (we are now living in British Columbia, Canada and have been blessed with four sons)
Because so many people are wrestling with crises of conscience over whether or not to leave the Worldwide Church of God (or any other church for that matter) when they disagree with doctrinal issues, I would like to share my story of why I left the Worldwide Church of God.
My husband Jeff and I wrestled with the primary issue of church government for several years. His work in Pasadena gave him intimate knowledge of the mindset of the leaders. Initially we concluded 1) as long as the changes were administrative, and 2) as long as doctrinal error was not being taught openly and the gospel was being preached, we could support the new leadership with God’s tithe and our presence.
When changes were made regarding the issues of divorce and remarriage and healing, we felt it was okay to put more responsibility on the shoulders of the individual in these areas. We believed God provided strong guidelines in his Word, and though we were saddened to learn that the church would no longer be as supportive a community in these and other areas as we would have preferred, the new decisions did not require us to think or act contrary to faith (Romans 14:23).
We were able to escape the increasing turmoil in Pasadena in 1991 and found a peaceful haven in a local church area until 1993, when we were forced to re-examine our position once again as a result of the publishing of the WCG’s God Is… booklet which was clearly contrary to Scripture by promoting a trinitarian view of the nature of God. At the same time clever edits were changing the gospel message from the “Kingdom of God” to the” person of Christ.”
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Comments Off on When is it Murder?, Sermons and Media, Videos, by COG Webcast.
When is it murder? from cogwebcast on Vimeo.
From the very beginning one of God’s prime directives involved the sanctity of life. Yet early in the biblical account violence bred violence and God intervened to stop the carnage. Then God set out his expectations to make humans accountable for the blood they shed. Jeff Patton investigates the question of, “What is murder?” and God’s directives given to deal with those who shed innocent blood.
Comments Off on In Times of Crisis – Fast, Blog, by CGP.
Are you wondering what’s going on in the world as the price of gold closes in on $1800 an ounce?
Some say the stock market has not just crashed, but that it’s snapped like a rubber band. An editorial cartoonist drew a nesting vulture on the iconic Wall Street sign to depict the current feeling of gloom prevailing at America’s financial hub.
In truth, the United States and the European Union are slowly drowning in seas of sovereign debt that may be impossible to pay off except through the type of hyperinflation that will make a roll of toilet paper worth more than a wheelbarrow full of currency. Investors are scared…