Jesus’ words to his followers in John 14:1-7 ? “Don’t be afraid” ? “may be the most important words we hear,” said the Rev. Stan Wood of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Wednesday’s (17 July) at the 2013 Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT) here.

“While many are optimistic about the future, there are many who have little hope in the present,” said Wood, who has served as dean, professor, administrator and academic journal editor at Memphis Theological Seminary since 1998.

“There’s an unease in our land, a lack of assurance about the future, and a belief that the quality of life has been deteriorating,” Wood said. “As the pie grows smaller while the number laying claim to it grows larger, our people are wondering what we are made of.”

Wood offered three prescriptions to the crowd of more than 5,200 gathered here 16-20 July under the PYT theme “I AM.”

First, he said, “There exists a need for followers of Jesus to discern the real issued controlling society and gain insight into new possibilities.” Christians should take nothing for granted, Wood said, and perceptive, faithful people must take “an active role” in God’s redeeming work.

“Where do you see evidence of God at work, liberating people and executing justice, breaking down walls of division and reconciling men and women to one another and to God?” To many the work of God in the world is “by no means apparent and even when it is discernible we miss the mark because we look with too much distrust,” Wood said.

“We who are motivated out of the Judeo-Christian tradition must look with one eye on the Bible and one eye on a good daily newspaper,” he said. “We must keep our eyes on the road and our ear to the ground.”

Second, Wood continued, “If we would make a difference, we must become a pioneering community, responding to God first and demonstrating in our corporate life the new relationships God is bringing into the world.”

Christians cannot wait for someone else to take the lead in transforming the world, Wood insisted. “Join movements that bring human rights to the front burner, that bring justice to all of God’s children,” he said.

“We have been too individualistic ? God’s vision is shalom: universal well-being for all,” Wood said. “If we are students of the Bible, shalom is the way things are supposed to be.”

Third, Wood said, “We are called to follow Jesus in destroying footholds of prejudice, violence and injustice. We are called to interdependence.”

Because all are part of one humanity, the challenge is clear, Wood said. “We exist in this world together, which can be either heaven or hell, Together we can make it a better place, divided we will see it destroyed before our eyes.”

Wood concluded by praising the young people who packed the Purdue auditorium that is serving as PYT’s worship space.

We have been deaf, dumb and blind,” Wood admitted. “Maybe the world’s a mess but it’s going to get better because you are here and committed.” Quoting a gospel song, Wood concluded, “Keep on building, don’t get worried, God’s people must be strong.”

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005

+ Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, Tennessee38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913

[2] United Church of Christ Activists Fast to Call for Closure of Guantanamo Prison

A twenty-four hour fast by Sandy Sorensen, director of the United Church of Christ (UCC)’s office in Washington DC and the Rev. Michael Neuroth, UCC policy advocate for international issues and several others in the faith community was held 23-24 July 2013 to call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention center and to bring attention to the inhumane treatment of its prisoners.

In May 2013, UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black was among thirty-eight religious leaders to sign a letter calling on the White House to make good on its promise to close the facility.

+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org

[3] Roman Catholic Pope Calls Mary “Refuge Of Sinners”

In his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa on 8 July 2013, Pope Francis called Mary the star of the sea, Mother of God, Protector of migrants, Mother of mercy, and Refuge of sinners (“Pope’s Marian Prayer at Lampedusa,” Zenit, 8 July 2013). He began the prayer with these words: “Mary, star of the sea, once again we recourse to thee, to find refuge and serenity, to implore your protection and help.”

He asked Mary to “obtain the conversion of heart” for sinners and to “bless all men and women of good will.” Only eighty miles from the coast of Tunisia, Lampedusa has been the target for tens of thousands of Africans who are attempting to reach Italy and Europe. The island’s native population of 6,000 is overwhelmed by the thousands of illegal migrants living in impoverished camps awaiting relocation to the European mainland. It is believed that 20,000 have died since 1988 in the attempt to cross the passage of water in rickety boats.

+ Way of Life Literature, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org

+ The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page

[4] Roman Catholic Pope Francis Says Atheists Can Do Good and Go to Heaven Too

A 30 May 2013 Catholic Online article titled “Pope Francis Says Atheists Can Do Good and Go to Heaven Too!” reports that on 29 May 2013, Roman Catholic Pope Francis declared to atheists that Jesus died and was raised for them as well, that Jesus’ redemptive embrace was for all, not just a chosen few, and that the choice to accept its reach is our own.

Pope Francis added that people must still do good, and that in doing good that they are led to Jesus, the source of all that is good. He continued:

“The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart, do good and do not do evil. All of us. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can… “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ, all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!” We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

+ Catholic Online, Post Office Box 9686, Bakersfield, California 93389, 661-869-1000, Fax: 661-616-1189, customerservice@catholic.org

+ The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page

[5] Liberty Activists Being Targeted by Spoofed Email Messages with Child Pornography Attached

A 26 July 2013 The Liberty Crier article titled “Child Porn Attacks on Liberty Activists Continue, Oathkeepers and PANDA Targeted” reports that several liberty activists have recently been targeted by spoofed emails with child pornography images as attachments, in a failed attempt to get the email recipients to unknowingly open the disguised attachments and thus download images of child pornography to their computers. If the attempts had been successful and child pornography was downloaded to the computers, the recipients would have faced damage to their reputations and possible felony charges of possession of child pornography.

The liberty activists targeted for the attempted smears include Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers; Dan Johnson, founder of People Against the N.D.A.A (National Defense Authorization Act) (P.A.N.D.A.); and Luke Rudkowski of WeAreChange.org.

+ The Liberty Crier

+ Oath Keepers, 5130 South Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148, Contact Page

+ P.A.N.D.A., 567-201-5432, nullifyndaa@gmail.com

+ WeAreChange.org, luke@wearechange.org

[6] PRTS President Joel Beeke Conducts “True Living” Conference at the Evangelical Reformed Church in Hackney, London, England

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (PRTS) President the Rev. Dr. Joel Beeke on 27-28 July 2013 conducted a conference titled “True Living” at the Evangelical Reformed Church (ERC) in Hackney, London, England.

Four messages on “True Living”—personally (in the believer’s relationship with God), domestically (in marriage and child rearing), perseveringly (enduring to the end in a life of conversion), and eternally (in heaven, as a world of love), were presented to the 200 people attending the conference.

ERC is a predominantly black church with most of the congregation being from the Caribbean. Dr. Beeke said that this was the fifth time that he has visited ERC, which he describes as a “warm, spiritually thriving church”:

“I love ministering to these dear people. The church is teeming with new, young converts—especially young men, several of whom are now wrestling with a call to the ministry. At least one dear brother who would love to study at PRTS hopes to visit our seminary soon. Reformed, experiential Christianity is alive and well in this blessed church.

+ Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-977-0599, Fax: 616-285-3246, info@puritanseminary.org

[7] 77th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church Begins 1 August 2013 in Grand Island, New York

The 77th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church will begin, Lord willing, on 1 August 2013 at the Bible Presbyterian Church of Grand Island, New York. Retiring moderator the Rev. Kevin Backus, PhD, is also the host pastor for this year’s synod meetings. The theme is “Confident of Better Things,” and is designed to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Bible Presbyterian Church. Dr. Backus will speak on this theme as the opening message, followed by Communion hosted by the Great Lakes Presbytery. The theme will be developed with special emphasis on missions and the chaplaincy.

+ Bible Presbyterian Church, statedclerk@bpc.org

[8] News from the Deepest Recesses of Hell

— Former U.S. Presidential Candidate Howard Dean Admits Obamacare Includes Death Panels, Wants Them Repealed

— U.S. Federal Court Forces Mennonite Company to Comply With HHS Abortion Mandate

— Funeral Service Held for Baby Brutalized in Violent Fourteen-Week Abortion

— Senate Bill Would Fund Abortions for Peace Corps Volunteers at Taxpayer Expense

— Liberal Activists Still Exploiting Raped Girl Who Rejected Abortion

— Eugenics is Shifting from Killing the Disabled to Genetically Enhancing Kids

— Body of Newborn Baby Found in Trash in Kansas City, Arm Dangling from over the Side

+ LifeNews.com, Post Office Box 270841, Fort Collins, Colorado 80527, news@lifenews.com

[9] Headlines from Christian Concern

Headlines of the past week from Christian Concern:

— Oxford English Dictionary to Change Definition of Marriage to Include Same-Sex Couples

— Archbishop of Canterbury Causes a Stir by Opining on Payday Loans While Remaining Mostly Silent on Same-Sex Marriage

— Letter to the Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis of London, England: Tell Officers Not to Arrest Preachers Who Say Homosexual Acts Are Sinful

+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page

[10] Headlines from The Christian Institute

Headlines of the past week from The Christian Institute:

— Cameron Vows to Export Gay Marriage Worldwide

— Sikhs Told to Halt Weddings over Gay Marriage Law Risk

— Abortions of Disabled Unborn Babies See Sharp Increase

+ The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG, England, 44-0-191-281-5664, Fax: 44-0-191-281-4272, info@christian.org.uk

[11] Articles from LifesiteNews.com

Articles from the past week from LifesiteNews.com:

— California Supreme Court Denies Petition to Stop Distribution of Gay ‘Marriage’ Licenses

— Obama Administration Forces School District to Let Teenage Girl Use Boys Restroom, Showers, Sleeping Quarters

— Pennsylvania Governor Rebukes County Official Issuing Illegal Gay ‘Marriage’ Licenses

— Bomb Blows Man’s Legs Off after He Reported Illegal Abortion Clinic in Peru: Report

— Toronto School Board Refuses to Say Why It Reinstated Teacher Who Posted Graphic Gay Sex Brochures

+ LifeSiteNews.com, Incorporated, 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, 888-678-6008, Contact Page

[12] Raging Heathen and Vain Imagining

Articles from the past week regarding kings and rulers setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed:

— Obama Saying Ho Chi Minh Inspired by U.S. Constitution and Thomas Jefferson Echoes KGB ‘Disinformation’

— Concord, New Hampshire Police Department Requests Costly Military-Style Equipment to Deal With “Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters” and Others