“Pray and Encourage Our Children”
April 2, 2009 by Staff
Filed under Church Pulse
Pray and Encourage Our Children
Chief Justice Zaila McCalla of Jamaica
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
CHIEF Justice Zaila McCalla has urged parents to "pray for and encourage" the nation’s children, while noting that she too would continue to make intercession on behalf of the country’s youths.
"In a time when statistics shows that majority of crimes being committed in Jamaica are done by the youth we will have to continue to pray for them, uplift them and encourage them on the right path," said Justice McCalla.
"We will continue to pray for, love and uphold the youths so that they may continue to minister for the Lord," said the chief justice, an Anglican.
Justice McCalla was addressing Sunday’s 24th national anniversary service of the Lay Magistrate’s Association at the Bread of Life Ministries in Linstead, St Catherine.
During the service, Rev Sophia Azan, host pastor and Custos of St Catherine, and who spoke on behalf of the governor general, encouraged the nation’s lay magistrates to make a greater contribution to maintain the integrity of the office they hold.
Sister Jae-Ann Willie, who brought the message, implored the magistrates to make God a part of what they do in order to reap greater and lasting success.
By way of proclamation from Governor General Dr Patrick Allen, read by Custos of St Andrew Dr Carmen Stewart, the month of April was declared Lay Magistrates Month.
The month is expected to see various activities, including educational campaigns to sensitise the public about the role of lay magistrates.
Read the full story at HERE
Clapping
August 2, 2009 by Staff
Filed under Pastor Answers
Full Question: Where does the Bible forbid clapping of hands?
Full Answer: There is no direct prohibition in the Bible regarding clapping of hands or applauding. There are a couple of places in the Old Testament in the book of Psalms that encourage clapping as an expression of giving of thanks and praise to God (Psalm 47:2).
In practice of the New Testament church we don’t find anywhere where they did it although there is no prohibition either. What is clapping or applauding? It is an expression of approval, praise and giving of thanks. Sometimes it could be an expression of being captivated by something or someone when applauding turns into ovation.
In doing this I personally don’t find anything sinful or bad especially when it’s regulated correctly because there is a danger of lifting up and growth of pride in gifted people since people usually clap after a well performed song or well said sermon. When it’s on a lower level almost nobody ever claps.
If we applaud as praise to God, as giving of thanks to Him, expression of us being captivated by Him then it’s not bad. Why do our people of older age not approve clapping? First, because back then they were taught that it’s not a spiritual act but an act of flesh. Second, there are still in their memory times when godless people would gather a crowd together to make fun of Christians or put them on trial in a court of law and people in those places would applaud to these evil things.
Another reason why we don’t practice clapping too often is because for some people it’s a stumbling block and we have to be sensitive to people’s weaknesses and not be a stumbling block to them especially because it doesn’t increase our growth in the Spirit.