₦airaland Forum

Your moniker though! This article when I read it from the source (talking-christianity.com) I didnt believe it is for criticism or to judge people and call people names. I just notice the transformation-

alBHAGDADI:
All of these are wrong. They deviate from the established way to seek their own entertainment and choice. No wonder churches are now no different from rock n roll concerts. Those people you see in a worship mode in the above pictures are going to go back continuing their sinful ways after the service because they never truly worshipped in truth and in spirit. It was just entertainment which was topped with a feel good sermon.

I remember watching Joel Osteen preach in his 16k capacity Church. The dude started his sermon by first cracking a joke. Imagine how relaxed his congregation will be in anticipation of his sermon which was just some motivational message.

It's all just entertainment.

Mathew 15:8

King James Bible
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Your moniker though! This article when I read it from the source (talking-christianity.com) I didnt believe it is for criticism or to judge people and call people names. I just notice the transformation-

Change they say is the only thing that is constant in life. This statement is applicable in virtually all spheres of life endeavor and engagement. There is hardly any system or method that remains the same overtime. The systems and methods or method of operation of institutions and organizations varies from time to time; this may be as a result of new wave in the lifestyle of people or new inventions that crop up in human activities. Since the inception of certain institutions like the banking institution, the educational institution, sporting institution, scientific institution etc tremendous transformation has taken place within them. So it is a noticeable thing that both on the surface and within, these institutions are not the way they were some tens of years ago. Though the transformation could be negative or positive depending on its effect on the institution but one undeniable fact is that there’s transformation taking place in them.
Another thing to consider is this; the transformation that takes place in one institution can stir up a transformation in another institution. That is to say an institution can begin a transformation process just because another institution has put in motion a new trending process in their method of operation, and if they do not adjust their ways, definitely they will be left behind in the system of things. This is what is called modernization, or updating the process. The need to update is very vital because no one would like to be left behind or lose its value standard hence the need to join the moving train.

What is obtainable in every other institution is obtainable in the religious institution as well. In the Christian religious institution we have what is called the Catholic institution, and then comes the transformers (Protestants) institutions and we also have the reformers (Pentecostals/Evangelicals) institutions. The emerging of these groups in the Christendom came with its trending pattern that differs slightly or mightily from the old established institutions that have been there before them. It comes with the introduction of new ‘doctrines and patterns’ in the system and such new doctrines and patterns tend to draw away members from one church to another.
So the old traditional way of worship seems not to be appealing to the minds of the young ones and hence in the recent times churches that crop up with the so called modern worship evacuates youths from the traditional churches to theirs. However, the traditional churches are fighting back by amending some of their tight-hold ideologies and losing some ends in order to stay floating in the system. This method is called Retention method.
Most traditional Churches are not holding back at all they have decided to up their ‘games’ by introducing trendy things among themselves. They are now holding crusades, camp meetings, healing and deliverance services, youth musical concerts, vigils, classic bible studies etc. In some traditional churches one finds pastors or priests while delivering their sermons moving around energetically and even speaking in tongues and prophesying. These things use to be forbidden acts in the traditional churches. The amendment in their programs has helped them curtail the mass exodus of their youths to modern churches around.

However, the addendums are just like spices poured upon their traditional ways of worship, and they are not in any way trying to let go their systems. Their system of worship is very unique to them and it is their identity.
source:http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/embracing-new-trend-in-worship.html

Christian Participation in Politics (Part 1)
Daniel Osato Edegbe Uddo - Writes for Talking Christianity

Introduction
The argument whether Christians should participate in Politics has been on for donkey years and having the African political system in mind, Christians have been shying away from participation and involvement at all levels because of the structural Build-Up.
Africa as a larger entity and Nigeria as a case study, we saw the way criticism was disrespectfully dished and served to vice president Prof Yemi Osinbanjo for his participation in government with a considerable reason that politics is not a game for Christians because of its corrupt and ambiguous setting, void of honesty and fair judgment.
We will critically look into this and at the end we will decide if Christians should desire a seat in the Round table of Government or not.
I will break this Topic into three parts 1-Politics. 2- Christianity 3-Participation and they will be brief and precise as possible.

POLITICS
Firstly I will like to draw our attention to some terms and meaning
A) Political
B) Politics
A) Political as a word/term is beyond government and politics of a state. It concerns anything, institution or gathering of two or more persons. So even a family is a political institution.

B) Politics - we will because of time and space consider just two popular meanings of politics
1. The authoritative (legitimate political power) allocation of values - David Easton
2 The process of who gets WHAT, WHEN and HOW - Harold Laswell.

Looking at these definitions, we see that there is chain of distribution of values (value would mean; worth, preference, social needs, democracy, equity, liberty etc). So "who gets" is determined by "who shares" and how he shares (process).
Values flow from an authority (ruler) to the masses through a process of government. So what we get as a society is dependent on who is on the seat of authority. The laws that are made, the equity and liberty, the freedom, democracy and social rights, flow of resources are all dependent on the authority. So the disposition of those in authority affects everyone in the society, Whether Christian or non-Christian.

Proverbs 29:2
"When the Righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. KJV"
"When good people run things everyone is glad MSG"
"When the (uncompromisingly) righteous are in authority the people rejoice AMP"
To continue reading follow the link below:
http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/christian-participation-in-politics.html

One of the advantages of modern science is the ability to forecast future climatic changes on the surface of the earth. And in some way we have seen some of their forecasting coming out true. Recently, there’s this news making around the social media that on the 27th of July the Moon shall turn bloody. And there are some insinuations that such occurrence is the fulfillment of the bible prophecy. However, it is important for Christians to decipher whether it is a mere occurrence or prophecy from bible being fulfilled.
A proper understanding of this subject will bring to rest some speculations that have ignited a kind of unrest in the hearts of many. In the recent past, there have been some unfounded prophecies that permeated the airwave postulating that the world will come to an end. Such prophecies raised so much dust and people were thrown into fears, some people started disposing their properties in some parts of the world and so many were forced to start repenting of their sins, and many used that opportunity to look for Jesus and accept Him in their hearts.

Continue reading: http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/the-blood-moon-and-end-time-signs.html

Let us take a little time to consider the impact of the church to the growth of the economy and its role in the reduction of unemployment in the Nigerian society. Most people may never have anything good to write about the modern Nigerian church because of the way it has presented itself overtime, but still we have to consider some of its advantageous input to the growth of the economy.

A young man who dedicated time to serving in the local church as a member of the technical unit without any idea of it, is now operating a Light and sound company by himself and has been able to employ several others to work for him. He installs lighting systems and also sets sound systems for big churches, event halls, open air programs, school occasions and other areas where these services are needed. He earns more than a bank manager and his staffs earn more than bank workers. Remember! He joined the church technical unit with zero idea about sound and lighting.

It is not out place to see big musical artiste who are doing well and in the society all having a similar testimony of starting from the church choir and then picking up a career in music and instrumentation, and now they are forces to reckon with because they have been able to establish themselves and be a blessing to others. Considering the amount of youths that are being paid by music in the society, we see that it has reduced unemployment within the range of 20%, and these people owe their gratitude to the local church where they started from. It wasn't just about them being in the local church choir, we have also seen how churches invest so much time and resources in training and grooming music ministers, making sure musicals equipment are available, organizing seminars and inviting music tutors to lecture choristers, even go as far as sending some to music schools for proper training. Most of these choristers have gone commercial, some are having bands, record labels, music studios and also run programs to raise income and job creation for others.

I have seen great public and motivational speakers who are where they are today because of the platform they got from the church. From reciting Bible verses to doing special presentations during church programs, they were able to conquer stage fright and have built on how to familiarize with crowd and seize the moment. Also look at great movie actors who started in the church Drama unit and dancers who were diligent and committed to presenting something during special church programs. With these, you will see reason to agree with me that the church if not more than any other agency have been able to FREELY bring up youths to an employable and independent state in the society.
Looking away from the training, grooming and creating development opportunity aspect of it; let me begin to conclude with "The church as an Employer ". I won't write much on this but will try to create a picture of it in our minds, and by this, we can help to contribute to this post through the comment box.

However, it is a noticeable thing that local churches have been able to employ the use of paid staffs, ranging from the music directors, instrumentalist, sound engineers to church accountants, secretaries, receptionist, office assistants, to cleaners, drivers, security officers, janitors, system operators and so many others... Just think about it! The church has also created massive employment by building schools and other industries. I can boldly say that the church owns more than 50% of the schools in Nigeria (primary, secondary and tertiary).
Now we haven't even talked about its unbeatable patronage to the Printing Press, media houses and ICT companies (bulk sms, websites, apps and more). From a plain and unbiased mind. We see the economy owes the church so much appreciation for its massive effort in improving the Nigerian economy and reducing employment at all levels.

Sourced from: http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/the-impact-of-church-to-economy-daniel.html

While growing up in my locality soccer was and still is the most fascinating game among the young ones and also cherished by the elderly ones too. The round leather game is an influential game from every angle you may look at it. It is a game that the players and the fans play their respective roles with great zeal. The fans and the players have one single goal and that is to win or to be on the winning side always. So you find players playing the game with all amount of zeal and the fans are highly committed in supporting their team to any level. Stories of fans being involved in fighting or arrested and even dying because of their team is not very scarce in our domain today.


And sadly sometimes a team might be winning comfortably and along the line, something happens and the table is turned upside down against it. And if one asks the rhetoric question of why it is so? The reply is “well, the god of soccer didn’t allow us to win the game, as you can see we played well.”

This implies that the god of soccer is the one who has the responsibility to ascertain the direction to which the winning pendulum should swing. Whatever he says happens and it means the players and all stakeholders are at his mercy. Take for instance a situation where a player whose initial aim is to strike the ball direct to the goal post, places his feet rightly on the ball, and then strike, suddenly discovers that he has played the ball wide away from the goal post. The implication here is that the god of soccer didn’t allow him to play the ball rightly. This is because the god of soccer is in charge of everything that happens on the pitch. Based on this notion is not out of place to find players praying to this god of soccer seeking his favour before the commencement of their match.

Well, considering the picture of this god of soccer that people have in mind, this god must be a very wicked, bias, partial god. How can one explain a situation where a team is winning and within a minute to round up the game, the other team equalizes and sometime overthrow them from the game? How can one explain a situation where a referee denies a team an obvious penalty and thereby indirectly helping the other team to win? Yes, these things can happen because the god of soccer is an evil god if you ask me. This is because; no justified God would allow such things to happen.

The irony is that many people think that this god of soccer is the God that created the universe. And because of this, many are thinking that God doesn’t love them and cannot favour them in their games. Is like well, he loves the other teams better than us. In a match, therefore, the fans are assiduously singing songs to God and even many men of God gets involve and pray for their players to come out successfully in a competition. The scenario in the pitch is that the fans are found carrying bible, and other spiritual books looking upward and seeking God’s help in a match. And if they win, the attributed their winning to the effort they put in their prayers and proclaimed that God has made them win the game.

The question is, is God almighty part of soccer, and does God play football? Well, surprisingly, God almighty is not involve in soccer and has nothing to do with soccer. Soccer is an imperfect game organized by imperfect beings called man and as a result there are so many imperfect results and decisions coming out of the game and frankly speaking it is normal. This explains why the rules of the game keep on changing incessantly. Simply put, soccer is an imperfect game man has organized to gratify his emotions, God is not in it, and therefore, God should be exonerated from the nasty outcomes we see in it.

Hence, it is correct to say that people should stop calling God in it. Let the team that is technically sound and fit and understands the politics and gimmicks of the game win. Is all man’s thing! But, is there anything believers can learn from the game of soccer? Yes there is, we can use the game of soccer as an illustration in teaching believers about things in the faith as Apostle Paul did in one of his epistles. However, soccer as it is has no spiritual benefit and if it doesn’t have any spiritual benefit, it is not of God.

The god of soccer is not the God almighty and but that god which is very partial, bias and wicked, he is the god that controlled the Turkish referee to deny Super Eagles of Nigeria an obvious penalty kick.

Source:https://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/who-is-god-of-soccer.html

The current trend among Christians is the claim by every Dick and Harry that he or she is born again, and this is mostly noticed among the young ones and as a result of this Talking Christianity went to the street to gather the views of people on this topic. Watch the video clip here



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ_dmMrQSW4

Watch the opinions of some Christians on the street here;



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxeBqxtH8uM&t=65s




https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=lxeBqxtH8uM

Today is the fourth day of season five of 30 days of glory. It is a word full impacting program organized and powered by Powercity International Church in Uyo Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. The senior pastor of the Church Dr. Abel Damina placed the onus on himself to teach his congregation the word of God for 30 days from the 1st of July to 31st of July of every year. This program has been going on for virtually five years and the ever determined minister is not looking tired in carrying out this responsibility to his congregation. The preacher whose aim is to ensure that every member of his church and his adherence all over the world is taught the word of God; has designed this program to make sure that the word of Christ is richly dwelling in them.
During this period of time, the hearts of all the ministers, pastors and Christians who are listeners to Dr. Abel Damina’s teaching all over the world are fully expecting new revelation from Papa as he is fondly called by his spiritual sons and daughters. Dr. Abel Damina is regarded as a preacher that is well vast in the knowledge of the scripture and in recent time he has opened the minds of many believers to the realities of what the Grace of God stands for. Young preachers and ministers who are embracing his kind of teaching gestures are full of gratitude and have renamed him the Apostle Paul of our time.

Follow this link to continue reading:
http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/dr-abel-damina-and-thirty-days-of.html

Myanmar's military forces have destroyed about 60 Christian churches and have turned some of those properties into Buddhist pagodas amid renewed attacks over the last year-and-a-half, an American pastor who recently traveled to the region said.

Bob Roberts, the founder of the Northwood Church in Keller, Texas, who is known for working with interfaith leaders to promote religious tolerance around the world, returned last week from his trip to the Kachin state of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).
The evangelical pastor traveled there to see for himself the horrors that have escalated inside the state in recent months, as the Myanmar army has ramped up its attacks on the Kachin Independence Army and the predominantly Christian Kachin people.

To continue reading follow this link below
https://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/07/in-myanmar-about-60-churches-were.html

Watch this clip below to see the response of some Christians to this question






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92qcmgkXGUg

So what about you?

In these days and era of church proliferation, in every street and corner, if you ask any christian are you born again? The answer has always been a resounding yes but somehow, the yes doesn't comply with what is seen on the person. Watch this short clip and hear what people are saying that is their conviction and we will like to hear from you as well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ_dmMrQSW4&t=31s

Watch the clip of what many Christians are saying here


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkAj5KehbDs

The people, who live in third world countries like the country I come from, are conversant with what darkness is like. There is always this incessant power outage, even in the ungodly moments and when the service is highly needed, because the power generating and distributing system is in the lowest ebb there. When this undesirable disappointment comes from the power supplying authority or agent, the whole region or place is thrown into darkness.


Darkness means that someone's eyes are open but he cannot see. It depicts a state in which one finds himself staggering and moping in the room because his vision is obscured. The purpose for which the eyes are created in the body of man is to see. But in the presence of darkness, that purpose is defeated, thus rendering the eyes useless. Now try to picture a situation where someone is busy in the Kitchen preparing dinner and all of a sudden there was power outage. Or consider another situation where one has an important appointment to keep very early in the morning of the next day, say an interview, and he decided to have his cloths ironed and as he was doing that the power authority cut off the light.

In the same vein, one decided to cut his hair and as he was doing that, having gone half way, the power authority cuts off the power, or there is a rally going on and large number of people have gathered to hear you, and there is no way you can address this people without microphone, and as you were doing that the people you are addressing are interested to hear from you the more, and immediately there was power outage.
In all of these, the first thing that sets in is confusion, and you will agree with me that whenever there is confusion, understanding will be impeded. The confusion will dampen the zeal or interest of the person in question. This will lead to sadness, because one will begin to see that one’s mission might not be accomplished. If it is during the dry season, the room where he is staying will become hot and uncomfortable for him to stay.

And as matter of fact, he could decide to come out of the room to have some fresh air, which may not be available sometimes. When that happens, one becomes distraught and frustrated because of the power outage. Under such a circumstance many things that are supposed to be flowing with easy and smoothly will come to a halt.
The presence of this darkness as a result of the power outage affects everything that revolves around man spiritually and physically. What I mean is this: imagine you were watching your favourite TV preacher, who has been dealing with a series teaching on a given topic and the purpose of your consistency has been to avoid missing any of the segments, so that you can flow with the teaching. And unexpectedly, there is power outage. Believe me; this scenario will weigh your spirit down. Also, you will find a situation where people who are supposed to be selling things in their shops will shut their shops because of the power outage, and would end up depriving people who need their services from getting such services. This means that the volume of economic activities dwindles in the presence of darkness.

Therefore, darkness kills, it destroys and doesn’t build, and that was what God saw on the surface of the earth, and decided to take swift action on it, because He knew how dangerous things would be if He had allowed it to stay longer than was due. That was why He called out the Light to take over the surface of the earth. In different instances, the power outage experience does last for some minutes, or hours or even weeks and months as the case may be. So the more the situation prevails, the more things continue to depreciate in their values. The bottom-line is that either directly or indirectly, such power outages have serious effects on man and the growth of the economy.

However, as it has always been the case, there is often a brisk appearance of the light in the midst of the darkness. This appearance of the light immediately changes the atmospheric condition of the place or region as the case may be. As it is peculiar with my people, one hears a shriek of joy coupled with the exclamation of a common slogan “UP NEPA”!
The appearance of the light however, comes with a kind of relief that refreshes the spirit, body and soul of the individuals within the region. Life is ignited again in each room and flat, people start communicating actively, music starts to boom from the rooms and activities resume in the kitchens. The living rooms regain their activities with TVs on; the children start to engage themselves, while the students pick up their books to read.
Relevant discussions and jokes resume among family members, joy starts to flow in the vicinity and all economic activities resume along the streets and major roads, because people can get access to the services they desire. And life goes on as it is supposed to be; and as it continues like this, the growth of man and his economy within a short period of time gain great momentum and ascendancy. This is what light can do in the life of man. If one compares this to the spiritual life of people who are under the influence of the light, one can conclude that in fact the Light is indeed a place to be.
Culled from: http://www.talking-christianity.com/2018/06/the-physical-concept-between-light-and.html