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How should churches respond biblically to the Black Lives Matters (BLM) movement and the issues it has generated on race and social justice? I recently sat down”virtually” with my good friends Tom Allen and Josh Williamson to discuss these issues with Dr Tom Ascol (Founders Ministry, USA).  This conversation is in addition to two separate lengthy Q&As we have had in our church on race and justice (July and August). The wisdom of Dr Ascol provides priceless additional resource for future reference. It has been a joy to see our ethnically diverse church think biblically and counter-cultural about these issues.

This is the first video recorded message I have done for the fellowship. We are having to record our messages because of the current shut down. In this video message I try and encourage the fellowship to be thankful for the new community in Jesus and work for its advancement. The message is on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.

This is one of the most disturbing videos I have ever come across. The deep seated embrace of Lady Gaga's satanic practices by the media and society in general is quite shocking. Was also shocked by the shocking Nazi streak in her performances. The fact that Lady Gaga does not hide her Satanism means does help us to pray purposely that God should set her free from the dark web that has engulfed her and also millions of her young disciples. Good Fight Ministries are doing great to expose these deeds of drakness. 

I was blaming Satan and the world for my spiritual state of health, Until I checked out flesh in the mirror and spelt “S.E.L.F” as the prime suspect and culprit. Preaching from the highest pulpit but in the prayer room I’m claustrophobic. I know its deep, I know I’m weak, You know me forever gossiping But when its time for witnessing, I’m slow to speak. When its time to pray, I go to sleep. Time to fast, I go and eat. Time to stand and praise, I’d rather hold a seat. Back row, act low, hoping nobody notice me Because it ain’t hard to see I’m not what I’m supposed to be. But I don’t want to hear no lecture

An excellent video of 25 places in the world that looks they are are from another planet. You can access the photo version here .  

Another tragic celebrity. One wonders how parents can let their children follow someone so blatantly satanic. I can only image that the reason is that Satan has been reduced to a "mythical figure" even among who claim to be followers of Jesus. I suppose it is helpful that Kesha does not hide her satanism. We need to continue to pray for Kesha and her countless followers who are being led into satanism.  Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2014

An excellent short video on work and worship. It has great graphics and gets the message across very clearly! A lot of work went into this thats for sure! Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2013

A very useful short video on the affect of pornography on the brain. Also worth checking out the fuller piece from Gospel Coalition's Joe Carter on  9 Things You Should Know About Pornography and the Brain. Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2013

Growing up listening to hip hop, I have always been aware that Satanism has held it in its grip. DMX's " Its Dark and Hell Hot" is essentially an "ode" to Satan. Similarly Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony and the Wu Tang Clan all exhibited such deep satanism in their music. I remember once listening to Ras Kass's Interview with the Vampire and I can never forget the deep lasting impression it left on me. As i now look back and go over the relics, it is certainly one of the most devilish track of music I have ever listened.    That the Devil holds much of modern is sadly not in surprisingly. But we can be happily surprised that there are now increasingly Christian ministries which are focusing on identifying this dark side of much of the music.  We must thank God for that. We also need to pray for them and those they are seeking to reach. We also need to love and pray for Beyonce. In particular that God who called light of darkness may speak more powerfully...

Music has unparalleled power to forcefully express the reality of a given condition. One of my favourite Hip hop albums of all time is  Wu Tang Clan's  "Killa Bees" (1998). It has the above amazing song by Remedy - "Never Again". I believe it to be one of the most powerful hip hop songs ever written! The evil of the holocaust is an enduring reminder that the heart of man is totally depraved. It is remarkable that it was only around 60 years or so ago that so many innocent people perished under Hitler's evil regime. We forget such horrors at our own peril. Songs such as these are vital in ensuring that we are ever conscious of our evil nature. Quietly through them we recognise that the hope for humanity  necessarily lies outside ourselves and towards a God who has done all to offer a way of rescue out of our present evil predicament. On our own we are doomed to repeat the mistakes. But with Jesus as the centre we live in hope f...

There's a fascinating scene in Captain America. Col. Phillips and Dr. Erskine are reviewing the troops, trying to determine which soldier is the best choice to undergo a procedure designed to create America's first super soldier. As part of the test a grenade is thrown among the soldiers - watch what happens. In that incident we have a perfect picture of what Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross. While many run away from the grenade of sin, Jesus Christ run to it and took it upon himself through the cross so that you might live. Oh, what a Saviour! All other saviours, including Captain America, are but mere pictures of the real thing! I have asked myself many times. If a grenade was thrown in my church, would I run to it and offer myself willingly so that others may live? The honest answer is no. My love is just not that deep. Your pastor's love is not that deep! And if truth be told no human being consistently loves like that. Only one person has given himself so ...

While I was on holiday, this story broke in the news regarding controversial American teacher Todd Bentley. He had been planning to visit the UK but the Home Office decided to shut its doors. In their words : "We can confirm that Mr Bentley has been excluded from the UK. The government makes no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they are not conducive to the public good. Coming here is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who might seek to undermine our society" As pastors who invited him moaned about the "missed opportunities" of "God's outpouring" many other local Christian groups welcomed the decision. One local  Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland issued a supporting statement for the Home Office : "Violent activities reported as part of Mr. Bentley's faith healing technique have no part whatsoever in our understanding of a loving, caring and compassionate ministry that is sought, often by weak, fra...

I recently came across the music of Washington Phillips . He was a travelling preacher and gospel singer in the 1920s and one of the founding fathers of American gospel music. Although his entire recorded catalog consists of only 18 songs, he was instrumental in laying the foundation for future gospel music artists. Some of his songs amount to highly specific and detailed gospel sermons, featuring Phillips' voice self-accompanied by an instrument that sounds like a fretless zither. This instrument, which has been variously identified as a Dolceola, a Celestaphone, two Celestaphones tuned in octaves attached side-by-side, or a Phonoharp creates a unique sound on these recordings that makes them immediately recognizable. Here is one of my favourite - Mother's Last Word to Her Son, which was heavily featured in the British American film  We Need to Talk About Kevin (review coming).   Lyrics to the song below : I never can forget the day  When my dear mothe...

Science means constantly walking a tightrope between blind faith and curiosity; between expertise and creativity; between bias and openness; between experience and epiphany; between ambition and passion; and between arrogance and conviction – in short, between an old today and a new tomorrow. But, nowadays, research increasingly is misdirected toward lucrative prizes, professional recognition, and financial gains – rewards that are suffocating the creativity and passion that scientific progress demands. As T.S. Eliot put it, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” Heinrich Rohrer (physics Nobel laureate) on the ongoing misconduct in sciences. Of course in truth the science merely reflects human nature. There's no reason to expect that those who conduct science would be anymore 'righteous' than say politicians. It is not the nature of the practice, it is the nature of the man. Even in 'hard sciences' wher...

I recently came across this 'I AM Second' video of Supermodel-turned-business-mogul Kathy Ireland, CEO of the $1.4 billion empire Kathy Ireland Worldwide, where she shares her faith in Christ. In an era when scandals follow 'public Christians' at every corner, Kathy Ireland stands out an excellent role model of a woman and mother living out her faith with confidence in the business world : More on Kathy Ireland via Christian Post.