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July 19, 2023

A slight majority of Americans, according to one survey, believe in the power of “manifestation” the idea that an individual can bring something to fruition simply by believing it but such New Age thinking clearly flies in the face of biblical teaching.

Allen Parr, an ordained minister and expert in biblical literacy, recently spoke with CBN’s Faithwire about the practice of “manifestation” and what sets it apart from the Scriptural belief in “sowing and reaping,” found in Galatians 6:7-8, in which the Apostle Paul wrote, “[W]hatever one sows, that will he also reap. Forthe one who sows to his own fleshwill from the flesh reap corruption, butthe one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (ESV).

Understanding what the Bible says about “manifestation” is critical in the current cultural moment, particularly given a vast majority of Americans (87%) hold at least one belief often associated with New Ageism, like karma or the principle that “everything is interconnected,” according to a YouGov survey from August of last year.

“These things can be tricky because there is some element just like in any false teaching there’s always some element of truth that can get mixed in there because, yes, our thoughts can influence our lives … but to say that our thoughts can control every aspect of our lives and even bypass maybe what God may want to do is putting ourselves in the place of God, and it can be very dangerous,” Parr explained on CBN’s “Quick Start” podcast.

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There’s a key difference, he went on to say, between the suggestion one can “manifest” his or her own future and believers’ trust in the God-ordained principle of “sowing and reaping.”

While the cultural claim of “manifestation” teaches people they can guarantee their own outcomes, Scripture makes clear Christians can come to God with any request, thought, or concern, but it is only the Lord who can and will determine the ultimate outcome. Any suggestion to the contrary usurps His authority over all things, as it’s written in Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (NLT).

“The mistake that many people make is the Bible doesn’t necessarily tell us what we’re going to reap and sometimes certain organizations, certain groups will try to create a transactional relationship with God, where it’s like, ‘Hey, sow financially and you will reap financially,’” Parr said. “The Bible never teaches that if you sow financially you’re gonna automatically reap financially. It just says sow and you shall reap, so it could very well be that I’m sowing time into the local church, because I know the local church needs me to volunteer, and I might reap another benefit in some other area of my life. … That’s God’s business.”

He continued, “Leave the reaping up to God as He determines what He wants to bring into my life as a result of what I sow and let me just focus on being obedient to just sow my time, sow my talent, sow my treasures and leave the reaping up to God as opposed to trying to mandate, ‘Well, God, I did this so, therefore, you need to reap this in my life.’ I think that’s where things can get very difficult.”

“Sowing and reaping is biblical, but when we start to think we can control certain outcomes based on how we think, that’s when I think things can get pretty dangerous,” Parr added.

***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up forFaithwires daily newsletterand download theCBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

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US

Two killed after suspect shot at firefighters in Idaho, authorities say

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Two killed after suspect shot at firefighters in Idaho, authorities say

Two people have been killed after a suspect shot at firefighters responding to a fire in the US state of Idaho, authorities have said.

Police were still “taking sniper fire” near the city of Coeur d’Alene on Sunday afternoon, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said.

Crews were responding to a fire at Canfield Mountain around 1.30pm and gunshots were reported around half an hour later, the force said.

Officers gather near the scene. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two killed were firefighters, and he did not know if anyone else was shot.

“We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” he said. “We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak.”

Mr Norris said the sniper appeared to be hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle, adding he had instructed his deputies to fire back.

“I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralise, because they’re not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said.

Armoured police vehicles at the scene. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Governor Brad Little said “multiple” firefighters were attacked.

“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” he said on X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

The president of the International Association of Firefighters said a third firefighter was in surgery.

In a statement on social media Edward Kelly said the firefighters “were ambushed in a heinous act of violence”. He added: “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery.”

The sheriff’s office in neighbouring Shoshone County said authorities were “dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large”.

Smoke billows into the air after several firefighters were attacked while responding to a fire. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Smoke billows into the air after several firefighters were attacked while responding to a fire. Pic: Reuters

The fire was still raging, Mr Norris said.

“It’s going to keep burning,” he added. “Can’t put any resources on it right now.”

The FBI was sending technical teams and tactical support to the scene, its deputy director Dan Bongino said.

“It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he said on X.

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Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking spot on the outskirts of Coeur d’Alene, a city of around 55,000 people in northern Idaho.

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UK

From Brazil to Westminster: How health pilot is proving a force for good for patients and the NHS

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From Brazil to Westminster: How health pilot is proving a force for good for patients and the NHS

Jessica Ellis is a Chewie. She’s not from a galaxy far, far away but here, right now, working in one of our most deprived communities. To the people she helps, she is a force for good.

We are standing in front of a large block of council flats in Westminster, central London. The entrycom buzzes.

“Hi Mrs Dikir, how are you?” Jessica asks. And then “thank you” as we’re let in and make our way up five flights of stairs.

Inside the flat, in the living room, Mr Jaber Dikir sits on a soft, plush armchair. It has to be comfortable because Mr Dikir spends most of his days sitting here.

“I have a heart problem, I have open heart surgery and now I have heart failure,” Mr Dikir explains. “I have water in my chest and that gives me big trouble to sleep, to breathe,” he adds as he begins to wheeze.

I ask Mr Jaber how Jessica has been able to help him.

“She hears you, she listens to you,” he replies. “She understands everything. She even called the doctor and he gave me permission to stay at home (for my blood tests). That’s really appreciated. I couldn’t walk properly, I couldn’t go to the clinic.”

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Jessica is a community health and wellbeing worker (CHWWs). That’s where the nickname comes from.

CHWWs work in small teams, going door to door in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

It’s part of an NHS pilot inspired by a successful programme in Brazil.

A simple but effective intervention

Jessica says her role is “to make life easier”. Mr Dakir, she tells me, is struggling with his mobility. So is organising a designated disabled bay.

“Mr Dakir is struggling to get out to his appointments, and the GP needs a blood test from him. So I was able to speak to the GP and he’s been labelled as temporarily housebound so the district nursing team can come in now and take the bloods for him at home.”

Jessica Ellis, a community health and wellbeing worker in Westminster
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Jessica Ellis works as a community health and wellbeing worker in Westminster

A simple but effective intervention that has a huge impact on Mr Dakir and the NHS.

The project is currently being used in 15 neighbourhoods around the country. In Westminster, there has been a 7% drop in A&E admissions and an 11% reduction in hospital admissions year on year.

There has also been a 47% increase in the likelihood of households having vaccinations, an 82% increase in cancer screenings and a 7.3% drop in unscheduled GP consultations.

Taking community care right to the patient’s door

Dr Melinda Creme is a local GP. Jessica acts as a conduit between Dr Creme and her patients.

Dr Melinda Creme who is a local GP
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Dr Melinda Creme, a GP in Westminster

“We need to look at the costs of what might happen downstream if disease is not picked up earlier, if health inequalities are not addressed sooner, and so there should be potential huge savings down the line.

“It might take five years, 10 years to make a difference and that’s the issue, because obviously governments change within that time.

“But if there’s a long-term lens on this, then we stand a chance of being able to afford a health service free at the point of delivery.”

This is exactly what the government wants, what the NHS wants, to bring care into the community. With this project, they are taking community care right to the patient’s door.

Jessica Ellis, a community health and Jaber Dikir, a patient with a heart condition
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Community health and wellbeing worker Jessica Ellis visits Jaber Dikir, who has a heart condition, at his home

Dr Creme says the days when people would go to their GP and expect their family doctor to look after anybody and everybody about everything are gone.

“We can’t possibly do that. We’re not equipped to do that because the population is expanding and we cannot address all needs.”

Labour’s 10-year health plan set for launch

The government is expected to focus on personalised and community care in its 10-year health plan when it is published on Thursday.

It will look to ease pressure on buckling emergency departments and models like this have shown early signs of good results, but they require time and investment.

Projects like this can help ease the strain on services facing record pressures and tight budgets. They could be a significant part of a wider NHS plan.

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Sports

Chisholm sparks Yanks as Judge reaches 30 HRs

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Chisholm sparks Yanks as Judge reaches 30 HRs

NEW YORK — The Jazz Age is in full swing at Yankee Stadium.

Whether with his bat, his glove, his arm or his smile, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is energizing the New York Yankees and their fans.

Chisholm hit a second-inning, go-ahead homer and a bases-loaded triple while making three sparkling defensive plays at third base Sunday in a 12-5 romp over the Athletics.

“That’s why we got him. That’s what the Yankees do. They go after guys that are going to make an impact,” said New York captain Aaron Judge, who homered twice to reach 30 for the sixth time.

Chisholm is batting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from a strained right oblique on June 3, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 homers, 35 and 10 steals in 53 games.

“I feel like me. I feel I’m back in my era, that I was younger just going out there and just hitting, just not worrying about stuff,” the 27-year-old said. “Just not worrying by my swing, not worrying about striding too far. Everything just feels good and I’m just going.”

After a four-RBI night against Boston in his fourth game back, Chisholm made the unusual assertion he was thriving by giving 70% effort and not stressing.

With New York seeking to reopen a 1½-game AL East lead, he drove a first-pitch sinker from former Yankee Luis Severino into the right-field seats for a 1-0, second-inning lead. Ever exuberant, he raised his right hand and made a peace sign toward the Yankees bullpen after rounding first.

Chisholm snagged Jacob Wilson‘s two-hopper with two on and one out in the third, bounded off third base for the forceout and balletically arced a throw to first for an inning-ending double play.

With the bases loaded in the bottom half, Chisholm hit a changeup to the right-center gap that rolled past center fielder Denzel Clarke. He pulled into third base standing up and raised three fingers.

“It’s like a blackout situation,” Chisholm said. “I didn’t even realize I put up three at third base.”

With the bases loaded in the sixth, he made a diving stop near the dirt behind third on Luis Urías‘ 102.1 mph smash, popped up and followed with a one-hop throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Then he caught Tyler Soderstrom‘s foul pop in the eighth inning while falling against netting in the narrow space next to the rolled-up tarp.

“Jazz’s defense I think was better than even his day at the plate,” said pitcher Marcus Stroman, who won in his return from a 2½-month injury layoff. “He was incredible over there: a bunch of huge plays that helped me out in big spots, plays that are not normal plays.”

New York acquired Chisholm from Miami last July 27 for three minor leaguers. Since then, he has hit .257 with 24 homers, 58 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 99 games.

“His game’s so electric, and he can change the game and kind of affect the game in so many different ways in a dynamic fashion,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So, when he is playing at a high level, I think it does energize everyone.”

Chisholm briefly caused worry in the sixth. He grimaced in pain after stopping his swing at a 1-2 fastball from Elvis Alvarado, which sailed high and outside. Chisholm went to the dugout and immediately up the tunnel to the clubhouse.

Then he reappeared at third base for the start of the seventh.

“The bat kind of slipped out of my hand and hit me on the finger,” he said. “It just hit the bone and when you get hit on the bone, it’s kind of funny, it’s just feels weird. So, it was kind of scary at first, but we’re good.”

Judge, meanwhile, didn’t allow Athletics reliever Tyler Ferguson to make good on last year’s wish of striking out the Yankees slugger.

Ferguson, who set his goal last year after making his debut with the Athletics following nine seasons in the minor leagues, was one strike away in his first matchup with Judge on Sunday. Instead, he gave up a two-run shot off a 95.5 mph four-seam fastball in the seventh to become the 261st pitcher to give up a homer to the slugger.

Judge said he had been unaware of Ferguson’s comment.

Ferguson turned around and watched the 426-foot drive as YES Network play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco proclaimed: “The King of Fresno.”

“That’s why you don’t talk in public,” YES Network analyst and former reliever Jeff Nelson said on the telecast. “You don’t make a comment that I want to strike out Judge in public. You keep it to yourself.”

Ferguson graduated from Clovis West High School in Fresno when Judge batted .308 as a sophomore at Fresno State in 2012.

“First time facing him, best hitter in the league,” Ferguson said. “So I was looking forward to that at-bat. I was able to get ahead and then wasn’t able to execute a couple of pitches and he was able to get it back to 3-2 and I didn’t get the ball quite as high as I would have liked and he made a good swing on it.”

Judge reached 30 homers for the fifth straight season and fourth time before All-Star break. He also became the sixth player in team history with six 30-homer seasons, and he joined Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio as just the third to do so in the first 10 years of his career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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