Lets bring kindness back

The following was posted on social media today by Janice Procopio Walker. It is an appeal for common sense and kindness in the midst of the chaos all around us:

“I just got out of a 3 day FB jail. (Don’t try to post a toy g-u-n on marketplace. No warning. Jail for 3 days!). Yes, at this point, I’m scared to even type the word out!

One thing that really struck me during that time is that we don’t really know people’s stories. And sometimes, I’m not sure we care. 😞

During both Covid 19 and the recent racial tensions…beyond the sadness of the two events first and foremost…I was really saddened by the simple lack of love and kindness on social media.

If anyone questioned the media regarding Covid 19…they were a conspiracy theorist and lost our respect. Publicly. We have successfully hidden behind the computer screen for so long, I think we have lost sight of how relationships work. Undoubtedly, we have typed things we would never have the courage to say to someone’s face. I can’t tell you how many posts on my feed have said something like “I used to respect and love these people until I saw them post … xyz…” So do we only love and respect people when they think the way we think?

During the last few days, when I could not post…interestingly…I read countless posts of how if someone did not post a certain way…they showed their true beliefs and were not a friend, were a racist etc.

The reason our children are not yet on social media, is because the temptation to be one way behind a computer screen and another way in real life…is legit.

Have we really lost our way so much that we have forgotten the love and kindness it takes to make relationships work? Have we really decided that what someone posts or does not post is the true revelation of their character?

Isn’t true character who we are when only God sees? What we do…that no one knows about? How we serve, love, care for people when no camera follows us?

I have always believed that posting is easy. Living…is not. It’s easy for us all to post a certain way to appease the crowd…but how I live…is what matters. How I love…is what matters. How I treat people face to face…defines me more than what I post.

I’m not for or against posting a certain thing…that is not my point. The judgement of it all…scares me.

I think being in FB jail for three days is just an example that no one thought about … when they posted that their friends revealed their beliefs by their lack of a certain post. Just one example of many.

I’ve read many times all the things that Covid didn’t steal from us. But in many ways…it did.

Let’s bring kindness back. Let’s bring love back. Let’s bring all views to the table and welcome conversations.

And above all…let’s go do the hard thing. Let’s love people. All people. The people that don’t agree with wearing a mask. The people that do. The people that are scared for our country’s economic future. The people that are terrified of another Covid run. The people that are doing everything in their power to stay away from the temptation of the black hole of anxiety and depression. The people that post on facebook their support of a certain cause and look like a hero to all..but don’t go out of their way to be kind to someone they meet. The people that quietly spend time on their knees asking God to make them more like Him and to ignore the noise. The people that seek to make a small difference every single day in the lives of those they interact with…but try to keep their motives pure and will never tell you about it. The people God made. All of them.”

Starting Reformation Sunday

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!

Having outgrown our present location at Palos Verdes…

STARTING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 – REFORMATION SUNDAY

KING’S CHURCH WILL HAVE A NEW MEETING PLACE!

13450 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd, Peoria, AZ 85381 (Close to the 101 Freeway, just south of Thunderbird Road)

We will be using the beautiful facilities of Grace in the Desert Adventist Church, every Sunday and Wednesday.

Plenty of parking – the sanctuary comfortably seats 300 people – just 4.3 miles south of our current location.

Meeting times remain unchanged:

SUNDAY SERVICES: (Adult) Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study/Prayer: 7:00 p.m.

2 Completed Projects

I was involved with two projects this week. First of all, something that I believe, over time, will prove to be one of the most important resources I have made, explaining the order of worship in our service (or liturgy). It answers the vital question “why do we do what we do when we gather as the people of God?” It took a lot of work to put together but it is a recording that I hope will be a blessing to many. You will find it at this link.

Then just yesterday, I joined with BRIDGE Radio to answer common objections to the Reformed doctrine of election. Does John 3:16 teach everyone has the ability to come to saving faith within themselves? Is 2 Peter 3:9 the death blow to God’s Sovereignty? You can tune in here to find out.

30 Years of God’s Faithfulness

June 27, 2017: Today I am celebrating 30 Years of God’s faithfulness. It is 30 years to the day since I entered the Christian ministry.

Also my second book “The Five Solas – Standing Together, Alone” gets published today.

“When your loved ones, friends, & acquaintances ask you why the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation is important to you, this new book by my dear friend Pastor John Samson of King’s Church in Peoria, AZ, will help you better explain why. In fact, why not make it a point to order multiple copies to give out, especially to those who are important to you, so they can take more time to absorb the facts on their own as well. Churches should definitely order this book in bulk so congregants can be better equipped to tell others why this event is one of the most vital developments in the history of the world.” – Chris Arnzen, Iron Sharpens Iron Radio Broadcast

“John Samson has done it again. He has taken on the heart of the Protestant Reformation and put it into language that can be understood by the common man who cares. The Lord has given our brother a special gift of taking huge concepts and bringing them down where even older children can grasp the truth. “THE FIVE SOLAS: Standing Together, Alone” is coming to us from the printer later today, June 27th. You can order it with our other three REF 500 Titles for just $14.00. The other three are –
REMEMBERING LUTHER’S FIGHT by Kurt Smith
THE THEOLOGY OF THE REFORMATION by B.B. Warfield
The 95 Theses in their Theological Significance by Warfield
PURCHASE ALL FOUR TITLES FOR JUST $14.00.
CLICK AND PURCHASE AND SHARE WITH FRIENDS.” – Michael Gaydosh, Solid Ground Christian Books

The new book can be ordered at this link.

Remembering Dr. Iain D. Campbell

including The Doctrine of Sin, The Gospel According to Ruth, Opening up Exodus and On the First Day of the Week. He was also a regular contributor at Reformation 21, as well as the Banner of Truth and Tabletalk Magazine. He was Adjunct Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, helping to deliver their London based MTh program.

I extend my deepest and prayerful sympathies to his family.

Here was his final sermon, preached on January 18, 2017 on John 6:37-40.

Looking Ahead

Upcoming Ministry:

2015

1. Sovereign Grace Bible Church Phoenix Conference 2015, Friday October 16 – Saturday October 17. Pastor John is one of a number of speakers on the theme of “Spiritual Warfare.”

2016

2. Reformed Bible Conference in Globe, Arizona – Saturday, March 12, 2016 –– Guest speakers are John Samson and Dennis Gundersen (head of Grace and Truth books). The theme – “Grace Conquers All – The way out of heresy and depression.”

3. Grace Covenant Church Summer Family Camp, Sedona, AZ – Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 24, 2016. John Samson is the speaker, ministering 4 times.

Interview: Iron Sharpens Iron

radiomicBack in September 2014, I hosted Dr. James White’s “Dividing Line” Broadcast and discussed something of my journey out of the word of faith movement.

Chris Arnzen writes:

June 4, 2015: TODAY’s GUEST on “IRON SHARPENS IRON” Radio, heard 4-5pmEDT at www.IronSharpensIronRadio.com, is PASTOR JOHN SAMSON of King’s Church in Peoria, AZ (see www.KingsChurchAZ.com & www.EffectualGrace.com) to discuss his JOURNEY OUT OF THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT INTO REFORMED THEOLOGY. John was not only once a “Word of Faith” preacher but also a TALK HOST on the “Word of Faith” movement’s TV oasis, the Trinity Broadcasting Network, before realizing, abandoning & repenting of his heretical ways.

John has filled-in as guest host for Dr. James R. White of Alpha and Omega Ministries on a number of occasions on his “Dividing Line” broadcast, and is the author of “Twelve What Abouts: Answering Common Objections Concerning God’s Sovereignty in Election”.

EMAIL QUESTIONS for John during today’s live broadcast to ChrisArnzen@gmail.com. NOT NEAR A COMPUTER TODAY between 4-5pmEDT??? CALL TO LISTEN ANYWHERE YOU HAVE A PHONE @ (401)283-6754 (follow prompts & press #3 for Christian Radio).