Nigerian Christians Defy Fear of Bloodshed and Continue Church Worship

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter – May 4, 2012

Nigerian Christians have faced constant attacks in the form of church bombings and shootings that have left hundreds dead over the last year, but worshippers are showing courage by insisting they will continue gathering at churches no matter what.

“The Bible teach me that we should have faith in God. This is our town. This is our home. This is where we should worship so we feel very free,” expressed Amako Laraba, a mother of two from the Assemblies of God Church in Kaduna.

Militant Islamic sect Boko Haram has been waging war on the country’s Christians throughout northern Nigeria. In the city of Kano this past Sunday, 20 people were killed when terrorists believed to belong to the militant group opened fire on a fleeing crowd that had gathered for service at Beryo University.

Four other Christians, including a pastor, were shot dead on the same day in the city of Maiduguri when gunmen opened fire at worshippers leaving Church of Christ in Nigeria. (more…)

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King James Bible Sent to Every School in England in Honor of 400th Anniversary

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter – May 17, 2012

In honor of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, every state primary and secondary school in England is set to receive a copy of the holy text distributed by the Department for Education.

Close to 24,000 Bibles are being distributed all across England, with Education Secretary Michael Gove insisting that every child should have the chance to read “the most important book written in the English language.” According to The Daily Mail, the initiative was being backed by religious leaders across different religions, as well as academics, historians and cultural figures.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has reportedly shared with Grove that he supports the idea, but wanted to make sure that the project is not being funded by taxpayers’ money, in order to avoid conflicts with non-religious groups opposed to the plan. Grove has expressed that it was with the help of charity money that the project got funded.

“Thanks to the generosity of a number of charities, supported by philanthropists, we have been able to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication by making a copy available to every school in the country,” the education secretary said, according to the BBC.

(more…)

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Father and uncle ‘buried baby girl alive to protect family’s children from serious illnesses’ in India

By Chris Hanlon published 12 May 2012

The father of a six-week-old baby girl has been arrested, along with the child’s uncle, on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly trying to bury her alive in the belief it would protect his other children from illness.

A worker at a burial ground in Pilkhuwa, 100km south-west of New Delhi, alerted police after he saw two men attempting to bury baby Radhika in a shallow grave.

Dinesh Kumar, the parent, and his brother claim a local guru instructed them to carry out the shocking act as a means off warding off further bad luck after the family lost another child to an incurable disease last year.

Radhika, now two months old, is in hospital recovering from dehydration and malnutrition.

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Religious Freedom, Shariah Take Center Stage During Egypt’s Presidential Debate

By Luiza Oleszczuk , Christian Post Reporter May 11, 2012

The two front-runners for the Egyptian presidency recently faced off during the country’s first televised presidential debate, with religion and Islamic law dominating the discussion.

The Islamist candidate, Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a former leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood who some fear may impose an Islamic state should he be elected, debated on Thursday Amr Moussa, the one-time Arab League chief and former foreign minister under Hosni Mubarak. Moussa, a moderate, is seen by experts as a favorable choice for Egyptians, who long for stability after more than a year of economic and political tumult and fear the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Meanwhile, Fotouh has been reaching out to Islamists, liberals and supporters of the revolution, of which he was a supporter.

After the country’s parliament was dominated by Islamist parties, the next big step in establishing a new government — after Mubarak was ousted following the Arab Spring uprising of Jan. 2011 — is choosing the new president. Egypt’s presidential elections will take place on May 23 and 24. The president will be named in June.

Among foreign policy and domestic topics, religion was a big issue to which candidates referred each other on several occasions. Following the revolution, Egypt fell shortly into chaos, which seemed to have unleashed violence against certain religious minorities in this overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim country. Most notably, multiple counts of violence against the Coptic Christian community were reported over the past year.

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Black Christians in an ‘Adulterous’ Relationship With Obama, Says Evangelical Pastor

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – by Paul Stanley , Christian Post Reporter

An influential African-American evangelical pastor says that many black Christians are in an “adulterous” relationship with President Obama over the issue of same-sex marriage and that if the issue is not addressed soon, it will negatively impact the president’s desire for a second term in November.

Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. and other community group leaders gathered in WAshington, D.C. Wednesday to announce the launch of the grassroots group, E Plubribus Unum. The group plans to rally minorities around conservative ideas during the 2012 election season.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., who is the senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Baltimore, Md., and one of the nation’s most outspoken black pastors, maintains that Obama has drawn a hard line on major theological issues such as same-sex marriage and expects black Christians to compromise their beliefs.

“Obama laid down the gauntlet on black leaders,” Jackson said. “The question we are being forced to address is ‘are you going to be black or be godly.'”

(more…)

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Benny Hinn Announces Reconciliation With Ex-Wife

5/25/2012 Jennifer LeClaire  - Charisma News Benny and Suzanne Hinn may soon offer more convincing proof that God really is a God of restoration. During a “Miracle Crusade” in New…

Continue ReadingBenny Hinn Announces Reconciliation With Ex-Wife

RUA Party NSW & Vic ready for action / Deaf ears open, Demons cast out, Salvations / RUA Prayer this Friday

Dear family & friends in Christ,

1) It is with great joy we announce that during the last week Pr Daniel met with the newly formed State teams for Rise Up Australia Party (Keep Australia Australian) for NSW & Vic. He attended the first NSW RUA Party State team meeting in Sydney on Wednesday the 23rd of May, and then the first RUA Party State team meeting on 26th May in Melbourne.

Pr Daniel stated, “I thank God for the way He is leading us in this campaign to prepare Rise Up Australia Party (Keep Australia Australian)to contest the next Federal Election. By God’s grace, we have now put in place very good State teams for RUA Party in WA, QLD, NSW, Tas, SA & Vic. These teams will become the National Executives for each State, once the RUA Party National Executive ratifies there nominations.

RUA Party State teams comprise of Doctors, Engineers, Ex-Serviceman, Pilots, Teachers, Accountants, Lawyers, Businessmen & Women, Ministers, some in media and others who have been in Politics for more than 20 years etc. We thank God for these men and woman who absolutely love the Lord and are committed to see change in Government starting now, for long as it takes to see Australia come back to Jesus.”

See http://riseupaustraliaparty.com/ for more info on Rise Up Australia Party.

2) On Sunday at both services Pr Steve Ryder preached the powerful Word of God and shared many mighty testimonies of what God has done through his life in ministry. He also shared of how he came to know Jesus in prison. The place was packed out and the people were mightily touched by the presence of God.

Many flocked to the altar for prayer. The services went on for almost 4 hours, but people were just soaking it all up, and did not feel the time pass. Several people were healed from deafness and others received a mighty touch from God. Some were set free from demons. A young couple who had never been to a church meeting like this, were totally touched by God and gave their lives to Jesus.

(more…)

Continue ReadingRUA Party NSW & Vic ready for action / Deaf ears open, Demons cast out, Salvations / RUA Prayer this Friday

Extremists poison schoolgirls’ water, Afghan officials say

Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 – CNN

At least 140 Afghan schoolgirls and female teachers were admitted to a local hospital Tuesday after drinking poisoned water, said local health officials, who blamed the act on extremists opposed to women’s education.

The victims range in age from 14 to 30 and were taken to a hospital in Afghanistan’s northeastern Takhar province after their school’s water tank was contaminated, according to provincial health department director Dr. Hafizullah Safi. Local officials said they are investigating the incident at the Rostaq district school and are searching for the perpetrators.

“It is the work of those who are against girls’ education and peace and stability in Afghanistan,” district administrator Malem Hussain said.

In 2010, more than 100 schoolgirls and teachers were sickened in a series of similar poisonings. No deaths were reported, but more than half the victims partially lost consciousness, while others suffered dizziness and vomiting.

(more…)

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NETANYAHU HOSTS TWO-HOUR BIBLE STUDY IN THE BOOK OF RUTH: Says “the Bible is the foundation of our existence.”

by Joel C Rosenberg’s Blog

You may recall that in December 2011, I posted a story from the Jerusalem Post that gave me fresh hope about the future of Israel. “Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin’s playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests,” reported the Post. “Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher. Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups. Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.”

Apparently, it took awhile to make it all happen, and since then Mr. Netanyahu also experienced the death of his own father. But on Wednesday, Mr. Netanyahu, his wife, his sons, and several close friends and Jewish scholars kicked off their first home Bible study. It was scheduled to last for an hour, but went on for two — and focused on the Book of Ruth.
Today, the Post updated the story — here are some excerpts:

• “On Wednesday afternoon in Baghdad, a few thousand kilometers away from the Prime Minister’s Jerusalem Residence, the world powers known as the P5+1 — the US, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany — sat down for much anticipated talks with the Iranians about their nuclear program. At the same time, just a few hundred meters away from the Prime Minister’s Residence, 100 or so people loudly demonstrated for the rights of Ethiopian immigrants and against discrimination. And all the while, for two hours on a mild afternoon, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu — with a small black kippa on his head — sat in the covered courtyard of his home with 16 rabbis, academics, Bible scholars, archeologists and linguists, and discussed the meaning of the Book of Ruth, which will be read on Shavuot on Sunday in synagogues around the world. His wife, Sara, sat next to him, and his two sons sat on a bank of chairs set to the side.

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Continue ReadingNETANYAHU HOSTS TWO-HOUR BIBLE STUDY IN THE BOOK OF RUTH: Says “the Bible is the foundation of our existence.”

Franklin Graham, BGEA Outreach Event Endorsed by Ghana’s Preside

The Christian Post – Africa – May 1, 2012

An enthusiastic welcome was given to evangelist Franklin Graham by Ghana President John Evans Atta Mills on the first night of a two-night Billy Graham Evangelistic Association event held at a stadium in Accra.

Mills, along with Ghana’s First Lady, made an appearance at the “Ghana Jesus Festival” last Saturday night, BGEA and the country’s news services reported.

“We need the Word of God,” said Mills, an outspoken Christian, who recently declared a nationwide week of thanksgiving and fasting. “It is my hope and prayer that the message [Franklin Graham] gives us will fall on fertile soil.”

BGEA reported that the president’s prayer was simply that “nobody leaves here the same.”

GhanaWeb reported on Monday that the country’s president is “mindful of God’s role in ensuring a peaceful country,” according to Director of Communications Koku Anyidoho.

(more…)

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Iran’s Best Defense

Posted by Michael Widlanski on Apr 17th, 2012

As US officials again ask Iran to stop its atom bomb program, President Barack Obama seems to be working hard to shield Iran and to prevent Israel from striking at Iran’s nuclear weapons potential. US officials are believed to be behind stories about Israel readying basing and refueling options in countries near Iran, like Azerbaijan.

The Azeris quickly denied they allowed Israel to use their land., and this is a sign the Azeris are feeling pressure not to help Israel, even as Obama reportedly used the Islamist and strongly anti-Israel leader of Turkey, Recep Erdogan, to send a message to Iran that the US would be willing to accept “an Iranian civilian nuclear program.”

For Israel—and for Saudis, Jordanians and Egyptians—Iran’s  bomb is not a matter that can be indefinitely delayed in a diplomatic ping-pong match.

President Obama has been rotating his top officials on and off the diplomatic playing field to deter an attack on Iran. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey, and many others have been sent to Jerusalem to tell Israel NOT to attack Iran.

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Germany monitors Koran distribution by Salafists

BBC News Europe – 11 April 2012

A branch of the German security service is monitoring a campaign by Salafist Muslims to give away 25 million Korans to see if it violates constitutional rules on religious freedom.

Ibrahim Abou Nagie, a Cologne-based preacher, says he wants to save non-Muslims from hell.

The interior ministry in North Rhine-Westphalia said the campaign was a form of aggressive proselytising.

So far, about 300,000 copies have been given away.

(more…)

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Live Webcast of Dr Steve Ryder at CTFM / Global Day of Prayer this Pentecost Sunday 27th May

Dear friends and family in Christ,

We’re excited to announce that this Pentecost Sunday 27th May 9:30am worship service at CTFM Hallam (Melbourne) with Dr Steve Ryder will be broadcast live here on our website beginning at 10am (Australian Eastern Standard Time -AEST). If you’re watching from outside of Australia, please note that the live stream time is AEST (UTC/GMT +10). Click the following link to find out the time difference from Melbourne, Australia to your part of the world.   http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/australia/victoria/melbourne/

We would also greatly appreciate if you can promote this broadcast amongst family and friends. Dr Steve Ryder will also be ministering at 6.30pm.  Pastor Daniel will also be praying for people at both services.

Also, following is an email from James Goll regarding the Global Day of Prayer this Pentecost Sunday 27th May.

This week, I want us to pray that the Global Day of Prayer will bring new unity to the body of Christ around the world. Then this Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost, we will join with the many millions around the world in prayer, to give thanks, ask for forgiveness for our sin, and pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our lands. I am including the following prayer from the Global Day of Prayer website (globaldayofprayer.com/)

Pray With One Voice – A Prayer for the World

 Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, We gather with believers all over the world, to glorify You as Creator of heaven and earth. You alone are holy and righteous. We submit to Your authority. We praise and adore You alone. Father, we honour You Lord Jesus Christ, we honour You Holy Spirit, we honour You.

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Continue ReadingLive Webcast of Dr Steve Ryder at CTFM / Global Day of Prayer this Pentecost Sunday 27th May

Franklin Graham: There is ‘No Compromise’ on Abortion, Gay Marriage

Christian Post on Friday, May 18, 2012

In an article published in the May issue of Decision Magazine, evangelist Franklin Graham says there is no room for compromise in the upcoming presidential election, especially on the topics of abortion and same-sex marriage.” I realize our nation needs constructive, wise policies for the economy, national defense, energy and a number of other key concerns. My lifetime spans 12 presidents, some liberal and some conservative. They have approached these topics with different policies. At least there is some room for sincere debate on these issues,” Graham writes in the article dated May 1.

“However, there is no place for compromise on straightforward moral issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. God has given us clear, biblical direction that we must follow and obey.”

Graham argues that to have a relationship with Jesus is to both trust him and obey him, and therefore what is stated explicitly in the Bible should be taken as the Lord’s law.

Graham begins his argument by discussing the issue of abortion, saying, “As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I believe this is a non-negotiable issue.”

“Abortion is wrong. It is the murder of unborn children, and no law of the land and no party platform can ever legitimize it,” the minister states. The second “moral flashpoint” Graham speaks on is same-sex marriage, writing, “the Bible clearly defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. There is absolutely no gray area.” (more…)

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Over 9,000 Evangelical Leaders Conclude Joint Prayer Event in World’s Largest Muslim Country

By Luiza Oleszczuk – Christian Post Reporter – May 19, 2012

Friday concluded five days of prayer and discussion for more than 9,000 evangelical church leaders from over 60 countries who assembled in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), a grand Evangelical event that kicked off Monday after four years of preparations.

The WPA, believed to be the world’s largest Christian intercessory prayer event, reportedly received permission from the government of the predominantly Muslim country, and home to the world’s largest Muslim population, to invite Christians from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Laos, Vietnam, Egypt, China, and even North Korea. The WPA events were held at the 11,000-seat Sentul International Convention Center in Jakarta and other venues.

Each day, participants were able to select from a dozen or more workshops and seminars addressing a variety of issues confronting the global church. All week, a 24-7 prayer room has been filled with people, sources said.

Thursday night, leaders were joined by other Indonesian Christians, all of whom together amounted to over 100,000, sources told CP, nearly making the 80,000-seat Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, where they assembled for a church service, burst at the seams. The evangelical leaders joined their prayers and minds to ponder the best ways of spreading the Gospel to the largest territory possible and instigate unity within Christianity itself, sources told The Christian Post.

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