Herald Sun – February 05, 2009
A HIGH-tempo start to the parliamentary year has triggered speculation that Peter Costello has rediscovered his hunger for politics.
But the former treasurer still won’t reveal if he will contest the next election.
In recent days, Mr Costello has made his first substantive speech to Opposition MPs since the 2007 election – urging Liberals to adopt a more hardline stance against contentious Labor policies. (more…)
Dear Family and Friends in Christ,
We returned from Sri Lanka 2 weeks ago, as we were there for over a month. My trip was primarily a holiday, but I had the opportunity to spend time with many church leaders from many Christian denominations.
It was brought to my attention that the Anti-Conversion Bill was back in the Sri Lankan Parliament and if passed would cause major problems for the church and those wanting to embrace Christianity. This unjust bill raised its head under the former government, but was put off mainly because of united prayer and action initiated by many Christian organizations, ministries, churches, and believers around the world.
Many lobbied their respective Sri Lankan Embassy in the country they lived in. Also I personally spent much time in the US State Department along with my US counterparts, who work on Christian Human Rights Issues, to stop the Anti-Conversion Bill from going through. The end result was that the then president The Hon Chandrika B Kumaratunge did not let it get through Parliament. (more…)
Dear Friends and Family in Christ,
All glory to God as we had our first Revival and Healing meeting for this new year 2009 on Sunday the 1st of February in Hallam, Melbourne, Victoria!
The meeting went on for almost 4 hours as the electrifying presence and power of the Holy Spirit swept through the place! Hungry and thirsty worshippers were so overwhelmed, kneeling and lying prostrate on the floor in His Holy Presence! Many commented, “Thank God the Revival meetings have started again. We could not wait to get there!â€
Many Christian worshippers from many different churches and denominations came for the first time, as many others had travelled from interstate. Well, all glory to God as everyone who came was absolutely blessed. (more…)
By Aimee Herd
“While family communication and interaction is critical to high-quality relationships for children and adolescents, this study suggests that the opposite-sex parent is especially important in making children feel validated and encouraged…”
EDITOR’S NOTE: In society today there are many single-parent families where the children are well-loved and taken care of. We at BCN certainly recognize this monumental task of having to fulfill both mother and father roles, and having been a single mom myself, I appreciate the difficulty but also the viability. This article is not meant in any way to disqualify single parents, but to underscore God’s perfect plan for raising a child. –Aimee Herd, BCN.
A study published in the Journal of Communication and Religion confirms the benefits of God’s original design for a family: a mother and a father.
According to the Town Hall report, the research showed that boys need the input and nurturing of a mother, and girls, likewise, need that of a father. (more…)
By Michael Ireland
“Pray that the war between Israel and Palestine is shorter and less devastating than what military and political speculators around the world are predicting.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: BCN recognizes the Scriptural call to support and stand with Israel. At the same time, we know that God loves both Israelis AND Palestinians; both Jews AND Muslims; and of course, Christians. While this particular prayer request is focused on Christians who are affected by the Gaza war, we believe we are called to pray for ALL of those in the area—for God’s Divine intervention in the situation. It is only God’s Spirit that can change the heart of a terrorist. –Aimee Herd, BCN.
(Garden Grove, California)—An estimated 10,000 Israeli ground troops moved into Gaza on Jan. 3rd, [in answer to the continuous rocket and long range missile attacks on Israel by the terrorist organization, Hamas]. [Meanwhile,] the small community of Christians in the area have been drawing strength from their faith in God. Last week’s attacks left more than 400 dead and 2,000 injured and the numbers are expected to dramatically increase. (more…)
By Teresa Neumann
“Live generously and God’s love will be evident in your life.”
Contemplating setting goals for 2009? The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has some ideas: live generously, reflect all year long, and grow closer to God.
“A list of resolutions can lead to discouragement if the goals prove too difficult to maintain. After all, lasting change begins in a person’s heart—not on a numbered list or piece of paper,” writes Ann Marie Chilton for the BGEA website. “If people are generous with their time, generous with their money, and generous with their belongings, then it’s easy for others to see Christ’s love lived out through their lives. (more…)
Photos from the Australia Day Event –
We have received so many favourable comments from the day, but this one is spoken most, “Why can’t we have this more often?”Â
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Please use arrow at bottom left to read the report of event…
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Dear Family and Friends in Christ,
The Australia Day United Prayer gathering was once again a resounding success with 1,500 Christians from many denominations, churches, and ethnicities all joining hearts and hands to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords in a significantly placed central venue in Melbourne! Many travelled from NSW, SA, ACT, TAS, WA, QLD and from all across VIC to participate in this significant prayer celebration for our nation as the Lord was highly exalted above all!
The Melbourne Town Hall main auditorium soon became a sea of people as they streamed in to get a seat to be a part of this history making day. The City of Melbourne was abuzz with tens of thousands of Aussies in the streets celebrating Australia Day through parades, dances, music and various events right across the City. Glory to God, amongst all that was happening outside as a backdrop, 1,500 worshippers joined in one accord to cry unto the Lord for our nation’s spiritual revival and transformation!
Pastor Danny personally was so extremely thrilled to be sharing the stage with so many from across the Body of Christ (around 15 denominational leaders and representatives) – many commenting, “The unity demonstrated by the leaders and worshippers was absolutely wonderful!” welcoming such opportunities to express a united physical front. We also advanced the spiritual Kingdom of God in such a positive way, destroying strongholds of the enemy and seeing the City of Melbourne given into the rightful hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ruler of this City and Nation! (more…)
Dear Friends and Family in Christ,
Following is the historic message given by the Hon. Peter Costello (former Federal Treasurer) for the Australia Day United Prayer Celebration, organized by CTFM at the Melbourne Town Hall, where more than 1500 Christians from many churches, denominations, and cultures came together as the Body of Christ from across our nation to declare Australia for Jesus!
Link to the Hon. Peter Costello’s Video Message: Peter Costello’s Message on Australia Day 2009Â
“Good morning to everybody that is meeting together in the Melbourne Town Hall on this Australia day. I can’t think of a more important thing to be doing than to Unite in Prayer on this, our National day for our nation. And I bring you special greetings to each and every one of you that is there today and is praying for our nation standing in prayer on its behalf for it and for all of our people. (more…)
Source: Col and Jan Stringer
The media often portrays Australia as a nation devoid of Judeo-Christian values. Yet a quick survey of our past suggests the opposite – in fact the vast majority of our forefathers publicly acknowledged faith in their God and the Bible as the Word of God. Certainly some of their rhetoric may have been different – Captain James Cook talks of ‘Providence’ saving his life. Providence, in those days was acknowledged as the ‘hand of God’. Some of our heroes of faith include Charles Sturt, Matthew Flinders, Edward John Eyre, John McDouall Stuart, Ludwig Leichhardt, Governor Macquarie, Caroline Chisholm, Prime Minister Alfred Deakin John “Flynn of the Inland’ – to mention but a few!
One of the ways the enemy uses to change the heritage and faith of our forefathers is to remove every trace of Christianity from public life and office. Recently we have seen moves to cease prayers at the Opening of Federal Parliament or days such as “Christmas†replaced by the term “Holiday Seasonâ€. Nativity scenes have been removed from schools and public areas. But I believe it’s time for us reclaim our nation and faith of our forefathers and to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God’ rather than that of man. (more…)
Herald Sun – 23 January, 2009
A CONTROVERSIAL pastor is seeking divine intervention to install Peter Costello in The Lodge.
Mr Costello has sent a video message to an Australia Day prayer meeting being organised by Catch the Fire Ministries leader Danny Nalliah.
Mr Nalliah yesterday said he hoped Mr Costello would lead the Liberal Party to victory at the next election after accusing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull of having anti-Christian agendas. (more…)
Come help celebrate this significant occasion! We are expecting 2,000 Christians to gather at this strategic time and place to uphold our nation in prayer.
The City will be abuzz with Australia Day activity and we will be central and most significantly positioned as we pray for our nation of Australia and worship in unity!
When:Â Â Â Â Â Monday 26th January, 2009
Where:Â Â Â Â Melbourne Town Hall, Corner of Swanston St & Collins St, Melbourne
Time:    10:00am – to approx. 1:00pm (doors open from 8.30am)
 We would encourage you to consider coming as early as possible as the City of Greater Melbourne has many activities happening from early morning. Please note doors will be open for you from 8.30am onwards. Catch The Fire merchandise (including some small Australian flags) will be available prior to the commentment of the event, and an interesting powerpoint presentation will be shown for those arriving earlier. Please bring your own refreshment of water. A love offering will be taken on the day to help derfray costs. May we encourage you to give generously toward this?
Entry will be by the Collins Street doors on the day, not the main entrance in Swanston Street, due to streets close-by being closed off to through traffic for street activities and the flag raising event at 10am. If driving you will need to park higher up in the City and walk to Collins Street. (more…)
Christian Newswire
“I have always had a heart for Mexico. Having lived in this beautiful country from 1968 to 1971 with my wife and kids, it is a blessing to be able to return and serve in this way. To offer our encouragement and support; to share the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ with so many in this area – I couldn’t ask for anything more. To God alone be all the glory!”
(Oaxaca, Mexico)—World evangelist Luis Palau continues to bring his message of eternal hope and encouragement to millions. His most recent campaign with son and fellow evangelist Andrew Palau took him to the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, November 12-15. In a partnership with nearly 350 local churches, they shared the Good News in person with more than 168,000 individuals throughout the region and recorded an amazing 11,193 decisions to follow Jesus Christ. (more…)
Ps Daniel Scott and Ps Danny Naliah and their families went through 5 years of virtual hell because they told Christians that Islam allowed polygamy (up to 4 wives) and that it was happening in Victoria, that the Quran allowed some physical beating of wives by husbands, that women were of lesser value than men, and more.
All denied, and called vilification, by three Western converts (who clearly had a limited understanding of Islam generally and more specifically the Quran), and also by the Islamic Council of Victoria.
Yet a Howard government commissioned report, conducted by the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria and released exclusively by Barney Zwartz in The Age newspaper today, reveals that what Daniel Scott said was in fact the truth and that it is certainly happening here in Victoria.
The Age – Barney Zwartz – November 21, 2008
SOME Muslim religious leaders in Victoria are condoning rape within marriage, domestic violence, polygamy, welfare fraud and exploitation of women, according to an explosive report on the training of imams. (more…)
Voters in California, Arizona and Florida passed amendments to their state constitutions defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
 Every ballot measure banning gay marriage passed in Tuesday’s general election, and a pastor from Southern California believes prayer and fasting was what catapulted his state’s Proposition 8 across the finish line.
“This is a pretty massive statement of what can happen when pastors stand up and good people stand up to be counted,†said San Diego-based Skyline Church Pastor Jim Garlow, who helped mobilize thousands of conservative voters statewide. “California is a pretty unlikely place to have gay marriage stopped, considering what we faced against Hollywood and the media here.â€
Hailed as a major victory for proponents of traditional marriage California’s Proposition 8, by far the most-watched ballot in the nation, passed 52 to 48 percent, effectively reversing a state Supreme Court decision earlier this year that legalized gay marriage. (more…)
