Christians form human shield around church in ‘China’s Jerusalem’ after demolition threat

By Tom Phillips, Wenzhou – 04 Apr 2014

Thousands of Chinese Christians have mounted an extraordinary, round-the-clock defence of a church in a city known as the ‘Jerusalem of the East’ after Communist Party officials threatened to bulldoze their place of worship.

In an episode that underlines the fierce and long-standing friction between China’s officially atheist Communist Party and its rapidly growing Christian congregation, Bible-carrying believers this week flocked to the Sanjiang church in Wenzhou hoping to protect it from the bulldozers.

Their 24-hour guard began earlier this week when a demolition notice was plastered onto the newly-constructed church which worshippers say cost around 30 million yuan (£2.91 million) and almost six years to build.

Officials claimed the church had been built illegally and used red paint to daub the words: “Demolish” and “Illegal construction” onto its towering facade.

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British Politician to Atheists: We’re a Christian Nation—Get Over It!

4/8/2014 The Christian Institute

Militant atheists should “get over” Britain being a Christian nation, the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, has said.

Pickles calls on atheists to stop imposing their “politically correct intolerance on others.”

The member of Parliament’s address to the Conservative Spring Forum in London is not the first time he has highlighted Britain’s identity as a Christian country.

In February 2012, Pickles fast-tracked new laws to override a high court’s decision to ban councils from having prayers at official meetings.

It followed the case of a local atheist ex-councilor who sued Bideford Town Council over prayers being said at meetings. The Christian Institute’s Legal Defence Fund supported the council.

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Nigerian schoolgirls: Girl who escaped Boko Haram abduction speaks publicly about ordeal

ABC (Australia) ^ | 5/12/2014 by nickcarraway

A teenage girl who managed to escape kidnapping by Islamist group Boko Haram during a night raid in Nigeria last month has spoken publicly about the ordeal, as international assistance to locate more than 200 girls still held hostage ramps up.

Militants stormed a secondary school in the village of Chibok, near the Cameroon border, on April 14 and abducted the girls, who were taking exams at the time.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, one of the girls, who asked not to be identified, said the kidnappers were loading the girls into seven lorries when she escaped.

“He said go and enter this car – a big lorry,” she said.

We ran and ran and we were gone. I feel afraid. The unidentified girl who escaped abduction. “They say OK – enter this lorry, we go. I say I will drop down.

“We run in the bush. We ran and ran and we were gone.

“I feel afraid.”

More than 200 girls are still being held hostage, and Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau says the group intends to sell the teenagers.

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Church of England Plunged Into Fresh Crisis After Homosexual Clergyman Becomes First to Marry In Defiance of Archbishop of Canterbury

Canon Jeremy Pemberton tied the knot with Laurence Cunnington, a move that may well cause his removal from the churchApril 13, 2014 – DailyMail – Jonathan Petre

Canon Jeremy Pemberton tied the knot with Laurence Cunnington, a move that may well cause his removal from the church

A senior Church of England clergyman yesterday became the first to enter into a gay marriage – in direct defiance of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby – plunging the Church into a fresh crisis.

Canon Jeremy Pemberton tied the knot with Laurence Cunnington under new laws allowing same-sex marriages pushed through by David Cameron in the face of bitter opposition from backbench MPs and the Church.

But Canon Pemberton, 58, now faces disciplinary action from the Church and could be expelled from his work as a priest because the House of Bishops has barred clergy from entering such unions, saying they undermine its traditional teaching that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

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“My name is Layla Murad. I left Islam in April 2013”

Here is a fascinating and illuminating exposition of the journey of a mind, as a young Muslim woman explores and examines Islam, and ultimately decides to leave it altogether.

Her exercise of her freedom of conscience in this way has placed her life in perpetual danger, thanks to Islam’s death penalty for apostasy — an outrage to human rights that is greeted only with indifference by the world “human rights community.”

“My Journey In and Out of Islam,” by Layla Murad at Desperately Seeking Paradise, December 28, 2013:

1. Introduction

My name is Layla Murad. I left Islam in April 2013.

I’ve always been intellectually curious. My story is a long one. A lot of my infatuation with Islam was to do with my inquisitive nature… and of course… the internet.

2. Background

I was brought up in a practising but liberal Muslim household. My parents are Pakistanis, both hailing from Muhajir families in Karachi. Even the most religious among the Muhajirs are often highly progressive and secular minded when it comes to politics and global affairs. My aunt in Pakistan, for example, who started wearing niq?b after the death of her paralysed daughter, has the same zeal for Farhat Hashmi (a popular female Wahhabi preacher) as she does for the secular, ethno-centric policies of the MQM.

Islam was not an obvious, nor a quietist force in my life. It was just there…I didn’t, nor did anyone else, think too much about it. My parents were the kind of people who would be willing to drop me to a nightclub and pick me up again. Yet, they attributed the good in life to the One God, prayed five times a day, fasted during the month of Ramadan, gave charity. I saw my dad make the Hajj. The Islam that had been passed on to me was the basics: the Five Pillars.

But this approach had always seemed bland. I wanted something more….

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Happy Mother’s Day / A Great message for everyone – Pr Daniel

To all the Dear MotheHappy Mother's Dayrs,

I just want to say, “We Love You Very Much!”

I hope and pray the following message will be a blessing to everyone.

Be Blessed Mums.

7 Ways to Love Your Mother

“In John 19:26-27 Mary witnessed the crucifixion from the foot of the cross. Can you even imagine how she must have felt?

Jesus turns to John and says, take care of her, and looks at his mother and says, let him stand in my place as your son. John lived a very long life, and I believe he took care of Mary until she went to heaven.

Jesus is on the cross, bearing the weight of the sins of the whole world on His shoulders, yet He sees to it to make sure His mother is taken care of after He is gone! As God, Jesus is dealing with eternal matters, but as a man, He’s showing all of us today how important it is to take care and love our mothers!

You cannot be willfully wrong with your mother and be right with God. If your mother is still alive, regardless of your and her ages, you can love her in these 7 ways:

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Hillsong Takes Over New York City’s Times Square With ‘Jesus,’ ‘No Other Name’ Campaign

By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter – May 7, 2014|Hillsong Takes Over New York City's Times Square With 'Jesus,' 'No Other Name' Campaign 2

Hillsong “takes over” Times Square’s digital billboards in New York City on Thursday, April 24, 2014, by promoting “Jesus” and “No Other Name,” the name of Hillsong Live’s upcoming album and the church’s 2014 conference theme.

Hillsong, a Pentecostal powerhouse with church campuses spanning the globe, recently descended on New York City’s Times Square to declare the name of Jesus before thousands of onlookers while also shooting cover art for a new album that shares its name with the megachurch’s 2014 conference theme.

Instead of flashing the usual ads, news reports or the day’s market results, 21 digital screens played for an hour a looped video comprised of just a few frames flashing repeatedly: “Jesus” and “No Other Name.”

Jay Argaet, Hillsong’s Art and Communications director, told The Christian Post that at least 400 people from Hillsong NYC church joined in the nighttime campaign at Times Square, one of the world’s most sought out tourist destinations.

Times Square, located between 7th Avenue and Broadway from 42nd and 47th Streets, is trafficked by an average of 360,000 pedestrians every day, many of them out-of-towners.

Hillsong “takes over” Times Square’s digital billboards in New York City on Thursday, April 24, 2014, by promoting “Jesus” and “No Other Name,” the name of Hillsong Live’s upcoming album and the church’s 2014 conference theme.

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Great News – Geoff Shaw to move ABORTION amendments – PLEASE ACT!

Independent MP Geoff Shaw is planning to move a Bill to AMEND Victoria' abortion lawDear friends & family in Christ,

Here is some very good news.

Geoff Shaw, MP for Frankston in Victoria, a personal friend of Pastor Daniel whose had several meetings with him in the past few months, has just declared publicly that he would be introducing a private members bill against up to 9 months abortion laws in Victoria. Victoria is the only state in Australia where a mother could have her child aborted upto 9 months.

Please do uphold in prayer.

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Jimmy Carter calls sex-selective abortion the ‘worst human rights abuse on earth’ on Letterman Show

Jimmy Carter calls sex-selective abortion the ‘worst human rights abuse on earth’ on Letterman Showby Ben Johnson – March 26, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com)

The issue of sex-selective abortion is often raised by pro-life speakers, at pro-life rallies, and on pro-life news sites. It is seldom discussed on national late-night television by pro-abortion presidents.

But Tuesday night, former president Jimmy Carter called the issue “the worst human rights abuse on earth” on the Late Show with David Letterman.

The man from Plains told Letterman that “160 million girls are now missing from the face of the earth, because they were murdered at birth by their parents or either selectively aborted when their parents find out that the fetus is a girl. So, that many people are missing, and they’re all girls who are missing.”

Carter called the toll sex-selective abortion has taken “the worst statistic that I know.”

Indeed, the number may be an underestimate. The United Nations has indicated the number of girls selectively aborted due to their sex may number as many as 200 million.

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Fox News: Tony Blair gets real about Islam’s global threat

Dear friends & family in Christ, We’re forwarding you the following email for your ongoing prayer and interest against the spread of the spirit of Islam throughout Europe, America, the…

Continue ReadingFox News: Tony Blair gets real about Islam’s global threat

Doctor becomes first person in Britain charged with performing a Female Genital Mutilation procedure

By Martin Evans, Crime Correspondent – 21 Mar 2014

The first ever prosecutions under the Female Genital Mutilation Act have been announced by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, from the Whittington Hospital in North London and another man Hasan Mohamed, 40, are to be charged in connection with an incident following a birth at the hospital in 2012.

It is alleged that the doctor carried out the procedure after being encouraged and aided by Mr Mohamed.

Announcing the prosecution, Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The CPS was asked to consider evidence in relation to this allegation of female genital mutilation (FGM) by the Metropolitan Police Service.

“It was alleged that following a patient giving birth in November 2012, a doctor at the Whittington Hospital, in London, repaired FGM that had previously been performed on the patient, allegedly carrying out FGM himself. (more…)

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Why the Black Church Needs to Rise Up and Help Bring Revival to America

Florida Courier – March 27, 2014

While in seminary, I had the privilege of reading Dr. James Harris’ book, Pastoral Theology from the Black Church Perspective in which he addressed why the Black church should get past the traditional yelling ‘Hallelujah’s’ and ‘Amens’ to addressing issues that plague our community. While Dr. Harris did not dismiss the importance of praise and worship, he did bring to light the purpose of the Black church.

After reflecting upon his words while I pastored a church in Maryland for ten years, I can’t help but to draw on the need for the Black church to tackle the illness of poverty, health care, education, and community development, just to name a few in today’s culture. I’m concerned that many people in church leadership have adopted a financial prosperity theology, mentality, and ideology that the problems and issues that people of color face everyday has been overlooked and/or neglected.

Too many televangelists (not all of them) are always asking money for this and money for that, that there is no sermon about ending violence in the home and on the streets. When was the last time you heard a televangelist address the prison industrial complex that is incarcerating young black men and women at alarming rates. That’s why it’s important for the black church to revive this country.

Purpose and mission

Now, you may be asking how can the Black church revive this country? The first thing it needs to do is remember its purpose and mission. The black church should set people free (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually) through the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. It can’t focus on musical programs so much that the people in the pews are not empowered and transformed to do better and live better. The second thing the black church needs to do in reviving this country is to speak up and speak out against injustice. This has to be done within as well as outside of the four-walls of the church. Unless the people who profess to be the representatives of God do something that’s revolutionary, the people of God will continue to follow the status quo. You cannot separate church and state when God is the center.

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Great Anointing in Bendigo, Vic / Live webcast this Sun 11 May on Mother’s Day / Pr Daniel ministering in West Melbourne on Sat 17 & 18 May

Dear family & friends in Christ,

1) Week after week we keep thanking the Lord for His mighty hand at work throughout our country.

On the weekend gone by Pr Daniel ministered along with a team from CTFM in Bendigo, Vic.

The presence of God was so awesome in every meeting. The people gathered in this small church were mightily blessed. Several people who don’t go to church came for the meeting, as they saw the local newspaper add.  They were really touched by God.

One lady stated, “Had I known it was a church service I would have not come. However, now I have no regrets for coming as my opinion of a church without any guts has changed after hearing Daniel speak. Oh, how I wish that all churches will be like this.”

She spent much time talking to Pr Daniel and the team and even offered to help in the RUAP campaign. Praise God.

The Sunday night meeting was the highlight when the presence of God fell so strongly that Pr Daniel could not preach and the people at the meeting spent most of the evening on their knees worshipping the King of kings. Glory to God.

2) Pr Daniel will be ministering God’s prophetic Word and praying for people this Sunday 11th May on Mother’s Day at the 9.30am & 6:30pm worship services at CTFM at 30 Star Crescent in Hallam, Melbourne.

Please note that the morning service will be live webcast at www.reformationharvestfire.com beginning at 10:30am (AEDT).

3) Pr Daniel will be ministering God’s prophetic Word and praying for people at RUAP & Holy Spirit revival meetings on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May at I AM House of Worship at 11 Desire Place (off Old Geelong Rd behind Dulux building) in Hoppers Crossing (West Melbourne).

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Upcoming Election in India Brings Fear, Insecurity for Christians amid Unrelenting Persecution

NEW DELHI, March 31, 2014 (Morning Star News)

With a report showing Christians in India faced at least 151 attacks last year, predictions that a Hindu nationalist party will win a general election beginning in April are stoking fears of more violence.

The New Delhi-based Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), which released its “Partial List of Atrocities on the Indian Christian Community 2013” earlier this month, says the number of attacks could be much higher than the 151 recorded. The report comes days before India’s nine-phase parliamentary election, to be held April 7 to May 12.

Opinion polls point to a victory for the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that ruled the country from 1998 to 2004. Its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat state, has been one of the most prominent icons of the Hindutva ideology, which sees India as a Hindu nation with religious minorities as second-class citizens. Modi has been banned from entering the United States since 2005 due to failure to prevent the massacre of more than 2,000 Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, a year after he became the chief minister.

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