Welcome to CHRISTIAN NEWS FRONT'S Blog: July 2015

Friday, 31 July 2015

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New Poll Suggests Few Americans View the US as a Christian Country

A LifeWay Research survey from earlier this week has found that only 19 percent of respondents consider America to be a Christian nation. Furthermore, more respondents felt the U.S. is a welcoming place for atheists than for Muslims.

While only 19 percent identified America specifically as a Christian nation, close to 69 percent said that is a "Nation of Many Religions." Another 9 percent suggested it is a secular nation.

"Debate about whether America is a Christian nation will continue," said Scott McConnell, LifeWay Research vice president. "Although most Americans are Christians, they understand a nation founded on principles of religious freedom will be a nation of many faiths."

When it comes to welcoming people of different religious faiths, 92 percent of voters said the U.S. is a welcoming place for Christians — and 87 percent said the same for Jewish people.

Nigeria is one of the six countries whose population will exceed the 300 million mark in less than two decades, the United Nations (UN) has said in a report.

The other countries are: China. India, Indonesia, Pakistan and United States (U.S.)

Listed as one of the 10 largest countries in the world, the Nigeria is said to have a population believed to be growing the most rapid.

Going by the UN report, Nigeria has the potential of dislodging the U.S. as the world’s third largest in another 35 years.

“Among the 10 largest countries in the world currently, one is in Africa (Nigeria), five are in Asia (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan), two are in Latin America (Brazil and Mexico), one is in Northern America (US), and one is in Europe (Russian Federation).

“Of these, Nigeria’s population, currently the seventh largest in the world, is growing the most rapidly,” said the report. Consequently, the population of Nigeria is projected to surpass that of the United States by about 2050, at which point it would become the third largest country in the world.

The report also projected that by 2050 the populations of six countries are expected to exceed 300 million: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States.

MUSIC: Preye - Ebezina

Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 in 190 countries

Microsoft began rolling out its Windows 10 operating system Wednesday as a free upgrade for computer users in 190 countries, saying it delivers on its vision for "more personal computing."

The stakes are high for Microsoft as it pushes out the new operating system for both traditional computers and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

The US tech giant is hoping the new system can help it gain traction in mobile, where is lags Google Android and Apple iOS.

"Our vision was one platform, one store, and one experience that extends across the broadest range of devices from the smallest screens to the largest screens to no screens at all," said Microsoft executive vice president for Windows Terry Myerson in a blog post.

"Windows 10 begins to deliver on our vision for more personal computing. In this world experiences are mobile, moving with you seamlessly and easily across your devices. Interacting with technology is as natural as interacting with people -- using voice, pen, gestures and even gaze for the right interaction, in the right way, at the right time. And in our connected and transparent world, we respect your privacy and help protect your information."

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A man died after he was bitten by a snake Sunday during a church service, according to the Bell County Sheriff's Office.

John David Brock, 60, died after a snake bit him in the left arm and he refused medical treatment, according to the Bell County Sheriff's Office. Brock was handling a snake during a church service at Mossy Simpson Pentecostal Church in Jenson.

A church member says Brock was bitten by a rattlesnake. Brock refused medical treatment and went to his brother's house where he died four hours later. Bell County Coroner Jay Steele was called to the residence and pronounced Brock dead.

Steele says Brock's death is under investigation. He said Brock had other health problems.

The coroner said an autopsy will not be conducted, and Brock's official cause of death will be determined using medical records.

Brock, who believed in the Holiness faith, had been a coal miner for 36 years, according to his obituary.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors’ Forum, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has urged Christian leaders in the country to throw their weight behind the anti-corruption crusade and policies of President Mohammadu Buhari.

Okorocha made the appeal when he played host to the national leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, led by its National President, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, in Government House, Owerri.

“Church leaders and leaders of religious groups like the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, should play a leading role in the fight against corruption in the country and should therefore back Mr. President in his effort to fight the monster called corruption”, Okorocha pleaded.

He also called on the visiting PFN leaders build Pentecostal University of Nigeria in the state and promised to give them a piece of land and the sum of N100 million take off grant, any time they are ready to start the project.

“It is unfortunate that the past government succeeded in dividing the nation along ethnic and religious lines. And that creates the impression that any time a Christian is a president, the Muslims will feel humiliated and vice-versa. I urge all the Christians and non-Northerners to see this government as their own, and be part of it. We must support it and benefit from it because all Nigerians are meant to benefit from the administration”, Okorocha said.

I'm done with secular music, now fully for Christ - Akeeb Kareem

To the present generation, his name may ring no bell, but to the older folks, he was among the stars of the late seventies and early eighties. Known as the Blackman, a very proud one for that matter, who never shied away from declaring his identity in most of his songs.

Did you ever heard a song like this:

E ma ma ba mi le'yawo mi lo
E ma ma ba mi le'yawo mi lo
Oto l'ejo ti aro
Oto l'ejo ti e da
E ma ma ba mi le'yawo mi lo
Anti, Amebo, make you shut up your mouth
Brother, Amebo, make you shut up your mouth

If you do, that is the Blackman, Akeeb Kareem for you and if you do not, please study your heritage the more. The song was titled "Amebo". It record was a major hit and dominated the airwaves then. But, sadly according to him, he made nothing from this acclaimed master piece and frustration led him to leave Nigeria for overseas in search of the proverbial, greener pastures. This will eventually lead to a 31 years musical sojourn.

"History would be kind to Father Mbaka for courageously speaking truth...", says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu congratulated Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Centre in celebration of his 20th year of priesthood.

The President commended the cleric for what he described as his “extraordinary intrepidity and remarkable patriotism.”

He described Mbaka as a great priest who is not afraid to speak truth, even at the cost of his own life or being hated by those in power.

He said the priest is a remarkable example that religious leaders are the conscience and moral compass of the society.

He said Mbaka rose to the occasion to add his voice in support of good governance and identify with ordinary Nigerians in the face of despair and uncertain future.

Fiery Enugu cleric, the Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, yesterday celebrated his 20th priestly anniversary, praying God to shield President Muhammadu Buhari from evil men.

This is also as he described the 20th anniversary as a celebration of victory over enemies of truth and blackmailers.

DAILY POST recalls that Mbaka’s prophetic message of change, which he delivered before the March 28 presidential election, attracted heavy criticisms, especially from the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking at the Christ the King Parish, Enugu, during his 20th anniversary mass, attended by thousands of worshipers, including the wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, the cleric said despite all the attacks against him, God had continued to protect him because he remained on the side of the truth.

He declared: “I am not tired after 20 years- 20 years of good health; 20 years of miracles from God; 20 years of hard apostolic work; 20 years in the hand of God.

“There was a time they blackmailed me; they were saying such things like ‘Mbaka why? Mbaka this, Mbaka that’; but I have remained in the hand of God”.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declined to accept an appeal of its order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state capitol grounds after it declared the presence of the display unconstitutional last month.

“We carefully consider the arguments of the commission and find no merit warranting a grant of rehearing,” Chief Justice John Reif wrote on behalf of the nine justices, which ruled 7-2 not to accept the appeal.

As previously reported, the Oklahoma Supreme Court likewise ruled 7-2 last month that the monument must be removed because it violates Article 2, Section 5, of the Oklahoma Constitution, which states that property cannot be used to promote a “church denomination or system of religion.”

“No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such,” the section reads.

A public school district in Georgia will have to pay a humanist organization $22,500 through its insurance carriers after the organization sued the school system over allegations that local high school coaches led their teams in prayers and included biblical passages on official team log books and promotional banners.

In December, the American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit against the the Hall County School District in Gainesville, Georgia, over the district's practices of allowing coaches and other faculty to lead in team prayer during official school events and allowing Bible verses to be printed on team documents.

After sending warning letters to the school district last August, the lawsuit called out the prayer traditions of various athletic teams from Chestatee High School and North Hall High School.

The lawsuit alleges that Chestatee coaches have on many occasions led their teams in prayer during games and practices. The lawsuit also alleges the school's coaches have led in prayers for over five years.

In China, believers are fighting back after officials in Zhejiang Province tore down more than 1,500 crosses from church buildings.

You can hear Christians praying and weeping as they watch their cross being removed.

Now, some believers are practicing civil disobedience by strapping themselves to crosses to protect them from being taken away.

Others are building hundreds of wooden crosses, painting them red, and putting them on top of homes along the roadways.

This takes place as China carries out a nationwide crackdown on human rights attorneys and advocates. More than 200 people have been arrested since July 9.

HARRISON COUNTY, Ind. — An Indiana woman who states she was fired for refusing to issue same-sex “marriage” licenses despite her Christian convictions has filed a lawsuit in federal court against her former employer.

Linda Summers worked for the Harrison County clerk’s office for over six years, that is, until last December when she was allegedly terminated after expressing her desire to opt-out of issuing licenses to homosexuals because she is a Christian.

According to a complaint filed in federal court, County Clerk Sally Whitis sent an email to employees last October after the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling declaring that the state must recognize same-sex nuptials. The correspondence advised workers that the clerk’s office must now process applications for homosexuals.

“Even though it may be against your personal beliefs, we are required by state law to process their applications,” it also said. “We are only doing the paperwork and not performing their ceremony.”

A federal appeals court in Washington State has ruled that Christian pharmacy owners and pharmacists there must dispense FDA-approved emergency contraceptives, despite the pharmacists' religious objections.

“We recognize that there is a ‘trend of protecting conscientious objectors to abortions’ and that most—but not all—states do not require pharmacies to deliver prescriptions, such as Plan B and ella, in a timely manner,” wrote Judge Susan P. Graber in the decision from 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals.

“On balance, however, we are unconvinced that plaintiffs’ requests to run a business while sidestepping state rules on access to drugs “is ‘so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people as to be ranked as fundamental.’ Accordingly, we decline to recognize a new fundamental right.”

Melinda Gates: ‘I’m Living Out My Faith in Action’

Melinda Gates describes herself as an “impatient optimist,” something that was nurtured in her while attending Ursuline Academy, the leading Catholic all-girls school in Dallas.

Since Melinda and husband Bill created the Gates Foundation in 2000, they have given away $33.5 billion of their massive wealth from Microsoft and from their close friend, billionaire Warren Buffett. The foundation started the same year as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, the 15-year antipoverty campaign centered on 8 global objectives. The two programs share many priorities, such as fighting diseases, reducing extreme poverty, and improving maternal health. The foundation partners with a wide spectrum of organizations. Faith-based groups— including Catholic organizations, World Vision, Lutheran groups, and the Salvation Army—are key recipients of more than 125 foundation grants.

This January, Melinda and Bill Gates announced they were “doubling down” on their poverty-fighting efforts. “The lives of people in poor countries will improve faster in the next 15 years than at any other time in history,” they said. But along with the foundation’s big bets and big spending has come big controversy. In 2012, the couple helped launch Family Planning 2020, a global effort to make voluntary, artificial contraception available to 120 million poor women by 2020.

"He can make your back feel better," his mother said. And she was right. The "doctor" healed 9-year-old Pedro Ochoa's back—the excruciating pain was gone!

But this was no ordinary Honduran doctor. The man was a self-described "new age white magic" doctor—a Satan worshipper. Little did the young boy know that from that moment on, Satan had plans for Pedro's life.

Pedro's father was a businessman who traveled extensively. He divorced Pedro's mother after she had an affair. Pedro, now 14, and his two younger sisters chose to stay with her. Two months later, Pedro's mom walked out on the children, leaving Pedro in charge of his sisters and an infant cousin she had been caring for.

"I felt so vulnerable," Pedro recalls. "So incredibly hurt."

Feeling powerless to change his situation and that he needed protection from the world crashing in around him, Pedro remembered the doctor who healed him through white magic.

"When I told him about my situation, the doctor said he could help me," Pedro recalls. "He told me that he could give me power and a god who is going to care about me and make me rich. He said that I would be able to grow a lot in this religion and become so powerful that I would be invincible if I would study the materials and consecrate myself to this god."

The global campaign to eliminate Christianity and the followers of Jesus Christ is as diverse as it is unrelenting.

In the Middle East and Africa, ISIS Islamists have reverted to the savagery of the Dark Ages in their genocidal tactics, liquidating churches and believers in the most barbaric ways.

In the West, the war has more subtle overtones, though its "soldiers" are as determined as ISIS to beat the Christian faith into a state of dhimmitude and subordinate it to Christ-hating, secular revolutionaries. That they will not succeed in destroying Christ's body of believers can be certified by a look at history over the last 2,000 years.

In China, the antagonistic aggressor is the government, officially the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC bows before the altar of atheism and would have citizens of the sprawling empire embrace the godless ideology of the post-Maoist Beijing rulers.

With the phenomenal growth of China's churches has come a crackdown of epic proportions. China Aid recently reported a 300 percent increase in religious persecution of Christians since 2013. Among the victims were 17,884 believers, including 1,592 church leaders, according to the 2014 China Aid annual report, available at chinaaid.org:

"The Chinese government has intensified its persecution against practitioners representing all religions in China. In the case of Christianity, both the government-sanctioned Three-Self church and the house church movement experienced unprecedented persecution. The Chinese government's persecution campaign included forced demolition of churches and crosses, the detention and imprisonment of pastors and church members on criminal charges, forcing churches into bankruptcy by confiscating church property and imposing fines, and manipulating state-run media to label house churches as 'cult' organizations."

No sex before marriage... That's what responsible people do. This is great news in this era of 'baby Mamas'. Why not get parental consent. Why not seek the Church endorsement and blessing without the bed defiled, and he or she is yours forever. Why the hurry? Why the sin? Sex is a major ingredient in marriage but whittles down in the order of importance as old age sets in. Intimacy, trust, transparency, communication, love, sacrifice, covenant knowledge, among others, are the keys to a blissful marriage. Ciara and Russel represent the example other public figures should learn from. One only hopes they can keep their resolution and praying God helps them to do so.

Charisma reports:

There's "absolutely" no sex happening before marriage for pop sensation Ciara and boyfriend Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson.

"It's until the deal is sealed," she told a reporter.

The two have been in the spotlight recently after Wilson told pastor Miles McPherson God asked the two to wait until marriage. Both admit it's been a struggle to remain hands off.

Netanyahu tells Steve Forbes the prospect for “worst kind of war” with Iran is growing because of nuclear deal. Polls show 47% of Israelis now support a unilateral strike.

(Central Israel) — Are Israeli leaders actively considering preemptive military strikes to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat, now that the world powers have struck a deal that gives Iran nearly everything it wants and puts Tehran on a legal pathway to The Bomb?

I was asked this last night during an interview on an American radio program. The host knew that I had once worked for Netanyahu, and that I stay in touch with his team and other Israeli national security experts. He also knew that I had written a series of political thrillers several years ago — The Twelfth Imam, The Tehran Initiative and Damascus Countdown — that imagined what might happen if an Israeli prime minister ordered such an attack, despite pressure from an American president not to do so.

Here are some thoughts.

As the world responds to the latest series of Islamic extremist attacks, including a Tunisia attack that killed 30 people, one story that isn't being covered in the media is that Muslims are turning to Christ.

Twenty-one-year-old Hafid* from Morocco believed in jihad and killing anyone who did not follow the laws of Islam.

However, his life was transformed when he started watching Leading The Way's 24/7 satellite television channel, The Kingdom Sat. Leading The Way is a television broadcast from the ministry of Michael Youssef.

"I started comparing Islam with Christianity and found there to be a lot of contradictions between the Hadith (the prophets' teaching) and the Quran. I studied the Bible online. I wanted to tell you that I have decided to follow Jesus."

After receiving this message, Leading The Way's follow-up team led him to Christ.

Franklin Graham Accuses Obama of 'Imposing Gay and Lesbian Agenda' Abroad in Wake of Gay Rights Speech to Kenya

The Rev. Franklin Graham, who is also CEO of humanitarian relief group Samaritan's Purse, has backed the position of many Kenyan churches on homosexuality being a sin, and accused American President Barack Obama of promoting the "gay and lesbian agenda" to other nations.

"I didn't know that we were sending our president halfway around the world to promote the gay and lesbian agenda! Samaritan's Purse has an office in Kenya and has worked there many years, and I can tell you that the churches in Kenya know what the Bible says about homosexuality — it is a sin. Sin should not be embraced, but recognized truthfully for what it is and for its serious consequences," Graham wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

"As a world leader, the United States of America is now exporting the acceptance of immorality via our president. What will the cost of that be?" he asked.

A public school district in Oklahoma has agreed to stop allowing for the distribution of Bibles following threatened legal action from an atheist organization.

Duncan Public Schools sent a letter to the American Humanist Association in response to a complaint leveled against an elementary school teacher who distributed several Gideon Bibles to her students.

Scott W. Stone, legal counsel for Duncan Schools, explained to the AHA's legal arm the Appignani Humanist Legal Center that actions were being taken in response to their complaint.

First grader Adam Kotzian (C) does a spelling drill with classmates in his classroom at Eagleview Elementary school in Thornton, Colorado, March 31, 2010.

"All teachers and administrators in the district are being advised that they are not permitted to distribute Bibles or other religious materials to students in class or during class time," wrote Stone.

A U.S. Federal District Court has fined Mississippi's third largest public school district $7,500 after a minister opened up a districtwide honors assembly with a prayer invocation, an act that violated a 2013 court settlement that ordered the district to stop "proselytizing Christianity."

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves has for the second time ordered the Rankin County School District to stop allowing prayers to be held at school events. The judge has also banned the distribution of Bibles on school campuses.

The school district was ordered to pay a student plaintiff from Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, who was represented by the American Humanist Association, $2,500 because the student attended an assembly at Brandon High School in May 2014 that began with a prayer led by local Methodist pastor the Rev. Rob Gill.
The assembly, which was not mandatory, was designated to honor all of the district's students who scored higher than a 22 on their ACT college tests.

If you read something online that is wrong—like offensively, hatefully wrong—should you respond?

I suppose a more relevant question isn’t the hypothetical “if,” but the inevitable “when.” All of us who read blogs and follow social media have come across vicious rants, mean-spirited treaties, and complete misunderstandings that anger us.

I faced this question last week when a friend of mine became the subject of a blog post meant to smear her career and reputation. On the one hand, the claims were so blatantly deceptive, it was laughable. And yet, the more I read and thought about it, the angrier I became.

I stared at the screen as my emotions raged. Inspiration flowed like a river, flooding my mind with insulting tweets. I fantasized about mocking, silencing, and shaming the people working to discredit my friend. I wasn’t just angry. I was outraged.

For more than three decades, Baltimore-based World Relief has resettled tens of thousands of refugees, many of whom fled religious or political persecution in their homelands.

Local churches have played a key role in this ministry. Church volunteers have befriended refugees and other new immigrants, helped them find jobs and homes, and showed them God’s love—no matter what their background.

That’s changing, says Jenny Yang, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief, as more churches only want to help their fellow believers.

And some especially don’t want to work with Muslims.

“We are getting tons of emails and calls from churches specifically wanting Christian refugees, those persecuted in the Middle East,” says Yang. “There is a lot of fear about resettling Muslim refugees. There is fear about them becoming terrorists or implementing Shari‘ah law.”

According to a 2013 study from Pew Research, America gains about 600,000 new Christians a year through immigration. And about 40 percent of the refugees resettled by World Relief are Christians. But the evangelical nonprofit has also helped resettle Muslims and those of other faiths.

Despite the message of love that permeates Living Waters Publications' newest film, Audacity, LGBT activists are warning others away from watching it, giving it poor online reviews with comments such as "avoid at all costs."

For the film's executive producer Ray Comfort, however, this is music to his ears. "This is the best thing that could have happened. It's not even out yet and they are telling people not to watch it. That's going to make them want to watch it to see how any movie could possibly be that bad; and they are going to get a shock when they see it."

A scripted film, Audacity follows the struggle of Peter (Travis Owens) as he is confronted with the tension between the cultural acceptance of homosexuality and what the Bible says is true. While trying to live out his Christian beliefs, he finds that there are a lot of uncomfortable questions he has to answer. But acting out of love for his friends and even strangers, Peter is able to live out the values of the Bible and show others the courage it takes to follow the Bible when its teachings are not popular. Viewers will find Audacity to be culturally relevant but still boldly sticking to its biblical principles.

The story of a man who was unlawfully fired for expressing his religious beliefs is gaining national coverage after Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit on his behalf earlier this month. The lawsuit alleges that a corporate giant and one of its contracting companies violated clear federal and state laws prohibiting religious discrimination against employees.

"We are hopeful that all Americans, both employers and employees, will become aware that the law protects the sincerely-held religious beliefs of employees," said Jeff Mateer, General Counsel for Liberty Institute. "Employees don't leave behind their religious liberty rights when they enter the workplace, and employers must respect these legal rights or face consequences."

The media coverage involves Mr. Thomas Banks, who worked for Ford Motor Company and one of its contracting companies, Rapid Global Business Solutions. Mr. Banks was fired last August after respectfully expressing his sincerely-held religious views in his comment in an online, intra-company forum. Little did he know that exercising his First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and free speech would cost him his job.

"Endorsing and promoting sodomy is of benefit to no one," Banks said. "This topic is disruptive to the workplace and is an assault on Christians and morality, as well as antithetical to our design and our survival. Immoral sexual conduct should not be a topic for an automotive manufacturer to endorse or promote."

On April 5, 2014, Leon Freitag received a death sentence. He was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. "The doctor told me to gather my family, because I had 12 to 18 months to live," Freitag recounted. "According to the doctor, I had no hope of survival."

Freitag, who has served as superintendent of the North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God since 1999, had little time to absorb this life-changing news. He was in the midst of preparations for district council, which would begin two days later.

News of Freitag's illness spread quickly in North Dakota, where Assemblies of God ministers and members are closely-knit like a family. What was going to happen to the soft-spoken, gentle spiritual leader who was known for his love for people and his passion for soul-winning? Would he live? Would he resign from office?

Freitag responded to the news of his cancer by committing himself to live out his faith in front of the people he served. With tear-stained cheeks, he told the crowd at district council that he was believing God for a miracle. He intended to serve out the remaining year of his term, and he viewed his suffering as an object lesson for those around him.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two years after Oregon Christian bakers Melissa and Aaron Klein refused to make a lesbian wedding cake, the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa are facing threats, heavy fines, and the loss of their constitutional rights.

With the deadline to pay a $135,000 fine having passed, the state is now threatening to place a lien on couple's home until it's is paid.

CBN News traveled to Oregon to find out the next step for the Klein family.

An Ordinary Day

According to Aaron Klein, the day the lesbian bride-to-be came in to place her wedding cake order was like any other.

"Usual day, she came in. I had some cake for her to try; I asked her for the bride and groom's name," he recalled.

"At that point she told me it was two brides, and I was apologetic," he continued. "I said, 'I'm sorry; we can't do this. I did not mean to waste your time and she got up and walked out. That was the extent of the encounter."

A few weeks later, the Kleins faced a civil complaint for failing to provide the couple equal service in a place of public accommodation – a citation equal to a traffic violation in the state.

"We were of the mindset that we were fully within our rights," Aaron Klein said. "You know, everyone believes that adage that we reserve the right to refuse business for any reason."

70 Niger Churches Struggle to Rebuild After Islamist Revenge Rampage for Charlie Hebdo Cartoons

Christian churches in Niger are facing a lack of resources and difficult conditions in rebuilding six months after the wave of angry Islamist attacks destroyed at least 70 houses of worship in revenge for Charlie Hebdo's drawings of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

"Since these incidents, it is as if life had stopped," said Rev. Jacques Kangindé, leader of the Baptist "Roundabout" church in Niamey. "The church has become a source of curiosity for passers-by and a hide-out for idlers. Unfortunately our current church finances don't allow us to begin the reconstruction."

World Watch Monitor noted that most of the 70 churches destroyed in the attacks, as well as several Christian schools and an orphanage, have still not been rebuilt.

"We feel that, as the emotion of the first days has now passed, our case is no longer of interest to our political leaders," Kangindé added.

Uhuru to Obama: "Our culture, our societies don't accept [homosexuality]."

Despite agreement in key areas, President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Obama differed significantly on Gay right issues. In spite of the traditional position of the Kenyan society on the issue, especially the declaration of Kenyan Pastors warning President Obama, not to bring the gay right issues to their nation (Read here), the chief apostle of the gay right move, was unperturbed, as he still went ahead with his unpopular sermon. However, he met a resolute Uhuru Kenyatta who yielded no ground.

You can read more courtesy ABC NEWS ........

President Obama publicly disagreed with his Kenyan counterpart over gay rights today as he urged African nations not to discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation.

The president made the remarks at a news conference he held with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who called gay rights in his country a "non-issue." Obama discussed the subject on his first full day in Kenya while drawing on his own background as an African-American in the U.S.

"If somebody is a law-abiding citizen who is going about their business and working in a job and obeying the traffic signs and doing all the other things that good citizens are supposed to do and not harming anybody, the idea that they are going to be treated differently or abused because of who they love is wrong," Obama said.

Shortly after, Kenyatta said while the U.S. and Kenya share many values, gay rights is an issue on which the two countries disagree.

"There are some things that we must agree we don't share," he said. "Our culture, our societies don't accept [homosexuality]."

Scientists develop new antibody to treat traumatic brain injury and prevent neurological damage

"These findings additionally offer us a new way to approach Alzheimer's disease, which poses a staggering unsustainable burden throughout the world. Alzheimer's afflicts both individuals and their families and, it deprives society of the contributions of experienced and wise elders." –Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone

(Boston, MS)—New research led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides the first direct evidence linking traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—and offers the potential for early intervention to prevent the development of these debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. TBI can result from repetitive contact sport injuries or from exposure to military blasts, and is one of the most significant risk factors for both Alzheimer's disease and CTE. (Photo Credit: © George.M. / Fotolia)

In a study published today in the online edition of the journal Nature, the researchers found that a misshapen isoform of the tau protein can develop as soon as 12 hours after TBI, setting in motion a destructive course of events that can lead to widespread neuro-degeneration. Importantly, the researchers have developed a potent antibody that can selectively detect and destroy this highly toxic protein.

"The high quality of the EPIC images exceeded all of our expectations in resolution. The images clearly show desert sand structures, river systems and complex cloud patterns. There will be a huge wealth of new data for scientists to explore." –Adam Szabo

(Washington, DC)—A NASA camera on the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite has returned its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth from one million miles away. (Photo via NASA.gov)

The color images of Earth from NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) are generated by combining three separate images to create a photographic-quality image. The camera takes a series of 10 images using different narrowband filters—from ultraviolet to near infrared—to produce a variety of science products. The red, green and blue channel images are used in these Earth images.

"This first DSCOVR image of our planet demonstrates the unique and important benefits of Earth observation from space," said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden. "As a former astronaut who's been privileged to view the Earth from orbit, I want everyone to be able to see and appreciate our planet as an integrated, interacting system. DSCOVR's observations of Earth, as well as its measurements and early warnings of space weather events caused by the sun, will help every person to monitor the ever-changing Earth, and to understand how our planet fits into its neighborhood in the solar system."

These initial Earth images show the effects of sunlight scattered by air molecules, giving the images a characteristic bluish tint. The EPIC team now is working on a rendering of these images that emphasizes land features and removes this atmospheric effect. Once the instrument begins regular data acquisition, new images will be available every day, 12 to 36 hours after they are acquired by EPIC. These images will be posted to a dedicated web page by September.

Many people had asked me in recent past what I think about the growth of Nigerian churches in the United Kingdom. To be honest I had not given this a thought before, but I know majority of the people I encounter on this subject seemed agitated or sort of discomfort by what they refer to as “black churches”.

Everyday in the UK one brand new Nigerian church springs up. I am delighted by this growth. Not for anything outrageous though, but they give me and many Nigerians the alternative to a traditional white church. These new churches offer me and many other Nigerians the opportunity to “feel at home” on Sunday while I sing songs that I grew up with and also dance to the talking drum during the offering or thanksgiving sessions. They also allow me the luxury of listening to “powerful” songs booming through the speakers without any threat from neighbours.

I am not alone in this thinking. Like many Nigerian Christians visiting UK or staying for a while, the first desire is to find a church where they can mix and mingle with their fellow country men and women. Our instinct abroad is more liberal, relationship-wise, than at home, making it easy for us to so “flow” with each other, not minding the language or ethnicity.

“Church relationship” has not always been easy as this in the UK. Arriving in the ancient city of Edinburgh on a cold Saturday morning in 2003 I remember looking forward to worshipping in any church the following day as there was no Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Winners Chapel or any other Nigerian church in the city then. I could not contain my excitement as I and my family joined the congregants for worship at the only black church on Leith Street.

Man arrested for stealing in church

Ibadan - An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Wednesday granted bail to a 22-year-old man, Genesis Rindap, for alleged breaking into a Church.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr A. A. Adebisi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adebisi adjourned the case till Aug.13, for hearing.

Rindap, who was arraigned on a two-count charge of breaking and stealing, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, ASP Sunday Ogunremi, had told the court that the accused committed the offences at Light House International Christian Church, Samonda, Ibadan, on July 13, at 6 a.m.

NAIROBI, Kenya -- President Barack Obama heads to Kenya this week for a global economic summit. It will be Obama's first visit as president to his father's homeland.

While some hope the trip will bring closer ties between our two countries, there's one subject many Kenyans don't want the president to talk about: gay rights and same-sex marriage.

The streets are already buzzing in anticipation of his arrival, with polls showing Obama enjoys widespread popularity among Kenyans.

"I think this is a guy who really appreciates his roots," said one resident of the capital city.

"Because he is our brother, we welcome him," Peter, from Nairobi, said.

The president's visit, however, is not without controversy.

Seven hundred Kenyan evangelical pastors have written an open letter asking the president not to come to their country and talk about the gay agenda.

Mark Kariuki is the key architect of that letter. He leads an alliance representing 38,000 churches and 10 million Kenyan Christians.

"We do not want him to come and talk on homosexuality in Kenya or push us to accepting that which is against our faith and culture," Kariuki said.

God still work wonders in the life of the faithful’s. Sportsmen and women are testifying on how their faith in Jesus Christ has enabled increased capacities and strength to make greater success in their sports career and other major areas of their lives. Golfer, Zach Johnson has a lot to testify about in this area. The 39 year old golfer graduated from Drake University in 1998 and started playing golf on the mini tours and traveling around the United States.

According to Christian Today, "I discovered what it meant to 'live for Christ,'" he says, "and that it honestly was something I wanted to do. The facts were there, and I could sense the Holy Spirit at work. Early in the winter of 2002, I gave my life to the Lord. Before I was one," he says, "I always thought being a Christian would be boring. In reality, it has been the complete opposite."

Zach Johnson won the British Open in Scotland on July 20th, defeating Jordan Spieth in a keenly contested competition .

Read the rest of the story after the cut.....

Scientists Were ‘Astonished’ to Find Bible Quotes on ‘Most Ancient Hebrew Scroll Since the Dead Sea Scrolls’

A burned parchment believed to be 1,500-years-old was unearthed near the Dead Sea in 1970, but researchers have just now succeeded in deciphering the contents of the find they have called “the most ancient Hebrew scroll since the Dead Sea Scrolls.”

Though the scroll was charred and tightly rolled, scientists used CT scan technology to create cross sectional images, thus revealing the text without having to unwind the document – which would likely have further damaged or even destroyed it.

The Israel Antiquities Authority on Monday announced that the scorched scroll found at Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea 45 years ago was actually a copy of the opening verses of the Book of Leviticus which – perhaps ironically given the state of the scroll – describes laws for burnt offerings.

VIDEO: Sex, Soul ties and the Young Adult by Funmi Joy Adeoyin

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Tuesday, 21 July 2015

TESTIMONY: John Collier: A Dirty Cop Comes Clean

CBN.com – When John Collier was a child, his house was not a home. It was more like a battle zone.

"My father had a background of violence," John tells The 700 Club. "He abused alcohol and drugs. He was a womanizer, and he pretty much terrorized our home."

John’s anger toward his father grew. He stayed in trouble at school and ran away from home twice.

"There was always that little boy in me that loved my dad. Then there was that other side of me that started to hate him and never want to be anything like he was."

John was only eight when his parents divorced. While his mom loved him, she could no longer handle him.

"I didn’t realize that John had so much anger inside of him," Mary Toneff, his mother, says. "I know that he liked to kind of fight, and then John started getting into trouble."

After a failed attempt at running away, the police officer that brought him home left a lasting impression on the young boy. John saw something in this stranger that he never saw in his dad.

"That police officer actually seemed to care about me or take an interest in me," he says. "When he did, I wanted to be like him. I saw him as the hero. So that’s something I wanted to pursue. I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement."

John was eventually placed in a foster home. His foster parents gave him the support and guidance he needed, but the anger was always just below the surface.

Scientists in Israel have created the world’s smallest Bible, a text so small that it could fit on the tip of a pen.

CNN reports the Nano Bible includes 1.2 million letters of the Old Testament etched onto a miniscule disc. To read the scripture, it would have to be magnified about 10,000 times.

To create the Bible, scientists from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology used silicon that was 100 atoms thick and plate it with gold. The characters were engraved with a focused ion beam.

A record number of Americans say they would vote for an atheist president, according to a Gallup poll. According to the poll, 58 percent of Americans would vote for a qualified atheist candidate.

Dr. Alex McFarland, however, warned that an atheist president could veer from the founding principles of America.

"John Locke, literally one of the most brilliant thinkers of the past 500 years, said that promises, covenants and oaths, which are the bonds of human society, have no hold on an atheist," McFarland said.

A multi-million dollar church in the Chinese Zhejiang province is being demolished on government orders. Christian Today reports the Three Self Patriotic Movement church will be destroyed, despite the fact that the government previously sanctioned its existence.

The church, located in the city of Wangling, will be permitted to locate elsewhere, but the government will only provide a $161,000 payout of compensation.

A similar incident recently occurred in Wenzhou when a $5 million church was demolished only weeks after construction was completed on the building.

The Chinese government has additionally removed more than 450 crosses from churches in the last 18 months in a brutal crackdown on Christianity. Some Christians have reportedly fought back against the cross removal campaign, replacing the crosses after officials take them down.

CHRISTIANHEADLINES

TESTIMONY: Texas Teen Says He Saw Jesus Before Being Revived

FORT WORTH(CBSDFW.COM) — Doctors can’t seem to explain it, but one Texas family is sure it was the hand of God that brought their son back to life.

17-year-old Zack Clements is a strong, healthy and outgoing high school athlete. He goes to school and plays football at Victory Life Academy in Brownwood, Texas.

It was there last week the teen suddenly collapsed while running in P.E. class.

He was rushed to the hospital where doctors worked to revive him.

According to Clements, “they said I was without a heart beat for 20 minutes.”

When doctors finally got a pulse, Clements was airlifted to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. He would wake up there in the intensive care unit days later.

His recovery has been hard to believe, but even more amazing is the story he tells of what he saw when his heart stopped beating.

“When I was out those 20 minutes, I saw a man who had long ruffled hair and kind of a thick beard, and it didn’t take me long to realize that that was Jesus,” he said.

SHAME: Police shut Enugu church as pastors, supporters engage in free-for-all

Enugu—It was a show of shame, yesterday, in Enugu as two pastors and their loyalists engaged themselves in fisticuffs at Mount Street Parish of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria.

Consequently, police was compelled to lock up the church premises.

Vanguard gathered that the church was turned into a battle field, yesterday morning, as two pastors and their supporters fought over who should take control of the parish.

Crisis of factionalisation of the Assemblies of God Church had been lingering for more than three years as two persons, Professor Paul Emeka and Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, are each laying claims to the leadership of the church, a position known as General Superintendent, a matter that is currently before the Supreme Court.

The drama started when one of the pastors, Rev. Nathaniel Udeze, came with letters of posting and other court documents as part of preparations to be installed as the new pastor at the parish.

He was promptly resisted upon arrival with his team of supporters.

Leading the opposition was current resident pastor of the parish, Reverend Amaechi Agbo, who along with his supporters, also vowed not to allow Pastor Udeze take over, accusing him of being an “intruder.”

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