Welcome to CHRISTIAN NEWS FRONT'S Blog: October 2015

Saturday, 31 October 2015

HEALTH: First Bank Raises Awareness on Down Syndrome

As part of its corporate social responsibility, First Bank Plc, through its Volunteers Employee Scheme (VES), has partnered with the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria to provide succour for people living with the disorder, as well as support the advocacy platform of the foundation.

Speaking at an event to raise awareness on the health issue, the Head, Sponsorship and Event, First Bank Plc, Mrs. Bridget Oyesefo-Odusami, said it was high time people knew that down syndrome was not a disease, but a challenge, which through love and support, can ensure that persons living with the challenge were free to socialise and contribute positively to the society.

According to her, families with children living with down syndrome should not be shy to bring the children out to mix up, as this could be a way of enhancing the ability in them. “These children don’t have disability, but special ability, which every one should bring out in them,” she noted.

HIGHLIGHTS

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Nigeria 6-0 Australia, Brazil 1-0 New Zealand - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015

Appeal court dismisses Saraki’s suit against CCT trial

BVN: Banks to Deactivate Unregistered Accounts as Deadline Expires Friday (Yesterday)

TSA: First Bank pays N1.877bn fine to CBN

Devaluation of Naira not an option, says Osinbajo

S.Africa launches insider trading probe over MTN’s Nigeria fine

We’re not considering naira devaluation, CBN gov insists

Five customs’ deputy comptrollers resign

Only 10m Nigerians so far captured in National Identity project

Court stops FG from winding up PHCN

Kanu: Brazil Can’t Stop Golden Eaglets

Iheanacho Makes League Cup Team Of The Round

Seven-Star Osimhen Dedicates Goal To Tobechukwu

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Nigeria 6-0 Australia, Brazil 1-0 New Zealand - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015

Watch Highlights: Nigeria v. Australia - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015

Highlights: Brazil v. New Zealand - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015

Healthy eating is not about strict dietary limitations, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your outlook, and stabilizing your mood. If you feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting nutrition and diet advice out there, you’re not alone. It seems that for every expert who tells you a certain food is good for you, you’ll find another saying exactly the opposite. But by using these simple tips, you can cut through the confusion and learn how to create a tasty, varied, and healthy diet that is as good for your mind as it is for your body.

“Instead of emphasizing one nutrient, we need to move to food-based recommendations. What we eat should be whole, minimally processed, nutritious food—food that is in many cases as close to its natural form as possible.”

–Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University

How does healthy eating affect mental and emotional health?

We all know that eating right can help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid certain health problems, but your diet can also have a profound effect on your mood and sense of wellbeing. Studies have linked eating a typical Western diet—filled with processed meats, packaged meals, takeout food, and sugary snacks—with higher rates of depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Eating an unhealthy diet may even play a role in the development of mental health disorders such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia, or in the increased risk of suicide in young people.

MUSIC: Jesus Just The Mention Of Your Name - Jimmy Swaggart

Please kindly share your comments with us. We will be so glad if you do. Thanks in anticipation.

AEROBICS: 10 minute morning workout with Jamie Isaac

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY: Galatians 6:7

Have a great day

Friday, 30 October 2015

WikiLeaks released a batch of emails from the CIA chief's personal account

WikiLeaks says that it has obtained the contents of CIA Director John Brennan's non-government email account, and that it will be releasing documents from the account over the coming days.
Brennan's SF86 form — an extensive form filled out by anyone who wants government security clearance — was uploaded onto WikiLeaks' website, along with other documents Brennan appears to have authored.

These include "The Conundrum of Iran," in which Brennan apparently recommends to the next President how best to negotiate with Iran, and a draft of an intel-position paper Brennan wrote in 2007.

The leak includes emails sent to Brennan that were found in his inbox, including a letter from the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to fellow board members with a proposal regarding interrogation methods.

A document apparently from the emails previously released included the social security numbers of some government employees.

Three California churches have filed a complaint against the state over a recently implemented health insurance provision mandating the coverage of elective abortions.

Foothill Church of Glendora, Calvary Chapel in Chino, and Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch filed the complaint last Friday in U.S. District Court. The suit, filed against the director of the California Department of Managed Health Care, seeks injunctive relief from the abortion mandate.

"Plaintiffs believe, as a matter of religious conviction, that it would be sinful and immoral for them intentionally to pay for, participate in, facilitate, or otherwise support abortion, which they believe destroys innocent human life," reads the complaint.

"Because federal law requires plaintiffs to offer health insurance to their employees, the mandate illegally and unconstitutionally coerces plaintiffs to violate their religious beliefs under threat of heavy fines and penalties."

Having lost his Republican frontrunner status to Ben Carson, presidential candidate Donald Trump sought to compare his Presbyterian faith with that of his rival's Seventh-Day Adventist affiliation.

At a campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Trump said, "I love Iowa. And, look, I don't have to say it, I'm Presbyterian. Can you believe it? Nobody believes I'm Presbyterian. I'm Presbyterian. I'm Presbyterian. I'm Presbyterian."

Trump added, according to The Washington Post, "Boy, that's down the middle of the road folks, in all fairness. I mean, Seventh-day Adventist, I don't know about. I just don't know about."

34 Healthy Breakfasts for Busy Mornings - Part 3

21. Egg and Cheese Cups
Fried eggs are great, but what about baking a whole egg with veggies and cheese and skipping the added oil? Try making a pan of these egg and cheese cups at the beginning of the week and bringing one along each day. (Tip: If you use the individual silicone muffin molds, it makes the egg cups even more portable for on-the-go snacking.)

22. Homemade Instant Oatmeal
For anyone with a microwave or hot water at their disposal, these customized instant oatmeal packets are fantastic to have on hand. Instead of purchasing pre-made oatmeal packets, assemble your own in Ziploc baggies using whole rolled oats, cinnamon, and mix-ins like raisins and nuts.

23. Frozen Nutty Banana

Say banan-YEAH to this healthy snack. Cut 1 firm (but ripe) banana in half and un-peal, arrange on a small baking sheet or freezer-safe plate, and spread each half with 1 tablespoon almond butter evenly (on the sides not touching the plate). Here’s the fun part: Stick whatever toppings you like on top of the almond butter—our favorites are granola, chia seeds, or flax seeds and cinnamon. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the cut end of each half, and freeze until solid (at least 2-3 hours).

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY: Galatians 6:9

Have a great day.

Thursday, 29 October 2015

NEWS ROUND AM (All in one News): Golden Eaglets maul Australia 6-0, Amaechi confirmed as Minister and many more.

HIGHLIGHTS

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria maul Australia 6 nil

Amaechi confirmed as Minister, PDP Senators kicks and 17 other Nominees also confirmed.

Martins, Ighalo included in Super Eagles 23 Man List for the World Cup Qualifying fixture against Swaziland

Keleshi Iheanacho also invited

Senate confirms Prof. Yakubu, 5 others as INEC chair, fed. commissioners

Buhari to Indians: I'll not tolerate importation of sub-standard drugs, foods.

Golden Eaglet maul Australia 6 nil

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke must be proud of his boys as they recovered from the surprising 1-2 loss to Croatia at the last match of the group stage to record an emphatic victory over Australia. The Nigeria U-17 National Team was in imperious form early hours of today as they walloped their Australian counterpart by 6 goals to nothing.

The opening stage of the match was a cagey affair until the 22nd minutes when the Eagles broke loose with a well taken goal by the tournament leading scorer Victor Osimhen, when he cut in the Australian defence, turning his defender and slotted the ball past the goal keeper.

Funsho Bamgboye had earlier hit the post with a terrific shot from the edge of the penalty area as Nigeria’s first effort narrowly failed to break the deadlock.

A migrant who spoke about his conversion to Christianity was reportedly beaten unconscious with a baton by Muslim refugees inside a German camp.

The unnamed 24-year-old Iranian was saved by more than a dozen onlookers who pulled the attacker off of him, according to the Daily Express,

Security officials in Hamburg-Eidelstedt, Germany, have opened an investigation into the near-fatal attack.

Western countries in Europe and North America continue to debate what role they will play in admitting refugees fleeing IS in the Middle East. The Obama administration has been criticized by human rights groups for its pledge to take only take up-to 10,000 refguees, despite the fact that the U.S. has given close to $4 billion in terms of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees.

Christian leaders in the U.K. have also expressed concerns that their government's policies are discriminating against Christian refugees in favor of Muslims.

When Kirk Franklin announced that his 11th studio album would be called Losing My Religion, the title and viewpoints that came along with it sparked mixed reaction.

Now, Franklin is further explaining why he believes people should focus on their relationship with Christ more than anything else.

"Religion, throughout the years, has become a very oppressive thing that doesn't allow people to get to know the God it was created to try to lead them to. So basically, it's just like marriage cannot guarantee intimacy, religion doesn't guarantee relationship," the 45-year-old recording artist, songwriter and producer said on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" recently.

"It doesn't guarantee you're going to have a loving relationship with God. So God becomes this distant person that's always pointing at my sins, always beating me up and you never know Him as a friend and as a father."

A new ad campaign launched Wednesday warned voters in Houston, Texas that they could face up to $5,000 in fines if they object to men using women's bathrooms under the city's controversial LGBT "Equal Rights" bathroom ordinance known as Proposition 1 on the ballot in the upcoming Nov. 3 elections.

The ad, produced by the Family Freedom Fund, a super PAC affiliated with the Family Research Council Action, shows $5,000 in cash being flushed down a toilet, and urges Houston voters to vote "no" on Proposition 1.

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins said that while the ad draws attention to the bathroom issue, voting against Proposition 1 is also about religious liberty.

The head of TalkTalk said she has received a ransom demand from someone claiming to be responsible for a "significant and sustained cyberattack" on the company's website.

Millions of TalkTalk customers have been warned their personal data such as bank details, credit cards reports and phone numbers may have been breached during the attack.

TalkTalk Chief executive Dido Harding has now claimed the company has been contacted by people who say they are responsible for the attack and demanding payment. Harding told the BBC: "Yes, we have been contacted by – I don't know whether it's an individual or a group purporting to be the hacker.

"I personally received a contact from someone purporting – as I say, I don't know whether they are or are not – to be the hacker, looking for money." A spokesperson added: "We can confirm we were contacted by someone claiming to be responsible and seeking payment."

34 Healthy Breakfasts for Busy Mornings - Part 2

11. Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
Take a classic baked loaf and make it into oatmeal with this recipe! Adding shredded zucchini to oatmeal is a great way to fit in an extra serving of veggies. Throw on a handful of toasted walnuts or pecans for some added crunch.

12. Quinoa Fruit Salad
Spice up a plain old fruit cup with a scoop of quinoa. Toss the whole shebang around until the quinoa is evenly distributed through the fruit. Add a scoop of plain yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a little extra body.

13. Oatmeal Squares
Oatmeal is a great option for a hearty snack or breakfast, but what’s the best way to make it into a more convenient and portable snack? Bake it into squares!

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY: Romans 8:28

Have a great day.

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Cancer: Breaking Through the Church's Wall of Silence

Cancer is a word no one wants to hear. Yet statistics show half of all men and a third of all women will receive the bad news.

Churches should be a sanctuary for support. However, in many cases, people suffer in silence as they cope with their illness.

Now the Cancer Treatment Centers of America is offering a free program to break down the wall of silence.

Breaking the Silence

After years of counseling cancer patients, Rev. Percy McCray knows they bear a burden unlike people fighting other illnesses.

"Psychologically and emotionally, cancer patients, particularly people of faith, are struggling with their faith at that point," he explained. "'What did I do wrong? Is there something I did that caused God to punish me?'"

Thanks to his training, McCray knows the importance of encouragement. One conversation helped him realize others need to learn these skills, too.

"The patient shared with me that they were impacted more by the support they received at the bedside of our hospital than they did at their local church," he recalled.

Refugees: Sweden's Deadly Double Standard against Christians

While Europe has welcomed in thousands of Syrians, mostly Muslims, it's a different story for Pakistani Christians. In Sweden, many are being ordered to return home -- and some may face death.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim migrants have sought a better life in Europe. Pakistani Faisal Javaid became a Christian after he arrived in Sweden.

"I don't have any more belief in Islam," he told CBN News.

Javaid fell in love with Eka, a Christian woman from the country of Georgia who introduced him to Christ. He was baptized last April, but unlike many other migrants, Javaid soon faced rejection from his host country.

When Deportation Means Death

The word is out: If you are a Muslim and you're from Syria, you are welcome in Sweden -- there's an open border. But if you are a Christian and you are from Pakistan, you may as well pack your bags and go home.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged banks to ensure they employ staff based on integrity rather than on high business targets so as to reduce the number of fraud cases in the banking sector and prevent fraudsters from getting into the banking system.

This was disclosed by Ibrahim Shazali, of the Bank Fraud Section of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who noted that fraudsters had gained access into the financial system as banks emphasised more on deposit mobilisation for staff.

Making this known at a three day workshop organized by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for
finance journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, he categorically challenged banks to ensure that they conduct thorough integrity background checks on individuals before they are employed.

Rod Parsley was diagnosed with throat cancer. It's not a big secret, though he has not been speaking much about it publicly—until now.

Rod Parsley is beating throat cancer.

Now, the TV host, evangelist, educator, humanitarian and statesman has shared his story with Charisma News. In part one of this interview, he shares how he discovered he had cancer, the battle that raged against his mind and how he used the Bible to battle against radiation side effects. Stay tuned to Charisma News for part two.

Charisma News: When did you discover you had throat cancer?

Parsley: Back in early May, I started experiencing what I thought was a sore throat just from allergies or whatever and visited our family doctor. For about a month he had me on some medication for that. It didn't go away so he then said, "Let's have it scoped," which I've done many times as a professional who uses my voice for a living and for God's kingdom. So they did a scope and saw some abnormalities and didn't think there was much to it.

Charisma News: But there was...

Parsley: It was a squamous cell carcinoma. It was pretty devastating news. The doctor took a look at it and said, "I'm not going to touch this as a surgeon. This is cancer, and the best option for people who make their living speaking is they go through radiation treatment. This was pretty devastating news, and I didn't know what all that meant. At that moment, you have to stand so firmly on your faith and not allow yourself to hear all the voices going on in your mind.

Ancient Words - Michael W Smith

A good music to start the day with. The power of God's holy words.

34 Healthy Breakfasts for Busy Mornings - Part 1

When it comes to breakfast, the options are endless. Pancakes or waffles? Bacon and eggs? Muffin, followed by a pastry? So why limit chowing down on delicious breakfast foods to the morning hours? Here are 34 healthier snack options to keep filling those breakfast food cravings all month long.

1. Avocado Toast With Egg
Sometimes, simple is just better. In this recipe, 2 slices of whole-grain bread, lightly toasted, topped with smashed avocado and a sprinkling of salt and pepper makes for a flavorful and rich base. Top that with two sunny-side-up eggs for a healthy dose of protein, and you've got a well-rounded breakfast. Stack 'em in a tupperware container for easy transport or cook the yolks a bit more and make the whole thing into a sandwich.

2. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Smoothies are a perfect on-the-go snack any time of day. Blend 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 cup almond milk, and a few ice cubes. If this is a morning snack, keep it in a tight-sealing container and throw it in a gym or work bag. For an afternoon boost, prep it the night before and freeze, remove in the morning, and it will be thawed and ready to enjoy after lunch. Tip: Add a scoop of your favorite chocolate or vanilla protein for an extra protein boost.

3. Zapped Scrambled Eggs With Veggies
Yes, it’s possible to make really good scrambled eggs in the microwave. And it’s easy! Beat 2 eggs, throw in a microwave-safe container, add 1 handful of your favorite veggies (cherry tomatoes and spinach leaves work well), and a sprinkle of cheese. Zap the mixture for 30 seconds, stir, and cook another 30 seconds, or until eggs are solid. Throw a top on the container to eat later, or store the raw mixture in a fridge until ready to heat and eat.

4. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
One of the easiest, healthiest, and tastiest breakfasts out there is a classic fruit and yogurt parfait. The best part? It can be made with any toppings you like. Try choosing fruits that are in season for the most flavorful options. (Try our stone fruit salad for summer, and opt for apples come fall).

5. Breakfast Burrito
Who doesn’t love a burrito? Breakfast burritos are a great, easy snack to keep on hand. Scramble 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup black beans, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 2 tablespoons shredded cheese, and wrap in 1 small whole-wheat tortilla. Make a bunch, wrap in foil, and keep in the freezer for whenever the craving hits. Protein from the eggs and black beans keep you fuller longer, and the spicy salsa keeps things interesting.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY: Matthew 7:12

Wishing you a great day

Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Pastor Greg Laurie: 5 Reasons Why God Allows Suffering in Believers' Lives

It's true that sometimes things seem hopeless, even to believers, but the Bible offers clarity and perspective as well as tells us the purposes and reasons for the trials in our life, Pastor Greg Laurie of the California megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship explained to his congregation in a sermon.

If you want to be a growing Christian, you should read, study and love God's Word; you need to have a prayer life; and you must be actively involved in the church, Laurie told the congregation as he began his message, "Why Does God Allow Trials in the Life of the Believer?"

Laurie preached these three essentials of Christian growth in his previous sermon series, called, "What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know."

Taking the series forward, the pastor said it takes time to grow spiritually. "It doesn't happen overnight." And sometimes, you come to a point where you don't feel God's presence as you felt it earlier, he added.

But "why do we go through trials and emotional lows?" he asked.

To explain, he quoted James 1:2-4, which says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Laurie said there are five reasons why God allows trials.

One, God allows trials in our lives so that we will grow up spiritually, he said.

Laurie explained that he goes to the gym, although he doesn't like to workout, so that he can grow physically. You break down your muscles to build them up, and so is true in our spiritual lives as well, he added. "Trials are God's gym where you're broken down to be built up. … You won't like it, but you will like the results."

Six churches in St. Louis, Missouri have been set on fire in the last two weeks with investigators confirming that all the incidents were arson attacks motivated either by religion or race.

The first fire was at the Bethel Nondenominational Church in Jennings, St. Louis on Oct. 8, according to the Associated Press.

This was followed by the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church, St. Augustine Catholic Church, New Testament Church of Christ, New Life Missionary Baptist Church and Ebenezer Lutheran Church.

Five of them are black churches while the other one is racially mixed.

Authorities are now determining if the arsonist targeted religion or race.

Hate crime "is part of the dynamic" of the probe, said St. Louis Fire Capt. Garon Mosby. He told KTVI that "it is arson."

"These are being intentionally set. This is not spontaneous combustion, so they are not occurring on their own," he said.

Rev. David Triggs of the New Life Missionary Baptist Church described the attacker as someone who "is a spiritually sick person."

"This is a sin issue. It's not a race issue," he said. In each case, the front doors were set on fire.

The Syrian government sells passports and birth certificates at affordable prices. Many migrants have no passport, no ID, and refuse to give fingerprints.

Because Islam is the heart of the culture of people formerly colonized, Europeans rejected criticism of Islam, saying it would blend smoothly into a multicultural Europe. They did not demand the assimilation of the Muslims who came to live in Europe. Much of the time, Muslims are not assimilated -- and often show signs of not wanting to assimilate.

Any criticism of Islam in Europe is treated as a form of racism, and "Islamophobia" is considered a crime or a sign of mental illness.

European people still have the right to vote, but are deprived of most of their power: all important political decisions in Europe are made behind closed doors by technocrats and professional politicians in Brussels or Strasbourg.

Europe has renounced force, so to many, it appears weak, vulnerable and easily able to be overpowered.

The sudden arrival of hundreds of thousands more Muslims most likely prompts Europeans to think that the nightmare will get worse; they see, powerlessly, that their leaders speak and act as if they have no awareness of what is happening.

Central European leaders and people, who have already lived under authoritarian rule, seem to be thinking that entering the European Union was a huge mistake. They came to what was then called the "free world." They do not seem willing to be subjected again to coercive decisions made by outsiders.

Illegal Muslim migrants will live on social benefits until the bankruptcy of welfare states.

In all 28 countries of the European Union, birth rates are low and the population is aging. People under thirty account for only 16% of the population, or 80 million people. In the 22 Arab countries, plus Turkey and Iran, people under thirty account for 70% of the population, or 350 million people.

The flow of illegal migrants does not stop. They land on the Greek islands along the Turkish coast. They still try to get into Hungary, despite a razor wire fence and mobilized army. Their destination is Germany or Scandinavia, sometimes France or the UK. Some of them still arrive from Libya. Since the beginning of January, more than 620,000 have arrived by sea alone. There will undoubtedly be many more: a leaked secret document estimates that by the end of December, there might be 1.5 million.

Journalists in Western Europe continue to depict them as "refugees" fleeing war in Syria. The description is false. According to statistics released by the European Union, only twenty-five percent of them come from Syria; the true number is probably lower. The Syrian government sells passports and birth certificates at affordable prices. The vast majority of migrants come from other countries: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Eritrea, Somalia, and Nigeria.

Start the day with Morning Exercises with Denise Austin, Retro Aerobics Cardio Workout

Exercises are good for you. The best time is early in the morning. But if by any reason you cannot, you can still do it later in the day.

Have a Great day

Monday, 26 October 2015

Hajj deaths 'almost triple' official Saudi toll

A crush near Mecca last month killed nearly three times as many people as Saudi Arabia has admitted, according to a tally by the Associated Press (AP).

AP said on Monday that at least 2,110 people died in the tragedy at the annual Hajj pilgrimage - far more than the official Saudi death toll of 769.

The new figure comes from media reports and statements from 30 countries who lost citizens, AP said.

The crush was the deadliest incident to strike the Hajj in 25 years.

Saudi officials have not updated their death toll - or the number of injured, which stands at 934 - since 25 September.

Iran says it lost 465 of its citizens, making it the worst affected nation. Many of the dead also came from Africa: Nigeria said it lost 199 people, while Mali lost 198, and Egypt 192, according to the AP count.

The AP tally comes after Saudi officials said they held a meeting about the disaster late on Sunday night.

Illinois School Sparks Controversy by Making Students Learn Muslim Vocabulary Words

An Illinois school is under fire for including Muslim words on vocabulary lists for its students.

Charisma News reports that the vocabulary list at High Mount School in Illinois includes words like “jihad, Islam, Muhammad,” and “Koran.”

High Mount superintendent Mark Halwachs said the words were included in the students’ vocabulary lists as a way to encourage tolerance.

“You have to look at the age group and your students, and to me you can talk about different things in the world and teach about tolerance,” Halwachs said.

Authorities in Indonesia’s Aceh region have started to tear down churches following last week’s religious violence that left at least one person dead and forced thousands of Christians to flee.

Clashes broke out after Islamic hardliners burned down a church in Aceh Singkil on 13 Oct. According to local church leader Rev. Erde Berutu, “around 8,000” fled into the bordering province of Northern Sumatra.

Muslim residents had demanded that unlicensed churches in the area be pulled down, citing a lack of building permits, but religious and political figures – including Christians – agreed at a meeting on 12 Oct. to close the houses of worship. Police started tearing down the churches with axes and sledgehammers on the morning of 19 Oct.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, although Aceh is its only province to implement Islamic Sharia law. The national government had granted Aceh autonomy as part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of separatist violence. The agreement was signed eight months after Aceh was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami.

A church choir in Oakland, California has been accused of being a “public nuisance” and the church has been threatened with a $3,500 fine if the choir does not practice more quietly.

The Christian Examiner reports that the letter to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church from the city stated, “This activity may constitute a public nuisance due to its impact to the use and quiet enjoyment of the surrounding community's property."

The letter said the city may impose a $3,500 fine on the church if the choir does not comply with the demands for quieter practice, with an additional fee of $500 per day.

"Kind of hard to believe because we've been here about 65 years in the community and all of a sudden we get some concerns about the noise," said Thomas A. Harris III, the pastor of Pleasant Grove.

Harris, along with other pastors in the community, believe that the complaint against the choir is due to the changing demographics of the city. The city is going through the process of gentrification and the new residents are more particular about the choir’s singing.

The amazing testimony of "braveheart" musician sheila walsh and the sinister cost of mental illness

"I just wept... when you've been reduced to nothing and in that moment discover how loved you are by God, it was like hearing everything for the first time. I had very little, but I felt as if I had everything." -Sheila Walsh

For many, Sheila Walsh's life epitomizes success. Coming originally from Scotland, as a talented singer, Sheila had her own television show on BBC TV in London, and then after moving to the States, she became the co-host with Pat Roberson of the 700 Club, while at weekends, Sheila would have sold-out concerts across the country.

Besides that, she is a powerful Bible teacher and best-selling author with over 5 million books sold. And her international ministry has reached more than 5.5 million women by combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with the transforming power of God's Word.

But, despite all of that success, Sheila, who now lives in Texas, has had to deal with mental health issues, and after speaking recently about her own battle with mental health at Rick and Kay Warren's recent Gathering on Mental Health and the Church (October 8-9) at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, she bravely shared with me in an interview about her own story.

I began by asking Sheila why she had spoken at the conference, and she replied, "There are two reasons. One is because I personally suffer from that problem. I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression about 23 years ago and I think I struggled with it long before I was ever diagnosed. I was prescribed medication all those years ago and I still take it to this day. I take that little pill every morning with a prayer of thanksgiving that God has provided help in this world for us who need it.

"And I know that there's help available for people, but over the last 20 years, traveling around the States with Women of Faith and talking to other women, the very moment that I say from the stage that I suffer with depression and I take medication, it's like it unlocks a key into other women's lives and they'll come up and say 'this is the first time I've ever told anyone about this.'

Age, ordination as Pastor has affected my roles in Nollywood – Zack Orji

Veteran Nollywood actor, Mr. Zack Orji, has explained why he has not been fully involved in the movie industry, which brought him to the limelight. He noted that it is because he is now a ‘man of God’.

The actor said unlike in the past when he was a regular face on the silver screens, he is hardly into filming lately.

In a recent chat on City People Magazine, the legendary actor admitted that age has limited his acceptance of several movie roles that jostle for his attention.

According to him, “In 2012, I accepted to be ordained as a man of God.

“When my pastor approached me with the offer, I gladly grabbed it without questioning.

“Even before my ordination, I had been receiving invitations from different places to come and minister,” he noted.

Earlier this month, I went through a massive witchcraft attack. My mind was clouded. My eyes were burning. My body was worn out. People were attacking me with unfounded accusations. I had a low-grade headache that lasted for days.

I've literally written a book on witchcraft and I did everything I knew to do. In the end, all I could do was stand. I recently heard that the late prophet Bob Jones once said that weeping breaks witchcraft. That's something I intend to study, but one thing I know by experience is that the anointing breaks the yoke. The witchcraft finally broke at our miracle service at Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale.

As I said in last week's column—"5 Clear Signs Witchcraft Is Attacking You Right Now"—I believe witchcraft is one of the powers in the hierarchy of demons Paul listed in Ephesians 6:12. Just as the Holy Spirit is the power of God, witchcraft is a power of the enemy.

Witchcraft attacks often start with imaginations. Witchcraft plants seeds of deception through imaginations. These voices tell you things like "What's the use?", "Nothing will ever change," "I can't do anything right," and "I don't feel like going to church. I want to be alone." With that said, here are three more signs you are under a witchcraft attack right now.

1. Angry and frustrated. When witchcraft attacks, you may feel angry and frustrated. You feel like people and things are standing in your way. You may get mad at yourself, mad at the devil or even mad at God. You're sick and tired of your circumstances, but what you don't realize is that the enemy is magnifying your circumstances with distorted mirrors and smoke that clouds reality. When this happens, just keep acknowledging the Lord. He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:6).

Hungary shuts border to refugee to preserve "Christian values"

A first bus full of migrants arrived at a Slovenian border crossing with Croatia on Saturday, the Slovenian police said, after Hungary shut its border with Croatia late on Friday, diverting them towards Slovenia.

Hungary's action to close its southern border is indicative of Europe's disjointed response to the flow of people fleeing war and poverty.

Slovenian police said the bus had arrived at a border crossing from Croatia and that the passengers would be registered.

But Slovenia has cancelled all rail traffic with fellow European Union member and former Yugoslav republic Croatia, potentially slowing the movement of people just as autumn winds and rain are sweeping through the Balkans.

Forty-three buses packed with migrants, many of them refugees from the war in Syria, were stacked up at Serbia's western border with Croatia in the village of Berkasovo, a Reuters reporter said. Croatia had only allowed five buses to enter in the morning and some had been queuing through the night.

Some aggrieved members of the Assemblies of God Church have dragged the church’s factional General Superintendent, Rev. Chidi Okoroafor and six others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged embezzlement and fraudulent diversion of funds.

The petition was written by Barr. Eli Ugwu on behalf of the Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Ramsey Ogagaoghene, Bright Arukwe, Clement Esochaghi, Oliver Udensi and Sunday Palma.

It also called on the commission to investigate Rev. Vincent Alaje, Rev. Femi Adegoke, Mr. Dickson Ukpai, Mr. Michael Ugbor, Elder Mike Okoro and Tony Ewelike.

According to the allegations, Rev. Vincent Alaje, former general treasurer of the church until August 6, 2014 but currently the treasurer of Rev. Chidi Okoroafor led faction of the church, “unilaterally spent about N115, 000,000 belonging to the church illegally and on unauthorized business without approval from the General Superintendent.

For about a month after he returned from England last year, a Montclair State University professor did not realize what a treasure he had found in a rare books library at Cambridge University.

While abroad, Jeffrey A. Miller, an assistant professor of English at the New Jersey school, had acquainted himself with some of the 70 pages of a notebook that had belonged to Samuel Ward, a 17th-century biblical scholar. But it wasn’t until Miller returned home, and made a more thorough study of photographs he had taken of its pages, that he understood how stunning a discovery he had made.

The notebook held draft portions of the most enduring English translation of the Bible: the King James Version, which was published in 1611 and named for the newly ascended King James I.

“I am not even sure I believed it initially,” said Miller, describing the moment when he figured out he had seen draft pages from the most widely read work in all of English, including Shakespeare.

“It seems beyond belief to think you could be looking at a draft of the King James Bible, much less a draft unlike any other draft that we previously had, much less the earliest draft of the King James Bible,” he said.

TESTIMONY: From the Bahá’í Faith to Porn to Alpha to Jesus

God has been faithful all during my winding journey to complete surrender.

I always wanted to be self-made. Raised in Caledonia, Ontario, I was identified in third grade as gifted, and from then on was keenly aware that I should “act smart.” I only participated in things I knew I would do well, and did my best to control all factors that could sabotage perfection. If I got a 93 on an essay, I demanded that the teacher tell me how I lost 7 points. For group projects, I asked my classmate to bring only the presentation board—and brought a backup board just in case. By age 17, I saw myself as a teenager who had everything under control.

Heading to college in London, Ontario, I was eager to be a grown-up. And the ultimate marker of my new independence, I thought, would be joining the Bahá’í faith. A local assembly met in Caledonia, and some of my closest friends were raised in Bahá’í homes, so I was already familiar with the faith. I remember leaving Bahá’í events buoyed by the leaders’ optimism about the future: no more war, poverty, or racism. One language, one currency, and equality of the sexes. It sounded perfect.

The Bahá’í faith grew out of Islamic culture in 19th-century Persia. A merchant, Sayyid Ali Muhammad, claimed to be the long-awaited Báb (“Gate”) to the knowledge of the twelfth Imam. Just before the Báb was executed, he appointed one of his followers as his successor. The new leader’s half-brother would declare himself Bahá’u’lláh (literally “the glory of God”).

According to the tenets of the Bahá’í faith, all major religions before 1863 were founded by “Manifestations of God.” So Adam, Noah, Krishna, Moses, Abraham, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and the Báb are all manifestations, with Bahá’u’lláh being the final and complete manifestation. The most appealing belief to me: a new order led by Bahá’í leaders that would usher in world peace.

"Welcome to witchcraft season. This is the time of year when people start attacking and accusing you for no reason, rebelling against authority, and otherwise walking in the flesh. Take authority over it in the name of Jesus. Don't bow to the intimidation and manipulation. And by all means, don't tap into it! I'll be writing more about this next week."

On Oct. 2, I offered that simple exhortation on my Facebook page. Of course, I was flooded with responses from the saints—some of whom were battling witchcraft in that moment and some of whom had never heard of spiritual witchcraft. I believe witchcraft is one of the powers in the hierarchy of demons Paul listed in Ephesians 6:12. Just as the Holy Spirit is the power of God, witchcraft is a power of the enemy.

Webster's Dictionary defines witchcraft as an irresistible influence or fascination—and the Bible warns us not to be bewitched: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified" (Gal. 3:1)

Obviously, there is a spiritual force that the Bible is warning us about. It causes us to take leave of our senses. Witchcraft releases strong confusion against our minds so that Jesus is not the clear focus of our lives. Once that happens, we are more vulnerable to the vain imaginations the enemy whispers to our souls. We have a responsibility to know about this spiritual wickedness and guard ourselves against it. With that said, here are eight signs you are under a witchcraft attack right now.

An elderly Christian woman who was stabbed multiple times during a terrorist attack on a bus in Jerusalem, Israel, that left two people dead and at least 16 others injured on Tuesday says she is convinced she is alive today because she called on Jesus as her attacker plunged his blade into her body.

According to a One for Israel report two terrorists boarded the No. 78 bus in the Armon haNatziv (East Talpiyot) neighborhood of Jerusalem, one armed with a knife, the other with a gun. They then began shooting and stabbing the passengers, including the elderly woman identified as Marike Veldman in a report by Alfred Muller in Reformatorisch Dagblad.

Veldman, who is originally from the Netherlands but has lived in Israel for many years, said when the terrorists boarded the bus one of them sat in front of her until things quickly turned ugly.

"They began to cry 'Allahu Akbar.' The man in front of me began with a knife stabbing into me. The other man started shooting. People screamed very loudly. It was awful. I cried constantly in Dutch: 'Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus! Help me, help me!'" she said from her bed at the Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem. When she did this, she said her attacker "ran away to the back of the bus."

Muller explained that Veldman, who is also a nurse, is certain her cries to the Lord saved her life. She is now recovering from a collapsed lung and wounds she suffered to her shoulder and hand during the attack.

Christian Aid Mission has said that Islamic State militants are disguising themselves as refugees at some U.N.-operated refugee camps in Jordan, where they are killing people and selling girls. One such terrorist reportedly abandoned his mission to murder people after seeing the "love of Christians" at the camps.

"The Muslim gangs come as refugees, but they have their agendas," one ministry director, whose name wasn't shared, told the aid group. "They're like a mafia. People are even killed inside the camps, and the refugees are afraid to say if they saw somebody get killed. If you ask them, they'll say, 'I don't know, I was asleep.'"

Millions of people are fleeing Syria and Iraq, looking to escape civil war and IS. Many are presently stationed in neighboring countries, such as Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon, where refugee camps have provided shelter, but not much else, the ministry director said.

"The last time I went inside a camp, I had a policeman with me," he added. "The camps are dangerous because they have IS, Iraqi militias and Syrian militias. It's another place for gangs. They're killing inside the camps, and they're buying and selling ladies and even girls."

IS fighters have persecuted religious minorities, including Christians, to a great extent, in many cases forcing them to convert to their version of radical Islam, or be beheaded. The ministry director suggested that the practice continues inside the camps where IS has taken root.