New YouVersion App ‘Bible Lens’ Gets Over 265,000 Installs in 3 Days

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New YouVersion App ‘Bible Lens’ Gets Over 265,000 Installs in 3 Days

(Photo: Courtesy of Life.Church)YouVersion Bible App

A new free app from the people behind YouVersion Bible App has gotten more than 265,000 installations in less than three days, making it the second most installed app.

Known as the Bible Lens, the free app was launched last Friday. By Sunday evening, Bible Lens was number two on the most installed apps, second only to YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream and ahead of free apps like Messenger, Snapchat, and Instagram.

The Bible Lens app takes relevant Bible verses and matches them with a person’s photos, creating visually appealing, sharable artwork, the creators say.

Bobby Gruenewald, founder of YouVersion and a pastor at Life.Church, said in a statement that while “technologies emerge and create new possibilities, it’s important to us that the Bible be at the forefront of innovation.”

“We believe Bible Lens will make it easier for people to see connections between the Bible and their everyday lives, and we’re encouraged by the number of people who have shown an interest in engaging with the Bible in this way,” stated Gruenewald.

The launch of Bible Lens comes weeks after YouVersion celebrated its 10th anniversary, having been launched on July 10, 2008.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Turkey imposes sanctions on US over imprisoned American pastor

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Turkey imposes sanctions on US over imprisoned American pastor

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the decision in Ankara during his ‘100 days performance’ meeting on Saturday and said Turkey had been “patient” since the US sanctions were imposed.

“Those who think that they can make Turkey take a step back with ridiculous sanctions have never known this country or this nation,” Mr Erdogan said.

 

“We have never bowed our heads to such pressure and will never do so.”

Andrew Brunson, a 50 year old evangelical pastor from Black Mountain in North Carolina, was arrested in December 2016 and later charged with links to a failed plot to overthrow the Turkish government in July 2016.

He faces a prison sentence of up to 35 years if he is convicted of espionage and terror-related charges.

Despite the announcement of sanctions, Erdogan called for a return to the two country’s partnership.

Mr Erdogan insisted the row over the pastor shouldn’t come between the two country’s relationships.

“We think there is no problem we cannot solve with the American administration,” he said.

 

President Donald Trump and Vice…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Another Severe Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Killing 98

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Another Severe Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Killing 98


Another Severe Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Killing 98


A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia Sunday night, one week after the nation experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, which killed 15 and injured 162 people.


This earthquake struck the tourist island of Lombok, killing 98 people and injuring hundreds. Though very popular with visitors, those killed in the earthquake, Sunday, were Indonesian nationals. Officials are still searching for missing people among the rubble and estimate that the number of dead and injured persons will climb.


Due to the previous earthquake in Indonesia, last weekend, structures on the island of Lombokwere already weakened. This latest 6.9 magnitude quake caused buildings to crumble and collapse, killing and injuring those who fled to the streets.


The shocks of the earthquakes could be felt in Bali, another tourist island, neighboring Lombok, with aftershocks continuing through the night. The total of those killed in Bali due to the earthquake are only two at this time.


According to Indonesia’s Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, head of the Disaster Management Department, the number of those displaced by the earthquake has risen to 20,000.


Thousands of tourists who were visiting Lombok convened on the Gili Islands to be evacuated. Due to low tide, they were previously unable to leave, however, according to CNN, nine ships are now scheduled to transport them off the islands.


In addition to sea evacuation, the…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

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Willow Creek pastor quits over church’s handling of Bill Hybels allegations

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Willow Creek pastor quits over church’s handling of Bill Hybels allegations

Steve Carter (pictured above)who has been described as one of Hybels’ heirs, wrote on his blog that he had made the decision some time ago following the church’s handling of the allegations.

Hybels has been accused of sexual misconduct, with the latest claim being made in the New York Times that he indecently touched a former assistant.

 

While Hybels stood down from church ministry when the allegations first surfaced, he denied wrongdoing but apologised for being “unwise” and potentially misleading people.

Willow Creek has faced much criticism over its handling of the situation. Previous to the allegations being made public and internal investigation cleared him of any misconduct.

Ten women have now come forward with allegations.

Willow Creek/Flickr

 

Responding to the situation, Steve Carter wrote: “Since the first women came forward with their stories, I have been gravely concerned about our church’s official response, and its ongoing approach to these painful issues.

“After many frank conversations with our elders, it became clear that there is a fundamental difference in judgment between what I believe is necessary for Willow Creek to move in a positive direction, and what they think is best.

“That is not to say that I am right and they are wrong. But I must follow the path that I believe God has laid out for me to live with integrity,…

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‘We’re thrilled with God’s blessing’, Bible website marks 25 years

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‘We’re thrilled with God’s blessing’, Bible website marks 25 years

Founded in 1993 – when the internet was still in its infancy – Bible Gateway has since received more than 14 billion visits and grown to offer translations of scripture in more than 70 languages.

Content manager, Jonathan Petersen told Premier: “We’re thrilled with God’s blessing on Bible Gateway.

 

“You never know where God is going to take you.

“We’re just very happy with how people are interacting with us – and how they are able to use Bible Gateway for their own benefit, Bible reading and study.”

More than 200 versions of the Bible are now available on Bible Gateway, which also offers audio services featuring readers including David Suchet.

The service was originally used as internal Bible research computer tool for theology students at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Explaining how people use the free website in different ways, Jonathan Petersen said: “People will come and quickly look for a Bible verse. When they find, then they leave.

“Other people come to Bible Gateway on a regular basis. They are wanting to read different Bible translations side-by-side, comparing them.”

Click here to listen to Premier’s Tola Mbakwe speaking with Jonathan Petersen at Bible Gateway:

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like…

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Bill Hybels Faces New Allegations of Sex Abuse; Willow Creek’s Steve Carter Resigns

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Bill Hybels Faces New Allegations of Sex Abuse; Willow Creek’s Steve Carter Resigns

(Screenshot: Willowcreek.tv)Bill Hybels, founder of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, speaks to the congregation in October 2017.

Another woman has come forward and accused Willow Creek Community Church founding pastor Bill Hybels of groping and performing unwanted sex acts in the 1980s. Following the new allegations, Lead Teaching Pastor Steve Carter announced his resignation over disagreement with how the church has handled sexual misconduct allegations against Hybels. 

Hybels, who retired prematurely in April from Willow Creek Community Church, a nondenominational megachurch in Illinois, after several women accused him of sexual misconduct, which he denied, was the subject of fresh allegations in an article by The New York Times on Sunday.

Pat Baranowski, who says she served as Hybels’ gatekeeper, fielding calls from pastors across America, revealed that at first she felt blessed by God when in 1985 she was invited to move into the home of Hybels and his wife, Lynne.

On one occasion when she and Hybels were alone, however, she says that he groped her.

“Stunned, she remembered feeling unable to say no to her boss and pastor as he straddled her, unhooked her bra and touched her near her breasts. She remembered feeling his hands shake,” the…

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Why “The Bachelorette” is such a bad idea

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Why “The Bachelorette” is such a bad idea

It seems I could comment on celebrity news every morning.

For instance, Patrick Stewart “stunned” fans with his weekend announcement that he will play Captain Jean-Luc Picard in a new Star Trek series. Russia has named US actor Steven Seagal its special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties.

And two elderly men in Germany escaped their nursing home to attend a heavy metal rock concert. They were eventually discovered and escorted from the festival.

We might think tonight’s Bachelorette live finale fits into the same category–amusing but less than relevant to real life. Here’s why we’d be wrong.

Contestant shamed for his virginity

The Bachelorette has been on television for fifteen years. You probably know the premise: A woman is presented with a group of men who want to marry her. Various dates and activities narrow the group down to a final three contestants.

She then spends time in the “Fantasy Suite” with each of them, no cameras allowed. She usually has sex with each of the three men. (I will not link to articles explaining this fact since they are explicit.)

The “Bachelorette” then narrows the group to the final two and chooses the winner in the finale.

So much is wrong with this show. The idea that people could choose their life partner on the basis of contrived events in front of cameras is implausible in the extreme. (The Bachelor, which began in 2002, has produced only one couple that is still together. Only six couples from The Bachelorette are still together.)

The sexual message is especially troubling. The show teaches our children that having sex with someone before marrying them is both normal and wise. After all, our culture asks, how can you know if you’re “compatible”?

Sex before marriage is so endorsed by Hollywood that one of this season’s Bachelorette contestants was shamed for his virginity. Colton Underwood, a former football player who spent time with several NFL teams, was ridiculed by…

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Pacquiao references Bible to refute Pope's death penalty ruling

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Pacquiao references Bible to refute Pope's death penalty ruling

Christian professional boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao has reaffirmed his belief in capital punishment following the Pope declaring the death penalty unacceptable in all cases.

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Demi Lovato thanks God for being alive after suspected overdose

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Demi Lovato thanks God for being alive after suspected overdose

The singer, 25, wrote a message to fans on her Instagram page saying she had learned addiction is “not something that disappears or fades with time” and “it is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet”.

Lovato also thanked staff at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, where she was taken after falling ill at her home in the Hollywood Hills on 24th July.

 

She added: “I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well.

“I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery.

“The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting.”

Lovato was a child star and found fame on the TV series Barney & Friends before appearing in the Disney Channel film Camp Rock.

 

She has since gone on to be a multi-platinum pop star with hits such as Sorry Not Sorry, Skyscraper and Heart Attack.

Lovato has been open about her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and in June released a song, titled Sober, in which she indicated she had relapsed after six years of sobriety.

After reports emerged that New Mexico-born Lovato had been taken to hospital, the hashtag #PrayForDemi started trending on Twitter and celebrities including Ariana Grande, Cardi B and Nick Jonas tweeted messages of support.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a…

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Eight Areas Where Pastors Wish They Were Better Equipped

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I thank God for pastors. They are often criticized, second-guessed, underpaid, and expected to do too many things. Pastors would be perfect if they were simply omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

Indeed, the expectations of pastors can be overwhelming. In that light, I asked seasoned pastors to share with me the areas they wish they could be better prepared and better equipped. The results were voluminous, and the needs are great. Here are the top eight:

  1. Leading the church in evangelism/reaching the community. Many pastors felt as if evangelism and healthy growth are neglected topics. They admitted their own sense of inadequacy in leading their churches to reach more people with the gospel.
  2. Leadership development. Pastors know they can’t do the work of ministry alone. But many of them shared poignantly how they wish they could become better at developing leaders in the church. They understand both biblically and intuitively that more leaders are imperative for a church to be healthy.
  3. Finances/business issues/administration. “I never considered how much of church life is running an organization,” one pastor shared with us. “I was never trained for that aspect of ministry, and it has come back to haunt me again and again.” Another pastor confessed that he had never learned to balance his checkbook, but he was expected to lead a church with a half-million-dollar budget.
  4. Leading staff. We heard it again and again: “I have no idea how to lead my staff. I have no idea how to evaluate…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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