United Methodist Megachurch in Texas May Leave UMC Over Homosexuality Debate

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United Methodist Megachurch in Texas May Leave UMC Over Homosexuality Debate

(Photo: WV Photographer)Windsor Village United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas.

A predominantly African-American megachurch in Texas says it might leave the United Methodist Church amid the denomination’s ongoing debate over issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Windsor Village United Methodist Church of Houston, which has approximately 18,000 members, is undergoing a process of prayer and discernment for possibly leaving the UMC.

Floyd LeBlanc, chairman of the Windsor Village Staff-Parish Relations Committee, told The Christian Post in an interview on Wednesday that they were holding “a series of scheduled church gatherings, including an all-night prayer event.”

“We are praying continually and corporately,” explained LeBlanc. “We are also fasting as a congregation once a week.”

“We have invited guest speakers to bless, prepare and sustain us during this time. Bishop Tudor Bismark (from Africa) was with us recently and we look forward to a visit from Bishop Raphael Green (from Missouri).”

At issue was a concern that “the denomination may not remain the same” as a result of its internal debates, with LeBlanc adding that “our focus must remain on Christ and winning souls for Christ.”

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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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Filipino President Says He Will Resign if Someone Proves the Existence of God

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Filipino President Says He Will Resign if Someone Proves the Existence of God


Filipino President Says He Will Resign if Someone Proves the Existence of God


Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte turned up the heat in his feud with the Roman Catholic Church by questioning the existence of God and mocking basic Christian doctrines.


The President’s remarks came during a tirade about the church and her doctrines. He said he would resign if someone could prove to him that God existed. The proof he looks for could come in the form of a “selfie” or someone who was “able to talk to and see God.” He did admit that some kind of higher power must exist, otherwise the planets and stars would collide. 


His most recent comments came weeks after he angered many by asking “Who is this stupid God? This son of a b**** is then really stupid.” Then he opined about the church’s belief in original sin. “You were not involved but now you’re stained with an original sin … What kind of a religion is that? That’s what I can’t accept, very stupid proposition.” 


The President’s public comments about religion came after months of feuding between Duterte and Catholic bishops, many of whom have criticized his government’s approach to dealing with the nation’s drug problem. Police raids and crackdowns have left thousands dead and the bishops lamented that many of the poor who died were counted only as “casualties.” 


Duterte also claims a long history of disdain for organized religion because of the abuse he suffered at…

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

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Robert Morris’ Gateway Church Helps Save 4,600 Lives With Record-Breaking Blood Donations

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Robert Morris’ Gateway Church Helps Save 4,600 Lives With Record-Breaking Blood Donations

(Screenshot: Fox 4)Members of Gateway Church in Texas give blood in a weeks-long drive that continued into July 2018.

Not long after Pastor Robert Morris’ near-death experience, members of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, took part in a record-breaking blood donation drive that would save over 4,600 lives.

Since Morris’ return to the pulpit on June 2, almost two months after he nearly died due to internal bleeding, he has been encouraging his megachurch to donate blood to help others, stressing, “Someone giving blood is what saved my life.”

More than 1,500 people responded at Gateway Church’s six campuses since then, with Carter BloodCare revealing that enough blood was collected to save at least 4,600 lives.

“This consistency and over six weeks’ time is remarkable,” said Linda Goelzer, director of public relations at Carter BloodCare, according to Fox 4 News.

“We have been able to help some other community blood centers when we’re usually at the point of asking others.”

Goelzer told The Christian Post that of all church blood drives Carter BloodCare has been involved with, Gateway Church holds the record for the duration of the drive as well as the large response.

“Gateway held six weeks of blood drives — on Saturday and Sunday — at each of their six campus…

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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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Christian production company set to give Thai cave rescue Hollywood treatment

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Christian production company set to give Thai cave rescue Hollywood treatment

US studio Pure Flix – the producers behind Christian films such as God’s Not Dead – revealed its producers were at the site of the Tham Luang cave in northern Chiang Rai province interviewing rescue workers during the 18-day ordeal.

In a video posted on Twitter, Pure Flix’s co-founder Michael Scott – who lives in Thailand, revealed his wife had grown up with Saman Gunan, the former Thai Navy Seal member who died trying to help rescue the football team.

 

Speaking from the rescue site, Scott said in the video: “To see all that heroic bravery in the cave, and to get all the divers out, it’s just such a touching event and so personal to me.”

The twelve boys and their football coach were trapped deep within the labyrinth and riveted the attention of people around the world.

There is however uncertainty what production company will remake the story as according to Los Angeles-based Ivanhoe Pictures, they have been officially picked by the Thai government and navy to develop the film.

Meanwhile, the elite team of divers who rescued the team have been praising the youngsters for their bravery.

Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page via AP

In this July 3, 2018, image taken from video provided by the Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page, a Thai boy smiles as Thai Navy SEAL medic help injured children inside a cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand.

 

Seven divers in the…

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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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Doctor emerges from Thai cave to learn his father had died

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Doctor emerges from Thai cave to learn his father had died

Dr. Richard “Harry” Harris is an Australian anesthetist and experienced cave diver. He played a key role in the successful international effort that rescued twelve boys and their coach from a cave system in Thailand.

The Thai mission commander was extremely grateful for Dr. Harris’s contributions. He told a news conference yesterday, “Without him, in this operation, I don’t think we could have succeeded.”

Dr. Harris made the perilous two-and-a-half-mile journey in and out of Tham Luang cave every day to check on the health of the trapped boys. He was the last man out of the cave on Tuesday.

Tragically, he emerged from the darkness to learn that his father had died.

“Greater is He who is in you”

Heroism and happiness are not always connected in our fallen world.

Ask any military veteran to identify the real heroes in a war, and he or she will likely point to comrades who gave their lives for the cause. Unsung heroes are no less heroic for their lack of fame.

For example, can you identify Thomas Clarkson, Tenzing Norgay, or Bayard Rustin?

Clarkson was instrumental in William Wilberforce’s campaign to outlaw slavery. Norgay accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary on the first successful summit of Mt. Everest.

Rustin, an African-American, was arrested for protesting segregated bus seating thirteen years before Rosa Parks’s famous act of defiance. He also convinced Martin Luther King Jr. that a policy of non-violent protest was critical to achieving equal rights.

It can be frustrating to watch our culture reward movie stars and athletes with celebrity and astounding fortune while millions of Americans work behind the scenes to raise their children, support their families, and give back to their communities.

Those who follow and serve Jesus are especially likely to be overlooked or misunderstood these days. As the news constantly reminds us, there is an ever-widening chasm between conventional wisdom and biblical morality.

It’s tempting to…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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County Durham town mayor quits over ‘God-phobia’

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County Durham town mayor quits over ‘God-phobia’

Richard Smith said it was with “deep and profound sadness” that he was stepping down as Chair of Ferryhill Council, a decision which followed “weeks of adverse publicity” concerning opinions he voiced about homosexuality and Islam.

In a letter, he said: “To be denied the opportunity to hold personal views was never my expectation when I undertook the role of Town Mayor, and it is a matter of sincere regret to me that those personal views have been so tragically and outrageously twisted and reported on in order to discredit both myself and my faith.

 

“I am stepping aside with immediate effect…”

Mr Smith, who has been a pastor of Emmanuel Christian Fellowship in Ferryhill since 2003, shared on his Facebook page an article which referred to homosexuality as “sin” and a comment that people are not allowed to “speak the truth” about transgenderism.

Some local councillors and residents had called for a Mr Richard to resign as Mayor.

A female impersonator known as Tess Tickle told the BBC she was “in total shock and disbelief” at Mr Smith’s remarks.

Mr Richard said he had received “widespread messages of support” amid a “vendetta being waged against me”, adding he had been in contact with police about the way he and his family had been treated.

He continued: “My Faith in Christ is what drives me to help people regardless of their faith, colour, culture, sexuality, or…

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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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Archbishops console England after World Cup semi-final defeat

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Archbishops console England after World Cup semi-final defeat

Most Rev Justin Welby praised Gareth Southgate’s men for their “incredible” participation in the tournament, after the side lost 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-final stage.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Dear England – you have been incredible throughout this tournament. Praying for you all – rest up for the playoff and know you’ve made the whole country proud!”

 

Meanwhile, Dr John Sentamu, who had been regularly tweeting his support for the Three Lions said he was “totally gutted” following the result of Wednesday evening’s match in Moscow.

He said: “Dearly Beloved England – thank you very much for lifting our spirits and daring us to hope and believe in you to make the impossible possible!

“Have prayed for you daily and tweeted during all your matches. As you rest & prepare for the play-off know we’re with you.”

Millions of people tuned in to watch England take on Croatia at the Luzkhniki Stadium – the first since England reached the semi-final stage of a World Cup since 1990.

Croatia will now take on France on Sunday in the final, while England shall battle Belgium in the third place play-off.

The Duke of Cambridge tweeted: “I know how disappointed England must feel right now but I couldn’t be more proud of this team and you should hold your heads high.

“You’ve had an incredible #WorldCup, made history, and gave us fans something to believe in.

“We know there is more to…

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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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How to Prepare for a Long-term Tenured Revitalization

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Imagine if every pastor went into a revitalization with a determination to make it their final career stop. That long term view would be paradigm shifting.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM ELAINE

My husband is in the process of going to a new church as pastor. We listen to all your podcasts together and often talk about them afterward. We are planning on this being our last church as we’re in our 50s. What should he focus on (and maybe even me as well) to see this revitalization succeed in the long-term?

Episode Highlights:

  • You need at least a five-year view when you begin a revitalization.
  • Revitalization only starts when the church realizes and accepts the current reality.
  • Revitalization means change, and some church members won’t like that.
  • Leaders prefer winning all the time, but that’s not reality. Leaders need to be prepared to lose a “battle” and learn from it.

The five realities we discuss are:

  1. Accept the reality of the time it will take.
  2. Make certain your family is on board.
  3. Give the church members the same dose of reality
  4. Learn to be content with 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards
  5. Be content and celebrate small victories.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing…

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

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 12 July 2018 Devotional — Mountains into Molehills

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 12 July 2018 Devotional — Mountains into Molehills

Topic: Mountains into Molehills [Joyce Meyer‘s Devotional Thursday July 12, 2018]

So, then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. — Romans 8:8 (AMPC)

The Samaritans who came against the Israelites as they were building the temple of the Lord had become like a mountain of human obstacles, frustrating them and preventing them from doing what God had commanded them to do.

That may be the situation in which you find yourself right now as you read these words. You may feel that the Lord has told you to do something but that the enemy has thrown up a mountain in your path to frustrate you and prevent you from carrying out the Lord’s will. If so, I know just how you feel because that is exactly the way I used to feel.

The problem is one of perspective. In this passage the Lord tells Zechariah that the problem facing the Israelites, although it may appear to be a mountain, is actually a molehill.

How would you like for all your mountains to become molehills? They can, if you will do what God is saying here and look not at the problems but at the Lord and His power. If God has told you to do something, it is certainly His will that you not only begin but that you also finish it.

Prayer Starter: Father, I thank You that You are greater than every obstacle in my life. Please help me to keep my eyes on You and never give up on seeing Your will come to pass in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer’s Daily 12 July 2018 Devotional — Mountains into Molehills appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Thursday, 12 July 2018 – Gethsemane

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TOPIC: Gethsemane (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Thursday, 12 July 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:36-39

MEMORY VERSE: “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” – Luke 22:43

The MESSAGE:

In the Fire Scripture you just read, Jesus went to Gethsemane with His disciples but went farther with His three closest friends (Peter, James and John) whom He told to watch with Him. He went farther still to a war room and prostrated before His Father in deep anguish and prayed. When life was at its worst, Jesus fell on His face and prayed to God. He did not use any other approach but that of prayer. The word ‘if’ in Jesus’ prayer is conditional, which means that God the Father has the final say on the petition He presented to Him. Jesus submitted to God’s will in His request.

The important lessons for you today include the following:

  • To fulfill your destiny, you will come to your own Gethsemane.
  • Gethsemane is a place of great anguish and great pressure.
  • At Gethsemane, you confront God alone.
  • At Gethsemane, your friends may not be able to watch with you, even though you confided in them.
  • At Gethsemane, you submit absolutely to the will of God.
  • At Gethsemane, you will receive strength from heaven.
  • To every Gethsemane, there is an angel of deliverance.

A man who had risen to a managerial cadre in his company was invited for an interview by the outgoing boss who must suggest a successor to the foreign partners in USA. The outgoing boss informed the man that the only requirement upon which his name could be recommended would be that he accepts to join the secret cult. This interview turned out to be a test of faith for the man. If he gets the new position, he will be the overall boss for West Africa. If he becomes the overall boss, he would have reached the highest peak of his career. This man was to make a choice between taking a stand with Jesus as it was in the garden of Gethsemane or falling with the devil as it was in the Garden of Eden. He stood for Jesus and lost the position. Eventually, the outgoing boss died mysteriously, and the man got a fantastic job elsewhere. Whenever life is hard, remember you are not the first to ask, “Is there another way?” God’s way is always the way and the best for you. He has a plan for you; just patiently find out HIS will for your life so as to take well-calculated destiny-steps as Jesus did.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
TO FULFILL DESTINY, YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Receive the power to stand during your Gethsemane hour.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, let Your will be established in my life, in the name of Jesus.
2. I reject every satanic substitute for my life, in the name of Jesus.
3. I crucify every habit in me shielding me away from God’s will for my life, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. I bind every evil manipulation against me, in the name of Jesus.
5. Every destiny diverting arrangement for my life, scatter unto desolation, in the name of Jesus.
6. Holy Spirit, stamp eternity on my eye balls, in the name of Jesus.
7. My destiny is attached to God; I shall not fail, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE 

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Thursday, 12 July 2018 – Gethsemane appeared first on Flatimes.

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