Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Says he Will Resign if Someone Proves that God Exists – Urban Christian News

-
0
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Says he Will Resign if Someone Proves that God Exists – Urban Christian News

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures while addressing the crowd after leading the flag-raising rites at the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine at Kawit, Cavite province south of Manila, Philippines Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Duterte’s speech was marred by protesters who heckled him with shouts of “traitor!” and “Oust Duterte!” (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

The Philippine president, who recently sparked outrage for calling God stupid, has courted new controversy in his largely Roman Catholic country by saying he will resign if anybody can prove that God exists.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has had a thorny relationship with the church, questioned anew in a speech late Friday some of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, including the concept of original sin, which he said taints even innocent infants and can only be removed through baptism in a church for a fee.

“Where is the logic of God there?” Duterte asked in a speech at the opening of a science and technology event in southern Davao city.

The 73-year-old leader said that if there’s “one single witness” who can prove, perhaps with a picture or a selfie that a human was “able to talk and to see God,” he will immediately resign.

Duterte, however, suggested that there must be a God or a supreme being that prevents billions of stars and celestial bodies from colliding in a frequency that could have long threatened the human race.

Last week, he was slammed, including by some of his political allies, for calling God “stupid” in another speech, with one Catholic…

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

قالب وردپرس

Church Booted from Building over Sign Criticizing Homosexuality

-
0
Church Booted from Building over Sign Criticizing Homosexuality


Church Booted from Building over Sign Criticizing Homosexuality


A small church in Indiana is being evicted from its building due to an outdoor sign that criticized homosexuality.


Remnant Fellowship Church in Auburn, Ind., posted a message on its sign that read: “LGBTQ is a hate crime against God. Repent.” WPTA-TV ran a story about the sign on June 27, focusing on the sign and the pushback by some in the community against it. On July 8, WPTA reported that the congregation had been booted from building by the landlord. A church member confirmed the news.


The pastor had told the television station that the sign was an attempt to “reach young people and steer them away from a lifestyle they believe is harmful to them.”


The controversy apparently began when one woman, Kristin Russell, was offended by the sign and changed it so it read, “Stay Open Minded.” She posted the picture of the new sign on Facebook, sparking the WPTA report.


“I kind of sat there for a little bit, what am I supposed to do about this?” Russell said. “I saw the message ‘stay open minded’ in the letters, so I thought, why don’t I just change it to that,” Russell said.


The church changed the sign back to the original message.


Now, the congregation is looking for a new home.


Readers on WPTA’s Facebook were split on the issue.


“Churches, I thought, were about love and forgiveness,” Gail Bailey Adams wrote.


Wrote Bleu Hefner,…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

Raped Rohingya Females Deciding to Keep Their Babies Despite Social Stigma and Pressure to Abort Them – Urban Christian News

-
0
Raped Rohingya Females Deciding to Keep Their Babies Despite Social Stigma and Pressure to Abort Them – Urban Christian News

Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar were subjected to some of the most horrific human rights abuses last year. Still, hundreds of women and girls who were raped have decided to keep their babies, despite severe social stigma and pressure to abort them.

A CNN report released on Thursday shared the harrowing stories of 10 girls and women, just a handful of the 2,700 or so survivors of sexual violence at refugee camps in Bangladesh, who talked about the abuse they were subjected to, but also how they are finding a reason to live in their soon to be born children.

Fifteen-year-old Rahenah explained how she tried to hide with others in her village when Myanmar soldiers found them and set her house on fire.

“We ran out of the back door,” Rahenah said.

“My brother-in-law died in the fire. Some men were able to escape, others could not. But we girls couldn’t escape. The military caught us and tied us to a tree. They stuck tape over our mouths and stripped us. Then they raped us. Some of the girls lost consciousness and fell to the ground. I was one of them. I was bleeding a lot.”

The teenager, who was married, said that her 19-year-old husband was later killed in the attack.

She decided to keep the baby, saying she is “happy” that she is “going to be a mother.”

“But I am worried too because it is hard to survive here in the camps. I am worried that he won’t get the necessary things he needs in life. I am worried he won’t get an education. If my baby survives, I will try hard to make sure he is educated,” she added.

Nafiza, also 15 years old, said that she can’t…

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

قالب وردپرس

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Tuesday – There Should Be No Gap

CM Editor
-
0
Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Tuesday – There Should Be No Gap

Topic: There Should Be No Gap [Open Heavens 10 July 2018, Tuesday Daily Devotional]

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Memorise: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. – Matthew 26:58

Read: Matthew 26:56-58, Matthew 26:69-75 (KJV) Open Heavens 10 July 2018

Matthew 26:56-58:
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

Matthew 26:69-75:
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicle 14-15, Acts 25:13-27

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 MESSAGE:

God is Spirit, and so He does not have physical attributes or possess a form like that of a physical body. For this reason, a “closeness” of “gap” between mankind and God in the real sense of these words is practically untenable. The existence of closeness or space between man and God is therefore used as a spiritual term to express the level of relationship that exists between us and God. The Bible speaks of a gap or space between God and man in terms of a break in fellowship between them, otherwise described as backsliding, falling away or staying away from God or godliness (Ezekiel 22:30). It portrays rebellion, betrayal, faithlessness or apostasy. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the Bible teaches that a falling away will precede the second coming of the Lord Jesus. Confirming this, the Spirit of God further spoke on people falling away from the faith in 1 Timothy 4:1:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

The apostasy spoken of here by the Holy Spirit includes giving attention to doctrinal deception, moral insensitivity and departing from the truth in God’s word. The world is obviously in the last days, as we can see these prophecies being fulfilled more than ever before.

Several things can create a gap between God and man: hardship, temptation, lust, doubt, complacency and self-indulgence. Once a gap is allowed to develop, a more devastating outcome will follow. The gap that existed between peter and Jesus Christ after His arrest eventually led to Peter’s denial of the Master. To maintain a healthy fellowship or relationship with the Lord, we must follow Him closely rather than from afar off. As soon as a gap developed between Peter and Jesus, his status changed from being a member of Christ’s inner circle to being a mere spectator who could only observe things from afar off. Peter lost the privilege of direct communication with Jesus, and he could no longer ask questions or receive directions from the Master. What a terrible loss this was! Thankfully, God is able to heal His backsliding children (Hosea 14:4). He is also able to keep them from falling away (Jude 1:1). However, some people argue that although a Christian may stray, he or she can never totally fall away, and so once saved, a person is forever saved. This is a lie of the devil as we have seen in our devotional for the first two days of the month. Romans 6:1 tell us that if we continue in sin, grace is rendered ineffective. BE WARNED! Maintain a close and healthy relationship with Jesus always.

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Prayer Point:

Father, please grant me grace never to stray from You in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heaven 9 July 2018 – Not by Might nor By Power

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee

1. Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

3. There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou send’st to me
In mercy given:
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

4. Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

Open Heavens 10 July 2018 devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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.

Open Heavens 10 July 2018

The post Open Heavens 10 July 2018 Tuesday – There Should Be No Gap appeared first on Flatimes.

Chick-fil-A Tops the American Consumer Satisfaction Index’s List of Best Restaurants

-
0
Chick-fil-A Tops the American Consumer Satisfaction Index’s List of Best Restaurants


Chick-fil-A Tops the American Consumer Satisfaction Index’s List of Best Restaurants


Chick-fil-A has once again emerged as America’s top-rated fast food restaurant, according to a report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index.


The Christian Post reports that the ACSI rates restaurants on a 100-point scale, and Chick-fil-A scored an 87. The survey polled 22,522 customers.


Panera Bread and Subway were the only other fast food restaurants on the list to score 80 or higher.


Next in the rankings were Arby’s (79), Starbucks (78), and Dunkin’ Donuts (78).


This marks the third year in a row that Chick-fil-A has topped the ACSI’s list. Additionally, before Chick-fil-A came on the scene, no restaurant had scored higher than 86.


In addition to providing delicious chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A restaurants prioritize excellent customer service and Christian values, such as being closed on Sundays and playing Christian music in their establishments. ACSI also credited Chick-fil-A’s “product focus” as a reason for their continued success.


Although the fast food chain often comes under criticism for these Christian values, it also continues to be popular with customers, as the ACSI report shows.


As far as full-service restaurants on the list, Texas Roadhouse ranked highest (83), followed by Cracker Barrel (81), Longhorn Steakhouse (81), and Olive Garden (80).


 


Photo courtesy: Flickr.com


Publication date: July…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

Pastor in Thailand praying for cave rescue to be used as evangelism tool

-
0
Pastor in Thailand praying for cave rescue to be used as evangelism tool

An ambulance with its emergency lights flashing left the site of a flooded cave in northern Thailand on Monday afternoon where a youth football team has been trapped for two weeks.

Hours after the second phase of a rescue operation was launched, the ambulance drove towards a helipad, where a helicopter was seen taking off shortly afterwards to the cheers of the crowd below.

 

The same process was used for at least one of the four boys rescued in the first attempt at getting the twelve boys and their coach out of the underground Tham Luang Nang Non complex in Chiang Rai province.

Bryan Kaui-Pai, who helps lead Grace Bangkok Church in the capital of the country, told Premier News Hour the nation rejoices as each child is rescued.

Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page via AP

 

“When they were found it was almost like a big sigh of relief as a country,” he said.

“It’s like ‘wow they’re still alive, all of them are still alive. Wow.'”

Authorities have been rushing to extract the boys, aged 11-16, and their coach from the cave as the annual monsoon bears down on the mountainous region in far northern province.

 

Eight people remained trapped in the cave, including the team’s coach, as of Monday afternoon.

Workers have been labouring round the clock to pump water out of the cave, and authorities said heavy downpours overnight did…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Nigeria: Massive Attack Shows True Horror of Fulani Crisis

-
0
Nigeria: Massive Attack Shows True Horror of Fulani Crisis

ICC has confirmed that the death toll in recent attacks on villages near Jos, Nigeria has risen to more than 230 Christians. The attacks are believed to have been conducted by Fulani militants who used machetes and firearms to slaughter the predominantly Berom villagers. The police originally reported that 86 had been killed, but our local representative was part of the body recovery effort and has confirmed this much higher number. 

The series of attacks took place in the villages of Xland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls, Kakuruk, Rakok, Kok, and Razat. All of these villages are in the districts of Gashish and Ropp in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Many of the victims were women and young children. The youngest person known to have been killed was a three-month-old baby boy who was slaughtered by machete. 

The first attack took place Saturday after the funeral of a relative of an important clergyman in Gashish District. Pam Chollom, a pastor who leads the Church of Christ in Nations reported, “Fulani people attacked our members who attended the burial of the father of one of our clergy…The armed Fulani ambushed the sympathizers on their way back from the burial, attacked and killed 34 persons from Bekan village, 39 others from Kufang, and 47 from Ruku Village.”

A resident reported via telephone to Morning Star News that 70 corpses have been recovered in the village of Nghar, and that the entire village had been burned. 

In Xland and Gindin Akwati villages, the herdsmen killed about 60 Christians, another resident reported over the phone. Multiple churches,…

… Read More

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

قالب وردپرس

Episcopal Church Closer to Revising Official Prayer Book to Include ‘Inclusive,’ ‘Expansive Language’ for God

-
0
Episcopal Church Closer to Revising Official Prayer Book to Include ‘Inclusive,’ ‘Expansive Language’ for God

(Photo: Courtesy Washington National Cathedral)Washington National Cathedral of Washington, D.C. A congregation of The Episcopal Church, it is one of the largest church buildings in the world.

The Episcopal Church is one step closer to revising their official Book of Common Prayer to include more “inclusive and expansive language” for both God and humanity.

At the mainline denomination’s 79th General Convention in Austin, Texas, the House of Deputies voted to adopt a resolution that approved beginning a revision process to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer that will likely remove masculine language for God.

Known as Resolution A068, the measure passed on Saturday with clergy voting 63 yes, 30 no, and 17 divided while laity voted 69 yes, 26 no, 15 divided.

“Resolved, That such revision utilize inclusive and expansive language and imagery for humanity and divinity,” states the resolution in part.

“That such revision [will]…

… Read More

—-

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

قالب وردپرس

Archaeologists Discover Entrance Gate to Biblical City of Bethsaida, Where Jesus Fed Thousands in Miracle – Urban Christian News

-
0
Archaeologists Discover Entrance Gate to Biblical City of Bethsaida, Where Jesus Fed Thousands in Miracle – Urban Christian News

Archaeologists have reportedly uncovered the ancient entrance gate to the biblical city of Zer in Israel, also known as Bethsaida, which is mentioned in the New Testament as the city where Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish in one His most well-known miracles.

“There are not many gates in this country from this period. Bethsaida was the name of the city during the Second Temple period, but during the First Temple period it was the city of Zer,” said Dr. Rami Arav, director of the Bethsaida Project, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The discovery of the gate was made during excavations carried out in the Golan Heights, with the size and wealth of the fortification suggesting that Zer was a big city.

In recent weeks, archaeologists have also found coins, beads, jugs, a house key, along with a shield that belonged to a Roman soldier. One of the coins was dated back to 35 BCE, or not long before the birth of Christ.

Arav has been carrying out excavations in the Bethsaida area for close to 30 years, which have increased the popularity of the region, and led to masses of Christian pilgrims visiting the site.

Avi Lieberman, director of the Jordan Park, where Bethsaida is located, said that the latest discovery can attract even more people.

“The staff at the Jordan Park and the Golan Tourism are happy for the tens of thousands of visitors who visit the park every day. The wonderful park is also an impressive archaeological site. I [am] amazed each time by the arrival of thousands of evangelical visitors to Bethsaida. I am confident that the latest discoveries will…

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

قالب وردپرس

Prince William’s former ‘court jester’ among godparents

-
0
Prince William’s former ‘court jester’ among godparents

Mr Pelly, a close friend of William and his brother the Duke of Sussex for many years, is among six godparents William and Kate have chosen for their 11-week old son.

Mr Pelly, whose family are wealthy Kent landowners, has settled down in recent years, marrying hotel heiress Elizabeth “Lizzy” Wilson in 2014.

 

But he was often cited as a bad influence on the royal brothers in their youth.

He helped organise William’s stag do, and was dubbed William and Harry’s “court jester” for his wild ways.

Chris Jackson/PA Wire

 

The former Stowe public schoolboy, who met the young princes through the Beaufort Hunt, once dressed up as the Queen and imitated her voice in 2005 when Harry was infamously photographed wearing a Nazi uniform at a fancy-dress party.

In the past, he ran celebrity nightspots Mahiki and Whisky Mist, a favourite with the young royals, and he has been banned from driving three times – twice for drink-driving and once for speeding.

Louis’ other godparents are: Nicholas van Cutsem – one of the van Custem brothers, who are long-time family friends of William and Harry; Harry Aubrey-Fletcher who went to Ludgrove School and Eton with William; Lady Laura Meade, who is married to William’s close friend James Meade; Kate’s Marlborough schoolfriend Hannah Carter (nee Gillingham); and the duchess’s cousin Lucy Middleton.

While Louis has six…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

1...1,9451,9461,947...3,893Page 1,946 of 3,893