Someone drove up a ramp near the Oklahoma Capitol steps overnight and into a disputed granite monument of the Ten Commandments, smashing it to pieces in an apparent act of vandalism, authorities said.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. George Brown said the person abandoned the car and fled the scene after destroying the monument Thursday night, and that investigators are searching the sedan for clues. He said he didn’t know if there were any witnesses, but that investigators are reviewing security video.
The 6-foot-tall monument was erected in 2012 with the blessing of Oklahoma’s conservative Legislature. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has been suing to have it removed, arguing that it violates the state constitution and could be seen as a state endorsement of a religion.
“We consider this an act of violence against the state of Oklahoma,” said Republican state Rep. Mike Ritze, of Broken Arrow, whose family spent nearly $10,000 having the monument erected. “We are obviously shocked and dismayed, but we’re not discouraged,” he said, vowing to have it rebuilt.
Gov. Mary Fallin called it an “appalling” act of vandalism and volunteered to help raise private funds to restore it.
The ACLU sued on behalf of a Norman minister and others who allege the monument’s location violates the state constitution’s ban on using public property to support “any sect, church, denomination or system of religion.”
A judge ruled last month that the monument does not violate the state constitution, and ACLU attorneys filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Ryan Kiesel, the ACLU of Oklahoma’s executive director, said he and his clients are “outraged” that the monument was vandalized.
“To see the Ten Commandments desecrated by vandals is highly offensive to them as people of faith,” Kiesel said.
The monument’s placement has led others to seek their own on the Capitol grounds, including a satanic group that earlier this year unveiled designs for a 7-foot-tall statue of Satan. Other requests have been made from a Hindu leader in Nevada and the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Jubilantly declaring that “hope just went up a notch today,” Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said Friday that the first person infected with Ebola in the United States was now virus free.
Nina Pham, a 26-year-old nurse who was infected while caring for a Liberian patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, headed from Bethesda to Washington to meet with President Obama at the White House, and then planned to return home to Dallas.
In brief remarks to reporters outside the N.I.H. Clinical Center in Bethesda, Ms. Pham beamed as she thanked God, her family, and her friends. Flanked by her sister and her mother, she called the infection “very stressful and challenging,” and said she was looking forward to reuniting with her dog, Bentley.
“I believe in the power of prayer, because I know so many people all over the world have been praying for me,” Ms. Pham said. “I join you now in prayer for the recovery of others.”
Ms. Pham said she was especially grateful to Dr. Kent Brantly, an American physician and an Ebola survivor, who donated plasma as part of her care.
Some scientists believe that the blood of people who survive Ebola could be useful in treating those infected with the virus, but Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it was not clear whether the donated plasma was a factor in Ms. Pham’s recovery.
“It’s virtually impossible to say that this is the thing that did it,” Dr. Fauci said.
He said that two factors in Ms. Pham’s recovery appeared to be that she was young and healthy, and that soon after she was infected she was able to get intensive care.
Dr. Fauci said that it might take some time for her to recover her full strength, but that she was now free to return to Texas and “resume a normal, healthy, and happy life… Read More
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship members say they just want to spread the word, to provide a welcoming space for believers and non-believers alike on college campuses that sometimes can seem cold and isolating.
But because it requires its leaders to hold Christian beliefs, the evangelical student group said, it now is fighting to preserve its religious soul and very existence.
Chapters of InterVarsity and some other Christian groups were stripped of recognition at California State University campuses this fall because they refused to sign a non-discrimination policy requiring clubs and organizations to open their memberships and leadership to all students. (Fraternities and sororities still can limit membership by gender.)
Under the so-called all-comers policy, a Republican could conceivably run for and win election to lead the Democratic club; a white undergraduate could lead the Chinese Student Assn.; a non-musician could be selected to lead the classical guitar club.
Groups that lose recognition can continue meeting on campus, but without free or discounted access to meeting rooms. They also are barred from participating in student fairs and can’t receive funding from campus student associations.
InterVarsity students say that relegates them to second-class status, and that policies meant to protect religious thought are instead being used to silence it.
“We could easily sign off on the [non-discrimination] papers,” said Long Beach music major Jasmine Kim, 22. “I don’t think a non-Christian would want to be a leader in a Christian group. But it’s about our integrity… Read More
Following the collapse of a six-storey building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, killing more than 150 people, 82 of them South Africans, the founder and General Overseer of the church, Prophet T.B. Joshua, is to appear before the coroner, Mr Oyetade Komolafe, sitting at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos State.
Prophet Joshua will appear on November 5, along with the contractor in charge of the collapsed building.
Komolafe, during the sitting of the court on Friday, stated that the appearance of the church’s founder was important to the findings of the court.
Though, counsel for the church, Mr. Jude Nnadi (SAN), argued that the appearance of the pastor would not be necessary as he was not an eyewitness, Komolafe insisted that Joshua must appear.
The coroner, who said he had heard that Joshua had addressed the press at various times, said the pastor must also appear before the court to give evidence.
“We have heard that he has been addressing the press at various times, let him come and address the court.
“The court has summoned him; let him come and tell us what he knows. He cannot sit over there and be sending words to us that he cannot come.
“The court has said that for the purpose of what we are doing, that he should come over,” Komolafe said.
Meanwhile, a Chief Operational Officer with the Lagos State Fire Service, Adebayo Musiliu, told the court on Friday that his observation revealed that the building did not collapse as a result of an explosion.
Musiliu, who said he had 34 years of experience in rescue operation, insisted that there was nothing to suggest that the accident occurred as a result of an explosion.
“All the bodies recovered were whole and not dismembered or burnt. Also, there were no scattered bricks. The floors and pillars were also not shattered, rather, the building collapsed on top of each other.
The collapsed building did not depict any sign of explosion or implosion,” Musiliu told the court.
In my last article I discussed the epidemic of adulterous and sexually inappropriate relationships coming to light on a regular basis, particularly among middle-aged men.
Ponder for a moment, while praying for these individuals, the following middle-agers who have confessed immorality or inappropriate behavior in extramarital relationships: Doug Phillips, Marcus Lamb, Rory Alec, the late Zachery Tims, Bob Coy, Jim Bolin, Paul Sheppard, Bill Gothard, Eddie Long, Benny Hinn, Bobby Petrino and Gen. David Petraeus. The moral failures of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker and Ted Haggard now seem like ages ago.
1. Heart issue where they’ve never really submitted totally to Jesus Christ as Lord and then got established in an authentic local church for ongoing nurturing and support.
2. Unhealthy fear that time is fleeting and they must “grab the gusto” and experience whatever sexual pleasure remains before it’s too late.
3. Sensing a lessening of physical attractiveness for their spouse and possible floating bitterness that she is “letting herself go,” thinking it’s all right to be attracted to and involved with other available women.
4. Because a spouse is disinterested in sexual activity, maybe experiencing menopause, thinking God understands and “gives a pass” to engage in extramarital sexual behavior.
5. As children have grown and left for college or marriage, there’s simply more time for other pursuits, which can include exploring new realms of sexual relationship.
6. Greater financial prosperity enables discretionary income to be tapped for recreation, hobbies, gadgets and—why not some sexual pursuits?
7. Whereas resolving relational conflicts quickly was once a priority, now laziness and selfishness rule, allowing the marriage to drift and a gulf to widen—a setup for Satan’s alternative.
David was not a young man when he succumbed to sexual sin: Commentators believe his age was approximately 51. His devastating failure was a classic example of Satan’s pattern leading someone from fantasy to flirtation to the fall.
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15).
The subtlety of sexual sin was seen in the entrapment of David with Bathsheba. We must be on guard for external danger signals in relating to the opposite sex (growing dependence on someone; receiving affirmation and praise; listening to complaints about loneliness; receiving gifts; enjoying physical contact) as well as internal danger signals (regularly thinking about a person; comparing the person to my spouse; finding excuses to be around the other person; having sexual fantasies about the woman; scheming ways to be alone with her; sharing marital problems with her; exploring Facebook contacts; keeping “articles of affection” from an old flame).
In these challenging times, it is critical to be aggressive in putting to death fleshly impulses and guarding our minds. May we discern any subtle signs of attraction and seduction and radically avoid associations where we might be drawn into temptation.
No matter what our age, let’s resolve to be aggressive in avoiding temptation and attacking sin when it first rears its ugly head!
“I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back ’til they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet” (Ps.18:37-38).
This is the final installment of a two-part series on this topic. Click here for Monday’s Part 1.
Larry Tomczakis a best-selling author and cultural commentator with 42 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visitLarryTomczak.comand follow him on Facebook or at@larrytomczak on Twitter.
Encomium report – Amazingly, the richest clergy in Africa, Bishop David Oyedepo has emerged the richest clergy in the world. However, contrary to the US based report that he was worth $150 million, ENCOMIUM Weekly’s investigation revealed that the stupendously rich clergy is worth over N600 billion. The founder and shepherd-in-charge of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, popularly known as Winners Chapel is an epitome of wealth and affluence.
According to the list compiled by US website richestlifestyle.com, Bishop David Oyedepo, who is the founder of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry is the world’s richest pastor.
With the outstanding Cannanland, reportedly worth over N90 billion, with diverse projects erected and revenue accrued from it, four jets valued at N25 billion, N15 billion on three universities and several other schools, a reported N250 billion housing estate when concluded, annual offering and tithes to the tune of N31.2 billion, 7 million books estimated to have raked in N1billion, 400 buses worth N600 million, N10 billion Goshen City at Abuja and several other ventures have made him a pastor with uncommon grace for prosperity
And to crown it all, the amazingly wealthy Bishop declared during his 60th in September 2014, that he is embarking on
building seven universities across Africa. He confirmed that two more universities belonging to Winners Chapel are currently under construction and will soon be ready for academic activities. He also said they will be leaving the shores of Nigeria in the nearest future to build the 5th, 6th and 7th universities in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa respectively.
It will be recalled that, Bishop Oyedepo presently owns Covenant and Landmark Universities which is located in his hometown, Omu-Aran in Kwara State. This university projects we reliably gathered will worth N15 billion.
Here is the breakdown of assets that made the 60 year old clergy the richest pastor in the world.
So-called “penny auctions” are a phenomenon coming from the States and now slowly but steadily spreading here in the UK. In USA, “penny auctions” have helped thousands of customers save money when buying electronics. Branded products in particular, as well as electronic devices are the most popular for this new kind of internet auction – with good reasons. Often brand new Apple iPads are auctioned for as little as £30.
MadBid.com is one of the pioneers of the “penny auction” system in UK. With a huge range of products and thousands of running auctions, MadBid.com is used by thousands of customers every month.
What can you purchase in these auctions?
I have seen all kinds of products, from cars to mobile phones, to desktop and laptop computers, TVs, cameras, stereos and everything else that you might possibly wish for.
MadBid.com put to the test
In my research, I did of course try out the whole system. After signing up on MadBid.com, I first had a look around on the site and read the instructions. Unfortunately, it is not possible to participate in the auctions without signing up, which is why it is important to set up a free user account on MadBid.com. I saw how electronic devices, worth several hundreds, sometimes even thousands, change hands for £50. I was fascinated!
In order to place bids in the MadBid.com auctions, you have to purchase credits. The credits only cost you a couple of pence each and they can easily be acquired in packages (for example for £15). So after having purchased a small credit package, you can look for a product you like and start placing bids… Read More
A Methodist pastor who was disciplined for officiating at his son’s same-sex wedding will soon find out whether he can remain an ordained minister.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer was suspended and then defrocked last year after refusing to promise to refrain from conducting same-sex marriages. The action against Schaefer – who officiated at his son’s same-sex wedding in Massachusetts – was taken after a church trial in Pennsylvania.
An appeals panel restored Schaefer’s pastoral credentials in June, but that decision is being challenged. The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest judicial body, heard arguments in the case Wednesday and could issue its ruling next week. Its decisions are final.
The United Methodist Church accepts gay and lesbian members but rejects the practice of homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching.” Methodist clergy who perform same-sex unions risk punishment ranging from a reprimand to suspension to defrocking.
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