Jordan Turns Refuge for Mosul Christians

Christians in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, are fleeing the city after Islamic State soldiers captured the city a few months ago; many have now found refuge in Jordan.

The soldiers captured the city in June and gave Christians a day to decide if they wanted to convert, pay a tax or be killed.

It was “the last breath,” said Radwan Shamra, one of 4,000 Iraqi Christians from Mosul who fled to Jordan. “We waited as long as possible until we knew we would die if we remained.”

Christians are reportedly fleeing parts of Arab lands where they are facing religious intolerance.

The Jordanian government has opened the country to Iraq’s Christians.

Hasan Abu Hanieh, a Jordanian political analyst, said the government’s decision was both a humanitarian and strategic move.

“The government can show the world that Jordan has a policy that seeks to protect minorities, unlike its neighbors,” he said.

Caritas, an international Christian charity, has helped Iraq’s Christians come to Jordan. Payment for visas was waived and churches in Jordan have stepped up to shelter and feed refugees.

Reportedly, about 500 of the Christian refugees are living in community halls in churches. Others are living with families.

Source and Original Content by Christian Headlines

School To Be ‘Downgraded’ for Refusing Interfaith Worship

A Christian school has been told by inspectors that it will be downgraded because it didn’t invite a representative from another faith group, such as an imam, to lead school assemblies.

The independent school in the Home Counties was told that it breached new rules which require the promotion “British values”. The policy was introduced in the wake of the “Trojan Horse” schools scandal in Birmingham.

Along with a number of other cases involving schools with a religious ethos, this latest case has prompted criticisms that the rules are having unintended consequences.

It is understood that Ofsted inspectors informed the head of the small Christian school that it would be downgraded from “good” to “adequate” for failing to “actively promote” harmony between different groups. This is because the school had not invited in representatives from other religions to lead collective worship.

They further warned that unless the school could demonstrate it is meeting the new requirements, there would be a further inspection that could result in the school being closed.

According to a government paper that explains the guidelines, even taking children on trips to different places of worship would not be enough to meet the requirements.

Anglican, Roman Catholic and Jewish schools have all been challenged by Ofsted since the new guidelines came into effect earlier this year. This has led to criticism of the guidelines themselves for having an unforeseen negative impact, particularly on faith schools.

‘Deep irony’

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said: “We want to see the problem of Islamic extremism in schools dealt with. But these guidelines haven’t been worded carefully enough which means schools such as this one are being unreasonably chastised for reflecting their Christian ethos.

“This case goes way beyond teaching children about other religions. The inspectors seem to require that collective worship be led by leaders of other religions. This is an assault on the integrity of the Christian identity of the school and a challenge to freedom of belief.

“There is a deep irony here that Christianity—the faith which gave rise to so many treasured British values such as individual freedoms, tolerance and respect for others—is being portrayed as ‘un-British’. The guidelines must be revised to tackle the real problem without penalizing others.”

Source and Original Story by Charisma news

Idaho Christians Who Refused to Officiate Gay Marriages May Avoid Fines, Jail

The city of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho is now saying that a wedding chapel operated by Christian ministers Donald and Evelyn Knapp can refuse to perform same-sex marriages.

Earlier, the city had said that the for-profit wedding chapel, Hitching Post Wedding Chapel, was violating non-discrimination laws by refusing to perform same-sex marriages. The Knapps faced high fines and possible jail time for violating the laws.

Under an initial understanding of the city ordinance, the chapel needed to be a not-for-profit to be exempt from the non-discrimination laws.

However, Coeur d’Alene city attorney Mike Gridley now says the ordinance does not specify non-profit or for-profit, according to Boise State Public Radio.

“After we’ve looked at this some more, we have come to the conclusion they would be exempt from our ordinance because they are a religious corporation,” Gridley said.

Earlier this month, the Hitching Post reclassified as a “religious corporation.”

ADF attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit and a motion to temporarily keep Coeur d’Alene city officials from forcing the chapel to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies.

The city is “unconstitutionally coercing” the Knapps to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies “in violation of their religious beliefs, their ordination vows, and their consciences,” the lawsuit says.

Source and Original Content by Christian Headlines

Xbox One Price Drops for The Holidays

Microsoft on Monday announced it is temporarily trimming the price of its Xbox One video game consoles in the United States in a move aimed at boosting holiday season sales.

Beginning on November 2 and continuing through the end of this year, the price of Xbox One consoles will be cut $50 at US retail outlets, according to Microsoft.

In what amounts to the second price reduction since the new-generation consoles were launched a year ago, Xbox One will be available starting at $349.

“We’re offering our best price yet,” Microsoft corporate vice president Yusuf Mehdi said in a blog post.

“We’re gearing up for one of our biggest holidays ever.”

The move comes with Microsoft locked in a tough battle with Sony, which has been leading the game console market with PlayStation 4, its newest device.

PS4 hit the market at a price lower than Xbox One, but the holiday-season reduction makes the Microsoft console a more affordable option for buyers.

The cut eats into potential for Microsoft to make profit on the hardware but could help bolster ranks of users who wind up paying for the US company’s games and Xbox Live online service for play and digital content.

Microsoft in June began selling a reduced-price version of its Xbox One without the Kinect motion detection system.

The Xbox One without Kinect was sold for $399, the same price as the PS4, but will begin selling $50 less in the US next week.

Source ans Original Content by ndtv.com

LG Plans to Stop Plasma TV Production By End Of November

South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc said on Tuesday that it will end the production of plasma display televisions by end-November in order to focus its efforts on liquid crystal display and OLED televisions.

LG Electronics said in a regulatory filing the decision reflects a decline in demand for plasma televisions. The move was widely expected as LCD TVs have become the mainstay product in the global market.

Samsung SDI Co Ltd, sister company of LG’s TV rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, also said in July that it will shut down its plasma panel production business by November 30 due to the decline in overall demand.

Source and Original Content by ndtv.com

Incredible Ability of a Baby

Incredible Ability of a Baby – This baby is asked to pick up words off the ground that Dad tells him to pick up. The baby picks up the word and reads the word on the card out loud. May not be considered full reading, however recognizing a word and being able to speak it at this young age is an advanced great achievement.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbazdZ4erl0[/youtube]

Credits : ugatrotters

Single-Person Electric Car Of The Future Designed Specifically For People In Wheelchairs

Kenguru is a single-person electric car that is brilliantly designed to help anyone that travels in a wheelchair to enter the vehicle and drive around with ease. Rather than having to get out of their mobile chair or have any assistance in packing it away, people in wheelchairs can easily roll into their car from the back, strap in, and start driving.

Kenguru Electric Car

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Kenguru Electric Car

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Kenguru Electric Car
(Photo: Kenguru.com)

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Watch the Video of Kenguru Transporter in action

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s_QDH8jYyk[/youtube]

Kenguru is designed with people in wheelchairs in mind. There are still plenty of tests to be done and questions to be answered in regards to safety and its ability to transport in varied terrain, but it is certainly a step in the right direction for people who have limited options.

You can read more about Kenguru and keep up to date on its progress on the product’s website.

 

Nigerian President On Spiritual Pilgrimage to Israel

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, whose country is being rocked by the Islamic terror of Boko Haram, met Sunday in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during a private, two-day Christian pilgrimage to the country.

Citing the private nature of the visit, the Prime Minister’s Office did not divulge anything about the meeting.

Due in no small part to the common threat the Islamic terrorists pose to both countries, Israel and Nigeria have forged close ties in recent years. In May, for instance, Netanyahu offered Nigeria aid in searching for the 276 missing schoolgirls, assistance that Nigeria accepted. Also, Israel provided Nigerian authorities with medical supplies following a Boko Haram attack against three churches on Christmas Day in 2011 that killed dozens.

Nigeria is currently a member of the UN Security Council, and will be a member until the end of 2015, something that could be significant if and when the Palestinian seek a resolution calling on Israel to withdraw to the 1967 lines and Israel will look for seven votes in the Council it can count on to either vote against or abstain, thereby militating against the need for the US to use its veto.

Jonathan, who was here on a similar private visit in October 2013 and met both Netanyahu and then President Shimon Peres, flew to Israel on a private jet, accompanied by an entourage of some 20 Nigerian political and religious leaders.

In addition to the meeting with Netanyahu, Jonathan visited the Western Wall, as well as visiting Christian holy sites and Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel.

Jonathan’s visit comes some four months before elections in Nigeria, where he is expected to seek re-elections.

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

4 Ways To Discover Happiness

Often, we allow for our happiness to depend on someone outside of ourselves: a significant other, a family member, a best friend. While these people can very well make us happy, this cannot be the sole form of goodness in our lives.

We must find happiness within ourselves before we seek it from other people, places or materialistic things.

Confiding in someone else for happiness is similar to retail therapy in that it is dangerous. It’s initially helpful, but in the long run, the overpriced sweater you purchased — similar to the person you turn to for a smile or a laugh — will become dull and worn out.

Creating happiness is essential for us to experience worthwhile and full lives. We are told to surround ourselves with people who make us live better. Their purpose is to enhance the happiness we already created for ourselves.

If we are not happy with ourselves, we cannot make happiness for ourselves. This dependency we seek through others causes us to be stuck in the mud of mediocrity.

Depending on someone else for happiness will drive you and the other person crazy, and your relationship will eventually fall apart.

When you confide in someone for anything in life, it leads you to have heightened expectations for the person. Something as simple as receiving a “good morning” text message every day for a month from the person you just started to date can cause turmoil.

While it is a kind gesture that makes you smile after hitting the snooze button once or twice, you will come to expect it to happen each and every day.

The dreaded day that this person does not make this effort will be the source of your first argument and you will feel “disappointed.” Both the small things and the big things will begin to bother you. Essentially, the two of you will drive each other crazy and drive each other apart, solely because you expected him or her to make you happy.
Happiness comes from the little things in your life.

Happiness should be simplistic. It shouldn’t be a shopping spree or a 10,000 dollar vacation. It should be things you can do every day. Happiness can be achieved at such a smaller scale: a sunrise, a sunset, walking your dog, the perfect cup of coffee or your favorite television show.

When you find happiness in such basic, everyday things, you’ll know you’re one step closer to keeping it in your own hands. Happiness should be something you can show and share.

And by share, I do not mean physically share, but to inspire others. When you are having a good day or week, share your sunshine with the world.

Say hello to a stranger, wave someone on to make the impossible lefthand turn on your usual commute to work, or do a favor for a friend — or a stranger — in need. While no one should depend on others’ happiness, letting your own shine may have an amazing effect on someone else.

So, if you are in a fabulous mood, let it show. Style your hair nicely, wear a bright-colored sundress and treat yourself to something sweet — anything to emphasize and control your wonderful mood!
Happiness is something you can find within yourself.

If you wake up to a cloudy Monday, anxious about the busy week you’ll have, you have two decisions. You can stay in bed all day, yielding to all responsibilities, yearning for your next vacation day; or, you can do the opposite — arguably the most important version of self-happiness.

You can seize the day and realize that while mental health days are sometimes a great idea, productivity and being active is the best way to create happiness. As strong, independent individuals, we must dig deep into ourselves and realize that we are in control of our lives.

We are in control of our smiles, frowns, tears from crying too much or laughing too hard. We are our own happiness.
Self-happiness should motivate you to meet success.

Some of the most successful people are the ones who are in control of their own happiness. Success is not a reflection of who drives the nicest car or wears the nicest shoes. Rather, success is defined by who loves what they do. If you find happiness in being a housewife, then do that.

If you find happiness in working at an accounting firm from 9 to 5 every day, then do that. If you are able to create your own happiness, you will create your own success.

If you are happy with yourself, you are stable. You can take risks, make differences, let people in your life for the right reasons and live.
Happiness and you are the priority.

Prioritizing always helps to reach your desired goal. Make a list of things you’ve designated to be priorities. Make a list of your priorities that will bring you happiness in the future. Put yourself first. Be with whom you want to share your happiness.

Make decisions that create happiness within you. By making yourself the priority, you are immediately creating and controlling your own happiness.

So, keep happiness in your own hands — even if it isn’t yet obvious why you should

Source and Original Content by elitedaily.com

World Outreach Worship Presents A Unique Rendition Of Traditional Hymn

A unique performance of this beloved hymn. Stikyard is a unqiue percussion ensemble that blends both modern and traditional music in a beautiful way that captures your senses. Their performance of ‘How Great Thou Art’ will be one you never forget!

Source and Original Content by faithtap.com