As parts of England could see temperatures top 30 degrees Celsius over the next few days, Ben Bano co-director of Seeking Sanctuary has urged the government to treat the migrants with dignity and respect.

He said: “The answer to this problem is not just about increased surveillance techniques and stopping people from starting their journeys – it is also about addressing the appalling conditions and harassment which they experience in and around Calais that lead them to feel that their only option is to risk their lives making these desperate attempts.

Boris Johnson’s warning that migrants would be sent back if they crossed the English Channel to the UK have been branded as “inflammatory” and “misleading” by campaigners.

The Prime Minister’s comments came after a surge in attempts – with nearly 100 people taking to small boats to try to make the crossing from France to the UK in one day.
Bano added: “There is nothing illegal about seeking sanctuary from violence and oppression.

“If these exiles were treated with a degree of humanity and respect, rather than being endlessly harassed in France they are less likely to resort to traffickers and risk death by using unorthodox means to try to reach the UK.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel is to seek talks with her French counterpart, the Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, to address the crisis.

Mr Johnson told…

The stone, thought to have been carved about 1,200 years ago, is decorated with a number of Pictish symbols and is said by experts to be of national importance.

It is believed the stone, discovered at an early Christian church site in Dingwall, originally stood at more than two metres high.

It now measures around 1.5 metres, having been broken over the years and been reused as a grave marker in the 1790s.

Anne MacInnes, from the North of Scotland Archaeological Society, was the first to recognise the stone while carrying out a survey at the church site.

She said: “I was clearing vegetation when I spotted the carving. I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

North of Scotland Archaeological Society undated handout photo of a Pictish stone, which was discovered at an early Christian church site in Dingwall

The find was verified by archaeologists from Highland Council and Historic Environment Scotland, before being safely removed from the site by specialist conservators on Thursday.

It will now be professionally conserved with a view to ultimately putting it on public display at a Highland museum or other suitable venue.

Designs on the stone include several mythical beasts, oxen, an animal-headed warrior with sword and shield, and a double disc and z rod symbol.

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Who is the Holy Spirit?

• Church and Ministry
• Opinion
• Sermons

-

0

The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. Who is he? What does he do? Why does he matter so much in our lives today?

I spent years in Baptist churches with no real introduction to the Holy Spirit. I don’t remember ever hearing a sermon on the subject. We knew to trust in Jesus and worship his Father, but I had no idea how to relate to the Spirit. Or even if I should. I suspect that many of us have a similar story.

We’ll begin with some introductions.

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal neuter, an “it.” He is more than a “presence.” He is not a “ghost,” holy or otherwise (the King James Version notwithstanding).

Rather, the Spirit is a Person who works personally.

He possesses the three distinctive characteristics of personality:

• knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
• will (1 Corinthians 12:11)
• feeling or emotion (Romans 15:30)

He performs acts only a person can perform. He:

• searches (1 Corinthians. 2:10)
• speaks (Revelation 2:7)
• cries (Galatians 4:6)
• prays (Romans 8:26)
• testifies (John 15:26)
• teaches (John. 14:26)
• leads Christians (Romans 8:24)
• commands people (Acts 16:6, 7)

He is treated in Scripture as only a person can be treated. He is:

• grieved and rebelled against (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30)
• insulted (Hebrews 10:29)
• blasphemed (Matthew 12:31, 32).

But is he God?

Why is the Spirit “holy”?

Why do we believe the Spirit to be God?

For five reasons.

First, he possesses the four distinctly divine attributes:

• eternity (Hebrews 9:14)
• omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10),
• omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10, 11)
• omnipotence (Luke 1:35)

Second, he performs each of the three distinctively divine works:

• creation (Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Genesis 1:1-3),
• impartation of life (John 6:63; Genesis 2:7)
• authorship of prophecy (2 Peter 1:21)

Third, Old Testament statements about God are applied to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.

See Exodus 16:7 and Hebrews 3:7-9.

Fourth, the name of the Holy…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Hillsong worship leader showing ‘incredible results’ after brain aneurysm

• Church and Ministry
• Europe

-

0

Hillsong Creative pastor Cass Langton wrote in an Instagram stories post. “Her results are incredible!

“They revealed minimal vasospasms that were attended to and the doctors are confident there won’t be any more.”

 

Langton even said Chelsea is looking forward to being at church on Sunday although Langton added she’s not “sure if it will be that quick.”

Langton thanked all of Taylor’s supported for “faithfully storming heaven”.

 

Taylor, a worship leader Hillsong’s Sydney-based “Hills” campus, was rushed to hospital shortly after leaving the stage. She then underwent nine hours of brain surgery.

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel and it can cause sudden agonising headaches, a stiff neck, sickness and pain when looking at light.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس

Christian charities join call to end worsening crisis in Myanmar

• Church and Ministry
• Europe

-

0

It’s been two years since families have been forced from their homes by mass atrocities in Myanmar.

Almost one million of the Rohingya people group are struggling for safety in Bangladesh as refugees. Conflict there is escalating and humanitarian access is limited.

 

The charities have urged the Governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure that any return process be safe, voluntary and dignified, as news of the possible expedited repatriation of 3,450 Rohingya refugees circulated this week.

Since the conflict started, Christian Aid and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have assisted the Government of Bangladesh and UN agencies to provide life-sustaining support to Rohingya living in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

It said these collective efforts have stabilised camp conditions, strengthened monsoon preparedness and helped prevent disease outbreaks. However, Christian Aid said much more needs to be done on both sides of the Myanmar/Bangladesh border.

Deborah Hyams, Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Advisor at the charity said:  “We call on the international community to act now.

“Most urgently, the UK and other governments need to address the funding shortfall – the 2019 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya crisis is only 35 percent funded to date – and to help ensure that no refugees are repatriated to Myanmar against their will.”

She added…

… Read More

—

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

قالب وردپرس