N.C. Gov. May Veto Bill Protecting Babies Who Survive Abortions
A spokesperson for North Carolina’s Democratic governor criticized Tuesday a bill that would require doctors to give life-saving medical attention to babies who survive abortion, raising the prospect he will veto it when it reaches his desk.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed the North Carolina House of Representatives 65-46 Tuesday, one day after clearing the Senate 28-19. Republicans control both chambers. The bill’s text requires abortion doctors to treat a baby who survives an abortion the same way they would “any other child born alive at the same gestational age.” The bill also requires the baby be transported to the hospital.
But a spokesperson for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the bill targets abortion doctors.
“This unnecessary legislation would criminalize doctors for a practice that simply does not exist,” Cooper spokesperson Ford Porter said, according to The Charlotte Observer. “Laws already exist to protect newborn babies and legislators should instead be focused on other issues like expanding access to health care to help children thrive.”
Earlier this month a woman named Melissa Ohden who miraculously survived her mother’s abortion attempt told U.S. senators that legislation is needed to protect babies who are in a similar situation.
North Carolina state Rep. Pat McElraft, a Republican, said she…
5 Questions with Writer-Director of The Pilgrim’s Progress Animated Feature
Puritan preacher John Bunyan authored his classic allegory over 300 years ago. Now an award-winning director and his team—including some Pixar talent—are bringing it to the big screen.
The epic tale of a determined traveler and his quest for freedom plays out in The Pilgrim’s Progress, a feature-length animated film opening in theaters on April 18 and 20. Producers have spent five years reimagining one of the most popular and significant works of all time.
“We tried to stick to the original book as much as possible,” says Robert Fernandez, writer and director of the new animated feature. “Like any other project I’ve done, scripting is always a fight. We worked on draft after draft, fine-tuning, quoting verses and fighting it out. God came through with a solution and guidance.”
First published in 1678, the allegory by Puritan minister John Bunyan has long been ranked as one of the Top 10 most-printed books in history. Referenced by figures from preacher Charles Spurgeon to humorist Mark Twain to apologist C.S. Lewis, its influence has marked the church and popular culture for centuries.
A fast-paced, action-packed adaptation, The Pilgrim’s Progress features voice actors including John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings), Ben Price (Audacity) and Christian singer/songwriter Kristyn Getty.
Chrissy Metz on Breakthrough: Everything Happens as it Should
(RNS) — Everybody knows what it’s like to suffer alongside a loved one in crisis.
That includes Chrissy Metz.
And, the “This Is Us” star said, that’s what drew her to the role of Joyce Smith in the new movie “Breakthrough,” releasing Wednesday (April 17) in time for Easter weekend.
“Breakthrough” dramatizes the true story of Smith, whose 14-year-old son, John, fell through the ice on a frozen Missouri lake in 2015. John spent more than 15 minutes underwater and another 43 minutes with no signs of life — until his mother began to pray over him in the emergency room.
Three weeks later, John walked out of the hospital on his own and without brain damage — something his doctor described to NBC News at the time as a “bonafide miracle.”
The movie depicts how the Smiths’ Assemblies of God church and their community joined in an outpouring of support and prayer for John and how his recovery prompted questions about why some people recover from medical crises and others do not.
Metz said that when she was approached about the film she already was familiar with the Smith family’s story from the headlines — and, to some degree, what they had been through.
About a year ago, she said, her own mother experienced a medical emergency.
The actress was raised Catholic and, “more importantly,” she said, with a connection to a higher power instilled…
As we look at the incredible response to the book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, on its fifth anniversary, I think it’s worth noting why some members were really surprised when their church closed its doors.
“I didn’t see it coming,” commented a member of a deceased church. She knew the church had declined, but she was not prepared for the demise of her congregation. In her church, and in many others, there are at least five things that can trick members into believing their church is doing okay. Here are five things that masked the death of these congregations.
The church had money. In some cases, the church had a lot of money in the bank. Accumulated dollars do not equate to congregational health. In fact, it often points to sickness, even sickness to the point of death. A vibrant bank account is not the same as a vibrant church.
Members still had their friends in the church. This issue masked the death of the church quite often. As long as the members had their holy huddle around them, they were oblivious to the deteriorating conditions around them. The stench of dying and death was masked by the perfume and cologne of friends.
Guests still came to the church. We interviewed one member of a deceased church who was shocked the church had to close because guests came almost every week. If she had looked carefully, though, she would have noted those guests never came back.
Mission giving was still good. Many churches have specific mission funds and missionaries they support with zeal….
The sixty-eight-million-year-old skeleton was discovered in Montana in 2013 by Alan Detrich and his brother. Detrich loaned the fossil to the Kansas University Natural History Museum, then decided to put it up for sale on eBay. Paleontologists warn that the bones are incomplete and shattered in parts. “The asking price is just absurd,” one said.
There’s something about us that wants to own, build, or achieve something of significance that outlives us.
We purchase artifacts and other iconic objects of historic value. We erect massive cathedrals that stand long after those who build them. Those of us with lesser gifts as engineers and builders trace our initials in tree trunks and on concrete. We etch the names of those we love on tombstones made of rock.
And we want to memorialize not just our lives but also our memories and will pay a high price to do so.
Sydney Monfries was just weeks from graduation at Fordham University in New York when she died Sunday after falling from the iconic campus clock tower. She was trying to take a picture of the Bronx under moonlight.
Andrea Norton, a twenty-year-old college student from South Dakota, died last Saturday when she fell one hundred feet off a cliff in Arkansas. She had been taking a group photo with her friends.
The award is given annually in recognition of a commitment to the development of peace and will come from the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, a Filipino Roman Catholic and President of the Path to Peace Foundation, who support the Vatican’s diplomatic work at the UN and fund humanitarian projects.
Previous winners of the award include former Secretary Generals of the UN, Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan, former President of Poland Lech Walesa and other heads of state.
ACN were said to be chosen for their emergency and pastoral aid for Christians suffering oppression and discrimination.
The national director of Aid to the Church in Need in the UK, Neville Kyrke-Smith, said: “Such a recognition is both a compliment and a challenge to Aid to the Church in Need. The compliment is to the individual faithful benefactors of ACN who have sustained the Easter hope of the resurrection during the long Good Friday of appalling suffering, in particular in the Middle East.
“The challenge is now for ACN and other charities to empower the local Christian communities to renew their presence and bring a true pathway to peace.”
Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, the executive president of ACN International, will be presented with the award in New York on 22nd May.
ACN work with Syrian refugees, Christians persecuted in Pakistan and Iraq and…
Folau, 30, has requested a Code of Conduct hearing after his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia, the country’s governing body for the sport.
Chief executive Raelene Castle said the move was “not an unexpected outcome…under the circumstances”. A date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed.
Castle added: “After the date for the hearing is confirmed Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will make no further comment on the matter until the Code of Conduct process has concluded.”
The Wallabies and New South Wales Waratahs fullback had been given 24 hours on Monday to accept his dismissal or request a hearing.
He was sanctioned over a post he published on social media which said homosexuals – among others – were going to hell.
It read: “Warning. Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves.”
Announcing Folou’s dismissal on Monday, Rugby Australia said he had previously been warned “repeatedly” about his activity on social media.
A statement said: “It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.”
Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle says #Folau was…
Mr Macron outlined his hopes for the restoration in an address to the nation on Tuesday night, little more than 24 hours after the fire.
He said France “will rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral even more beautifully” and pledged to “mobilise” as he thanked emergency services and donors who pledged money for the work.
In a series of tweets after the address, Mr Macron said: “We will rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral, even more beautiful, and I hope that it will be completed within five years.”
“In our history, we have built cities, harbours, churches. Many have burned or been destroyed, by wars, revolutions, men’s faults. Every time we rebuilt them,” he added.
“The fire of Notre-Dame reminds us that our history never stops, never, and that we will always have trials to overcome.”
Nearly 400 firefighters battled through the night before the blaze was declared fully extinguished at about 10am local time (8am GMT).
Two police officers and one firefighter were injured, and at one point it was feared the 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece would be completely destroyed in the blaze, which lasted more than 12 hours.
The bells at Westminster Abbey tolled at 5.43pm on Tuesday afternoon – 24 hours after the fire started – and Prime Minister Theresa May announced bells at churches and cathedrals across England would ring in a further show of solidarity on Maundy Thursday.
Heroin, crack cocaine and five blades were surrendered at SPAC Nation by a “newcomer” following an altar call on Sunday, leaders said.
Senior pastor, Tobi Adegboyega said: “Our determination to clean the streets is stronger than ever before and the items handed in are a testament to that.”
The knives and illicit substances are being passed on to police, according to SPAC Nation – which holds a weapon and drug amnesty every week.
Some 113 people gave their lives to Jesus when the altar call was made. SPAC Nation says 1,000 people regularly attend its weekly service.
Knives, Drugs and a phone that’s used to supply drugs were all freely given up in today’s service.
Mr Adegboyega continued: “Each time we take in such items, it means one less person who will go to jail or end up dead.
“It is up to us as a community to do what we can to save these young people.
“SPAC Nation as a church and a force in the community has a dogged determination and a passion for young people to clean up the streets and give young people hope for their future.
“We will keep on doing this one knife pickup at a time.”
MFM International Headquarters Eagle Hour Financial Empowerment program and Prayer Clinic (Two in one Sunday Service) Date: 14-April-2019 Ministering: Dr. D.K Olukoya (G.O, MFM Worldwide) Topic: From Trouble to Testimony
Empowerment Quote: The difference between those who are successful and those who are not successful is those who are successful knows what others do not know.
The Message:
There are three scriptural messages to read today. You will do very well to listen to this message and pray the adversity dissolving prayers that will follow.
From the passage we red (Proverbs 24:10),
1 Upon every man, a bit of rain of adversity will fall. There is no way you can live this life trouble free. Any preacher telling you that you will live a trouble free life is a fraudulent preacher. Moses never lived a trouble free life, Elijah never lived a troubled free life
Didn’t Jesus say ‘I send you as sheep among wolves but be as wise as serpent and quiet as dove’.
Madam, you have married into a wolves family, brother, you have married into a wolves family. That company you are working in, is a wolves company but God has sent you as a sheep among them. Every congregation of the wicked surrounding you shall be scattered in the name of Jesus. They will give you a hard fight, but they shall not prevail.
G.O narrates a real life incident:
Those who were born in the fifties will know the story of a Nigerian boxer. His name is Dick Tiger. There was a big fight between Dick Tiger and a white boxer called George Fulman. At the end of the fight, Dick Tiger was declared the winner. At the end of the fight, as a young person then, I saw that both fighter had a swollen face.
The scripture didn’t say they will not fight, they will but they will not prevail. Unto every man, a level of adversity will happen. You may be passing through your own now, or you might have passed through yours already.
2 Adversity has a fainting power. Oppression can make a wise man mad but if you faint, you become a chewing stick for the enemy. Backsliding during adversity is also part of fainting.
When there is no problem, there is no need for miracle. When there is no test, there is no need for testimony.
Hard times, they are part of your passport to live as a human being. You are crying: that you are having trouble. You are having trouble because you are still carrying the human passport. Bad things sometimes happens to good people, hard times also happen to good people. Adversity has been in the world since the time of Adam.
That is why the Bible says, ‘that man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of troubles’. Every tribe all over the world have their own troubles. The second name for this word is ‘trouble’. The only place where there is no trouble is the cemetery.
The mystery is this: trouble, adversity is God’s method of making warriors. Trouble will always precede victory. That adversity is what makes us to totally rely on God and call upon Him to help us. The wilderness is still the road that leads to Canaan, The Gethsemane still has to precede glory. If you doing something for God and there is no opposition, it’s not clear if it’s God you doing that something for. If you have the power to disallow trouble from troubling you, you would turn your trouble to joy.
Every work of God is always faced with adversities. This is because all satanic territory that we invade, Satan will bitterly contest for it. But Jesus said, ‘be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world’.
Whether we like it or not, there is no education like adversity. It teaches people to be strong. Many of the wonderful sisters here, the beautiful madams here, they will not have been here today and praying now if they had a wonderful and handsome brother to marry.
G.O narrates another real life incident:
A rightfully married woman saw a strange woman took over her home. As soon as she confronted her, the strange woman started chanting incantations. ‘The day Orunmila (a deity) was on a journey and he was delayed, he did this and blablabla: I command you to leave this house’. As soon as she heard that, she called her friend and narrated the ordeal. Her friend screamed, ‘go to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministry immediately’. She said the church she’s going, she is a deaconess.
God’s best soldiers are trained in the school of adversity. All the A.G.Os and pastors you are seeing, they passed through things. You learn more of your adversity than from your teachers and academics. Trouble has no respect for your brain powers or family connections. God will not deliver you from trouble, His promise is that He will deliver you in trouble. Those troubles will bring out the useful talent and warrior in you in which your prosperous circumstance would not have allowed you to know your strengths and weaknesses. Trouble is like a knife, it can serve us or cut us.
Whether we like it or not, every righteous man will face the plot of the wicked. Assistance and facilities, they don’t make men. It is trouble and circumstances that makes us men. Those who are assisted easily loose their blessing but those who go through adversity do not easily lose their breakthrough.
Trouble gives a platform for God to display His power. I pray for you that you will move from insult to result, from test to testimony, from mockery to manifestation in the name of Jesus.
If you want to be strong in the day of adversity:
Become a friend of God. Surrender your life to Jesus.
Repent from every known sin. Every sinner is fighting God.
Trust the Lord with all your heart, not half hearted.
Learn to take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there.
Be a praise addict. God is glorious in holiness and fearful in praises. Learn the praise songs. Learn to sing from the hymn books.
Let God’s word dominate your thoughts. God’s word is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword. The more of God’s word in your heart, the smaller the troubles will be.
Know that God is more concerned about your internal salvation.
Be a prayer addict. Don’t joke with prayer. The Bible says men ought always to pray and not faint.
Put on all of the whole armor of God. Exhibit Faith, be prayerful, and do all those things that the book of Ephesians tell us.
Have faith in God, don’t be double minded. Don’t move from place to place, mountain to mountain.
Pray enquiry prayers. If you are going through a situation, pray and He will show you the secret.
Remember that greater is He that is in you that He that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Remember that trials, troubles, they can get very worse before they get better. Don’t lose hope.
Under no situation must you neglect the assemble of God’s people. It’s a defeatist arrow.
Allow God to deal with your weakness. Sometimes the purpose of adversity is to pinpoint areas where you’re weak.
Refuse to be discouraged. The worst thing that can happen to you in the midst of adversity is to be discouraged. When you’re discouraged, you will be saying and thinking the wrong things, you will be doing the wrong things and it will backfire on you. You will begin to see the wrong things and get into the wrong place and in the wrong spirit when discouragement sets in.
G.O narrates another incident:
A friend was in problems and discouraged so he seek his friend in church for an advise. The friend he seek offered to take him to one baba (herbalist). As soon as the baba saw them, he asked the visitor to go out. He told the one who brought him that ‘tell your friend that people like him don’t come here. There is that thing in him and he doesn’t need to start looking for solutions here and there. The herbalist kept insisting He has that thing’.
Prayer Rain:
After Ministration prayers by Daddy G.O
Voice of my glory: arise, shake the heaven, shake the earth in the name of Jesus.
Satanic arrangement to disgrace me where I’m suppose to be celebrated, backfire in the name of Jesus.
Every conscious and unconscious agreement between the devil and my parent concerning my life, break in the name of Jesus.
Where is the Lord God of Elijah: arise, let my stubborn enemies bury themselves in the name of Jesus.
Where is the Lord God of Elijah: arise, raise a bigger Pharaoh to deal with my Pharaoh in the name of Jesus.
Alter of God, swallow any sickness fighting me in the name of Jesus.
Strong man working against my expectations, expire in the name of Jesus.
Dragon of the enemy pursuing my star, die in the name of Jesus.
Powers digging wells against my finances, your time is up: die in the name of Jesus.
Wickedness of the wicked against my life, expire in the name of Jesus.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
