Women Speak Out about Sexual Abuse by Catholic Nuns
Following the reveal of sex abuse by hundreds of Catholic priests and clergymen in 2018, women are now speaking out about being sexually abused by nuns.
According to CBS News, Trish Cahill was drugged and sexually abused by nun Sister Eileen Shaw, starting when she was 15 years old. Cahill reportedly went to visit Shaw to confide in her about past molesting by her uncle who was a priest, but what she got instead of protection, was more abuse. Cahill told CBS News, “I would have done anything for her. I would have died for her.” Cahill continued, “She gave me everything that was lacking that I didn’t even know I was lacking. I was so broken. She filled in all those pieces.”
Now, Cahill realizes that what was happening was sexual abuse. According to CBS News, Shaw was giving Cahill drugs and alcohol while also showing her how to have sex with women.
Cahill told the outlet that she would spend her days with friends and nights, weekends and summers with Shaw where she would be sexually abused.
Another woman speaking out about abusive nuns is Mary Dispenza.
Dispenza, who is a former nun, told CBS News that she too was sexually assaulted by a nun.
She recalled the experience in an interview with the outlet. Reportedly, Dispenza was called to her superior’s office. She said, “I knelt down right next to her and she kissed me all over softly, my face… and I want to say, ‘Oh but…
Topic: Can You Believe It? [Andrew Wommack Devotional 4 January 2019]
Luke 1:18, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”
Text: Luke 1:5-25
Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous people (v. 6) who prayed for a child for many years. They felt the same disappointments and frustrations that any of us would feel and yet they kept believing God. The Lord finally answered their prayers and sent His angel to announce the good news.
What was Zacharias’ reaction? He couldn’t believe it! The very thing that he had been praying for was granted and he doubted that it was true. In Zacharias’ case he received his miracle anyway. Perhaps his wife’s faith pulled him through.
Likewise, you may be praying for the right things. You may even be sincere and earnest, but would you be surprised if those prayers were suddenly answered today? Have you made preparations for your prayers to be answered?
Before the children of Israel were actually delivered from Egypt, they ate the passover meal by faith. Their bags were packed and ready to go. We need to anticipate our prayers being answered.
Right now, imagine how you would feel or what you would do if the answer to your prayers was manifested this very minute. Then, as much as possible begin to think and act that way. You’ll find out that your whole attitude will change as you focus on your answer instead of the problem.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
Topic: Assurance of His Love [Billy Graham Devotional 4 January 2019]
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? —Psalm 27:1
Today many people are living in the bondage of fear. In a recent study a psychiatrist said that the greatest problem facing his patients was fear. Fear of going insane, committing suicide, being alone, or fear of heart disease, cancer, disaster, or death. We are becoming a nation of fearful people. Down through the centuries in times of trouble, temptation, trial, bereavement, and crisis, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him.
The Bible is crowded with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. Today the Christian can come to the Scriptures with full assurance that God is going to deliver the person who puts his trust and confidence in God. Christians can look into the future with promise, hope, and joy, and without fear, discouragement, or despondency.
Prayer for the day: Your assurances of love still the fears of my heart, Lord.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Women’s College in Missouri Redefines Womanhood, Welcomes Transgender Women
Stephens College in Missouri announced recently that the traditionally all-female school would allow transgender women to enroll starting in the fall of 2019.
According to The Christian Post, men who are transitioning to females will be allowed to attend the college, but any women transitioning to males will have to leave the school.
“Because the College has expanded its definition of womanhood to include both sex and gender, it is logically consistent that it also acknowledges both sex and gender in its definition of manhood,” the college said in a statement.
“As a result, the College will stop admitting and enrolling students who were born female but who now identify as men or who are transitioning from female to male. The College will also continue to admit and enroll students who were born female but who identify as non-binary, meaning students who experience their gender identity as falling outside the categories of man and woman. “
Students will have to provide legal documentation that they live and identify as a woman.
According to Inside Higher Ed, the college has been reviewing the policy change since 2014.
Stephens College is the second oldest all-women college in the U.S. The oldest women-only college is Salem College in North Carolina.
One of Belgium’s most popular beers will lose the booze in a new drink.
AB InBev, the world’s largest brewing company is set to launch a zero alcohol version of its Leffe beer.
It’s normally made by monks or on license and the product is one of the country’s most powerful abbey beers.
The original Leffe dates back to 1240 and normally has 6.6% alcohol content.
Attitudes towards drinking in Belgium are said to be changing. In a recent survey 62% of adults in Belgium thought they drank too much.
Non-alcoholic larger and beers have seen 30% growth in the market over the last year in Belgium.
The brewing process will not be altered in the production of this new drink. AB InBev will first let the beer go through its usual brewing process. The alcohol is then removed using a de-alcoholisation technique to produce the new drink.
Eoghan Walsh, beer writer in Belgium told the Daily Telegraph that “a zero percent abbey beer is a big departure from a brewing tradition you can trace back hundreds of years”.
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Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Lessons from the Sower II
Topic: Lessons from the Sower II (Open Heaven 4 January 2019)
Memorise:“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:”- Proverbs 24:3
Read: Mark 4:2-9, Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
Mark 4:2-9: 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 10:29-30: 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Bible in One Year: Matthew 9-10, Isaiah 3:1-23
Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday MESSAGE:
Yesterday, we learnt a great lesson from the futility of indiscriminate sowing from the Parable of the Sower. The Holy Spirit taught us that it would amount to a waste of seed, time and energy if we do not sow wisely. Today, we will reflect on the benefits of sowing with wisdom.
To conclude His parable on the sower, the Lord in Mark 4:8 said:
“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
The first lesson here is that seeds don’t all yield the same amount of fruit. Every child of God must have this understanding in order not be frustrated by unfulfilled expectations. In His own wisdom, the Owner of the Church did not endow every member of His Church equally (Romans 12:6-8). What is important is that we all sow seeds, using the endowments God has given to each of us, and we must do all within our ability to maximise the potential of our seed in order to yield the expected fruits (John 15:16). It will therefore be wrong for us, as members of the Body of Christ, to begin to compare ourselves competitively with one another. The Holy Spirit discourages this type of attitude among the brethren (2 Corinthians 10:12).
When we choose correctly the right soil to sow our seeds into, we are bound to prosper. It is frustrating to work and have nothing to show for it. Peter experienced this in Luke 5:3-8, but by the time he encountered the Owner of heaven and earth, he had a big catch. From Peter’s experience, you will be wise to learn that you need Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Wisdom of God, to experience breakthroughs in life without struggle (1 Corinthians 1:24-29). Moreover, if you are one of those who pay tithes and give offerings as commanded by God, you must identify the correct soil to sow these seeds of faith into. You must identify a commission which has God’s backing to sow your seeds of giving into. Many people have been discouraged from paying their tithes, offerings and first fruits because God’s promise on these in Malachi 3:10 is not fulfilled in their lives. They have become disgruntled about giving, not only to God but also to the needy, because they lack adequate knowledge on the principles of sowing. The problem is that many people unknowingly sow among thorns and thistles, on the roadside or even on the rock. From the Parable of the Sower, we know what happens to such seeds. This will not be your experience in Jesus’ Name. Some ministries which are not founded on the call of God are like the wayside and rocky ground that Jesus described; you will be wise not to sow your time and resources in such places. Overall, the best investment you can make is to sow the seed of your life into Christ. If you do, you will surely reap the benefits in multiple folds (Mark 10:30, John 10:10).
Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday Key Point:
God is not committed to what He hasn’t commanded. Are you sowing into a cause that has His backing?
Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday Hymn 4: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose, Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.
5. Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.
Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday Daily 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. Open Heaven 4 January 2019 Friday Daily Devotional.
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Pastor Erica Campbell Talks with Non-Believers about Why They Don’t Believe in God
Grammy Winning Christian singer and pastor Erica Campbell sat down with three non-believers to ask them why they do not believe in God, last month.
In a viral BuzzFeed video, Campbell was able to talk to a former Mormon named Josh, a former Catholic woman named Emily, and a woman who grew up Hindu but now identifies as agnostic, named Nina.
As she sat with each of them one-on-one, the Mary-Mary singer listened intently working to understand why they believe what they believe.
Early in his conversation with Campbell, Josh explained how he grew up in a very involved Mormon family, but he couldn’t shake the feelings of doubt he had.
Campbell shook her head to show that she understood and then offered a similar experience she had with her church when she was growing up. She said, “I grew up similar to you, but mine was a Pentecostal church, the Church of God in Christ. My father was a preacher, my mom was over the choir.”
She continued, “There was a lot of things that didn’t always make sense to me, like why we were so poor.”
“But the same way I wouldn’t doubt love because people have gotten love wrong, that’s kind of how I feel about God and I think it’s reassuring to me that after it’s over, there is something grater,” she added.
Later Josh disclosed to Campbell that in reading the bible there were many things he…
According to a congressional aide, the US President told Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (pictured below) that as a “good Catholic” she should get behind his plans.
A closed-door meeting between Trump and congressional leaders has led to no further progress over the partial government shutdown.
Talks will resume on Friday amid an impasse over the President’s demand for billions of dollars to build a wall along the US border with Mexico.
The Democrats, who will take control of the US congress when it reconvenes on Thursday, have insisted they won’t provide funds for the wall.
In an interview with NBC’s Today show, Ms Pelosi said: “Nothing for the wall.
“We can go through the back and forth. No. How many more times can we say no?”
Mr Trump has mentioned the Vatican’s centuries-old fortifications before, including at the earlier Cabinet meeting. But Democrats have said they do not want medieval barriers, and Ms Pelosi has called Mr Trump’s proposed wall along the US-Mexico border immoral.
“I remain ready and willing to work with Democrats,” Mr Trump tweeted after the meeting. “Let’s get it done!”
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World’s Tallest Statue of Jesus Is Goal of ‘Bella’ Actor Eduardo Verástegui
The Mexican actor known for his roles in Bella and Little Boy has launched an initiative to build the largest statue of Jesus in his home country.
Eduardo Verástegui, who played the lead role in the popular pro-life film Bella,saidthe statue will be about 77 meters (252 feet) tall, making it the tallest structure of Christ in the world. The statue of Jesus overlooking Rio de Janeiro is 30 meters tall.
Architect Fernando Romero will design it. It will be built in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
The statue will be accompanied by an esplanade with the capacity for 10,000 people, along with stores, restaurants, a hotel and an amphitheater, according to Mexico News Daily.
Verástegui, who is Catholic, previously co-founded Metanoia Filmswith the goal of making movies that positively impact the culture.
He formerly was a soap opera star who changed his career focus as a young adult.
“I was poisoning our society by the projects I was involved with. Out of ignorance I ended up doing things that right now I don’t feel proud of and wish I could go back and redo, but I can’t,” he toldBeliefNet. “I made a promise to God that I would never use my talents again to do anything that would offend my faith, my family, or my Latino culture.”
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 6 January 2019 Lesson 19 – Practical Love in Marriage (Part 2)
TOPIC: Practical Love in Marriage (Part 2)
OPENING PRAYER: Father, please let torment and fear be chased out of our marriages through the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. (Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 6 JANUARY 2019 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 6 JANUARY 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 6 January 2019)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: In the previous lesson, we learnt about erotic/sexual love and friendship love as being crucial for a successful marriage. We shall further consider two(2) types of love that must be practiced in godly marriage. These are ‘affectionate’ love and ‘sacrificial/1 Corinthians 13:1-13 love.
TEXT REVIEW: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 “- “NO SUBSTITUTE” The following are not substitute for charitable love: i. Speaking in tongues of men and angels Vs. 1 ii. Gift of prophecy. Vs. 2 iii. Understanding of mysteries. Vs 2 iv. All knowledge. Vs 2 v. All faith. Vs 2 vi. Welfare grace or philanthropy. Vs 3 vii. Sacrifice of body. Vs 3
Those who claim to have genuine love based on the above parameters had better understood that their bases for love was NOTHING Vs 2 and Vs 3. They are “nothing” because:
i. Prophecy will fail. Vs 8
ii. Speaking in tongue will cease. Vs 8
iii. Knowledge shall vanish away. Vs 8
The true and lasting thing which does not fail is charity. Therefore, those who do not want to fail should embrace charity Vs 9-10
LESSON OUTLINE 1: “STORGE” AFFECTIONATE LOVE. i. Greek word translate “storge” as Affectionate love. ii. It is a familiar love that must be practically shown among couples, children and extended family members. Gen. 13:8-9, Ruth 1:16 iii. It is the care and concern that binds families together and which fosters unity against all odds. Gen. 14: 14-16; 34:1-7, 25-27; Exodus 2: 2-8 iv. It strengthens the family ties during suffering and heartache 1 Sam. 1:4-8. v. It is the supportive love which must be demonstrated in the lines of losses or victory, failure, or success, sickness or sound health, sadness and joy, disappointment or achievement, etc. Luke 8:41-42, 49-55. vi. It is a love that builds up trust and safety in marriage.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What is the relevance of “storge” to marriage?
LESSON OUTLINE 2: “AGAPE” SACRIFICIAL/CHARITABLE LOVE i. Agape describes love that comes from God who is God of love.. ii. God demonstrates his love to sinners by allowing the Lord Jesus to die for us. Rom. 5:8 iii. When a man truly loves God and holds on to his God and despises others such man has demonstrated Agape love. Matt. 6:24. iv. A husband who truly loves his wife as Christ loves the church is said to exhibit Agape love. Eph. 5:25-31. v. Agape love is unconditional love which stands and remains when other types of love quits, and when there is no reason to do so. vi. Agape love is described as charitable love. 1 Cor. 13:1-13. vii. Agape love still continues despite the shortcomings or faults of our mates. vii. Agape love gives sacrificially and holds the couple together till death do them part. 1 John 3:16; John 13:1.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Identity the characteristics of Agape love.
SUMMARY: “Storge” is affectionate “Agape” is charitable.
CONCLUSION: A marriage without the presence and commitment of Storge (support and care) and Agape love may be on the express lane to heartbreak.
EVALUATION: Mention four (4) characteristics of “storge” and “Agape” each.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help couples to love each other to the end.
ASSIGNMENT: Differentiate in five (5) points between “storge” and “Agape”.
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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 6 JANUARY 2019 HYMN
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
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