Passenger recalls moment plane window shattered

Jennifer Riordan, a bank executive and mother of two from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was hit by shrapnel as passengers desperately scrambled to save her from getting pulled out of the plane by the sudden decompression.

She later died and seven others were injured.

 

The pilots of the Southwest Airlines plane – flying from New York to Dallas with 149 people aboard – were forced to put the twin-engine Boeing 737 into a rapid descent and made an emergency landing in Philadelphia as frightened passengers using oxygen masks said their prayers and braced for impact.

New Yorker Amanda Bourman who was on board with her husband said: “I remember holding my husband’s hand and we just prayed and prayed.

“Everybody was crying and upset. You had a few passengers that were very strong, and they kept yelling to people, you know, ‘It’s OK! We’re going to do this!'”

 

She shared a picture of the damaged engine on Instagram and said a passenger exclaimed “there is a God” when the plane landed.

Photos of the plane on the tarmac showed a missing window and a chunk gone from the left engine, including part of its cover.

Marty Martinez, a passenger on the flight, broadcast the experience live on Facebook.

The National Transportation Safety Board said a preliminary examination of the blown engine from Flight 1380 showed evidence of “metal fatigue”.

In a news conference, NTSB chairman Robert…

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

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Institutional Idolatry, Church Sickness #4

Church Sickness #4: Institutional Idolatry

Institutional Idolatry happens when church members have an unbiblical devotion to inconsequential matters.

Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:

  • Church facilities are the most common form of institutional idolatry.
  • We shouldn’t equate a certain style of church music with the “right kind of music.”
  • Churches with institutional idolatry are some of the most resistant to change.
  • Institutional idolatry gets us to focus on the wrong things instead of Great Commission things.

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Silence broken as family hear from imprisoned Iranian Christian

The family of Aziz Majidzadeh, 54, said they were contacted by him who informed them he was being held in the notorious Evin Prison, in the capital Tehran.

Kiaa Aalipour, spokesman for advocacy organisation Article 18, told World Watch Monitor that Majidzadeh has yet to be charged but his interrogations have focused on activities related to his Christian faith.

 

Aziz was among 20 other Christians in a workshop near the city of Karaj, last month, when security forces raided the premises.

The spokesman said security forces “arrested one of the friends of this group of Christians at his home and forced him to come with them to the workshop. They came in and started filming everything, saying that they were friends of their friend and were shooting footage for a Persian-language Christian satellite channel”.

While most of the group were released after being interrogated, Majidzadeh – who has been arrested before for activities related to his faith – was beaten and detained, according to Aalipour.

Iranian Christians Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh, who spent eight months in Evin Prison described it as “the most brutal prison in the world”.

They wrote about their experiences in a book, ‘Captive in Iran’, after they were released in 2010 and granted asylum in the US.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily…

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

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Church defends Beyoncé Mass service

Grace Cathedral, which is home to an Episcopal congregation in the downtown area of the city, is due to host the special Mass next Wednesday evening.

Director of innovative ministry Rev Jude Harmon was quoted by the SFGATE news website as saying: “I know there are people who will say using Beyoncé is just a cheap way of trying to get people in the church.

 

“But Jesus used very provocative images in the stories he would tell to incite people to ask hard questions about their own religious assumptions.

“He regularly provoked.

“We’re following in the way of Jesus.”

The event is intended to show the music of Beyoncé, 36, “opens a window into the lives of the marginalised and forgotten – particularly black females”.

Supercarwaar/Wikimedia Commons

 

It’s being held by The Vine – a weekly contemporary worship service at Grace Cathedral which was founded by Rev Harmon.

A message will be delivered by Rev Yolanda Norton, an assistant professor of the Old Testament from San Francisco Theological Seminary who also teaches a programme called Beyoncé and the Bible.

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.

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

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I am more of a spy than US pastor detained in Turkey

Andrew Brunson, who is currently on trial over alleged links to a failed coup in the country almost two years ago, was described by Donald Trump on a “fine gentleman”.

Posting on Twitter, he said: “Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason.

 

“They call him a spy, but I am more a spy than he is.

“Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!”

World Watch Monitor

 

The 50-year-old from North Carolina is accused of connections to two groups which Ankara blames for an attempted overthrow of the government in July 2016.

Lawyers supporting Mr Brunson, who had spent years leading a small Protestant church in the city of Izmir, say he has been targeted specifically for his Christian faith.

 

He appeared to court on Monday to deny the charges against him before being remanded in custody for three weeks until his next court appearance before a court in Izmir.

Last year, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Mr Brunson’s fate…

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

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Donald Trump comes to defence of US pastor detained in Turkey

Andrew Brunson, who is currently on trial over alleged links to a failed coup in the country almost two years ago, was described by Donald Trump on a “fine gentleman”.

Posting on Twitter, he said: “Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason.

 

“They call him a spy, but I am more a spy than he is.

“Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!”

World Watch Monitor

 

The 50-year-old from North Carolina is accused of connections to two groups which Ankara blames for an attempted overthrow of the government in July 2016.

Lawyers supporting Mr Brunson, who had spent years leading a small Protestant church in the city of Izmir, say he has been targeted specifically for his Christian faith.

 

He appeared to court on Monday to deny the charges against him before being remanded in custody for three weeks until his next court appearance before a court in Izmir.

Last year, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Mr Brunson’s fate…

… Read More

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

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 18 April 2018 Devotional — Cultivate Healthy Relationships

Topic: Cultivate Healthy Relationships [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Wednesday April 18, 2018]

…Love…is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. — 1 Corinthians 13:5

Everyone wants friends, and God wants us to have them. He encourages relationships throughout His Word, but it is important to have healthy, safe, and godly relationships.

Some relationships are not safe for us because we are being used, manipulated, and taken advantage of. God wants us to pray for and love everyone, even our enemies, but that doesn’t mean we should let people take advantage of us.

I personally am not interested in having what I call one-sided relationships in which I do all the giving and the other party does all the taking. God does use us at times in the lives of selfish, self-centered people, and we do make sacrifices, but there is a point at which we are hurting people if we let them manipulate us for their own pleasure.

Stand up for yourself and always be willing to confront unhealthy relationships. Speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). You are very valuable and entitled to have good friends who will respect and honor you properly.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me always be a good friend. I ask You for safe, healthy relationships in which I can flourish and grow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer’s Daily 18 April 2018 Devotional — Cultivate Healthy Relationships appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Wednesday, 18 April 2018 – Financial Prosperity

TOPIC: Financial Prosperity (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Wednesday, 18 April 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:25-27

MEMORY VERSE:
“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” – Psalms 35:27

The MESSAGE:

Finance is an aspect of life that can’t be ignored. Everyone is affected by it. In the world we live, it is a necessity. Other aspects of life that have to do with finance are connected to finance. Wrong perspective concerning this subject has proven detrimental to some. Most of the time, God is held responsible for any misfortune as regards finances. This begs the question, is God to blame? What is His perspective concerning finances?

No responsible father provides food for his child and ignores the child when he asks for clothes. A father takes care of every need of his child. So it is with God, your heavenly Father. He cares about every aspect of your life. He is not interested in you doing well spiritually and suffering financially. He knows finance is an important area of your life. He has made provision for it. Disobedience and sin bring with them consequences. Financial oppression or lack of prosperity is a consequence of sin. Sin allows satan to have right over a person’s finances. When a person turns from sin to the Lord, He receives the package of salvation. Within this package is financial prosperity. The person has a new life in Christ, hence rightfully, prosperity is his. This provision, God has made for every child of His. Sadly it is possible to move to a new house and take with you spoiled goods. It is also possible to have a package and never open it. Such is the case of some. After receiving the total package of salvation they do not reckon that they are free from poverty and lack. Old mind sets are still intact. Some find it hard to believe that they can prosper, having been poor a very long time. This does not change the truth. God desires all His children to prosper (1 John 3:2). God takes no joy in seeing His people suffer. He gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). God is ready to provide for your need and make you prosper if you will believe. Believing is the key to unlocking any promise of God.

As divine healing and protection are your right in Christ, so is prosperity. The blessings of God makes rich and adds no sorrow. Prosperity given by the world adds sorrow. It leaves a sense of dissatisfaction. Receive financial prosperity from the Lord. Release yourself from the shackles of poverty. God has made the provision, you make the choice.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
God delights in blessing His children.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The riches of the Gentiles shall be transferred to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. I withdraw my wealth from satanic banks, in the name of Jesus.
2. Any power working against my prosperity, I destroy you, in the name of Jesus.
3. My Father, bless me with great ideas to be more prosperous, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. O Lord, open my eyes to the great opportunities around me, in the name of Jesus.
5. I shall layup gold as dust, in the name of Jesus.
6. I shall fulfil my purpose with joy and abundance, in the name of Jesus.
7. Any evil eye monitoring my progress; be blind, in the name of Jesus.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE 

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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Teens Open Heavens 18 April 2018 – The Holy Spirit

Topic: The Holy Spirit [Teens Open Heavens 18, April 2018]

Memorise: But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. – John 14:26

Read: Romans 8:26-27 (KJV)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 25-26, Luke 16:19-31

MESSAGE:

The Holy Spirit is the best companion any child of God can have. Imagine having the greatest power in the universe living inside you, there are endless possibilities. In the Salvation process, the role of the Holy Spirit cam never be overestimated. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts an individual of his sins and leads him to confession. And when this individual confesses his sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart, He will have God living on the inside.

The Holy Spirit is also the seal which preserves a Christian until the day of his redemption, and the day of redemption is the day of the Lord Jesus Christ comes for His own. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, a person cannot hope to make Heaven. It is the power that the Holy Spirit gives that enables a man to overcome all the wiles of the devil and stay righteous till the very end. This is why every Heaven bound Christian should always pray for an infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Point: Lord Jesus Christ please fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’ 

Hymn 14

1. O spread the tidings ’round,
Wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and
Human woes abound.
Let every Christian tongue
Proclaim the joyful sound:
The comforter has come!

Chorus:
The Comforter has come!
The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n,
The Father’s Promise giv’n,
O spread the tidings ’round,
Wherever man is found:
The Comforter has come!

2. The long, long night is past;
The morning breaks at last;
And hushed the dreadful wail
And fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills
The day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!

3. Lo, the great Kings of Kings,
With healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full
Deliv’rance brings;
And thro’ the vacant cells
The song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come!

4. O boundless love divine!
How shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell
The matchless grace divine-
That I, a child of hell,
Should in His image shine?
The Comforter has come!

Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.

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DCLM Daily Manna 18 April, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Divine Chastening

Topic: Divine Chastening [DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday April 18, 2018]

Text: Hebrews 12:5-13 (KJV)

Key Verse: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:6,8).

MESSAGE:

Trials, stated Charles Spurgeon, make room for consolation. “There is nothing that makes a man have a big heart like a great trial. I have found that those people who have no sympathy for their fellows – who never weep for the sorrows of others – very seldom have had any woes of their own. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper and makes more room for consolation. God comes into the heart – He finds it full – He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have.”

Christians should welcome chastening from the Lord. Though the chastening may be presently unpleasant but afterwards will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. So, partakers are to make straight path for their feet; and allow those hands hanging down and the feeble knees get healed.

Challenges are tools in the refining process through which the Lord brings out the best in a Christian. These may come in the form of wrong accusation even from close associates, deprivation of lawful entitlements, discouragement, disagreements in marriage, church or home. God allows them so as to bring us to higher levels of usefulness and growth. He uses trials as an opportunity to prove to Satan, the world and ourselves, the depth of our commitment to Him.

As a partaker of His holiness, whatever you are experiencing might bring transient sorrow and heaviness of heart, but they are meant to refine, purge and purify you ultimately. Trials are part of the necessary training of legitimate children of God. Note that God’s best are often produced in the furnace of afflictions.

Thought For The Day: God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them but to cleanse them.

Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 17; 35; 54; 63

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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