‘Children Without Heads, Body Parts Everywhere’ — Syrian Civilians Describe ‘Unthinkable Atrocities’ in Ongoing War

Syria (Photo: Reuters/Sultan Kitaz)

Men carry injured schoolchildren after what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad and hit a school and a residential building in Seif al-Dawla neighborhood of Aleppo, May 3, 2015.

Human rights group Amnesty International has released a new report describing the “unthinkable atrocities” taking place in the ongoing civil war in Syria. Some civilians shared of hellish scenes such as “children without heads” in the city of Aleppo.

Several witnesses to the various attacks on civilians in the past months and years shared their testimonies with Amnesty International in the detailed 74-page report, revealing horrific occurrences.

“After the bombing, I saw children without heads, body parts everywhere. It was how I imagine hell to be,” said a 30-year-old factory worker, talking about the aftermath of an attack on the al-Fardous neighborhood in 2014.

A number of different factions are battling each other for control in the war-torn Syria, from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, to terror group ISIS, and a host of other rebel groups intent on taking the government out of power.

In March, humanitarian agency Oxfam International noted that over 220,000 people have been killed in the civil war so far, which has raged on for over five years.

“This spiralling catastrophe is a stain on the conscience of the international community,” Oxfam wrote in its report.

Amnesty’s research alleges that both government forces and the various rebel groups are committing war crimes on a daily basis, with civilians caught in the middle.

BBC News reported that the latest attack occurred on Sunday, when a barrel bomb hit a nursery school in the Saif al-Dawla district and killed at least 10 people, including four children and a teacher.

Assad has repeatedly denied that his forces have used barrel bombs or chemical weapons on its own people, but has been accused of doing so by the U.S. government and other western leaders.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has backed efforts looking to broker peace in the region, and revealed earlier this year that he’s willing to hold talks with Assad on the issue.

“We have to negotiate in the end,” Kerry said. “What we’re pushing for is to get him to come and do that, and it may require that there be increased pressure on him of various kinds.”

Amnesty alleges that between January 2014 and March of this year, government aircraft launched continual attacks using barrel bombs on rebel bases in Aleppo. The bombs reportedly targeted at least 14 public markets, 12 transportation hubs, 23 mosques, 17 hospitals and medical centers, and three schools.

The human right’s group said in its executive summary that the violations committed both by government and rebel forces in Aleppo go against U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at stopping the violence, and constitute war crimes.

“In some cases, the actions of the Syrian government amounted to crimes against humanity,” the group said.

“Civilians in opposition-controlled areas of Aleppo have been bombarded in their homes, hospitals, schools, public markets and places of worship in air attacks launched by government forces. The majority of attacks in this campaign have involved the use of ‘barrel bombs’ — large, improvised explosive devices, which are delivered from helicopters and consist of oil barrels, fuel tanks or gas cylinders that have been packed with explosives, fuel and metal fragments to increase their lethal effect,” it added.

“Amnesty International has also concluded, based on cases examined in this report and prior work, that many non-state armed groups have engaged in abductions and hostage-taking, as well as the arbitrary detention, torture, and other mistreatment of prisoners in Aleppo. Such acts would constitute war crimes.”

Source : Christian Post

Is This the Face of Jesus as a Child? Italian Investigators Produce Image From Shroud of Turin

Using the Turin Shroud, the supposed burial cloth of Jesus, Italian police investigators have generated a photo-fit image from the negative facial image on the material, with photos posted in May, 2015. (Photo: Screencap/Daily News YouTube)

Using the Turin Shroud, the supposed burial cloth of Jesus, Italian police investigators have generated a photo-fit image from the negative facial image on the material, with photos posted in May 2015.

Christian Post Report – Italian forensics investigators have used the Shroud of Turin, believed by some to be the burial cloth of Christ, to produce an image of how Jesus might have possibly looked like as a child.

The Independent reported that police generated a photo-fit image from the negative facial image imprinted on the famous shroud. They then used a reversed aging process which included reducing the size of the jaw, raising the chin, and other techniques to produce the image of the young Jesus. Photos released online show the step-by-step reversed aging process used.

The shroud’s authenticity has been the subject of much debate and scientific testing. It is recognized by the Vatican as an important relic, but the Roman Catholic Church has never proclaimed its stance on whether the face imprinted in the shroud really belongs to Jesus.

Italian police reportedly used methods commonly employed to generate likenesses of criminals who have been on the run for decades, making their photos outdated.

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, where the shroud is kept in a climate-controlled chamber, revealed back in April that the relic would be made available for public display for the first time in five years.

The 14-foot shroud has been available to the public only five times since 1933, making it a rather rare opportunity. Over a million people are expected to visit Turin in the coming months to catch a glimpse of the relic.

Pope Francis has also said that he will visit Turin to view the shroud, which is being displayed as part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Saint John Bosco, a Catholic who worked with poor youth in the city.

Turin Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia said about the relic last month: “It is not a profession of faith because it is not an object of faith, nor of devotion, but it can help faith.”

Nosiglia added that many who come to see the shroud often return for a second visit, when given the chance.

“That means there is a fundamental need in people’s hearts to renew this incredible experience that they had the first time they saw it,” he offered.

“Even non-believers will come. It’s an occasion that brings everybody together.”

Source : Christian Post

‘What Are You Doing Here?’

So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
— 1 Kings 19:13

  • Greg Laurie
    (Photo: rever Hoehne for Harvest Ministries)
    Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California, shares the Gospel with a sold-out crowd of 19,000 for Harvest America at the American Airlines Center and Victory Park in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 5, 2014.

Christian Post Report – It was a glorious day of victory for Israel and the Lord. Elijah had faced off with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God sent a stream of fire from Heaven and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice. At God’s command, Baal’s prophets had been slain, and Jezebel, the wife of wicked King Ahab, wanted Elijah dead.

So inexplicably, the courageous Elijah, having just faced all those prophets, ran in terror and hid himself in a cave. Then the Bible tells us there was a mighty, rushing wind, followed by an earthquake and a big fire. After that, God asked Elijah a question: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13).

I wonder if the Lord would say that to some of us sometimes. Maybe it’s when you’re in a group of people and things are happening that you shouldn’t be around. Maybe people are doing drugs or getting drunk. And the Lord says, “What are you doing here?” Or maybe you’re in a movie and a scene comes on that is not the kind of scene you should be watching. Everyone is enjoying it, and you are feeling a little uncomfortable. The Lord whispers, “What are you doing here?”

When Judas came to betray Jesus, He said, “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50). Did Jesus know why Judas came to the garden with a bunch of soldiers and the temple guard? Of course Jesus knew. However, Jesus wanted Judas to say he was there because he had been planning to betray Him, but he wanted to repent. But Judas didn’t repent.

God knows everything that we have done, and He wants us to admit our sins, to confess them. Sometimes God will ask us a question designed to do that. So what question is God asking you today?

Copyright © 2015 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000

Used with Permission

Source : Christian Post

Are You Padding the Truth of the Gospel?

Are You Padding the Truth of the Gospel?

 A few years back, I listened in astonishment as some prominent emergent church leaders such as Rob Bell, Tony Jones, and Brian McLaren talked about replacing “preaching” with “having a conversation.”

Christian Post Report – At first, I thought that they might be confusing individual conversations with how we should speak to the masses, but I was wrong. They felt that we should stop “preaching” from the pulpit and start being more passive and less confrontational. Never mind the fact that Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43). But according to many, it’s time to replace the pulpit with a couch and preaching with conversing.
It’s not my practice to name names, or reference churches, but when they depart from truth they open themselves up for exposure.

Sadly, many churches carry their books, promote their material, and seek to model their church after them.
There is a very troubling trend in the evangelical church as a whole. We are in desperate need of genuine leadership—broken, humble people who are not afraid to admit that they need God; men who are more worried about prayer than about status and recognition; men who petition God rather than position themselves. Many men want the recognition, but not the brokenness; the honor, but not the humility. The state of the family today is disheartening as well. Men have largely forsaken their God-given role as spiritual leaders in their homes…that, no one can deny. And I believe that the pulpit is partly to blame.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastors-stop-trying-to-be-popular-speak-as-a-dying-man-to-dying-men-138627/#dCwAyWdwvhUzKAWl.99

Source : Christian Post

North Korea Defector Rescued by US Pastor at UN: I Lost My Grandmother Whose Hope Was to Eat a Potato

Jay Jo (Photo: YouTube screengrab)

A North Korean defector Jay Jo attended the U.N.’s “Victim’s Voices” event in NYC on April 30, 2015.

NEW YORK – A North Korean defector who escaped the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with help from a U.S. pastor unveiled plans to become a Christian missionary during a human rights event at the United Nations’ New York headquarters on Thursday.

Jay Jo was rescued by Pastor John Yoon and several missionaries in 2008 after suffering years of human rights abuses in the socialist state – an experience she shared during “Victims Voices: A Conversation on North Korean Human Rights” event. Following her emotional testimony, the 28-year-old defector told The Christian Post that Yoon was instrumental in her survival.

“We met him 10 years ago, he fed our family, plus another 35 different people,” Jo said of the Seattle, Washington-based pastor. “He helped us a lot and then he found a way for us to get to America.”

After losing family members to starvation, torture and exhaustion in North Korea, Jo now lives permanently in the U.S. with her sister and mother. However, Jo said she is planning on returning to the DPRK as a missionary in order to support the ever-growing underground Christian churches in the region.

“I’m Christian and I want to become a missionary, so I pray a lot and study the Bible and try to help my friends and family in North Korea,” Jo explained.

The North Korean native noted what life is like for Christians in the DPRK, drawing a comparison to life in the U.S.

“Underground in North Korea [there are] a lot of Christians right now, they cannot pray or sing freely like here – in church or by yourself,” she said.

Even before Jo is able to return to North Korea, she is already communicating with Christians in the communist country, considered the most isolated in the world, by phone.

“Every time we are on the phone, we ask them about [prayer] and teach them a lot,” she told CP. “But they [have] really, really strong faith – stronger than the Christians here… I hope North Korea will open.”

Meanwhile, the U.N.’s “Victim’s Voices” was organized by the U.S. and South Korea. The event panel included three North Korean defectors, including Jo, as well as award-winning author Barbara Demick and U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power. During her testimony, Jo wiped tears away as she told the story of her and her family’s experience in North Korea, detailing human rights abuses that included starvation, torture, and death.

“My brothers and sisters died in my arms. I lost my father who asked me to take care of my mother. I lost my grandmother whose hope was to eat a potato. I lost my younger brother who waved his hands to me without knowing we would never see each other again,” she said during the event.

For more on the “Victim’s Voices” event, stay tuned for more stories in The Christian Post.

Source : Christian Post

Christian Rapper Lecrae Credits God for Crossover Success; ‘I Don’t Accredit Any of This to Just My Capability or Talent’

Lecrae (Photo: Reuters/Mike Blake)

Lecrae poses with his award for best contemporary Christian music performance/song for “Messengers” backstage at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 8, 2015.

Christian Post Report – Outspoken Christian and rapper, Lecrae, says his ascent to the top of mainstream music charts like the Billboard 200 and being recognized with Grammy awards for his work has little to do with his talent and more to do with God’s plan for his life.

“I don’t have [the talent or crossover appeal],” said Lecrae in a recent interview with Christian rap site Rapzilla about his friend Kendrick Lamar’s critically-acclaimed album “To Pimp A Butterfly”.

“I don’t accredit any of this to just my capability or talent. I think God is doing something far beyond my comprehension. So I don’t understand it. I don’t try to make a science out of it,” added the rapper whose latest album “Anomaly” became his first number one album on the Billboard 200 last summer.

The rapper who is currently on “The Anomaly Tour” also talked about other “overtly Christian” artists he believes have the potential to break out in the mainstream music market.

“There’s guys who are way better than me,” he said. “There’s guys who are more talented and more disciplined than I am. But for whatever reason God is using it. But I hope that more guys are able to infiltrate culture and have unique platforms. My ambition is to create room for more artists to shine light in a dark world.”

Lecrae believes every artist on his Reach Records label like Trip Lee, Tedashii, KB and most notably Andy Mineo have the ability to crossover into the mainstream.

Already, Mineo is making appearances on secular radio and internet shows such as Sirius XM’s “Sway in the Morning” and MTV’s “RapFix”.

In a February 2014 interview titled “Is Andy Mineo the Future of Rap?” hip-hop radio host Sway Calloway, praised Mineo for a standout freeform rap performance on MTV’s “Rapfix”.

“The first time I officially met this young man was at RapFix,” said Calloway in introducing Mineo. “It was the end of the year and we wanted to do a special episode, finale and bring by emcees that we respect and think that have talent. And we had maybe 15-20 emcees up there, but there were a few that stood out, a few that let their light shine, a few that were lyrical, that came ready that were there to impress. And [Andy Mineo] is one of [those] few emcees that came up and really impressed me, as well as the rest of the RapFix staff.”

And Mineo seems to be following the path into the mainstream carved out by Lecrae. He’s even chosen to ditch the “Christian rapper” label in the same way Lecrae did and discussed the move in a March 2014 interview at the Leverage event at Park Slope Christian Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York.

“For me, it’s been a growing process. Just thinking through how I see myself in the hip-hop industry and as a Christian and what does that look like. I wouldn’t call myself a Christian rapper. [With the label] there’s already this assumption that you’re trying to engage people in hip-hop culture that Christian stuff is not relevant. It’s not good,” he said.

Mineo is currently opening for Lecrae on “The Anomaly Tour”.

Source : Christian Post

Irish Catholic Bishops Say People ‘Ridiculed’ and ‘Condemned as Homophobic’ for Opposing Gay Marriage, as Country Prepares for Marriage Referendum

Same-sex couple plastic figurines are displayed during a gay wedding fair in Paris in this April 27, 2013, file photo. (Photo: Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)

Same-sex couple plastic figurines are displayed during a gay wedding fair in Paris in this April 27, 2013, file photo.

Christian Post Report – The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has sent out pastoral letters insisting that opposing gay marriage is not homophobic, as the country prepares for a national referendum on whether to legalize the practice on May 22.

“We have got ourselves into the situation that many people won’t even raise these issues in their families and workplaces for fear of being ridiculed or condemned as homophobic,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin, who leads Ireland’s Catholic Church.

Martin added, according to the Irish Independent, that it’s a “fact of nature” that same-sex unions are “fundamentally and objectively different” from the sexual union of a woman and a man, which is “naturally open to life.”

Although same-sex civil unions are already legal in Ireland, the nation will have the opportunity to vote on an amendment to the Constitution on May 22 which will decide whether same-sex marriage will be legalized.

While those arguing for a “Yes” vote have largely based their arguments on the need for equality and non-discrimination in society, the “No” campaign has argued that children need both a father and a mother in their lives.

Bishop of Raphoe Philip Boyce argued that although equality and human rights should be protected, the institution of marriage and the family should not be “sacrificed” in the process.

“Every child, no matter what sexual orientation he or she may have, has the human right to a father and a mother,” Boyce said, adding that a “Yes” vote would have serious implications for children.

“We should not vote to legalise intentionally a situation where a child would be fatherless or motherless, not able to say ‘dad’ and ‘mammy’ to two parents.”

The Irish Catholic stance on traditional marriage is in alignment with the Vatican.

An Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll from March suggested, however, that most respondents to the survey would vote for legalizing gay marriage. The results showed that 74 percent of people said they would vote “Yes” to legalize the practice, though that is down 6 percentage points since the last time the survey was conducted in December.

The latest survey suggested that Irish society is significantly divided on the question by age group, with 85 percent of 18-24 year olds stating they would vote “Yes,” while only 37 percent of the 65 and older age group said the same.

Source : Christian Post

Royal Baby Name Revealed: Kate Middleton, Prince William Welcome Princess Charlotte

  • Royal
  • (Photo: Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett)
    Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, holds her baby daughter outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, in London, Britain May Christian Post Report – 2, Christian Post Report – 2015.

Kate Middleton and Prince William named their newborn daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana following her birth on Saturday, May Christian Post Report – 2.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana,” read a tweet from Kensington Palace on Monday. “The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.”

The Duchess of Cambridge delivered a baby girl on Saturday morning in the Lindo Wing, a private facility within the NHS St. Mary’s Hospital over the weekend. The newborn weighed in 8 pounds, 3 ounces and both mother and baby are said to be doing well.

“Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8:34 a.m. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well,” the palace tweeted after the birth.

Shortly after the highly anticipated birth, the Duke, 3Christian Post Report – 2, and Duchess, 33, made an appearance outside of St. Mary’s where onlookers and paparazzi welcome them with cheers and waves. A smiling Prince George also stepped out alongside his father shortly after having met his younger sister for the first time.

“Charlotte” was an odds-on favorite on betting websites, as were the names “Alice” and “Olivia.” The name Elizabeth honors Queen Elizabeth II and Diana honors Prince William’s late mother.

“The duke and duchess are hugely grateful for the messages of congratulations they have received from people all over the world. It means a great deal to them that so many people have celebrated the arrival of their new daughter,” a statement read. “Their royal highnesses were today visited by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, and Pippa Middleton.”

Middleton had previously shared that she was due in mid-April. The royals did not know the sex of their baby until she was born.

“[It will] be a surprise,” William told Obama of his second child’s gender while attending an anti-corruption conference at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. last year. “It’s going to be a good year, next year.”

William previously spoke about adjusting to fatherhood following the birth of George, who turns 3 in July.

“He’s a little bit of a rascal, I’ll put it that way. He either reminds me of my brother or me when I was younger, I’m not sure …,” William previously told CNN’s Max Foster. “The last few weeks for me have been a very different emotional experience, something I never thought I would feel myself. And I find, again it’s only been a short period, but a lot of things affect me differently now.”

In Christian Post Report – 2013 Prince George, who has seven godparents, was christened before the royal family at St. James’s palace.

Source : Christian Post

Lolo Jones Receives Backlash for Posing With Floyd Mayweather Jr. After Domestic Violence History; Track Athlete Says Her Father Was Former Abuser

Lolo Jones (Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

Olympic bobsledder Lolo Jones poses for a portrait during the 2013 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit in Park City, Utah, September 30, 2013.

Christian Post Report – Christian track and field star Lolo Jones is responding to fans who’ve criticized her decision to post a photograph of herself with professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Instagram saying she would “quit track to be his housekeeper just so I can make more money.”

Jones, 32, posted the image with Mayweather before he defeated devout Christian pugilist Manny Pacquiao in a highly publicized matchup Saturday. While she asked people who they believed would win the big fight, she also made a joke about wanting to be employed by “Money” Mayweather, who has been known to be extremely vocal about his wealthy financial status.

“I may quit track to be his housekeeper, just so I can make more money,” Jones wrote on the photograph.

Comments in response to Jones’ Instagram image, however, make it clear that people were not amused. A number of Jones’ fans spoke out against her posting the image of herself standing next to a “woman beater.”

“Hey Lolo I love u but r u and other celebs aware that Floyd is a serial convicted woman beater,” one person questioned her on Instagram. “Would u take a picture with Ray Rice?”

Others told her that they hope she doesn’t get punched by the boxer, while one person explained why the image disappointed them.

“Sorry to be snippy, but just so disappointed in you, Lolo. You were such a strong role model for girls,” another person wrote. “To see you supporting a ‘man’ with such little regard for women and zero remorse for his abuse of women (including his babies’ mommas) is really a blow.”

Mayweather has a history of domestic violence abuse accusations being brought against him, and one conviction led to him serving a three-month jail sentence three years ago.

Jones, however, defended her reasoning for smiling in a photograph with Mayweather ahead of the big fight.

“My dad domestically abused my mother. He almost killed her,” Jones wrote. “She was in the hospital for months. He served many years in jail.”

Jones then insisted that God had bigger plans for her father, despite his mistakes.

“Jesus saved him. He never laid hands on her again,” she added. “God calls us to forgive. We all fall short. We all sin.”

She went on to tell people that “one sin is not less than another” and that her job was to “forgive and love” instead of “judge” people.

“God’s judgements reigns higher. So you can ask how can I post a picture with him,” she wrote. “And I say, ‘if I can’t take a picture with him I guess I should remove the pictures of my dad in my home as well.'”

Jones has been known to respond to her critics on social media, and did just that when she received backlash for speaking out against the movie “50 Shades Of Grey” last February.

She took to Facebook to let people know about the backlash she’d received, which included being called derogatory names for sharing her opinion about the the film and BDSM (bondage and discipline/dominance and submission/sadism and masochism). Jones went on to further explain her stance on the matter by writing that women were never created to be treated abusively by men while insisting that the popular film is creating a false image of love.

Jones also chose to affirm her Christian beliefs by sharing the Bible verse Philippians 4:8 which reads: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Source : Christian Post

Obstacles to Forgiving Ourselves

Psalms 51:10-12

Christian Post Report – Every human being on earth has a sin problem. We all lose our temper, make mistakes, and do things that seem completely out of character. Sin is a universal problem, but the Lord has provided forgiveness for everyone who will accept it. And yet, many believers find it impossible to forgive themselves. Why?

  • Dr. Charles F. Stanley
    (Photo: In Touch Ministries)
    Dr. Charles F. Stanley (File).

First, we struggle with self-forgiveness at times because we find it difficult to accept God’s forgiveness. Guilt can be so strong that it may seem to overshadow the enormous gift of pardon and restoration that our Father has freely provided. We may think, What I’ve done is just too terrible. I doubt God could ever forgive me for this. That’s a tragic error.

Second, personal disappointment can prevent us from forgiving ourselves. We often have ridiculously high self-imposed standards for our behavior and achievements. When we fail to live up to them, we are all but crippled by disappointment, which can make self-forgiveness seem impossible.

Third, seeing the results of our sin can become an obstacle. That is, if our wrong actions produce a tangible negative consequence, we may become so blinded by the outcome that we can’t forgive ourselves. Seeing the aftermath of our sin day after day keeps guilt alive in our minds, and we may simply refuse to let it go.

Are you harboring guilt and remorse for a sin from your past? God’s forgiveness is available now (1 John 1:9). Christ gave His life to make you free. So do not willingly stay in chains because you’re unwilling to forgive yourself for what God has already pardoned (Galatians 5:1).

Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2015
All Rights Reserved.

Source : Christian Post