Pres. Obama Speaks to Nigerians ahead of 2015 Elections

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Pres. Obama Speaks to Nigerians ahead of 2015 Elections

Hello.  Today, I want to speak directly to you—the people of Nigeria.

Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made.  Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions.  You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength.  You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.

Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections.  For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.  All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.

So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted.  I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.  And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBY1H6o5d1E[/youtube]

Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.  Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped.  Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families.  Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.  Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build.  By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress.

I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”  Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one.  And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.

Source : Us Embassy, Nigeria

Pastor Rick Warren: What Are the Differences in Seeing With Eyes of Faith, Fear?

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Pastor Rick Warren: What Are the Differences in Seeing With Eyes of Faith, Fear?
RickWarren Screengrab

Pastor Rick Warren speaking on faith

Christian Post Report – Pastor Rick Warren of California’s Saddleback Church, which celebrated 35 years of global impact Saturday, started a new sermon series on faith Sunday, listing several differences between seeing with the eyes of faith and the eyes of fear.

“Faith is seeing from God’s point of view,” Warren told the members as he started his sermon, titled, “Daring Faith: Key To Miracles,” Sunday morning.

He quoted Romans 1:17, which reads: “The Gospel shows us how God makes people right with himself—that it begins and ends with faith. The Scripture says those who are right with God will live by trusting in Him.”

Faith is not desire, although it may lead you to faith, he said, adding it’s not psyching you up or a feeling either.

He read out Hebrews 11:1, “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen and to be certain of things we do not yet see.”

God wants to open our eyes of faith, he said.

Faith is about “things we do not see,” Warren explained, and said it still has something to do with our vision. There are many ways of seeing or looking at something, he added, and what matters is how God sees things.

He quoted Ephesians 1:18, which states, “I pray that the eyes of your heart will be flooded with light so that you can see the wonderful future God has promised to those he called . . .”

There’s an unseen realm in the world, which is more real than the seen realm, Warren told the congregants. The Bible says anything you see is temporary, and the things that last are unseen, he added.

In Numbers 13 and 14 in the Old Testament, Joshua and Caleb were part of a team of 12 who were sent to survey the Promised Land and report on whether it was feasible for all God’s people to go there, Warren said, as an example. While the two said the land was ready for them to claim, the others looked only at problems and challenges saying the people who live there are much stronger and taller. “It’s a magnificent land but the people living there are powerful, and their cities are fortified and large! What’s more, we saw Anakim giants there!” (Numbers 13:27b-28)

The pastor then listed things that happen when we see with the eyes of fear.

We exaggerate our difficulty and we underestimate our own abilities, Warren said. “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:33)

We also get discouraged, we criticize and we give up and blame God, he added.

Pastor Warren then explained what happens when we see with the eyes of faith.

Faith shrinks my problem, he said. God is a big God who can work it out; there is nothing too hard for the Lord, he added.

Faith opens the door to miracles, Warren told the members, saying God does miracles even today. “Every time you stretch your faith, God does a miracle,” he said, and quoted Mark 11:22-24: “Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and you don’t doubt, you could tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it would. Whatever you ask for in prayer will be yours, IF you only have the faith.”

Faith also moves God to act on our behalf, Pastor Warren added. He cautioned, however, that he doesn’t believe in “health and wealth” spirituality. But as Mathew 9:29 says, “According to your faith it will be done to you.”

Faith unlocks all the promises of God, and there are 7,000 promises listed in the Bible, the pastor said, reading out 2 Corinthians 1:20a: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are all ‘Yes’ in Christ!”

When we have faith, God can do more than we can even dream of, Warren said. “Glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us, is able to do FAR MORE than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!” (Ephesians 3:20)

Faith also gives us the power “to hold on in tough times,” the pastor said. Faith takes you through the problem; it doesn’t necessarily provide the solution to the problem, he added, and quoted 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we’re not crushed and broken. We’re perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We’re attacked but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up and keep going!”

Source : Christian Post

Jon Gosselin Accuses Kate Gosselin of Abusing Their 8 Children

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Jon Gosselin Accuses Kate Gosselin of Abusing Their 8 Children
Kate Gosselin Youtube/file

Kate Gosselin

Christian Post Report – Reality TV personality Kate Gosselin has just been accused by her ex-husband, Jon Gosselin, of abusing their eight children, an allegation she has vehemently denied.

The “Kate Plus 8” reality star is under fire from accusations leveled upon her by former husband and reality show partner, Jon Gosselin, who has filed an action in court alleging her abuse of their eight children. Court documents filed at the Berks County Court in Pennsylvania detail the alleged abuses the 39-year-old mother of a pair of twins and sextuplets committed.

In Jon Gosselin’s statement, he reported finding physical marks on the children, who admitted their mother physically disciplined them regularly.

He has also alleged Kate Gosselin left her six younger sextuplets, Aaden, Joel, Collin, Hannah, Leah, and Alexis with a baby sitter for six days while she traveled with the older twins, Mady and Cara, refusing to give Jon Gosselin the option of caring for the children while she was away. She further instructed the babysitter to refuse the children’s father entry to their home, nor accept phone calls from him, or provide him with any information on the children, violating the right of first refusal.

The court documents also contain information detailing the children’s school lunches. Kate Gosselin allegedly packs the same lunch for the children if they come home with items still uneaten. According to Hannah and Leah, they have had moldy strawberries, stale sandwiches and weeks’ old food for lunch.

Kate Gosselin has also allegedly thrown out toys, gifts, pictures and stuffed animals Jon Gosselin has given the children, leading some of them to hide their possessions and live with fear their mother will find them eventually.

Another accusation involves Kate Gosselin locking the children in their bedrooms at night, refusing to let them out even to go to the bathroom. According to Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin switched the children’s bedroom doorknobs so they would lock only from the outside.

These allegations have had Kate Gosselin taking to social media and posting angry tweets about the spitefulness of the claims, saying they were dismissed five years ago during a custody battle following their divorce.

The court documents state that Jon Gosselin is seeking additional custody and the option to care for his children when his ex-wife is unable to do so.

Source : Christian Post

‘Stronghold Crusader 2’ New DLC Pack News, Details: 7 New Missions to Include 2 New AI Opponents

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‘Stronghold Crusader 2’ New DLC Pack News, Details: 7 New Missions to Include 2 New AI Opponents
Stronghold Crusader 2 – The Princess & The Pig DLC YOUTUBESCREENSHOT/ fireflyworlds

Stronghold Crusader 2 – The Princess & The Pig DLC

Christian Post Report – The awaited sequel to the classic castle-building and medieval siege sim from Firefly Studio, Stronghold Crusader 2, is now getting an expansion called “The Princess and the Pig.”

The latest content offers players seven new missions, a couple of new AI opponents, and unique castle designs found exclusive in the DLC pack.

Returning from the original series, The Pig is known for using lighting attack tactics often carried out by his brute macemen which often make players frustrated.

A straightforward tactician, The Pig often lacks the knack when it comes to castle building. Laden with short-ranged but nonetheless deadly crossbowmen, Pig’s fortress can be easily subdued due to its weak points.

The Princess, meanwhile, relies on her gold to carry out her plans. Players need to be prepared to face the royalty as she approaches her enemy’s castles with multiple siege equipment.

If not countered immediately, these stone-throwing war tools will reduce your walls in no time.

The two mentioned opponents will come as part of the DLC’s new seven-episode missions. Players may utilize their unique characteristics as they can also be played with as allies.

The Princess and the Pig expansion is currently on 33 percent off sale from its original $5.99 base price.

The new DLC will also arrive with the “Blow the Horn, Bang the Drum” update which adds four more new skirmish maps and an improved enemy AI.

Per the Firefly Studio press release:

“To coincide with the launch of our first Stronghold Crusader 2 DLC, we have released a free update for all players adding a new map pack and improved enemy AI. Dive into new Custom Skirmish and Multiplayer experiences on a set of challenging new maps, in an ultimate test of your prowess on the battlefield. Challenge your friends online or go up against improved enemy Lords, updated with more effective AI when attacking or defending against the player.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Dance Moms’ Season 5, Episode 12 spoilers: Candy Apples Criticize Maddie’s Role in Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’ Music Video

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‘Dance Moms’ Season 5, Episode 12 spoilers: Candy Apples Criticize Maddie’s Role in Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’ Music Video
Dance Moms Facebook cover photo Facebook/Dance Moms

Dance Moms cover photo from their official Facebook page.

Christian Post Report – Maddie Ziegler, one of the members of the Abby Lee Dance Company otherwise known as ALDC, had a chance of lifetime when she danced in not just one, but two music videos of the pop artist Sia recently. While her first performance in the video “Chandelier” was praised, it seems that her second one in “Elastic Heart” opposite Shia Lebouf was not as palatable. Especially critical was dance mom Candy Nesbitt-Stein, who also owns and operates the Candy Apples Dance Center.

Stein was shown in one of the promotional clips for the upcoming episode saying, “I did see it. I almost threw up.” In a second promotional clip, she implicitly criticized Maddie’s mom, saying: “I don’t think that many parents out there would allow that.”

Candy is not only mom who had something to say about the video. Another Candy Apple mom, Melanie Huelsman, tells Maddie’s mom Melissa Gisoni and Abby in the first promotional video “I would be embarrassed of the video that your daughter was in.”

Candy Stein and the Candy Apples make a comeback in Episode 12 of “Dance Moms,” which will be shown on March 24. The Candy Apples are said to be one of ALDC’s “bitter rivals,” with some of its members harboring grudges against Abby Lee Miller. This is highlighted in the episode’s synopsis by Lifetime.

“Candy will assemble a new team of dancers previous scorned by Abby who are ‘ready to seek vengeance on the dance floor,'” according to the synopsis. This new Candy Apples team will compete with the ALDC in the Energy Dance Competition in Detroit, Michigan.

The episode will highlight the rivalry between the two dance groups, most especially their owners, Candy and Abby. Abby will also put her team under pressure. She was shown on camera issuing a warning: “I will be sick to my stomach if my junior elite team lets this imbecile beat us. They will never hear the end of it from me.”

Her perseverance and that of her girls will pay off. The report cites a spoiler site which says that ALDC will win the Energy Dance Competition and the Candy Apples will be a mere second placer.

Source : Christian Post

Richard Dawkins Placed on ‘Block Bot’ That Hides Offensive People on Twitter; Atheist Author Objects to ‘Libel’

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Richard Dawkins Placed on ‘Block Bot’ That Hides Offensive People on Twitter; Atheist Author Objects to ‘Libel’
Richard Dawkins (Photo: Reuters/Chris Keane)

Well-known atheist and best-selling author Richard Dawkins speaks to supporters during the “Rock Beyond Belief” festival at Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina, March 31, 2012.

Christian Post Report – Atheist author Richard Dawkins has been placed on Block Bot, a program that hides people on Twitter deemed to be offensive or abusive. Dawkins, who has been accused by users of being racist and a “rape-apologist,” said that he objects to being libelled.

“I have no objection to being blocked. Please block me if you wish. What I object to is being libelled, and linked with spammers and harassers,” Dawkins wrote on Twitter in response.

“People are confusing the act of blocking, with libelling those blocked. Blocking is fine. Block me and I won’t miss you. Libelling is not,” he added.

Breitbart explains that Block Bot has listed thousands of users on Twitter who have been called “trolls, abusers, and bigots” by others.

Breitbart said, however, that many on the blocked list are commentators who have disagreed with parts of the “Atheism Plus” movement, which seeks to add feminism and social justice into the skeptical sphere.

Pseudonymous legal blogger Matthew Hopkins criticized the program and said: “The contents of the ‘Block Bot’ checker are astonishing. For example, per the screenshot at the start of this article, eminent professor Richard Dawkins is labelled — ‘racist,’ ‘gross,’ ‘rapeapologist,’ ‘childabuseapologism,’ ‘transphobia.’ … This is of course all untrue. Much as I disagree with Dawkins he is guilty of none of those things and the allegations appear to be wildly libellous.”

The Block Bot clarified, however, that it is not the program itself that is making such accusations, but that it makes use of information submitted by users who report Tweets said to be offensive or abusive.

Dawkins has been a part of numerous controversies for his comments on social issues on Twitter. In August 2014 for instance he argued that aborting a child with Down syndrome would be the right thing to do, and said it would be “immoral” not to abort such a baby — though he later clarified that he would love such a child if it was born.

The atheist author, famous for his book The God Delusion, added on Twitter that he realizes that blocking is not censorship, since others are still free to read what some have blocked. He highlighted, however, that “publishing lies about those you block is nasty and perhaps libellous.”

Source : Christian Post

Justin Bieber Spotted With Model Ashley Moore

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Justin Bieber Spotted With Model Ashley Moore
Justin Bieber Instagram/ justinbieber

Justin Bieber

Christian Post Report – Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber was photographed together with model Ashley Moore at an L.A. Clippers game over the weekend, leading to rumors they have started dating.

Justin Bieber was spotted sitting on model Ashley Moore’s lap and kissing her forehead at an L.A. Clippers game at the Los Angeles Staples Center on Friday, giving rise to speculations they have started to date.

The singer-songwriter and the American Nous Models talent, both 21, are said to share a love for basketball. Both have also modeled for Calvin Klein.

Neither party has confirmed or denied they are dating, but Bieber posted an Instagram photo of the North Carolina model on his account eight months ago, showing Moore dressed in nothing but her swath of hair and Calvin Klein underwear.

“Ash I see u in ur #Calvin’s,” the caption on the photo reads.

According to gossip websites, Bieber and Moore have been friends since 2013, when Moore was dating Bieber’s rapper friend, Lil Twist. Rumors of a romance sparked off when Bieber and Moore were photographed having a meal together in August 2013, a rumor Bieber debunked, explaining they met for a business lunch.

This weekend, the rumor has been renewed when the two attended the LA Clippers versus Washington Wizards game, with Bieber positioning himself on Moore’s lap, and at one time, was spotted planting a kiss on her forehead.

Bieber has been surrounding himself with models since his split with girlfriend, Selena Gomez in 2014. He has been seen with Baldwin progeny and Ford model, Hailey Baldwin, as well as Miami-based fitness model, Yovanna Ventura, both of whom he has denied being romantically attached to.

Bieber was recently the subject of a roast on Comedy Central last week, where a number of comedians and other celebrities, including Kevin Hart, Jeff Ross, Ludacris, Chris D’Ella, Shaquille O’Neil, Snoop Dog, Ron Burgundy, and even Martha Stewart cracked jokes at Bieber’s expense. Comedy Central’s Justin Bieber’s roast is scheduled to air on March 30.

Source : Christian Post

Gal Gadot Responds to Criticism That She’s ‘Too Thin’ to Play Wonder Woman

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Gal Gadot Responds to Criticism That She’s ‘Too Thin’ to Play Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot Reuters/Photo

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Christian Post Report – Israeli actress and model Gal Gadot has responded to criticisms she is too slender to play the role of Wonder Woman in the Warner Bros. superhero offering, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

“Fast & Furious” star, Gal Gadot, who has been deemed by Justice League fans as “too skinny” to play Amazonian Diana Prince in a Wonder Woman role for Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” countered critics with a reply of her own.

The Israeli model and actress, who was last seen as Gisele Yashar in “Fast & Furious 6,” was announced to play Wonder Woman in December 2013 for the sequel to DC Entertainment’s “Man of Steel.”

Amid claims Gadot is “too thin” and her breasts “too small” to play the superpowered Amazonian warrior princess, Gadot shrugged off the criticisms in stride.

“They said that I was too skinny and my boobs were too small … They said my head was too big and my body was like a broomstick,” the 29-year-old model-turned-actress told Robot Underdog. “It’s just empty talk. I can understand that part of what I’m doing means being exposed. And part of being exposed is being under fire.”

Prior to becoming a model and an actress, Gadot served as a soldier for the Israel Defense Forces for two years before she joined and won the 2004 Miss Israel pageant and went on to represent her country in the 2004 Miss Universe.

She was cast in the “Fast & Furious” franchise primarily because director, Justin Lin favored her military background and her knowledge of weaponry.

According to “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Zack Snyder, Gadot is amazing as an actress and possesses a magical quality that makes her ideal to play the mythical Amazonian warrior-princess, one of the most powerful female superheroes in the DC Universe.

Gadot went on to say that true Amazons cut off their right breast so as not to impede their archery, and while Warner Bros. tries to make all fans happy, it can’t please everybody.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” scheduled to premiere on March 25, 2016, will see the return of Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne as Daily Planet editor-in-chief, Perry White.

New characters will include Gadot, Ben Affleck as Batman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Jeremy Irons as Batman’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

Source : Christian Post

20,000 People Attend Saddleback Church’s 35th Anniversary; Rick Warren Says ‘We Dared to Dream Big’

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20,000 People Attend Saddleback Church’s 35th Anniversary; Rick Warren Says ‘We Dared to Dream Big’
Rick Warren (Photo: Saddleback Church/Scott Tokar)

Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren delivers an Easter message that includes looking at the story of Jesus’ resurrection in three dimensions, April 5, 2012.

Christian Post Report – At least 20,000 people filled California’s Angel Stadium as Pastor Rick Warren’s multi-site Saddleback Church celebrated its 35th year of ministry. The pastor and his wife, Kay, announced bigger plans as the megachurch moves into a new phase.

“God has blessed Saddleback Church in an unusual way, but it has nothing to do with our being deserving,” said Pastor Warren, author of the bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, at the community-wide service at the stadium in Anaheim Saturday to celebrate 35 years of ministry influence and impact.

“It has everything to do with God’s grace. We dared to dream big, and God has done big things in the life of this church,” the pastor added.

Saddleback Church is an influential congregation that boasts 14 campuses on five continents, and this was the third time that the megachurch used the Angel Stadium for a major gathering in the United States.

“People have said ‘Happy Anniversary’ to Rick and me, but this is our anniversary – the whole congregation,” Kay Warren said. “It’s the church members who make Saddleback what it is today. This celebration is a statement of faith for the future of Saddleback taking the Gospel across the globe.”

Pastor Warren chose to repeat the sermon, titled “A Daring Faith,” which he preached during the church’s first service in 1980. But this time he preached it in past tense, showing how the founding members’ vision has become a reality. “I dare you to dream great dreams for God,” Warren said from the pitcher’s mound, according to Orange County Register. “Whatever God asks you to do, do it, even if it’s at great risk.”

The Warrens founded Saddleback with seven people in their apartment.

The pastor and his wife, Kay, also announced plans for the next phase of ministry growth, called “Daring Faith.”

Over the next 10 weeks, church members will be encouraged to participate in special small groups to foster unity across the congregation as the church enters its next decades of ministry, Saddleback said in a statement. Warren will be placing a special emphasis on how to dream biblically.

Through “Daring Faith,” the church plans to double its Southern California campuses from 10 to 20 in the next three years, it announced. The church will also expand its PEACE Center to each campus.

The PEACE Center is “a place of compassion where our county’s residents can come when they are in need of basic resources and assistance.” Its ultimate goal is “to move each individual forward toward healthy life change.”

“All of our biggest dreams and best days are ahead of us,” Pastor Warren said.

Saddleback is one of the largest churches in America. It also has growing congregations in Berlin, Germany; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hong Kong, China; and South Manila, Philippines. The church averages 27,000 attendees at its weekly services, with individuals meeting in more than 7,500 small groups throughout the week.

The church has become a global influencer through initiatives such as The PEACE Plan, Celebrate Recovery, The Daniel Plan, Global HIV and Orphan Care, and Mental Health.

“There are so many individuals not only around the world but also in our backyards who are hurting and need a message of hope,” said Kay Warren. “At Saddleback, we not only want to help those in need in our communities, but we also want to teach those who are served to then serve others in the name of Christ.”

David Chrzan, chief of staff at Saddleback, told The Christian Post earlier that the service and the birthday for the ministry was “really exciting.”

“We’re thrilled that one we can celebrate 35 years of our church family, we get to celebrate the past, and see what God has done in our past,” said Chrzan. “We get to celebrate our present, that we’re one big family and we get to celebrate and build an excitement about where we’re going in the future.”

Source : Christian Post

A Young Man’s Ideal Church

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A Young Man’s Ideal Church
A Young Man's Ideal Church

 This past weekend, I had the chance to hang out with a 22-year-old for three days. George has been raised in a Christian home. He is a believer. He wants to follow the Lord. He is creative and introspective. His mind races in multiple directions at once, and yet he somehow listens and thinks deeply at the same time. He is not a ministry student; in fact, he’s not yet certain where he’ll land when he finishes college.

Christian Post Report – God has blessed me to pour into George’s life—but I’m the one who is learning. On the spur of the moment, I asked George what ten things he would like in a church if he could design it. Within minutes, he gave me his response—so quickly, in fact, that I suspect he’s thought about these topics before. Compare George’s responses to the young adults you know.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/church-reflections-from-a-22-year-old-136041/

Source : Christian Post

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