Keswick Convention to move into former Pencil factory site

The annual Christian conference has been going since 1875, putting on Christian seminars and Bible teaching each summer for thousands of people.

The Lake District National Park Development committee unanimously voted to support the planning application for the renovation.

The entire convention will move to the site of the former Pencil factory, with old warehousing being cleared to provide space for the convention’s main marque.

They currently meet at a show ground but also in churches and meeting spaces across the town.

The Pencil Factory building will be modernised to provide toilet facilities, accommodation, meeting rooms and a conference centre.

The refurbishment will also host Keswick Ministries’ teaching courses and be open for visiting church groups, schools and local community groups.

The space may also be used by other organisations from around the country.

James Robson, ministry director, of Keswick Ministries said: “This is a wonderful milestone in our charity’s 140-year history and for the town of Keswick.

“The site, which has been derelict for ten years, will be transformed into a facility that the town and the people of the Lake District can be proud of.

“Our vision is to create an even better Convention experience for supporters on one site with improved facilities, plus a modern venue in this World Heritage Centre that will attract many other visiting…

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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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Representative Ilhan Omar Apologizes for Anti-Semitic Comments Which Sparked Bipartisan Outrage

Representative Ilhan Omar Apologizes for Anti-Semitic Comments Which Sparked Bipartisan Outrage



After critics say she made anti-Semitic statements, Rep. Ilhan Omar apologized early this week for her comments that Israeli groups pay the U.S. to support the country.


“Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,” Omar said in a statement released on Twitter.


“My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole,” Omar wrote, “I unequivocally apologize.”


Earlier in the week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats demanded that the freshman representative apologize for her comments. 


“Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “But Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.”


Omar was under fire after she responded to a tweet from journalist Glenn Greenwald. Greenwald had said it was “stunning how much time US political leaders spend defending a foreign nation even if it means attacking free speech rights of Americans.” Greenwald was referring to House Minority…

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

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Prince William becomes royal patron of Christian charity

William has become the figurehead of The Passage, an organisation which has helped more than 130,000 people in crisis over almost 40 years through its resource centre, homelessness prevention projects and innovative accommodation services.

Diana took William and younger brother Harry to the charity in December 1993, and as a young man William has made numerous public and private trips to the organisation.

 

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and patron of The Passage, welcomed the announcement ahead of the duke’s visit to the charity’s St Vincent’s Centre in Westminster.

He said: “I know the duke is deeply committed to working with those most in need, such as the thousands of people The Passage has helped off the streets.

“It is crucial that everyone in our society, especially the poorest, are treated with respect, dignity and kindness, and are given the opportunities to fulfil their potential in life; this announcement is a tangible symbol of that commitment.”

William last visited the St Vincent’s Centre with wife Kate in the run-up to Christmas, when he spoke out against the drug spice after hearing about its devastating effect on the capital’s homeless.

Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Wire

 

The duke told Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage: “The fact it was a legal high and that young people were allowed to…

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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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Innocent Man on Death Row Shares How God Used His False Conviction to Share the Good News

Innocent Man on Death Row Shares How God Used His False Conviction to Share the Good News



For many of us, the very thought of only seeing the sun for an hour a day for 30 years has never crossed our minds – in fact, it would horrify most of us if this actually happened to us. 


It had never crossed Anthony Ray Hinton’s mind either, who as a young 29-year-old man had only known living life as a sheltered and marginalized black man, having grown up in the sunbelt of a little small Alabama town outside of Montgomery. 


Hinton served 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. He only saw the sun for an hour a day and never knew or even at times believed that he would see the sun as a free man again. 


Hinton tells of his story in his best-selling book “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.”


The best-selling author shared in his book that when his mom came to visit him, she would ask him if his prison cell had windows so that he could see the sun rise and fall. To comfort her, Hinton would tell his mom that it did, while in reality, it did not. 


In an interview with Christian Headlines, Hinton details his life on death row and what he learned about God and mankind during his 30-year prison sentence. 


He came to realize that although he didn’t deserve to be on death row, he knew that God had called him there to minister to others. 


Hinton came to believe that even though he was sentenced to…

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

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US evangelist Paul Cain dies aged 89

The Texas-born Pentecostal minister passed away on Wednesday.

A statement released by his colleagues at Paul Cain Ministries said: “Our precious friend, Brother Paul Cain went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

“He lived his life for, and to, the glory of God. He was the friend of friends to those in lowly positions and to world leaders and officials.

“He loved the Lord, and the Lord was truly the magnificent obsession of his heart.”

From the age of 17, Paul Cain held events where people were invited to become Christians or pray for healing. He toured nationally and internationally.

 

He treated from public ministry during the 1950s and 60s after becoming disillusioned by what he considered to be the excesses of some arena ministry preachers.

Hailed by some as a prophet, Mr Cain ministered to politicians – including US presidents.

He had been living in the Santa Maria area of California prior to his death.

 

In 2004, he was challenged by fellow preachers Rick Joyner, Mike Bickle, and Jack Deere about details of his personal life.

Cain issued a public apology the following year, in which he acknowledged struggling…

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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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Pro-life Christian charity to display live ultrasound on NYC Times Square screens

Focus on the Family President Jim Daly shared the details of the event planned for 4th May on CBN News’ Faith Nation programme.

“We’ll have great speakers. We’re going to have music, but we’re also going to do a live ultrasound of a third-trimester baby,” Daly said.

 

It comes as New York has rolled back restrictions on late-term abortions, allowing the procedure to take place after the 24-week mark to protect the mother’s health or in cases where the fetus won’t survive.

Previously, abortions after this point were permitted only to preserve a mother’s life.

Daly acknowledged that the event will “ruffle a few feathers” but said they plan to do everything in “good taste”.

“These politicians that have overreached in our opinion when it comes to reshaping the abortion debate and particularly in Virginia where they’re promoting infanticide,” he said.

In Virginia, there is a law being debated that would broaden the limits on late terminations and reduce the number of doctors required to sign-off a third-trimester abortion from three to one.

 

Democrat and Virginian Governor, Ralph Northam (above), created controversy when he spoke during a radio interview recently about what could happen in the circumstance of a mother wanting an abortion but already being in labor.

“The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a…

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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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Rhapsody of Realities 14 February 2019 – Chosen For Blessings

Rhapsody of Realities 14 February 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Chosen For Blessings

Topic: Chosen For Blessings

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Our theme verse says if you belong to Christ, then you’re Abraham’s seed, and an heir according to the promise. This debunks the general assumption that everybody can’t be successful. Although, in a sense, everybody can’t be successful, but not amongst God’s people, because we’re heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; we’re already successful and prosperous.

Peradventure you got into trouble, because you’re the seed of Abraham, the blessing will bring you out of trouble; it’ll locate solutions for you. If you have questions, it’ll prompt the answers within you or direct you to where the answers are. Understand something about the blessing; it’s the effect and result of God’s divine presence in your life. The Bible says Joseph was a prosperous man, because God was with him (Genesis 39:2); for you, it’s even better: He’s in you!

Many of God’s children need to come to the full knowledge of Christianity; they need to know what God has done for them and in them, in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” You’ve already been blessed with “ALL” spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. You already have everything you require for life and godliness: righteousness, health, prosperity, victory, success, joy, peace and every blessing from God is yours in Christ.

Live every day with the consciousness that you’re blessed; that you’ve been chosen and called into the life of blessing. Think blessings; talk blessings; walk in blessings.

CONFESSION
I declare that all things—divine health, prosperity, success, joy, peace, and victory are mine in Christ. I’m blessed and I live in superabundance, because I’m the seed of Abraham. Blessed Be God!

FURTHER STUDY:
Joshua 1:8; Galatians 3:27-29; 1 Peter 3:9

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 1:1-20 & Leviticus 6-7

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 14:11-21 & Genesis 45

Click HERE to Read previous Messages

Rhapsody of Realities 14th February 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

The post Rhapsody of Realities 14 February 2019 – Chosen For Blessings appeared first on Flatimes.

New gambling ad standards don’t go far enough, say Christian campaigners

They state that celebrities, sportspeople and TV characters who appear to be under 25 will be banned from being used in gambling adverts.

‘Influencers’ online will have to prove that their fan-base is less than 25% under 18 year-olds for them to endorse gambling.

The new standards are a response to the growing concern at the number of child gamblers reported to exist in the UK (estimated 450,000 11-16 year olds according to the Gambling Commission) and follow a review of the evidence on advertising’s impact on under-18s and rulings by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The ASA have previously banned adverts which use animated characters thought to particularly appeal to children.

The latest guidance, drawn up by the Committees of Advertising Practice will come into force from 1st April but the news has been met with dissatisfaction from the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, who has brought up the issue of gambling several times in the House of Lords.

He told Premier why: “They haven’t changed any actual rules, these are simply new guidelines and so far the gambling industry has shown itself either unwilling or uncapable of self-regulation”.

Bishop Alan said: “The most important thing we need is to make sure there are proper sanctions for the existing rules because when you look at some of the other industry regulators – such as Ofcom and Ofwhat – they…

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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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The Pendulum Swing Syndrome When Churches Get a New Pastor

The pattern is predictable.

The previous pastor did not visit enough. We need to get a pastor who visits a lot.

The previous pastor was not evangelistic. We need an evangelistic pastor.

The previous pastor did not like to counsel church members. We need a pastor who is good at counseling.

You get the picture.

Too often churches choose new pastors largely based upon the perceived weaknesses of the previous pastor. While the change in pastors may indeed afford the congregation the opportunity to make necessary shifts in ministry priorities, the church should be wise not to overplay this issue.

When churches become players in the pendulum swing game, they are prone to overlook other issues, some of which may be far more important than compensating for a perceived weakness. I have heard numerous church leaders and members bemoan the bad fit of the next pastor simply because they did not ask sufficient questions.

In order to make certain churches do not intentionally subject themselves to the pendulum swing syndrome, I urge them to consider carefully these five questions:

  1. What are the perceived weaknesses of the previous pastor? No pastor is perfect. No pastor can meet all the needs and demands of church members. Let’s get this issue on the table and in the open, so we can be certain we don’t overcompensate.
  2. What are the clear and pressing needs of the congregation right now? This question is different than asking what everyone wants. It is a high-level question seeking to find the critical needs…

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

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Why was a newborn baby in a storm drain?

The good news: A newborn baby was pulled from a storm drain in South Africa on Monday. Emergency responders heard a baby crying from deep inside the concrete structure. After working four hours to dig up the area and chisel into the drain, they were able to rescue the baby.

The bad news: according to the Associated Press, paramedics say “it is unclear why the baby was ‘dumped’ and . . .  police are investigating.”

The good news: Smithsonian Magazine reports that “Southern California will soon see another booming superbloom.” If rains continue, the desert landscape will come alive with blossoming wild poppies, verbena, lilies, primroses, prickly pear, and dozens of other species of ephemeral native spring wildflowers. Rare species that only bloom every few years or decades may appear.

The bad news: the “superbloom” will result from recent, massive wildfires that created the heat and smoke necessary for the flowers to germinate.

The good news: tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a wonderful day of celebration with those we love.

The bad news: tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a difficult day of grief for those who have lost someone they love.

A day I’ll never forget

This week, we’ve been discussing the painful issue of innocent suffering. From clergy abuse scandals to natural disasters and diseases, such suffering makes the news every day. Judging by the response of our readers, this is an issue that resonates deeply with us all.

On Monday, we prayed for victims of clergy sexual abuse. Yesterday, we focused on ways God can redeem our suffering as we trust him in hard places.

Today, I’d like us to consider one of the most significant yet overlooked ways our Lord helps those who hurt.

When my father died ten days before Christmas during my senior year of college, a friend from school drove across town the next day and spent the day with me. He didn’t offer advice or theological wisdom. He was just there. I’ll never forget his…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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