Bishop Michael Curry shares his worries about Christian leaders

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Bishop Michael Curry shares his worries about Christian leaders

In an interview with the Guardian, Bishop Michael Curry said many leaders of Christianity are “buying into political agendas that very often do not reflect the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth”.

“We as Christian leaders must speak up and bear witness to the values that we hold based on the teachings of Jesus. And when we fail to do so, we’ve failed to represent the Christian faith in the public sphere”. 

Bishop Michael is the current presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, a member of the global Anglican Communion. 

The Bishop, whose sermon at the royal wedding received mixed reviews from Christians, received a global platform he did not have before, which he is now using to expand more on his sermon and book, The Power of Love.

He said that Christians who claim to follow Jesus but do not obey the commands to love and serve the poor should assess their faith.

He said: “I’m concerned when I don’t hear other religious leaders standing up for immigrants in our country being treated with justice and decency. I’m concerned when I don’t hear Christian leaders advocating vociferously for the re-unification of parents and children at our borders.

“I’m concerned when I don’t hear religious leaders advocating for children to be number one on the social agenda of this country. I’m concerned when I hear silence from religious leaders after the Ku Klux…

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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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Museum of the Bible Pulls Dead Sea Scroll Fragments Found to be Forged

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Museum of the Bible Pulls Dead Sea Scroll Fragments Found to be Forged


Museum of the Bible Pulls Dead Sea Scroll Fragments Found to be Forged


(RNS) — Since its grand opening nearly a year ago, the Museum of the Bible has exhibited five fragments from the storied Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient parchment fragments discovered 70 years ago in a desert cave.


On Monday (Oct. 22) the museum acknowledged that the five fragments it had on display were forgeries. They were taken down several weeks ago and replaced with three other fragments that do not have the same anomalies.


The museum had long suspected the fragments may be forged and a sign accompanying the exhibit says scholars had raised questions about their authenticity. But last week the museum received scientific verification via digital and X-ray testing of the ink, sediment layers and chemical composition, which proved conclusively that the fragments were forged.


“This is part of our ongoing commitment to making sure we’re adhering to all legal and museum standards, that our displays are accurate, that when we have information, we make it available,” said Jeff Kloha, chief curatorial officer. “Where we had uncertainty about the documentation, we put that up on the museum website and updated labels on the displays.”


This is not the first time the museum has faced questions about the problematic origins of some of its antiquities. Many of the items in the Washington, D.C., museum were purchased beginning in 2009 by the billionaire Oklahoma-based…

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

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6 Christian Pastors, Authors React to Eugene Peterson’s Death

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6 Christian Pastors, Authors React to Eugene Peterson’s Death

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Council voting to sell town hall to church sparks ‘anger and sadness’

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Council voting to sell town hall to church sparks ‘anger and sadness’

The decision follows months of protests by community group Beeston Civic Society who wanted to take over the running of the hall.

Judy Sleath, chairwoman of Beeston Civic Society told Nottinghamshire Live: “People are angry. It’s not about losing it to a church; it’s about wanting to keep it for the whole community, not just part of it.

 

“It’s only us who are offering that.”

Cllr Janet Patrick urged councillors to vote against the church’s bid to buy the hall but Cllr Lee Fletcher said he believed that the Cornerstone bid was “robust”.

A plan was initially put in place to demolish the building to make way for housing, however, after considering the bids for the town hall, 24 councillors voted in favour of the building being sold to the church while 13 opposed the move. Two councillors abstained from the vote.

Cornerstone Church Nottingham

 

The church, which is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, has insisted it will ensure the hall is still available to the whole community.

Minister Pete Brown from Cornerstone Church Nottingham told Nottinghamshire Live: “We’re excited at the prospect of a building that will enable us to play a more active role in community life in Beeston and the surrounding area.

“I want us to make a genuine difference to the lives of many people in Beeston. This building would be a chance for us 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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Altar Calls, the Perfect Pastoral Work Week, and Other Listener Questions – Rainer on Leadership #478

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Podcast Episode #478

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

We get a lot of questions here at Rainer on Leadership. Today, we take some time to talk about vacations with church members, altar calls, and the perfect pastoral work week.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • You shouldn’t accept gifts from church members if it creates a quid pro quo situation.
  • Pastor search committees often overstate the opportunity and the willingness of a church to change.
  • Pastors, do not compromise your doctrine just to get a job.
  • Have time built into your calendar for things that energize you.

The questions we answer this time are:

MATT
There are a number of examples of calling for a response at the end of the sermon. What is some practical advice on “landing the plane” and calling your congregation to respond to the sermon?

WALLY
I have some members of the church I pastor who have asked me to go on vacation with them, all expenses paid. I want to know if there are any ethical issues with this, and how it should be handled. These are members I spend a fair amount of time with outside of church. We ride bicycles together, and share meals together. They are also leaders in the church. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

JESSE
Right now I’m looking at finishing up my last year of seminary in and have my eyes out for potential ministry opportunities God might be leading me to. Are there any warning signs I should be looking out for…

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

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Christian MP opposes bill to decriminalise abortion

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Christian MP opposes bill to decriminalise abortion

The bill has been put forward by the Labour MP for Hull North, Diana Johnson.

It has the most significant implications for Northern Ireland, where terminations remain illegal in most circumstances.

Fiona Bruce MP tells Premier regarding Northern Ireland: “Abortion has been something which their local government has been allowed to decide since 1921. It would be quite wrong, it would be unconstitutional for us to make a decision for them.”

According to Diana Johnson MP, the Bill would remove abortion from the criminal law, allowing abortion to be regulated in the same way as all other routine medical procedures. It seeks to bring the UK into line with some states in Australia, the USA, and much of Europe in not criminally punishing women for ending their pregnancies.

Fiona Bruce tells Premier she opposes the bill because of the consequences it would have for a vulnerable woman:

“If she is in an abusive relationship, and there is no need for her to see a doctor, and no need to give a reason for having an abortion, we believe it is far more likely that vulnerable women could be pressurised into having an abortion by abusive partners.”

As a ten minute rule bill, the vote will not be binding, but if widely supported could be a first step towards changing the law.

Until now, the government in Westminster has rejected calls to legislate on Northern Ireland’s near-total ban…

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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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What would you do with $1.6 billion?

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What would you do with $1.6 billion?

The controversy over the death of Jamal Khashoggi continues to grow. Hurricane Willa has become a Category 5 storm and will strike Mexico late tonight.

Meanwhile, Americans have also been paying attention to a news item closer to home: tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is worth $1.6 billion, the highest total in US lottery history. The jackpot could go even higher between now and then, perhaps surpassing $2 billion.

Right now, people across the US are wondering what they would do with $1.6 billion (the cash payout is $904 million). A stack of 1.6 billion dollar bills would reach more than one hundred miles into the atmosphere, three times higher than commercial jetliners. It would cover 6.4 square miles in area.

It’s the classic get-something-for-nearly-nothing dilemma. A Mega Millions ticket costs $2. The payouts are so enormous that Americans spent $77.7 billion on lottery sales in fiscal year 2018, up about $5 billion from the previous year. In 2016, lottery ticket sales eclipsed what Americans spent on movies, video games, books, music, and sports tickets–combined.

However, your odds of winning the jackpot are one in 302,575,350. You are 2,649 times more likely to die from a lightning strike.

Is materialism bad for us?

The lottery is classic Western existentialism at work: most winners spend their money on themselves. One couple bought their dream home, other properties, and a Porsche. The husband also made a record with his college band. Six years later, every penny of their fortune was gone.

Another winner spent $5.4 million on gambling in Atlantic City. After losing it all, she is penniless and lives in a trailer park. Yet another spent all her winnings on luxury goods and has nothing left.

Materialism has been linked to depression, social anxiety, decreased well-being, lower life satisfaction, and compulsive and impulsive spending. The failure of money to buy true happiness shows that the Bible is right to warn us: “Keep your life…

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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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Five fake Dead Sea Scrolls fragments pulled from museum

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Five fake Dead Sea Scrolls fragments pulled from museum

The artefacts had been among the most precious items showcased at the Museum of the Bible – a $500 million attraction which opened in Washington D.C. last year.

Jeffrey Kloha, the chief curatorial officer, said: “Though we had hoped the testing would render different results, this is an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artefacts, the elaborate testing process undertaken and our commitment to transparency.

 

“As an educational institution entrusted with cultural heritage, the museum upholds and adheres to all museum and ethical guidelines on collection care, research and display.”

The pieces of ancient paper were sent to experts in Germany for tests after doubts were raised over their authenticity. The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung (BAM) concluded they were fake.

Museum of the Bible

 

It is unclear how much the Museum of the Bible paid for the relics. They are among 16 pieces of papyrus belonging to a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the museum. Two others are also being withdrawn from display. Nine shall undergo further tests.

According to The Lying Pen of Scribes website, which investigates alleged manuscript forgeries and counterfeit scripture, 90 per cent of purported Dead Sea Scroll fragments put up for sale in the last 16 years are fake.

The 430,000-square…

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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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MFM Daily Devotional 23 October 2018 – Believers and Location

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 23 October 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Believers and Location

TOPIC: Believers and Location (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 23 October 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Judges 16:15-20

MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? – Genesis 3:9

The MESSAGE:

As believers, our location matters a lot. Believers should not be seen in an ungodly gathering rather they should be in fellowship with their brethren. This is the point Apostle Paul emphasised in the book of Hebrews 10:25 when he said we should not forsake the gathering of the brethren. Therefore, as believers, where we are speaks a lot about us and what we are. We should always ask God to direct our path to be at the right place at the right time.

There is a popular prayer we usually pray at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), “O Lord, let me be in the right place at the right time.” Life is a journey not a 100 metres dash (race). God asked Adam “Where are you?” That question implies that Adam was not in the right place. It means that man can be at a wrong place. It also means God got to where Adam was meant to be, but he was not found there. At every point in time, we are all on a journey of destiny and the question often is, are we in the right path? While many of us are on the right path, some are not. For example, Samson was not; Lot went to Sodom and lost everything; Jonah was sent to Nineveh but diverted and found himself in the belly of a fish etc. It is therefore, very possible to miss it. The question is, are you in the right place? Or we can also ask the question just as God asked Adam, “Where are you?” The main reason many believers fail in their endeavours is simply because they are not in the right place ordained for them. Are you in the right place? When you find yourself in the wrong place, the following may happen: Closed heaven, unanswered prayers, inability to hear God clearly, loss of valuables, counterfeit life, departure of glory and frustration.

Beloved, you may need to ask God, your Maker, today to show you the secret you need to know in relation to your location in every area of your life. If you spend quality time with God in prayer today, the God of Elijah shall open your eyes to see your destiny location.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
ANY DIVERSION OF ONE’S DESTINY WILL LEAD TO THE WILDERNESS OF REGRET.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The Lord shall direct your footsteps to your place of blessings and breakthroughs today by fire.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, I thank You for Your power to re-direct anyone on the wrong path, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father Lord, if it is true that I am facing the wrong direction, re-direct me, in Jesus’ name.
3. Powers assigned to mislead me against God’s will, die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Spirits of error and mistakes, my life is not your candidate, die, in the name of Jesus.
5. I shall not be a victim of the spirit of confusion, in the name of Jesus.
6. Power to remain focussed and fulfil my destiny, come upon my life, in Jesus’ name.
7. I shall be in the right place at the right time, 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.

The post MFM Daily Devotional 23 October 2018 – Believers and Location appeared first on Flatimes.

Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 October 2018 — Nudged Out of the Nest

CM Editor
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Topic: Nudged Out of the Nest [Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 October 2018]

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — 1 Peter 5:5

Baby eagles spend the first three months of their lives in the comfortable nest their parents have prepared. But the eaglets get a big surprise when they are about 12 weeks old. Their mother suddenly begins to throw all of their toys out of the nest.

Next, she begins to pull out all of the comfortable material in the nest—the feathers and the animal fur—and leaves the babies sitting on thorns and sticks. This is what the Bible means when it mentions that the mother eagle “stirs up her nest.” The reason she stirs the nest is that she wants her babies to get out and fly.

Before long, the mother eagle begins to nudge them out of the nest. The little eaglets, who have no idea how to fly, fall through the sky, probably very frightened. Soon, though, they hear a “whoooooooosh” as the mother eagle swoops up under them to catch them.

At that point, the mother eagle takes the babies right back up to the nest and then nudges them out again. She keeps repeating the process, over and over again, until they finally understand that they have no choice but to fly.

The mother eagle does this because she loves them and wants them to have the best lives they can possibly have. Most eaglets won’t get out of the nest without this push. Similarly, most of us will also choose comfort over challenge unless we have no choice at all.

Do you feel God is working in your life the same way the mother eagle does with her young? Has He been pulling some of the padding out of your nest so you find yourself sitting on prickly branches?

Is He saying to you, “Come on, it is time to fly”? If so, remember the mother eagle’s intentions and know that you can trust God’s good intentions for you.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to always embrace Your best for my life. Show me the areas where I need to “get out of the nest” so I can move on to greater things and “fly.” 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 Devotional 23 October 2018 — Nudged Out of the Nest appeared first on Flatimes.

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