Why did The New York Times run an anonymous op-ed?

I’ve never seen this much furor caused by an op-ed, much less one whose author we don’t know. But that’s partly the point.

The New York Times chose on Wednesday to publish an op-ed from what it called a “senior official” in the White House who makes extremely disparaging claims against President Trump. Speculation regarding the identity of the writer has escalated in the days since.

Some think Vice President Mike Pence is the writer. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had to deny authorship. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called on the “coward” who wrote the piece to “do the right thing and resign.”

Many are focusing on the truth or falsity of the writer’s defamatory descriptions of the Trump White House. Others are working to identify the author. Here’s a question I’ve not seen debated: Why did the Times choose to publish the op-ed in the first place?

The Times editor who made the decision has said, “We felt it was a very strong piece written by someone who had something important to say and who’s speaking from a place of their own sense of personal ethics and conscience. That was our main focus.”

But it’s worth asking whether the liberal New York Times would have made the same decision if the op-ed had been written about Barack Obama when he was in the Oval Office. Or whether Fox News would have published last Wednesday’s op-ed, given the opportunity.

The danger of confirmation bias

According to one psychologist, “confirmation bias” occurs when we have formed a view and then “embrace information that confirms that view while ignoring, or rejecting, information that casts doubt on it.” Such bias is obvious every day in the media. We should not be surprised that liberal and conservative commentators are reacting according to their previous opinions of the president.

Our divided media reflects our divided nation. When Judge Kavanaugh’s Senate hearings began this week, 38 percent of…

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Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, diagnosed with cancer

Anne Graham Lotz, 70, revealed the news on her website this week in a post entitled “My Cancer: Fuel for the Fire”.

She said that she received the news of her diagnosis on 17th August between 3:00pm and 3​:30pm, which was three years to the day and at the same time she found her husband unresponsive in their pool. He died two days later.

 

“When I realised the strange ‘coincidence’ of the timing, I came to the chilling conclusion that it was an assignment from the enemy,” she said.

“But just as that thought was forming, I heard the soft, gentle whisper of the Spirit, reminding me that it was on a Friday, during that very same time…between 3:00 and 3:30 in the afternoon…that God’s Passover Lamb was sacrificed.

“Jesus died on the very same day of the week, at the very same time of the day, crushing the head of the serpent, forever defeating the devil and death.”

 

Lotz said she will worship and trust God “who is ultimately in control of everything”.

She has asked for prayers ahead of her surgery scheduled for 18th September.

“Pray for God to heal me in whichever way He deems would bring Him the most glory,” she added.

Lotz’s father, Rev Billy Graham, died at the age of 99 in February.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this…

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Japanese Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 18 as Rescuers Dig Through Landslides – Urban Christian News

The toll from an earthquake that rocked Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido rose to 18 on Friday, and in one small town two dozen people remained unaccounted for after an entire mountainside collapsed on their homes.

The region was slowly restoring transport links and power, with lights back in about half of the homes on the island after a day of region-wide blackouts. Officials said they hoped to have the generating capacity close to normal by the weekend, though full repairs to Hokkaido’s main power plant could take up to a week.

Rescuers were using search dogs, backhoes and shovels as they dug through tons of mud and debris from the landslides triggered by the magnitude 6.7 quake that struck before dawn Thursday.

After more than a day of digging there were no reports of survivors being pulled from their crushed homes in the outskirts of the town of Atsuma, not far from the quake’s epicenter.

There were scant signs of damage inside Atsuma itself, a seaside community of about 4,600 that advertises itself as a destination for surfing and a great lifestyle. But by late Friday, the power still had not been restored and stores were closed.

A powerful earthquake Thursday on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido triggered dozens of landslides that crushed houses under torrents of dirt, rocks and timber, prompting frantic efforts to unearth any survivors. (Sept. 6)

“There are no supplies, so the shop simply cannot function. It’s tough,” said Yasuhiro Kurosaki, a young father whose wife was cradling their infant son outside the small supermarket owned by…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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Former minister claims he was attacked for his Christian faith

Jonathan Bell said  he was labelled a “monster” who had to be put to sleep over a green energy scheme which was plunging into chaos in Northern Ireland.

He claimed he was the victim of a massive smear campaign and was framed by members of his own party.

 

The senior figure who he claimed briefed against him was David Gordon, who led the communications strategy of the Executive Office department in 2016.

Mr Bell made a series of explosive claims as he gave evidence to a public inquiry in Belfast into why the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme costs spiralled under his Enterprise Department’s watch.

He blamed the DUP for “fitting him up”, his former special adviser Timothy Cairns and officials for not making him aware what was happening, and claimed Mr Gordon briefed that he was a “monster who had to be put to sleep”.

“I fear I have been the victim of a massive smear campaign,” he said.

Niall Carson/PA Wire

Former DUP minister Jonathan Bell arrives at the RHI inquiry at Stormont Parliament buildings in Belfast.

 

Mr Bell was minister at the Enterprise Department, which oversaw the RHI scheme, from 2015 to 2016.

He told the inquiry: “I have to say to you, I am just one boy, I can’t operate against the Executive Office.”

He alleged that Sky News Ireland correspondent David Blevins gave the DUP advice on how to discredit him…

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New York Catholic dioceses subpoenaed in sex abuse probe

A law enforcement source told The Associated Press the subpoenas went out on Thursday.

The subpoenas seek documents relating to abuse allegations, payments to victims or findings from internal church investigations.

 

Ms Underwood’s office is pursuing a civil investigation into the church’s response to abuse reports and has also reached out to local prosecutors authorised to convene grand juries or pursue criminal investigations.

Church officials say they will cooperate.

The announcement comes three weeks after a grand jury investigation found rampant sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by about 300 priests in Pennsylvania.

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‘Faith is not a leap into the unknown, but an evidence-based commitment’, claims Oxford professor

The Northern Ireland-born Christian thinker and speaker was debating as part of an recorded conversation released today with high profile atheist and Florida State professor of philosophy of science, Michael Ruse (pictured below, left).

Lennox said: “Faith is part and parcel of my life as an intellectual and a scientist.

 

“I believe in the theory of gravitational attraction, why? Because I have evidence for it.

“I believe my wife loves me, why? Because I have evidence for it.

“And, my Christian faith consists, not in faith as a leap into the unknown, it is evidencebased commitment – otherwise, I wouldn’t be remotely interested in Christianity.”

The debate, which has been released as part of The Big Conversation series, was recorded in front of a live audience at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London and hosted by Premier Christian Radio presenter, Justin Brierley (pictured below, centre).

It pitched Lennox, who has authored books such as ‘God’s Undertaker: Has science buried God?’ and ‘Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists are missing the target’ against Ruse, who although an atheist himself has nevertheless been critical of the New Atheist movement represented by figures such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, believing that a better conversation between faith and science is possible.

 

In response to Lennox’s claims, Michael Ruse replied: “If I am taught,…

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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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Watch LIVE: RCCG September 2018 Holy Ghost Service – Silencing Mockers

RCCG September 2018 Holy Ghost Service – Silencing Mockers

You are watching the RCCG September 2018 Holy Ghost Service tagged “Silencing Mockers”. With Pastor E.A. Adeboye ministering LIVE from the Redemption Camp, KM 46-48, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

Theme: Silencing Mockers

Time: 5:00 PM [16 HRS GMT]

Date: Friday September 7th, 2018

Venue: Redemption Camp, KM 46 Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State Nigeria.

RCCG September 2018 Holy Ghost Service – Silencing Mockers

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Church of England numbers at record low, survey finds

Since 2002, the proportion of Britons who identify as Church of England has more than halved, falling from 31 per cent to 14 per cent.

The sharpest decline happened among 45 to 54-year-olds – 35 per cent in 2002 compared with eleven per cent in 2017, according to data from the National Centre for Social Research’s (NatCen) British social attitudes survey.

 

The proportion of people who describe themselves as Roman Catholic (eight per cent) belonging to “other Christian affiliations” (ten per cent) and “of non-Christian faiths” (eight per cent) have remained fairly stable.

Fifty two per cent of people now say they have no religion, compared with 41% in 2002, and men are more inclined to say they follow no religion than women (57 per cent compared with 48 per cent), the survey found.

Seventy per cent of those aged 18-24 say they have no religion – an increase from 56 per cent in 2002, while two per cent of this group view themselves as Anglicans, down from nine per cent in 2002.

The number of Scots who say they belong to the Church of Scotland has fallen overall, from 31 per cent in 2002 to 18 per cent in 2017.

Roger Harding, head of public attitudes at the NatCen, said: “Our figures show an unrelenting decline in Church of England and Church of Scotland numbers.

“This is especially true for young people, where less than one in 20 now belong to their established church.

Joyce Meyer’s Daily 7 September 2018 Devotional — God-Given Desires

Topic: God-Given Desires [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Friday September 7, 2018]

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. — Psalm 37:4 (AMP)

One of the ways God speaks to us is through the sanctified desires of our hearts. God places right desires in our hearts and then He gives us those desires.

I remember a time when I had a desire for homemade zucchini bread but had no talent or time to make it. I simply said, “Lord, I sure would like some fresh zucchini bread,” and did not think about it again. About a week later a lady who knew nothing of my desire handed me a box and when I opened it, I found homemade zucchini bread. God delights in doing small and large things for us and we should never fail to appreciate all of them.

We need to ask God to give us sanctified, or holy, desires. We usually have desire for natural things such as success, finances, nice homes, and good relationships, but we should also desire spiritual things. We should desire to know God in a deeper and more intimate way, to always display the fruit of the Spirit, especially love, to serve God in ways that glorify Him, to always be obedient to God, et cetera. Let us ask God to take away fleshly desire and give us sanctified desire.

God puts in us desires that will bring His righteousness, peace, and joy to our lives (see Romans 14:17), and they never disagree with His Word. Wrong desires torment us, and we are impatient about receiving them, but sanctified desire comes with a willingness to wait on God’s ways and timing. Place your desires before God, pray about them and trust God to give them to you if and when they are right for you.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to want what You want. I lift up all my desires to You right now and ask for You to give me what’s best for my life—in Your way and in Your timing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 7 September 2018 – Help From God

TOPIC: Help from God (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries Friday, 7 September 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 50:7-9

MEMORY VERSE: “Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” – Psalm 38:22

The MESSAGE:

The business of the enemy is to launch unceasing attacks against the children of God in order to destabilise them and make them lose faith, trust and confidence in God. Jesus said the agenda of the enemy is to steal, to kill, and to destroy, but the business of our Lord is to give us abundant life (John 10:10), peace, and love unlimited. God, fully aware of the business of the enemy, gave assurances of His continual help for us in times of trouble. You must trust God and exercise your faith and confidence in Him when the attacks from the devil come against you like a flood. Isaiah 41:10-20 provides definite assurance of God’s help. Don’t ever allow yourself to be intimidated by the enemy. God is with you to strengthen you and uphold you with His mighty hand. All your enemies shall scatter unto desolation and those who wage war against you will be as nothing. God will convert you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth to thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff, which wind will blow away.

Rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel who is able to provide all your needs. As you cry to the Lord today and pour your heart to Him, He will answer you. He has promised to make rivers flow on barren heights and springs within the valleys. He will turn the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into springs. He will perform great signs and wonders in your life so that people may see and know that the hand of the Lord has turned around your situation and given you beauty for ashes. Make this powerful confession today: “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear nor be intimidated, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though its roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is fully in charge of my situation and I shall not be moved. God shall help me just at the break of dawn. He shall make me divinely preferred above all my colleagues and those who hate me.”

God shall raise a voice for you to defend you and silence all opposing voices for your sake. You shall surely be victorious, for the LORD of hosts will take over your battle. He will fight for you and you shall hold your peace. The LORD of hosts will fight for you; the God of Jacob will be your refuge. He will make wars over your destiny cease to the end of the earth; He will break the bow and cut the spears of your enemies it two. He will burn their chariots in the fire and strip them of their armour. Be unmovable in the knowledge that the LORD is your God and His name will be exalted in the earth!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
GOD IS FULLY IN CHARGE OF YOUR SITUATION, AND YOU SHALL NOT BE MOVED.

PROPHETIC WORD:
God shall help you just at the break of dawn.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. O God my Father, send help unto me, in the name of Jesus.
2. Fear of the unknown, I bind and cast you out of my life, in the name of Jesus.
3. Voices from the grave, speaking failure into my life, be silenced by the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. I arise by fire, out of the grave of hopelessness, in the name of Jesus.
5. I receive the power to put my enemies to open shame, in the name of Jesus.
6. I am a victor and not a victim, by the power in the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.
7. Blood of Jesus, Holy Ghost fire, pursue my pursuers, 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 Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 7 September 2018 – Help From God appeared first on Flatimes.