Courageous Immigrant Who Saved Child from High-Rise Says ‘God Helped Me’

Courageous Immigrant Who Saved Child from High-Rise Says ‘God Helped Me’



Mamoudou Gassama, a 22-year-old Malian migrant living in Paris, garnered the world’s attention recently when he bravely saved a child who was dangling over the edge of a balcony of a high-rise apartment complex.


Gassama has been nicknamed “Spider-Man” for the incredible way he scaled the four floors of the  building and lifted the child to safety.


When asked why he undertook such a dangerous climb, Gassama simply replied, “I didn’t think about it, I climbed up and God helped me.”


He elaborated, again attributing his amazing feat to God’s help: “I like children. I would have hated to see him getting hurt in front of me. I ran and I looked for solutions to save him and thank God I scaled the front of the building to the balcony.”


Gassama has been highly praised for his courageous act in the face of danger. He has even been awarded French citizenship. French President Emmanuel Macron also presented him with a certificate and a gold medal for his bravery.


Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said that Gassama is “an example for all citizens.”


Gassama said the child was crying when he saved him. The child’s father is under investigation for neglect and the child has been “placed in care.”


 



 


Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Ingram Publishing


Publication date: May 30, 2018

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

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Female Alumni Recount ‘Toxic’ Environment; 2003 Rape Victim Speaks

(Photo: SWBTS Facebook)Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, is seen speaking here in this May 2018 photo.

Two female alumni of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have published their stories about how they were mistreated while they were students. And the woman who accused the school’s president, Paige Patterson, of urging her not to report her rape in 2003 has publicly identified herself.

April Armstrong, who graduated from SWBTS in 2007, opined in a blog post Saturday that the recent decision by the seminary trustees to make Patterson the president emeritus of the school was not enough given the “unrelentingly abusive environment” women endured while she was a student. A “culture of silence” has continued to enable that abuse, she argued, not only at the Fort Worth-based seminary but in other Southern Baptist institutions.

Armstrong recounted her experience dating a student who was also employed as a security guard that made manipulative moves and exhibited predatory behavior toward her and another female student. When the two women were summoned for an ethics hearing, the chief of security testified that he was inclined to believe the women.

But a high level administrator who presided over the hearing…

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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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Why Church Members Are Attending Less Frequently

Why Church Members Are Attending Less Frequently

  1. They are more mobile.
  2. They are more affluent.
  3. They have more options.
  4. They consider church optional.
  5. They have not been challenged.
  6. They are likely not active in a small group.

Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:

  • Those who are more affluent have more options to do things other than attend church on the weekend.
  • Too many church members consider corporate worship optional.
  • Raising the bar of expectations for church members is key to higher attendance frequency.
  • The more involved people are in small groups, the more involved they will be in the life of the church.

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

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“Roseanne” cancellation shows we cannot predict the future

ABC canceled Roseanne after Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about former President Obama’s aide Valerie Jarrett. (I will devote tomorrow’s Daily Article to this evolving story.) Shares of Walt Disney Co. declined after box office sales for Solo: A Star Wars Story came in below expectations.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 400 points yesterday as a political crisis in Italy affected global markets. Oil prices also fell after reports that Saudi Arabia may lead an effort to pump more crude into the market. And the Wall Street Journal warns that Europe’s new privacy rules are thwarting security researchers and police around the world.

What do these stories have in common? They illustrate the fact that we can neither control nor predict the future. I raise this rather obvious point because it is relevant to two of the most moving books I’ve read in a long time.

Two transformative books

I just finished Kate Bowler’s heartbreaking and hopeful Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved. Dr. Bowler is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and teaches religion at Duke Divinity School. Her new book is transparent, funny, and thoughtful. She is one of the most gifted writers I know.

She is also battling Stage IV cancer.

One simple but profound truth she has learned from her illness is that she is not in control of her life and never was. Some people live to become elderly. Others like Kate, married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of an infant son, get sick at the age of thirty-five.

She describes herself as “addicted to self-rule” and observes that “control is a drug, and we are all hooked.” As a result, she has chosen to stop believing that “everything happens for a reason.”

By contrast, one of the most powerful Holocaust writers I’ve ever read believes just the opposite.

Jane Yolen’s The Devil’s Arithmetic is a poignant novel set primarily in a German concentration camp. We might…

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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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Couple face church wedding ban for supporting abortion

The couple – who have not been named, revealed on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show on Tuesday that Fr Damien Quigley contacted the couple via private message.

A listener later contacted the show to explain what the message said.

 

It is alleged Fr Quigley wrote to the couple and said: “Just a heads up, that as the priest you’ve asked to celebrate your wedding for you, you and I would need to have a conversation about any promotion you may do to advocate for abortion in Ireland.

“Such promotion or advocacy would impact on the appropriateness of me celebrating your wedding or possibly the wedding taking place in a Catholic church.

“I’m sure we can have a good chat over a coffee sometime.”

Fr Quigley confirmed the message to host Stephen Nolan but said he wouldn’t comment further as the matter is private.

However, he did issue a statement, which said: “From the outset, I wish to advise you that it would not be appropriate for me to discuss details of my pastoral support to any specific individual or couple in their preparation for the sacrament of marriage,” the statement read.

“However, please be advised that I have never refused to prepare any person or couple for the sacrament.”

The Catholic Church also distanced themselves from the priest’s message.

A statement released by the Church said: “”It would not be appropriate to discuss details of a priest’s pastoral support 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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New Study Identifies ‘Less Efficient Placenta’ as Possible Contributor to Developing Schizophrenia Later in Life

Wikimedia Commons/NIMHA false color image of a schizophrenic brain

In trying to understand the mysteries still surrounding schizophrenia, scientists may have just had a significant breakthrough.

Per a recent report from New Scientist, Dr. Daniel R. Weinberger and his team from the Lieber Institute of Brain Development in Maryland sought to find out if genetics played a role in why only some people whose mothers experienced complications during pregnancy eventually went on to develop schizophrenia.

In order to find their answer, Dr. Weinberger and his team looked at several pregnancy complications, including fetal growth restriction, infections, pre-eclampsia and other issues that may emerge during the event of childbirth.

After conducting the study that involved nearly 2,900 people — some of whom had schizophrenia, some of whom did not but still shared certain similarities — Dr. Weinberger and his team discovered that the 108 genetic regions in a person’s DNA that have been found previously to be connected to raising the risk of developing schizophrenia are also linked to whether or not people experienced complications in the womb or during childbirth.

To be more specific, the researchers discovered that around half of those genetic regions seem to be linked to how the placenta functions. Some of those regions also house genes that become active during pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

According to Elizabeth Tunbridge of the University of Oxford, the study could mean that if the fetus is accompanied by a “less efficient placenta,” then the fetus may not be receiving the…

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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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I have problems with a lot of new worship music

In an interview with Premier Christianity magazine, the pastor who founded Red Letter Christians said believers are too keen to sing about God’s control and power and forget that he actually gave up that control and power on the cross.

 

“I have problems with a lot of the new worship music,” he said. “I think it’s wonderful that it’s captured the music that young people can relate to and they get into it with great love and emotion. But compare ‘My God reigns’ with the old hymns which say: ‘Jesus shall reign’ – it’s future tense, not present tense.”

Continuing the point, he said: “The Hallelujah Chorus never says: ‘God is in control’. It says: ‘The kingdoms of this world will (when the second coming occurs) become the kingdoms of our God and he shall reign forever and ever hallelujah’.

“I’m a sociologist by trade. A basic sociological principle is you can’t express love and power at the same time. Whenever you love, you lose power. Love makes you vulnerable.

“We have a God who loves us so much he was willing to become vulnerable.”

Tony Campolo is visiting the UK for a tour with the Christian group Urban Change Makers.

You can hear a full interview with Tony Campolo on the Premier Christianity podcast.

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 straight to your inbox…

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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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Nurturing Your Relationship (Part 4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Nurturing Your Relationship (4)

Dear Reader,

God has been faithful and He has really opened your eyes to so many things you didn’t know before about relationship. I know you have been blessed.

For the past few weeks now, we have been exploring the subject, ‘Nurturing Your Relationship’ Under this subject, we have been able to look at what relationship is all about, we have leant about the factors that can help you nurture and grow your relationship; The factor of commitment, the factor of Putting your home in order, and last week we discussed Be the man of her dream. I am sure the married men have been able to take advantage of last week teaching in particular. This factor when you put it to use, it will help you to win your wife. Today, we shall also be looking at another interesting factor that can help you as a married woman to nurture and grow your relationship. You want to know this factor? Be the Woman of His dreams!

Just as every woman has expectations about the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with, woman, know that every man (your husband) also has some basic expectations of the woman he wants to marry.

Be a Help

Obviously, God instituted marriage to get a suitable help for man, so He made the woman. The woman is therefore an ordained help for her husband. What are you to help your husband with? As wife God expects you to help your husband bear the load of responsibilities he carries.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him”

Genesis 2:18.

Your ‘ministry’ is to ensure that the man does not fail in his duties and that the family system does not break down. In other words, you are there in the family to help lift the weight not add to it. You are there a helper not a destroyer, castigator or betrayer.

Be a Home Maker

Every home is like a garden, and just as God gave Adam an instruction to dress and keep it, every home must be dressed to be kept. No matter how colourful your garden, if it is left unkempt, it is open to the attack of all kinds of insects that will eat up its good fruits.

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.

Who keeps the Home?

Woman, how well kept is your home? This scripture has many implications. A woman is to keep her house spiritually by prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, but she also keeps it practically by cleaning up and beautifying it. “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” they say. Let the environment be conducive for the Holy Spirit. Titus 2:4-5 says it is the woman.

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Feed Him Well

There is a popular adage that says, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Woman, your family is what they eat. If they are healthy it can be practically traced to their eating habits.

It is not enough to feed with sumptuous food, but you need to feed them right. Are the foods they eat nutritious? Or do you give them just anything? Wisdom is profitable to direct. (Eccl. 10:10).

In this day and age of processed foods and snacks (fast food) please secure the health of your family by feeding them with good food. Remember, “garbage in, garbage out.”

Eve fed her husband; unfortunately, she fed him with poison instead of life. Woman what are you feeding your dream man with? Genesis 3:6 says,

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Be Financially Accountable

Financial rest does not only come when you are a millionaire, it comes by being a good money manager. You must have a financial plan or else you are creating room for financial pain. A wise man once said, “Pain is a sign of disorder” it follows that to experience financial pain is a sign of disorder in your spending.

You can prioritize your spending and maximize your income. Why must you put yourself into such pain getting into debt? Spend within your means and be content with your income size for now.

“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase” Job 8:7.

Complement Your Spouse

One other way to nurture your relationship is by an often-neglected key, and that is complement. Every human being loves to be praised either for what he has done or simply for who he is.

The key is to locate the good qualities in your spouse and focus on it. Then express your appreciation for those good qualities by the words of your mouth. Learn to show appreciation for both small and great acts of kindness. You can also show appreciation by giving little gifts.

Make room for praise in your home. Praise God always and complement your husband or wife and your relationship will be heaven on earth!

For you to be able to possess good qualities that will make you relationship last, you need a good relationship with Christ. If, peradventure, you are not born again and you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 30 May 2018 Devotional — Don’t Get Weary While You Wait!

Topic: Don’t Get Weary While You Wait! [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Wednesday May 30, 2018]

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. — James 1:2

The proper time for things is God’s time, not ours. We are usually in a hurry, but God never is. We are often impatient and ready for everything to happen right now, but God, in His wisdom, prepares us first for what He wants to do in our lives, and preparation takes time.

God takes time to do things right—He lays a solid foundation before He attempts to build a building. We are God’s building under construction. He is the Master Builder, and He knows what He is doing.

God’s timing seems to be His own little secret. The Bible promises that He will never be late, but I have also discovered that He is usually not early. The good thing to know is that He is always right on time, and His timing is perfect.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the good work You’re doing in my life. Help me to wait for Your promises with faith and patience and never give up on doing what’s right. 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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Faith: Antidote To Fear – By David Ibiyeomie

Topic — Faith: Antidote To Fear

Rom. 4:20 – He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Abraham was not afraid of the challenges that faced him because he knew God is able to perform that which He hath promised him. Faith is the custodian of every man’s destiny. Faith is a spiritual force that puts you in command.

Heb.11:6 -But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It is impossible to please God if you don’t walk by faith. You can reshape your life and rewrite your story by faith. Satan cannot get at you until he gets at your faith. Nothing gives room to the devil like fear. Fear is the opposite of faith.

2Tim.1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is not a psychological state; fear is a spirit. People are victims of what they fear. According to Job 3:25. Job experienced that which he greatly feared. The reason Job fell was because of fear.

Job 3:25 – For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

No matter how righteous, dedicated and holy a man is, if he is afraid, he gives the devil an avenue to attack him. Fear will always give the devil access to a man’s life. satan could not touch Job except through his fear. Satan knew that God formed an edge round about Job but it was through fear that Job created a loophole for satan to attack him. Satan never had access to Job until Job became afraid. Every time you are afraid, you open door for the devil to come in but he will not have access to you in Jesus name!

Faith is the antidote for fear. Faith cannot be found where fear is so also, fear cannot be found where faith is. There are 365 fear nots written in the Bible for you. So, each day has a fear not written for you.

A wise man said, ‘when fear knocks at the door, send faith to open and you will discover there is no one there’. Every time faith is at work, fear disappears. You must build your faith because when faith is lacking, fear comes in.

God bless you

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.

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