Scottish soldiers’ remains found near church to be reburied in 17th century service

Extensive tests were carried out after they were found five years ago and studies showed they had been held captive in the then empty Durham Cathedral following the 1650 Battle of Dunbar.

A simple graveside ceremony reflective of the 17th century will be held on Friday at Elvet Hill Road Cemetery, less than a mile from where they were found..

 

During the reburial service people will have the opportunity to scatter a handful of Scottish soil into the grave, in acknowledgement of the origins of many of the soldiers.

Professor Chris Gerrard, of Durham University’s Department of Archaeology, said: “It has been a privilege to research these soldiers and, having learnt so much from their remains, it was important to us to lay them to rest with respect and dignity.

“Today we are able to give these men the burial they were denied when they died almost 400 years ago.”

The reburial service has been designed by Durham Cathedral, and representatives from the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church were invited to comment, to ensure a respectful and dignified final committal.

Metrical Psalms from the 1650 Scottish Psalter and a Bible reading from the 1611 King James Version have been included in the service, in keeping with the traditions of those who died.

Richard Annis/Durham University/PA Wire

Undated handout file photo issued by Durham University of…

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“Heroic” officer thwarts mass shooting at Illinois school

“I could not be more proud of the police officer and the way he responded to the situation. With shots ringing out through the hallways of the school, he charged toward the suspect and confronted him head on. Because of his heroic action, countless lives were saved.”

This is how Steve Howell Jr., police chief of Dixon, Illinois, described the actions of Mark Dallas, a school resource officer who stopped a shooting yesterday. The suspect, a nineteen-year-old former student named Matthew Milby, opened fire inside Dixon High School. The officer then confronted him near the school gym, where seniors were gathering for a graduation rehearsal.

The gunman ran out of the building after Dallas approached him. When the officer gave chase, the suspect fired several rounds at him. The officer returned fire at the gunman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is now in custody.

Mark Dallas is truly a hero. However, real heroes don’t generally see themselves that way. They say they were just doing their job or doing what anyone would do. The fact that they believe they’re not heroes is one of the reasons they are.

Here’s another example: a truck driver in Oklahoma bought a cheeseburger and left his waitress a $1,000 tip. He returned an hour later to order pie and left her another $1,000 tip.

His explanation: “We talked about the Lord and about her life and her children. I got the impression that she was having a hard time of it, so I thought I’d just help her out a little bit.”

Rats in the cellar

In our culture, fame is often confused with heroism.

It’s not that athletes, movie stars, and politicians cannot be heroic. It’s that they’re not heroes simply for being athletes, movie stars, or politicians.

Heroism happens in the moment. We can train and prepare, but when the challenge comes, we must decide. In that moment, what we do defines who we are.

C. S. Lewis noted: “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of…

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Strictly’s head judge backs Rev Cole’s call for same-sex couples on show

Shirley Ballas said she “couldn’t think of anything more exciting” than having a same-sex couple take part in the show.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Ballas said: “They’re just about to have the final of the Italian version of Strictly. A same-sex couple, two men, made the final.”

 

Asked about the possibility of that happening on the UK show, she said: “I think it’s spectacular. I think things are changing. I couldn’t think of anything more exciting. I’m for it.”

Contestant from last year’s series, Rev Richard Coles, who is in a civil partnership with his partner, previously argued that it made “no sense” that anyone would resist having dancers of the same gender taking to the floor together.

He told Digital Spy during his time on the show that he had “a discussion” with bosses on the show about having same-sex couples taking part.

Matt Crossick/PA Wire

Reverend Richard Coles and Charlotte Hawkins at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London.

 

“It’s just a question of doing it. I think this year would be a good year to do it actually, with the 50th anniversary of sexual offences act (which decriminalised sex between two men aged more than 21),” he said.

Fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood has previously said the BBC should make the move and predicted it will happen soon.

However, previous…

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Seven Biggest Surprises of Church Revitalizers and Church Replanters

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Church leadership can be surprising—especially in revitalization or replanting efforts. Today we discuss some of the surprises we’ve heard and how to work through them.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM MARCUS

I am in the early stages of a church revitalization in a larger church (350) that has been in decline for 12 years from their peak of 750. I’ve been surprised to discover that the church members are open to change but It’s become clear to me that the staff is not. What are some other surprises I may discover as I continue?

Episode Highlights:

  • Sometimes, a staff doesn’t want change even when it’s needed because it may mean jobs disappear.
  • Don’t assume that the “old guard” in the church will always be resistant to change.
  • Your denomination is not a silver bullet for turnaround in your church.
  • Pastoral care is critical in a revitalization. The congregation has to know the pastor loves them.

The seven surprises we cover today are:

  1. “It’s a lot tougher than I thought it would be.”
  2. “It takes a lot longer than I thought it would.”
  3. “Some of the ‘old guard’ church members are a lot more helpful than I anticipated.”
  4. “The denominational help is not a magic bullet.”
  5. “The depth of hurt in the church is much greater than I first realized.”
  6. “This work is not nearly as cool and fun as I imagined.”
  7. “I am amazed at what God has done in five years.”

Resources mentioned in…

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‘Crack cocaine’ gambling crackdown cheered by Christian campaigners

Ministers announced on Thursday morning that the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be slashed from £100 to £2.

The move will be welcomed by Church of England leaders including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who previously warned the machines cause “great harm”.

 

Terminals currently allow punters to place bets of up to £100 up to every 20 seconds.

The culture secretary Matt Hancock came under significant pressure to introduce a new cap a stakes, amid concerns for people experiencing a serious gambling problem.

The proposal prompted strong opposition from bookmakers, with William Hill warning such a move could jeopardise 20,000 British jobs and see the Treasury forfeit £1 billion in taxes.

Creative commons

 

A review by the gambling regulator earlier this year recommended that the maximum stake of FOBTs should be set at £30 or below.

Mike Dixon, chief executive of drug and alcohol charity Addaction, said: “”This is a big and important change for many people we work with.

“Matt Hancock deserves real credit for taking this decision.

“It will change a lot of people’s lives, and stop gambling companies preying on people when they’re most vulnerable.”

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…

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 17 May 2018 Devotional — Seek God First and He Will Add Everything Else

Topic: Seek God First and He Will Add Everything Else [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Thursday May 17, 2018]

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. — 2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV

Matthew 6:33 tells us that when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will give us everything we need. It is a matter of putting God first in our lives. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not necessarily!

Even though we want God to help us, it is sometimes difficult to consistently put Him first. It may seem easy to trust Him with your life when you’re in church on Sunday morning, but on Monday you may be tempted to take control again. Seeking God and putting Him first requires building an intimate relationship with Him that will sustain you every day of the week. God knows what we need better than we do, and He longs to provide it, but He requires that we make Him top priority in our lives.

Many years ago, when I began my relationship with God, I wasn’t really serious about it. Like many other Christians, I put in my church time on Sunday. I was even on the church board, and my husband, Dave, was an elder. The problem was, when I was at home or at work, it was hard to tell the difference between an unbeliever and me. I had accepted Christ, I was on my way to heaven, and I loved God. But I didn’t love Him with my whole heart—there were many areas of my life that I had not yet surrendered to Him. As a result, I was frustrated, and my life lacked victory and joy.

Finally, I cried out to God for help, and thankfully, He heard and answered my prayer. He began to show me that I needed to let Him out of my “Sunday Morning Box” and allow Him to be first in every area of my life. Since I did that, I am continually amazed at the ways that God provides for everything else I need.

Prayer Starter: Father, I know my relationship with You is the key to having peace, joy, fulfillment and a great life. Help me to put You first and love You with my whole heart. 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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TREM Devotional 17 May 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – God Loves You With An Everlasting Love

Topic: God Loves You With An Everlasting Love [TREM Devotional Thursday May 17, 2018]

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

The people of God were in captivity in Babylon, but God assured them that they were coming out. They had been there for close to 17 years but God said to them that they will still go back to their country. In Jeremiah 31:3; God said, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love”. Do you know what that means? That means there is nothing you do that would stop God from loving you. God may not like what you did, but that does not stop Him from loving you.

When we are talking about the love of God; understand that it is not the love that says, “If you do this, then, I will love you.” No! The Lord says; I love you just the way you are and I want to help you, I want to make you happy, I want to change your life, I want to heal you and I want to deliver you. God’s love is such that He wants to go beyond Himself and do something. It is love that gives.

Understand that at the time God was speaking, Jerusalem had been ravaged. Israel had been destroyed by Babylon. They were scattered all over the place. God came to the captives; He said, listen, I love you with the everlasting love. And let me give you information you don’t know. He said: you see that place you left, you are going back there. It will still be inhabited. You will still hear sounds of joy in that place. There will be merriments in that place, and you will plant vines and will eat of them. In other words, don’t say your end has come. The fact that I have loved you is an indication that I will go beyond myself. I will do that which no one has done. I have loved you with an everlasting love.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-14, Romans 8:31-39

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 1-3; Evening- John 5:25-47

“If you missed yesterday devotional click to read “TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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DCLM Daily Manna 17 May, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Let It Drive You To Pray!

Topic: Let It Drive You To Pray! [DCLM Daily Manna Thursday May 17, 2018]

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3).

MESSAGE:

It is common with human to react with fear and panic during moments of crisis. In their panic, they would make so many frantic efforts in search of a new way out. Hardly does prayer become the first reaction of people in times of crisis. Yet, it is in prayer that the solutions can be found.

This is why the story of King Jehoshaphat is a challenge to all Christians. He was shaken one morning with the horrifying news of a coalition of great host coming against him. This meant that the life of Jehoshaphat and his entire kingdom were in the brink of extinction. That was enough to make him panic. Instead of allowing his fear to drive him into wrong actions, he allowed the situation to drive him to prayer. He summoned all the citizens to fast and pray, thereby expressing his total trust and confidence in God to grant them deliverance. Thankfully, He did! Jehoshaphat and his people did not raise a sword nor shoot an arrow, yet all their enemies were killed. God fought for them.

Those who do not have absolute confidence in God will react differently when they are faced with similar situations. Some will even get angry with God and murmur against Him. But that will only compound the problem instead of solving it. The best thing to do when situations we do not expect confront us is to pray. In praying, we express our absolute trust in God to handle the situation. If we pray about our circumstances, we will certainly get a miraculous deliverance Jehoshaphat.

Do not only pray; believe God and act on His Word. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah did just as the prophet had told them and their faith and obedience were rewarded with great victory. Run to God in prayer; it is the safest place to hide in times of trouble and always.

Thought For The Day: When you have a great need, run to our great God in prayer.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Samuel 16-18

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE 

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

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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Teens Open Heavens 17 May 2018 – Seeing Beyond Skeletons

Topic: Seeing Beyond Skeletons [Teens Open Heavens 17, May 2018]

Memorise: Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

Read: Isaiah 3:10-11 (KJV)

10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 18-19, John 6:22-44

MESSAGE:

When he was brought face to face with a valley full of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-10, Ezekiel was asked by the Lord; “can these bones live again?” He almost said; impossible! Because truly, what he was asked was humanly impossible.

There are several situations in the world today that appear to be saying that Satan is taking over, but never believe that lie. It does not matter what your present situation is saying, your tomorrow will be alright. Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones and they came alive. Rise up and prophesy into your seemingly impossible situations too and you shall receive your decree.

Action Point: Ask that the breath of life from God should blow over every dead situation in your life today.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 1:

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire !

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

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Study: 64 Percent of Christians Today Believe Evangelizing is Optional

Study: 64 Percent of Christians Today Believe Evangelizing is Optional



A new study from the Barna Group has found that Christians are not evangelizing as often as they used to.


The official title of the study is “Sharing Faith is Increasingly Optional to Christians.” The recently-released study is a follow-up on a study conducted back in 1993.


A revealing change in the statistics between 1993 and today was that “In 1993, 89 percent of Christians who had shared their faith agreed this is a responsibility of every Christian. Today, just 64 percent say so—a 25-point drop.”


The way Christians approach evangelism has also changed over the past 25 years.


“The most common approaches, a majority says, are asking questions about the other person’s beliefs and experiences (70 percent) and sharing their faith in the way they live rather than by speaking about it (65 percent),” says the study, which Barna conducted in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries. “These were common among Christians in 1993 as well, as the chart shows, but a majority of Christians 25 years ago also reported emphasizing the beneficial aspects of accepting Jesus (78 percent)—a strategy that today is less common (50 percent).


Christians today also more strongly stress the need to have a relationship with a person for evangelism to be effective.


“They are more likely to agree that faith-sharing is only effective when they already have a…

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