Pope Francis: Christians Can ‘Show Gay People the Way,’ but Church ‘Does Not Condemn’

-
0
Pope Francis: Christians Can ‘Show Gay People the Way,’ but Church ‘Does Not Condemn’
Christian Post Report – Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House of Representatives Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. September 24, 2015

Pope Francis has spoken out on his famous remark in 2013 when he said “Who am I to judge?” about gay people, by clarifying that Christians can show them the way and walk with them, but insisted that the Church does not condemn people.

Francis’ thoughts were included in a new interview book titled The Name of God is Mercy, to be released in 80 countries on Tuesday, which will include his reflections on a number of other issues concerning the Roman Catholic Church as well.

Catholic website Crux reported that Francis said he was “paraphrasing by heart the Catechism of the Catholic Church” when he told reporters at an event at the Vatican in 2013: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

Fancis was hailed by some gay rights groups at the time for the quote, even being awarded person of the year by LGBT publication the Advocate.

When asked to clarify his thoughts on the matter, Francis said that he supports compassion and inclusion, but is not in favor of changing traditional Catholic teachings.

“You can advise [gay people] to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it,” the pontiff explained.

He added: “The Church does not exist to condemn people, but to bring about an encounter with the visceral love of God’s mercy.”

The Vatican leader further rejected what he called “a formal adherence to rules and to mental schemes,” and said that “mercy is the first attribute of God.”

Francis also spoke out on another hot-button issue concerning marriage, namely whether Catholics who divorce and remarry outside the Church have the right to receive Holy Communion.

The pontiff shared the story of a man who was due to marry one of the future pope’s nieces despite his previous marriage being declared null and being excluded from the sacrament.

The husband apparently continued going to church every Sunday to ask the priest for a blessing, recognizing that he can’t be absolved due to the Church’s rules.

Francis said that the man was “religiously mature,” which Crux suggested could be a clue that the pontiff is urging understanding, but not a change to doctrine.

Back in September 2013, Francis affirmed his support for the traditional Church teachings on subjects like homosexuality and abortion, but said that they should not be the only focus.

“We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible,” the pope said in an interview back then.

“I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Rapefugees Not Welcome:’ Mass Protests Flare in Germany Over Gang Sex Assaults

-
0
‘Rapefugees Not Welcome:’ Mass Protests Flare in Germany Over Gang Sex Assaults
Christian Post Report – 1 million refugees from Syria and other places in the Middle East fleeing civil war and terrorism arrived in Germany in 20Christian Post Report – 15, which has sparked widespread debate, and in some cases marches and protests in the European country.

Merkel has defended the open-door immigration policy, but said that tough measures would be taken against the Cologne attackers.

“The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted, on probation or jailed,” Merkel said during a meeting of her Christian Democrats party.

“Serial offenders who repeatedly rob or repeatedly affront women must feel the full force of the law,” Merkel added, and further admitted:

“The events of New Year’s Eve have dramatically exposed the challenge we’re facing, revealing a new facet that we haven’t yet seen.”

New Year’s Eve attacks occurred in other German cities as well, including Hamburg, where 70 women filed sexual harassment complaints.

BBC News reported that refugees have also suffered attacks, however, with Cologne police investigating the beating of six Pakistanis and a Syrian man that reportedly took place on Sunday evening.

Authorities are searching for a group of around 20 suspects who might have been involved in the apparent hate-crime.

Political leaders have been urging for calm in the nation, though Justice Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild newspaper that the apparent pre-arranged nature of the gang assaults on women on New Year’s Eve will have to be investigated.

“If such a horde gathers in order to commit crimes, that appears in some form to be planned,” Maas said. “Nobody can tell me that this was not co-ordinated or prepared.”

Cologne chief of police Wolfgang Albers has since been suspended, after admitting that police made mistakes in withholding information about the Cologne attacks, in particular about the origin of the suspects.

Source : Christian Post

Getting Serious About Debt Reduction!

-
0
Getting Serious About Debt Reduction!
Christian Post Report – I have an idea that could kill two birds with one proverbial stone — this year get your taxes organized as quickly as possible so that you can file in January and put that money to work for you. The fact is, most of us are giving the government an interest free loan by having our withholding too high. We don’t realize that when we get that refund check that money — which could have been working for you — has been sitting with Uncle Sam waiting for you to ask him to mail it back to you.

The average tax refund is more than $3,100, a good start on debt reduction in the New Years. You can file your taxes by mid-January, and if you file on-line, a refund won’t be far behind.

Source : Christian Post

The Lake Charles Police Say ‘In God We Trust!’

-
0
The Lake Charles Police Say ‘In God We Trust!’
Christian Post Report – The city council in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has made the unanimous decision to have “In God We Trust” decals placed on 200 vehicles, including police patrol cars, fire trucks, and public works vehicles.

City Councilman Rodney Geye, who sponsored the measure to have the decals placed on city vehicles, told local station KPLC-TV that he believes the stickers will help civilians have trust in local law enforcement.

“I think when the citizens of Lake Charles see such stickers displayed on our vehicles they have a feeling of trust in their elected officials,” Geyen told the local media outlet.

Source : Christian Post

Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Go Head-to-Head as Stellar Award Nominees

-
0
Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Go Head-to-Head as Stellar Award Nominees

Christian Post Report – Tasha Cobbs will perform with Erica Campbell at Soul Train Awards 2015 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 6, 2015.

Months after teaming up to minister through their music during a joint performance at the Soul Train Music Awards, gospel singers Tasha Cobbs and Erica Campbell are going head-to-head in five categories at the upcoming 31st annual Stellar Awards.

The Stellar Awards celebrates gospel music artists while showcasing them in the genre along with television and film entertainers. While a plethora of gospel music artists have received nominations, both Campbell, 43, and Cobbs, 34, have received six nominations each.

Five of those nominations were in the same categories for “Artist of The Year,” “Albertina Walker female Vocalist Of The Year,” “CD Of The Year,” and “Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year.” While Campbell had a nomination apart from Cobbs in the “Urban/Inspirational Single Or Performance Of The Year” category, the latter was nominated for “Praise And Worship CD Of The Year.”

After learning about her honors, Cobbs took to Instagram to write, “Thx #TeamTCM LOVE YALL!”

Campbell share a similar message which reads, “Woke up to great news!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!”

Before performing with Cobbs at the Soul Train Music Awards last November, Campbell spoke to The Christian Post about her connection with her fellow singer.

“I’m a big Tasha Cobbs fan. Not only do I love her voice but I love her spirit,” Campbell told CP. “We’ve done concerts where we were on the same bill. She did some of my early tour dates when I was on the ‘Help’ tour and she’s just great.”

According to Campbell, Cobbs is “so anointed, she’s so powerful, she’s young, she’s fun.”

The opportunity to collaborate onstage with the “Jesus Saves” singer, was more than just another performance for Campbell, who revealed how the women ministered through their music.

“We’re private change agents and we go in to minister the gospel that causes people’s lives to change or their minds to change. When your mind can change, that leads to a change in your life,” the “I Luh God” singer told CP. “It’s not like we’ll have an alter call and people will be running around shouting, but we definitely want to plant a seed to cause people’s lives to change after our performance.”

The 31st Annual Stellar Awards is taking place on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at The Las Vegas Orleans Arena. For a complete list of nominations please click here.

Source : Christian Post

Kelly Rowland’s Son Reinforces Singer’s Patience Found in Bible

-
0
Kelly Rowland’s Son Reinforces Singer’s Patience Found in Bible
Christian Post Report – Singer Kelly Rowland arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011.

At the tender age of 1, singer Kelly Rowland’s son Titan Jewell Weatherspoon is teaching her about Biblical principles.

The 34-year-old singer, formerly of Destiny’s Child, told XO Necole about learning through her son how to practice 1 Corinthians 13:4.

“The Bible verse ‘love is patient’ is real! I don’t make the little things into big issues like I once did,” Rowland said. “My OCD had to go out the window. My living room looks like a freaking day care!”

The mother revealed that she once thought her lack of patience would prevent her from being a good mother.

“Having Titan has taught me patience. I didn’t know I was as patient as I am with him,” she said. “I was nervous that I didn’t have the patience to be a good mom, because before Titan I had zero. But now I am very patient.”

More than patience, Rowland’s son helped her overcome the death of her late mother Doris Rowland Garrison who died at the age of 66 in 2014. The tragic news came just weeks after Rowland gave birth to her first child, Titan Jewell Weatherspoon, that November.

In the whirlwind year, Rowland married her manager and husband Tim Witherspoon in 2014. While on “The Meredith Vieira Show” last year, Rowland spoke about her husband and son helping her deal with the loss of her mother.

“It’s definitely been a challenge. My husband says, ‘You know babe you should think about it as a new normal,'” Rowland told host Meredith Vieira. “I think I’ve done that but I’m so blessed to have my son. I don’t think I’ve had the time to really really grieve but I feel her presence often.”

Rowland went on to describe instances when she felt her mother was present with her son.

“Something that happened the other day Titan was laughing and I was like ‘what is this boy laughing at’ because it was such a belly filled giggle. He was looking up and smiling and laughing,” Rowland recalled on the talk show. “I was like, that’s mom. I just know she is always near and I am just so grateful for that.”

Despite her loss, Rowland believes there was a divine plan in place saying, “God gave me an angel, he took one of my angels away but he still has her covering and hovering over us and I’m so blessed for that.”

After the loss of her mother, Rowland released a heartfelt statement to fans about losing the important woman in her life.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Doris Rowland Garrison. She was an incredible soul who made countless sacrifices so that I could become the woman — and now mother — I am today,” Rowland said in a statement obtained by E! News. “We humbly appreciate all the love and support and only ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

Now that 2016 has started, Rowland is able to reflect and realize that her son helped her get through the tough time.

“It was a tough, emotional point for me. I remember not wanting to be sad for Titan,” she told XO Necole. “I wanted to keep myself together because I believe that all that stress and grief can be passed on to your baby. Knowing Titan needed me, and having that to focus on, helped me through.”

Source : Christian Post

Tyrese Reveals Why He Prays at Public Sculpture

-
0
Tyrese Reveals Why He Prays at Public Sculpture
Christian Post Report – Actor Tyrese Gibson poses during the GQ Men of the Year party in West Hollywood, California, December 3, 2015.

In the middle of the night, singer and action star Tyrese Gibson may be found praying at the Watts Towers sculptures in Los Angeles, California.

For the first time, the 37-year-old “Black Rose” singer revealed that he focuses on his life’s purpose by praying in the intimate setting in the Watts community that he grew up in.

“I’ve never shared this publicly but often times I come here in the middle of the night and pray ..,” Gibson wrote on Instagram. “It re-sparks my life’s purpose it reminds me to stand tall and never let life’s challenges get the best of me..”

Gibson has been hinting about a new business venture after spending time in the United Arab Emirates at the top of the year.

“… [W]hen you are a man of substance with a mission on your mind you have to step out of your nest and comforts of being home .. Be willing to walk into unfamiliar territories to accomplish your vision, dreams and goals ..,” Gibson wrote on Instagram. “Of course I don’t have to explain anything .. I’m aware .. But just know .. For those of you who don’t know .. To God be the glory for ALL the things that he continues to do ..”

With all of the accolades and opportunities he has received, the singer’s faith seemed to be revitalized when his mother was miraculously healed last month. Gibson called his mother’s healing one of the best moments of his life.

“I know a LOT of people have been as worried as me and our family .. So very grateful .. My mother is going to see another year .. And her sons birthday Dec 30th,” Gibson wrote on Instagram. “This is literally the best moment of my life.”

The actor from “The Fast and the Furious” film franchise, took to Instagram to speak about witnessing the presence of God after his mother’s health scare.

“I have the best news ever to share … I’ve witnessed the power and loving presence of GOD!!!! My Mother is no longer in critical condition ..,” he revealed. “Glory be thy name the lord Jesus Christ is real .. I’ve literally witnessed a miracle … We appreciate your prayers and outpouring of LOVE!!!!!!”

Although the entertainer has held strong to his Christian faith throughout the years, it seems those beliefs were strengthened when his mother’s health began to improve.

“I’ve never had a doubt in my heart that God was real .. But it can ONLY be the power of the lord Jesus Christ that pulled her through …,” he said. “They took the tubes out, took her off of the the breathing machines and today for the first time in 8 days me and my mother TALKED… Her first words were ‘Hi Son’…. My mother without saying will be my date to the GRAMMYs – to God be ALL the glory….”

Source : Christian Post

Russell Wilson’s Story Made Into Comic Book

-
0
Russell Wilson’s Story Made Into Comic Book

Christian Post Report – Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson at a press conference to kickstart Super Bowl XLVIII.

Russell Wilson may make heroic plays on the football field, but now the Seattle Seahawks quarterback officially has his own comic book.

Wilson, 27, is now the subject of a new comic book called “Fame: Russell Wilson,” which was released by Storm Comics last week. The comic will be a biography of Wilson’s college and NFL career, according to http://mynorthwest.com.

The illustrated biography can be found on Comic Flea, and was written by Michael Frizell, with art by Angelito Amara Bernuy and Chris Canibana.

“I’m not a football fan, I’ll admit it,” Frizell said on the Storm Publishing website. “Prior to researching Russell Wilson, the only football biography I ever read was on Joe Namath, but there was something that grabbed me about Wilson’s story. I found him to be fascinating. I’m certain you will, too.”

For publisher Darren G. Davis, the decision to feature Wilson as a comic book character was a no brainer.

“STORM Comics’ mission is to tell compelling stories,” said Davis. “Wilson’s story is certainly compelling.”

Off of the football field, Wilson serves as a different type of hero as a volunteer for the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Although Wilson and his Seahawks secured two consecutive Super Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2015, the Christian athlete is also consistent in volunteering at the hospital in between games and practices.

“Sunday is game day for me, but my best day is Tuesday when I visit Seattle Children’s,” Wilson previously wrote in his blog on Seattle Children’s Hospital website. “All the amazing opportunities I’ve had on the field can’t compare to helping kids whose lives are on the line.”

Wilson said he started volunteering a couple of years ago, but has had his share of experience visiting hospitals when his father died from diabetes in 2010. He spoke about his own experiences helping him relate to families who are dealing with sick children in the hospital where he volunteers.

While he is talented on the football field, Wilson believes his God given purpose involves giving back to others.

“I believe God has put me on this earth to serve others. That’s why there’s nothing more fulfilling than walking into a child’s hospital room and finding out how they’re doing – listening to their stories,” Wilson wrote. “All these kids are so brave and to be there for them and give them a boost is really important to me. What they don’t know is how much they affect me: I get an even bigger boost from them!”

In 2014, the Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation launched a $100 million initiative to support research aimed at curing childhood cancer.

Wilson signed on to be the “team captain” in the initiative called “Strong Against Cancer” that seeks to end childhood cancer within the next decade. The quarterback explained why it was important to be involved in the initiative.

“Annually, pediatric cancers receive less than 3 percent of the National Cancer Institute budget, which is why it’s so important for all of us to support initiatives like Strong Against Cancer,” Wilson said in a 2014 Seattle Childrens Hospital release. “The scientists working on immunotherapy have the treatment and the results to get us to a place where childhood cancer is no worse than a common virus. All that’s needed now are the resources to bring it to every kid who needs it.”

Source : Christian Post

Meagan Good Relates to Esther in the Bible, Calls Book Favorite Story

-
0
Meagan Good Relates to Esther in the Bible, Calls Book Favorite Story

Meagan Good (Photo: Reuters/Gus Ruelas)

Christian Post Report – Actress Meagan Good takes part in a panel discussion of NBC Universal’s new series “Deception” during the 2013 Winter Press Tour for the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, California, January 6, 2013.

Meagan Good is revealing that her favorite story in the Bible is one that she personally relates to.

“My favorite Bible story is Queen Esther. She’s the underdog and I’ve always felt like the underdog,” the 34-year-old Christian actress told Guideposts magazine. “She had a good heart and she learned who God created her to be and called her to be and she stepped into that fearlessly and that’s what I’m doing and plan to do.”

The “Minority Report” actress previously revealed that she makes reading her Bible a daily priority.

“I pray and read my Bible every single day, I stay close to God because He’s what matters the most; everything else is secondary,” Good said in a Los Angeles Sentinel report. “My career can never give me what God can give me.”

Still, the seasoned film actress witnessed God move in her television career when she landed a role on the 2013 ABC series “Deception.”

“When Deception initially came to me, I was afraid to do TV because it’s a huge time commitment and you’ll potentially be playing the same character for several years. And for at least six months of the year you’re away from your family in a different state or even a different country,” the actress revealed to the Sentinel. “I had all of these stipulations about what the situation had to be in order for me to do television. When the opportunity for me to star in Deception presented itself, it was everything I said it had to be, so I knew it was God.”

“Deception,” however, only lasted for one season. Instead of being discouraged that her show was cancelled, Good saw the opportunity as a blessing in disguise.

“When it ended, I was very thankful because it created so many other opportunities for me in the process. Deception opened the door for Minority Report as well as my role in Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues,” she said. “God wanted me to have those different roles to be able to build a platform where I could be more effective as a Christian. Deception allowed people to see me in a really different light.”

Instead of worrying about which project would present itself after Deception, the Christian actress relied on her faith to help propel her into the next chapter of her career.

“At the time, I had just gotten married and being away from my family I had a lot of time to grow personally and professionally. So I wasn’t disappointed when the show got canceled because I knew God had something else lined up,” she said. “Similarly with Minority Report, I asked God for certain things within the role and it was everything I said it needed to be. It’s a testament to not settling. I would rather not work than to do something that I’m not passionate about.”

The actress who is married to Hollywood producer and minister DeVon Franklin, has been vocal about being selective with the roles she chooses because of her faith.

“I have my parameters of what I feel in my spirit is appropriate,” she previously told the LA Times.”There have been times where it’s been tough because it’s something I really wanted, but the nudity would be exploitative and I’d lose the opportunity, but what I’ve found is that the more I stick to my convictions, the more God sticks to his promises.”

Source : Christian Post

ISIS Fighter Executes His Own Mother for Begging Him to Leave Terrorists

-
0
ISIS Fighter Executes His Own Mother for Begging Him to Leave Terrorists
A 20-year-old Islamic State militant publicly executed his own mother in front of hundreds of people because she asked him to leave the terrorist group, a monitoring group has said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on the atrocities being carried out in the ongoing civil war, said on Friday that its activists were able to document the incident, which took place in the city of Al-Raqqah.

The report said the woman was in her 40s, and “her son executed her in front of hundreds of people near the post office building in the city of Al-Raqqah where she was employed.”

She was apparently killed for “inciting her son to leave the Islamic state and escaping together” outside the city.

The 20-year-old son is said to have reported his mom to IS higher-ups, who ordered her arrest, and then had the young jihadist execute his own mother before hundreds of people in the city.

The Guardian reported that local sources identified the woman was from the town of Jabla, and said she also has a 25-year-old daughter.

One resident, who wasn’t named, said this was the first known case of an IS militant killing his own mother.

“People are shocked that someone can kill his own mother in such cold blood. He was known to be a bad apple but nobody imagined he would go so far as to kill his own mother. Everybody is asking how they could have brainwashed him so much?” the resident said.

The terror group, which has captured large cities and territories across Iraq and Syria, has become infamous for its horrific human rights abuses, from carrying out beheadings and mass shootings, to the forced sexual slavery of women and girls.

The terror group has persecuted Christians and other minority groups heavily, at times forcing them to choose between their faith and their lives.

An Iraqi soldier who escaped an IS prison said in a report earlier this week that the extremists are torturing a number of Christians in their prisons, sometimes even burning them alive.

“They tortured the [expletive] out of the Christians and some died in the process,” Sergeant Karam Saad of the Iraqi military said.

“They would take some and lock them in a kind of casket, and set it on fire from the inside,” he added. “I only spent three nights in prison. During that time, I paid attention to how many guards were on duty and any signs of weaker security.”

Source : Christian Post

1...3,3203,3213,322...3,893Page 3,321 of 3,893