Alien life does not undermine the gospel – Vatican

CM Editor
-
0
Alien life does not undermine the gospel – Vatican

CT report – The Vatican’s top astronomer says that alien life probably exists – but that there would not be ‘another Jesus’ on the foreign planet.

Friar José Gabriel Funes, who has a doctorate in astronomy, welcomed the prospect of life on another planet, but said it doesn’t change the fundamentals of Christian faith. “The discovery of intelligent life does not mean there’s another Jesus,” he told Agence France Presse. “The incarnation of the son of God is a unique event in the history of humanity, of the Universe. God became a man through Jesus in Palestine 2,000 years ago.”

 Friar Funes runs the Vatican Observatory, an astronomical research institute that has a base at the University of Arizona, as well as in Italy. Its history stretches back to 1582.

The Vatican has already said that it is comfortable with the existence of aliens. “If there was intelligent life [on another planet], I don’t see that as a contradiction with the Christian faith,” said Funes.

The serious, scientific search for alien life had a boost last month, when a planet that may have similar properties to Earth was found. Kepler 452b is likely to have a temperature that is similar to Earth’s, therefore supporting water in liquid form, and potentially able to support life, according to NASA.

However at 1,400 light years away, it’s not likely our generation will ever see the planet. It’s too far away for current space technology to reach within the next 11 million years. But Funes said the discovery was ‘great news’ and said there was no conflict between science and religion.

A number of planets have been discovered that may have the potential to support life.

Source : Christianity Today

 

We beheaded Croatian hostage, says Egyptian Islamic State group

CM Editor
-
0
We beheaded Croatian hostage, says Egyptian Islamic State group

CT report – An Egyptian group allied to Islamic State has published a photograph it said showed the beheaded body of a Croatian hostage it threatened to kill last week, the SITE monitoring service said on Wednesday.

The picture carried a caption that said: “killing of the Croatian hostage, due to his country’s participation in the war against Islamic State, after the deadline expired.”

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said authorities were examining the image.

“It is my duty to break the silence and tell the Croatian public that we cannot confirm with 100 percent certainty that it is true what we see, and which is horrifying,” he told a news conference.

“I don’t know if we will be able to do it in the coming days, but what we see does not look good…I’m afraid that for the first time, what has happened to the citizens of other countries has happened to a Croatian citizen.”

The photograph, circulating on Twitter accounts of Sinai Province supporters, shows a man’s severed head placed on his body, with a knife driven into the sand next to it and the black Islamic State flag in the background.

Next to the picture are screenshots of Arabic language news articles with the headlines: “Croatia confirms its support for Egypt in efforts to fight terrorism and extremism” and “Croatia affirms its continued support for the Kurdistan region.”

A spokesman at the Egyptian Interior Ministry’s press office said: “We have seen this news on line but are currently making our own checks. If we confirm that it is indeed true, we will inform the media through a statement.”

Last week, an online video purportedly from Sinai Province showed a man who identified himself as Tomislav Salopek and said the group would kill him in 48 hours unless Muslim women in Egyptian jails were freed.

The White House expressed solidarity with Croatia, saying: “If confirmed, the United States condemns this brutal act by a terrorist group that has pledged allegiance to ISIL,” using an alternate acronym for the militant organisation.

Ardiseis Egypt, a unit of French oil and gas geology company, confirmed the video showed one of its employees who was kidnapped on July 22 while travelling to Cairo.

A spokesman for CGG could not confirm this, adding the firm had no information other than what was circulating on the Internet and was trying to find out more from Croatian and Egyptian authorities.

The spokesman said the hostage was an expert contractor rather than employee of its subsidiary.

Last December, Sinai Province said it was behind the killing of an American petroleum engineer whose body was found in a car in a desert region almost four months earlier. The group has also posted videos appearing to show the killings of Egyptians it accuses of helping the Egyptian government or Israel.

Sinai Province is at the forefront of an Islamist militant insurgency in Egypt that has killed hundreds of soldiers and police in the two years since the military ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi after protests against his rule in 2013 … read more

 

Source : Christianity Today

YouTube could be preferred at live streaming than Twitch

CM Editor
-
0
YouTube could be preferred at live streaming than Twitch

The Verge reports – The Dota 2 International Championships took place last week, determining the winner of the grand Aegis of the Immortal trophy and distributing $18.4 million in prize money among the 16 participating teams. Beyond the mythical battles and skirmishes inside the game, the tournament was also an important event in the ongoing contest between YouTube and Twitch. The International 5 (TI5) was streamed live on both services as well as inside the Dota 2 game client itself — though this year, unlike any of the previous ones, I watched almost all of it on YouTube. What’s changed?

Having lost out to Amazon in the pursuit to acquire Twitch last year, Google remained determined to own a dominant live-streaming platform and redoubled its efforts at making YouTube that destination. YouTube had already served up a good number of live music concerts and political debates, but the fight against Twitch was about recruiting gamers: both fans of titles like Dota 2 and the players who streamed their matches online. This is a big and growing business, and it’s a natural extension of YouTube’s dominant position as the main repository of user-generated videos. But YouTube’s first bite at the International cherry wasn’t a happy one: in 2014, it shared the spotlight with Twitch on Valve’s Dota 2pages, however its streams were unreliable, lapsing into regular buffering pauses, and lacked the polish and quality of Twitch’s output.

GOOGLE IS STREAMING MATCHES AT A CRISP 1080P AND 60FPS

In 2015, YouTube’s live streams of The International have been pretty much flawless. 1080p resolution, 60 frames per second, always there when you need them. The gap in quality that existed has now been bridged, and YouTube stands as Twitch’s equal in pure technical terms. But you can’t beat Twitch by just being as good, and the thing that drew me to YouTube this year was the extra functionality on offer from Google’s video service.

On YouTube, I can rewind a live stream to watch anything I might have missed over the previous two hours. This made it possible for me to start watching The International 90 minutes late and still get the full experience of the show. In fact, I would often join the stream late just so I could have a buffer of time, which I would later use to skip past the breaks between matches. YouTube isn’t the only streaming service to feature this sort of built-in DVR, but it is the only one to offer it for TI5.

IF TWITCH IS REGULAR TV, YOUTUBE IS TV WITH A BASIC TIVO BOX ATTACHED TO IT

What I’m getting from YouTube is a sort of hybrid between its own strength of on-demand video and Twitch’s live streaming. If Twitch is regular TV, YouTube is TV with a basic TiVo box attached to it. It helps me make the most of my time by letting me manipulate the time of the stuff I am watching. Especially in the earlier stages of The International, where multiple matches would be going on at the same time, YouTube was a brilliant help in letting me jump between contests without missing out on anything. And the fear of missing out is a big enough problem on the web to have become a recognized acronym: FOMO.

I said above that YouTube and Twitch are now technically equivalent, but the two services are still much more different than they are similar. Twitch has a mass of active and engaged users that YouTube can’t yet rival. That sounds weird to say, given YouTube’s scale, but most people are still unaware of Google’s live-streaming ambitions and do not think of YouTube when they consider where to watch the latest e-sport tournament. At one point during the TI5 Grand Finals, I looked at YouTube’s viewer counter and it was at just over 36,000. Compare that to last year’s peak of more than two million concurrent TI4 viewers, and you get a good idea of how far YouTube has to go.

WE’RE BETTER OFF WITH GOOGLE COMPETING AGAINST, RATHER THAN OWNING, TWITCH

Google faces an uphill struggle in its quest to convince gamers that YouTube is the place to fulfill all their needs. Many of the most prominent game streamers might be reluctant to leave Twitch, and there’s perpetual discontent about YouTube’s monetization model, which forces creators to channel their advertising through YouTube. But then Google also enjoys an advantage, which is that when the live action ends on Twitch, its likeliest archival destination is YouTube. As a fan, I much prefer having just one place where I can watch TI5 live, rewind it if I need to, and then go back to it later with the video replays available on demand. It’s neater.  …. read more

Source : The Verge

Free from Sin … not free to Sin

CM Editor
-
0
Free from Sin … not free to Sin

Free from Sin … not free to Sin

COZA Celebrate – The Journey So Far!!!

CM Editor
-
0
COZA Celebrate – The Journey So Far!!!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTcSy8iSx2o[/youtube]

COZA Celebrate, says God has been faithful and merciful. He has filled our hearts with joy & our mouths with laughter. In this year of THANKSLIVING, we just want to say thank You Lord for bringing us this far. Our path is like a shining light that keeps shining ever brighter and evidently, this is the least we’ll ever be.

– Credit : Youtube/CozaNigeria

The Perspective of Focus – Bishop T.D Jakes

-
0
The Perspective of Focus – Bishop T.D Jakes

Bishop T.D Jakes Sermon 2015 – The Perspective of Focus [ FULL MESSAGE]

Listen, and be Blessed

Unveiling Gospel Group – DIVNE DIVINE

-
0
Unveiling Gospel Group – DIVNE DIVINE

With a young Nigerian, called David Balogun, who moved  to the UK and settled in Manchester at the age of 14, as part  of them, Divine Divine are known to be one of the hottest  British vocal gospel group presently.

They began their journey into stardom as the runaway  winners of the first Time 2 Shine talent search in 2011.  They’ve been giving gospel music a good swim in the  mainstream.

 

Today, Gospel City Naija is giving you a one-on-one  iNTRO on them. We promise to premier some of their hit songs soon on this blog.

They are made up of experienced and talented musicians who came together under this project. their drive is  not only to use their talent as tools of ministry but also to take gospel music for a swim upstream in the mainstream.

With guidance from the Time 2 Shine organization and Black Grape Global, Divine Divine have honed their craft and recorded their debut album entitled “Edge Street”.

In 2011, all members applied as solo candidates for Time 2 Shine, a talent search which set out to identify individuals who could come together to form the ultimate pop gospel group. Having made it to band camp, Neresa, David and Nadine rose above the challenges of the elimination tasks, initially as individual artists. Through the creative process of the competition Neresa, David and Nadine fused as the group which went on to win the hearts of public and judges alike. Divine Divine was born.

ABOUT THE MEMBERS

 

David Balogun (aka David B)

david balogun - divine divine  David B moved to the UK and settled in Manchester at the age of 14. He attended  the King of Kings School in Manchester. David left medicine behind to embark  more seriously on his desire to have a music career. Making that difficult decision  he enrolled on a music industry course and is currently completing studies at  Canterbury Christ Church University.

With a talent for dance which was evident to those around him when he was 2,  David’s earliest recollection of performing live was singing at his Uncle’s wedding  when he was 7 years old. In Manchester, David attended a vocal training course led  by Elaine Hanley, affiliated with Owen Thomas’ Cultural Fusion, which helped to  hone his singing abilities. Before joining Divine Divine he was known to many as  David B, a R&B/Inspirational Gospel singer-songwriter, musician, vocal producer,  dancer, choreographer, and entertainer.

David was also a well-respected member of Manchester’s finest Gospel Choir – Manchester Sing out Choir, under the leadership of Vocal Genius – Wayne Ellington. He has also sung with Grammy Award Winner Joshua Groban and Heather Small.

Nadine Caesar

Nadine Ceaser - divine divine Nadine Sade Caesar is from North East London where she went to Park View  Academy in Tottenham.

Charismatic and yet unassuming, Nadine is often to be caught barefoot as she  naturally and it seems effortlessly performs, but can equally be spotted in three-  inch heals. An eclectic artist, she combines the earthy style of Lauren Hill with a  refreshing London edge. From an early age Nadine was influenced by artist  including Roy Ayres, Stevie Wonder and Anita Baker amongst many others.

Primarily trained by her mother who is a professional musician, at the age of 1 or 2  she was “performing” on tour by Julian Buhula with Busiswe Mhlongo.  Nadine  recalls appearing on stage at the Hackney Empire, aged 10.

Nadine has also been taught and mentored by other accomplished musicians such as the lyricist Ty, soundscapist Eska Mtungwazi and singer/songwriter Michelle Escoffery. Nadine is currently studying towards an English degree.

Neresa Maye

Neresa grew up in South East London attending Myatt Gardens Primary in Brockley, Charlton Manor Primary in Charlton and Kidbrooke Comprehensive in Shooters Hill.

Neresa has a wealth of live performances and collaborations to draw upon. She has undertaken vocalNeresa Maye - divine divine duties with artists as varied as Boney M, Imagination 3T, Coolio, D’Ream and Beverley Knight. She performed in the M6 Back to the 80’s concert in Palais Omnisports de Paris in Bercy, Paris in front of an audience of 16,000 people.

Neresa is keen to ensure that her music continues to provide excellent ministry and convey messages that will inspire hearts and minds.

Source: GospelCity, Profile and Picture culled from their website: http://www.divinedivine.co.uk/page/bio

Gospel Artist – Wole Oni

-
0
Gospel Artist – Wole Oni

Wole Oni recently released his first official single. The song received a lot of buzz online and this didn’t come as a surprise. Apart from being very good in what he does, Mr Oni has a personality and candor that easily endears him to people who come in contact with him.

 

Have you download Wole Oni’s “COVER ME LORD”?

Get it from the link below:

DOWNLOAD

SHOCKING: ISIS Jihadist Converted To Christianity After Seeing Jesus In A Dream

-
0

SHOCKING: Reports Are Circulating That A Former ISIS Jihadist Converted To Christianity After Seeing Jesus In A Dream.

According To Youth With A Mission, A Missionary In A Middle Eastern Country Met The Former Islamic Extremist Through A Mutual Friend.

The Man Said He Had Killed A Number Of Christians And Even Admitted To Enjoying It. But That All Changed When He Dreamed Of A Man In White Who Brought A Sobering Message.

Is This Story True? CBN Senior International Correspondent Gary Lane Has Been Looking Into It.

Read More About Muslim’s Coming To Christ Through Dreams Here: http://go.cbn.com/789

8-year-old becomes 1st child to get double hand transplant

-
0

CBS Report – For the first time ever, doctors have transplanted donor hands and forearms onto a child. Eight-year-old Zion Harvey lost his hands and feet at the age of 2 due to a serious infection that also led to a kidney transplant.

The little boy appeared at a news conference Tuesday with staff from Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), who performed the operation. “Thank you for helping me through this bumpy road,” he said.

The 10-hour surgery took place in early July and involved a 40-member team of nurses, doctors and surgeons led by Dr. L. Scott Levin, chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Penn Medicine and director of the hand transplantation program at Children’s Hospital.

During the operation, the donor’s hands and forearms were attached by connecting bone, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons and skin. The surgical team was divided into four working groups, two focused on the donor hands, and two focused on the recipient. First, the bones in his arm were connected with steel plates and screws. Next, microvascular surgical techniques were used to connect the arteries and veins. Once blood began flowing through the reconnected blood vessels, surgeons repaired and rejoined each muscle and tendon one-by-one. Then they reattached nerves and closed the surgical sites.

“The success of Penn’s first bilateral hand transplant on an adult, performed in 2011, gave us a foundation to adapt the intricate techniques and coordinated plans required to perform this type of complex procedure on a child,” Levin said in a press statement. “CHOP is one of the few places in the world that offer the capabilities necessary to push the limits of medicine to give a child a drastically improved quality of life.”

Harvey, from a suburb of Baltimore, is a bright and precocious little boy who has told his doctors that he cannot wait to someday hang on the monkey bars. Despite his difficulties, the child had adapted well to life without hands, learning to eat, write and play video games. He is very active and has prosthetics for his feet so he can walk, run and jump on his own.

Only 25 hand transplants have been done in the world. Harvey is the first child to receive such a procedure.

Double hand transplantation is a complex procedure that involves many surgical and non-surgical components. The potential recipient must first undergo extensive medical screenings and evaluations. Harvey was an ideal transplant candidate due to his previous medical condition.

“Zion’s kidney transplant following his infection made him a candidate for transplant because he was already taking anti-rejection medication,” Dr. Benjamin Chang, co-director of CHOP’s Hand Transplant Program and associate chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Penn Medicine, said.

Harvey still has years of growth and development ahead, and doctors say his new arms will grow along with him.

“Once we reattached the parts, the growth plates stay open and allow the amputated part to grow,” Levin said at a press conference about the surgery. “So we have every reason to believe that because Zion’s hands are alive and his growth plates are in tact from the donor that he will grow like a normal child.”

Harvey gets rigorous therapy several times a day and can already move his hands a little. He is scheduled to return home to Maryland in several weeks.

In a video produced by CHOP (below), Levin said he hopes that Zion will be the first of “literally hundreds or thousands of patients that are going to be afforded this operation.”

Source : CBS News

1...3,3353,3363,337...3,893Page 3,336 of 3,893