Katy Perry Battles Nuns Over $15 Million Catholic Convent She Wants to Make Her New Home

Katy Perry (Photo: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)

Christian Post Report – Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 57th annual Grammy awards in Los Angeles, California, February 8, 2015.

International pop star Katy Perry is at the center of a legal battle between a Los Angeles Archbishop, who’s trying to sell a Catholic convent, and two nuns who’ve decided to sell their former home to a buyer whose bid is $1 million higher than Perry’s offer.

Perry, the entertainer who was named No. 3 on Forbes’ recent list of the highest paid celebrities in the world, said she’s prepared to pay Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez $14.5 million for the former Catholic convent in the the Los Feliz neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles that she wants to turn into her home, according to The Los Angeles Times. Perry’s plans, however, are being thwarted by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who believe the convent is theirs to sell and already struck a $15.5 million deal with restaurateur Dana Hollister.

While 52 Immaculate Heart sisters once lived on the property that Perry has reportedly been eyeing for three years, Sister Catherine Rose told the Times that many were moved out of the property “against their will” in 2011. The nuns said they gathered their money collectively to purchase the property at a discounted rate from a benefactor decades ago and worry that if the diocese completes the sale with Perry, the sisters will not see any of the money which is needed to cover their living expenses.

The sisters said they previously spoke with Gomez, who agreed they could choose who would purchase the property, but they could not get ahold of him once they decided to move forward with Hollister, the Times reports.

Attorney Michael Hennigan, who’s representing the Archbishop, insisted that three of the five elderly sisters who lived in the convent signed a declaration to support Gomez selling the property. Now the diocese is suing Hollister and Perry has been granted a court order to visit the former convent with her architect.

The sisters said that Perry visited them in May when she showed the nuns her Jesus tattoo and sang “Oh Happy Day.” It seems, however, that the nuns were less than impressed after witnessing some of Perry’s music videos and Super Bowl performance last February.

The pop star told the sisters that she wanted to purchase the former convent in an attempt to “find herself,” People.com reports.

“Well, I found Katy Perry and I found her videos and if it’s all right to say, I wasn’t happy with any of it,” Sister Rita told the Times.

“Sister Rita said that at the meeting with Perry in May, the singer made a fairly good impression, telling the nuns she wanted to live on the property with her mother and grandmother, sit in the meditation garden, sip green tea and find herself,” according to the Times

Although she is working to make the former convent her home, Perry has been vocal about not subscribing to any particular religion. She previously told Marie Claire that she no longer considers herself a Christian, despite being raised by Christian ministers.

“I’m not Buddhist, I’m not Hindu, I’m not Christian, but I still feel like I have a deep connection with God. I pray all the time — for self-control, for humility,” she told Marie Claire in 2013. “There’s a lot of gratitude in it. Just saying ‘thank you’ sometimes is better than asking for things.”

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Source : Christian Post

IRD: United Church of Christ Votes to Divest from Israel — Charisma News

The UCC is moving away from its support for Israel.
The UCC is moving away from its support for Israel. (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Join us on our new podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.The General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC), which has just under one million members in 5,100 congregations, voted today 508-124 with 38 abstentions to divest from companies conducting business in “Israel-occupied Palestinian territories” and boycott products made in those territories. The church’s pension board and investment fund combined control about $4 billion; the economic effect on Israel will likely be negligible. The United Church of Christ supports a “sovereign, independent Palestinian state.”

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:”The fast declining United Church of Christ’s vote today to divest from and boycott businesses doing business with Israel is sad but fortunately mostly inconsequential. Having lost over 50 percent of its membership, and now below one million members, the once prestigious and influential denomination likely speaks for few of even its own few remaining members.

“Of course, the UCC has no major interest in persecuted Christians nor in Islamist terror groups and regimes that kill Christians, Jews and Muslims. It exclusively faults Jewish Israel for strife in the Middle East.

“This divestment action will contribute nothing to peace or reconciliation. To the extent it is heeded at all, it will encourage radical enemies of peace to believe that Israel’s Christian friends will turn against Israel. They will be greatly mistaken.

“The UCC joins the also fast declining Presbyterian Church (USA) in endorsing anti-Israel divestment. Perhaps dying denominations make opposition to the Jewish state their lodestar. More spiritually vibrant Christian churches will have very different opinions on Israel.”The Charisma Podcast Network is now live. Featuring a variety of programs including news, leadership, inspiring stories, women’s topics, sports, and even more.
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Source : Charisma News

‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Alan Robertson Advises John Luke and Mary Kate to Channel Jesus as Newlyweds Honeymoon in Australia

Duck Dynasty wedding (Photo: ThreeNailsPhotography/Instagram/Mary Kate Robertson)

Christian Post Report – “Duck Dynasty” stars John Luke and Mary Kate Robertson married on June 27, 2015.

“Duck Dynasty” star Alan Robertson advised newlyweds John Luke and Mary Kate Robertson to “have the same mindset as Jesus” in their relationship just days before their June 26 wedding and their subsequent Australian honeymoon this week.

John Luke proposed to Mary Kate on his 19th birthday last October, and the pair tied the knot during an outdoor ceremony on the Robertson family farm in West Monroe, Louisiana before 800 guests on Saturday. While the newlyweds are currently enjoying their honeymoon Down Under, John Luke’s uncle Alan revealed his advice for the couple in an email to The Christian Post.

“In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” said Robertson, known as the “beardless brother” on A&E’s “Duck Dynasty.”

The retired pastor of White’s Ferry Road Church in West Monroe explained that “good Robertson advice” was imparted to the bride and groom at the dinner rehearsal the day before the wedding ceremony. Robertson also shared words of wisdom on marriage that are rooted in the Bible, including a quote from Philippians.

“My advice is to be honest with each other and always be prepared to forgive offenses because there will always be plenty of opportunities for that,” said the reality TV star. “If a couple can live out the challenge Paul made to the Philippian church in Philippians 2:3-5, they will do well. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

John Luke and Mary Kate also received advice, prayers and well wishes from the entire Robertson family on their wedding day, including that of the mother of the groom, Korie Robertson, who shared a photo from the ceremony on Sunday.

“Last night these two tied the knot, and we CELEBRATED,” wrote Korie in the Instagram caption. “So. Much. Love. Between them. Surrounding them. Showered on them. @young_and_beardless and @marykaterob began a beautiful adventure full of fun, laughter, good times and some bad. Assuredly God is with them every step of the way and there’s a host of family and friends who always have their back! #johnlukeandmarykate We love you!”

As for the newlyweds, Mary Kate and John Luke thanked family as well as God before embarking on their trip to Australia over the weekend. In a more recent update on the honeymoon, the bride shared her love for Australian animals in a post to Instagram.

“Australia, I really do love your koalas, but I really really love your goats. #HappyHoneymoon #johnlukeandmarykate,” the new Mrs. Robertson wrote.

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Source : Christian Post

Joel Osteen on Why He Avoids Political, Social Issues: ‘It’s Not What I’m Called to Do;’ Says Message Is ‘Lifting People Up’

joel osteen (Photo: screen grab)

Christian Post Report – Joel Osteen, the popular 52-year-old leader of America’s largest protestant church, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, bluntly revealed that the reason why he avoids speaking out on hot button social and political issues, such as same-sex marriage, is because he believes that’s not what he’s called to do as a pastor.

In a recent interview on WBUR’s “Here & Now” radio program Osteen, who was asked if he felt these hot button social and political issues are important, said: “I think they are important but I think everybody has their own calling.”

He further explained that “It’s not what I’m called to do.”

“I have friends who are very political. They’re pastors and that’s what their thing is. But I think sometimes, that the church world, we can take one issue and make it really, really big and it can turn people off where there are many bigger issues. That’s why I don’t like to be defined by one thing,” said Osteen last Monday.

“You know, our message is about lifting people up, helping them fulfill their destiny, helping them to forgive in a tough time, how to make it through this life when life tries to push you down,” he added.

Osteen emphasized that the biggest issues facing people he ministers to are concentrated in the marital, relationship and health arenas. One of the reasons that his church continues to grow while others lose members, he said, is because he focuses on the everyday issues affecting people rather than focusing on the controversial ones.

In a 2013 interview Osteen gave a similar response to Katie Couric on why he focuses on “everyday life issues” instead of controversial ones.

“I want them to know that God’s good, that they can move forward, that they can break an addiction, that they can become who God’s created them to be,” he said.

When asked about the “prosperity gospel” that he preaches, Osteen said he didn’t like the term.
“What it connotates is that you just talk about money,” he said. “I don’t do that, I don’t do that on purpose because so many people are skeptical of TV preachers to begin with.”

He added: “Prosperity is having good relationships, having peace in your mind, being able to sleep at night. But I do believe God wants you to be blessed. He wants you to excel in your career. He wants you to go further than your parents. There’s a tradition that says you’re supposed to take a vow of poverty if you’re going to be a Christian, but I don’t believe that.”

Listen to the entired interview below:



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Source : Christian Post

Trump Sues Network Over Miss USA Broadcast Cancellation — Charisma News

Donald Trump is suing Univision.
Donald Trump is suing Univision. (Reuters)
Join us on our new podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.U.S. presidential candidate and real estate mogul Donald Trump filed a $500 million lawsuit on Tuesday against Univision over the Spanish-language TV network’s decision to end its contract to broadcast the Miss USA pageant, which is co-owned by Trump.Univision said last week it would not air the July 12 pageant because of what it called insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants made by Trump when he announced he was running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.The 19-page lawsuit accuses Univision of a “thinly veiled attempt” to stifle Trump’s freedom of speech in order to boost Democratic frontrunner Hilary Clinton. The network’s principal owner, Haim Saban, is a Clinton fundraiser, according to the lawsuit.While officially announcing his candidacy on June 16, Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists and other criminals to the United States.”They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some I assume are good people, but I speak to border guards and they tell us what we are getting,” he said at the time.In a statement on Tuesday announcing the lawsuit, which he had vowed to file, Trump refused to back down from his comments.”Nothing that I stated was different from what I have been saying for many years,” he said. “There is a high level of crime occurring in this country due to unchecked illegal immigration.”Nevertheless, he added that he has “great respect for Mexico and love for the Mexican people and their tremendous spirit.”In a statement, Univision said it reviewed Trump’s complaint, and it is “both factually false and legally ridiculous.” Univision said it would vigorously defend itself.The company said it “will continue to fight against Trump’s ongoing efforts to run away from the derogatory comments he made on June 16th about Mexican immigrants,” according to the statement.Last week, the network said it would not air the pageant and would sever ties with the Miss Universe Organization, which had been a joint venture between Trump and Comcast-owned NBCUniversal <CMCSA.O>, in light of his “recent, insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants.”NBC also cut ties with the “Miss USA” and “Miss Universe” pageants on Monday, citing Trump’s comments. Trump previously said he would not take part in his NBC reality television show, “The Apprentice,” while he sought the White House.Trump is considered a long shot to get the Republican nomination despite his name recognition.© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. The Charisma Podcast Network is now live. Featuring a variety of programs including news, leadership, inspiring stories, women’s topics, sports, and even more.
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Source : Charisma News

Bobbi Kristina Brown Condition Worsens as Boyfriend Nick Gordon Hires Casey Anthony Lawyer

Bobbi (Photo: Reuters/Fred Prouser)

Christian Post Report – Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of the late singer Whitney Houston, poses at the premiere of ”Sparkle” in Hollywood, California August 16, 2012.

A week after being taken off life support, the condition of Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown has deteriorated so badly she “barely has any signs of life” left according to a family source.

On June 24, Brown’s aunt, Pat Houston, announced that the only biological daughter of the late Whitney Houston had been moved into hospice care, five months after she was found unconscious in a bathtub at her home. In a statement Houston said that Brown, 22, “is in God’s hands now” and on Tuesday a family source said the reality TV star’s family is now preparing for the worst.

“She barely has any signs of life, hardly any vitals,” a source told Fox411. “Security has been beefed up and even local law enforcement have been called because the families have been told that death is now imminent and they want to make sure that photographers don’t get pictures of her body being removed.”

The news comes amid reports that Brown’s boyfriend, Nick Gordon, has hired Jose Baez, the high-powered attorney who famously represented Casey Anthony during her 2011 murder trial in the death of her daughter Caylee.

Last week, Bedelia Hargrove, Brown’s court-appointed conservator, filed a civil complaint against Gordon in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court. In the lawsuit he is accused of physically abusing Brown who is also the daughter of famed singer Bobby Brown prior to the bathtub incident. Gordon is also accused of stealing from her while she was in hospital, but he has maintained his innocence.

“He feels – and we all feel – like Nick has been a scapegoat in this case,” a close relative of Gordon’s told People.com. “It’s scary for him, because he hasn’t done anything wrong. He is completely innocent.”

On Jan. 31, Brown was placed in a medically-induced coma and then placed on life support after she was found unconscious in a bathtub at her Roswell, Georgia, home just outside of Atlanta.

It is unclear what exactly occurred in the events leading up to her being found face-down in the bathtub, although it has been reported that days prior she was involved in a car accident.

“I’m just waiting for whatever happens,” Brown’s grandmother, Cissy Houston, previously told Entertainment Tonight. “We go to the hospital every day and pray and I talk to her because she can still hear and I rub her hand. We do what we can do. The rest is all up to Him.”

In 2012 Brown’s mother, Whitney, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills.

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Source : Christian Post

‘The Jesus Experience’ Book Review: A Brutally Honest Christian’s Testimony Highlights the Shortcomings of Works-Based Faith

  • The Jesus Experience
    (Photo: Courtesy of Bill Myers.com)
    The cover for Christian author and filmmaker Bill Myers’ latest book ‘The Jesus Experience.’

Christian Post Report – In his latest book The Jesus Experience, Christian author and filmmaker Bill Myers attempts to reignite faith in older believers and help new ones avoid the traps of works-based Christianity through a narrative on how his walk with God was transformed when he finally realized he didn’t need to impress God with deeds and good behavior.

Myer’s begins the book by talking about his younger years and how he feared not receiving God’s approval with his life. He also addresses the idea of being a “good Christian” in your own strength and shoots it down by attributing spiritual growth solely to God.

The book examines the question of what God asks of believers and Myers points out that many Christians will address their faith, or lack thereof with doing more in the church or in the community, but all of that is empty if it’s done apart from abiding in Christ. To Myers, life is about saying yes to what God asks and not about setting out plans that sounds holy or Christian and trying to carry them out. He says a believer’s purpose can only be found through deep relationship with the Father.

Myers uses to the story of Martha and Mary found in the book of Luke to illustrate his point. He describes Martha as a “servaholic” who struggled to prepare her house for Jesus while Mary was busy just enjoying his company. In the same way, believers should view good works as an opportunity to spend time with the Lord, and not as a time to earn his acceptance. Myers points out that the cross accomplishes that.

The book also delves a bit deeper into the perspective of a believer who is focused on using works to impress God. For example, those who are always focused on religious tasks tend to view people as objects they can use to accomplish their goals and not as sons and daughters of God whom we are to have communion with. Christ’s mandate for believers to love their neighbor as themselves is corrupted by this lifestyle of works, according to Myers, as they no longer have a sober vision of relationship.

Throughout The Jesus Experience, Myers is brutally honest about himself and his shortcomings labeling himself a coward, a crybaby and a person who is unqualified to accomplish some of the things that he is known for such as writing books and directing films.

He explains however that where he was lacking God was faithful. The tasks he was chosen for in life, he says, were a result of his faith and not his personal attributes or experience. He also changed his view on these projects when he understood that God as his Father and said his goal is to take advantage of these tasks and view them as opportunities to enjoy His company.

The Jesus Experience starts strong and ends with practical ways to change Christians’ perspectives of their relationship with God. Believers stuck in a pattern of hollow church activity who don’t even remember why they’re Christians in the first place could benefit from reading about Myers’ life.

Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @vinfunaro

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Source : Christian Post

Anglican Leader Welby Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over US Episcopal Church’s Resolution to Perform Gay Marriages

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (Photo: Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)

Christian Post Report – The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaks during an event marking the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in Runymede, Britain, June 15, 2015.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has reportedly expressed his “deep concern” over a resolution inside the U.S. Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops that is seeking to remove references to marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman, among several other changes.

“While recognising the prerogative of The Episcopal Church to address issues appropriate to its own context, Archbishop Justin Welby said that its decision will cause distress for some and have ramifications for the Anglican Communion as a whole, as well as for its ecumenical and interfaith relationships,” the Anglican Communion News Service reported on Tuesday.

Resolution A037 in question refers to new marriage liturgies for trial use and a canonical change approved by the Episcopal House of Bishops, which will need to also be approved by the House of Deputies before they can come into effect.

Episcopal News Service explained that new marriage rites will, if approved, allow the options of using the words “wife,” “husband,” “person” or “spouse,” making them applicable for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

Resolution A037 further recasts the requirement that clergy conform to both “the laws of the state” and “the laws of this church” about marriage.

The amended version now reads clergy “shall conform to the laws of the state governing the creation of the civil status of marriage, and also these canons concerning the solemnization of marriage. Members of the clergy may solemnize a marriage using any of the liturgical forms authorized by this Church.”

A provision allows clergy to “decline to solemnize or bless any marriage,” however.

Some, such as retired New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, said that the changes are the right move for the church.

“It’s time that we declared how far we have come, and where we are at the moment and where we need to go in the future,” Robinson asserted.

Bishop William H. Love of Albany, who opposed the resolution, argued that there isn’t support in Scripture for solemnize gay marriages.

“I think much of the argument has been based on all sorts of things in terms of our understanding of marriage and relationships,” Love said.

“Nowhere does God say that people shouldn’t love one another. … That’s not an issue. Nowhere does God say that two men or two women can’t share a life together or share a home together or be legal representatives for each other. The one thing that God seems to have spoken through Holy Scripture is that it is not appropriate to use the gift of sexual intimacy between a man and a woman” outside marriage.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday in a 5-4 decision that same-sex marriage must be legalized across all 50 states.

The Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part of, supports the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, a position that Welby has defended on a number of occasions.

The Archbishop of Canterbury warned back in 2013 that redefining marriage weakens the institution, as the U.K. was debating legalizing gay marriage.

“The concept of marriage as a normative place for procreation is lost. The idea of marriage as covenant is diminished. The family in its normal sense predating the state and as our base community of society is weakened,” Welby said.

Source : Christian Post

Naghmeh Abedini Shares Tears, ‘Excruciating Pain’ in Letter to Imprisoned Husband Saeed, Marking 11th Wedding Anniversary

<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed Abedini and their two young children in this undated family photo.” title=”<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed Abedini and their two young children in this undated family photo.” name=”jpg” src=”http://images.christianpost.com/full/65040/naghmeh-abedini-pastor-saeed-abedini-and-their-two-young-children-in-this-undated-family-photo.jpg” class=”imgPhoto” width=”550″ height=”450″ /> <small class=(Photo: aclj.org)

Christian Post Report – Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed Abedini and their two young children in this undated family photo.

Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini, has sent a letter to her husband, who’s being held in an Iranian prison because of his Christian faith, on the day of their 11th wedding anniversary, telling him of the hardships and “excruciating pain” she is in without him.

“For 1,007 days I have remembered you in prayer and felt your pain. For 1,007 days I have been in prison with you as your wife and soul mate. Each night I have struggled with anxiety and a sense of urgency that we need to get you out,” Naghmeh’s letter reads.

“Each night that I have laid my head on our bed, I have hugged your empty spot and have wept myself to sleep. Each morning I have woken up with an excruciating pain to my new reality without you. I have prayed. Oh how I have prayed.”

She adds that she has held prayer vigils every year on their anniversary while the pastor has been held in an Iranian prison, to let him know that he is not forgotten.

“This year we are doing another one on Sept. 26 to mark the three years of your imprisonment” she says of another prayer vigil.

“This year as my gift to you, the focus will not just be praying for you and the persecuted church, but also for something that is dear to your heart — something that you have mentioned in your recent letter and something that you have mentioned in each prison visit — something that you are praying for daily. This year we will also be praying for revival in America.”

Tuesday of last week marked the 1,000th day the pastor has spent in prison, with faith groups throughout America observing the occasion by displaying flowers before the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

The pastor, an American citizen, is serving an eight-year prison sentence for his Christian faith, but has been supported by a major campaign calling for his release signed by people around the world.

Over 1 million people have signed the American Center for Law and Justice’s online petition calling for his freedom, while Naghmeh has spoken before Congress a number of times to urge the U.S. government to do more to free her husband.

The ACLJ, which represents Naghmeh and the couple’s two children, has noted the importance of the ongoing nuclear deal negotiations between Iran and a number of Western countries, including the U.S., and said that the opportunity must be used to pressure the Islamic Republic for Abedini’s release.

While a deadline for the talks was initially set back in April for June 30, no deal has yet been finalized, and the negotiations are set to continue for an unspecified number of days.

“The extension signifies an extended opportunity for our government to arrange Saeed’s release — an opportunity I pray our government will not take lightly or let slip through the cracks,” Naghmeh said.

Source : Christian Post

Lai Mohammed’s 9th Ramadan Lecture holds Thursday

LAI-MOHAMMED

The 9th annual Ramadan Lecture being organized under the aegis of the Lai Mohammed Ramadan Lecture Series will hold on Thursday, July 2nd, 2015 at the Muslim praying ground, Oro, Kwara State, at 10 a.m. prompt.

According to the organizer, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Ramadan Lecture is an annual event which attracts political and religious leaders as well as captains of industries from far and near.

It is unarguably the biggest Islamic event during the holy month of Ramadan in the Kwara South Senatorial District.

Reputable Islamic scholars like Dr Femi Abbas, a columnist; Sheikh Ahmad AbdulRahman, the National Missioner of Ansar ud deen Society of
Nigeria; Alhaji Abdul Lateef Bello, the Chief missioner of the Al-Faith-ul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria, Otta Branch, and reputable clerics from within and out of Kwara State have at varioustimes been guest speakers at the Lecture Series.

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Khalifah Muhyideen NojimudeenAl’kubra 11, Chief Missioner of Al’Rahman Islamic Center, United Kingdom

 

Source : Metro Watch Online