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

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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:



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

Source : Christian Post

Trump Sues Network Over Miss USA Broadcast Cancellation — Charisma News

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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

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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.

Email me: [email protected]
Connect with me on Twitter: @MzBenge

Source : Christian Post

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

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‘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

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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

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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

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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

Download Peejay Paul’s New Album “The Father’s Call”, and ‘God Is Good’ Video

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peejay-paul-the-fathers-call

Port Harcourt, NG — Off his newly released 18 track album ‘The Father’s Call’, Peejay Paul brings you this new video ““.  Peejay Paul started his music career in the industry by dropping songs such as “Shining”, “God of Miracle”, “I Belong to you” and also “ (feat Crix B)” all of which are included in this album release.

“The album The Father’s Call is proof that when God calls you, He brings your way all you require to fulfill the call” ~ Peejay Paul

DOWNLOAD ALBUM

The video for the single “” features singer Crix B and was shot in South Africa. The video which was created with visuals of contemporary standards is a must watch and a TV favorite.

 

Stay tuned to Praiseworld Radio to listen to exclusive gospel tunes and exciting programs all day every day.

Source : Praise World Radio

Lecrae Becomes First Rapper to Win Best Gospel Artist BET Award

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Lecrae Becomes First Rapper to Win Best Gospel Artist BET Award

Lecrae (Photo: Harvest Ministries)

Christian Post Report – Christian rapper Lecrae performs at Harvest America in Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 2013.

Outspoken Christian Lecrae made history on Sunday when he became the first rapper to win the Best Gospel Artist Award category at the 2015 BET Awards show.

And the rapper posted a brief message on Facebook Tuesday expressing thanks for the win.

“Always grateful. Engaging the soul thru Music. #SoulMusic,” he noted.

Lecrae beat out fellow Christian artists Mali Music, Erica Campbell, Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond and Michelle Williams for his first BET Award win. His last nomination for the category was in 2013 and he lost to Mary Mary.

Lecrae has had a pretty successful year at award shows so far. He took home the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in February, Rap/Hip-Hop CD of the Year at the Stellar Awards and Top Christian Album at the Billboard Music Awards.

In his Grammy acceptance speech, the rapper publicly thanked God.

“Love and respect to everybody out here because this is a celebration of gifts. And there’s so many people out here who are gifted, but obviously you can’t celebrate gifts without celebrating the giver of all gifts. So I want to celebrate Jesus for gifting us all with the gift of love and sacrifice,” said Lecrae.

The rapper is also preparing to release his very first book titled Unashamed in 2016 which will reveal details about his life, including struggles with drugs, alcoholism, bouts of depression and a suicide attempt.

The book’s release will precede the launch of Lecrae’s next album.

“As an artist my ambition is to make honest music, and I feel the same way about writing this book,” said Lecrae in a press release announcing the book. “I want to be honest about where I’ve come from and what I’ve learned along the way. I want to influence culture, to help catalyze and inspire, and help other people find understanding. If they find some inspiration and some clarity for their own lives, as they follow my journey, then I will have succeeded.”

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

Source : Christian Post

Answers in Genesis Rips ‘A.D. Bible Continues’ Miniseries as ‘Absolutely Dismal’ and Inaccurate

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Answers in Genesis Rips ‘A.D. Bible Continues’ Miniseries as ‘Absolutely Dismal’ and Inaccurate

A.D. - The Bible Continues (Photo: Courtesy of Rogers & Cowan)

Christian Post Report – A.D. The Bible Continues episode 10 airs on NBC Sunday, June 7, 2015.

Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis group, which has reviewed each episode of the “A.D. The Bible Continues” miniseries that aired on NBC, has written in its conclusion that the show’s last episode was “absolutely dismal,” and said the show does not deserve a second season.

“Theologically and historically, the writers of this show have been sloppy at best and calculatingly agenda-driven at the expense of Scripture at worst. Indeed the ‘A.D.’ for this 12th (and final for now) installment stands for ‘Absolutely Dismal,'” AiG’s in-depth review states.

The Creationist organization lists the numerous historical and biblical inaccuracies it found in the last episode, which include big spoilers concerning the plot and characters.

“There are several plot lines deliberately left unresolved and some are even ‘cliffhangers.’ We hope this does not mean that the series will be revived after a brief hiatus. Unfortunately, with this bad of a TV episode, there can be little to look forward to in subsequent shows if there are any,” stated the review, which can be read in its entirety on the AiG website.

The miniseries, a continuation of the popular “The Bible” miniseries, failed to generate the success of its predecessor, and suffered a ratings low in finale, scoring a 0.7 rating among the 18-49 demographic.

The 12-episode series focused on the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; portrayed the trials of His followers; and culminated with the disciples getting their first Roman convert.

AiG has also heavily criticized the “Son of God” movie made by producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey out of the Bible miniseries and released in 2014, arguing that it failed to talk about sin, repentance and hell.

AiG argued back then that the film is missing the Gospel, and that although the life of Jesus makes a good story, “biblically illiterate viewers will see nothing in the movie to help them understand how Jesus’ death should benefit them.”

Several other Christian leaders have voiced their support for “A.D.,” however. Joel Houston, leader of Hillsong NYC and the church’s worship band Hillsong UNITED, said in May that the series is part of “God’s plan.”

“It’s God’s plan for helping people understand who Jesus is and why to follow Him,” Houston told The Christian Post in an interview.

“There are universal aspects of searching for love, searching for value, searching for security, for freedom — all this stuff in its purest form — that’s what the Gospel [fulfills] and what the church is all about.”

He added that it is “phenomenal” that the story got to run on such a public platform.

“Showing the New Testament — I’ve read those passages of Scripture my whole life, when you play it out on the screen, there are so many parallels to the world we are living in right now,” Houston said.

Source : Christian Post

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