Washington National Cathedral Holds ‘Blessing of the Bikes’ for Rolling Thunder During Memorial Day Weekend

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Washington National Cathedral Holds ‘Blessing of the Bikes’ for Rolling Thunder During Memorial Day Weekend

Blessing of the Bikes (Photo: Washington National Cathedral)

Christian Post Report – The 2014 ‘Blessing of the Bikes’ held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Washington National Cathedral held its annual “Blessing of the Bikes” on Friday for members of Rolling Thunder as they arrived at the nation’s capital to honor fallen veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces on Memorial Day.

Ruth Frey, director of programs at Washington National Cathedral, told The Christian Post that “Rolling Thunder¹s presence at the Cathedral reminds us all we cannot fully recognize and honor the living without also remembering those who have been lost.”

“This event with Rolling Thunder is part of the Cathedral’s ongoing initiative to recognize and pay tribute to veterans, to offer a sacred space for spiritual healing, and to educate the civilian public about the experience of veterans and the challenges they and their families face when returning home,” said Frey.

Blessing of the Bikes (Photo: Washington National Cathedral)

Christian Post Report – The 2014 ‘Blessing of the Bikes’ held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

“We also have two new features this year compared to last year: a Virginia chapter has made stoles for the service, which they will be presenting and will be blessed just before the blessing of the bikes and riders,” she continued.

“In addition, there is a brief Two Bells Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. held in memory of those lost to us, those missing in action, and in honor of those who continue to serve.”

Every Memorial Day weekend, throngs of motorcyclists flock to the Washington, D.C. area as part of the Rolling Thunder movement.

First formed in 1988, Rolling Thunder holds a rally in the District as well as vigils at the Vietnam and Korean War memorials.

With a participation rate purportedly in the hundreds of thousands, Rolling Thunder’s primary purpose is to raise awareness about soldiers who are listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

The Blessing of the Bikes is not the only observance that the National Cathedral organizes on behalf of American veterans.

“The Cathedral holds an annual Veterans Interfaith Prayer Breakfast in November and last year, the Cathedral held a Veterans Tribute Concert,” Frey added.

“The Cathedral honors veterans by maintaining a Roll of Honor commemorating the lives and courage of those who served their country, and the many that made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Bringing Up Bates’ Stars Announce Wedding Date

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‘Bringing Up Bates’ Stars Announce Wedding Date

Michaela Bates (Photo: Courtesy of UP)

Christian Post Report – Michaella Bates and Brandon Keilen after he proposed on April 13, 2015.

“Bringing Up Bates” will premiere its second season in June and feature not only the birth of a grandson but the wedding of their daughter, Michaella, to her husband, Brandon Keilen, which will take place in August.

The couple courted seriously, following traditional Bates family rules and principles, before getting engaged on April 13. Brandon took Michaella to Great Falls, Virginia, and planned a very elaborate surprise: seven different clues in seven locations that finally culminated in Brandon getting down on one knee to propose.

Speaking about the first time she saw Brandon many years ago, Michaella told The Christian Post in an email: “I saw a young man through the window who caught my attention! He was walking an older man to lunch in the freezing snow, and I was impressed at his kindness and patience on this bitter cold day! I didn’t have the slightest clue that this would someday be the love of my life!”

Even though Brandon caught Michaella’s attention, it wasn’t until four years later that the couple would actually begin courting. Brandon attended Michaella’s sister’s wedding, where he served as an usher to Chad Paine and then formally asked her father, Gil, for permission to court his daughter. Gil approved of the courtship on Dec. 30, 2013. Then, in April, the couple got engaged. They will wed in August, which will be featured in the upcoming season which premieres in June.

Michaela Bates (Photo: Courtesy of UP)

Michaella Bates shows off her engagement ring from Brandon Keilen.

“As we prepare for our wedding and the start of our new life together, it’s impossible to express all of the emotions that flood our hearts but excitement is definitely beginning to escalate! Our hope is that the whole day is a reflection of God’s unending and amazing love and we can’t wait to share it with our family and dear friends!” the couple told CP.

And the couple’s parents could not be happier for Michaella and Brandon, whom they wish a lifetime of happiness.

“As parents, we hope and dream and pray that our children will find that special someone in life that will encourage them in their walk with the Lord and that will love them wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Seeing that come to life brings us such fulfillment and joy. We know Brandon and Michaella are a perfect match and we couldn’t be more elated about their wedding announcement,” Gil and Kelly Jo said.

The larger-than-life Bates family has been a hit ever since the first episode of their reality series on UP tv. The 19 kids and now three grandchildren provide plenty of amusement and drama, as well as hit ratings, for viewers.

Season two of “Bringing Up Bates” premieres on UP tv on June 4.

Source : Christian Post

Football Star David Luiz, 28, Vows to Wait Until Marriage for Sex After Being Baptized Into Hillsong Church

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Football Star David Luiz, 28, Vows to Wait Until Marriage for Sex After Being Baptized Into Hillsong Church

Brazil David Luiz Luiz Gustavo (Photo: Reuters/David Gray)

Christian Post Report – Brazil’s David Luiz (L) and Luiz Gustavo react after losing their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014.

International football star and ex-Chelsea defender David Luiz vowed to abstain from sex until after he’s married in an Instagram post last week which included a picture from his recent baptism.

Luiz, 28, who plays for French football club Paris Saint-German and serves as vice-captain for the Brazil national team, was baptized into Hillsong Church in teammate Maxwell’s in-door swimming pool. He posted a message alongside the picture which read “I have chosen to wait.” Luiz said he will abstain from sex until he marries girlfriend Sara Madeira, according to The Telegraph.

He also included a verse from 1 Corinthians in his post.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new,” he wrote.

He then added: “How wonderful to live with you Lord, thank you for loving me so much and [taking] care of me! My life is yours, and I am your servant! What’re [sic] always in the center of all my decisions. I love my God! Amen!”

The Christian football player is linked to the Atletas de Cristo (Athletes of Christ) which is a nonprofit organization comprised of sportsmen and was started in Brazil back in 1984.

Luiz’s Brazil teammate Kaka is a part of the organization and he also took a vow of celibacy before he was married at age 23.

“The majority of people say that after marriage, they don’t like jumping into bed with their partner because there is no desire. However, this is not true, my wife is the person I love and it was worth waiting,” said Kaka.

“I think people need to prevent themselves from making love before marriage. Of course, everyone has their own opinions but I think it was worth the wait.”

Luiz has said Kaka has inspired him “both on and off the pitch.”

He also claims his faith “gives him the belief that I can go out and perform and improve as a player. It gives me strength and inspiration.”

The Christian Post contacted Hillsong to confirm the report that Luiz was baptized into or is attending Hillsong Church, but did not receive a response by press time.

Source : Christian Post

‘A.D. The Bible Continues’ Producers Roma Downey, Mark Burnett Share Exclusive Preview of Sunday’s New Episode

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‘A.D. The Bible Continues’ Producers Roma Downey, Mark Burnett Share Exclusive Preview of Sunday’s New Episode

Christian Post Report – ‘A.D. – The Bible Continues’ Producers Roma Downey, Mark Burnett Share Exclusive Preview of Sunday’s New Episode

“A.D. The Bible Continues” is returning to NBC with its eighth episode on Sunday, and series producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett offered The Christian Post an exclusive preview of what lies ahead.

As a follow-up to Downey and Burnett’s “The Bible” series, “A.D. The Bible Continues” features the first 10 chapters of the book of Acts, revealing what would become the most influential movement in history — the rise of the church. The series, which premiered on Easter Sunday, is now gearing up for its eighth installment, and Downey is calling on CP readers to watch this week’s episode.

  • A.D. The Bible Continues
    (Photo: Courtesy of Rogers & Cowan)
    “A.D. The Bible Continues” airs at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on NBC.

In a taped greeting released exclusively to CP readers, Downey said: “Hello to all our friends at ChristianPost.com. So far we’ve witnessed the death and the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples restored by His return, and the epic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And now as Peter, John, and the disciples spread the Gospel across Judea, they are met with increasingly brutal persecution by those that will stop at nothing to silence them. Join us this Sunday, you won’t want to miss what is about to happen as we race toward the dramatic season finale.”

This week will see a turning point for Saul who is on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Along the journey, Saul has a life-changing vision and encounter with Jesus that leads to his baptism, thusly becoming Paul the Apostle, one of the most influential figures in biblical history.

“A.D. The Bible Continues” episode eight will air at 9 p.m. ET Sunday, May 24 on NBC. The encore of last week’s episode seven will air directly before the new installment.

After each episode of “A.D.”, viewers can tune into NBC’s first-ever digital talk show, “Beyond A.D,” hosted by Jason Kennedy. New guests are featured each week to discuss the television series, and this Sunday’s guests will include Michelle Williams, Colton Dixon and Erwin McManus.

Source : Christian Post

Well Done!

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Well Done!

Christian Post Report – “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “
— Matthew 25:21

Jonathan Edwards is best known for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and his role in one of the great spiritual awakenings in the United States. He also was the third president of Princeton University.

  • Greg Laurie
    (Photo: rever Hoehne for Harvest Ministries)
    Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California, shares the Gospel with a sold-out crowd of 19,000 for Harvest America at the American Airlines Center and Victory Park in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 5, 2014.

But Edwards left an amazing legacy in other ways as well. He served the Lord to the best of his ability and made sure that his family was in church every Sunday. Of his descendants, 430 were ministers, 86 were university professors, 13 were university presidents, 75 authored books, seven were elected to Congress, and one became vice president of the United States.

If you’re a parent, you will make choices that affect your children. Then your children will make choices that affect your grandchildren. This goes on and on, and the circle gets wider and wider. What you do will affect other people. The decisions you make will have an impact on others.

Some may say, “This is my life, and I make my choices.” But it is bigger than that. Our choices on Earth are binding in eternity.

I want to be able to say to the Lord one day that I did the best I could with the life, time, and resources that He gave me. I want the Lord to say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Don’t you want to hear that?

You might be thinking, I’ve already made a bunch of mistakes. I’ve messed up a lot.

It is not too late to change. Start making good decisions from now on. Do what you can to right the wrongs that you’ve committed over the years. And then, from this day forward, determine to walk with God and start living the way He wants you to live.

Copyright © 2015 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000

Used with Permission

Source : Christian Post

UNESCO Site Palmyra Falls Into ISIS’ Hands; Militants Control Half of Syria Now

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UNESCO Site Palmyra Falls Into ISIS’ Hands; Militants Control Half of Syria Now

palmyra iraq ISIS (Photo: Reuters/Nour Fourat)

Christian Post Report – A man rides a motorcycle with a child in the historical city of Palmyra, September 30, 2010. Islamic State fighters in Syria have entered the ancient ruins of Palmyra after taking complete control of the central city, but there are no reports so far of any destruction of antiquities, a group monitoring the war said on May 21, 2015. Picture taken September 30, 2010.

Islamic State, or ISIS, militants in Syria seized the ancient city of Palmyra on May 20, expanding their hold in Syria that now encompasses half of the country.

Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, a UN cultural agency, sent out a Tweet today exclaiming, “Palmyra tells us all cultures are linked. There’s no pure culture, no point in imposing a single culture on others.”

Palmyra is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural, trading, and geographical significance, in large part because of its well preserved Roman era ruins.

There have been no reports of destruction of ancient ruins for now, but Islamic militants have a track record of destorying ancient cultural sites that predate Islam, which they consider idolatrous.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Tim Muret, a communications officer at Open Doors, a Christian non-profit serving the persecuted Church, declared, “This certainly makes a lot of news in the states because this is a UNESCO heritage site, but the kidnappings, killings, and all the villages being destroyed usually don’t make the news.

“These too have historical significance, and many of the villages are Christian,” declared Muret. “We do our best as an organization to educate churches that what you see in the news is really just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Palmyra is an another example of how IS has no regard for civilization or human life,” said Muret.

Expanding upon the slaugther of Christians in Syria, Muret said that “before the civil war and unrest in Syria there were 1.9 million Christians or a little over 8 and a half percent of the population.” The civil conflict in Syria is now going on five plus years of violence and unrest.

“The number of Christians has now dwindled down to 1.1 million or about 5 percent of the Syrian population.” Muret emphasized that Christian villages and populations are essential heritage sites too, “because those populations and much of that culture is the cradle of some of the earliest Christian communities.” The Apostle Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, which at the time had a rapidly expanding Christian population.

Last month, Jean-Clément Jeanbart, Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Aleppo warned that Christians from Syria “could disappear.”

The secular Ba’ath government controlled by Bashar Al-Assad while repressive, has traditionally shown considerable tolerance toward religious minorities, including Christians. The majority of Syrian Christians belong to Eastern Christianity, with the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch representing the largest sect.

In an example of some of the atrocities by ISIS, the Daily Mirror is reporting that “ISIS terrorists are picking out the ‘prettiest virgins’ from the women they capture and sending them to their Syrian stronghold to be sex slaves, according to a UN expert.” The report mentions one woman was burned alive “for refusing to perform extreme sexual acts.” In a video on the Daily Mirror site ISIS fighters can be seen bartering for sex slaves.

In an interview with Atlantic Magazine this week, President Obama said, “I don’t think we are losing the war against ISIS,” calling the fall of Ramadi, Iraq merely a “tactical setback.” The White House too called the fall of Palmyra “a setback” for U.S.-led coalition forces.

Source : Christian Post

Josh Duggar, Star of ’19 Kids and Counting,’ Apologizes for Teen Molestation Allegations: ‘I Acted Inexcusably and Hurt Others’

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Josh Duggar, Star of ’19 Kids and Counting,’ Apologizes for Teen Molestation Allegations: ‘I Acted Inexcusably and Hurt Others’

Anna and Josh Duggar (Photo: Anna Duggar/Facebook)

Christian Post Report – Anna and Josh Duggar.

Editor’s note: Warning, this article contains graphic details from a 2006 police report:

“19 Kids and Counting” star Josh Duggar, along with his wife Anna, and parents Jim Bob and Michelle, have all responded to the release of a police report stating that Josh reportedly molested five girls when he was 14 years old. To be clear, none of the victims were his sisters, as some media outlets have reported.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life,” Josh told People magazine.

Now a father of four, Duggar was accused of fondling the breasts and touching the genitals of five young girls who spent time at the Duggar household in 2002, when he had just turned 14. Josh told his father what had happened, and he was sent to Christian therapy, a “program [that] consisted of hard physical work and counseling … from March 17, 2003, until July 17, 2003.” However, it wasn’t until 2006 that Jim Bob took further action and Josh was investigated by police, according to the official report published by InTouch Weekly. The statute of limitations had passed, and Josh was never charged with any offense.

Since then, Josh went on to court and marry his wife, Anna. The couple resides in Washington, D.C. where Josh worked at the Family Research Council. In light of the publicity surrounding this situation, Josh resigned from his position, and FRC President Tony Perkins said that he would be “praying for everyone involved.”

Duggar family (Photo: Courtesy of Simon and Schuster)

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar with their 19 children, daughter-in-law, Anna, and their granddaughter, Mackynzie, pictured in front of an abandoned house holding their favorite instruments. The family’s popular reality TV show has been on the TLC network for 10 years.

“Today Josh Duggar made the decision to resign his position as a result of previously unknown information becoming public concerning events that occurred during his teenage years. Josh believes that the situation will make it difficult for him to be effective in his current work. We believe this is the best decision for Josh and his family at this time. We will be praying for everyone involved,” Perkins said.

Anna also spoke about the situation and said that Josh told her almost immediately what had transpired in the past. However, she did not let that deter her from pursuing a relationship with him.

“I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this,” Anna told People. “I remember feeling that same shock. For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was — even very difficult past mistakes. [I know] who Josh really is — someone who had gone down a wrong path and had humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended. Someone who had received the help needed to change the direction of his life and do what is right.”

“I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions,” Josh noted. “I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.”

The Christian Post reached out to TLC, which airs the hit series “19 Kids and Counting,” which shows the daily lives of the Duggar family, but was told, “No comment.”

Source : Christian Post

106 People Indicted by Anti-Terror Court for Burning Alive Christian Couple in Pakistan

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106 People Indicted by Anti-Terror Court for Burning Alive Christian Couple in Pakistan

Sheathed and Shamah Masih (Photo: Twitter)

Christian Post Report – Christian couple Sheathed, 35, (R) and Shamah Masih (L), 31, were killed for allegedly desecrating the Quran in Pakistan, November 2014.

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan convicted on Thursday 106 suspects believed to have taken part in the lynching of a Christian couple in November 2014. Shama and Shahzad Masih were beaten and burned to death by a Muslim mob, who accused the Christians of burning a copy of the Quran.

Pakistan’s Daily Times reported that the 106 suspects were indicted following a police report submitted against them in Lahore.

“The challan (charge-sheet) states that Maulvi Muhammad Hussain, Maulvi Arshad Baloch and Maulvi Noorul Hassan were involved in persistent provocative speeches against the couple which led to the assembly of 400 people as a mob who then burned Shama and Shahzad alive,” the article stated.

“After the challan was presented at the hearing, the court also held Yousaf Gujjar, the owner of the brick kiln where the couple was beaten to death, responsible.”

The couple were beaten to death and burned in the brick kiln where they worked in the town of Kot Radha Kishan. The Pakistani government often punishes Christians and other religious minorities in blasphemy cases, but has looked to crack down on mobs taking justice in their own hands.

The accusations against the couple stemmed from burned pages of the Quran found in their trash. The Christians were locked up in an adjacent room to the brick kiln by Gujjar, who had reportedly been angry with them for failing to pay him the money they owed, and sought to accuse them of blasphemy.

Local clerics have also been accused of making incendiary announcements and urging Muslims to gather, which sparked hundreds of people to head for the couple’s home. Witnesses said that some in the crowd broke down the door and dragged the couple out, after which they tortured and burned the Christians at the kiln.

International Christian Concern Regional Manager Todd Daniels said at the time: “The brutal killing of Shahzad and Shama once again highlights the extreme danger of religious fanaticism that Christians in Pakistan face on a regular basis. The accusation of blasphemy can be used for any dispute and can often prove deadly as it did today, inciting a mob to brutally murder this young couple.”

Earlier this year a legal battle began for the custody of the couple’s three young children, who were taken in by their maternal grandfather after their parents were killed.

Source : Christian Post

Governor of Bethlehem Cancels Christian Event Scheduled for West Bank Site Due to ‘Significant Political and Religious Pressure’

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Governor of Bethlehem Cancels Christian Event Scheduled for West Bank Site Due to ‘Significant Political and Religious Pressure’

William Wilson (Photo: The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair)

Christian Post Report – Co-chair of the Empowered21 global Spirit-empowered movement William Wilson, who is also president of Oral Roberts University asks spirited-filled Christians to pray Thursday night at the Jerusalem Pais Arena after revealing that Palestinian authorities had canceled one of the group’s planned events in Bethlehem in the West Bank.

JERUSALEM — An outdoor Christian worship event set to be hosted by the Empowered21 Global Congress in Manger Square, Bethlehem on Friday was abruptly cancelled by the Palestinian Authority governor of Bethlehem, Abdel Fattah Hamayel, due to “significant political and religious pressure.”

The event, which was supposed to be a time of praise, prayer and preaching focused on the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem, which now forms a part of the West Bank, was initially greenlit by the office of Bethlehem Mayor Vera George Mousa Baboun, according to co-chair of the Empowered21 global Spirit-empowered movement, William Wilson, who is also president of Oral Roberts University.

“We received an official letter from the mayor of Bethlehem’s office confirming our event in Manger Square for tomorrow night guaranteeing both space and security. We planned our schedule for this week to honor Shabbat in Israel while at the same time seeking to share God’s love with the Palestinian people into tomorrow night’s event,” explained Wilson in his run-up before breaking the news to thousands of attendees at the Empowered21 Congress at the Jerusalem Pais Arena on Thursday night.

“Due to significant political and religious pressure, the governor of the Bethlehem area decided today to cancel tomorrow night’s event just as our staging was going up in Manger Square,” he continued.

Manger Square (Photo: Reuters/Ammar Awad)

A general view of Manger Square as workers prepare for the visit of Pope Francis to the West Bank town of Bethlehem, May 23, 2014. Pope Francis will visit Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and Israel during his May 24-26 trip, his first as pope to the region.

“I spent the afternoon in Manger Square trying to find a way to further support our Christian brothers in there, including considering the possibility of other alternative venues. Saturday morning we will have an outreach in the Bethlehem area to minister to hurting families. None of the venues available to us tonight were sufficient for our needs. This cancellation surprised us. It’s beyond our control but it’s not beyond God’s control and we trust him fully in all of this,” Wilson added before asking the conference participants to pray.

He further revealed that just last week, the group which is pushing for every person on Earth to have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033, faced similar opposition from the government of Jordan.

“Last week we had a similar circumstance in Jordan. Where the Jordanian government refused to give us a permit to hold our Middle East, North African celebration of the Holy Spirit in a public venue. We moved the event to a church facility and after all was said and done we had over 1,000 people from 15 nations involved and God’s spirit visited us mightily,” he said. “I believe God is gonna use this moment to just fill us and fill us again here in Jerusalem.”

During a press conference before the opening session of the Empowered21 Congress, movement co-chair George O. Wood, who is also general superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church (USA) and chairman of the World AG Fellowship, declared: “We’re a non-political movement and we love all people. And that’s why we are here to express the love of Jesus to everyone.”

In discussing the group’s general position on Israel, he said: “We choose not to take a political position, rather our focus is on Jesus and his love for all people (no matter their) gender or the color of their skin or language.”

In discussing the group’s theological view on Israel, Wilson said: “There is diversity of thought in the movement. But I think you would find unity across the movement.”

Wood further explained the relationship the Empowered21 group has with not just Israel but other groups in the area without being explicit.

“There is a connection with the Jewish people because it is from the Jewish people that the Gospel of Christ emerged. The New Testament emerged out of a Judaic context so there is also a heart connection. But there is also a heart connection to people who are living in this land, and all lands, who are made in the image of God and created after His likeness and for whom Jesus Christ came to live his life and die on the cross for the sins of all people and rose again on the third day,” he said.

“That’s the message that we deeply believe and hold to. Therefore we know that the Lord loves everyone, regardless of their background or ethnicity,” he added.

Bethlehem, according to Sacred Destinations, is recognized as the childhood home of the biblical King David. It is also popularly known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ and has been a major site of Christian pilgrimage since the construction of the Church of the Nativity in the fourth century A.D. Since 1995, Bethlehem has been under the control of the Palestinian National Authority.

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

Source : Christian Post

‘A.D. The Bible Continues’ Is Making a Difference in Hollywood, Says ‘American Idol’ Contestant Colton Dixon

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‘A.D. The Bible Continues’ Is Making a Difference in Hollywood, Says ‘American Idol’ Contestant Colton Dixon
  • Colton Dixon
    (Photo: Courtesy of Rogers & Cowan)
    Colton Dixon

Former “American Idol” contestant Colton Dixon says “A.D. The Bible Continues” is changing how Hollywood sees Christianity. The singer is expected to appear on the companion series “Beyond A.D.” on Sunday as the eighth episode of the series airs on NBC.

Dixon, who rose to fame and stayed true to his Christian values on the 11th season of “American Idol,” offered insight on the television industry’s attitude toward faith before heaping praise on “A.D. The Bible Continues” creators Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.

I just know, [I got] even just a little taste of how Hollywood works, of what its motivation is, and I’m just so, so proud of Mark and Roma for kind of going against that,” said the “Love Has Come for Me” singer.

Dixon continued: “Jesus is so hush-hush amongst Hollywood. Not that I was disrespected in any way for taking a stand, but it’s not the cool thing to do, and not the money maker. But [Mark and Roma] are changing that. Even just “The Bible” series and now “A.D.” — it’s just so cool to see someone finally standing up to Hollywood, its making a big difference. I’m happy to be a part of that as well.”

“A.D. The Bible Continues” premiered last month with 13.1 million viewers tuning in, and the series continues to garner ratings as the first 10 chapters of the book of Acts unfolds on the small screen. Further, the television series picks up right where Downey and Burnett’s “The Bible” series left off — exploring the aftermath of Christ’s death and its impact on his disciples as well as his mother, Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the time.

Admitting he was “such a fan” of “The Bible” series, Dixon offered his take on why so many people are now watching “A.D.The Bible Continues.”

“I think their curiosity has piqued,” Dixon told CP. “You got Mark Burnett who has some of the best shows on television right now doing this thing about the Bible. This isn’t some D-list television series, this is the real deal.”

By delving into the New Testament on a network television series, Dixon says more people than ever are learning about the Bible.

“‘The Bible‘ series did so well and someone is finally continuing the story visually, so I think amongst the church, everyone is really excited to see how some of the stories are portrayed,” he added. “Even non-believers are saying, ‘Hey, I wonder what the Bible is all about.’ Maybe they would never pick up a Bible on their own, but they are getting to see it visually, [so] it’s really, really cool.”

“A.D. The Bible Continues” airs at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on NBC. Also, “Beyond A.D.” will be available for streaming at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday featuring Dixon, Michelle Williams, and Erwin McManus.

Source : Christian Post

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