Court Rejects Appeal of Former Methodist Pastor

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Court Rejects Appeal of Former Methodist Pastor

President Judge John Tylwalk has rejected an appeal from Arthur “A.B.” Schirmer, the former Methodist pastor who was sentenced by Tylwalk in September to 20 to 40 years in state prison for murdering his first wife, Jewel, in 1999.

Chief Public Defender Brian Deiderick, who represents Schirmer, based the appeal on four issues:

1. Tylwalk failed to consider factors necessary to determine an appropriate sentence.

2. Tylwalk improperly used Schirmer’s no-contest plea as a failure to take responsibility or be held accountable for a charge of criminal homicide.

3. Tylwalk did not consider statements from Schirmer’s family members, and

4. Tylwalk had predetermined the sentence prior to the Sept. 10 sentencing hearing.

In his 23-page Dec. 5 order, which was released Tuesday, Tylwalk rejected all four arguments and ordered that his order and opinion be transmitted to Pennsylvania Superior Court for its review.

Schirmer, 66, entered a no-contest plea to third-degree murder, which carries a minimum term of between six and 20 years under state sentencing guidelines. He is also serving a life sentence after being found guilty by a Monroe County jury in 2012 for staging a car crash in Pocono Township to cover up the death of his second wife, Betty Jean, in 2008.

Tylwalk made Schirmer’s sentencing here consecutive to the Monroe County case.

“We believe that we properly considered the relevant factors in determining the sentence,” Tylwalk wrote.

“The evidence suggested that Jewel suffered a vicious attack, not a fall down a flight of stairs. As pointed out by her brother (John Behney), some of her injuries indicated that she had been attacked from behind with a crowbar being smashed into her head. She had numerous defensive injuries which indicated that she had struggled to fight off the attack…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

Christian Worshipers get Protection from Muslim Youths

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Christian Worshipers get Protection from Muslim Youths

This is what prompted more than 200 Muslim youth volunteers to have singled themselves out to protect Christians during this year’s Christmas celebration. The church services which was organised to celebrate this year’s Christmas in Kaduna, was protected by 200 Muslim Youths.

According to Vanguard, a pastor, Pastor Yohanna Buru who is a cleric of Christ Evangelical Church, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna South, disclosed this in an interview with pressmen in Kaduna. Buru confirmed that over 200 Muslims were at his church to help protect the faithful from any attack during the church service.

The cleric who is still overwhelmed by the gesture of love and care shown to the faithfuls by the Muslim youths made it known that he really appreciate their love, care and support. He also made it known that the feat is the first of its kind after the series of crises that rocked the state in recent past.

The pastor said the essence of that was to protect the Christian worshipers as part of effort to strengthen peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in the state. He also expressed happiness over the protection given to them by the Muslim brothers.

Noting that the initiative was an indication that peace has come to stay in the state, Buru said the measure will strengthen a lasting peace between the two religions.

He also prayed God to continue to bring about peace in the country the country, praying that other citizens would emulate the gesture.He urged Nigerians to learn to live in peace with one another irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.
The cleric said that peace was a major panacea to the positive development of any nation.

Source and Original Content by Naij

Queen Rank Ahead of Archbishop as Most Moral Leader in Polls

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Queen Rank Ahead of Archbishop as Most Moral Leader in Polls

The Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge rank ahead of religious and political figures for their moral leadership, according to respondents in a survey commissioned by The Sunday Times.

In the YouGov survey, which was conducted before the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day, respondents were asked to choose three or four names from a list. About one third (34 per cent) said the Queen provided the best moral leadership for Britain.

The monarchy also took second place, with 30 per cent of respondents saying that Prince William and Kate set the moral tone.

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban and who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year, came third.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, came fourth, with 15 per cent, and David Cameron was ranked fifth.

Prince Charles didn’t do quite as well as other members of his family, with only 8 per cent.

Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain, came in 15th place with just 5 per cent of people recognising his moral leadership – the same as Labour Party leader Ed Miliband.

In response to a separate question about who offered the worst moral leadership, UKIP leader Nigel Farage topped the list with 39 per cent.

Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg were joint second for the undesirable title with 26 per cent each. Miliband was close behind with 20 per cent.

Source and Original Content by CT

Tips for Sharing Christ This Christmas

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Tips for Sharing Christ This Christmas

Evangelist Jay Lowder, founder of Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries and author of Midnight in Aisle 7, believes there isn’t a better time for Christians to their faith with others than during the Christmas season.

“Fear is the No. 1 reason people hold back from sharing their faith,” said Lowder, who has presented the gospel worldwide throughout his more than 20 years in full-time ministry. “Christmas is a perfect time to talk about Christ since He is the reason for the season, and offers a great opportunity to do so in a natural way.”

Lowder offers the following tips for Christians looking to use the true meaning of Christmas as a bridge to share the good news of Christ with family and friends:

1. Share your testimony. Doctrines and theology are debatable but personal experiences cannot be denied.

2. Start with apologies. If relationships have been damaged with family members or friends, take time to repair them. Without this, you will not have credibility to share.

3. Meet tangible needs. Offer to help with a tangible need—anything from helping with a project, babysitting kids, providing financial help or praying for a need—as a way to demonstrate the gospel in action.

4. Don’t preach or condemn. Compassion and empathy are the medicine of the day.

5. Avoid debates. Celebrating Christ’s birth is a perfect time to talk about the person of Jesus, but avoid topics of religion, traditional practices or Bible doctrines. Those only cause disagreements and are not essential to a relationship with Christ.

6. Don’t attack or de-value. If a family member or friend worships a different god than Christ, be careful not to diminish his or her beliefs. Reaching others does not come from trying to pull down other beliefs but by elevating Jesus.

7. Rely on God. Ask Him to provide you with the opportunity, courage and right words to say. He promises to use you if you are willing.

8. Don’t get discouraged. God doesn’t require results from you. Your responsibility is only to plant seeds.

Source and Original Content by Charisma News

Nigerian Social Critic,Fani-Kayode Addresses Prof. Osibajo

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Nigerian Social Critic,Fani-Kayode Addresses Prof. Osibajo

Many have been sharing their opinion on the emergence of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the running mate of Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate.

Latest to talk about Osinbajo’s win is former Aviation Minister and now political and social critic, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Fani-Kayode took to his Facebook page to say what he feels about Osinbajo being paired with Buhari.

Fani who said he has immense respect for Osinbajo, however expressed disappointment that he, a respected Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) would accept to be the running mate to a closet fundamentalist, a bloodthirsty, cruel and murderous military dictator like Buhari.

The former minister added that Osinbajo will ultimately have to answer to God for his choices and must live with the consequences of those choices.
Full statement below:
“I am glad that the APC eventually took my advice and saw the wisdom in not fielding a muslim/muslim ticket for the 2015 Presidential election even though I hear that, right up till the last minute, they almost did.

I congratulate my friend and brother Professor Yemi Osinbajo on his nomination as the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC and running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari.

I have known Yemi for a number of years and I must say that he is not only a very pleasant and civilised person with a warm and gentle disposition but he is also a cerebal lawyer with a brilliant mind. I have immense respect for him.
Yet sadly ever since I heard about his nomination and announcement as Buhari’s running mate I have felt nothing but sheer pity for him and a deep sense of pathos. My counsel and words for him are as follows:

Woe unto the children of light that secretly delight in darkness and that seek to thwart the counsel of God for their nation by joining hands with the sons of Boko and the daughters of Haram.
The bible says ”what fellowship is there between light and darkness?” It says ”what does God have to do with Belial?” It says ”what profiteth a man to gain the world and lose his soul?”.

A respected Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a devout and committed Christian and an intellectually-sound, well-bred and well educated Professor of Law accepts to be running mate to a closet fundamentalist, a bloodthirsty, cruel and murderous military dictator and a die-hard believer in the philosophy of ”born to rule”? This is serious…Read More

Source and Original Content by Naij

Churches Converted Into Torture Chambers by Jihadists

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Churches Converted Into Torture Chambers by Jihadists

ISIS terrorists are stealing priceless relics from Iraqi churches and turning the buildings into dungeons and torture chambers, according to Jay Sekulow with the American Center for Law and Justice.

Sekulow told Fox News the Islamic State is taking historic objects and valuable artwork and selling it on the black market.

It’s all part of the jihadi army’s goal to erase Christianity from territories it holds in Iraq and Syria.

The group has already destroyed several biblical sites, including the tomb of Jonah in Mosul.

They’re also using at least two churches to imprison Christians and force them to convert to Islam.

Sekulow said ISIS considers several groups, including Christians, to be “infidels without human rights.”

“ISIS jihadis commit violence against fellow Muslims in violation of Islamic law. They routinely commit war crimes and engage in torture in violation of international law; and they also kill and threaten Christian, Jewish and other religious communities,” he said.

“In short, ISIS is composed of religiously motivated psychopaths,” Sekulow concluded.

Source and Original Content by Charisma News

iPhone 6s mini to Launch in 2015

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iPhone 6s mini to Launch in 2015

Apple fans who were disappointed with the launch of the large screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September this year, might soon see a 4-inch iPhone with an iPhone 6-like design arrive in 2015.

Timothy Arcuri, an analyst from Cowen and Company, is reported to have issued a note to Apple investors stating that the Cupertino-based tech firm might be working on a 4-inch handset, which might be called as iPhone 6s mini.

Apple Insider, which claims to have procured a copy of the issued note, also adds that the specifications of the rumoured mini smartphone will match with that of iPhone 5s’ and the design with iPhone 6. This piece of information however should be taken with a pinch of salt as Arcuri’s predictions is said to be mixed.

If Arcuri’s prediction proves to be correct, the iPhone 6s mini could replace the iPhone 5c – the company’s current budget smartphone – in the market. The analyst has also added that Apple might rely on Qualcomm for the iPhone 6s mini’s components in order to keep the pricing down.

Apple in September this year launched the large screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets showing that it is willing to change its beliefs to cater to the moving market landscape. However, some observers also saw this surprise move by the firm as a bit of a U-turn, based on public comments made by the company earlier.

Arcuri not only sparked rumours for the iPhone 6s mini but also said that Apple’s long rumoured 12.9-inch tablet is well under works and might be launched in Spring next year. The tablet is said to ‘reinvigorate’ the product category. Apple plans to ship 15 million to 20 million units of the rumoured tablet initially.

Source and Original Content by Ndtv

Reading Ebooks Before Bed May Affect Health

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Reading Ebooks Before Bed May Affect Health

Use of a light-emitting electronic device such as a ebook reader in the hours before bedtime can adversely impact sleep, overall health, alertness and the circadian clock, a new study has found.
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) compared the biological effects of reading a light-emitting electronic device (called LE-eBook by the team) compared to a printed book.

“We found the body’s natural circadian rhythms were interrupted by the short-wavelength enriched light, otherwise known as blue light, from these electronic devices,” said Anne-Marie Chang, corresponding author, and associate neuroscientist in BWH’s Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders.

“Participants reading an LE-eBook took longer to fall asleep and had reduced evening sleepiness, reduced melatonin secretion, later timing of their circadian clock and reduced next-morning alertness than when reading a printed book,” Chang said.

Previous research has shown that blue light suppresses melatonin, impacts the circadian clock and increases alertness, but little was known about the effects of this popular technology on sleep.

The use of light emitting devices immediately before bedtime is a concern because of the extremely powerful effect that light has on the body’s natural sleep/wake pattern, and may thereby play a role in perpetuating sleep deficiency.

During the two-week inpatient study, twelve participants read LE-e-Books on an iPad for four hours before bedtime each night for five consecutive nights. This was repeated with printed books.

The order was randomised with some reading the iPad first and others reading the printed book first. Participants reading on the iPad took longer to fall asleep, were less sleepy in the evening, and spent less time in REM sleep.

The iPad readers had reduced secretion of melatonin, a hormone which normally rises in the evening and plays a role in inducing sleepiness.

Additionally, iPad readers had a delayed circadian rhythm, indicated by melatonin levels, of more than an hour.

Participants who read from the iPad were less sleepy before bedtime, but sleepier and less alert the following morning after eight hours of sleep.

Although iPads were used in this study, BWH researchers also measured other ebook readers, laptops, cellphones, LED monitors, and other electronic devices, all emitting blue light.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Source and Original Content by Ndtv

Priest Refuses to leave Ebola Hot Zone even at Christmas Time

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Priest Refuses to leave Ebola Hot Zone even at Christmas Time

Except for going to church services all the population of Sierra Leone must stay home this Christmas and New Year.
This was the start of a Christmas message from former rock-star-turned-missionary, Father Themi Adams, who was once a member of The Flies, that once shared the stage with The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, and now runs The Holy Orthodox Mission in Freetown, the capital city of the troubled West African nation, that has been hit by the deadly Ebola virus.

Father Themi says, “We will be under a semi-lock-down mode for the Festive Season. No restaurants, no sporting events, no public celebrations, no wedding receptions, no street celebrations, all shops must close on weekdays by 6.00 PM, by noon of Saturdays and no trading on Sundays.

“Indeed the army will be out in force to enforce this. Violators will face the full weight of the law. Why? Are we facing some sort of anti-Christian campaign? No! Then why these draconian measures during the Holy Season? The simple yet tragic answer is that this nation is at war again…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCN

Nativity Scene will Remain in Front of Indiana Courthouse, Judge

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Nativity Scene will Remain in Front of Indiana Courthouse, Judge

On the heels of their spirited hearing [last week] before U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, Thomas More Society has reached an agreement with the ACLU of Indiana that the Franklin County Nativity Scene will remain in place this Christmas. The agreement was reached on behalf of the two organizations’ respective clients—Franklin County and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. (Photo via Thomas More Society)

“We’re pleased to secure the right to display the nativity scene on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn through Christmas,” said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society vice president and senior counsel. “The parties will now litigate the case on a normal schedule, without the threat of an emergency injunction forcing the removal of the nativity scene just before Christmas.”

The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit seeking an immediate injunction against Franklin County over the County’s allowing private citizens to display a nativity scene on the Courthouse lawn. However, County Commissioners approve requests for displays and events in front of the Courthouse from different groups throughout the year, including a child abuse awareness group, garden club, and private citizens who sponsor and set up a nativity scene each year at Christmastime.

Under the agreement, the Franklin County nativity scene will come down the day after Christmas, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation will drop its request for a preliminary injunction against Franklin County, which could have required Franklin County to remove the nativity scene before Christmas.

“The Constitutional right to free speech protects religious speech in the public square, including nativity scenes, just as much as it protects nonreligious speech,” added Peter Breen. “We will continue working to protect the First Amendment rights of the people of Franklin County as they express themselves in the public forum in front of their Courthouse…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCN

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