Catholic archbishop says same-sex marriage is threat to religious people

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Anthony Fisher made a call for a no-vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey during his mass on Sunday.

Under current laws in Australia, marriage must be between a man and a woman, but the government is circulating a non-binding survey on the issue measuring support for reform.

Speaking to parishioners in a congregation on Sunday, the Guardian reports he said the government should “keep out of the friendship business and out of the bedroom”.

He went on to tell the St Mary’s Cathedral congregation: “The state has no business telling us who we should love and how, sexually or otherwise.

“The only kind of friendship the state has a proper interest in recognising and regulating is heterosexual marriage, because that’s what leads to children – new citizens – and gives them the best start in life.”

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The archbishop said children should have a mother and a father and this was what marriage was intended for.

He also claimed changing the law would have a direct impact on religious freedom.

He explained: “If overseas experience is anything to go by, if marriage is redefined it will be very hard to speak up for real marriage anymore – in schools, at work, socially.

“Traditional believers will be vulnerable to discrimination suits and other kinds of bullying for their beliefs. Some may lose their jobs, promotions, businesses, political careers.”

The non-binding postal ballot began in September but the government will not legislate on the issue without it.

If most Australians vote no, the government will not allow Parliament to consider lifting the nation’s ban on same-sex marriage.

The result of the voluntary postal survey will be announced on 15 November.

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Open Heavens 17 October 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Enjoying The Services Of Angels

Open Heavens 17 October 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Enjoying The Services Of Angels

Topic: Enjoying The Services Of Angels — Tuesday 17, October 2017.

Memorise: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: – Psalm 104:4

Read: Psalm 91:9-13 (KJV)

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Bible in One Year: Galatians 4-6, Ephesians 1, Daniel 8:15-9:2, Hymn: Sing Hymn 8 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness

MESSAGE:

There are several misconceptions about the existence and purpose of angels. Some people don’t believe that angels exist. Some other people who believe in the existence of angels don’t know their purpose. It is important for us to know the truth of what God’s word says about angels, so that we don’t miss out on the ministry of angels in our lives. Today’s memory verse confirms that angels exist, and gives a hint on why they were created. From this scripture, we understand that angels are ministering spirits. We have two categories of angles: holy angels of God and fallen angels. The term “fallen angels” refers to Satan and the group of angels that rebelled along with him against God. These angels, now called the devil and demons, were cast out of heaven and are awaiting the day of God’s final judgement against them, when they will be sent into the place of eternal punishment (Isaiah 14:12-16, Ezekiel 28:12-19, Revelation 12:9, Matthew 8:29, Revelation 20:10). On the other hand, the holy angels of God are those angels that have remained loyal to God as their sovereign Lord. Concerning these angels, Psalms 103:20 says,

“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 18 October 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Hope In These Last Days

As a child of God, the angels of God are meant to minister to you and for you in the hour of great need, especially in situations beyond human control and power. Hebrews 1:14 says,

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

For example, angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation and before He went to the cross (Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43). Psalm 91:11-12 mentions some specific assignments of the angels of God, saying,

“11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

Years ago, when some of the brethren came to me suggesting that I begin to carry bodyguards around, because they would not want to lose me to hoodlums or hired assassins, I declined because, based on the above scripture, the One who called me has more than enough angelic bodyguards to take care of my security, and they are more effective than a billion human bodyguards could ever be. Note however that the angels of God should never be worshipped or prayed to. Often times, because of their awesome nature, those who encountered them attempted to do this, but every time, these angels themselves forbade them from doing so (Revelation 22:8-9). Are you enjoying the ministry of angels?

Action Point: Thank God for His ministering spirits that have been assigned to take care of you.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.


Why I Left the Megachurch I Created .

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    Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 16, 2017 devotional – But God!

    Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 16, 2017 devotional – But God!

    Today’s Scripture: “O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! …But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” – (Psalm 3:1-3, NIV)

    Topic: But God! [Monday October 16, 2017]

    When David wrote this verse, He was in a very difficult situation. He was actually running for his life from his very own son who wanted to kill him and take over the throne. Can you imagine?! David was probably feeling overwhelmed, distraught, heartbroken, betrayed and abandoned. Have you ever felt that way? But notice that David didn’t just tell the Lord all about his problems. He told the Lord about his faith when he said, “But You, God, are a shield around me…” David made the choice to focus on God’s goodness no matter what.

    We have to remember, circumstances may be tough, but God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. You may have a difficult relationship, but God is your Restorer today. You may have an overwhelming need, but God is your Provider today. The doctors may have told you that you have an incurable disease, but God is your Healer today. Things may look impossible today, BUT WITH GOD, all things are possible! If you’ll keep that constant attitude of faith and victory, you’ll see the hand of God move in your life, and you will experience the life of victory He has in store for you!

    A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for always being faithful and working in my life. Today I open my heart to You and choose to focus on You instead of my circumstances. I know that with You, all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen.”

    From Joel Osteen Ministries.


    Church bells ring in protest of Greece’s gender rights law

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    Under the guidance of Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Amvrosios of Kalavryta, clerics in his diocese decided that, from Sunday, the bells would ring every day at noon for three minutes until Saturday.

    Wikimedia Commons

     

    The decision follows Greece’s parliament passing the bill – backed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras – with 171 votes in favour in Greece’s 300-seat parliament last week.

    The Orthodox Church said in a statement that the change in law was “a satanic deed” and would lead to “the destruction of social cohesion and the spiritual necrosis of man”.

    Greeks over the age of 15 will now be able to change the gender listed on their identity cards and other official documents following a simplified procedure in court.

    The Church is continuing to call for the bill to be withdrawn.

    A statement obtained by the AP, by the Kalavryta diocese’s clerics on Saturday read: “It is an outrageous inspiration for someone to change his gender in a few minutes, with a simple declaration, so contrary to what God has gifted people with … whoever has ‘gender dysphoria’ is mentally ill.

    The statement also said homosexuality is a “deadly sin” and expressed a worry that legislation allowing adoption by same-sex couples would be next.

    The clerics have also said they will display protest banners in the city of Aigion, which is the largest in the diocese.

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    Former Trans Men Explain ‘All the Lies’ Surrounding the Glorification of Transgenderism .

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    Participants dance under a rainbow flag during an annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) pride parade.
    Participants dance under a rainbow flag during an annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) pride parade. ( REUTERS/Marko Djurica)

    Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.


    Today’s culture has seen the denial of biology’s concept of sex and gender, with California going to the level of passing a law to punish caregivers who use incorrect pronouns. There are those who have suffered through hormone treatment, lied to in the name of access to what their doctors saw as “care.”

    Two men, who are named on The Federalist as Paul and Taylor, recently shared their stories in the aptly titled “What Two Former Trans Men Want You To Know About All The Lies.”

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    Would you rather read about Tony Romo or Somalia bombing?

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    My local newspaper is the Dallas Morning News. Its website this morning leads with a story about our school district and speculation that Tony Romo could replace the injured Aaron Rodgers. I scrolled to the bottom of the website but found nothing on the bombings in Somalia’s capital that killed more than three hundred people last Saturday.

    The Chicago Tribune is leading with the Cubs’ loss to the Dodgers last night. It mentions the Somalia bombing with a single line in the smallest print on the website. The Los Angeles Times mentions the story near the bottom of its website with a single line.

    If this tragedy had occurred in the United States, it would be leading every newspaper in America. The fact that it happened on the coast of East Africa makes it no less heartbreaking for every person who died or was injured and every person who loves them. Including their Father in heaven.

    It is human nature to value what we can see over what we cannot see. This is why newspapers give the greatest coverage to news that affects their readers directly. But such a materialistic view of life obscures all that gives life its greatest meaning.

    Yesterday, I spent some time sitting before a pond on a cloudy morning. I asked the Lord to speak to me through his creation, and immediately my mind was drawn to the surface of the water. I could see nothing below it. There could be fish or turtles swimming there—the fact that I could not see them made them no less real.

    Just then, the sun broke through the clouds momentarily before disappearing again. If I didn’t know better, I might think the clouds were permanent and the sun was temporary, when it’s actually the other way around. The fact that I couldn’t see the sun behind the clouds made it no less real.

    Jesus returned from earth to heaven twenty centuries ago. Is he still at work in our world? Consider five biblical facts:

    • Jesus is granting salvation to every person who turns to him in faith (Romans 6:23). No one is beyond the reach of grace.
    • He is preparing a place for his followers in heaven (John 14:2–3). The Master Carpenter (Mark 6:3) is working right now on your eternal home.
    • He is interceding for us at “the right hand of God” (Romans 8:34). Jesus is praying for you at this very moment.
    • He is advocating for us before the Father when we sin (1 John 2:1). The next time you sin, remember that your Savior is praying for your forgiveness and restoration.
    • He is holding us in his hand (John 10:28–29). All that comes to you must come through him. You are sheltered in his hand right now.

    Eternal salvation, an eternal home, divine intercession, advocacy when we sin, and omnipotent protection—none are visible to our senses, but can you think of greater gifts?

    Don’t believe the materialistic lie that your success today is measured by your possessions and popularity. What you can’t see is infinitely more significant than what you can see. Henry Scougal noted in 1677: “The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love.”

    What—or Who—will be the object of your love today?

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    Backlash after German politician proposes public Muslim holidays

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    German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, who is part of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats Union (CDU), said he was open to the idea while speaking on a campaign trail last week.

    Although he said many of Germany’s public holidays are Christian, and it should stay that way, he added: “In places where there are many Muslims, why can’t we think about introducing a Muslim public holiday?”

    However, other politicians have voiced their opposition to the idea.

    Senior CDU member Wolfgang Bosbach told newspaper Bild that people can celebrate whatever religious holiday they want, but “whether the state should also protect non-Christian holidays with legal regulation in future is a different issue entirely.”

    Also, Alexander Dobrindt, a senior figure in the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian version of CDU, told Bild that Germany’s Christian heritage was non-negotiable.

    A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said de Maiziere still believed Germany’s public holidays were of a Christian nature “and don’t have any other roots”.

    She added that he doesn’t have any influence on whether there should be public Muslim holidays or not because according to German law, individual states have to decide.

    She also said Hamburg and Bremen have signed agreements with Muslim organisations so that Muslim students could have time off school, and workers could take time off work for holidays important to Islam.

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    The Five Choices of Declining Churches

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    It’s simple and straightforward.

    Leaders of declining churches have five choices.

    Let me clarify. In theory, the choices are simple. But putting them to practice is not so easy. So when pastors or other church leaders ask me what they can do about their declining church, I ask them to begin at the high level before looking at a lot of details. One of these five choices must be made.

    1. Do nothing.

    Anecdotally, I can tell you the majority of churches make this decision. Such is the reason that two-thirds of the churches are declining or plateaued.

    Advantages: You avoid conflict. You may get to keep your job.

    Disadvantages: If you do nothing and are declining, you will still decline. You are disobedient to the Great Commission. And leading a declining church is no fun.

    2. Incremental change.

    I wrote about this kind of change many years ago in a book called Eating the Elephant. You attempt to discern a pace that can take as many members as possible with you.

    Advantages: Change is taking place, hopefully for the better. You minimize losses of membership and criticisms, but not completely. You probably keep your job.

    Disadvantages: Today most churches don’t have the luxury of changing incrementally. The world is so different than just a few years ago. Incremental change may not stop the bleeding.

    3. Significant change.

    Leadership recognizes the simple choice is, “change or die.” The church decides to make significant leadership, methodological, organizational, structural, and philosophical changes.

    Advantages: The church may reverse the decline and become a gospel influence in the community again. For those who are on board, there can be a sense of radical obedience to the gospel.

    Disadvantages: The church almost always loses significant numbers of members. Ironically, the church may not survive the change created for survival. Leadership is inundated with criticisms. You could lose your job.

    4. Preparation for closure.

    Unlike the “do nothing” choice of option one, the church acknowledges it is declining and headed toward death. It makes preparation for an orderly shut down and disposition of property and other resources.

    Advantages: This option is one of death with dignity. The church is not scurrying at the last moment to consider options. The process is orderly and well planned.

    Disadvantages: The church dies. The gospel presence in the community once represented by this congregation no longer exists.

    5. Preparation for acquisition.

    The church seeks to become a campus or site of a healthier congregation. It yields its leadership and gives its resources to the acquiring congregation.

    Advantages: There is a continuation of the gospel presence in the community. The acquiring church provides leadership and resources to effect a turnaround. The church does not close.

    Disadvantages: The acquired church is not the same congregation. The members of the acquired church often have a false notion that the new church will let things stay fairly constant. They never do

    At its basic levels, declining churches really have one of five choices. And if a church makes no choice, it has really decided to choose the “do nothing” option, the worst of the five choices.

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    Pope Francis gives us food for thought in plea for governments to work together

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    Francis drew a standing ovation on Monday at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, where he marked World Food Day.

    He called for governments to work together to tackle the interconnected problems of hunger, global warming and migration.

    He cited the Paris climate accord, in which governments committed to capping heat-trapping emissions, as an example of taking action to combat global warming based on scientific evidence.

    But in what appeared to be a jab at the United States, which is leaving the accord, Francis lamented that “unfortunately some are distancing themselves from it”.

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