Worship song of the Month is - Heaven's Work by Vineyard Worship

‘Sunday Best’ Judge,Yolanda Adams Reveals Reason for Postponing Music

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Yolanda Adams has already tackled the gospel music industry, but now she is gearing up to make her mark on the world of skin care, television, books and movies…report by CP

Adams, 52, is well known in the gospel music industry for a powerhouse voice that has earned her a number of accolades including four Grammy Awards, sixteen Stellar Gospel Music Awards, four Dove Awards, and a host of others that include an American Music Award, NAACP Image Awards and BET Awards. While the singer has not released an album in three years, her work schedule has done anything but slow down.

She has returned to BET’s “Sunday Best” gospel music competition where she currently serves as a judge each Sunday and let The Christian Post know why the role is important to her after joining the show in 2010.

“I get the chance to pour back into some young people who think they know what this business is all about, to help them understand that it’s more than just the presentation on the stage,” Adams told The Christian Post. “It really is about honing your craft and doing something away from the cameras and just being happy that you’re a part of something that’s this huge.”

Aside from starring on the popular television program, Adams also hosts a syndicated radio show, “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” where she is heard in at least 39 markets. While her voice has been heard on many radio stations throughout the years, the veteran singer has managed to make history as a radio broadcaster.

Although Adams is happy to be the first woman in gospel music to have a morning radio show in a market dominated by men, she realizes that there was a bigger purpose for her taking over the platform each morning.

“I really love helping people and that is my job with this morning show. My job is to let everyone know that they can make it, they don’t have to live their lives in defeat,” Adams told CP. “..Whatever they speak out of their mouth they get, whether it’s good or whether it’s bad. Now we’re coming up on 10 years and it was an answer to a prayer because as a single mother I wanted to be home most of the week so I could give my full attention to my daughter.”

The singer shares her 13-year-old daughter with her ex-husband Tim Crawford, and despite their divorce insists that she and her ex-husband are the best of friends, who have a mutually pleasant co-parenting experience.

“Well one of the myths about divorce, is that somebody did something…There are just times when it just doesn’t fit anymore, for whatever reason,” Adams told CP. “When people tell you ‘hey I just can’t do this anymore, you’ve got to respect that.’ So what you do is you respect that person’s feelings, you respect that person’s space.”

While countless people deal with divorce, broken and blended families Adams does not subscribe to the notion of only leaning on God when those situations occur. The singer is passionate about being a Christian whose faith is always a vital part of her life, both in good times and bad.

“Your faith is who you are. Your faith is not something you pick up during hard times,” she told CP. “This is what I’ve tried to tell people with my life and my ministry in so many ways. Hey listen, you don’t just pick up your faith when you feel like it, faith is you every day.”

Adams seems perplexed by the questions that some people have for Christians about their faith, when Buddhists and Muslim believers are not questioned in the same way.

“It’s so interesting that we never asks Buddhists ‘well how has your faith helped you?’ You know with buddhists you automatically think, they meditate in the morning and they have a calm spirit during the day,” she told CP. “We never ask a Muslim, ‘how does your faith do so and so?’ Nobody ever asks them that question, it’s always asked of Christians. And it’s like, wouldn’t it be the same?”

She elaborated further by asking, “Aren’t you supposed to be a God fearing person every single day of your life?”

While leaning on her faith each day, Adams has not slowed down from adding to her workload which means her fans will not hear new music until 2015. But it may all be well worth it when fans

“I know I said 2014 we would have (music) but I’ve been so busy. I’ve been on movie sets, on television, I’m finishing my book ‘Points of Power 2,'” Adams told CP. “I have two books that I’m in the process of writing because it’s just like ‘whoah this is crazy.’ And I bless God for that because (being busy) is like my best friend I love it.”

Adams will also appear in the movie “Ride Along 2” alongside Kevin Hart and has released her own line of skin care products, called Simply Yolanda that she formulated with the help of chemists and doctors.

Although she has not released new music lately, Adams says she is happy with the state of gospel music.

“I think gospel music is in a prime place for exactly what God is doing with it. He’s taking it out of the four walls of confinement and he’s placing it everywhere,” she told CP. “So God’s message gets out no matter what anybody tries to do. I just believe the music that we honor God and prepare to help the people with, it’s going to always be well.”

Original Post by Christian Post

Justin Bieber returns to Christian Faith Again

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Justin Bieber returns to Christian Faith Again

Justin Bieber has embraced his on and off again Christian faith recently as he was seen attending Pastor Judah Smith’s Bible study at the City Church in Los Angeles with former girlfriend Selena Gomez on Wednesday night…by CP

The 20-year-old pop star has also taken to his social media accounts lately to post faith-inspired tweets and Bible verses on Instagram. According to U.K.-based The Mirror, Bieber is reportedly slowing down his party lifestyle after being involved in an altercation with actor Orlando Bloom following a night of partying in Ibiza, Spain last month.

“Every day we wake God blesses us with new opportunities. Be better. Be great,” tweeted Bieber on August 12. Two days later he wrote, “God is good” and “Who is your anchor? God is good @judahsmith.”

Over the last year, Bieber has surrounded himself with spiritual mentors including Pastor Carl Lentz of Hillsong New York City, where the singer was baptized.

Earlier this year, Lentz noted that he has been helping Bieber get through his behavior, which he is known to constantly struggle with.

“I love Justin, he’s a good kid. He’s trying to figure this out,” Lentz told CBN. “His behavior … you know, he’s figuring it out. What should we do? … People who are like, ‘Is he even a Christian?’ With Justin, I tell people grace and acceptance does not mean approval. I can accept you as a human being and not approve of your actions. That’s how we’ve been loved. We love because we were first loved.”

He added, “With Justin, it’s not my job to be his police officer. It’s my job to be a friend to him, and that’s all I am.”

Smith has also defended Bieber’s character in the past. At one point, the Seattle-based megachurch pastor made it clear that he was counseling the singer after allegations surfaced that Bieber had allegedly slept with a Brazilian prostitute, disrespected the Argentine flag, and illegally tagged a hotel wall, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I don’t envy the scrutiny that he carries,” Smith said. “He lives a very blessed life, but with those blessings comes a lot of responsibility and expectations from people. Justin is digging deep and discovering. … But he’s an extraordinarily compassionate, considerate, loving person who’s very loyal and committed to the people in his world. I wish more people saw that side of him.”

Smith’s Los Angeles Bible studies also attract Hollywood notables like actress Vanessa Hudgens, E! News anchor Jason Kennedy and Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette.

Original Post by Christian Post

Holiday Suggestions from Yahoo Travel

Travel

CM Editor

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Cheval Blanc Randheli, The Maldives

Poolside at Cheval Blanc, The Maldives
Poolside at Cheval Blanc, The Maldives

One of the hottest hotels in the world right now, this super-luxe five-star (it’s owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took a post-baby break earlier in the year. Even your arrival, via the resort’s seaplane, is liable to cause a frenzy of ‘likes’ on Instagram. And it continues to be spectacular, with modern design featuring plenty of glass and white, so nothing detracts from the views of turquoise lagoon and golden sand. Accommodations is fit for royalty, particularly if you book an over-water villa, which has an outdoor dining pergola and infinity pool. It’s all about ‘experiences’ here: sunset cruises on the resort’s private dhoni (yacht), Guerlain spa treatments, diving in coral lagoons, a sun ritual in the spa to prepare your body for tanning and dining beneath the stars on the beach. Get us there now.
Do it! Destinology offers seven nights from £6559pp incl seaplane transfers and flights.

Cotton House Mustique, Caribbean

The beach at Cotton House, Caribbean
The beach at Cotton House, Caribbean

A snap of this perfect beach in your Facebook feed is going to look ah-maze-ing. It’s called Endeavour Bay, a sublime stretch of sand overlooked by The Cotton House, a colonial-style mansion where X Factor judge and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole tied the knot to Jean-Bernard Fernandez in June (more bragging points!). As well as the beach, the estate also covers 13 acres of gardens, plus has a spa, tiny boutique, Veranda restaurant and beach café with ice cream parlour and bar. And to be in with a chance of getting that all-important celeb #selfie, attend the weekly cocktail party in the Great House, which has been known to attract A-listers holidaying on the island.
Do it! Seven nights at Cotton House from £1975pp.

[The Best Boutique Hotels In The World]
[The World’s Most Luxurious Hotels]

Aman Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

Aman Sveti Stefan,Montenegro
Aman Sveti Stefan,Montenegro

If you’re looking for somewhere really jaw-dropping, this resort on its own island ticks all the boxes. Set on a picture-perfect island accessed by a stone causeway, it houses an historic village dating back as far as the 15th century and in its 60s heyday attracted stars like Sophia Loren. Now sympathetically resorted by Aman resorts, it’s a wonderful 50-suite escape, with a maze of cobbled streets leading to a central piazza where you can dine on Mediterranean cuisine and party late into the candle-lit night. Wow.
Do it! Monarch flies to Dubrovnik in Croatia, just 16kms from Montenegro.

La Mamounia, Morocco

The view from La Manounia, Morocco
The view from La Manounia, Morocco

It girl Poppy Delevigne promted a tsunami of ‘likes’ when she and her celeb pals (Alexa, Suki, Georgia, Sienna and sister Cara) posted Instagram pictures of themselves at a recent bash in Morocco. Where were they? The legendary La Mamounia, one of Morocco’s most luxurious hotels, a place guaranteed to get your friends clammering for details. Make like Poppy and party in the desert, with camel rides and fireworks, then head back to the hotel (once Winston Churchill’s favourite) to enjoy (and take multiple pictures, obvs) of the 20-acre Royal gardens, filled with palms and 100-year-old olive trees, and dine on delicious tajines at candle-lit La Marocain restaurant.
Do it! Rooms from £396.

Israel Air Strike Kills Three Top Hamas Commanders

Middle East

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Israel Air Strike Kills Three Top Hamas Commanders

An Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip on Thursday has killed three top Hamas commanders that it had identified as having “planned deadly attacks against Israeli civilians.” …report by CP

Israel and the Palestinian militant group have resumed fighting following the collapse of a 10-day ceasefire.

The three senior Hamas military figures who were among six killed were identified as Mohammed Abu Shammala, Raed al-Attar and Mohammed Barhoum, with Hamas stating that they died in the bombing of a house in the southern town of Rafah.

Hamas has vowed revenge against the air strike, with spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri telling Reuters:

“The assassinations of the three Qassam leaders is a grave crime. But it will not break our people and Israel will pay the price for it.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the “outstanding intelligence” that led to the successful operation and said that the Hamas leaders “planned deadly attacks against Israeli civilians.” The Israeli military and Shin Bet, the internal security service, confirmed that the death of two of the leaders today were the most senior Hamas leaders killed by Israel since the Gaza conflict began on July 8.

The 10-day truce in Gaza collapsed on Tuesday after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, which retaliated by launching air strikes at terrorist targets.

The renewal of hostile activities put on hold long-term peace talks in Cairo, with Israel recalling its negotiators, noting that the rockets fired from Gaza “made continuation of talks impossible.”

Over 2,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since the violent conflict began. While Hamas has blamed Israeli aggression for the death toll, Netanyahu has said that militants are using people as “human shields” and are hiding out in residential areas from where they launch their attacks.

BBC News said that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif had survived another Israeli strike a day earlier that reportedly killed his wife and child.

The strike on Rafah on Thursday reportedly demolished a four-storey building, with dozens of people still missing, according to Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Kidra.

The three commanders that were killed played key roles in operations including smuggling, tunnel construction and the capturing of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.

Israel’s military has carried out some 20 strikes in Gaza overnight in response to militant rocket attacks, noting that as many as 213 rockets have been fired at Israel since the ceasefire collapsed.

Egypt has expressed its “profound regret” at the collapse of the 10-day truce, but said that it would continue trying to broker a long-term deal.

The UN Security Council has also voiced its “grave concern” at the resumption of violence in Gaza and called both parties to “resume negotiations to urgently reach a sustainable and lasting ceasefire.”

Netanyahu has meanwhile said that fighting could go on for a long while, until Israel completes its mission of eliminating terrorist threats.

“This will be a continuous campaign,” the Israeli Prime Minister told reporters.

Israel said that it has destroyed over 30 terror tunnels in Gaza that had been used by militants to carry out attacks on Israeli people, and added that no tunnel-based attacks have taken place in the past 10 days.

Original Post by Christian Post

God Still Protects Israel: Strange mighty wind diverts incoming missile

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God Still Protects Israel: Strange mighty wind diverts incoming missile

Despite a barrage of missiles fired at Israel by Hamas, there have been remarkably few civilian casualties, partly due to Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, but it may also be due to an unseen Defender who controls the wind and the waves…report by God Reports

The Iron Dome system is effective 90 percent of the time, but the 10 percent of missiles that get through might be expected to do some significant damage, but they haven’t so far.

In one remarkable case, an Israeli Iron Dome operator says he witnessed ‘the hand of God’ divert an incoming Hamas rocket into the sea during the week of July 27th.

According to Israel Today, the commander said, “A missile was fired from Gaza. Iron Dome precisely calculated [its trajectory]. We know where these missiles are going to land down to a radius of 200 meters. This particular missile was going to hit either the Azrieli Towers, the Kirya (Israel’s equivalent of the Pentagon) or [a central Tel Aviv railway station]. Hundreds could have died.”

The commander took the appropriate action to stop the missile. “We fired the first [interceptor]. It missed.”

Then a second interceptor was fired and it missed.

“This is very rare. I was in shock,” the commander reported.

“At this point we had just four seconds until the missile lands. We had already notified emergency services to converge on the target location and had warned of a mass-casualty incident,” he said.

But then something amazing happened. “Suddenly, Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds, among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that … sends the missile into the sea. We were all stunned.”

With only four seconds to stop it, a mighty wind came from nowhere and diverted the missile!

The commander stood up and shouted, “There is a God!”

“I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. It was not told or reported to me. I saw the hand of God send that missile into the sea,” he said.

During the same week, Col. Ofer Winter, commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade, described a mysterious fog that enveloped him and his troops as they advanced on an enemy position in the early morning, according to Israel Today.

They had planned a nighttime raid, but it was postponed. So there was concern about whether his troops would be spotted without the cover of darkness. Instead, the thick fog provided the covering they needed to complete their operation successfully.

Col. Winter labeled the covering as “clouds of glory.”

Earlier in the Gaza war, Col. Winter sparked some debate when he told his troops to lead the charge against an enemy that “curses, defames and abuses the God of Israel.”

Col. Winter also told his troops he was praying that the “Lord your God go with you, to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.”

Even the leaders of Hamas noticed the unusual help that Israel seemed to be receiving from above. “We do aim [our rockets], but their God changes their path in mid-air,” an unnamed Hamas commander reportedly said.

Original report by God Reports

Obama condemns the beheading of James Foley by ISIS

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Obama condemns the beheading of James Foley by ISIS

President Barack Obama has condemned the beheading of American journalist James Foley at the hands of terror group ISIS, describing its ideology as “bankrupt” and stating that “no just God” would stand for its violent acts…report by CP

He also pledged that despite the militants’ threats, the U.S. will not be backing down from military operations against them.

“Jim was taken from us in an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world. He was 40 years old – one of five siblings, the son of a mom and dad who worked tirelessly for his release. Earlier today, I spoke to the Foleys and told them that we are all heartbroken at their loss, and join them in honoring Jim and all that he did,” Obama said in his statement on Wednesday.

“So ISIL speaks for no religion. Their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim, and no faith teaches people to massacre innocents. No just God would stand for what they did yesterday, and for what they do every single day. ISIL has no ideology of any value to human beings. Their ideology is bankrupt. They may claim out of expediency that they are at war with the United States or the West, but the fact is they terrorize their neighbors and offer them nothing but an endless slavery to their empty vision, and the collapse of any definition of civilized behavior.”

On Tuesday, ISIS released a video showing the apparent beheading of Foley. The Islamic militants also threatened a second American journalist, believed to be Steven Sotloff, and warned that his life depends on Obama ending military operations in Iraq.

The U.S. has aided the Kurdish and the central Iraqi governments with arms and airstrikes in their battle against ISIS, which has captured significant territory in Iraq and Syria. Despite the militants’ threats in the video, Obama said that the American government will not be backing down from its initiative.

“They have rampaged across cities and villages – killing innocent, unarmed civilians in cowardly acts of violence. They abduct women and children, and subject them to torture and rape and slavery. They have murdered Muslims – both Sunni and Shia – by the thousands. They target Christians and religious minorities, driving them from their homes, murdering them when they can for no other reason than they practice a different religion. They declared their ambition to commit genocide against an ancient people,” Obama stated.

“The United States of America will continue to do what we must do to protect our people. We will be vigilant and we will be relentless. When people harm Americans, anywhere, we do what’s necessary to see that justice is done. And we act against ISIL, standing alongside others.”

Foley had reportedly disappeared in northwest Syria in November 2012 after he was forced into a vehicle by gunmen. He had been working for U.S.-based online news outlet GlobalPost.

Foley’s family, who had been searching for their son, responded to the news in a Facebook message, grieving the loss of the journalist’s life.

“We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people,” reads a message by Diane Foley, his mother.

“We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world.”

Obama remembered the American citizen in his speech, describing him as “a journalist, a son, a brother, and a friend.”

“He reported from difficult and dangerous places, bearing witness to the lives of people a world away. He was taken hostage nearly two years ago in Syria, and he was courageously reporting at the time on the conflict there,” the president said.

“Jim Foley’s life stands in stark contrast to his killers.”

Original Post by Christian Post

“ISIS Is An Enemy of Islam”, Says Top Saudi Cleric

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“ISIS Is An Enemy of Islam”, Says Top Saudi Cleric

Saudi Arabia’s top religious official has recently denounced the Islamic State terrorist organization, better known as ISIS…by CP

Following the words of other Muslim leaders, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh issued a statement Tuesday that was released by the Saudi Press Agency.

“Extremist and militant ideas and terrorism which spread decay on earth, destroying human civilization,” said al-Sheikh, “are not in any way part of Islam, but are enemy number one of Islam, and Muslims are their first victims.”

The Saudi Grand Mufti’s comments were the latest of several Muslim leaders both religious and secular, from Indonesia to Egypt, condemning the actions and views of ISIS.

Formed out of al-Qaida in Iraq last year and led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS has garnered international attention for its military victories and horrid atrocities.

Occupying large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, ISIS has been known for its violent treatment of religious minorities, Muslims, and others.

Their atrocities have prompted Kurdish forces in Northern Iraq, with the aid of U.S. airstrikes, to fight the organization.

In a video posted online earlier this week, an ISIS terrorist was shown beheading American journalist James Foley.

“[We] are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We will provide more information when it is available,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden, according to CNN.

Speaking from his vacation at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts Wednesday, President Barack Obama said the “entire world is appalled” and the nation is “heartbroken” by the news of Foley’s murder,” USA Today reports.

While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is governed, in part, by a strict Islamic school of thought known as Wahhabism, Reuters reports that there are certain differences between Wahhabism and ISIS.

“Although senior Wahhabi clerics endorse execution by beheading for offenses that include apostasy, adultery and sorcery, oppose women driving or working and describe Shi’ites as heretics, they differ from al Qaeda and Islamic State militants in opposing violent revolt,” noted Reuters.

“Riyadh has been a main supporter of rebels battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but has funneled arms and money away from Islamic State and al Qaeda toward other opposition groups.”

The Grand Mufti’s declaration came days after the Kingdom donated $100 million to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre.

“Terrorism is an evil that must be eradicated from the world through international efforts,” stated Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel al-Jubeir.

Original Post by Christian Post

Is it a Sin for a Christian to Drink Alcohol or Wine?

CM Editor

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Is it a Sin for a Christian to Drink Alcohol or Wine?

By S. Michael Houdmann of Got Religion

Question: “What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?”

Answer:Scripture has much to say regarding the drinking of alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…”
What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol in excess to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but not necessarily to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12).

Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others, it is often best for a Christian to abstain from drinking alcohol.

Recommended Resources: God Is for the Alcoholic by Bernard Palmer and Logos Bible Software.

S. Michael Houdmann is CEO of Got Questions Ministries.

Original Posting by Christian Post | Picture by CP | Flickr/Uncalno – Creative Commons

New Hardware Gadget for your Android Phone

CM Editor

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New Hardware Gadget for your Android Phone

[youtube]http://youtu.be/vWWM6d_PFkM[/youtube]

MAKE YOUR PHONE DO ANYTHING INSTANTLY
AndroidPressy – The Almighty Android Button!Android

“…The Customisable Hardware Button Your Android Phone Has Been Waiting For” – TechCrunch

“What does this new button do? Just about anything you want.” – Yahoo News

“……two clicks could launch Maps, one long press could open a voice recorder. Handy.” – 2013 Stuff Gadget Awards

7 Reasons the AG’s Centennial Celebration Inspired My Heart – by Steve Strang

CM Editor

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7 Reasons the AG’s Centennial Celebration Inspired My Heart – by Steve Strang

Steve Strang writes, “7 Reasons the AG’s Centennial Celebration Inspired My Heart”

General Superintendent George Wood said the goal of the Assemblies of God Centennial in Springfield, Missouri, last week was to be a celebration, a revival and to establish a strong vision for missions for the Fellowship for the next 100 years.

For me it was all this and more. The conference’s speakers, from around the world including a pastor from Iraq, inspired me. The worship and the altar calls touched me. The effective use of multimedia in the services and the attention to detail wowed me. I’ll even admit that I enjoyed one evening where they sang the songs I grew up with such as “All Hail The Power of Jesus Name” or Doris Akers’ “There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit in this Place,” “I’ll Fly Away” and many others.

I’ve written a lot recently online and in print about the Assemblies of God. But after coming home, I wanted to give this short report of seven reasons the AG100 event touched my heart:

In a world where secularism seems to be gaining ground and the church seems to be on the retreat, it seemed that the Assemblies of God is growing (a new church begins every 39 minutes) and has vision for the future. There even seems to be new life in the headquarters where the staff seems to have more of an attitude of service and focus on the vision to be the greatest evangelism force the world has ever known.
I was particularly impressed by an initiative coming out of the youth department called The Human Right emphasizes the need not only to fight for “human rights” in the traditional humanitarian sense, but for the “ultimate human right”—everyone has to hear the gospel.
We had a booth and gave out copies of the special anniversary issue we did in August. If you missed that story, you can click here to read it. It is long—over 5000 words. But it gives a Time-magazine type of journalistic look at the Assemblies. Like any other writer, I was able to only evaluate what is going on from my personal perspective of being fourth generation AG and as an observer of the of the denomination as a journalist for more than half it’s existence.
The opportunity to connect with some key Assemblies leaders like Doug Clay, the General Treasurer, Sol Arledge, the headquarters’ COO, and Dr. Carol Taylor the new president of Evangel University.
The chance to meet old friends such as David Grant (missionary to India) and friends of my parents going back to the 1940s such as missionary Doris Johnson (who at age 83 is still a missionary to Brazil)

… read more

Steve Strang is the founder and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter at @sstrang or Facebook.

Original Post by Chrisma News