////
 |
| "For
the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword..."
Heb. 4:13 | | The
illustrations that are used to describe the Word of God throughout the Bible suggest
its energy and power. It is compared in the Psalms to a lamp, a light to guide
the feet. Light is positive; darkness is negative. Light dispels darkness. The
rays of the sun flash from world to world across millions of miles of space in
time measured by seconds, and that is only a faint type of the flashing of spiritual
light. Again, the Word of God is compared to a hammer to break the rock in pieces,
so that no opposition can withstand it. In Jeremiah it is said, "Is not my word
like as a fire? saith the Lord."....We are therefore not surprised to find the
Word of God compared in this text to a sword and not only to a sword, but one
sharper than "any two-edged sword." | | | //
Be
advised that some of the viewpoints espoused on this page may not be held by the
editor. News For Christians is a news digest, pulling links from all over
the web. The articles found here represent a window into what is being written
about religion and Christianity, not necessarily the editor's personal views.
Please read with these points in mind. |
 |
| "Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." |
| Matthew
25:13 | | But
this verse of warning which comes at the end of the parable has one special point.
It brings out one kind of power in the anticipations of the future which is very
striking. Watch, Jesus says, not merely because there is to be a future,
but because you cannot know what the future is. Watch, for you know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Here is a sort of life enjoined
of watchfulness. I hope we shall see clearly enough before we are done that watchful-
ness is not a single act, nor a special habit, but a whole new character of a
man's life.. | | | //.../..//
 |
| "But
this I say, brethren, the time is short...for the fashion of this world passeth
away" | | I
Cor. 7:29,31 | | ...The
time of this world's con- tinuance is short. "The end of all things is at hand"—"The
fashion of this world passeth away." A believer stands on a watchtower —things
present are below his feet—things eternal are before his eyes. A little while,
brethren, and the day of grace will be over—preaching, praying will be done. Soon
we shall give over wrestling with an unbelieving world—soon the number of believers
shall be complete, and the sky open over our heads, and Christ shall come. His
parting cry was: "Surely I come quickly." | | | /
.///./////////./
 |
| "And
when Jesus was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou
hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto
thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." |
| Luke
19:41-42 | | My
dear friends, here is a solemn lesson to be learned from this text. What
is true of nations, and of whole churches, is very often true of single persons-
-of each of us. To most men--to all Christian men, perhaps--there comes
a day of visitation, a crisis, or turning-point in our lives. A day when
Christ sets be- fore us, as he did to those Jews, good and evil, light and dark-
ness, right and wrong, and says, Choose! Choose at once, and choose for
ever; for by what you choose this day, by that you must abide till death.
If you make a mistake now, you will rue it to the last. If you take the
downward road now, you will fall lower and lower upon it hence- forth. If
you shut your eyes now to the things which belong to your peace, they will be
hid from your eyes for ever; and nothing but darkness, ignorance, and con- fusion
will be before you always. | | | |
Abbas
Gets Arab Backing To Enter Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
Setting
the stage for the Palestinians to negotiate directly with Israel, the Arab League
agreed in principle today to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas holding face-to-face
peace talks with Israel. MORE |
Obama Administration's
Defense of 'Day of Prayer' Called Inadaquate
A
coalition of pro-family groups has called the Obama administration's defense of
the National Day of Prayer inadequate. This past spring, a federal judge ruled
the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. In response, the U.S. Justice
Department filed a lawsuit defending the Day of Prayer. MORE |
Obama
On Talk Show: How Did He Do?
Reviews
of President Obama on "The View," an ABC daytime chat show, have been appearing
from the moment the opening clip concluded. Prior to the actual event, political
strategists and media experts alike speculated that the visit to a decidedly “soft
news” venue could be either genius of folly. But the actual post-mortems
turned out to be much less extreme. Some deride the glitzy setting, and others
approve his upbeat tone, while generally agreeing no major shift occurred in either
pro or con. Most, however, agree on one point: The move is yet another example
of how the former US senator from Illinois is redefining the American presidency.
MORE |  |
| Evangelist
Benny Hinn Asks Supporters for $2M in Donations
Evangelist
Benny Hinn has posted a plea on his web site asking for $2 million in donations.
The Texas-based minister said his ministry has accumulated a deficit in the last
few months because there hasn't been the usual amount of offerings at his international
speaking engagements. MORE |
Catholics in India
Province Claim Persecution by Baptists
Baptists
in Nagaland defended themselves against charges of anti-Catholic bigotry after
villagers tore down a Catholic church because the town allows churches only of
the Baptist denomination. The controversy has generated widespread media attention
pitting Catholics against the Nagaland Baptist Church Council. MORE |
Study: Homosexuality
Linked with Childhood Trauma
A
recent Otago University study has found that homosexual or bisexual individuals
are more likely to have undergone a variety of of traumas in childhood, including
sexual assault, rape, violence, and witnessing violence in the home. "People who
either identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual, or have had a same-sex encounter
or relationship, tend to come from more disturbed backgrounds," said Research
Professor Elisabeth Wells. MORE |
Steve
Lemke: The Baptist Doctrine of the 'Age of Accountability'
The
doctrine often called the “age of accountability” is one of the most foundational
Baptist beliefs, yet it is also one of the least understood beliefs....We all
know that individual children mature at different rates than do others, so it
is difficult to establish a specific age at which all children become morally
accountable. It is therefore more accurate to speak of a “state” of being
accountable rather than an “age” of accountability. However, apart from
mentally challenged individuals, this state of accountability is normally associated
with a “coming of age” sometime in adolescence. The life transition from
childhood into adolescence and early adulthood is recognized with.... MORE |
Babies Saved from
Abortion Pay Visit to U.S. Congressmen
In
the wake of a bill introduced in Congress that could threaten the life-saving
work of crisis pregnancy centers, congressmen on Capitol Hill this week got a
chance to listen to key members of a pint-sized constituency whose lives were
profoundly touched by such centers. MORE |
Students Punished
for Opposing Homosexuality
Christian
students at two different universities are being punished for disagreeing with
their schools' policies on homosexuality. Julea Ward was expelled from the
graduate program in school counseling at Eastern Michigan University. She told
her professors that her faith would keep her from affirming the gay lifestyle...
MORE |
Feminagirls:
Bikini Bathing Suits & Christian Women
....What
does wearing a bikini do to the one wearing it? What does wearing a bikini do
to your daughter? What impact is it having on her? I’m not even talking about
what impact it has on the guys. That’s their problem. But what does it do to the
woman herself? MORE |
Martha's Vineyard:
Rich in Revival's Power
When
you think of Martha's Vineyard, images of a playground for the rich and famous
may come to mind. However, the popular vacation spot has a strong Christian heritage
and has been the site of powerful revivals in the past. Now the Massachusetts
island is witnessing another move of God. MORE |
Pro-Life
Groups Seek Probe Into Kagan’s Clinton-Era Role in Partial Birth Abortion Debate
More
than 30 pro-life organizations are calling on senators to investigate Supreme
Court nominee Elena Kagan’s record with regards to partial-birth abortion while
serving as a Clinton administration attorney. The Senate Judiciary Committee already
sent Kagan’s nomination to the full Senate for a vote, which is expected next
week. President Barack Obama nominated Kagan, the U.S. solicitor general, to be
an associate justice on the high court in May. “The undersigned organizations
are writing today to express our strong opposition to the confirmation of Elena
Kagan to the Supreme Court,” the... MORE |  |
| Chicago’s
‘Bubble Zone’ Lands Praying Pro-Lifer in Court
A
pro-life protestor, arrested while praying his rosary in front of a Chicago Planned
Parenthood, is pleading “not guilty” to charges that he violated Chicago’s “bubble
zone” ordinance which protects abortion clinics MORE |
Pastor in Russian
Republic of Dagestan Killed
A
pastor in the Russian republic of Dagestan known for founding the biggest Protestant
church in the region and for successfully reaching out to Muslims has been killed
by unidentified gunmen, authorities have confirmed.. MORE |
Gospel Singer Doug
Oldham Dead at 79
Doug
Oldham, a prolific gospel singer and ministry partner of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell,
died July 21 at the age of 79.
Oldham,
who was a soloist at Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church and helped the evangelist
raise money to start Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., died at a Virginia
hospital while awaiting back surgery. MORE |
Mormons See Potential
in Online Proselytizing
Not
so long ago, Mormon missionaries were prohibited from using the Internet, even
to contact their families. The system then loosened a bit to allow weekly e-mails
home and some occasional viewing of church materials. Now the nearly 14 million-member
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is attempting to revolutionize the
way Mormons find converts -- and it's all online. MORE |
|
| Update
for Thursday, July 29th, 2010 |
Florida Church
Plans 'Burn a Quran' Day to Mark 9/11
A
controversial Florida church known for publicly condemning what it considers sins
plans to burn copies of Islam's holy book on the upcoming 9th anniversary of the
9-11 terrorist attacks. The non-denominational Dove World Outreach Center, which
has in the past joined the extremist Westboro Baptist Church in protesting homosexuality,
is organizing the “International Burn A Quran Day” to oppose Islam...a “violent
& oppressive religion.” MORE |
'Anti-Islamic'
Bus Ads Appear In Major Cities
The
growing debate over Islam's place in America, which is escalating in light of
plans to build a mosque near ground zero, is increasingly playing out on city
streets across the country. On the sides of buses.... MORE |
Georgia Man Wants
To Donate Organs -While He Is Still Alive!
An
ailing Georgia man with an incurable disease wants doctors to end his life so
he can donate his organs. Two years ago, 62-year-old Gary Phebus was diagnosed
with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which
is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and
spinal cord. Upon learning of his condition, Phebus began researching about organ
donation and eventually decided he wanted to end his life and donate his organs
immediately. MORE |
Poll
Says It's No Longer 'Bush's Fault'
The
summer of the discontented voter steams onward and, unfortunately for President
Obama, polls show voters are no longer blaming the bad times on the George W.
Bush administration. Add Hispanics to the growing list of Obama supporters disgruntled
by aspects of the presidents performance, in what has become for the White House
and Democrats a seemingly daily beat of gloomy polls...."A lot of these folks
wouldn't like him no matter what, but I think the country has pretty much the
same problems it did before Obama took office — at least that's how voters feel
— and more and more that's becoming Obama's fault rather than Bush's fault," said
Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling. MORE |  |
| Court
Upholds Expulsion of Counseling Student Who Opposes Homosexuality
A federal
judge has ruled in favor of a public university that removed a Christian student
from its graduate program in school counseling over her belief that homosexuality
is morally wrong . MORE |
'Fat
Tax' Would Help Cover Germany's Health Care Costs
Germans
who are overweight could end up paying more for their health insurance.
Marco Wanderwitz, a member of the German Parliament, is proposing what's being
called the "fat tax." He said the tax is needed, because overweight people
are driving up the cost of health care and it is not fair to the rest of the citizens.
MORE |
Study: Socializing
Can Help You Live Longer
Your
friends may be more valuable than you think. Researchers of a new
study at Brigham Young University have found that people with strong social relationships
live 50 percent longer. MORE |
Rhode Island School
Caves To ACLU Demands
Saying
they can't afford a court battle with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),
school officials in Cranston, Rhode Island, will likely amend the wording of a
prayer banner in a school auditorium. MORE |
Evangelicals
Confront Western Europe's Spiritual Malaise
Western
Europe has become a region of “empty nominalism” and “confused spirituality,”
said the chairman of the Keswick Convention. Dr. Jonathan Lamb told this year’s
Keswick Convention that while millions of people in Europe define themselves as
Christian, they regard themselves as Christian only by nationality, culture, or....
MORE |
Report Reveals
Ineffectiveness of Methodist Structures
As
United Methodists in the U.S. continue to count losses in worship attendance and
membership, the denomi- nation is re-evaluating its structures and making efforts
to identify and address the challenges it faces. MORE |
Hormones: The Balance
of a Healthy Body
For
those who often find themselves eating too much of the wrong food -- out of control
hormones could be to blame for the cravings. Research shows that hormones
affect behavior, including eating habits. And balancing hormones is a way to not
only lose weight, but also improve overall health. MORE |
Court Upholds 'In
God We Trust' Phrase on Money
A
federal appeals court has ruled against a lawsuit to remove "In God We Trust"
from U.S. currency, dismissing claims that the phrase was unconstitutional.
Carlos Kidd, an atheist from Texas, sued President Barack Obama and Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke because he felt including God on national currency violated
the separation of church and state. MORE |
Bible Prophecy
Today: A Forecast of Economic Doom
The
folks at the Office of Management and Budget have released an update of the budget
deficit. The latest estimate shows the budget deficit reaching a record $1.47
trillion this year. The government is now borrowing 41 cents of every dollar it
spends. The forecast for the U.S. is incredibly dire. MORE |
Economic Collapse
Blog: WATER SHORTAGE!
Ever
since the beginning of this nation, Americans have always been able to take for
granted that there would always be plenty of fresh water. But unfortunately
that is rapidly changing. Due to pollution, corruption, inefficiency and
the never ending greed of the global elite, the United States is heading
for a very serious water shortage. MORE |
|
| Update
for Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 |
Opposition Mounts
Against ObamaCare Tax Provision
Business
advocates are hoping Congress scraps a tax provision in the health care overhaul
law that they say is overly burdensome to smaller companies.
MORE |
103 U.S. Banks
Have Collapsed In 2010 - Do You Know If Your Bank Will Survive?
Have
you ever noticed how almost all U.S. bank closings are now announced over the
weekend? It is almost as if someone wants to keep the increasing number
of bank closures out of the news cycle as much as possible. The Obama administration
continues to use phrases like "green shoots" and "economic recovery", but the
truth is that the U.S. banking system is in the middle of a meltdown.
MORE |
'No Leverage' in
Newt Gingrich's Ground Zero Mosque Argument
Newt
Gingrich offers a “provocative” argument about the proposed Ground Zero mosque
and Saudi Arabia’s church building policy, but it has “no leverage,” said a religious
freedom expert. MORE |
Twelve Cars Burn
In S.C. Church Parking Lot During Sunday Service
Authorities
say a fire that burned nearly a dozen vehicles at a large South Carolina church
was an accident. Multiple media outlets reported the fire started around
11:30 a.m. Sunday at NewSpring Church in Anderson County. MORE |
New President:
God Can Save the Philippines
An
ecumenical prayer by a Catholic bishop, Protestants, and a Muslim opened the first
State-of-the-Nation address of the newly elected Philippine President Benigno
Aquino lll. During his presidential campaign, Aquino pledged to end poverty
by first ending corruption. MORE |
Poll: Most Americans
Would Back Israel Attack On Iran
More
than half of Americans would support Israel taking military action against Iran,
according to a poll released on Wednesday. The poll was conducted by TIPP,
the polling unit of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, a U.S. research firm of
both syndicated and custom Market Research solutions. MORE |
Missionary's Flying
Car Travels to Wis. Air Show
The
missionary inventor who designed a flying car to help spread the Gospel throughout
the world will showcase his invention at one of the biggest aviation shows in
the world this weekend. MORE |
Evangelists
Benny Hinn, Paula White Deny Affair Allegations
Television
evangelists Benny Hinn and Paula White are denying reports that allege the two
are having an affair. On July 23, The National Enquirer published photos
of Hinn and White leaving a Rome hotel together, holding hands. While both Hinn,
57, and White, 44, have admitted to being friends for over two decades...
MORE |
Half the Israeli
Public Wants to See Holy Temple Rebuilt
Half
the Israeli public wants the Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash) to be rebuilt. This
is the main finding of a poll commissioned by the Knesset Television Channel and
carried out by the Panels Institute. MORE |
Study:
Few Americans Say Faith is Top Priority
Although
the United States is known worldwide to be a religious nation, few Americans say
that faith is a top priority in their life. Nearly 90 percent of Americans, according
to the CIA World Factbook, identify themselves with a religion. But only 12 percent
of American adults say faith is a top priority in their life... MORE |
Albert Mohler:
Evangelicals and Science in Conversation — A One-Way Street?
From
time to time, a column in a newspaper is more revealing than its author probably
intended it to be. That seems to be the case with “Myths Widen the Science-Religion
Divide” by Elaine Howard Ecklund, published in USA Today. In her essay, Professor
Ecklund suggests that science and religion can enter into a constructive dialogue.
But a closer look at her essay reveals that this dialogue is a one-way street.
MORE |
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