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News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

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Forum Name: TOP NEWS - Worldwide Kingdom/Revival NEWS
Forum Discription: Daily News of What God is Doing Worldwide - Read and Comment
URL: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=40103
Printed Date: 01/18/2017 at 2:44am


Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

Posted By: News Room
Subject: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Date Posted: 07/19/2012 at 1:17pm

News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP"> Praise Reports - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin

Free Bibles for Olympic athletes

The Bible Society is preparing to distribute thousands of copies of the Bible among participants at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic Village Religious Services Centre will be handing out 3,000 copies of commemorative English-language Scriptures. Another 1,000 copies of Bibles and New Testaments will be available in other languages through partnerships with national Bible Societies around the world. David Willson, Chief Executive of More Than Gold, said: ‘At past Olympics and other major sports events I’ve seen athletes deeply grateful for the free gift of a Bible. The Bible Society are to be highly commended for their support in making such gifts possible.’ There are two different versions of the Bibles being distributed in the English language - The Sports Good News Bible and The Sports Good News Gospel of Luke. Both contain specially commissioned articles written to help sportspeople consider the relationships between sport and faith.

Praise:

God for this opportunity to offer His Word to Olympians. (Pr.30:5)

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New Christian TV package on Freeview

Revelation TV and SonLife Broadcasting Network have joined forces to provide a new package of channels on Freeview. The 'Christian TV' package offers Bible-based programming to audiences with either the latest FreeviewHD enabled television set or a set top box. It is the first package of free-to-view Christian channels broadcasting on Freeview channel 113 and is delivered by Vision247. Revelation TV is a Christian broadcaster with an established religious audience in the UK, while SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN) brings 24-hour Christian faith television from the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, based in Baton Rouge, in the US. From Freeview channel 113, viewers can access ‘Christian TV’ by navigating through the channel selection pages with the TV remote and choosing to watch live Christian TV.

Praise:

God for this increase in coverage of Christian TV. (1Tim.2:4)

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Brazil evangelical Christians hold huge Sao Paulo rally

More than a million Brazilian Christians have taken part in a ‘March for Jesus’ in Sao Paulo. Huge crowds thronged through the city's main avenues, accompanied by floats blasting out gospel music. The evangelical groups who organised the march described it as the ‘largest Christian event in the world’. Brazil has the largest Roman Catholic population in the world, but other Christian churches have grown enormously in recent decades. Christians came to Sao Paulo from all over Brazil to join the mass celebration of their faith. Police estimated that the number of people taking part was at least a million, and organisers said the figure was much higher. The ‘March for Jesus’ has been held annually since 1993, organised in part as a response to Sao Paulo's similarly massive Gay Pride event.

Praise:

God for this wonderful demonstration of faith. (Is.26:2)

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http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP - Return to Top

http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP"> London Games - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin

INSIGHT: Christian input into Olympics

Fusion is bringing people from 15 countries to take part in a Pilgrimage of Hope during the Olympic Games. From 22 July, 75 people from South America, Africa, Europe, China and Australia will be helping communities in the UK to enjoy the Games. After three days of training in community transformation, the pilgrims will head off in teams of 10 to work alongside local Christians in running community events, such as youth cafes, kids clubs and festivals. The outreach draws its inspiration from the legacy of small groups of Christians that many years ago made a huge impact, such as the Clapham Sect, which included William Wilberforce and campaigned successfully for an end to the slave trade. After eight days of mission, pilgrims will travel to Iona and Lindisfarne to retrace the steps of some of the heroes of the Christian faith. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zqc_ziwhzquB6AUQNZu2I1RHWQU8j jusIj1IQyOB_DZb2q1bb0J08EJYIr-4vIvcK3SsTVIW_uEC1oDaZYEFcvAlm aVyvIY07nU72krUv2Fb_8a--xbrGPDeXH9Nl7JSiwXGltDg8Vq6BTXtreU7e nCNmh0gTg5uB4lfScHon3fTClWdvY1jcDSKxj1tSOC7BxjcJCsyfPwa Zd3LTiyLgVX09_mZnFbz - http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fusion.focuses.on.comm unitybuilding.during.olympics/30239.htm For a handy resource to aid churches, homegroups and houses of prayer to intercede for the Olympics use the INSIGHT article via the ‘Info’ link.

Pray:

for all those participating in these events that they will bring community transformation. (Gen.28:3)

Info:

Olympic archer quotes Scripture while competing

Olympic archer, Jennifer Nichols, 28, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a devout Christian from Texas who is intent on winning a gold medal in the upcoming games in London. ‘I take comfort in knowing that I'm here because the Lord brought me here and I’m glad to be able to offer whatever I can to be able to glorify the Lord in what I do,’ said Nichols ‘I memorize a lot of Scripture to recite while I'm shooting,’ she adds. ‘I carry a little book in my quiver that has Bible verses in it that I memorize as I'm walking back and forth to the target. And sometimes I'll recite them while I'm on the line shooting. It plays a large part.’ Thank God for Jennifer’s testimony and pray that God will bless her.

Pray:

for Jennifer's witness and that sharing the Word will bring many blessings. (Ac.22:15)

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Prayer and bell ringing to kick off Olympics

Churches across the UK are being called to pray and ring their bells on the first day of the Olympics. The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) is asking people to ring bells for three minutes, starting at 8:12am on 27 July. LOCOG is encouraging ‘any bell, anyone, anytime’. More Than Gold, the group spearheading church outreach during the 2012 Games, is asking churches everywhere to ring their bells and pray ‘for God’s Kingdom to come and for a turning to come in our nations’. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the end of More Than Gold's 70-day prayer relay, which accompanied the Olympic torch relay. Batons containing prayers have been handed over from community to community and as the torch and the prayer relay have travelled through each area, individuals and churches have taken time to pray for the Games and those involved, as well as for their own communities.

Pray:

that all the prayers offered will lead to God’s blessing for all those involved over the Games. (Gen.12:2)

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Christian recovers from gunshot wounds to make Olympic team

The bullet wounds in his legs weren't more than an hour old when USC sprinter Bryshon Nellum asked doctors the only question that mattered to him at that moment. 'Do you know if I'm going to be able to run again?' On Oct 31, 2008, a man Nellum didn't recognize jumped out of the passenger seat of a car, approached him and fired a shotgun as the sophomore walked home. Metal pellets ripped through both of Nellum's legs. Limping to the sidewalk he crumpled to the ground as the gunman and an accomplice sped away. The doctors told me, 'You'll be able to walk again but we don't think you'll ever have the world-class speed you had before.' Once I knew I was going to be able to walk, I told myself I was going to do whatever it takes. It took 44 months and three surgeries, but Nellum fulfilled that vow. He earned a spot on the US Olympic team with a stunning third-place finish in the finals of the 400 meters at the US Olympic trials.

Pray:

that God will be glorified in Nellums life showing forth His miraculous healing power. (Ps.119:133)

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http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP - Return to Top

http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP"> British Isles and Ireland - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin

UK hotel replaces bedside Bibles with 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

One British hotel manager has decided to chuck the Gideon Bibles traditionally stocked in guest rooms for copies of the racy novel ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by British author E L James. Wayne Bartholomew, General Manager of Damson Dene Hotel, in Cumbria, says he got the idea to swap copies of the Holy Book for the otherwise unholy one after a discussion with fans on Facebook. ‘Fifty Shades of Grey' is all that people are talking about at the moment, but I know that some are too shy to buy it for themselves. I thought it would be a special treat for our guests to find it in their bedside cabinet and that includes the men. Some of the more than 3,200 followers on the Damson Dene Hotel's official Facebook page expressed disagreement with the change.

Pray:

that this initiative will not be repeated by others and that those in disagreement would increase. (Ps.119: 37)

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David Cameron - Not Ashamed of the Cross?

Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs on Wednesday that he believes that Christians should have the right to wear a cross at work. See: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zqc_ziwhzquPl4VWaZI-KoQb2mgYl xcTtXHRT6f-NaOKlKdU43U7TH186eJ2mHpS1crDh_n-fLhMby0oPB1jWlIgi BbSLTdOQFNw23IjNm87W7f7nrIKUpg6cJLHWO0LualR_xfvM_1aM-b0eR7Eh 6SZ9mVzAflwidiMnYW9Qf9bNP3RqOvcmA== - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCTjGTLY20&feature=playe r_embedded He also promised to change the law to allow this, if necessary. Yet the Government has intervened against the two Christians whose cases are before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the right to wear a cross. The Government has told the ECHR that their employers had every right to discipline them. As well as the 'cross' cases, two other cases, relating to freedom of conscience, will also be heard by the ECHR on 4 September, including that of Christian Legal Centre client Gary McFarlane who was sacked after he expressed a possible conscientious objection to giving direct sex therapy to two homosexual men. Why is the Prime Minister saying one thing but his Government is doing another?

Pray:

that the Government will give a clear message in supporting the cross. (1Cor.1:18)

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Street Pastors head to the seaside

Street Pastors are taking to the beach this summer to lend their assistance to night time revellers enjoying the sand and sea. The volunteer network will be walking around the beaches of Whitstable in Kent on Friday nights offering help to anyone who needs it. This may be handing out bottles of water or pairs of flip flops, helping people get a taxi home, or offering a listening ear to someone in distress. The arrival of Street Pastors in the pretty seaside town was the idea of the local police and Tankerton Evangelical Church. The Street Pastors have been invited in amid concern for the safety of young people drinking on the beaches at night. Local Christians have given the project their overwhelming support, with 14 area churches now collaborating in the effort.
See also: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zqc_ziwhzqs65a57VT7sd2CPriKV1 U7aIZpFZXf7KzwadYhZ-v9PF4J-Pl8t4BamcYK3ZkpUPHdPQ88e96An7FwLM CmP6N2SiXrmoi5_ubAOxlZVUGRs2znhegmuNz4wpc4B9j6HTvRkw2Wly80hD nZhStX1JbIFl-r8enELclDtLEUjLJDvNkG-E98DjFQliB9rdyBvpL4= - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9408838/On-patrol-t he-seaside-God-squad.html

Pray:

for God’s wisdom and guidance to all those involved in combating drink and drugs on the beaches. (Eph.4:11)

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Scottish Cardinal calls for referendum on same-sex 'marriage'

Cardinal Keith P. O’Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh has challenged the Scottish government to hold a nationwide referendum on same-sex 'marriage', following its commitment to schedule a vote for independence, reports Catholic News Agency. ‘Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue,’ Cardinal O’Brien said. The country’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has so far said he ‘tends towards’ supporting the policy. However, he is also committed to taking onboard those views expressed during his administration’s public consultation on the issue. That three-month process garnered over 77,000 submissions – the highest response rate to any consultation since the devolved Scottish Parliament was created in 1999. It is also three times the number of public responses received for the governing Scottish National Party’s recent consultation on its flagship policy of Scottish independence.

Pray:

for the call for a referendum to be successful in upholding Christian marriage. (Dt.23:2)

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http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP - Return to Top

http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP"> Europe - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin

France wants to redefine marriage by next year

The French Prime Minster has told his parliament that marriage will be redefined and same-sex adoption brought in by the ‘first half’ of 2013. Under the previous administration redefining marriage was voted down, but the recent elections saw a change in power with the Socialist Party now holding a majority. Newly-elected President François Hollande, of the Socialist Party, made an election pledge to redefine marriage. In the UK the Westminster Government is ploughing on with plans to redefine marriage – despite it not being in any of the major parties’ manifestos. There has also been massive opposition to the plans. The French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, told parliament: ‘In the first half of 2013, the right to marriage and adoption will be open to all couples, without discrimination’. Last year members of France’s lower house voted 293 to 222 in favour of traditional marriage.

Pray:

that the traditional form of marriage will once again be upheld. (Heb.13:4)

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European Parliament Global Charter of Conscience

The Global Charter of Conscience, a declaration reaffirming and supporting Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (about ‘freedom of thought, conscience and religion’), was launched officially in the European Parliament in an event hosted by Finnish MEP Sari Essayah. The Charter underpins many of the other human rights that we all enjoy. The right to express our belief is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However this freedom is being marginalised. A Global Charter of Conscience would bring religious tolerance back to the centre of public debate, and help future generations engage freely in the public life of their nation. The proposed Charter has been drafted by people of many faiths and none, politicians of many persuasions, academics and NGOs. It calls for the cultivation of civility and the construction of a civil public square that maximises freedom for everyone; providing a framework for communities to discuss and resolve present problems.

Pray:

for this project to gain momentum and pave the way for peace and safety amongst the diverse cultures of Europe. (Ps.4:8)

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http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP - Return to Top

http://webmail.earthlink.net/wam/msg.jsp?msgid=25671&fol der=INBOX&isSeen=false&x=1218846123#TOP"> Worldwide - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin

Syria: Defence minister reportedly killed in blast

A suicide bomber struck the National Security building in Damascus during a meeting of cabinet ministers, killing the Defence Minister and wounding other senior officials.Defence Minister Dawoud Rajha, 65, a former army general, was the most senior Christian government official in Syria. President Bashir al-Assad appointed him to the post last year. By Wednesday the capital had seen four straight days of clashes between government troops and rebels trying to bring down the regime. The fighting is an unprecedented challenge to government rule in the tightly controlled capital. Minister Dawoud’s death will resonate with Syria's minority Christian population (about 10%) The Christians have generally stood by the regime, and say they are particularly vulnerable to the violence sweeping the country. They are fearful that Syria will become another Iraq, with Christians caught in the crossfire between rival Muslim groups. Republican Guard troops surrounded the al-Shami Hospital where some officials were taken for treatment.

Pray:

for God’s continued protection of the innocent Syrian population and for Russia, US and Europe to help the country out of this hostile situation. (Ps.9:3,4)

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Nigeria: News becomes more dark

A series of coordinated attacks on African Christian communities in Nigeria’s Plateau State over recent weekends have left many dead and injured. The various news reports provide conflicting information about some basic facts - number of attackers - sequence of events - an accounting of the dead - but they all agree on the severity of the attacks. Information from news sources state 50 of the 90 killed in one incident were from a single church in Maseh village. Sources report that rebels from the Boko Haram surrounded the church and set it on fire. As the church burned the assailants waited and killed anyone trying to escape. The spokesperson for Boko Haram, Abul Qaqa, claimed responsibility and guaranteed that there would be more attacks on Christians as they attempt to establish total control and Islamize the region. Boko Haram has essentially declared war in Jos and its surrounding area. Our prayers and support for Nigerian Christians have never been more critically needed.

Pray:

for Nigerian Christians to be surrounded and held tenderly by God and to be continually aware of His unfailing love for them. (Ps.13)

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China: Vanishing Bishop

The day after his ordination last Saturday Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin resigned and then mysteriously disappeared. His fellow bishops say he has vanished and it is not known if he is in hiding or something more sinister. The authorities are outraged because of a speech he made after his ordination and a friend said he is in a forced time of reflection. Chinese Catholics number between 8-12 million, and are divided between a state-sanctioned church that has installed bishops without Vatican approval and an ‘underground’ wing long wary of associating with the Communist Party-run church. (see PA 2012-28)

Pray:

for Ma’s release, and may God use this situation to highlight to the West the need for positive change in China’s attitude towards Christianity.

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Mexico gang attacks Christian youth camp

Mexican police are searching for an armed gang that attacked a Christian youth camp outside Mexico City. Prosecutors said the gang subjected the campers to an ordeal lasting several hours. Seven girls were sexually assaulted and other youths were beaten. The attackers took cash, cameras and mobile phones and escaped in two stolen vehicles. The Governor of Mexico State, Eruviel Avila, has promised to do everything possible to catch those responsible. About 90 members of the Christian youth group were camping in tents in the Colibri ecological park near the town of Ixtapaluca. The attackers burst into the camp at around midnight on Thursday firing shots into the air, the victims said. The park is in a hilly region with no mobile phone coverage so it was some time before the alarm was raised. Mexican newspapers have questioned why there was not better security at the site.
STOP PRESS: Police in Mexico have arrested 17 people in connection with the attack.

Pray:

for all the youngsters that their ordeal will leave no lasting effect and that the authorities will succeed in finding the perpetrators.

Source: Tony Taylor and Prayer Alert Team wlmailhtml:05C96971-100B-42E4-9878-5C3E6D95571Bmid://0000024 6/!x-usc:mailto:editor@prayer-alert.net -




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