Miracle Healing of doctor’s father
Dr Zoe D Scounos, speaking to delegates from 38 countries at the Annual World Christian Doctors Network Conference last week, told of a surgical emergency that could have taken the life of her father. However with a strong faith in God, a recovery defying medical odds unfolded. During a family meeting with her mother and sister they were faced with an impossible situation medically so they joined hands and prayed, ‘Father God, your Word says when two or more people gather together in prayer you are present. Please restore the circulation through the rest of the bowel and restore Dad completely.’ She then stated, ‘Within 24 hours a rapid clinical improvement ensued, TPN was no longer required within a few days of discharge from intensive care, and successful recovery came 5 five weeks later. This was an example of a miraculous recovery from a surgical catastrophe, with a limited chance of survival.’
Far-right activists hand out Bibles outside mosques in Bradford
Far-right activists have targeted mosques in Bradford attempting to hand out Bibles and also to distribute leaflets accusing community elders of failing to stop grooming gangs. Members of Britain First, some wearing uniforms, staged protests at 10 places of worship in the city centre. They posted images of themselves on Facebook confronting members of the Asian community. They also visited the office of Labour councillor Nazam Azam. Mr Azam said, ‘They have come to Bradford to cause residents to fear for their safety. As far as I understand they have tried to access mosques and hand out leaflets but I don’t know anyone who took anything.' According to the anti-fascist organisation Hope Not Hate, Britain First is a Protestant far right group with its roots in Northern Ireland and Scotland. A Facebook site statement said, ‘This is the first of many such operations to be launched across Yorkshire against Islam.'
Cocaine, heroin and knives rife in prisons
Figures released earlier this week in Parliament revealed 80 seizures of cocaine, 210 of heroin and at least 62 knives in prisons in England and Wales. Figures for knives could be higher as data was not available for a number of prisons. Under current law, Class A drugs are treated the most seriously. Possession can result in a seven-year prison sentence while supplying them is punishable with life imprisonment. And both can also carry an unlimited fine. ‘The amount of drugs and knives getting into our prison revealed by this data is alarming’, said Labour’s shadow justice secretary. ‘How can we possibly punish and reform criminals if contraband and weapons are circulating so freely in our jails? This needs a concerted effort by ministers to put a stop to this, but with all their cuts to prison staff and the increased overcrowding and violence on their watch in our prisons, I’ve not got much confidence they’re up to it.’
Global Outreach Day – June 14th – together we can reach the world.
The vision of the Global Outreach Day is to build up a network of Christians worldwide, equipping and mobilising them to share the Gospel to over 200 nations on one single day. What is it about? It is about YOU sharing the gospel in any possible way to people who never heard it or are not yet born-again Christians and leading those people to salvation in Jesus. There are thousands of ways to do this, either personally or together with a group or a church. Reach at least ONE person with the Gospel on Global Outreach Day! Reach out to the people, don't wait for them to come to you! Although many Christians want to reach people with the Gospel they feel limited and inadequate, sometimes not even called to do it. We are providing spiritual and practical training for you to experience a real breakthrough in personal and corporate evangelism! Let us help you to release your potential - click the ‘More’ link.
Immigrants must learn English and respect our country and laws
Migrants to Britain should be able to speak English and ‘respect its laws and culture’, the UK’s most senior Asian politician has said. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid insisted it was not good enough for migrants to live in the UK for up to 50 years without being able to speak English. The British-born Tory, whose parents came from Pakistan, also said there was no place for Sharia law in the UK legal system. Mr Javid, a rising star at Westminster who has also taken on the role of Equalities Minister, suggested voters had legitimate concerns over immigration. He said: ‘People want Britain to have more control over its borders and I think they are right. ‘People also say, when immigrants do come to Britain, that they should come to work, and make a contribution and that they should also respect our way of life and I agree with all of that.'
UK Christians urged to vote in European Parliamentary elections
A multi-denominational group of Christians from Merseyside have issued a joint statement encouraging Christians to vote in the European Elections on May 22. The statement has been signed by regional leaders of the Church of England, Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Catholic Church, the United Reformed Church, and The Salvation Army. They all shared their concern that low turnout will mean success for extremist parties such as the British National Party. In the statement quoted in the Church Times, they wrote: ‘Some of our media are dismissive about what happens in Europe but it is important in a democratic state that we make the effort to vote. It is ironic to watch people in countries like Afghanistan voting in huge numbers when people here in the United Kingdom cannot be bothered to spare a small amount of time to go to the polling station.’
Ex-drug addict says cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug
Cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ that exposes users to other people who are involved in ‘harder substances’ and should not be legalised, an ex-drug addict has told The Christian Institute. Luke Wardle, who began selling drugs at the age of 15, went on to deal in amphetamines and developed a cocaine habit by the age of 19. He told the Institute how smoking cannabis caused him to climb up the ladder of drugs. He described how his various addictions led to feelings of paranoia, anxiety and depression. Speaking of other addicts he knew, he explained how cannabis had left them in a ‘complete mess’ with some even developing serious mental health problems including schizophrenia. Luke said he was astonished that instead of prison he only faced a £480 fine for importing a large amount of cannabis from Amsterdam. In an interview, he told Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, his story and why he’s against the liberalisation of cannabis.
Sex change drugs 'to be offered to nine-year-olds'
Children as young as nine are to be prescribed drugs which delay the onset of puberty as the first step towards a sex change operation, according to reports. The treatment will be offered by one NHS trust to children who are so troubled by their gender that they may wish to undergo drastic surgery after adolescence, according to the Mail on Sunday. But the decision was attacked by critics who described the decision to offer the treatment at such a young age as ‘horrifying’ and called for an immediate investigation. Monthly injections of the drugs, known as hypothalamic blockers, are used to slow the development of the children’s sexual organs by blocking the production of the hormones testosterone and oestrogen. Andrew Percy MP said: ‘I think many people will be horrified at the thought of a nine-year-old being provided with a drug that effectively stops them developing and maturing naturally.’
Iran: Nuclear negotiations with IAEA and P5+1
The U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA) had talks with Iran on Tuesday to advance a long-stalled investigation into Tehran's atomic activities, but it was not immediately clear whether any headway was made, leaving open the possibility agreements might be made later. They were expected to discuss IAEA requests for information about detonators that can be used to set off a nuclear explosive device. How Iran responds is regarded as a litmus test of its readiness to allow investigation into the possible military dimensions of the country's nuclear program. The IAEA-Iran talks were separate from those about to resume between the US, UK, France, China, Russia plus Germany (P5+1) in Vienna to draw up a draft agreement providing comprehensive solutions to the Iranian nuclear issue. These talks will need to overcome differences on Iran's uranium enrichment capacity, the heavy-water reactor at Arak and the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme. See also http://www.iranwatch.org/weapon-programs/nuclear
South Africa: Church response to poverty and injustice
The Warehouse was established in 2003 through the parish of St John's, Cape Town, and exists to serve the South African church network in its response to poverty, injustice and division. They work with local churches in all communities, helping them to implement sound, effective and practical acts and renewed attitudes, to see communities where the vulnerable are cared for because the local church is a transformed and a transformative presence. Their vision is to inspire equip and connect churches to effectively address poverty, injustice and division. Please pray for the church leaders to successfully build relationships, making the use of all opportunities, events and media resources. Please pray for those leaders who are changing their lifestyles and have been equipped with theology, theory and tools to transform. Please pray for the church in Cape Town networking across racial, economic and denominational barriers and with government and civil society initiatives in broader society.