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)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=10316
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)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/prayer.and.bell.ringing.to.kick.off.olympics/30287.htm
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 momen:. '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)
More: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d7Zhm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=olympics
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)
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCTjGTLY20&feature=player_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)
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://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9408838/On-patrol-the-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)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/street.pastors.head.to.the.seaside/30286.htm
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)
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)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/france-wants-to-redefine-marriage-by-next-year/
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)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/france-wants-to-redefine-marriage-by-next-year/
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)