The Christian zoo accused of backing creationism
A kitemark devised to help teachers find suitable school trip destinations has been awarded to a Christian zoo accused of promoting creationism. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, near Bristol, is among the latest organisations to receive the Learning Outside the Classroom ‘quality badge’, developed by the last Government. The zoo already runs sessions for more than 15,000 pupils a year from key stage 1 to A-level. But it has attracted controversy for its views on evolution and creation, arguing that science has tried to ‘remove any notion of God from our understanding of life. This is unjustified and we look to put the case for a Creator across to those who wish to investigate,’ the zoo’s website says. James Gray, education officer at the British Humanist Association, criticised the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the educational charity that awards the badges, for its decision.The zoo continues to be picketed by opponents who try to discredit its work. Pray: that the work of this zoo would continue to be recognised for promoting God's truth. (Jn.8:23)
Russia: Orthodox patriarch urges Christians to pray for rain
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has told Christians to pray for rain as wildfires continue to spread in parts of Russia. 'The death toll has doubled and an average of 700 people have died each day in Moscow since late last week due to the smog’ reports Al Jazeera. Patriarch Kirill mourned the loss of life and destruction during a visit to one of the worst affected areas on Monday. ‘Grief has come to our nation, human lives have been lost, hundreds have lost shelter and thousands have been left without sustenance, including children. I call upon everyone to unite in prayer for rain to descend on our earth.’ Patriarch Kirill’s call coincided with the Day of the Prophet Elijah, when Orthodox Christians traditionally pray for rain. The Russian Government said the most serious fires were raging in the Ural, Volga and Central district. Pray: that God would hear and answer the cries of His people as they pray for rain. (Job.5:9-10) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/orthodox.patriarch.prays.for.rain.as.deadly.wildfires.rage.in.russia/26418.htm
Russia: Orthodox patriarch urges Christians to pray for rain
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has told Christians to pray for rain as wildfires continue to spread in parts of Russia. 'The death toll has doubled and an average of 700 people have died each day in Moscow since late last week due to the smog’ reports Al Jazeera. Patriarch Kirill mourned the loss of life and destruction during a visit to one of the worst affected areas on Monday. ‘Grief has come to our nation, human lives have been lost, hundreds have lost shelter and thousands have been left without sustenance, including children. I call upon everyone to unite in prayer for rain to descend on our earth.’ Patriarch Kirill’s call coincided with the Day of the Prophet Elijah, when Orthodox Christians traditionally pray for rain. The Russian Government said the most serious fires were raging in the Ural, Volga and Central district. Pray: that God would hear and answer the cries of His people as they pray for rain. (Job.5:9-10) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/orthodox.patriarch.prays.for.rain.as.deadly.wildfires.rage.in.russia/26418.htm
Russia: 'Missiles deployed' in breakaway region of Abkhazia
Russia says it has deployed S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia. The Georgian government - which refuses to acknowledge Abkhazia's independence - says it is ‘concerned’ by the move. The announcement comes just days after an unscheduled visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the region. Russia recognised Abkhaz independence in 2008 after winning a brief war with Georgia over nearby South Ossetia. In a statement released by the Russian government, Air Force Commander-in-chief General Alexander Zelin said the role of the missiles would be ‘anti-aircraft defence of the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’. Pray: that this military build-up will not raise tensions in the Caucasus region. (Ecc.3:1-8)
Russia: 'Missiles deployed' in breakaway region of Abkhazia
Russia says it has deployed S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia. The Georgian government - which refuses to acknowledge Abkhazia's independence - says it is ‘concerned’ by the move. The announcement comes just days after an unscheduled visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the region. Russia recognised Abkhaz independence in 2008 after winning a brief war with Georgia over nearby South Ossetia. In a statement released by the Russian government, Air Force Commander-in-chief General Alexander Zelin said the role of the missiles would be ‘anti-aircraft defence of the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’. Pray: that this military build-up will not raise tensions in the Caucasus region. (Ecc.3:1-8)
Spain: Judge forced to return salary over gay adoption
Spanish Judge Fernando Ferrin Calamita has been suspended for ten years and ordered to return his salary of about 100,000 euros to the government because he delayed a decision to allow a lesbian to adopt her partner’s child. He must also pay the couple more than 5,000 euros in compensation and pay another fine of $700. Calamita was found guilty of obstructing the adoption process when he denied the lesbian’s request to adopt the child while waiting for a report on the impact of same-sex families on children. He was initially suspended for two years from the practice, but the Supreme Court in December 2009 increased the suspension to 10 years. ‘The powerful Spanish homosexual lobby, with the consent or passivity of all the institutions, decided to punish Ferrin and make him an example,’ commented the conservative Spain-based Professionals for Ethics, according to the Catholic News Agency. Pray: for Judge Calamita to be reinstated with his reputation intact. (Job 5:4)
Spain: Judge forced to return salary over gay adoption
Spanish Judge Fernando Ferrin Calamita has been suspended for ten years and ordered to return his salary of about 100,000 euros to the government because he delayed a decision to allow a lesbian to adopt her partner’s child. He must also pay the couple more than 5,000 euros in compensation and pay another fine of $700. Calamita was found guilty of obstructing the adoption process when he denied the lesbian’s request to adopt the child while waiting for a report on the impact of same-sex families on children. He was initially suspended for two years from the practice, but the Supreme Court in December 2009 increased the suspension to 10 years. ‘The powerful Spanish homosexual lobby, with the consent or passivity of all the institutions, decided to punish Ferrin and make him an example,’ commented the conservative Spain-based Professionals for Ethics, according to the Catholic News Agency. Pray: for Judge Calamita to be reinstated with his reputation intact. (Job 5:4)
God's time for Greece
The bravery and courage of ancient Spartans is legendary. The name conjures up visions of fearless soldiers charging into battle without thought of life or limb. The word ‘spartan’ has crept into the English language to describe conditions that are at the opposite extreme from comfortable and luxurious. For the past week Sparta has been the epicentre of a missionary outreach that has reached and touched thousands of homes through a team of 180 from countries as diverse as Canada, Romania, Italy, South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA and Albania. In all 60,000 households received a copy of the New Testament in contemporary Greek as part of a project called Operation Joshua. One participant described it as a ‘Tsunami of blessing’ as energetic teams using some 50 cars, criss-crossed the sparse and mountainous region. They have gone to over 800 villages in some of the remotest areas of Greece bringing the message of life. Pray: that the blessings thus achieved in Sparta will take root and prosper. (Lk.13:19) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gods.time.for.greece/26430.htm
God's time for Greece
The bravery and courage of ancient Spartans is legendary. The name conjures up visions of fearless soldiers charging into battle without thought of life or limb. The word ‘spartan’ has crept into the English language to describe conditions that are at the opposite extreme from comfortable and luxurious. For the past week Sparta has been the epicentre of a missionary outreach that has reached and touched thousands of homes through a team of 180 from countries as diverse as Canada, Romania, Italy, South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA and Albania. In all 60,000 households received a copy of the New Testament in contemporary Greek as part of a project called Operation Joshua. One participant described it as a ‘Tsunami of blessing’ as energetic teams using some 50 cars, criss-crossed the sparse and mountainous region. They have gone to over 800 villages in some of the remotest areas of Greece bringing the message of life. Pray: that the blessings thus achieved in Sparta will take root and prosper. (Lk.13:19) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gods.time.for.greece/26430.htm
Christian group opposes marriage equality for homosexuals
The Head of a Christian advocacy group says Christians must resist attempts to broaden the definition of marriage. However, Simon Hughes, Deputy Liberal Democrat leader, and who is a Christian and admitted previously to being bisexual, said he believed the Government would make it possible for the term ‘civil marriage’ to apply to same-sex couples before the next General Election. ‘It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010 and 2011 for there to be the possibility of civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally,’ he said, adding ‘That’s different of course from faith ceremonies which are matters for the faith communities they have to decide what recognition to give.’ Andrea Minichiello Williams, barrister and director of Christian Concern for Our Nation, said: ‘We should resist this attempt to undermine marriage at the heart of our society and fight to retain the traditional status of marriage as that between a man and a woman.’ Pray: that the explicit purposes of matrimony being procreative and unitive are recognised by all. (1Co.16:13)