Blog Archives - LHF Ministries

Syriac Archbishop of Austria and Switzerland: Sectarian and Religious Conflicts Threaten Everyone

5/31/2013

Archbishop Yacobos Issa of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Austria and Switzerland said the relationship between the Coptic and Syriac churches is a fraternal relationship based on love and unity of faith.

The archbishop pointed out that rapprochement between Christian denominations has become an urgent necessity in today’s world, because the essence of faith is one and sectarian and religious conflicts have become a danger threatening individuals and entire nations.

Catholic Church Grapples With Openly Gay Priests

5/31/2013

On the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Rev. Gary Meier addressed a congregation of sorts--people who wanted to hear what the Roman Catholic priest had been thinking since, nearly a year ago, he last stood before a flock.

That was last June, when Meier told his parishioners at Saints Teresa and Bridget Church in north St. Louis that he would take a leave of absence “to discern what ministry God was calling me to do.”

Meier, 49, had told his archbishop that he could no longer teach the Catholic church’s stance on homosexuality.

NGOs Mark the Eleventh Anniversary of Government Crackdown on Churches in Eritrea

5/31/2013

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) joined members of the Eritrean diaspora, the Orthodox Church and six NGOs from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland yesterday in a protest vigil outside the Eritrean Embassy in London marking the eleventh anniversary of the imposition of severe restrictions on churches in Eritrea.

On 15 May 2002, the Government of Eritrea effectively banned all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations and initiated a campaign of mass arrests that continues to this day with varying degrees of intensity. Well over 2,000 Christians are currently detained in Eritrea without charge or trial, often in life threatening conditions, pending denial of their faith.

New Friday Bible Study Series: The Book of James, Chapter Five

5/31/2013

James was a truly amazing man. He was remarkable in several ways: the way he lived his life, the position he held in the first century church, who he was related to in a physical and spiritual sense, his reputation, and his authorship of one of the great books of the Bible (despite what Martin Luther may have said of him), and the way he died, make James an interesting man to study.

In this final study of James we learn about God's view of rich oppressors in this life and therefore what our attitudes should be, how we can persevere with patience, and how we can cover a multitude of sins. We also learn exactly what to do when we are sick.

Suspected Extremists Kill Christian Leader

5/30/2013

Gunmen believed to be members of the deadly Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, killed Rev. Faye Pama, secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). They reportedly followed the long-time Christian leader from his church building (where he was holding an evening Bible study) to his house in the Government Reservation Area of Maiduguri. The assailants dragged the pastor from his home and shot him outside, despite the desperate pleas of his daughter to spare his life. Rev. Pama was the father of three children.

Attack on Religious Liberties and Non-Profits Bill Passes CA Senate

5/30/2013

The following statement can be attributed to Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute, in response to the passage of Senate Bill 323 on the floor of the California State Senate.

CSW Condemns Laos' Deportation and China's Repatriation of Nine North Korean Refugees, Calls for Their Freedom

5/30/2013

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) condemns Laos’ deportation of nine North Korean refugees to China from where they were forcibly repatriated to North Korea. CSW fears the refugees, whose number includes at least one child, could face detention, torture and even execution as “illegal defectors”.

The nine North Koreans, all aged 15 to 23, arrived in Laos around 10 May and were on their way to South Korea when they were caught by the Lao authorities. According to reports, the South Korean embassy in Vientiane requested that the refugees be transferred into their custody. However, on 27 May the embassy received the news that the group had been deported to China. On 29 May, a senior South Korean foreign ministry official said they judged that the refugees were repatriated to North Korea on 28 May.

New on Connie's Insights - Life

5/30/2013

Life is so beautiful! To think a single seed can become a giant sized oak, or a single cell becomes a full human being. I was struck by the glory of all creation as I drove through the mountains this past weekend. It is so amazing to see the unique differences between different creatures. I saw a snail for the first time the other day and I was mesmerized by it. <more...>

Issue: There is a person in my life who is constantly putting down my spouse. How do I deal with this?

Boy Scouts Overturn Ban on Gay Members

5/29/2013

Delegates to the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Thursday (May 23) approved new membership guidelines which open the ranks of the organization to homosexual members. Young men who openly claim to be homosexual may now participate as Scouts.

The decision, the BSA leadership said in a statement, was based on "growing input from within the Scouting family." That input led to a national review of policy, or a "comprehensive listening exercise," resulting in a resolution to remove the restriction "denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone."

Some 1,400 delegates to the National Council approved the change in membership standards by a margin of 61-39 percent, but changes to the adult leadership policy of the organization, which forbids homosexual Scout leaders, was not up for vote and remains in place. Rules on sexual misconduct, heterosexual and homosexual, also remain in place for Scouts and Scout leaders.

Tim Tebow Finds Encouraging Words From Tony Dungy, Chuck Norris

5/29/2013

Tony Dungy and Chuck Norris are the latest celebrities to encourage Tim Tebow, who was recently let go from the New York Jets.

Dungy, a former Super Bowl-winning football coach, posted a video Friday on the All-Pro Dad website.

“I know Tim Tebow must be frustrated that he hasn’t found the right team yet and is still searching,” Dungy wrote in an introduction to the video. “Here’s the advice I would give to Tim as he waits for his new team.”

Dungy said in the video, “Tim Tebow, really, I know, is disappointed that he hasn't gotten going on a team and in a direction, knowing what locker room he's gonna be in right now. But the advice I'd have for Tim is just to be patient and be faithful. The Lord has a good spot for you; He's going to give you the right situation.