Blog Archives - LHF Ministries

‘God’s Not Dead’ Movie Stars Big Names, Draws Social Media Attention

10/31/2013

God's Not Dead, a Pure Flix film based on a title track from the Newsboys, is drawing strong attention on Facebook. The trailer for the movie—about the existence of God and defending one's faith—has garnered 4.95 million views, 948,696 likes and has been shared 623,731 times, according to LifeWay Films, which is working with churches on engaging with the movie.

Starring actor and producer David A.R. White (Sarah’s Choice) as Reverend Dave, God's Not Dead follows Josh Wheaton, played by Shane Harper (Good Luck Charlie), through his first semester of college. Josh's faith is tested by his relationships and a run-in with a hardened philosophy professor.

Qatar Refuses to Display Israeli Flag

10/31/2013

At a World Cup Swimming Event in Doha, Qatar, Israeli swimmer Amit Ivri won the silver medal - but on the TV broadcast, a blank space appeared next to her name, where the flag should be. The Israeli flag had also been removed from the collection of world flags outside the venue hall. Qatari officials had apparently refused to let the Israeli flag appear.

Prof's Virtual Bible Project to Make Holy Land Accessible

10/31/2013

Long before smartphones, before technology had literally reshaped modern society, Dan Warner had an idea for teaching the history and geography of biblical lands -- a virtual tour of the Holy Land. The idea was innovative, and years ahead of its time.

Warner teaches biblical backgrounds on a daily basis in his positions as associate professor of Old Testament and archaeology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Orlando Hub and an adjunct faculty member at the Baptist College of Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Warner wants to help people see how geography influenced the biblical text, using interactive visuals rather than textbooks.

Mother of Kidnapped Coptic Girl Says Police Complicit in the Crime

10/30/2013

The mother of kidnapped Ismailiya Coptic girl Christine Abdel Sayed Labib Girgis has accused the Egyptian police of complicity in the abduction of her daughter, who has been missing since January 26, 2012.

She pointed out that the family has submitted several police reports but these were canceled because they are Christians, and when an arrest warrant was issued for a suspect, it remained unimplemented for 45 days.

Christine's mother told MCN that after the arrest warrant was implemented 45 days later, the kidnappers threatened to abduct their second daughter and burn the village's church and all Coptic houses and shops.

Trinity Western Cancels Classes for Truth and Reconciliation Gathering

10/30/2013

The deep scars inflicted by the residential schools tragedy upon Canada's First Nations peoples are finally beginning to heal. Or so believes Patti Victor, co-chair of Trinity Western University's Aboriginal Partnership Council.

"I really believe we are on the road towards reconciliation," she says. "We have a long ways to go. It's not going to happen all of a sudden, but I feel individuals are grasping it. Universities are grasping it. Churches are beginning to grasp it."

What gives Victor hope was the massive public response to a week-long gathering in Vancouver in mid-September of the government's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Its mandate is to try to heal wounds that still exist more than a century and several generations later.

Brazil Police Turn to Bible Studies to Bust Stress

10/30/2013

Amid concerns about police brutality, Brazilian military police officers are taking Bible study classes during their working hours to help them deal with stress and improve their personal and family lives.

The initiative teaches officers how to apply biblical concepts to everyday family matters and encourages them to search for biblical examples that give advice, guidance and solutions about family issues, including how to rear children, handle finances and build personal relationships.

Persecuted North Koreans Pray for American Christians

10/29/2013

As Americans gather to pray this Sunday (November 3) during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), they should remember Christians in the world's most persecuted country.

Rev. Eric Foley, CEO of Seoul USA, says instead of praying for members of the North Korean underground church, Americans should pray with them. "They don't ask God to deliver them from persecution. They pray they'll remain strong and faithful in the midst of their suffering."

Foley says Americans may be surprised to learn that North Korean Christians often pray for people of the USA and South Korea. "They pray for us because they feel we are persecuted by our prosperity and it distances us from God. They pray that we will remain faithful to the Lord."

Be Careful About What You Call a ‘Different Gospel’

10/29/2013

Michael Brown

It has been said that heaven, at one and the same time, will be a great eye-opener and a great mouth-closer. You will be surprised to see many people there, and many people will be surprised to see you there. How true this is!

In the last week, I have been criticized for failing to condemn Joel Osteen and Creflo Dollar to hell while, on the other hand, I have been criticized for daring to take issue with their messages at all.

Someone claimed that Bill Johnson was the “biggest wolf ever” while, on the other side of the spectrum, someone claimed that John MacArthur was guilty of blaspheming the Spirit.

FARC Document Shows Extent of Religious Freedom Restrictions

10/29/2013

A document published by the 32nd Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – Army of the People (FARC-EP) in July this year illustrates the degree of repression the guerrilla group exercises over populations under its control, including strict restrictions on religious freedom.

The ‘manual for coexistence’, published by Colombian newspaper El Colombiano, includes strict restrictions on religious freedom in the region of Putumayo, where the 32nd Front maintains control.

It states that ‘Evangelical chapels may only be built in municipal capitals,’ and ‘Pastors and priests will only hold their masses in the churches in the municipal capitals.’ According to El Colombiano, priests and pastors in the heavily rural Putumayo region who have attempted to conduct ministry outside of the municipal capitals have come under threat or been forced to flee.

As 'Sexting' Among Teens Continues, Need for Smartphone Monitoring Grows

10/28/2013

A Georgia high school student uses his smartphone to record a concealed attempt at a sexual act by two of his fellow students in the school cafeteria. That student and one of the classmates are now in legal trouble, facing public indecency charges.

The potential for young people to use their smartphones to record and even distribute sexually explicit or graphic content is troubling for parents. There is even a word for it, "sexting," and it is a dangerous phenomenon. A recent FBI study reveals that 20 percent of teenagers with online access have sent or exchanged nude photos of themselves. The consequences of this type of unchecked online behavior are serious -- such sexually suggestive material can be easily exchanged with others or, worse, posted on adult-oriented websites. Parents must be made aware of what their children are doing, or are capable of doing, with the most up-to-date personal communication technology. They must also be made aware of how vulnerable their children are to online predators, and even their peers.