THEBUZZ (July 23, 2016)

GLEANINGS:

  • FRANCE – Hundreds saved at conference
  • AUSTRALIA – Online assistance
  • ILLINOIS – Sick of church?
  • USA – YouTube touches teenagers’ hearts

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NANTES, FRANCE
Revival hits conference

Mark Ellis newMark Ellis shares a good news report from troubled France

People from throughout Europe gathered at the Grande Conference in Nantes, France, held July 1 through 3. Hundreds of people attending surrendered their lives to Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, according to a CBN report.

The stated purpose was to call an increasingly secular Europe back to a true relationship with God.

The key motto of the conference was ‘mercy triumphs over judgment,’ an axiom that points to God’s power to bring transformational spiritual change to Europe. (more…)

MIDDLE EASTERN REFUGEE PRAYED TO UNKNOWN GOD TO CALM STORMY SEA – SHOCKED WHEN JESUS RESPONDED (July 19, 2016)

Mark Ellis newMark Ellis shares this reachout good news …

The chilly waters of the Aegean Sea reached the chest of Eshan (not real name) as he and a few other men attempted to launch an inflatable boat off the shores of western Turkey.

At 3:30 in the morning Eshan was hauled aboard the boat with 45 others seeking a new life in central Europe, according to a report by the JESUS Film Project.

Believing in an unknown Creator
Before this, Eshan had become disillusioned by the religion of his family and country. He still believed a Creator existed, but didn’t know his name. (more…)

FACING YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE? (July 18, 2016)

Erica GraceErica Grace, ex-missionary to South America, reminds us of a great truth!

Chris and I were nearly half way between two cities in Bolivia, Sucre and Cochabamba, when our worst nightmare came true.

Winding our way around the high Andes Mountains, on very narrow roads, we came face to face with a huge lumber truck, full beyond capacity. It was coming down the same narrow road at full speed!

It was as if Psalm 73:19 – ‘In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and – nightmare!’ – had become a reality! (more…)

UNDERSTANDING ‘DAYS’ AND INTERPRETING DATA (July 15, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, shares on a current issue…

Let me preface what I am going to write with this statement: I am a creationist!

I believe God created the heavens and the earth. I believe that God created humankind as a unique being and that Adam’s ancestors were not tree-swinging monkeys! I also believe in the divine authority of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Having got that out of the way, we turn now to the substance of what I want to say.

In a recent article, The Genesis Crisis by Cameron Buettel, the writer argues from two premises: first that the earth is only 6000 years old, and secondly, that each of the six days of creation mentioned in Genesis 1:1 – 2:2, referred to 24 hours.  (more…)

TIME A-WASTING? SEIZE THE DAY! (July 11, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on ‘time’ …

We humans are definitely creatures of time! We’re preoccupied with it… measuring our days in time, wearing watches to keep check. At some point each day, we wonder ‘What time is it?’ Or ‘How much time do I have left to do this task?’

We may even lament ‘Gosh, time goes on’ or comment to someone, ‘Seems time stood still since we last met’ or ‘It’s been a long time, where did it go?’… and so on.

It’s been said that the concept of time has been problematical for philosophers, even biblical scholars in the divine scheme of things. (more…)

NEEDED: SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS (July 5, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect on the absence of a church ministry needed today…

Yet another interesting week just past – one that again confirmed that opportunities are ‘out there’ to share Jesus’ gospel and God’s love: Also that Christianity is not about ‘religion’ but about relationship …relationships with an interested heavenly Father and through caringly for one another.

Take last Saturday afternoon – in a fishmongers’ of all places! (what a place to ‘gospel fish for men!’) – as we were paying for our oysters, the young man, not a Christian mind you, casually commented that we need to pray that the right government gets in. It was, of course, voting day and equally casually we responded that we’d been praying so all week. (more…)

FROM PAUPER TO PRINCE TO PREACHER (July 2, 2016)

Mark Ellis newMark Ellis shares yet another good news report …

After his father was murdered his mother slid into drug addiction. In and out of shelters and foster care, Bryce Popken received the Lord at six-years-old and immediately began speaking in tongues and preaching the gospel.

‘Dad was an auto mechanic and ran his own business,’ he says. ‘Mom was a beautiful model and it was love at first sight. But dad had a problem with alcohol that consumed his life.’

When Bryce was 18-months-old his father and a friend got drunk, belligerent with one another, and began to argue over a property line. ‘One thing led to another and my dad’s best friend shot him eight times with a shotgun. (more…)

DARE TO CALL HIM SHEPHERD! (June 29, 2016)

Robert and Maureen McQuillan reflect …

Christians are so familiar with Psalm 23 – the Shepherd’s Song, that best known psalm of David.

Genuine shepherds care so much. Here’s a powerful reminder of our relationship with Jesus, the greatest shepherd. It gives Christians a secure hope in our God and encourages us to trust every aspect of life to our Lord built on a meaningful and powerful relationship.

Even countless non-Christians are aware of this precious psalm. Decades ago when purchasing a used car on learning of our ministry involvements, the salesman remarked, ‘I don’t go to church myself but I ensure my kids do – they know more about the Bible that I can do. But I do remember one thing from my own Sunday school days … the Shepherd’s Song!’ (more…)

THEBUZZ (June 22, 2016)

GLEANINGS:

  • UK – Sir Cliff cleared!
  • WEST VIRGINIA – Coal Country revival.
  • LAKE FOREST  – Divorced Christians and sexual morals.
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SOUTH YORKSHIRE, UK
Cliff Richard, has been cleared of sex assault claims

Dan Wooding 2015Dan Wooding reports good news…

British Christian pop singer, Sir Cliff Richard, has been cleared of sex assault allegations after the Crown Prosecution Service announced it would bring no charges following a two-year police inquiry.

A controversial investigation
According to the Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk), the singer will face no further action following the controversial South Yorkshire Police investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse.

Prosecutors announced on Thursday (June 16) morning that there was ‘insufficient evidence to prosecute’ the veteran entertainer after the police investigation that cost an estimated £800,000 [about $1.5 million USD). (more…)