Displaying items by tag: Praise

Angus Cameron, a Christian street preacher in Glasgow, Scotland, has won a substantial settlement after being wrongfully arrested for alleged 'homophobic language' in January 2022.  Police Scotland agreed to pay over £5,500 and £9,400 in legal fees, following a legal challenge by the Christian Institute, which represented Cameron. The incident began when Cameron was stopped by police, searched, handcuffed, and accused of a 'breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation’, a claim he firmly denied. Despite being released after an hour, a 'non-crime hate incident report' was filed against him, later leading to legal action for wrongful arrest, discrimination, and human rights breach. The Christian Institute revealed that the arrest lacked just cause, emphasising Cameron's peaceful preaching without targeting individuals or using offensive language. As a result, Police Scotland settled the case out-of-court, paying damages and legal costs, and removed the report from their records. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the rights of evangelical Christians to express religious views in Glasgow, referencing a similar case in 2022 involving Franklin Graham.

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Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, known for his recent baptism and embracing Christianity, heroically rescued a 17-year-old girl from a car accident in Tampa. Hogan, with a friend, witnessed the crash and immediately helped the teenager trapped in the flipped vehicle. His wife Sky recounted on Facebook how they punctured the car's airbag to free the girl. Hogan confirmed the girl was unharmed but shaken, describing the rescue as 'an absolute miracle.' He also shared on Twitter how he resourcefully used an Indian Rocks Christian ballpoint pen to puncture the airbag, thanking God for the positive outcome.

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A Kentucky high school student named Sophy Jones decided to address mental health issues and suicide concerns in her school by starting a TikTok-inspired prayer wall. She initiated this project to spread God's message and provide encouragement to her fellow students who were struggling. The prayer wall, adorned with Bible verses on sticky notes, has made a significant impact, offering comfort and support. Jones began this initiative last year, with the help of a friend, Evelyn Philpot, and they both belong to First Priority, a student-led Christian organisation at their school. Todd Lawson, the organisation's director, expressed pride in the girls' efforts, emphasising the importance of prayer and God's love in their lives. For Jones, prayer is a source of love and comfort, reminding her of God's significance in her life. The project has been embraced by the students, offering a sense of importance and support to those who need it most.

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Evangelist Nick Hall, founder of Pulse, a global evangelistic organisation, has embarked on a transformative mission to saturate North Dakota with biblical truth. In 2023, Hall witnessed a spiritual revival sweeping across America, with remarkable moments like the Asbury outpouring and mass baptisms. Hall perceives this as a reformation, where societal hopes have faltered, drawing people closer to God. He marvels at the unprecedented openness and hunger for the Gospel, particularly among the youth. Amid a cultural embrace of self-centred ideologies, Hall finds cause for celebration in the growing light of faith. He trains young evangelists nationwide through Pulse and recently concluded The Reason Tour in North Dakota. Hall's North Dakota roots drive his desire to reach every corner of the state, touching lives in recovery centres, nursing homes, and juvenile centres. The tour has already ignited positive transformations. His vision includes fostering unity, prayer, and a shift in the cultural narrative in North Dakota, reminding Christians of their ultimate hope in Christ amidst societal challenges.

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Thursday, 04 January 2024 21:51

'Local hero' saves mother and child from flood

Birmingham man Liam Stych emerged as a hero by rescuing a mother and her three-year-old daughter from a car submerged in floodwaters near Hall Green's bridge. The incident, highlighted by West Midlands police on social media, involved Stych tying the vehicle to the bridge to stop it from drifting away. He described to ITV News how he had to break the car's back window to save the child and then secure the car with ratchet straps from his van. Stych's pregnant partner, Tia Draper, assisted in keeping the child warm after the rescue. Stych, reflecting on his brave act, stated that he had no choice but to act in the moment and would do it again if needed. The police praised his actions, calling him a 'local hero'. The dramatic rescue underscores the quick thinking and bravery required in life-threatening situations.

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Scientists have made a breakthrough in antibiotic research with Zosurabalpin, a new drug effective against drug-resistant bacteria like Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab). This discovery, significant in the fight against antibiotic resistance, has shown promising results in mouse models for pneumonia and sepsis and is now progressing to human trials. Crab, a critical pathogen identified by the World Health Organization, is notorious for its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Zosurabalpin, developed by Roche Pharma, is notable as the first new antibiotic for Gram-negative bacteria, known for their protective outer shells, in over fifty years. Research demonstrates that Zosurabalpin disrupts the bacterium's outer membrane, effectively killing it. This breakthrough offers new avenues for antibiotic development against similar bacteria. However, experts like Dr Andrew Edwards and Dr Michael Lobritz emphasise that this is not a complete solution to antimicrobial resistance. The UK's science committee suggests exploring bacteriophages as an alternative treatment, recommending a production facility at the Rosalind Franklin laboratory to facilitate clinical trials.

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Thursday, 21 December 2023 21:28

Blackpool 'giftmas' tree a treat for 200 children

The Half Way House pub in Blackpool has initiated a 'giftmas' tree project to provide Christmas presents for nearly 200 underprivileged children. Traditional decorations on the tree were replaced with tags indicating an anonymous child's age and gender. Patrons were encouraged to pick a tag and donate a suitable gift. This initiative led to over 185 children receiving gifts for Christmas. The landlords highlighted the importance of the project, acknowledging that many children might not receive gifts otherwise. The presents will be distributed through Blackpool's Children's Services. This initiative is significant in the UK, where around 4.2 million children live in poverty, and research suggests one in five might not receive a Christmas present. Following the success of this scheme, other pubs in the same chain are following suit. The chain’s marketing manager praised the initiative for demonstrating the pivotal role pubs play in their communities, ensuring that many children will have gifts to open this Christmas.

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Cambridge United Football Club, inspired by Baptist minister and fan Simon Cragg, has introduced an official club carol titled 'United at Christmas' to connect football enthusiasts with the teachings of Jesus. This unique carol was a highlight of a 1,000-person carol service at Abbey Stadium, attended by players, staff, and fans. It was also featured at halftime during the club’s FA Cup match against Fleetwood. The lyrics of 'United at Christmas' use football-related imagery to convey themes of love, hope, and peace, and include references to the club's nickname and historical Christian narratives. Club director Graham Daniels, a former player and head of Christians in Sport, noted the growing openness to faith in football. He credits past Christian footballers like Gavin Peacock and Cyril Regis for setting strong examples of faith in the sport, leading to a cultural shift where being a devout Christian and a professional footballer is respected.

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Thursday, 14 December 2023 22:27

Peace is a Person: Jesus - by Peter Henderson

‘Read Philippians 4:4-9. We live in an age of frenetic energy, overstimulation and scattered senses. Politics, war, social media and all the loud voices tend to drown out our few, precious moments of quiet reflection. Peace is elusive. We often live with a sustained internal anxiety compounded by the external hostilities and conflicts that seem continually camping on our doorstep. But peace is not the absence of anxiety or chaos; it is the transformative power of God’s grace in the midst of the storm. Recently it dawned on me that the little phrase in Philippians 4:5, “the Lord is near,” isn’t a superfluous insertion, but actually the key to understanding the whole of what follows. The peace of God can guard you because the God of peace is near. Peace is a Person: Jesus, our Prince of Peace. The presence of Jesus in our midst permits us to name the anxieties that plague our souls and present them into his capable hands. He equips us with thanksgiving to see beyond the dire circumstances that cause our grief and to trust in the goodness of God despite the chaos we see in the world. He empowers us with a gentle spirit; the ability to live peaceably with others in a world of strife. Pray for peace in the world where there has been warfare and bloodshed. Pray for peace internally where anxiety and fear have been in control.’

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The Animated Story of Jesus, set for a December 2025 release, is an innovative animated version of the celebrated Jesus Film. This project, spearheaded by Florida-based director Dominic Carola, is not a remake but a new visual interpretation of the world’s most-translated film. The vision for this film, unveiled in Seoul, Washington DC, and Kampala, has attracted talent from major studios like Pixar and Disney. Carola, with experience on Disney films like Mulan and The Lion King, leads a team of top artists using advanced technology like the Unreal Engine to bring the story to life. This technology will enable the depiction of historical sites like the Temple and Robinson’s Arch in virtual reality, augmented reality, and the Metaverse. Carola views animation as a universal language that transcends cultural barriers, making the story of Jesus accessible to children worldwide, regardless of location or electricity availability. The project, considered a significant Bible study by Carola and his team, is supported by the Jesus Film Project, a large outreach organisation. He acknowledges the immense prayer support and feels a sense of protection and team spirit in this endeavour.

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