Govt minister sacked for opposing gay marriage
Former Government minister Tim Loughton was sacked because of his opposition to redefining marriage, according to reports. He was removed from his ministerial post in September’s Government reshuffle, and close friends say it was because of his support for keeping marriage as it is. Mr Loughton voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill on Tuesday night, together with over 170 other Mps. One Tory MP told the Scotsman newspaper: “Tim was a really good minister whose career was wrecked because of his stance on this issue on a matter of principle. “It shows that, already, this bill is poisoning the party and destroying careers.” David Cameron promised that Tory MPs would have a free vote, but behind the scenes a lot of pressure was applied to stop them breaking rank.
Pray: for God's protection for all those who find themselves pressured or threatened in any way simply for standing up for their beliefs. (Dt.31:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/govt-minister-sacked-for-opposing-gay-marriage/
Forty acts of generosity to change the world
Giving blood and living on a fiver are just some of the Lent challenges from Christian charity Stewardship. Its 40acts initiative kicks off on Wednesday and will challenge people to do something generous each day during Lent. 40acts is now in its third year and rather than giving something up, invites people to "give something out". The actions are simple but involve some personal sacrifice, with becoming a mentor among the other challenges. In addition to each challenge, there are daily reflections from contributors like Krish Kandiah, Rob Parsons and Russ Bravo. “The idea behind 40acts is simple,” says Debbie Wright, head of content at Stewardship. “Lent marks a pivotal point in the history of the church, when Jesus prepared to give himself up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Traditionally we mark Lent by giving something up, but what if it could be more than that? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness?”
Pray: for this initiative and that many people will find it to be a good way to mark Lent. (Ac.20:35)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/forty.acts.of.generosity.to.change.the.world/31616.htm
Saudi Arabia: Saudi blood money ruling angers activists
This is a horrible story and shows so much the injustice in this Islamic country. That needs to be brought out into the public!
Recently they executed a lady from Sri Lanka and cut her head off as they accused her of having killed a baby. But this religious Saudi man gets away…
“The man (who raped and killed the girl), said to be a religious scholar who is also a regular guest on Islamic television networks, confessed to having used cables and a cane to inflict the injuries, activists from the group Women to Drive said in a statement on Saturday.
…Randa al-Kaleeb, a social worker from the hospital where Lama was admitted, said the girl’s back was broken and that she had been raped ‘everywhere’, according to the group.”
Pray for justice and the light of Christ to shine in this benighted nation.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201323223618362435.html
Call to Prayer from Vietnam
As Christians will know, on the 8th of November 2012, our government promulgated Decree 92/2012/ND-CP, a decree detailing how to implement the Ordinance on Religion and Belief of 2004. The decree was signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and became effective on January 1, 2013.
Dear fellow Christians – the implementation of this decree will cause many inconveniences and hardships for church activities, and at the same time render illegal all house churches which already came into being 25 years ago, The articles in the decree also provide local officials with legal means by which they can hinder the worship of God and other activities in local congregations.
1. Ask that the Almighty God would continue to protect and vindicate the Church (Acts 5:38, 39)
2. Ask that God would protect believers in all local areas and that they would faithfully gather to worship the Lord and stand firm in all circumstances (Acts 5:41, 42)
3. Ask that God would grant leaders of our Vietnamese nation to recognize the many benefits that the churches contribute to society (1 Timothy 2:1, 2)
4. Ask God to raise up a devout generation and to visit his church so that we would fulfill our calling of being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. (Matthew 5:13, 14)
