Dear family and friends in Christ,
 
I hope you had a great Christmas season and fantastic start to the New Year!

My family and I are having an absolutely wonderful time on holiday in Sri Lanka. As I watch the world news media with many political and economic leaders predicting a ‘BLACK YEAR IN 2009′, I continue to prayerfully seek the Lord for what He is saying and planning for 2009!

Although many financial experts are forecasting a worsening of the economic crisis with thousands and thousands of people losing their jobs around the world, the following word from the Lord keeps coming to me as I wait on Him in prayer and in His Word, ‘SOULS, SOULS, SOULS’!  Continue reading ‘Although Doom & Gloom Is Predicted For 2009, You Can Shine With The Light Of Jesus!’

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (JN 8:32)  

By Michelle A. Vu - Christian Post Reporter
 
Catholic bishops from the persecution ravaged state of Orissa warned this week that Hindu extremists have a “master plan” to wipe out Christianity in the remote eastern Indian state.

In a letter to the state’s chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, the Indian bishops conveyed their concerns about the mass “exodus of Christians” from Kandhamal District and addressed the “considerable reduction” of refugees in relief camps, according to Catholic News Agency.

The bishops denied that the Christian refugees were leaving the camps to safely return to their homes. Most, they reported, are moving to relief camps in other areas such as in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jhanla, Berhampur, or have moved into rented houses, homes of relatives, friends or acquaintances.

“It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 Christians of Kandhamal district are living outside the district,” the bishops wrote in the letter to the minister. Continue reading ‘Orissa Bishops Warn Of ‘Master Plan’ To Wipe-Out Christianity’

A new interfaith project has been launched (13 Nov 2008) to bring all religious groups together, as well as people of no religion, to formulate and endorse a ‘Charter for Compassion’ - a declaration endorsing the ‘Golden Rule’ -  the one that says “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”!
 
The project is the idea of Karen Armstrong, an interfaith advocate and former Catholic nun, who now calls herself a “freelance monotheist”. She has written sympathetically about Islam in the past few years. Her initial idea for the Charter was to involve Christianity, Islam and Judaism. However, she has now, after discussion with interfaith groups, expanded the plan to include various other religions as well as people of no religion.
 
Karen Armstrong quotes the Dalai Lama and Confucius. She maintains that all the major religions have a form of the ‘golden rule’ and that atheists too can adopt this rule. At the same time as highlighting ‘compassion’, she criticises ‘fundamentalism or religious ‘dogma’. She wants the United Nations to assist with the project. Continue reading ‘The Golden Rule – ‘Charter For Compassion’’

World Net Daily - Greg Laurie 

Have you ever had a crisis so overwhelm you that you thought you could not survive? Have you ever faced a set of circumstances that you simply thought you would not be able to get through?

I have. When my son Christopher went to heaven just a few months ago, it was my worst nightmare come true. It seemed almost unbearable. But God was with our family, sustaining us in each moment through the most radical of circumstances. He has been helping us get through it each and every day.

The Bible tells the story of a tight-knit family who also had a loved one die. They were friends of Jesus, and he would frequent their home in Bethany, near Jerusalem. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were three people who could honestly say that Jesus was their personal friend. But one day, Lazarus became gravely ill. So they did what every person ought to do in times of crisis: they sent word to Jesus to do something about it.

What we first learn from this story is that life is filled with pain, sorrow, sickness and the death of loved ones. When we are younger, we don’t necessarily understand this. But as we get older, our grandparents will die, then our parents will die, and then, as we age, our day will eventually come. Continue reading ‘Where Were You, God?’

By Aaron Klein © 2008 WorldNetDaily

Religious leaders tell president-elect Israel must remain under Jewish control

JERUSALEM – A group of hundreds of prominent Israeli rabbis this week urged President-elect Barack Obama to “implement the will of God” during his upcoming presidency by ensuring the entire state of Israel remains under Jewish sovereignty.

“According to media publication of the prayer you recently placed in the Western Wall, you asked God: ‘make me an instrument of your will.’ Consistent with your focus on the will of God we trust that you are aware of the will of God when it comes to Jewish sovereignty in the entire Land of Israel,” wrote the Rabbinical Congress for Peace in a letter delivered to Obama.

The Congress is a coalition of more than 350 Israeli rabbinic leaders and over 850 rabbis from abroad, including in the U.S. Continue reading ‘Rabbis Call On Obama To ‘Implement Will Of God’’

By Teresa Neumann : Nov 9, 2008 : Jenna Lyle - Christian Today

“My Hope Brazil”—one of the largest evangelistic efforts ever to hit the nation—is inspired by Matthew 9 in which tax collectors and sinners gather at Matthew’s house to have dinner with Jesus.

(Brazil)—Christian Today reports that Brazilian football superstar and Fifa world player of the year, Kaka, will tell his home country of the love of God in a major televised outreach by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). In one of the largest evangelistic efforts ever to hit Brazil—coined “My Hope Brazil” inspired by Matthew 9 in which tax collectors and sinners gather at Matthew’s house to have dinner with Jesus—Kaka will share his testimony of hope and faith in Jesus Christ in a series of programs broadcast during prime time hours this week. Continue reading ‘Soccer Superstar to Declare Jesus’ Love to Fellow Brazilians’

By Teresa Neumann

“There is no more important decision you will ever make than to put your faith in Jesus Christ, because it literally has life or death consequences attached to it.”

(New York, NY)—Last weekend, Pastor Greg Laurie spoke to 13,000 attendees at the New York Harvest Crusade at Madison Square Garden, one of a series of crusades held throughout the country.

Speaking about the loss of his 33-year-old son Christopher on July of this year, Laurie said: “If I didn’t have Christ in my life, I don’t know how I could bear it. But because I am a Christian and because Christopher is a Christian, I know I will see him again. (Photo: Harvest Christian Fellowship) Continue reading ‘New York Harvest Crusade Reaps Over 1,300 Souls For Christ’

Dear Friends and Family in Christ,

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas, in addition to a wonderful New Year in 2009, overflowing with the supernatural power and glorious presence of the Holy Ghost!

Thank you for your support, prayer, action and many forms of contact that have been such a blessing to me, my family and each team member.

May we all seize this Christmas season and make it our primary purpose to talk to someone about the wonderful joy, peace and love that Jesus Christ brought to all mankind 2000 years ago when he came from heaven to earth! This unchanging message still brings hope, excitement and blessed assurance of eternal salvation to millions of people around the world, as He died, rose again, ascended to the right hand of His Father in Heaven, and is coming back soon as King of kings and Lord of lords! Continue reading ‘Wishing You A Happy Christmas & A Blessed New Year!’

John Paul Jackson (Put Australia in the place where United States is mentioned as you read…)

For those of you who have followed this ministry, you have heard me say more than once during the past eight years that from 2009 or 2010, things will become very difficult. I have been praying and hoping that what I am about to write may be averted. However, I am now concerned that without prophetic people speaking up, we will not play our redemptive part in bringing change for the good.

FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE BREWING PERFECT STORM

As in the movie The Perfect Storm, the storm I see coming to the United States is a combination of more than one element, and when the elements unite, the storm becomes exponentially more dangerous. However, unlike the movie, this storm is not just a storm of merging weather patterns. This storm is worse; it involves five different elements: religion, politics, economics, war and geo-physical events. Continue reading ‘The Storm Is Coming!!!’

A few weeks back, Mervyn Bendle hit the headlines when he spoke about various academics and their views on Islam.
He is a senior lecturer at James Cook University.

This is an article that followed on from that…
Click link to read or make a comment. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2389000.htm
__________________________________________
 

How to be a useful idiot: Saudi funding in Australia
Mervyn Bendle

ABC, Unleashed, 13 October 2008

The Griffith fiasco

In 2007 it was revealed that the Saudis were planning a $2.7 billion scholarship fund for Australian universities, designed to facilitate the entry of Saudi students into Australia to undertake tertiary education in the face of restrictions on their entry into the US and UK in the post-9/11 security environment. Continue reading ‘Salt Shakers I-List: Mervyn Bendle And Saudi Funding And unis’

Dear friends

One. Sometimes I wonder what it will take to rouse a sleeping church. Will we have to start going to prison or face other penalties before God’s people begin to wake up? I am still grieving about the story of Warwick Marsh of the Fatherhood Foundation. This Christian pro-family activist has spent tens of thousands of volunteer hours helping men not commit suicide; make a go of life, etc. An ideal appointment as a Men’s Ambassador.

Yet the Rudd Government thought he was unqualified because he cared more about the well being of children than wanting to advance the cause of the radical homosexual lobby. Therefore he was dumped, and Kevin Rudd – who campaigned as a Christian to win their votes – said it was a “mistake” to appoint Marsh.

I have written up this whole ugly affair here: http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/28/coercing-tolerance/

Please have a read, and then perhaps allow for a bit of righteous indignation. But don’t just get angry; do something. Please write to Health Minister Nicola Roxon and share your concerns, in your own words: Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au Continue reading ‘What Will It Take?’

A wonderful evening of fellowship, food and lots of laughter - which was heard from those gathering at the Catch The Fire End of Year “Get-2-Gether” where 100 happy people gathered to enjoy a special night together!
Familes chatted and friendships renewed as an evening of honouring saw Pastor Danny & Maryse present small gifts of appreciation to team members, expressing their thankfulness for support and co-operation toward the vision.

This event is always looked forward to and year by year we seek larger venues as the team grows. A sense of excitment at the new year so full of promise and new premises to move into, to facilitate the busy office and extensive activity, was evident from those gathered. Continue reading ‘End Of Year Get Together December 2008′

But religious rights advocates warn plan still a danger to Western world!

Jay Sekulow

A leading advocate for religious rights says an Islam-sponsored religious anti-”defamation” resolution pushed in the United Nations appears to be losing support but still remains a rattlesnake to Christianity around the world.

“U.N. Watch, a Geneva-based organization that monitors the U.N.’s Human Rights Council, acknowledged what we have stated all along that the resolution is ‘aimed at the Western world to intimidate anyone from criticizing radical Islam,’” said  Jay Sekulow of the American Centre for Law & Justice.

As WND reported, the organization raised alarms about the plan supported by the 57 member -nations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The group repeatedly has lobbied since 1999 for the plan, based on the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam, “which states that all rights are subject to Shariah law, and makes Shariah law the only source of reference for human rights.” Continue reading ‘FAITH UNDER FIRE - Criminalizing Christians Loosing Steam At U.N’

The Muslim Women’s National Network of Australia has produced a book called ‘Did you Know?’. The author is Aziza Abdel-Halim.
 
The book is 178 pages long and was funded in part by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The book contains a number of sections on the treatment of women but is much wider in scope.
 
The promotional material - and sub-title - says it is aimed at “Refuting rigid interpretations concerning the position of women In Islam, and Muslim’s interaction with non-Muslims.”
 
The FULL booklet (in pdf)  - but without the graphics and pictures - is also attached – it is 586 KB.
The book is available online – Click Here.
 
The book was launched in July 2008 by Laurie Ferguson, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services. He also opened the NCEIS conference at the University of Melbourne last week.
Jamila Hussain, who wrote the last article I sent out - about domestic violence and marriage etc, is the secretary of the Muslim Women’s National Network of Australia.

Continue reading ‘Did You Know? - Book Produced By Muslim Women’s Group’

Official government policy - if you don’t think homosexuality is normal YOU have a problem. You are to be discriminated against!
Rhetoric now supersedes truth!

Health Minister Nicola Roxon has dumped a fine Christian and a strong advocate for fathers because he was associated with a book stating that ‘Gender matters’. This week he was appointed as a ‘men’s health ambassador’ - now he’s been dumped!
Warwick Marsh founded the Fatherhood Foundation to support and encourage fathers. In 2007 it produced a book supported by sound research about the importance of gender and male heterosexuality.
In other words it supported the Biblical position, not the current politically correct policy that ‘any sex is OK’. The latter is now official government policy.
 
Nicola Roxon, and by implication the Prime Minister, has now stated that homosexuality is more important than fatherhood. Continue reading ‘News - Truth And Freedom Of Speech Removed, Discrimination Against Christians Now Acceptable!’

Dear Friends and Family in Christ,

In Hallam (Melbourne) on Thursday (27th) & Friday night (28th) those hungry for the presence of God gathered to worship, honour and praise the One True and Living God for His goodness and grace. Two glorious nights where visiting travellers came from New South Wales and South Australia to drink from the river of God poured out during this 5-6 months.

Testimonies continue to flow concerning healings, deliverance from darkness and depression and a glorious freedom enabled others to be set free from hindrances and oppression. The presence of God was so strong that many people simply rested in the Spirit being saturated with the Lord. Many conveyed their joy of how the passion ignited within them at the meetings has compelled them to witness and see souls saved from destruction.

Over the last 25 weeks, we have witnessed a wonderful visitation and outpouring of the Spirit of God into the lives of His people, equipping them to effectively re-produce for the Kingdom of Light, growing in grace and goodness, as they have dwelt in His presence. We know that each one who has received from the Lord will take the deposit received and fervently follow the Word in these troubled times. Continue reading ‘Week 25 - Melbourne & Canberra Receive A Mighty Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit!’

Dear Family and Friends in Christ,

It is with great excitement and resounding joy I bring to your attention the following news!

Based on the outcome of a season of fervent and lengthy prayer, The Board of Catch The Fire Ministries has decided the time is right to purchase a building to establish a base for CTFM which would incorporate our offices with an auditorium.  This will be a place for the body of Christ to meet from all denominations.

It has been my desire to see this come to pass for the last 3-4 years. Some members of our CTFM team have sought the Lord for our ‘home base,’ from our commencement 10 years ago. We have hired/used venues across Melbourne (over the years) to host the Rise Up Australia prayer meetings, seminars & conferences we have held during this time.

I give all glory to God for making it possible to have our own building from 2009!

We desire to see the CTFM Centre serve the body of Christ and the community. The following is our short term and long term goals to achieve at the Centre: Continue reading ‘Catch The Fire Ministries Centre - Building Fund Appeal’

Victoria’s Legislative Council is due to have the final third reading VOTE on the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill – giving  IVF for lesbians, homosexuals and single women NEXT WEEK - the FIRST week in DECEMBER.

This Bill gives IVF for lesbians, homosexuals and single women, allows them to be registered as ‘parents’ and opens up surrogacy.

After passing a second reading vote by 20 to 18, the Bill was sent off to the Legislation Committee for ‘review’. The Committee will report back to the Council by 1 December.
 
If you live in Victoria, it is vital that we contact our FIVE Members in the legislative Council to ask them to vote AGAINST the Bill.
 
Petition - A petition is being circulated – it highlights the serious consequences of the Bill in allowing people who have NO biological link to the child (a lesbian partner or homosexuals who ‘commission a surrogate child’) to be registered as ‘parents’.
The Bill ignores the rights of the child to be raised by its biological mother and father. Continue reading ‘Salt Shakers E-News: Victoria - Final Vote On IVF Bill NEXT WEEK’

By Hilary White

CANBERRA, November 13, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com)

The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development has been slammed by Queensland Senator Ron Boswell for holding to Nazi-style eugenic ideology on the abortion of disabled children.

“This revisiting of eugenics principles is repugnant to a society that prides itself on the contribution of all,” Boswell said.

The pro-abortion group had made a submission, signed by 41 Australian MPs, to the parliamentary committee that is examining the issue of abortion in Australia. The group said paying women a Medicare rebate for second-trimester abortions would save the government about $180,000 a year, due to the high costs of caring for handicapped babies who are allowed to be born. Continue reading ‘Australian Committee Proposal To Pay Mothers to Abort Disabled Babies Compared To Nazis’

Dear Friends and Family in Christ,

Last weekend  the Revival in Melbourne (Hallam) was very exciting as hundreds of spiritually hungry Christians gathered on Thursday and Friday to soak in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and to receive the prophetic Word of the Lord through Mike Berry (from the USA), a Prophetic Leader to the Nations!

For the last thirty years, Mike has traveled extensively throughout 160 cities and 21 countries ministering to over 1,000,000 people worldwide.  He has produced, directed and hosted TV programs for the TBN, TCT, The God Channel, Cornerstone, TCN, Total Living Network, DayStar, LeSea and INSP television networks (over 500 million homes).  His daily radio programs have reached 1.5 million annually through his flagship program “Managing Life Effectively.”  He also served as the mobilization coordinator for Washington For Jesus 96 & 04 (with over 500,000 youth in attendance) and the Call DC with Lou Engle and Che Ahn (with over 300,000 youth in attendance).  Mike is widely known for his prolific prophetic gifting; teaching ministry, books, and ministry cross-denominationally (From Anglican to Pentecostal Churches). 

A significant highlight was the Lord’s focus on Healing the Nations through individual and corporate repentance, prophetic intercessory prayer, and the reconciliation of different cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities, as the Spirit of the Lord continues to rise up a Holy Nation! Continue reading ‘Week 25 - Holy Spirit Revival in Melbourne (Hallam) Continues with Healing the Nations / Buddhist Leader And 5 Other Buddhists Receive Jesus As Savior!’