Sunday, May 13, 2012

The Christian Post: Sunday MAY 13, 2012 IYYAR 21, 5772

(Photo: Reuters/Larry Downing)

Poll: Obama's Gay Marriage Stance Could Cost Him Votes

By Anugrah Kumar

A new poll shows that President Barack Obama's decision to support gay marriage might make many independents and even some Democrats less likely to vote for him in November.

Sex Sells, Even in Christian Bookstores

By Jeff Schapiro

There's been no shortage of Christian books on the topic of sex in recent months, and Christians across the United States are buying them up in order to spice up their marriages.

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US

Romney Tells Liberty Graduates to Trust in God; Defends Traditional Marriage

By Lillian Kwon

Mitt Romney was received with loud applause at Liberty University Saturday morning as he called on graduates to let "the message of Jesus Christ" be their guide and also as he reaffirmed the traditional definition of marriage.

Congress to Consider Bill Adding FDR Prayer to WWII Memorial

By Michael Gryboski

A bill that would add a display of the prayer that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued for the D-Day invasion of World War II was introduced in the Senate Thursday.

Convoy of Hope has been trekking across the U.S. since 1994, serving 1.6 million Americans through its community outreach events alone. Today with U.S. poverty at an all-time high, The Convoy of Hope 50-state tour will touch thousands of the 46 million Am

Christian Aid Group to Combat US Poverty With Two-Year 'Convoy of Hope' Tour

By Ivana Kvesic

A new $50 million dollar initiative designed to help people and communities across the U.S. experience a day free of poverty is being launched this weekend by faith-based organization Convoy of Hope.

Church & Ministries

Mother's Day Church Attendance Third Highest After Easter, Christmas; Father's Day Last

By Luiza Oleszczuk

Behind Easter and Christmas, Mother's Day draws the highest attendance in U.S. churches, a recent study shows. LifeWay Research, a Christian research center, asked 1,000 Protestant pastors what the three highest attendance Sundays were

A view of Crystal Cathedral, the glass-walled megachurch in Garden Grove, Calif., is seen this Aug. 10, 2011 photo.

Bobby Schuller to Preach on Mother's Day as Crystal Cathedral Honors Mother Teresa

By Luiza Oleszczuk

Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove, Calif., megachurch known for its "Hour of Power" broadcasts, will this weekend during its celebration of Mother's Day, honor Roman Catholic icon Mother Teresa of Calcutta and feature a special sermon from the Rev. Bobby Schuller.

Pastor Challenges Christians to Detoxify Their Soul

By Lillian Kwon

For many Christians, watching a movie with some violence, bad language, and a little sex scene is no big deal. But one pastor says it can be poisoning their soul and driving them farther from God.

Assemblies of God Opposes Obama's Same-Sex Marriage Stance

By Michael Gryboski

One of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States has officially announced its opposition to President Barack Obama's stance on same-sex marriage.

Calif. Court Rules in Favor of Episcopal Diocese in Property Dispute

By Michael Gryboski

A California judge has ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church in a years long legal battle over the property of a couple breakaway congregations.

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How Should the Church Love a Gay Couple? (Part 1)

How should Christians express love and minster to ...

Obama's Spiritual Adviser Rebukes President on Golden Rule, Same-Sex Marriage

The Rev. Joel Hunter of the 15,000 member Northland church in Longwood, Fl., who is often referred to as President Barack Obama's spiritual adviser, has revealed that he is disappointed with the president's use of the Golden Rule ...

Assemblies of God Opposes Obama's Same-Sex Marriage Stance

One of the largest Pentecostal denominations in ...

Pastor Challenges Christians to Detoxify Their Soul

For many Christians, watching a movie with some ...

NY Court Rules That Viewing Child Porn Is Legal

The New York Court of Appeals has ruled that viewing child pornography is legal, thereby dismissing one of two counts against a professor. The president of the anti-pornography organization Morality in Media blasted the decision.

BGEA Launching 'My Hope' Ministry in Canada

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is ...

PCUSA to Lay Off More Workers

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) plans to cut ...

Cautious Romney Remains Mute on Gay Marriage in NC

Mitt Romney on Friday visited North Carolina ...

Who Should Christians Vote for? Look to Biblical Teachings, Pastor Urges

Dr. Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Baptist ...

Pastor Ed Young: Society on 'Thin Ice' After Obama's Gay Marriage Endorsement

SC Church Billboard Displays 'Message From Satan'

A South Carolina church has launched an ad campaign featuring billboards which have a message signed by Satan.

Gay Adoption 'Fine' With Romney

On the heels of President Obama's comments that ...

More Blogs

Does Protesting Gay Marriage Advance the Gospel?

Before you read this, if you aren’t familiar ...

On Love, Homosexuality, and Sin: An Evangelical Proposal

By Rob Schwarzwalder Evangelical leaders across ...

Tattoos, Mini-Skirts, Pink Hair and Drugs

Is teen rebellion a necessary part of raising a ...

ReThinking Church, Part 5 – Biblical Conversions

The greatest missing element we witness today ...

Entertainment

World Boxing Organization welterweight champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines gestures during a press conference in Manila in this March 26, 2012 file photo.

Manny Pacquiao Offers Biblical Advice to Friends in Philippines After Public Brawl

By Christine Thomasos

Manny Pacquiao, 33-year-old high-profile Filipino boxer and congressman, took a moment from his training session in California to mediate a situation using the Bible between his friends in the Philippines.

Mariano Rivera on Blood Clot Discovery: 'Maybe the Lord Is Telling Me It's Time to Go'

By Christine Thomasos

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees 12-time All-Star closer, was vocal about his faith in the Lord after he tore his ACL last week and recently said he was blessed because doctor's discovered that he was suffering from an additional injury, a blood clot in his calf.

Joel Osteen's 'Mary, Mother of Christ' Film Set to Profit Government

By Ivana Kvesic

The federal government will earn future profits off of an upcoming film about the early life of Jesus' mother Mary, backed by popular Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen.

World

Samaritan's Purse Calls Christians to Pray for Peace in Sudan

By Christian Today

Refugee pastors are asking Christians to pray for peace between Sudan and South Sudan.

Brazilian Good Samaritan Becomes Hero in China Amid Solidarity Crisis

By Luana Santiago

A Brazilian Christian, Mozer Rhian Oliveira, 27, has become a hero in China on Friday after he prevented a theft, in the city of Dongguan, in the Guangdong province (Canton).

Religious Freedom, Shariah Take Center Stage During Egypt's Presidential Debate

By Luiza Oleszczuk

The two front-runners for the Egyptian presidency recently faced off during the country's first televised presidential debate, with religion and Islamic law dominating the discussion.

Laborers work on a dried lake to try and revive it under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) at Ibrahimpatnam, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, in this June 17, 2009 file photo. The initiative aims to help India's poor.

Christians From Haiti to Nigeria 'Live Below the Line' to Stamp Out Global Poverty

By Ivana Kvesic

Christian organizations and Good Samaritans around the world are joining together this week as part of an awareness and fundraising campaign that hopes to impact the lives of over a billion people globally.

Katy Perry Gothic Look: Has She Forgotten Her Christian Past?

Katy Perry, originally a Christian singer who ...

Hollywood Stars Back Obama's Same-Sex Push With $15M Fundraiser

President Barack Obama, who on Wednesday announced that he now supports same-sex marriage, has earned $15 million toward his campaign at a star-studded fundraising event in Los Angeles, which was hosted by his good friend actor ...

Justin Bieber Releases New Mother's Day Song - Proceeds to Help Single Mothers

Sacha Baron Cohen Spoofs Politics at 'Dictator' Premiere

Sacha Baron Cohen has earned media attention ...

Jeremy Lin Unsure of Position With NY Knicks Amid Steve Nash Rumors

Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks point guard who ...

Christian Rock Band LEELAND Frontman Running to End World Poverty

Leeland Mooring, frontman of progressive worship ...

Doritos 'Sling Baby' Commercial Director on Way to Feature-Length Comedy

The director of last Super Bowl's Doritos ...

Argentina Makes Sex-Change Surgery a Legal Right; Passes Euthanasia-Leaning Law

Youcef Nadarkhani's Attorney Defends Christian Pastor Despite Iran's Threats

No matter their religion, few lawyers would take ...

Franklin Graham Shares Importance of Global Evangelism on TBN's 'Praise the Lord'

Syrian Blasts Kill 70, Government and Rebels Blame Each Other

The Syrian capital of Damascus was hit with two ...

Half a Million Sign Petition to Protect Definition of Marriage in UK

A petition launched in the United Kingdom in ...

Journalists Protest Against Murders in Mexico, Demand Government Action

Journalists have taken to the streets of Mexico ...

Vatican Paper Compares Pro-Abortion and Euthanasia Arguments to Nazi Eugenics

Hugo Chavez Says Cancer Made Him 'More Christian;' Has Faith Christ Will Bring 'Miracle'

CP Cartoons

Tech & Biz

'Stand Up And Pray' Website Unites Believers and Social Media

By Vincent Funaro

Believers all over the world can now join each other online and exchange prayer requests with the new Stand Up And Pray Facebook application created by Christian entertainment company EGT.

Facebook Co-Founder Eduardo Saverin Renounces US Citizenship

By Myles Collier

A billionaire co-founder of Facebook has renounced his United States citizenship ahead of the company's initial public offering— a move that analysts say is becoming more common among wealthy Americans.

iPad Mini to Launch in October for $250?

By Vincent Funaro

Apple will launch a 7-inch iPad in October of this year at price in between $200 and $250, according to a recent report from iMore.com.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Pre-orders Offered by More Carriers

By Vincent Funaro

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is currently available for pre-order on three carriers overseas including Vodafone, O2 and Three.

Eminem Rebukes Romney's School Cranbrook

Jesus Back in the Schools!

The True Definition of Marriage

Hollywood Finds Out About Faith

Jessica Simpson First Baby Picture Sold for $800,000: Was She Low-Balled?

Kate Middleton Stuns at Olympic Gala

Fast Food Study by Washington University Pays People to Pack on the Pounds

JWoww to Palin: 'Keep Your Mouth Shut' About Gay Marriage

Hollie Cavanagh Booted Off 'Idol,' Will Pursue Career

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Steals Limbs of Aimee Copeland After Zip Line Accident

Mother's Day and the Infertile

By Russell D. Moore

Mother's Day is a particularly sensitive time in many congregations, and pastors and church leaders often don't even know it. It is good and right to honor mothers. We must recognize though that many infertile women find this day almost unbearable.

INTERVIEW

Craig Groeschel on 'Soul Detox,' Taking God's Word Seriously

By Lillian Kwon

Craig Groeschel, considered one of the most influential pastors in the country, wants to help Christians open their eyes to all the "spiritual trash" that has accumulated in their lives.

OPINION

Spirituality as Parody

By Eric Metaxas

For many of today's spiritual seekers, life is a big buffet: Take a little of this, a little of that. But how nourishing is this spiritual smorgasbord?

SERIES

How Should the Church Love a Gay Couple? (Part 1)

By Paul Stanley

How should Christians express love and minster to couples living in a homosexual lifestyle when these couples attend church? Both Christians and non-Christians seemed bewildered by the issue.

U.S.

Every Day Is Mother's Day at Pregnancy Resource Centers

By Jeff Schapiro

A live webcast put on by the Family Research Council brought some prolific pro-lifers together to show that Pregnancy Resource Centers aren't just in the business of saving babies, they are in the business of helping mothers too.

COLUMN

The Double-Reach of Self-Righteousness

By Tullian Tchividjian

There's an equally dangerous form of self-righteousness that plagues the unconventional, the liberal, and the non-religious types. We become self-righteous against those who are self-righteous

OPINION

Redefining Bullying: A Savage Attack

By Eric Metaxas

Americans recently got a lesson in hypocrisy -- and of how dangerous it can be to redefine words.

COLUMN

Five Reasons Christians Should Continue to Oppose Gay Marriage

By Kevin DeYoung

It can seem like the whole world is having a gay old time, with conservative Christians the only ones refusing to party. The temptation, then, is for Christians go silent and give up the marriage fight.

COLUMN

President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Future of Evangelical Response

By Ed Stetzer

Homosexuality is not an easy issue. Christians have said a lot of unhelpful things about the subject over the years-- but that does not mean we cannot say helpful things now.

LIVING

Spoken Word Poet Jefferson Bethke, Fiancée Talk Faith and Marriage

By Katherine Weber

Jefferson Bethke, the spoken word poet whose YouTube video "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" garnered millions of hits, recently proposed to the woman he has been dating for two years. The couple, who both attend Mars Hill Church, recently shared with The Christian Post their views on marriage, faith and love.

OPINION

Evolution's End? President Obama Calls for Same-Sex Marriage

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

President Obama's call for the legalization of same-sex marriage yesterday is an historic and tragic milestone. An incumbent President of the United States has now called for a transformation of civilization's central institution.

OPINION

What Maurice Sendak Can Teach the Church

By Russell D. Moore

Maurice Sendak, who just died, doesn't seem, at first glance, to have much to teach Christians. After all, he was an atheist with a cynical outlook and a foul mouth.

LEADERSHIP

Top 10 Temptations That Leaders Face

By Perry Noble

Devoting more time to an online audience (twitter/facebook) rather than leading your family, your staff and investing in the REAL people that God is bringing to your church

WORLD

Shrine Discovery in Judah May Confirm, Clarify Biblical Descriptions

By Jeff Schapiro

An archaeologist from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says he has discovered cultic shrines dating back to the time of the biblical King David, which may provide clarity to some obscure building references in the Bible.

COLUMN

When Paul Sent the Celebrity Pastor

By Kevin DeYoung

There have always been men who gain a certain notoriety for their preaching of the gospel. Paul spoke of a brother "famous among all the churches for his preaching."

PASTORS

Dangerous Calling: Pastoral Ministry Is War

By Paul Tripp

Why do so many pastors report being over-burdened and over-stressed? Why do so many pastors report tension between family life and ministry life? Why does pastoral ministry often seem like more of a trial than a joy? Why is there often disharmony between the private life of the pastor and his public ministry persona?

ENTERTAINMENT

Movie Producer DeVon Franklin: Hollywood Paying Attention to Faith-Based Audience

By Alex Murashko

The Hollywood entertainment industry has become increasingly aware of the growing market for faith-based films and entertainment, said movie producer DeVon Franklin at the Biola Media Conference at CBS Studios on Saturday.

OPINION

TBN: Trouble in Paradise

By Ken Connor

It's a drama fit for reality television: Sadly, it's not the Real Housewives of Orange County at the center of this drama, but the first family of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

CP BLOG

Gay Conversion Therapy: Good or Bad?

By Matt Moore

Although I fully support biblical and spiritual counseling, I am not the biggest fan of the idea of conversion therapy. Nor am I a fan of programs that lead people to focus more on their desire to have heterosexual attractions than their to desire to know Jesus Christ (who, by the way, is the only One who holds the power to create such a transformation in sexual desires).

CP BLOG

How Is Your Worship Team "Really" Doing?

By Christian Post Guest Voices

When is the last time you got on the balcony? No – not the balcony at your church building or even the hotel from your last vacation. It’s Jason Hatley here (Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey Church) with a quick (but important) leadership principle that every pastor and worship leader needs to practice… Getting on the Balcony.

OPINION