Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Mar 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.

Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Feb 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.

Snow "catastrophe" in the south, survey shows Christian decline, and Christmas sermon by text.

Welcome to the final Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, as snow blankets the south, why does everything stop? A new survey of religious beliefs highlights decline in Christianity, and a Christmas sermon in 160 characters.

Story Links:

Snow:

guardian.co.uk Snow strands passengers at Gatwick and Luton

bbc.co.uk  Travellers hit by snow disruption

uk.reuters.com Snow hits commuters, cancels some flights

Survey:

ekklesia.co.uk New UK research shows significant decline in institutional Christianity

dailymail.co.uk  ‘Sharp decline’ in faith as number of Christians in Britain falls to half

Text sermon:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Christmas Day sermon – text version

This is the final Weekly News Review. Thank you for listening and downloading.  Happy Christmas to all our readers and listeners.

Politicians under fire again, schools fear child protection overkill, and the Archbishop's Christmas wrap

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, as the MPs expenses row rumbles on, and rows emerge over cuts policy, will we ever trust politicians again?  As new rules on child protection come into force, schools fear they will deter volunteers,  and the respected former Archbishop of Cape Town designs a Christmas wrapping paper.

Story Links:

Politics:

bbc.co.uk Treasury ‘wanted tougher deficit action’

telegraph.co.uk Latest expenses claims

Youtube.com Cameron calls for MPs pay cut

Child protection:

bbc.co.uk School leaders query new vetting and barring system

dailymail.co.uk Anti-paedophile vetting regime ‘is ruining school life’, head teachers warn

press association Pupils ‘losing out’ under new rules

Desmond Tutu:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Tutu Christmas wrapping paper featured in today’s Guardian

guardian.co.uk Celebrity Christmas wrapping paper auction

The Messiah for Muslims and Jews | 24th Nov 09

This year Revival will place advertisements in the UK Muslim and Jewish press, offering a complete version of Handel’s Messiah. It will be accompanied by notes explaining each of the Bible texts on which the oratorio is based. The aim is that Jesus should be presented in a way that is both attractive and compelling. Meanwhile Intervarsity has come up with their “10 commandments for sharing the Gospel with Muslims”. It’s a helpful guide for Christians in regular contact with Muslims:

1 – Love is the key which unlocks the door.
2 – Rely on the Holy Spirit.
3 – Listen carefully.
4 – Clarify words.
5 – Show respect for their customs and for Islam.
6 – Introduce and focus on Jesus.
7 – Be lovingly bold.
8 – Pray faithfully.
9 – Use the Bible.
10 – Ask thought-provoking questions.

Source: Revival Media; Intervarsity.org

BIBLE STUDY: Jude 1:20-21

PRAISE: God for such an opportunity to present Jesus to Jews and Muslims. Pray that many may be moved to seek and find Him as their Messiah.

Life goes on in Afghanistan, the clash of experts and politicians, and humbug – Christmas lights go on in Oxford Street

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Laura Webster,  Head of Policy at the aid agency Tearfund about the latest news from a Christian standpoint. Today, life goes on in Afghanistan as ordinary people live their lives, how experts and politicians can clash, and Christmas comes early once again as the lights go on in Oxford Street.

Story Links:

Afghanistan:

telegraph.co.uk Afghanistan: Gordon Brown digs in

tearfund.org Afghan literacy project scoops UN cash prize

Experts and politics:

telegraph.co.uk MPs demand answers over Nutt sacking

guardian.co.uk Sacked drugs adviser Nutt may set up new body

Christmas Lights:

bbc.co.uk Actor Carrey switches on lights

viewlondon.co.uk Oxford Street Christmas Lights

The Messiah for Muslims and Jews | 24th Oct 09

This year Revival will place advertisements in the UK Muslim and Jewish press, offering a complete version of Handel’s Messiah. It will be accompanied by notes explaining each of the Bible texts on which the oratorio is based. The aim is that Jesus should be presented in a way that is both attractive and compelling. Meanwhile Intervarsity has come up with their "10 commandments for sharing the Gospel with Muslims". It’s a helpful guide for Christians in regular contact with Muslims:

1 – Love is the key which unlocks the door.
2 – Rely on the Holy Spirit.
3 – Listen carefully.
4 – Clarify words.
5 – Show respect for their customs and for Islam.
6 – Introduce and focus on Jesus.
7 – Be lovingly bold.
8 – Pray faithfully.
9 – Use the Bible.
10 – Ask thought-provoking questions.

Source: Revival Media; Intervarsity.org

BIBLE STUDY: Jude 1:20-21

PRAISE: God for such an opportunity to present Jesus to Jews and Muslims. Pray that many may be moved to seek and find Him as their Messiah.

Gordon Brown quotes the Bible to the Archbishop, workers face longest Christmas break as economy crumbles, and Cadburys chocolate changes content of "Heroes" boxes.

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint. Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, Gordon Brown quotes the Bible back to an Archbishop, workers face their longest ever Christmas break, and anger among chocoholics as Cadburys changes “Heroes” make up. Also, tea at No 10 as Russ Bravo meets the PM.

Story Links:

Brown quotes Bible to Archbishop:

guardian.co.uk Brown spending plans “like  an addict”

timesonline.co.uk Brown slaps down Archbishop..

Longest Christmas break:

telegraph.co.uk Thousands of workers take longest Christmas break..

Cadburys:

telegraph.co.uk Cadbury switches chocolate Heroes

cadbury.co.uk Official site

Russ goes to No 10:

number 10.gov.uk No 10 Official Site

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers/subscribers.  The next Weekly News review will be with Catherine Butcher on 8th January 2009

Mercy killing on trial again, homelessness rises with credit crunch, and one third say Jesus was born of a virgin

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint. Patrick Woodward talks to Catherine Butcher, editor of the Mothers’ Union “Families First” magazine (pictured) about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, assisted suicide is in the headlines following a tv programme, there are more homeless families because of the economic downturn, and a survey reveals that one-third of people believe that Jesus was indeed born of a virgin called Mary.

Story Links:

Assisted Suicide:

belfasttelegraph.co.uk Why assisted suicide should not be an option

theeconomist.com Assisted suicide in the public interest

carenotkilling.org.uk promoting palliative care

Homelessness:

savethefamily.uk.com homelessness charity

shelter.org.uk Shelter

Christmas Survey:

theosthinktank.co.uk One in three Britons believes in a Virgin Birth

jesuscentral.com The birth of Jesus

biblegateway.com The Christmas story from the Bible

Credit crunch could mean good news for churches, Sony video game double standard, and athiest ad welcomed by churches

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.

Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, editor of Inspire Magazine,   about the latest news from a Christian perspective.  Today,  the credit squeeze on the retail trade could mean good news for churches, Sony’s new video game is delayed out of respect for Muslims, but not the one that offended Christians, and Richard Dawkins’ athiest adverts on buses are welcomed by the Methodist Church.

Story Links:

Retail squeeze at Christmas:

guardian.co.uk Credit crunch may mar shoppers’ Christmas

channel4.com Christmas credit crisis

cofe.anglican.org Matter of Life and Debt

Sony’s video game:

bbc.co.uk  Game delayed over Korean phrases

churchtimes.co.uk  Sony refuses to withdraw game

Athiest adverts:

inspiremagazine.org Methodists thank Dawkins for putting God on the buses

ekklesia.co.uk Athiest evangelism campaign

athiestcampaign.org  official site

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