Displaying items by tag: Media

Escalating events: -President Putin claims to have records of the meeting between Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and President Trump. -Reports that Trump asked former FBI director James Comey to drop an investigation into the former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s links to Russia. -The White House denies there was ever a Trump/Comey meeting. -Israel emerges as supplying sensitive security intelligence to Trump. -Trump shared the material with Russia. -Trump fired Comey, who was leading investigative links between the Trump campaign and Russia. -The New York Times cited a memo Comey wrote about his meeting with Trump in February. Did the US president try to influence an FBI investigation? Now former prosecutor and FBI director Robert Mueller will oversee an independent inquiry into ‘Russia,/Trump true/fake news’. Democrats and Republicans agree that Mueller ‘has a history of standing up to the White House’. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports Trump growing increasingly angry with staff; some have turned to impeachment gallows humour, some are contacting consultants and circulating their CVs . See:

United Christian Broadcasting (UCB) Prayerline is a confidential service available to anyone, whoever they are and whatever their background. Christian volunteers take phone calls and pray with the callers over issues they are facing. Premier Christian Radio also have a telephone lifeline; trained volunteers create a confidential, anonymous place for people to talk about and pray into whatever they wish, without judgment or rejection. They could be worried about losing jobs, young people who do not know what to do next, people needing prayer for healing, those with money worries or family worries, or those who want to know more about what God can do in their lives. These are not counselling or advice services; it’s all about prayer and asking God for help. See also

‘13 Reasons Why’ is one of the most talked-about shows on Netflix. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is urging Christian parents of teens and church youth ministry leaders to engage in online conversations which explore the questions raised by the series, which follows the story of Hannah who takes her own life after a series of traumatic experiences. Moore said that while he wouldn't want his own children watching it, he believes the controversy surrounding the show might bring some grace-filled moments. ‘If the series shows anything, it is that there are multiple reasons behind the darkness leading to suicide. Maybe this controversy will prompt friends, parents and youth ministers to talk about suicide and give signals to those in trouble that they are not alone and won't be judged if they come forward and seek help.’ For the scale of youth suicides in the USA go to:

Algeria’s population is 40.3 million - 99% Muslim, 1% Christian. Literacy: 87% men, 73% women. The country was home to St Augustine, one of the Church’s foremost theologians (354-430). Christianity flourished between the fifth and seventh centuries but disappeared after Arab invasions. Since independence in 1962, an entirely local church has been born among the Berber people. Its astonishing growth in the last few decades is thought to be the fastest in the Arab world, with several thousand new believers baptised every year. Church growth is exciting and challenging. In this ‘first-generation Church’ there is a great need for discipleship, strong biblical teaching and encouragement for believers to live out their new-found faith every day. Such a radical change in their worldview means that new Christians are often left with questions and face many challenges. SAT-7 broadcasts across the airwaves, and is responding to this need with a range of programmes to encourage and disciple Algerian believers.

Five hours of prayer every day, soup kitchens, sharing the Gospel with street people, impromptu guitar jams, amazing beards in the world of a Franciscan friary  - all these are featured in a BBC documentary, Friars on a Mission (available for another 19 days on iPlayer). This unique insight into the simple and missional lifestyle of five Franciscan friars in Bradford has testimonies from them and those they have helped. Brother Benedict - who was once promiscuous and heavily involved in drugs before having a life-changing encounter with God - enthuses in a thick Mancunian accent, ‘I’ll always be raving for Manchester, but I’m raving for the Lord.’ Tony, a homeless man, adds, ‘If it wasn’t for the friars, there is a very good possibility I’d be dead.’ Warmth, humility, and joy - not to mention an infectious sense of humour - radiate from them all.

During Theresa May’s Easter message, she talked about religious freedom and said people should be able to talk freely about their faith, including their faith in Jesus Christ. She urged everyone to uphold the country's ‘strong tradition’ of religious tolerance and freedom of speech. ‘We must continue to ensure that people feel able to speak about their faith, and that absolutely includes their faith in Christ. We must be mindful of Christians and religious minorities around the world who do not enjoy these same freedoms, but who practise their religion in secret and often in fear.’ She added, ‘People should be confident about Christianity's role in the country.’ Alastair Campbell, editor-at-large of the New European, said the prime minister should be careful about merging her faith with her politics.

Britain’s national newspapers are full of opinions, reports and analysis. The Daily Mail has an air of menace, the Sun and Telegraph proclaim Tory triumph, the Times and Guardian see bids for political strength. Some fear another general election will create instability in the country. Many voters already have ‘election fatigue’. Sources say Theresa May's manifesto will draw on inspiration from Thatcher's in 1979 - it will be short and 'tell a story'; Jeremy Corbyn said he will not play by the election rules, Nigel Farage is considering another bid to become an MP, and 750,000 people who turned 18 since the last election are now able to vote. Much prayer is needed for all who are canvassing to be men and women of wisdom and truth, for the voting public to hear the voices of wisdom above the clamour of half-truths and for the outcome on 8 June to be in line with God’s will for a United Kingdom.

Recently the BBC has received much criticism for its Christian content, but it has announced a range of new and returning religious programmes for Easter. The line-up of innovative documentaries, music, reflection and worship to mark this cornerstone of Christian faith include an emotional and personal journey to the Holy Land by Fern Britton, Franciscan Friars in Bradford, live worship from Hereford Cathedral, Revd Kate Bottley and the London Community Gospel Choir, and a Good Friday meditation with Revd Lucy Winkett. Such a wide range of programming across television and radio reflects the sanctity of Eastertide and the celebration of the resurrection.

Trials, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: live in London. What are you doing on Good Friday? Buying Easter eggs for the family? Having a much-needed lie-in? The Bible Society are saying, ‘Do it all later! Come and join us in Trafalgar Square for a re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Performances by the Wintershall Players take place at 12 noon and 3.15 pm and are free. Come early to get a good spot, and join 20,000 others who are drawn into the astonishing story brought to life before their eyes.’ This year, the performance sees James Burke-Dunsmore mark his twentieth year in the role of Jesus. He told The Daily Telegraph that strangers often come up to him in the street with a bottle of water and ask him to turn it into wine. ‘I’m flattered’, he said. ‘This is a sign in a supposedly indifferent or hostile age that people are interested.’ James weaves his own crown of thorns out of twigs for each performance. And one year, the man playing a soldier nailing him to the cross struck his leg with a hammer, fracturing his leg. He said that he had to shout, ‘Father forgive them!’ and really mean it.

‘We’re not so different, you and me’ is the theme of My Feral Heart, a British film about a young man with Down’s Syndrome (DS). At the heart of the film are two intertwining themes: we can only find happiness in caring for each other, and all of us are vulnerable and needy, not just people with DS. Disability is nothing to be feared, hidden away or ashamed of. Each of us is disabled and needy in different ways: some intellectually, others emotionally and socially. But the universal cure is self-giving and generosity. The release of My Feral Heart comes as the British health system increasingly pressurises mothers to abort any child diagnosed with DS.