Reba Rambo McGuire Files Lawsuit in Death of Her Mother, Dottie Rambo

Dottie Rambo was traigically killed 11 May 2008 in a bus accident in Missouri.  Reba Rambo McGuire, daughter of the famed gospel artist, has filed a lawsuit naming the bus driver, James Meadows and the Nashvill-based bus company, Pyramid Coach, Incorporated, and DC Investments Leasing, a subsidiary of Pyramid Coach. 

McGuire is seeking a jury trial and damages in excess of $25,000.  Meadows was reportedly speeding when the deadly crash occurred, and the leasing company is, according to the suit, liable for his negligence.

Dottie Rambo published more than 2,500 gospel songs.  She began her early career as an Apostolic Pentecostal and still maintained many personal friendships within the United Pentecostal Church at the time of her death.

Click here to read the full story.

Faith Helps Apostolic Family Cope With Diagnosis

Monica and Anthony David of Franklin County waited three agonizing months to find out results of their daughter Olivia’s medical tests. When the call finally came, the news wasn’t good. Doctors at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson told the Davids that Olivia had mitochondrial disease — an ailment that’s incurable and can cause blindness, deafness, stroke-like episodes and premature death

The diagnosis adds to the many health problems the 7-year-old has already dealt with in her short life. She was developmentally delayed, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She takes six medications and has a pacemaker. She tires easily and sometimes has trouble staying on her feet.  And over the course of her life, Olivia has slowly lost the ability to speak.

Now, she has one more obstacle to overcome.

“Basically, we were handed a death sentence,” Monica David said. “But we refuse to accept that. … God has the final say. We’re holding on to our faith and trust in God. … God’s not through with Olivia yet. He’s going to heal her.”

The Davids plan to travel to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston on Feb. 4 to seek treatment for their daughter. The family held a benefit fish fry and raised $1,000 to help with the medical expenses they’ll accrue in Houston, which Medicaid will not cover, Monica said.  The couple said they have no idea how much the treatment in Houston will cost, nor do they know how long they will be there.

Click HERE to read the newspaper article and find out more about the benefit fund.

Christians traveling overseas need personal security training, says specialist

BOISE, Idaho. (BP)–A sharp increase in crimes against Americans and other Westerners traveling abroad has prompted David Dose, a personal security specialist, to recently produce for distribution a DVD based curriculum instructive in avoiding and otherwise dealing with numerous such issues, from petty theft to long-term detention in foreign countries.

Dose, who in 2003 founded Fort Sherman Academy, is an authority in hostage survival and anti-terrorism training for civilian and faith-based audiences. He has trained more than 12,000 people representing more than 47 government, commercial, and church organizations, and has assisted in the recovery of persons both detained and kidnapped outside the U.S.

 The U.S. State Department Web site highlights the need for Dose’s training, noting that Americans traveling overseas must maintain a high level of vigilance regarding personal security because of continued threats of violence against U.S. citizens abroad. ”These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings,” says the site.

Despite increased security risks, Christian organizations show a consistent annual increase of short-term volunteers traveling abroad. From 2005 to 2006, for example, there was a 66 percent increase in volunteers traveling abroad. Unfortunately, the same time period revealed a 300 percent increase in the number of incidents reported, 110 of which were either criminal or political in nature, and several of which posed serious threats to individuals’ safety.

15-Year-Old Starts International “No-Cussing” Club

McKay Hatch is a 15-year-old high schooler who has taken a courageous stand against cursing.  His parents authored the book titled “Raising a G-Rated Family in an X-Rated World,” and profanity was disallowed in the Hatch home.

During his middle school years, McKay Hatch was offended by being subjected to a constant flow of cursing.  When he started high school, Hatch took a bold step and began a no-cussing club at South Pasadena High School.  He began a web site (www.nocussing.com) and issues a “no-cussing” challenge to both students and adults.  The network of participants now includes over 30,000 students worldwide.

Additionally, Hatch has an upcoming book and launched a rap video on YouTube with the catchy chorus:  “If ya wanna hang with us, don’t cuss!”

Since assuming such a strong position against cursing, Hatch has received a number of hate messages, including death threats.  But, the skinny teenager refuses to be bullied and persists in expanding his mission to clean up language around the world!

Click here to read the full story.  Click here to visit Hatch’s website.

New Survey Shows Denominational Loyalty Low

A new study shows that only 30 percent of those who attend church are completely loyal to the denomination with which they are affiliated.

The survey, conducted by Ellison Research, found that three out of ten churchgoers said they would only consider attending one denomination. Forty-four percent said they preferred one denomination, but would also consider others.
 
Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research, says denominational leaders face many challenges when it comes to fostering loyalty

“Protestant denominations are simply facing what many companies face as they develop brand loyalty — consumers with many different options who may not perceive strong differences among those options. Church denominations certainly are not the same as hotels or soft drinks, but some of the same rules apply,” he contends. “The brands that develop stronger loyalty tend to do a better job of differentiating themselves from other brands and demonstrating key elements of the brand very clearly.”
 
Thirty-three percent of those surveyed did not have any preference for one specific denomination.

OneNewsNow  /  Read the Ellison Research Report

Talk Show Host Attempts Television Abstinence

Mark Daniels
Talk Show Host

The year was 1999. 9/11 was still a long way off; most had not yet heard of George W. Bush, and the digital revolution was still in its relative infancy. Regardless, I struggled mightily with a television addiction, that day I introduced our “Big TV Turnoff.” Now, I wasn’t completely successful, a decade ago…nor 100% faithful in my handful of attempts since…but years later, I’m preparing to make an attempt at television abstinence once again. Not just as an anniversary gimmick, or publicity stunt, but for a lot of the same reasons I took my first fast from the “boob tube” so long ago.

Why? Well, I continue to struggle with finding time to read my Bible. I still prioritize watching TV over exercising, doing chores, playing with my daughter, dating my wife, preparing my Sunday School lesson—all the other challenges I was facing as a 36-year-old youngster, back then. The sexual, language, and violence content on TV are even worse, but they’re not the main reason I’m taking another month’s vacation from the tube.

This time, the motivating concern is a problem with contentment. As I wring my hands over Fox News in the morning…or linger too long over promos on the E! channel at night, or simply switch the thing on whenever it seems there might actually be 5 seconds of silence in my home…I’m realizing that my TV is making me believe I’m not wealthy enough, or thin enough, or young enough to appreciate the exceeding and abundant blessings in my life! No…largely because of my TV fixation, I’m feeling sorry for myself, a lot of the time. Not just sorry, but desperate! Without hope. Just where my enemy wants me: on the ropes, and too tired or depressed to change. And I know I’m not alone.

Now, again: I realize that television is not THE exclusive, or even primary, source of evil in our culture! I’m not blaming my personal shortcomings on what Fred Allen referred to as the “idiot box!” I’m only acknowledging anew that I frequently–no, make that usually–elevate watching TV over praising and serving my Lord, and reading His Word. How crazy is that?

So, once again, this Monday (2/2), I’ll pull the plug on my habit for at least a month. Care to join me? Can you offer encouragement, or your own “TV Turnoff” success story? Email me today at markdanielsshow@wfil.com! I’d enjoy hearing from you!

Original Story

Louisiana Apostolic church takes a tuneful message to inmates

As roughly a dozen jail inmates clad in red uniforms looked on, Beatrice Randolph clutched the cell bars in front of her and belted out a hymn encouraging them to cheer up and “live in the sunshine.”

Upon completing the song “Father Along,” Randolph, tears welling in her eyes, turned away from the bars and slowly walked back to her place among other members of her church choir, as prisoners applauded.

Choir members from House of Prayer United Pentecostal Church in Thibodaux, LA performed various praise and worship numbers Sunday night during a first of its kind mini-concert at the Lafourche jail designed to provide inmates with not only entertainment but a measure of hope.

“This may be the first time people tell them they care about them,” Lafourche jail Warden Alan Abadie said. “Maybe this will teach them to have better self-respect.”

Abadie thanked House of Prayer pastor Ronnie Melancon for being receptive to the idea of the jailhouse ministry through song. Tammy Theriot, coordinator of inmate services and programs, organized the event.

Using two acoustic guitars, a keyboard and more than a dozen voices, the House of Prayer choir provided uplifting sounds for inmates throughout the jail.

For much of the night, the group performed out of sight from the prisoners, whose whoops and whistles of approval were heard, even when they themselves could not be seen.

Some inmates cried. Others enthusiastically sang along.

Inmates on Cell Block D, all of whom are awaiting trial on felony offenses, said Randolph’s song of redemption resonated with them.

“Due to the dark days we usually spend in here, that was pretty enlightening,” said 35-year-old Christopher Johnson of Thibodaux, who faces a murder charge. “That brought a lot of joy to people’s hearts.”

Johnson said his favorite song of the night contained the words, “I am a friend of God; he calls me friend.”

“We have all fallen by the wayside,” Johnson said. “It’s not about falling, it’s about getting back up and dusting yourself off again.”

Read the Full Story

Obama reverses Bush abortion-funds policy

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday struck down the Bush administration’s ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information — an inflammatory policy that has bounced in and out of law for the past quarter-century.

Obama’s executive order, the latest in an aggressive first week reversing contentious Bush policies, was warmly welcomed by liberal groups and denounced by abortion rights foes.

The ban has been a political football between Democratic and Republican administrations since GOP President Ronald Reagan first adopted it 1984. Democrat Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but Republican George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.

Read the Full Story (Yahoo)

First Embryonic Stem-Cell Trial Gets Approval From the FDA

In a watershed moment for one of the most contentious areas of science and American politics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the way for the first-ever human trial of a medical treatment derived from embryonic stem cells.

Geron Corp., a Menlo Park, Calif., biotechnology company, is expected to announce Friday that it received a green light from the agency to mount a study of its stem-cell treatment for spinal cord injuries in up to 10 patients. The announcement caps more than a decade of advances in the company’s labs and comes on the cusp of a widely expected shift in U.S. policy toward support of embryonic stem-cell research after years of official opposition.

“This is the dawn of a new era in medical therapeutics,” said Thomas B. Okarma, Geron’s president and chief executive officer. The hope that stem-cell therapy will repair and regenerate diseased organs and tissue “goes beyond what pills and scalpels can ever do.”

Limits on stem-cell research, which prevented federal funding and were imposed by Congress and former President George W. Bush for ethical and religious reasons, have had a chilling effect on both academic and corporate research involving such cells. Proponents of stem-cell research say restrictions have delayed development of promising new treatments, while critics contend that harvesting stem cells from embryos destroys human life.

Read the complete story

PAW Minister Sweeps Stellar Awards

Rev. Marvin Sapp, pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ordained minister of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, took home seven Stellar Awards during the 24th Annual Stellar Awards show.  He received honors including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Sapp’s song “Never Would Have Made It” took Gospel radio by storm. 

Click here to read the full story.

Obama References Bible in Inaugural Address

Obama’s Christianity has been suspect throughout his journey to the White House. 

In his inauguration speech, Obama invoked the writing of St. Paul:  “In the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.”  He did appeal to our “common humanity” calling the United States “a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers.”

He also addressed the Islamic states:  “”To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interests and mutual respect.”

Religion has been an important part of this year’s presidential election.  Certainly, Obama’s choice of Rick Warren for the invocation prayer and his allusion to the Bible are strategically designed to allay the fears of Americans who have questioned Barack Obama’s commitment to the Christian faith.

This past Sunday, the Obama family, who are looking for a new church home, visited the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington D.C., a predmominantly African American congregation.

Obama’s speech concluded with “ . . . with God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”  Finally:  ”God bless America!”

Rick Warren Invokes the Name of Jesus in Inaugural Prayer

“Almighty God, our Father . . .”   So begins the prayer offered by controversial, conservative pastor, Rick Warren.  Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Church and famed author of the Purpose-Driven series of books.

In an effort to be inclusive, Warren also included references to the shema and a Koranic description of God as “the Compassionate, the Merciful.”

Despite the prayer’s broader beginning, Warren concluded the invocation with:  “I humbly ask this in the Name of the One who changed my life Yeshua, Jesus, etc.” and the recitation of the “Lord’s Prayer.”

Members of St. Louis UPC Church Heed Obama’s Call for Service

President-elect Obama asked the nation to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day performing acts of service in their community.

In reponse, nearly 40 teens from Sanctuary United Pentecostal Church, led by Bros. Timothy Dugas and Scott Graham, spent time volunteering at the St. Louis Area Foodbank, which supplies pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens in the St. Louis regions.  Teens from the church spent about three hours inspecting, sorting, and packaging food.

Whitney Merritt, who attends the church, said that the experience has inspired her to continue volunteer service.

Click here to read the full story.

Obama Will Swear In with Bible Used by Abraham Lincoln

Recalling the memory of his Illinois presidential forefather, Barack Obama will take the oath of the office on the Bible used during the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln.

The burgundy velvet Bible with gilded edges was purcahsed and inscribed by William Thomas Carroll, clerk of the Supreme Court.  The Library of Congress, which holds the Bible in their collection, has made it available for use during the swearing-in.

Click here to read the full story.

Because of the Times 2009

Because of the Times 2009 (BOTT) will begin tomorrow and run through Thursday, January 22nd.  BOTT is very popular conference for ministers and their families. BOTT is hosted by the Pentecostal of Alexandria in Louisiana.

Thousands of ministers from numerous Apostolic organisations will gather at this conference.  BOTT follows a basic format of about twelve or thirteen anointed speakers with diverse delivery methods. The theme for this years conference is II C 7 14, from the familiar passage in II Chronicles 7:14.

Speakers during the conference include: Host Pastor Anthony Mangun, General Superintendent Kenneth Haney of the United Pentecostal Church International, Assistant General Superintendent Randy Keyes, T. F. Tenney, Vesta Mangun, Terry Shock, Jeff Arnold, and others.

For more information click here.