mike@mikelilley.com

Asia- Hotbed of Christian Persecution

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See article on Congressional Statement of 2018 here.

Nearly 140 million Christians suffered high levels of hostility in Asia last year, a region the report describes as ‘the new hotbed of persecution’

Experts say China seems to be forcing Christians into ‘the North Korean model – weak, small and invisible in the deep underground’

Nearly 140 million Christians suffered high levels of persecution in Asia last year, according to a new report, which described the situation facing the faith in China as the worst since the Cultural Revolution.

The annual Open Doors World Watch List, released on Wednesday, said Asia is “the new hotbed of persecution for Christians”.

It noted a sharp increase in the persecution of Christians in Asia over the past five years – but with a dramatic spike in 2018, driven by the likes of a rise in Hindu ultra-nationalism in India, radical Islamism in Indonesia and tougher religious regulations in China.

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125 Essential Movies, According to Martin Scorsese

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To be as accomplished and prolific a filmmaker as Martin Scorsese, you’d have to be as accomplished and prolific a filmgoer as Martin Scorsese. The Oscar-winning director would be the first to tell you that he is as much a student of movies as he is a creator, and he regularly shares his ever-growing list of essential films that he believes any true movie fan should see.

In 2012, Fast Company published an extensive interview with Scorsese in which he talked about his 85 movies “you need to see to know anything about film.” Meanwhile, in 2006, a young filmmaker named Colin Levy wrote to the filmmaker, asking for recommendations on where to start an education on foreign films. Scorsese responded with a list of almost 40 suggestions. And, of course, Scorsese shared even more of his favorite films with Sight & Sound magazine.

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Westinghouse 9500DF Dual Fuel Generator with a Natural Gas Conversion

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The Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator produces up to 12,500 peak watts and 9,500 running watts. The WGen9500DF is a dual fuel generator that operates on gasoline or propane (LPG). The heavy duty 457cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse Engine is constructed of a durable cast iron sleeve and runs for up to 12 hours on a 6.6 gallon (25 L) gas tank, keeping you powered through the day with built-in fuel gauge, automatic low oil shutdown, and GFCI outlets.

Living in Central Florida has some advantages. 30 minutes to the Beach, an hour to the attractions which include Disney. We enjoy practically year round sunshine with relatively few freezes. Having said that, there is one disadvantage that can be quite a life changing event. Of course I’m speaking of Hurricanes. I have been through some major storms in my life. 2004 was a whopper where 4 hurricanes crossed central Florida in 3 months time. It was devastating.

Naturally, with the storms, comes the loss of power. There are a few creature comforts that you instantly appreciate when you lose power. Cold water is a much needed requirement and hot showers. Having a generator can be quite a convenance and a gigantic pain at the same time.

When you own a generator, there are considerations that you must address when operating. Gasoline and the ability to obtain and store, power cords and re-fueling the generator at 2 or 3 in the morning to keep the portable air conditioner going. After several major hurricane events, my wife and I decided to pull the trigger on a natural gas, whole home generator to eliminate all the fuss.

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Church of England confirms End of Abuse Panel

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The Church of England has sacked a panel of experts who provided independent oversight of how it dealt with abuse.

The Archbishops’ Council confirmed it was “ending the contracts” of all three board members – acting chair Meg Munn, Jasvinder Sanghera and Steve Reeves.

The latter two recently claimed the Church had been obstructive and interfered with their work.

The Church said relations between them and senior bishops had “broken down”.

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Lord’s Prayer opening may be ‘problematic’, says archbishop

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The archbishop of York has suggested that opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, recited by Christians all over the world for 2,000 years, may be “problematic” because of their patriarchal association.

In his opening address to a meeting of the Church of England’s ruling body, the General Synod, Stephen Cottrell dwelt on the words “Our Father”, the start of the prayer based on Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4 in the New Testament.

“I know the word ‘father’ is problematic for those whose experience of earthly fathers has been destructive and abusive, and for all of us who have laboured rather too much from an oppressively patriarchal grip on life,” he said.

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