NBA All-Star Stephen Curry: Christ Lives Inside Me - DEBORAH HAMILTON CHARISMA NEWS

NBA All-Star Stephen Curry: 

Christ Lives Inside Me

 2/12/2016 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

Steph Curry has quite a weekend ahead of him. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day, but the Golden State Warriors star will take the court in Toronto on Sunday for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. (Reuers)

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Steph Curry has quite a weekend ahead of him. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day, but the Golden State Warriors star will take the court in Toronto on Sunday for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.

Undoubtedly, Curry appreciates of the honor of being an All-Star, but the standout point guard and 2015 NBA MVP knows there's a much bigger prize in life, long after the buzzer sounds. Curry has talked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Magazine about this faith, writing that his trust in Christ identifies him more than his jersey.

Curry told FCA about the moment he began living for Jesus—and never looked back: "I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made."

And of his journey to the NBA, he said, "I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson (College) that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.

"God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.

"There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me."

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In a Culture of Death, Teens Succumb to Myths About Christianity - DEBORAH HAMILTON CHARISMA NEWS

Teens need to understand what faith is all about. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

In a Culture of Death, Teens Succumb to 

Myths About Christianity

11/23/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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From violent video games filled with bloody action to blockbuster films that focus on teens fighting in a contest until only one "winner" survives, today's youth have been raised in a culture of death—even becoming desensitized to disturbing images and concepts.

It's impossible, says author and religion and culture expert Dr. Alex McFarland, to be embroiled in this culture of death and at the same time, embrace Christianity—the epitome of new life and hope.

McFarland speaks to and works with thousands of young people every year, and communicates to them the hope of Jesus Christ. In his newest book, The God You Thought You Knew: Exposing the 10 Biggest Myths About Christianity, McFarland dispels the myths and untruths about Christianity and replaces that with the truth of who God really is.

"Young people are leaving behind their faith at alarming rates, and it's no wonder," said McFarland said, who recently penned the column 'Valuing Life, in a Culture of Death' for CNSNews.com. "Very little shocks our youth anymore, as they are faced with violent images all their lives. We know that hope and life only comes from Jesus Christ, and His way of living is the only way. Through The God You Thought You Knew and events geared specifically toward youth, we hope to renew their faith in Christ and give them reason to embrace life in Him rather than hopelessness and death."

According to a new study released earlier this month by the Pew Research Center, young people entering adulthood are growing in the ranks of nonreligious adults. Millennials, the study found, are, in many ways, far less religious than their parents' and grandparents' generations.

"For example," according to Pew Research, "two-thirds of adults in the Silent generation say religion is 'very important' in their lives and that they pray every day, as do about six-in-ten Baby Boomers and more than half of Generation Xers. By comparison with older adults, Millennials exhibit far lower rates of involvement with religion. Fewer than half of older Millennials (adults now in their late 20s and early 30s) and roughly four-in-ten younger Millennials (adults now in their late teens and early 20s) say religion is very important to them and that they pray daily. And a majority of Millennials say they attend religious services a few times a year at most."

Oftentimes, McFarland adds, young people leave their childhood beliefs behind or shun Christianity altogether because of the myths and untruths they've heard about faith. In The God You Thought You Knew, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats, McFarland works to dispel those myths with 10 truths:

• Myth #1: Christianity is intolerant and judgmental toward others.

Truth: Christianity teaches to love neighbor as self and to share the love of Jesus with others.

• Myth #2: Christianity cannot be true because of the evil and suffering in our world.

Truth: Christianity offers the best hope and power to deal with suffering.

• Myth #3: Christianity is untrue because it is based on faith instead of facts.

Truth: The claims of Christianity are based on historical facts that can be tested.

• Myth #4: Christianity has been disproven by modern science.

Truth: The latest scientific evidence points to an intelligent designer behind all creation.

• Myth #5: Christianity is not a religion for the educated.

Truth: Many of the world's top past and present scholars are Christians.

• Myth #6: Christianity is boring and would be a waste of my time.

Truth: Christianity is the most adventurous life a person can experience.

• Myth #7: Christianity isn't real because it didn't work for me.

Truth: The Christian faith is difficult, yet also the most rewarding way of life.

• Myth #8: Christianity is false because it is based on the Bible, which is filled with errors and contradictions.

Truth: The Bible is the most accurately preserved book in history.

• Myth #9: Christianity can't be true because it is based on a dead man coming back to life.

Truth: If the best explanation for the empty tomb of Jesus is the resurrection, then Christianity can be true.

• Myth #10: Christianity isn't real because a loving God wouldn't send anyone to hell.

Truth: God has made great efforts to make sure many will spend eternity with him.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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Does New Eyewitness Evidence Point to Noah's Ark?

10/9/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

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More than five years ago, a Hong Kong-based team from Noah's Ark Ministries International (NAMI) made headlines with the announcement of a discovery of an ancient wooden structure thought to be the ark of biblical times.

Now, the discoverer who led NAMI to the site at Mount Ararat in Turkey will be a part of a special event coordinated by Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) on the evening of Oct. 15, when new and exciting information about the discovery of the structure will be presented by a panel of eyewitness explorers and experts.

The Noah's ark presentations are planned for the day before the kickoff of the 22nd annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics, to be held at Calvary Church in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 16-17, so that a watching world can decide for itself if this evidence finally proves that the ark discovery is legitimate. 

The Turkish expert who first made the discovery, Ahmet Ertugrul, better known to the world as Parasut, will be featured at the event to answer questions about his headline-making find. Joining him will be Philip Williams, an American engineer and former telecommunications entrepreneur who has investigated the charges of hoax made against the discovery. Williams, one of the first Americans to view the structure, will also present the results of his own investigation. After studying the topic for 20 years, Williams will present photographs, testimony and videos from a trip made to the mountain in the past year.

Mount Ararat, specifically mentioned in the biblical account of the ark, is located in eastern Turkey and is called "The Painful Mountain," lying at the center of a centuries old, geopolitically unstable hot spot. The risky and rough terrain is the tallest mountain in the region.

Some scholars and researchers believe the structure found at that mountain could be Noah's ark—a faith-driven building project that allowed God to save a cross-section of humanity and start over through Noah and his family.

In April 2010, NAMI released details of its exploration of the remains of a massive wooden structure buried beneath volcanic rock and ice on Mount Ararat. The remains were found at 4,000 meters above sea level, and researchers say the wood dates back about 4,800 years.

Since then, many have tried to both prove and disprove that the remains are indeed Noah's ark. The event next week will feature several expert presenters, who will give reasons for and against the probability that these might indeed be remains from the ark.

Williams serves as director of the New Beginnings Foundation, a small inner-city mission in Charlotte, N.C., aimed at ecumenical cooperation with other ministries. He continues to use his system expertise to assist developing nations in the creation of infrastructure for impoverished rural communities.

Ertugrul was born near Mount Ararat and grew up acquainting visitors with local culture. He has hosted visitors from every nation, speaks fluent Turkish, Kurdish, English and Farsi. Generations of Parasut's ancestors lived in a village on Mount Ararat, and from childhood, he heard stories of visits to an ancient ship visible at certain times on the mountain.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

With Repulsive Planned Parenthood Revelations, Can We Defund the Abortion Industry Now?

 7/21/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

The time has come to defund Planned Parenthood. (Flickr)

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Many pro-life advocates saw last week's abortion industry scandal involving a top Planned Parenthood official who was recorded casually talking over dinner about the sale of unborn babies' body parts as a chance to expose the gruesome business of abortion.

Among them was GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who told Breitbart News that, if elected, he would vow to defund the abortion giant, stating, "Planned Parenthood has proven to be a repulsive, revolting, stomach-churning enterprise that should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Destroying innocent human life and harvesting human organs is beyond barbaric—it is unimaginably immoral, grotesque, and evil."

Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) President Dr. Richard Land says the outrage is warranted, since for far too long—Roe v. Wade legalized abortion on demand 42 years ago—Americans have turned a blind eye to the sickening underbelly of abortion that steals so much from American families. The video, he says, and its disgustingly matter-of-fact language, graphically illustrates that abortion providers have a low regard for human life as they so casually talk about the crushing of tiny hearts and lungs.   

"One more year cannot pass when we sit by as a nation and wait for the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade," Land said. "Nearly sixty million babies aborted—never to live up to their full, God-given potential—is a shameful page in our history. While the pro-life movement is making great strides and tireless work is being done, Americans must become more passionate about this shameful and guilty mark on our landscape. This repulsive video exposing the evils of abortion giant Planned Parenthood might just be the catalyst this country needs. Will this be the year we finally secure the legal protections of humanity and citizenship for our unborn citizens?"

Over recent years, more Americans have been forced into conversations about the evils of abortion, Land added, especially with the much-publicized charges against, and subsequent 2013 guilty verdict of, abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell and his "House of Horrors" in the Philadelphia area.

"Both the blood curdling stories of Dr. Gosnell's 'House of Horrors' abortion clinic and the casual, emotionless tone used by Dr. Deborah Nucatola, then Senior Director of Medical Services for Planned Parenthood, illustrate the extent to which wholesale abortion on demand is desensitizing our whole society concerning the sacredness of every human life, from conception to natural death and at all points in between."

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Stephen Curry: I Knew God Was Preparing Me for a Bigger Stage to Be a Witness for Him

6/17/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

Stephen Curry (Reuters)

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Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors captured their first NBA title since 1975 last night in a 105-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Curry and Andre Iguodala, the Finals' MVP who called the Warriors a "team of believers" in post-game interviews, teamed up for 50 points, while the Cavs' LeBron James added 32.

Even after the greatest achievement in basketball, Curry knows there's a much bigger prize in life, long after the buzzer sounds.

In 2013, Curry talked to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the March issue of its bi-monthly magazine, writing that his faith identifies him more than his jersey.

"Congratulations to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on an incredible season and an amazing playoff run—and to LeBron James and the Cavaliers for a stellar season as well," said FCA President and CEO Les Steckel. "We are so elated for Steph and his commitment to his team, his fans, his family and his Savior. Steph gave God all the glory last night. He is a wonderful role model to young athletes, who we hope will learn that when God is in charge of their life, they're always undefeated because God never loses."

Curry told FCA about the moment he began living for Jesus—and never looked back: "I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made."

And of his journey to the NBA, he said, "I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson (College) that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.

"God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.

"There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me."

Steckel added that FCA's mission is to reach coaches and athletes for Christ—one heart at a time.

"Whether youth, junior school, high school, college or professional, athletes have a platform like few others to share their faith," Steckel added. "We are thrilled that Steph is using the platform he has been given not for his own glory but for the glory of God." 

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