Saturday, July 12, 2025
President Trump Credits the ‘Hand of God’ for His Miraculous Survival
President Trump Credits the ‘Hand of God’ for His Miraculous Survival
Abby Trivett 11:13AM July 11, 2025
President Trump is giving all glory to God for protecting him after last year’s assassination attempt.
Journalist Salena Zito told Fox News about what she witnessed at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally last year, and how the president credited the Lord for his survival afterward.
“I see him grab his ear. I see the blood streak across his face,” Zito said during the Brian Kilmeade Show.
Zito, who was supposed to interview Trump following the rally, said he called her the following day to see how she and her family were doing. In total, Zito says he called her “seven times that day.”
When asked about why he took certain actions while in survival mode, Zito says that he: “[Trump] comes to the conclusion, several times, that it was the hand of God.”
Our history of Sunday celebration and spiritual renewal
Our history of Sunday celebration and spiritual renewal
The Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States (LDA) was founded in 1888. That year representatives of six major Protestant denominations met in Washington, D.C. to organize the American Sabbath Union; this name was later changed to The Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States. We have been the one national organization whose sole purpose it is to maintain and cultivate the first day of the week as a time for rest, worship, Christian education and spiritual renewal.
Today, we’re now known as Rising Day Ministries of the Lord’s Day Alliance and we seek to create space in people’s lives to be transformed by God through reconnecting, renewing and reinvigorating them in the fullness of Sabbath delight and God’s Shalom.
The Ecumenical Week in Stockholm
The Ecumenical Week in Stockholm
The Commemoration of the 100 year remembrance of the Ecumenical Conference in Stockholm 1925 will be held 18-24 Augusti 2025 with focus on peace and fellowship.
This Ecumenical week will link thematically with the focus on peace from the Stockholm Conference where the churches’ calling is, together with all other initiatives for good in society, oppose divisions, polerisation and war. To attain credibility and a just peace, there needs to be a diversity of initiatives: peace between countries, peace between people, peace between different faiths and religions, peace with creation and peace with God.
Various events will be arranged such as lectures, church services, concerts and open-air festivals with many guests from different churches around the world invited. See the preliminary programme below.
Monday 18 August
17.30 Vigilia in Kristi Förklarings Kyrka, address: Birger Jarlsgatan 98
Tuesday 19 August
Theme: Peace in society ”He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat” (Ps 147:14)
9.30-20.00 Seminars and lectures – More information to come.
18.00 Vesper/Evening prayer every in Immanuelskyrkan, address: Kungstensgatan 17,
Wednesday 20 August
Theme: Peace and justice “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. (Ps 85:10-11)
9.30-20.00 Seminars and lectures – More information to come.
18.00 Vesper/Evening prayer in St Eriks Katolska domkyrka, address: Folkungagatan 46.
The Commemoration of the 100 year remembrance of the Ecumenical Conference in Stockholm 1925 will be held 18-24 Augusti 2025 with focus on peace and fellowship.
This Ecumenical week will link thematically with the focus on peace from the Stockholm Conference where the churches’ calling is, together with all other initiatives for good in society, oppose divisions, polerisation and war. To attain credibility and a just peace, there needs to be a diversity of initiatives: peace between countries, peace between people, peace between different faiths and religions, peace with creation and peace with God.
Various events will be arranged such as lectures, church services, concerts and open-air festivals with many guests from different churches around the world invited. See the preliminary programme below.
Programme 18-24 August
With reservation for changes
With reservation for changes
Monday 18 August
17.30 Vigilia in Kristi Förklarings Kyrka, address: Birger Jarlsgatan 98
Tuesday 19 August
Theme: Peace in society ”He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat” (Ps 147:14)
9.30-20.00 Seminars and lectures – More information to come.
18.00 Vesper/Evening prayer every in Immanuelskyrkan, address: Kungstensgatan 17,
Wednesday 20 August
Theme: Peace and justice “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. (Ps 85:10-11)
9.30-20.00 Seminars and lectures – More information to come.
18.00 Vesper/Evening prayer in St Eriks Katolska domkyrka, address: Folkungagatan 46.
Faith-based groups note “critical moment” for global financial transformation
In a message coinciding with the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, faith-based groups representing more than 600 million Christians worldwide noted a “critical moment” for global financial transformation.
27 June 2025
NIFEA
Sustainability and Economy of Life
“The world today is grappling with a convergence of unprecedented economic, political, social, and environmental crises,” reads the message from the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, Council for World Mission, and United Society Partners in the Gospel.
The message notes that, while the wealth of multi-millionaires and billionaires continues to soar, the vast majority of people struggle with rising costs for basic necessities, such as food and housing, and declining living standards.
“This deepening inequality has eroded trust in public institutions, weakened democratic systems, enabled corporate influence over state policy, and hindered progress on urgent climate action, reinforcing a vicious cycle of disparity and disempowerment,” reads the message. “We are amid an escalating crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change that threatens livelihoods and poses an existential risk to all life on Earth.”
Climate change also worsens sovereign debt burdens, the message notes.
Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
27 June 2025
NIFEA
Sustainability and Economy of Life
“The world today is grappling with a convergence of unprecedented economic, political, social, and environmental crises,” reads the message from the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, Council for World Mission, and United Society Partners in the Gospel.
The message notes that, while the wealth of multi-millionaires and billionaires continues to soar, the vast majority of people struggle with rising costs for basic necessities, such as food and housing, and declining living standards.
“This deepening inequality has eroded trust in public institutions, weakened democratic systems, enabled corporate influence over state policy, and hindered progress on urgent climate action, reinforcing a vicious cycle of disparity and disempowerment,” reads the message. “We are amid an escalating crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change that threatens livelihoods and poses an existential risk to all life on Earth.”
Climate change also worsens sovereign debt burdens, the message notes.
Our Distinctive Sign
Our Distinctive Sign
The banner of the third angel has inscribed upon it, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Our institutions have taken a name which sets forth the character of our faith, and of this name we are never to be ashamed. I have been shown that this name means much, and in adopting it we have followed the light given us from heaven.... The Sabbath is God's memorial of His creative work, and it is a sign that is to be kept before the world.
There is to be no compromise with those who are worshiping an idol sabbath. We are not to spend our time in controversy with those who know the truth, and upon whom the light of truth has been shining, when they turn away their ear from the truth to turn to fables. I was told that men will employ every policy to make less prominent the difference between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who observe the first day of the week. In this controversy the whole world will be engaged, and the time is short. This is no time to haul down our colors.
A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of probation. In describing the remnant people of God, John says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). This is the law and the gospel. The world and the churches are uniting in harmony in transgressing the law of God, in tearing away God's memorial, and in exalting a sabbath that bears the signature of the man of sin. But the Sabbath of the Lord thy God is to be a sign to show the difference between the obedient and the disobedient. I saw some reaching out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its significance....
When the people accept and exalt a spurious sabbath, and turn souls away from obedience and loyalty to God, they will reach the point that was reached by the people in the days of Christ.... Shall anyone then choose to hide his banner, to relax his devotion? Shall the people whom God has honored and blessed and prospered, refuse to bear testimony in behalf of God's memorial at the very time when such a testimony should be borne? Shall not the commandments of God be more highly esteemed when men pour contempt upon the law of God?—Manuscript 15, 1896.
Selected Messages Book 2, pp. 384,385.
Conference: ‘Religious Education – Fit for the Present and Future?’
Jun 16, 2025
The conference “Religious Education: Fit for Present and Future? The Role of Religion in the Formation of Young Generations at the European Schools” was held at the Chapel for Europe, Brussels, on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. Amid ongoing discussions on educational reform, this event aimed to spark dialogue on the role of Religious Education within the unique setting of the European Schools, underlining its significance for today’s youth. The event featured contribution from members of the entire educational community: learners, teachers, parents and experts. It was organised by COMECE, the religious authorities responsible for Religion at the European Schools and the Chapel for Europe.
Friday, July 11, 2025
17th BRICS Summit – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 🇧🇷
Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates...
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Nelu Burcea Elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director
General Conference
Nelu Burcea Elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director
Religious freedom expert to lead global advocacy and church–state relations.
July 8, 2025
United States
ANN
Nelu Burcea Elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director
Religious freedom expert to lead global advocacy and church–state relations.
July 8, 2025
United States
ANN
Nelu Burcea elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri.
Nelu Burcea has been elected to serve as director of General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) for the 2025–2030 term during the 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Since joining the General Conference in 2015, Burcea has led efforts to strengthen the church’s relationships with international institutions and to represent the Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) on the global stage. He brings to the PARL role a deep commitment to mission, paired with extensive academic and administrative experience.
Previously, Burcea served as director of communication and PARL for the Adventist Church in Romania and as director of the Romanian Adventist Media Center, which includes Speranța TV and Voice of Hope radio. An ordained pastor, he has led evangelistic campaigns across Europe and the United States.
Nelu Burcea has been elected to serve as director of General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) for the 2025–2030 term during the 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Since joining the General Conference in 2015, Burcea has led efforts to strengthen the church’s relationships with international institutions and to represent the Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) on the global stage. He brings to the PARL role a deep commitment to mission, paired with extensive academic and administrative experience.
Previously, Burcea served as director of communication and PARL for the Adventist Church in Romania and as director of the Romanian Adventist Media Center, which includes Speranța TV and Voice of Hope radio. An ordained pastor, he has led evangelistic campaigns across Europe and the United States.
Tuesday, July 08, 2025
Atlantic Union Seeks to Ban Conrad Vine, Oversteps Authority
July 4, 2025 Fulcrum7 Staff
Back in November, the Atlantic Union executive committee voted to ban Conrad Vine from every pulpit in their union.
The Northern New England Conference believes that the AU acted outside their authority as outlined in the Church Manual. This ban would give higher entities in our organization the authority to circumvent local church business meetings and to impact the standing of members even outside of their Union. They chose to not be a party to this decision, as it undermines the sound, Bible-based practices and procedures outlined in the Church Manual and erodes proper church order.
Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, & Pete Buttigieg - The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
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A Catholic challenge to American exceptionalism
(iStock)
Thomas J. Massaro
July 07, 2025
Editor's note: This essay is adapted from the McGinley Lecture delivered at Fordham University on April 9, 2025.
While being a U.S. citizen includes many wonderful features and certainly accords many advantages, it also brings along some stigma and cringeworthy aspects. For example, as a people, we tend to be hopelessly monolingual and (perhaps relatedly) do not travel well at all. We all know the stereotype of the “ugly American” traveling abroad with no clue about appropriate behavior regarding local standards of etiquette or respect for cultural differences.
A more consequential aspect of behaviors and attitudes prevalent among the people of the United States is the phenomenon of American exceptionalism—a loose bundle of concepts that have fascinated observers of our national life for generations, despite being notoriously hard to define with any precision.
In the literature of the social sciences, that term has been employed to document how the United States is a statistical outlier among other nations on many scales, from material prosperity and productivity (we are fortunate to be way up on those scales) to the prevalence of gun violence and incarceration (sadly, we are also a world leader in many such measures).
But if we wish to conduct a theologically grounded evaluation of American exceptionalism, we have more work to do than just counting up instances of nation-specific phenomena. Any theological assessment of the phenomenon will engage the inherited claim that the United States possesses a special mission in the world. Such a project aspires to dig considerably deeper into the culture, history and collective value commitments of the American people than sociologists typically attempt.
This essay seeks to identify both constructive and potentially regrettable aspects of these prevalent attitudes regarding the supposedly unique status of the United States. Key questions will include these two: When Americans affirm that our nation is special and somehow set apart from other countries, are we betraying a delusional arrogance? Is it possible to embrace the idea of a special, evenly divinely ordained mission for America without violating Christian ethical principles and dismissing key religious virtues like mercy and humility?
Civil Religion
Any study of the collective values and virtues of a given people builds upon the seminal insights of Plato. In his treatment of justice in the Republic, Plato contended that the state is the individual writ large, or more precisely that the polis is somehow the magnified image of the souls of its residents, reflecting their collective virtues as well as their vices and pathologies. Many subsequent commentators have proposed a supposed invariant national character as an explanation for why countries behave in certain ways and not others. Wandering too far down this path risks adopting a determinism that pigeonholes entire peoples based on rank generalizations and arbitrarily ascribed traits, and of course this type of reductionism quickly becomes objectionable.
"The Three Paths" | Dr Conrad Vine | State Line SDA Church Camp Meeting
Mar 30, 2025
In this urgent message, we confront the critical times we live in—between Daniel 11:40's "time of the end" and Christ's soon return. As the speaker I step down from leadership to focus on preaching with greater freedom—preparing the church spiritually and structurally for the final crisis. This sermon examines three paths: the Recent path (the church's 2015 vaccination statement and its consequences), the Wrong path (compromising biblical principles for secular authority), and the Right path (standing firm on liberty of conscience and divine truth). Watch now and be equipped for the coming storm.
Monday, July 07, 2025
Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Response to COVID-19[1]
General Conference
Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Response to COVID-19[1]
October 25, 2021
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
General Conference Administration, Biblical Research Institute, General Conference Health Ministries, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, General Conference Office of General Counsel, and Loma Linda University Health.
[Photo Credit of Getty Images]
This document has been produced by the General Conference Administration, Biblical Research Institute, General Conference Health Ministries, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, General Conference Office of General Counsel, and Loma Linda University Health. It builds on the immunization statement voted in April 2015 and affirms both this latter statement, and the information on the COVID-19 vaccines shared on December 22, 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest public health crisis in a hundred years. It has devastated populations around the world and severely affected physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and relational health. In its wake isolation, recurrent surges, economic disruption, and death are all ongoing. We are confronted with mitigation measures such as masking, social (physical) distancing, handwashing, early detection, testing, and contact tracing that have become part of our daily lives.
In the midst of this time of crisis and disruption the Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to the mission of lifting up Christ, His Word, His righteousness, and the proclamation of His Three Angels’ Messages to the world in preparing people, through the Holy Spirit’s power, for Jesus’ soon coming. The health message is the right arm of the gospel and therefore a healthy lifestyle has been an important part of the beliefs of the Adventist Church since its early years and remains so. We are still committed to live, share, and promote healthy living as expressed by the wholistic Adventist health message entrusted to the Church. The Adventist health studies have confirmed the unequivocal benefits of increased longevity and quality of life through implementing such health practices. These include a balanced vegetarian diet, exercise, drinking adequate volumes of water, regular exercise, careful exposure to sunshine, fresh air, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances, adequate rest and sleep, and importantly, trust in God. These practices enhance and maintain healthy immunity. Beyond those benefits of healthy lifestyle principles and preventive public health practices, the Church affirms and recommends the responsible use of vaccines as an important public health measure, especially during a pandemic. At the same time, the Church respects the rights of individuals’ freedom of choice for those who choose not to be vaccinated. https://www.adventist.org/official-statements/immunization/
Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Response to COVID-19[1]
October 25, 2021
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
General Conference Administration, Biblical Research Institute, General Conference Health Ministries, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, General Conference Office of General Counsel, and Loma Linda University Health.
[Photo Credit of Getty Images]
This document has been produced by the General Conference Administration, Biblical Research Institute, General Conference Health Ministries, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, General Conference Office of General Counsel, and Loma Linda University Health. It builds on the immunization statement voted in April 2015 and affirms both this latter statement, and the information on the COVID-19 vaccines shared on December 22, 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest public health crisis in a hundred years. It has devastated populations around the world and severely affected physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and relational health. In its wake isolation, recurrent surges, economic disruption, and death are all ongoing. We are confronted with mitigation measures such as masking, social (physical) distancing, handwashing, early detection, testing, and contact tracing that have become part of our daily lives.
In the midst of this time of crisis and disruption the Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to the mission of lifting up Christ, His Word, His righteousness, and the proclamation of His Three Angels’ Messages to the world in preparing people, through the Holy Spirit’s power, for Jesus’ soon coming. The health message is the right arm of the gospel and therefore a healthy lifestyle has been an important part of the beliefs of the Adventist Church since its early years and remains so. We are still committed to live, share, and promote healthy living as expressed by the wholistic Adventist health message entrusted to the Church. The Adventist health studies have confirmed the unequivocal benefits of increased longevity and quality of life through implementing such health practices. These include a balanced vegetarian diet, exercise, drinking adequate volumes of water, regular exercise, careful exposure to sunshine, fresh air, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances, adequate rest and sleep, and importantly, trust in God. These practices enhance and maintain healthy immunity. Beyond those benefits of healthy lifestyle principles and preventive public health practices, the Church affirms and recommends the responsible use of vaccines as an important public health measure, especially during a pandemic. At the same time, the Church respects the rights of individuals’ freedom of choice for those who choose not to be vaccinated. https://www.adventist.org/official-statements/immunization/
London bombings of 2005
On 7 July 2005 four suicide bombers struck London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others.
Three of the blasts happened on London Underground, on or around 8.50am, in the vicinity of Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square stations. The fourth device exploded at 9.47am on a bus that had been diverted via Tavistock Square, close to where BTP’s HQ was at the time. The building became a base for the walking wounded to assemble in.
BTP officers and staff from across the organisation worked tirelessly on the day of the bombings and in the days, weeks and months that followed to deal with the tragic consequences of these acts and to help ensure safety on the rail way.
Many colleagues were honoured for their extraordinary efforts during what was described as one of the biggest challenges faced by the police service in post-war Britain. The circumstances were complex, difficult and dangerous, however BTP officers carried out their vital and specialist roles - including initial rescue, body recovery, search and mortuary duties, as well as supporting the extensive coroner’s inquiry which followed. They showed exceptional courage and professionalism during this critical time.
They were supported by non-operational colleagues who also went above and beyond to support the frontline professionally and sensitively, whilst helping to get the transport network in London restored quickly, efficiently and safely following the attacks.
Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “The heroic efforts of BTP personnel and all agencies who responded to the events of 7 July 2005 will never be forgotten and the memories of what happened on that day remain firmly in our minds.
“During the most difficult circumstances, BTP provided an absolutely outstanding level of service.
“A lot of things have changed since 7/7, both in how we monitor threats and how we respond when they are apparent.
“We now have comprehensive communications system which allows us to link in with Transport for London and other agencies much more efficiently.
“We have far greater access to CCTV, with more widespread coverage than ten years ago, and we use regular training exercises to test our response to threats.
“All of these changes are designed to help us ensure this terrible tragedy never happens again.”
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