Paul Steven Ghiringhelli

The Pakistani government is reportedly permitting the barbaric practice of Sharia Law in Taliban-controlled areas of the nation's northern tribal areas as part of a ceasefire deal announced on Monday.

Feb. 16, 2009 -- On Monday Pakistan suspended military offensives and imposed Sharia law in parts of the nation's North West Frontier Province, a gesture intended to calm a major insurgency there led by the Taliban terrorist group, reported the Associated Press (AP).

Sharia is a code of law derived from the Koran revered for its quick and easy justice. Sharia Law can involve chopping off a hand for stealing, public stoning for adultery, or generally harsh societal restrictions on women.

After the worst wildfires in Australia's history, Christians are rushing aid to hundreds of victims left injured or homeless.

Feb. 12, 2009 -- As the death toll continues to climb from the worst wildfires in Australia's history, Christian leaders are rushing aid to hundreds of victims left injured or homeless by bushfires that ravaged the southern state of Victoria last weekend.

Suffering families desperately need finances to tackle rebuilding efforts, according to organizers of a relief effort launched by the Australian Christian Churches (ACC), formerly known as the Assemblies of God in Australia.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni could become Israel's second female prime minister.

Feb. 11, 2009 - In extremely tight parliamentary elections held in Israel on Tuesday Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister and leader of the centrist Kadima Party, appeared to have gained one seat more than tough rival Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose party was favored to win in the run-up to yesterday's elections.

With 99.7 percent of the votes counted, Livni's Kadima won 28 seats out of the Knesset's 120 parliamentary seats while Netanyahu's conservative Likud won 27 seats, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). In third place with 15 parliamentary seats was Israel Beiteinu, the ultra-conservative party led by Avigdor Lieberman, a Russian Jew.

Final results will not be available until Feb. 18.

The Christian leader of a political party in Great Britain is countering atheist ads with his own ad campaign that draws attention to his God and his minority political party.

Feb. 10, 2009 -- A Christian politician from Great Britain said on his Web site Tuesday he's almost grateful for the opportunity atheists have presented him with since they launched bus ads in January targeting people's beliefs in the Almighty.

"[Over] the past month I have had to be at my most tolerant," said the Rev. George Hargreaves, head of the U.K.'s Christian Party, in referring to the 149 buses he has watched pass his office bearing the words, ‘There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.'"

Congress is giving broadcasters until June 12 to make the switch from analog to digital TV.

Feb. 10, 2009 -- Congress is giving broadcasters and American families an extra four months to make the switch from analog to digital TV, pushing this year's original mandated transition date back from Feb. 17 to June 12.

"Many Christian television station owners are very mixed about the delay," said Bob Powers, vice president of government relations for National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), which did not take an official position on the delay. "But as with all broadcasters, we want to ensure that there are as many eyes on our television programs as possible, especially when sharing the gospel. So a delay may only help in assuring that more consumers are truly prepared."

The new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, established on Thursday, will have a broader and more secular vision than it did under George W. Bush.

Feb. 6, 2009 --- President Barack Obama signed an executive order Thursday establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Though Obama appointed former Pentecostal minister Joshua DuBois to lead it, the revamped office will, according to the White House, have a broader more secular vision than the faith-based ideas of George W. Bush --- working on behalf of "all Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs."

Conservative groups say a provision in Obama's economic stimulus plan could shut down Christian clubs that meet on secular university campuses.

Feb. 6, 2009 - Conservatives say a provision in President Obama's economic stimulus plan could block Christian college students from using campus facilities.

According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), "a discriminatory provision" exists in Obama's plan that prohibits federal funds from going to religiously affiliated schools post-secondary schools, such as divinity schools.

Millard Fuller, a respected Christian millionaire who launched the house-building ministry Habitat for Humanity in 1976, died on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 74.

Feb. 4, 2009 --The Christian founder of a worldwide house-building ministry, which has erected nearly 200,000 homes in 100 countries since 1976, died on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 74.

Family and friends referred to Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, as a "true servant leader" with a "genuine heart" that was dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide.

One week after its president said he will leave in July to take the helm at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., Southeastern University called on Pastor Tommy Barnett for spiritual leadership.

Feb. 4, 2009 --- Southeastern University (SEU) in Lakeland, Fla., has named Los Angeles Dream Center co-founder Tommy Barnett as the school's "transitional chancellor" after learning last week that its current president, Mark Rutland, was leaving this summer.

"Tommy Barnett will provide positive leadership for SEU during the time that the board of regents is searching for a new president," said SEU spokeswoman Anita Whitaker. "It is a largely honorary post and it has not been determined when he will assume that role."

R. Lamar Vest, former general overseer of the Cleveland, Tenn.–based Church of God, has been singled out to lead the American Bible Society. Feb. 3, 2009 — A prominent Pentecostal leader was recently voted to lead one of the largest Bible missions groups in the U.S. Last month, R. Lamar Vest began a three-year term …

Bible Giant Taps Pentecostal Read More »

Ten years after winning Super Bowl MVP, quarterback Kurt Warner let his faith help him through a valley.  Now, he's back on top and leading a second NFL team into this Sunday's Super Bowl XLIII.

Jan. 30, 2009 - Arizona Cardinals star quarterback Kurt Warner is not only a magnet for Super Bowl rings. His life's journey seems to draw in grace and favor over and over again.

Ten years after winning both the NFL's Super Bowl MVP and league MVP awards with the St. Louis Rams, Warner is back on top and leading the Arizona Cardinals, a franchise that has never appeared in a single Super Bowl, to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in this Sunday's Super Bowl XLIII.

If he wins, he becomes the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win Super Bowls with two different teams. If the Steelers win, history is also made, since they would become the only NFL team to ever win six Super Bowl titles. Whose side God is on would make for an interesting theological debate, since Pittsburgh's wild longhaired safety Troy Polamalu is also a devout Christian.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist salvaged a state-run crisis pregnancy program this week.

Jan. 29, 2009 -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist saved a state-run crisis pregnancy program this week by vetoing spending cuts that were a part of a $1.2 billion budget cut.  His decision was announced at a news conference Tuesday.

The action came after intensive lobbying by several pro-life legislators who were concerned about major cuts to the $2 million budget of the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program (FPSSP). While the legislators were able to save part of the program's money, Crist's line-item veto had the effect of restoring all of its original funding.

"The governor did veto the reduction ... because he feels it is important to continue to provide support for women facing these decisions," said Sterling Ivey, spokesman for Gov. Crist. "The governor also believes it is important to protect and safeguard the health care of those in most need of health services."

After months of enduring pundit attacks and harsh criticisms by media, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has launched SarahPAC -- a political organization aimed at advancing her values and ideals.

Jan. 28, 2009 - Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin appears to be entering a new season. With the 2008 elections now a distant memory, the former vice presidential candidate is looking to the future with the official launch of SarahPAC --a political action committee devoted to furthering the values and ideals that she believes in.

"[We] believe America's best days are ahead," states the new Web site. "Our country, founded on conservative principles and the fight for freedom, must confront the challenges of the 21st century with integrity, innovation, and determination."

Portrayed as a national organization dedicated to Palin‘s vision for a "better, stronger, and safer America," SarahPAC described America's top priority right now as creating a strong economy that "recognizes hard work, innovation and integrity by rewarding small businesses and hard working American families."

The week that a new documentary about Ted Haggard is premiering on HBO, more accusations have surfaced of an alleged inappropriate relationship involving the former pastor.

Jan. 27, 2009 - The pastor of Ted Haggard's former church says he's heartbroken over a former male volunteer's alleged experiences with Haggard.

Brady Boyd, senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., said a young man announced his alleged inappropriate relationship with Haggard shortly after Haggard's sex and drug scandal in 2006.

Boyd said the 25-year-old man received "countless hours of prayer and ministry" before deciding to hire an attorney in 2007. The lawyer negotiated with New Life's insurance company for a settlement, which Boyd said was paid through the insurance, not through tithes.