It's a Scam!

warning to those who are listed on the Youthworks recommended speakers page (http://www.youthworks.net/index.php?c=24&d=880&w=7000&r=Y) - there's an email scam targetting you as it has targetted others overseas (google London youth conference scam).

They say you've been selected to come and speak at a conference in London, all expenses paid!

The catch is they will then ask for your credit card number to get a UK Visa. and then, KAPOW, they go shopping!

So, even though getting invited to an international conference sounds like an appropriate recognition of your exceptional gifts... this one may not be the best invitation to follow up on!

Here's the email:

My Name is Rev James Williams from the London Youth Community

Here in London UK. We want you to be our guest Speak at this

Year LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE which will take place here in

UK.We are writing to invite and confirm your booking to be our guest speaker at

these year.We want all LONDON YOUTH to come close to GOD and realize

the future is in their hands. That is why we intend to use these

conference to turn them away from the illicit behavior.

LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE.

The Venue as follows:

VENUE: Holy Apostles Church Hall,

47 Cumberland Street,

Pimlico London, SW1V 4LY

Website.www.londonyouthconference.com (CURRENTLY UPDATING)

Expected audience: 3500 people

Duration of speech per speaker: 1 Hour

Name of Church/Organization: LONDON YOUTH CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY,

Topic:LIFE AND FUTURE

Date:19th of December 2009-23rd of December 2009.

For more information call: +448715036319 OR on my land line +2348136933407

We came across your profile on

http://www.youthworks.net/index.php?c=24...

and we say it’s up

to standard and we will be very glad to have such an outstanding

personality in our mist for these overwhelming gathering. With your

multi talented speech more lives will come close to GOD, Sorry about

our late invitation it is due to the fact that our Speaker had back

out because of her sudden illness.

Arrangements to welcome you here will be discussed as soon as you

honor our invitation. If you have any more publicity material, please

do not hesitate to contact

me. A formal Letter of invitation and contract agreement would be sent

to you as soon as you honor our invitation. We are taking care of your

traveling and Hotel Accommodation expenses including your Speaking

fee.

Stay Blessed

Rev James Williams

www.londonyouthconference.com

LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE

The Value of Stories # 3

As we continue to think about the significance of the narrative sections of the Old Testament we turn our attention to David. David gives us a rare glimpse into the role a lover. David made Saul feel very threatened but elsewhere he generates great affection and loyalty. His friendship with David is a prime example.

..So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.. (1Samuel 20:16-17)

.. I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.. (2Samuel 1:26)

Individuals within the homosexual lobby have seen this as evidence of David’s homosexuality, but it is better understood as the description of a strong and loyal friendship between two like-minded men, that has been forged through participation together in daring and dangerous tasks, like the liberation of Israel from Philistine domination.

David is an individual who adds to the experience of life, through his friendships, through his poetry, his music and singing. He brought with him a calmness and helped people to enjoy life (1Samuel 16:23), a ministry that he continued towards the king even after Saul had shown that he wanted David dead (1Samuel 19:9). If the stories about David are understood as representative of who he was, then he encouraged people and to give themselves to the celebration, such as when he danced before the ark (2Samuel 6:5), without regard for how this might look to the more conservative (6:20).

And yet just as David could not always keep the sovereign in check so too he allowed the lover to get out of control, not least in his involvement with Bathsheba. It is a reminder to us to enjoy the emotions that God has given us, but not to allow them to take over and dictate our behaviours and a reminder of just how hard it is to walk along that tightrope (cf. 1Cor 10:12-13).