Facebook removes 8.7 million sexual photos of kids in last three months

By Paresh Dave

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Facebook Inc said on Wednesday that company moderators during the last quarter removed 8.7 million user images of child nudity with the help of previously undisclosed software that automatically flags such photos.

The machine learning tool rolled out over the last year identifies images that contain both nudity and a child, allowing increased enforcement of Facebook’s ban on photos that show minors in a sexualized context.

A similar system also disclosed on Wednesday catches users engaged in “grooming,” or befriending minors for sexual exploitation.

Facebook’s global head of safety Antigone Davis told Reuters in an interview that the “machine helps us prioritize” and “more efficiently queue” problematic content for the company’s trained team of reviewers.

The company is exploring applying the same technology to its Instagram app.

Under pressure from regulators and lawmakers, Facebook has vowed to speed up removal of extremist and illicit material. Machine learning programs that sift through the billions of pieces of content users post each day are essential to its plan.

Machine learning is imperfect, and news agencies and advertisers are among those that have complained this year about Facebook’s automated systems wrongly blocking their posts.

Davis said the child safety systems would make mistakes but users could appeal.

“We’d rather err on the side of caution with children,” she said.

Facebook’s rules for years have banned even family photos of lightly clothed children uploaded with “good intentions,” concerned about how others might abuse such images.

Before the new software, Facebook relied on users or its adult nudity filters to catch child images. A separate system blocks child pornography that has previously been reported to authorities.

Facebook has not previously disclosed data on child nudity removals, though some would have been counted among the 21 million posts and comments it removed in the first quarter for sexual activity and adult nudity.

Shares of Facebook fell 5 percent on Wednesday.

Facebook said the program, which learned from its collection of nude adult photos and clothed children photos, has led to more removals. It makes exceptions for art and history, such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of a naked girl fleeing a Vietnam War napalm attack.

The child grooming system evaluates factors such as how many people have blocked a particular user and whether that user quickly attempts to contact many children, Davis said.

Michelle DeLaune, chief operating officer at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), said the organization expects to receive about 16 million child porn tips worldwide this year from Facebook and other tech companies, up from 10 million last year.

With the increase, NCMEC said it is working with Facebook to develop software to decide which tips to assess first.

Still, DeLaune acknowledged that a crucial blind spot is encrypted chat apps and secretive “dark web” sites where much of new child pornography originates.

Encryption of messages on Facebook-owned WhatsApp, for example, prevents machine learning from analyzing them.

DeLaune said NCMEC would educate tech companies and “hope they use creativity” to address the issue.

(Reporting by Paresh Dave; Editing by Greg Mitchell)

Justice Neil Gorsuch sworn in as member of Supreme Court

We are so excited and thank God for this day. This is the reason we elected President Trump. Let us pray for the safety and blessing of God upon Justice Neil Gorsuch!

Jim Bakker

Looming Deadline to relinquish U.S. oversight of crucial Internet functions

This week, our nation faces a looming deadline that according to some organizations, could forever alter the future of cybersecurity and Internet freedom.  Pastor Jim feels that this issue is an important one to immediately  address.  Please take a moment to read this article written by the ACLJ,  entitled, Deadline Looms to Stop Obama Administration from Giving Up Internet Freedom.

 

 

Charisma Magazine: How the Very Future of America is at Stake

As August comes to a close, we are drawing closer and closer to November, and one of the most important elections in our country’s history. As many of our guests (and numerous other prophets) have shared, this election will determine the fate of America when it comes to God’s judgment. Despite the significance of this election, it still shocks me to hear that some of our fellow Christians say that they will not vote, or they are uncertain of who to vote for. If you are one of these people, I highly encourage you to read Charisma Magazine’s latest article. This article is written from the perspective of Dr. Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in California. He provides some amazing insight concerning both candidates’ views on political issues and their plans for America’s future. I pray that after reading this article, you will have a clearer perspective on the election, the issues, the candidates, and just how important your vote is!

Love,

Pastor Jim Bakker

Read the full article at CharismaNews.com

Ted Cruz’s Speech ~ Rick Joyner’s thoughts

By Rick Joyner

“TED CRUZ’S SPEECH WAS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHY SO MANY LOVED HIM, AND WHY SO MANY DON’T TRUST HIM.

He articulated the issues as well as anyone has, powerfully, eloquently, and with a passion I for one believe he is sincere. Trump endorsed Cruz and his beliefs by giving him the platform to speak at the RNC. For Cruz not to have endorsed Trump will fortify to many that he still has ulterior, selfish motives, and is more concerned about running again in four years than he is for his country, and for the principles he espoused. How many times did he say during the campaign that we don’t have four more years? How many times did we hear him say that the SCOTUS will be changed for a generation at least by the next president? To me his speech tonight was like the baseball hit that looks like the home run that will win the game right until the end, but then it curves and is a just a long foul ball that only brings disappointment. I’m just sayin…”  

A few hours later, Pastor Rick added an additional post for his Facebook followers:  

“By the responses to the Ted Cruz speech, both the boos at the end of it at the RNC, and the responses on SM, Ted may have blown his chance for a future run tonight. I think all of the candidates who stepped forward in the first debate and said they would support the Republican nominee, and have failed to do so, have all cost themselves a place of future leadership in the party or the country. Trump was the only one who did not step forward that night because he was not going to be pressured by the media to take such a vow, and wanted to know who the candidate was. He was at least honest, and most of the others have kept their word too, but those who didn’t it will be hard to trust again.

For Gov. Kaisch to not even attend the RNC held in his own state is an offense to all Republicans. He too made the vow, but obviously he and the establishment politicians of the old order believe you can say anything just to get elected, but don’t have to actually keep your word. Jeb Bush was a boring candidate, but he was liked, and trusted, until he too failed to keep his word.

What did Ted mean tonight with “vote your conscience.” According to his own principles that he ran on, Trump is the only one he could vote for if he did that, so why wouldn’t he say that? This could have been a big night for Ted, and a huge boost for the GOP, but I think it could now be the night that killed his future.

I’m grieved because I think Ted was one of the strongest potential future leaders, especially with some executive experience in a Trump cabinet. Even so, going back to the grace we talked about earlier, I have resolved not to give up on anyone if they can still fog a mirror. The power of the cross is greater than our failures. Even so, people are not so quick to forgive and trust, so it is going to take a miracle for people’s trust to be restored in Ted after tonight.”

 

The 5 Principles of Faith

The days seem so dark right now don’t they?  Have you ever turned off the news because what is happening in the world seems so overwhelming? All day long we hear and see the hatred, the persecution, the intolerance and the falling away from a God that loves us so much!  Sometimes it is absolutely too much to bear. Sometimes the pain in my heart is so big I honestly don’t know if I can keep going.

But, God Always reminds me of my calling to bring His last day message to this generation.  This calling and the people standing with me is what keeps me going.

Recently Lori and I invited Dr. Don and Mary Colbert to the show.  Mary shared with us an incredible Word from the Lord. His command to Mary was, “I want you to teach my people the 5 principles of faith!” Mary is an amazing woman of God and these are 5 powerful, powerful points of Faith revealed! I cannot tell you about her experience as well as she can but I believe it is important for you to hear the Word that was given to her!

The first principle is, “Faith must be active.” It must be moving.  Remember; John 2:17 “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” You must become faith in action!

The second principle is, “Have the kind of faith that excites God.” With God all things are possible! For instance, partnership excites God.  He will do nothing without you. What you have with God is a partnership.   When you partner with another to do great things, like what you have done by partnering with our ministry, you are exciting God!  Which leads to the third principle; “Faith is the substance of THINGS” the action that we take to do the great things of God!

So the next principle that God gave to Mary was #5.  I am sure you are thinking, “But Jim, what about #4??”  Now this may look like it is out of order but with God NOTHING is in the wrong order.  He gave Mary #5 first, which means He really wanted us to pay attention to this one!

Faith Principle #5 is “Just remember, love is the propelling fuel behind faith.” You must walk in love, you must forgive, you must cast down any bitterness, hold no resentment towards any man.  As soon as something is done to you, you quickly forgive. Why? Because now you know that the fuel behind faith is love.  Faith worketh by love. And that means love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, and soul! Undeniably, He belongs to you, and you belong to Him! And in that process of love for God, loving Him with every cell in your body, you are then enabled to forgive people who know not what they do.

The last of the principles of Faith that God gave to Mary was #4: “See by Faith what you are Believing for.” She said it means to close your eyes and “see” what it is that you are in partnership with God to do.  Is this for healing, believing for a ministry or a job that you are praying for?  Be a visionary and “see” what you are believing God for.  From the depths of your spirit you must be able to see it, praise God for it, and keep praising Him, thanking Him for bringing to pass what you are seeing clearly in your heart and mind.

This is what PTL is all about now. “Prophets Talking Loud!” This is the platform for Prophets to speak what God has given to them!  Mary Colbert is a dear friend, and the experience she had with our Lord was beautiful!  She has never had this kind of a vision before. Here at Morningside, she was led to share something so special with all of you.  That is why God has blessed this ministry and has restored the PTL Television Network to be the “Voice of the Prophets”.

Love,

Jim's Signature Mailchimp

Jan Crouch co-founder TBN passes to Her Heavenly Home

Lori and I join in prayer for the family of Jan Crouch, who passed to her heavenly home Tuesday morning. Jan, along with her late husband Paul Crouch, co-founded Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN), which I believe to be the largest network in the world today.

Paul and Jan have reached many lives and greatly impacted the kingdom of God! There are many who will mourn the loss of this great woman of God, but we rejoice in knowing that she is with our Lord and Savior.

Love,

Jim and Lori Bakker

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Mother Angelica, EWTN Founder, Passes to Heaven on Easter

My heart reflects with such love on a beautiful friend who now serves faithfully at Christ’s feet in heaven. Mother Angelica, founder and leader of the Eternal Word Television Network and a true Woman of God, passed at the age of 92 on Easter day.

Mother Angelica launched EWTN in 1981, and was a remarkable friend who came to PTL often and ministered to thousands. I remember the delight on her face when I built her very first set for television; a powder blue living room with framed paintings of Jesus and the Pope on the walls.

Mother Angelica was the only woman in the history of television to found and lead a cable network for 20 years! Today EWTN transmits 24-hour-a-day programming to more than 264 million homes in 144 countries. What began with approximately 20 employees has now grown to nearly 400. This religious network broadcasts terrestrial and shortwave radio around the world, operates a religious goods catalog and publishes the National Catholic Register and Catholic News Agency, among other publishing ventures.

“We, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Mother Angelica now shines an even brighter light resting in the arms of Jesus. Thank you for your amazing work my friend! I know that it was your faith and your friendship that gave me hope so many times!

Love,

Jim's Signature Mailchimp

A Powerful Message from A Powerful Woman

In all my years in Christian television, I’ve never met a woman like Brigitte Gabriel.

I’ve had the chance to interview some exceptional people on my shows — politicians, entertainers  from all walks of life, and a multitude of preachers and prophetic voices — but I have never heard a story as powerful as hers. I talk about how our entire world can be turned upside down in an instant, how quickly we can lose nearly everything we know, and here is a remarkable woman who has lived through it all. READ MORE

Morningside Celebrates the Life of Pastor Rick Pinette

Our Dear Partners and Friends,

It is with deeply saddened hearts that we must inform you that our loving friend, Pastor Rick Pinette, member of the Jim Bakker Show Morningside Band and Pastor of Morningside Church, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, while leading the congregation in worship.  This is a loss that deeply hits home.

Our thoughts go out to his family, his wife Cheryl and daughter Olivia. Please keep them both in your prayers as they find their way through the grief from losing both husband and father.  Pastor Rick adored his family, and spoke of them as the greatest blessings God could possibly have given to him.

Rick Pinette was a 6’6”, larger than life personality, big hearted encourager. Many people have spoken the same sentiment many times,  “He believed in me and helped me to believe in myself!”

This post, written to Rick on Facebook by one of his many friends, describes how many of us here at Morningside feel about him:

“Standing next to you I always felt kind of small and childlike, until you talked to me and made me feel big and important! You taught so many people about love, peace, joy, and understanding, the spiritual side of life – the Kingdom. You fed the homeless, you encouraged the weak, and you loved the unloved – and you did it unconditionally.”

As a musician, Pastor Rick was an amazingly gifted singer and songwriter. His songs had a way of reaching directly into your heart and were inspired by his own journey with the Lord.  Worship brought him a joy that would illuminate the whole room.  He said that any song could be made into a melody to worship Jesus and somehow he ALWAYS found a way to make that happen!

Rick Pinette was so in love with Jesus that he often said that when it was time for him to go to heaven he wanted to be at the pulpit, worshiping God with all of his might. This past Palm Sunday morning, as Pastor Rick, the congregation and worship team were singing “Blessed Assurance,” hands raised in praise and love for our Lord, the angels came to take Rick home to Jesus.

A celebration of the life of Rick Pinette will be held Friday, March 25th on Grace Street at Morningside. Viewing will begin at 3:00 pm and the memorial service at 4:00pm. Please come and join us.

For those unable to join us at Morningside, you can still celebrate Pastor Rick’s life by joining us via our Live Stream.

Morningside will truly miss this amazing man of God! And I will miss my friend. But let us rejoice together in knowing Pastor Rick Pinette, our wonderful and faithful friend is with Jesus!

Love,

Jim's Signature Mailchimp

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation purchase of God, Born of His Spirit washed in His Blood.

This is my story this is my song, Praising my savior all the day long;
This is my story this is my song, Praising my savior all the day long;

Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story this is my song, Praising my savior all the day long;
This is my story this is my song, Praising my savior all the day long;

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.