Last spring I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for NFL players put on by Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), a group which exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence. They have a fantastic outreach to professional football and baseball athletes and their wives. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing difference they’re making. In the off-season I exchanged emails and texts with dozens of NFL players and cha..Continue reading→
Home
Thoughts
Motherhood Is a Marathon
I wanted to do great things for God. In the spring of my senior year of college, on the brink of embarking upon my own journey into adulthood, my future was undecided and that was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling. As a philosophy major, my path was narrower than I had realized, but I was sure it would take me on some grand and glorious adventure. I knew the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “Glorify” sounds like such a grand term. It evokes images of battlefie..Continue reading→
1 Peter 5:7–8: How Not to Battle Anxiety
Anxieties attack our faith and torment our peace. The question with anxiety is not whether it will come, but rather, how can I fight it when it does? Watch NowContinue reading→
Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?
Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek (pantōn tōn kakōn). It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version. Bu..Continue reading→
Daily Verses
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”Continue reading→
Hebrews 10:29 (10-29-16)
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?— Hebrews 10:29 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... We often look at the swift and dramatic discipline and punishment God used with his people in the Old Testament and are struck by its severity. The Holy Spirit reminds us that while thi..Continue reading→
You Are On God’s Mind
I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Isaiah 49:15-16, NKJVNoah was totally helpless to change his situation. There was nothing he could do except to stay on the ark and tend to the needs of his family and those of the animals until God in some way brought deliverance. He had to keep his faith in God while simply waiting out the silence that followed the storm. Although He had been silent, God had not forgotten Noah. In fact, since Noah and his family were ..Continue reading→
Romans 12:1
“[A Living Sacrifice] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”Continue reading→
Proverbs 10:28 (10-28-16)
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.— Proverbs 10:28 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Good news! When we seek righteousness, justice, holiness, mercy, and godliness, our future is full of joy. Don't let the darkness around you steal away the glorious dawn of joy that even now has begun to appear. My Prayer... Father, please forgive me for the times I've grown depressed and melancholy over the condition..Continue reading→
Daily Wisdom
His Plans Are Perfect
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV“Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female” (Gen. 7:2-3, NIV ). Just how big was Noah’s assignment? We know that there are more than eighteen thousand different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians today. If the number is doubled to inclu..Continue reading→
Psalm 1:1-2
“[BOOK I Psalms 1–41] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.”Continue reading→
Acts 11:18 (11-18-16)
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.— Acts 11:18 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy. Thankfully, God's Spirit doesn't let us settle comfortably into our prejudices. Instead, we are challenged, led, and pushed to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. Let's be the kind of people who rejoice ..Continue reading→
The Door to God
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." John 10:9, NIVThe Shepherd’s call has echoed down through the centuries. It’s a clarion call to all sheep, offering freedom and salvation to those who are willing to come out of the . . . denominationalism, traditionalism, ritualism, agnosticism of their religion and enter into a personal relationship with God. It’s an authoritative command to turn away from sin and selfishness and walk through the open Door of salvation into the fol..Continue reading→
Prayers
Daily Prayer for October 20
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. Psalm 33:8–10, NIV Lord our God, we gather together in your presence and ask you to let your light shine in our hearts to strengthen us in times of need and trouble. May we come to know that through all the storms and distress of the world, you are mighty in protecting and sh..Continue reading→
Spreading the Good News
Passage: Ephesians 3:1-13 Prayer: Dear Father,Thank you for all the prayers Paul prayed for the Christians whom he brought to you in his day and for those who came to you through their preaching.Thank you for the impact that Paul has had on so many great churchmen through the ages. Thank you for the pure waters that I, even I, have drunk from the well of his teaching.Thank you, Father, for making provision to spread the Good News about Jesus over the whole earth, to every nation and language, that w..Continue reading→
Daily Prayer for October 19
Then the peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7, NEB O Lord God, grant us your Spirit, that we may comprehend your peace. As we pray, help us to recognize what must come from you alone, for you are mighty and holy and your will is peace on earth. Your will is peace beyond all understanding, your peace in heaven and on earth and under the earth, your peace that opposes all sin and death and takes..Continue reading→
Wisdom Made Known
Passage: Ephesians 3:9-12 Prayer: Dear Father, who gives wisdom so generously,How thankful I am that the congregation of your people has become the channel through which your multi-faceted and many-splendored wisdom will be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. It thrills me to know that it was your purpose eternally to realize this in Christ Jesus my Lord.Thank you that through him we have confident and bold access to you.Help me, help all of your people, not to lose h..Continue reading→
Questions & Answers
Key Bible Verses for Counseling About Addictions
When thinking about the term addictions, most people have the idea of someone who is struggling against being addicted to drugs and alcohol. Likewise, many people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol have had the experience of being in “rehab.” Depending on the program, rehab may or may not be successful in breaking their addiction. This is because no matter what the addiction, there is a spiritual aspect that needs to be addressed. For this reason, some key Bible verses for counseling abo..Continue reading→
A Summary and Overview Of The Book of Ecclesiastes
Here is a summary and overview of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Book of Ecclesiastes The Book of Ecclesiastes, written roughly around 935 BC, comes from the Hebrew word “Qoheleth” (Koheleth) which means “preacher.” The Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, has the word Ecclesiastes as coming from “assembly.” The Book of Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature of the Bible and written by King Solomon and it’s almost like an autobiography of his own life and includes all of the fr..Continue reading→
What Does The Olive Tree or Olive Branch Symbolize In The Bible?
What does the Bible say the olive tree or olive branch symbolizes? The Olive Branch The olive branch has been a symbol for a very long time and not just for those in the Bible. In the fifth century BC the Greeks were already using it for a symbol of peace. In biblical accounts, extending an olive branch meant the ending of hostilities between two parties and signaled the end of the conflict. The United Nations flag contains an olive branch for this very purpose; to end all hostilities between w..Continue reading→
Yankee Manager Joe Girardi Thought of Quitting Baseball After His Mother’s Death
Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees, wrote an essay in third grade about his dream to play baseball for the Chicago Cubs; but after the death of his mother, he almost quit baseball altogether. That is when Girardi took a leap of faith instead. Girardi grew up in a Catholic household in East Peoria, Illinois, where he attended a public elementary school before attending middle school at Sacred Heart/ Father Sweeney in Peoria, then on to Academy of our Lady/ Spalding Institute, a Catholi..Continue reading→
Church & Ministries
40 Ways to Increase Baptisms In the Next Year
Baptism weekend, Rick Warren nears the 45,000th baptism at Saddleback Church October 8th and 9th, 2016 Baptism is the outward sign of an inward change in a person who has placed their trust in Jesus. We don’t save people – Jesus does that. We just have the privilege of helping them make their big outward profession of faith in the form of baptism. While I don’t believe we should manipulate people or manufacture results for the sake of numbers, I do believe it’s significant that the Bible recor..Continue reading→
How to Prevent a Dysfunctional Vision
Vision is imperative. Senior pastors and church leaders need to know where they’re leading the church. A clear vision provides direction, motivation, and filters decisions. Clearly communicating the vision fuses incredible momentum into a church. However… Have you ever seen a vision become an idol? Not enough cash flow to fund the vision and no plan to get there? We can’t slow down to make a plan, so just keep pressing onward. Are staff members exhausted from consistently working evenings and..Continue reading→
Bishop: Church Too Middle Class, Must Listen To Poor Communities
An Anglican Bishop has launched a strongly worded attempt to persaude the Church of England to listen more to deprived communities. The Bishop of Burnley's commnent piece for the Church Times also finds him railing against the middle class bias of the Church, and reflecting on the election of Donald Trump and the Brexit vote.Continue reading→
Archbishop Of York: Government Must Not ‘Scapegoat’ Migrants For Failures In Housing And Jobs
The Archbishop of York has warned the UK not to be "senile" in its attitude to free movement and migration. Rt Rev John Sentamu told Christian Today Brits were in danger of forgetting migrants' role in its history and urged ministers not to "scapegoat" foreigners for the government's own failure to create housing and jobs.Continue reading→
Hot Topics
Dissenters Can’t Take Central Presbyterian Property With Them If They Leave Denomination, Commission Says
“Dissent over the Presbyterian Church (USA) stance on same-sex marriage and other issues began years ago. Then in 2015 the session — similar to a board of deacons — of Central Presbyterian Church formally requested “dismissal with property” from the Presbyterian Church (USA) in late 2015, saying they wanted to affiliate with the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, or ECO.” Members of an Athens Presbyterian church who want to change denominations are free to join a more conservative Pre..Continue reading→
An Interview With My Wife About Books
“I was super excited when I found this in my husband’s stack of books. I like it because I am in a busy season as a mother of six, who homeschools, and have the joy of my sister and her family moving in with us during a tough season for them. The book keeps you focused on your Bible reading and provides questions that begin with basic observations but work down more deeply into immediate and fresh application.” Recently I was having coffee with my wife and talking about books. And as I thought ..Continue reading→
Robert Murray McCheyne and St Peters
“Even though he died at such a young age the impact of his ministry continue to be felt for many decades, and indeed the ripples continue today. By 1855 the congregation had grown to such an extent that they started a new mission church just 200 yards of the Perth Road. This became McCheyne Memorial church that was opened in 1870 by the well-known Baptist preacher CH Spurgeon.” St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee is famous throughout the evangelical world for being the church of Robert Murray McCh..Continue reading→
The Church’s Integrity in the Trump Years
It begins by recognizing the name above every name. We’re having to write this two months before Inauguration Day. But one doesn’t need the gift of prophecy to project that Christians will divide over the new administration. Each side, in an attempt to support or challenge an unprecedented and tenuous administration, will inevitably find itself at odds with others. Some Christians will call for eternal vigilance, looking for signs that the new president is promulgating yet another injustice. Ot..Continue reading→
Life & Society
After Donald Trump Says Franklin Graham Was ‘Important’ to His Election, Graham Gives the Credit Back to God
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump scored a sweeping victory in this year's elections, and he credited evangelist Franklin Graham for helping secure his victory.Continue reading→
North Carolina Calls Session to Repeal Bathroom Bill After Charlotte Rescinds Controversial Ordinance
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Legislative leaders in North Carolina have agreed to call a special session to repeal the state’s “bathroom bill” known as H.B. 2 after council members in Charlotte voted to rescind a controversial city ordinance that prompted the state law. “Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore assured me that as a result of Charlotte’s vote, a special session will be called for Tuesday to repeal HB 2 in full,” Democratic Gov.-elect Roy Cooper said in a statement on Monday. “..Continue reading→
Which Countries Enjoy Christmas Most – And Least? The Answers May Surprise You
All countries agree that one of the best things about Christmas is seeing family and friends. But after that, views on what people prefer about the festive season that marks the birth of Christ vary considerably.Continue reading→
Queen Steps Down As Patron From Christian Charities
The Queen will step down as patron of 25 national organisations, including a number of Christian charities at the end of the year.Continue reading→
Movies
Goodbye, Family Christian Stores
This week, it was announced that Family Christian Stores — one of the world’s largest Christian retailers — will close all 240 of its stores. This isn’t really shocking; Family Christian had gone through bankruptcy a few years back. But it will have an impact; more than 3,000 employees are going to lose their jobs as the stores shutter and Christian culture loses one of its largest and most diverse suppliers of books, music and trinkets. Granted, this is just the nature of the beast these days. ..Continue reading→
Have you caught up with “It’s My Favorite”?
Hey everyone, Not going to lie: it’s been a week. Work, school and home life have been busy, and the general insanity of our world right now has really robbed me of a lot of energy and will to write. It’s a shame, because I have some really good stuff on deck for you. One new series I want to write and one Oscar-related miniseries of articles, and I’m hoping that starting this weekend those will start posting. And in the weeks ahead I’m going to really be jumping into the reviewing pool again ha..Continue reading→
Watch: New music video for The Shack with new footage
Itching to see The Shack — or at least to get a taste of it before it comes out five weeks from now? Well, maybe this will tide you over: the powers that be have released two new songs from the film’s soundtrack, one of which even has a music video. Here is the video, for a new acoustic version of Skillet’s ‘Stars’: The studio has also released the full version of ‘Keep Your Eyes on Me’, which is sung by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and has previously been heard in the trailers. Here is a Spotify ..Continue reading→
The Story of God: Proof of the Divine
Photo by Amanda Slater, Flickr. C.C. Licensing. Season two of “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central) on the National Geographic Channel. Once again, I’m writing about it here each week from a Christian perspective as a preview. This post is about episode three, the season finale, “Proof of God.” In the final episode of “The Story of God’s” second season, Morgan Freeman travels the world speaking to people who believe they’ve experienced proof — often tang..Continue reading→
Oscar nominations — my own two bits, and a complete list
It looks like La La Land is the movie to beat at this year’s Oscars. The film, a jazzy musical that stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as a musician and an actress trying to make their way in Hollywood, racked up 14 Academy Award nominations this morning — tying the record set by 1950’s All About Eve and 1997’s Titanic. However, because La La Land was nominated twice for original song, it is actually nominated in 13 categories — which is more than the 12 categories that All About Eve was nominate..Continue reading→
Let’s talk Oscar noms!
Some quick thoughts on the 2017 Academy Award nominations, which were announced earlier today. A full list of nominees is available here. At first blush, my biggest surprise is that there isn’t a ton here I would bicker with. The list of nominees this year is really darn good, spread out over several movies. Maybe it’s because I saw fewer movies than normal this year or simply because so many of the nominated films are on my best-of list, but I can’t really find a bad choice among the films. Re..Continue reading→
Star Wars Episode 8 gains a title
Earlier today, the official Star Wars Twitter feed ended more than a year of speculation by revealing the title of the latest entry in the saga, due out this December: It’s official. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. This December. #TheLastJedihttps://t.co/ySkVwQcMTPpic.twitter.com/eHrPgbsRJq — Star Wars (@starwars) January 23, 2017 [Read More...]Continue reading→
Encountering the Mystical in the ‘The Fits’
The fascinating film about adolescent encounters with the sublime gives us plenty to ponder. If you’re looking for a film that inspires lively conversation, you’ve got to check out The Fits. Anna Rose Helmer’s debut feature film runs a brief, but intense, 72 minutes, leaving plenty of time for discussion and debate afterwards. It caused a stir last year at Sundance, and critics have been talking about it ever since. Fortunately, Amazon Prime subscribers can currently stream it for free—and for ..Continue reading→
Review: The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (dir. Dallas Jenkins, 2017)
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is a “faith-based” comedy about a washed-up former child star who, having trashed a hotel roof bar, is told to do a couple hundred hours of community service at a Chicago-based megachurch and ends up starring in their Easter play. It’s a safe, formulaic and utterly predictable film — precisely the kind of “Christian” movie I tend not to review here — but because of my interest in movies about Jesus, I was interested in seeing how this film would depict the play. T..Continue reading→
Music
Run The Race (Single) by Holly Starr
The new single from Holly Starr, co-written with and produced by Bryan Fowler (Ryan Stevenson, Tobymac, Mandisa, Hollyn).[...]Continue reading→
One-Way Conversations by Hollyn
Hailing from Ohio, this Dove Awards New Artist of the Year nominee has been working the past year on her debut full length album titled "One-Way Conversations". Listeners were introduced to this vibrant you lady on TobyMac's latest release with the songs "Backseat Driver" and "Lights Shine Bright" and later with her debut #1 single "Alone (featuring TRU)". As a songwriter, Hollyn co-wrote all of the songs on her debut full length album and worked with producers Bryan Fowler (Ryan Stevenson), Wit and 42 North (Andy Mineo), Cole Walowac of Capital Kings, Eric Ramey (Britt Nicole) and more. The album[...]Continue reading→
The Garden (Deluxe Edition) by Kari Jobe
Grammy nominated Kari Jobe is the premiere female worship leader in Christian music. Coming off her last live album, Majestic, which featured the worship anthem 'Forever' and radio hit 'I Am Not Alone', Kari Jobe has returned to the studio to record her new album, full of brand new worship anthems for the church and for personal reflection. Finding inspiration from life's joys and hardships, Kari leans into the firm foundation of Christ through it all. With career sales that top 1 million, Kari still comes back to the reason why she started in the first place- leading people into[...]Continue reading→
Back To Life by Anthony Evans
Recording Artist and Worship Leader Anthony Evans' highly-anticipated new album Back To Life releases February 3, 2017 through Sherman James Productions. A collection of worship songs, this new album features NBC's The Voice alumnus on 11 worship-themed tracks exploring authenticity, vulnerability, honesty and the way that the culmination of those three things brought him Back to Life. It marks Evans' eighth solo studio album and will be available through all digital retailers and exclusively at Lifeway Christian Stores. Back To Life is available for pre-order on January 6, 2017. "Over the last year, God has given me one revelation after[...]Continue reading→
Canopy by nobigdyl.
"I wrote Canopy coming out of a time of isolation and darkness. It felt like my life was completely falling apart and I'd have to start over again from nothing. God showed me that sometimes there's safety and protection in isolation. Sometimes, the darkness makes it easier to see the light," confessed nobigdyl. when speaking of the anticipated release. 'Canopy' is nobigdyl.'s first album release since his debut in 2015 with the 'Smoke Signal' EP. Check out indie tribe and nobigdyl at his website, nobigdyl.com.[...]Continue reading→
Books
A Look at Notable 2016 Publications
TEDS President offers his list of best books “There is no end to the making of many books,” says the author of Ecclesiastes. In the United States alone, there were close to one million titles published during the past year, with revenue approaching $1.8 billion. Hundreds of titles competed for our attention during 2016. I offer the following observations with the recognition that I have no doubt missed several important works that some of you would have included in such a survey. The books not..Continue reading→
Recommended Biographies By or About Women
Faith Cook is an author, biographer, and hymn writer. She grew up as a missionary child in war-torn China and has chronicled her story in an autobiography. Her own biographical work has been on both men: Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan William Grimshaw of Haworth and women: The Nine Day Queen of England: Lady Jane Grey, Selina: Countess of Huntingdon: Her Pivotal Role in the 18th Century Evangelical Awakening, and Anne Bradstreet: Pilgrim and PoetContinue reading→
Bibliotheca Bible – a Review
There are many things that I have great admiration for, but perhaps one of the things I enjoy the most is seeing a long-awaited, labor of love come to full fruition. The tenacity, hard work, dedication, and pitfalls along the way in seeing something through to the end is something that, for lack of better terms, gets me emotionally invested in a project. Yet not all projects are equal and not all catch my particular attention – but if we’re truthful, that’s precisely what makes these types of th..Continue reading→
Christianity Today’s 2017 Book Awards
Our picks for the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture. Make a list of all the blessings the Protestant Reformation has brought, and eventually—long after jotting down iconic phrases like “salvation by grace alone through faith alone”—you’ll get around to the CT Book Awards. Books, of course, had existed long before Luther posted his 95 Theses. But there’s no denying that reading and the Reformation, with a vital assist from Gutenberg’s printing press, soared toget..Continue reading→
Where Should Our Women be Discipled?
Pastors and elders want thinking women in the church, right? And yet popular beliefs that came out of the nineteenth century’s cult of domesticity still seem to linger in the evangelical culture today. Back then, people taught that women’s brains were inferior to men’s intellectually and that women needed to reserve their energy and blood flow for reproductive purposes. These are ideas we usually joke about now, even to provoke a woman in innocent fun, because we know them to be scientifically p..Continue reading→
10 Books Every Christian Teenager Should Read
A reader recently asked the question: Do you have a suggested list of books for teenagers, something like a “Ten best books every Christian teenager should read?” It surprised me that I have never compiled such a list, especially since I’ve got two teenagers of my own. I decided I’d better remedy this oversight straight away. Here, then, is a list of ten great books every Christian teen ought to read—or at least consider reading. Please note that these are not necessarily the ten best books your teens will read in their lifetime. Not all of these books will stand the test of time as Christian classics. But each of them is suited to twenty-first century teenaged readers and together they will provide a foundation for the Christian life that will prove both deep and wide. I list them in no particular order. The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. It is rare that a book is elevated to the ranks of the classics, but The Holiness of God is a prime candidate. Sproul’s book will introduce teens..Continue reading→
Signposts to God and More (RJS)
Books, books, books … What is the best book you’ve read on Science and Christian faith? It seems to be the season … not the holiday season, but the book season. I recently received three new books. Books by a physicist, a biologist (with training in theology as well), and a philosopher. All three tackle questions of science and Christian faith. Each of the three presents an interesting perspective – and I intend to dig into them more completely over the upcoming months. Peter Bussey’s book, Sign..Continue reading→
2016 Reading Challenge Update: September & October
This year I have been participating in the 2016 Reading Challenge, a fun way to increase and diversify your reading through another year. I took the challenge and set this year’s goal at 104 books. However, because so much of my reading has to go toward reviewing books that are recently published and of interest to Christians (both for reviews published here and in WORLD magazine), I decided to pick from all over the list rather than working through it in order. What follows are the books I completed in September and October and, in parentheses, the reading challenge category they fulfill. Below that is the complete list of categories I need to cover. As you can see, I did not finish many books over the past couple of months, something that is not unusual as my reading ebbs and flows over the course of the year. You can see my previous updates for January, February, March-April, May, June, and July-August. Sexual Morality in a Christless World by Matthew Rueger. This is a brilliant w..Continue reading→
6 Reflections on Community Inspired by Bonhoeffer
My church has recently launched a series on community called Better Together. In conjunction with the sermon series, I, in collaboration with my senior pastor, wrote a small group curriculum to compliment the series. I love community, which is why I love small groups. Like many of you, I work hard on our small group system at my church to equip leaders and to help many in my church experience the fullness of community—the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, as I continue to reflect on communi..Continue reading→
World
‘Pope Francis’ Says Roman Catholics, Christians Should Seek Forgiveness From Homosexuals
ROME (Reuters) — Jorge Bergoglio, who goes by the name “Pope Francis,” said on Sunday that Christians and the Roman Catholic Church should seek forgiveness from homosexuals for the way they had treated them. Speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him back to Rome from Armenia, he also said the Church should ask forgiveness for the way it has treated women, for turning a blind eye to child labor and for “blessing so many weapons” in the past. In the hour-long freewheeling conversation th..Continue reading→
Supreme Court: Texas Can’t Keep Women from Abortion Clinics
Ruling to reverse restrictions interrupts years of pro-life advances on the state level. The Supreme Court sided with abortion providers in a landmark case today, striking down Texas’ stricter requirements for clinics and setting a potential precedent against similar regulations in other states. Ruling on its first abortion case since 2007, the court voted 5-3 that the provisions of the 2013 Texas law known as HB-2 “place a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abort..Continue reading→
ISIS Fighters Launch New Attacks in Eastern Afghanistan
JALALABAD (India.com) — Heavy fighting between Afghan forces and Islamic State fighters has killed dozens of people, officials said today, raising fears the militant group is staging a comeback months after Kabul said they had been defeated. The fighting began late on Friday in the Kot area of the Rodat district in eastern Nangarhar province after a contingent of IS fighters attacked police check posts, provincial governor Salim Khan Kunduzi said. The interior minis..Continue reading→
‘We Can’t Kill This Baby’: Couple Walks Out of Abortion Facility, Saves Life of Down Syndrome Son
SYDNEY — An Australian couple whose son was diagnosed with Down syndrome is expressing their relief that they walked out of an abortion facility instead of ending the life of their unborn child. “I’d made an appointment to have a termination, and we were sitting there, but then my husband dragged me outside,” Claire Martin recalled to the Daily Mail this week. “He said, ‘What are we doing? Lets go home. We can’t kill this baby.'” “I was relieved,” she said. “I needed someone to say they w..Continue reading→
American
Feel the Bern? Here’s the Next Step
Daniel Strauss: The revolution is back in business. Supporters of Bernie Sanders’ failed presidential bid are seizing on Democratic disarray at the national level to launch a wave of challenges to Democratic Party leaders in the states. The goal is to replace party officials in states where Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton during the acrimonious Democratic primary with more progressive leadership. But the challenges also represent a reckoning for state party leaders who, in many cases, tacitly s..
Trump rebukes alleged racism among supporters
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47889/trump-rebukes-alleged-racism-among-supporters Trump rebukes alleged racism among supporters Screen capture from CBS NewsScreen capture from CBS NewsWASHINGTON (BP) -- In his first major interview since Election Day, President-elect Donald Trump said he is "saddened" by reported incidents of r..
Bill Hunke, former Alaska exec & historian, dies
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47888/bill-hunke-former-alaska-exec-and-historian-dies Bill Hunke, former Alaska exec & historian, dies E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr. E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr. SUN LAKES, Ariz. (BP) -- E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr., executive director of the Alaska Baptist Convention from 1966-71 and prolific chronicler of Southern Ba..
Cloyd Sullins, Alaska exec from 1995-2000, dies
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47887/cloyd-sullins-alaska-exec-from-19952000-dies Cloyd Sullins, Alaska exec from 1995-2000, dies Cloyd Sullins Cloyd Sullins MOORE, Okla. (BP) -- Cloyd Sullins, who led the Alaska Baptist Convention from its 50th anniversary year in 1995 until his retirement in 2000, died Nov. 7 in Moore, Okla. ..