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
Philippians 1:3 (02-14-17)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... — Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, receive a hand-written letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God. My Prayer... Loving LORD, thank you for... (pl..Continue reading→
1 John 4:20 (02-13-17)
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? — 1 John 4:20 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... "O how I love Jesus!" we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us. My Prayer... Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my ..Continue reading→
1 John 4:19 (02-12-17)
We love him, because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as the center of our universe. We determine the greatness or validity of most deeds based on their impact upon us. We consider ourselves great adventurers, inventors, and investigators. However, in the most important quest of all, we did not act first; God did. He loved us sacrificially. He loved us personally. He loved us first. Our love is a resp..Continue reading→
1 John 4:18 (02-11-17)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our life — judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others thr..Continue reading→
1 John 4:17 (02-10-17)
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. — 1 John 4:17 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we live lovingly like Jesus did, we can have the same confidence in the face of death and before God in judgment. Our confidence is not in our efforts, but in our Savior. His love has not only redeemed us, it has changed us. His love is not only a gift to us, but it is a gift through us. We can be confide..Continue reading→
Hope
God’s Love Is Deep Enough
God’s Love Is Deep Enough By Rick Warren — March 20, 2017 “The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 TEV) There are times when we all think, “I’m going under for the last time! I’m about to sink!” But no matter how deep you are, God’s love is deeper than your problem. Corrie ten Boom and Betsy ten Boom were Christians who lived in the Netherlands during Word War II. They hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis. ..Continue reading→
The Length of God’s Love
The Length of God’s Love By Rick Warren — March 18, 2017 “I know that your love will last for all time, that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky” (Psalm 89:2 TEV). There’s a limit to human love. It wears out. It dries up. That’s why you have to have God’s love in all your relationships if they are going to last. God’s love never wears out. God’s love is patient, persistent, and persevering. Isn’t it good news to know that God never gives up on you? No matter what you do, his ..Continue reading→
How Do I Know I’m Saved?
How Do I Know I’m Saved? By Rick Warren — March 7, 2017 “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” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). In Luke 23:42, one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus on the cross prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (NIV). Notice that he didn’t ask Jesus to stop his pain, although he would have been in excruciating pain on the cross. By that tim..Continue reading→
Time to Tell Yourself the Truth
Time to Tell Yourself the Truth By Rick Warren — March 4, 2017 “The Lord gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves” (Proverbs 20:27 TEV). The best way to get off a guilt trip is to first admit your guilt. Don’t bury it, don’t deny it, and don’t ignore it. Just own up to it! Even when we know this truth, we still try to run from our guilt. But when you run from guilt, it’s going to catch up with you. The problem with always moving is that you take you with you. The probl..Continue reading→
Turn over a new leaf? I need a new tree!
We all find ourselves in a rut at some point or another. But often, the most damaging habits are the hardest ones to break. That was the case for Bob until Christ moved in his life to break the cycle of addiction. Discover how God changed Bob’s life forever.Continue reading→
Daily Wisdom
Philippians 1:3 (02-14-17)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... — Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, receive a hand-written letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God. My Prayer... Loving LORD, thank you for... (pl..Continue reading→
1 John 4:20 (02-13-17)
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? — 1 John 4:20 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... "O how I love Jesus!" we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us. My Prayer... Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my ..Continue reading→
1 John 4:19 (02-12-17)
We love him, because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as the center of our universe. We determine the greatness or validity of most deeds based on their impact upon us. We consider ourselves great adventurers, inventors, and investigators. However, in the most important quest of all, we did not act first; God did. He loved us sacrificially. He loved us personally. He loved us first. Our love is a resp..Continue reading→
1 John 4:18 (02-11-17)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our life — judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others thr..Continue reading→
Prayers
Abounding in Hope
PassageRomans 15:1-13 PrayerDear Father, who welcomes all into your family,Help us to welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us, for your glory.For you taught us that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show your truthfulness - in order to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, and in order that we who were not Jews might glorify you for your mercy.May you, our Father and God, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound ..Continue reading→
Imitating Christ
PassageRomans 15:1-8 PrayerDear Father, God of steadfast love,May the strength you give us be used to bear with the failings of those who are weak, not to please ourselves, but to please our neighbor for his good, to build him up.In this let us imitate Jesus, your Son, who did not please himself, but lived as it was written of him, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."May you, our Father, the God of steadfastness and encouragement, grant us Christians to live in such harmony..Continue reading→
Pursuing Peace
PassageRomans 14:17-23 PrayerDear Father, giver of brotherly love,How wonderful that your kingdom, your rule in people's lives, is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. May I, in serving Christ this way, be acceptable to you and approved by others.Let me and all the members of your family pursue what makes for peace and for mutual uplifting. Let none of us, for the sake of personal rights, destroy your work of grace in someone else. Help ..Continue reading→
Walking in Love
PassageRomans 14:13-16 PrayerDear Father, to whom all will bow,Help me not pass judgment on others or despise them. Let me look to myself in view of the fact that I will have to give an account for my own self.You have said, "As I live every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." Let me praise you now before the day of your judgment. Let my praise be willing and not forced.Help me never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother or sister in Christ..Continue reading→
Questions & Answers
It Takes a Platform to Influence a Culture
Justin Brierley once wrote a blog post at Christian Apologetics UK (“Forget Dawkins – Derren Brown is now the UK’s most influential atheist”) describing the influence of Derren Brown, an entertainer, illusionist and mentalist who has performed on television and in live venues. Brown spent some of his teenage years in a Charismatic church, but is now an advocate for atheism. Brierley made some important points that illustrate the importance of having a “platform” in order in influence a culture. ..Continue reading→
Should Christians Judge Others? (Cold Case Christianity Broadcast #81)
In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast, J. Warner discusses an often-misunderstood verse of Scripture: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Does this verse preclude us from making any judgment of behavior in our culture? How is this verse used to silence Christians? Be sure to watch the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast on NRBtv every Monday and Saturday! In addition, here is the audio podcast (the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast is located on iTune..Continue reading→
Men of God Should Understand the Importance of Fatherhood
I first noticed the problem as a Gang Detail officer in the early 1990’s. Our city was culturally and ethnically diverse, and we had a gang problem that seemed to transcend ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. We had wealthy Korean gangsters, middle class white gangsters, and upper, middle class and lower class Hispanic and African American gangsters. I was raising two and four year old boys at the time and I was interested in what caused the young men in my community to become gangs..Continue reading→
A Personal God is the Best Explanation for the Beginning of the Universe
Christians aren’t the only ones looking for the first “uncaused cause” of the universe. Everyone, theists and atheists alike, is looking for the cause of a universe that clearly had a beginning. If the cause of the universe was itself caused, then our search for the beginning of everything would continue, wouldn’t it? We’d be sifting through a series of previous causes toward infinity past, and we all recognize that a search of this nature is both futile and illogical. Believers, skeptics and se..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
Debating Atheists: Arrival of Jesus (part 5/5)
#4 The Arrival of Jesus Ancient history is a funny thing. We depend on the information, but no one was there to see it. Historians meet this challenge with the standard method of historiography. Historiography is scientific in a sense, albeit different than the hard sciences like physics and chemistry. In both cases, absolute certainty still evades us. Historians seek only to identify what events are more likely than not to have happened. Famous religion skeptic Bart Ehrman says human events t..Continue reading→
The Five Tests of False Doctrine
Sound doctrine originates with God, is recorded in the Word of God, is consistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to both spiritual health and godly living. False doctrine originates with men or demons, is foreign to the Word of God, is inconsistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to spiritual weakness and ungodly living. It must pass all of the tests in order to be sound. If it fails one, it fails all of them. T.D. Jakes says that God eternally exists in three manifesta..Continue reading→
The Call of Widowhood
Widows have a special place in the heart of God. To remind us of who he is, God often identifies himself with certain people. He calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to remind his people of his covenant promises (Ex. 3:15-16). He is known as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ so we know that he is Triune (Rom 15:6). Similarly, God identifies himself with widows. He executes justice for them (Deut. 10:18) and spreads his wings over them to protect them (Ruth 2:12). The psal..Continue reading→
Did Early Christians Believe That Jesus Would Return in Their Own Lifetime? Implications for Canon
But, this argument simply doesn’t hold. First, it is by no means evident that early Christians believed Jesus would necessarily return in their own lifetime. Schweitzer’s views have been largely rejected–and rightly so. But, let’s imagine, for the sake of argument, that Christians did have this apocalyptic mentality. Does that mean they would have resisted the composition of new books, focusing instead on only oral methods of delivery? One of the most-oft repeated ideas about the earliest Chris..Continue reading→
Women
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!” (Luke 6:31) Okay, here it is—this is the secret to finding and keeping lasting friendships: become women who want to see the women around them flourish. They have a word for that in Hebrew—it’s shalom. But not shalom like you might think. Not the overused, under-appreciated translation that we’re so used to throwin..Continue reading→
Why Your House Needs Hospitality
Why Your House Needs Hospitality There’s a tradition around our house. It’s been in place for a while now. We serve dinner on paper plates. Actually, we usually just do this when we don’t want to do the dishes. When we do, someone will get the “star plate.” That’s the plate that has a small star drawn on the bottom of it. We shuffle the plates like a deck of cards so no one knows who’s getting the star plate. Getting this plate is a big deal, because whoever ends up with it gets to pick what we..Continue reading→
How He Longs for You
How He Longs for You It is truly one of the most heartbreaking moments in all of Scripture. In Matthew 23:37, we see Jesus’ heart for Israel, His wandering people: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Jesus spoke these words to the Jews, but His divine words tell us a lot about the heart of God for all His people. Our heaven..Continue reading→
Curiosity Is an Act of Worship
Curiosity Is an Act of Worship And one thing I know about curiosity: it’s democratic. Anyone, anywhere, of any age or education level, can use it.—Brian Grazer I love concepts and ideas. They energize me. But at some point ideas must be broken down into workable pieces, bits that people can do something with; otherwise they aren’t worth much. You just read ten chapters of ideas. Yes, there were examples and a few stories scattered throughout but not much in the way of instruction. So this is m..Continue reading→
Life & Society
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Hear Appeal Over Ban on Helping Youth Struggling With Homosexuality
WASHINGTON — A religious rights organization has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal regarding California’s ban on “conversion therapy” and counseling youth to resist romantic desires toward the same sex. “SB 1172 directly violates the fundamental constitutional right to privacy in that it prohibits minors from defining their own existence. The law prevents minors from accessing mental health services and spiritual mentoring that would assist them in diminishing same-sex attract..Continue reading→
UK Mother Who Miscarried at 23 Weeks Seeks to Have Baby Recognized by State
(Christian Institute) — A mother who had a miscarriage at 23 weeks is fighting to have her baby’s life recognized by the state. Sarah Henderson, who gave birth to her daughter Rowan less than six months into her pregnancy, has no official record of her existence. UK law states that stillborn babies born before the 24-week abortion limit are not recorded on a birth certificate or a death certificate. Continue reading this story >> A special message from the publisher... Dear Reader, because ..Continue reading→
U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Redirect Planned Parenthood Funding to Women’s Health Care Providers
WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would redirect more than $500 million in federal funding from the abortion and contraceptive giant Planned Parenthood to women’s health care providers that do not perform abortions. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and James Lankford, R-Okla., recently introduced the “Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act” with the support of 127 co-sponsors. “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no federal funds may be made available to Planned ..Continue reading→
Turkey Detains Nearly 750 ISIS Suspects in Nationwide Raids
Photo Credit: Burak SuANKARA, Turkey (Associated Press)– Turkey has now detained nearly 750 suspects in a police operation against the Islamic State group, authorities said Monday. Anti-terrorism police launched the security operation against people with alleged links to IS early Sunday, conducting simultaneous raids in 29 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara and the border provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. The Interior Ministry released a statement Monday saying that 748 people have been..Continue reading→
Persecution
China’s New Policy Expected to Lead to More Religious Persecution
Photo Credit: Bibles for China(China Aid/Morning Star News) – China Aid’s 2016 Annual Persecution Report details a seismic shift in the Chinese government’s approach to religious policy that is expected to lead to further persecution. The report’s core subject tracks a deviation in the Chinese government’s ideological approach to religious management. During the National Conference of Religious Work held in April 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of religions “persist..Continue reading→
Ethiopian Girls Charged With ‘Inciting Religious Violence’ Released From Prison
BABILE, Ethiopia (Open Doors USA) — Four teenage believers, three of them minors, served a one-month jail sentence after being convicted on charges of distributing Christian literature and “inciting religious violence.” The girls were reported to be “in good health” following their release from prison on Dec. 22. Gifti, 14; Mihiret, 14; Eden, 15; and Deborah, 18, served their sentences in a large prison in Gelemiso among adult criminals. The Christian girls ordeal began when they were arrested ..Continue reading→
Christians in Mexico Face Violent Persecution From Criminal Drug Cartels
(Open Doors USA) — In parts of Mexico, going to church is risky and dangerous. Drug cartels are treading on the heels of churches in Mexico, extending their gripping power beyond the northern states where, for many years, they have been harassing entire communities ruthlessly. A very common practice drug traffickers have implemented to control whole communities in the territories where they operate is a “tax” collection system used to charge churches and businesses for the right to exist. “It ..Continue reading→
Chinese Christians Sentenced for Buying, Selling Devotionals
LIAOYANG, Liaoning (China Aid) — A court in China’s northeastern Liaoning province sentenced five Christian leaders to three to seven years behind bars on Wednesday for purchasing and selling prohibited Christian material. On Feb. 22, the defendants, comprised of four women and one man, learned they would be imprisoned for allegedly buying and selling “officially forbidden Christian devotional books.” Of them, pastor Li Dongzhe and Piao Shunnan received seven years, Zhao Chunxia and Li Yuan wer..Continue reading→
Music
Tidal Wave (Single) by Rapture Ruckus
Track Listing 01. Tidal Wave Continue reading→
Adventure by Matthew Parker
Track Listing 01. Adventure 02. Ghost 03. Unstoppable (feat. Micah Ariss) 04. I Ain't Got No Money (feat. Spencer Kane) 05. Down In Flames 06. Heaven Calling 07. Night Sky 08. Remember Me (feat. Tristan Peace) 09. System Victim (feat. Hillary Jane) 10. Spark (feat. Rapture Ruckus) 11. Gone 12. Dynasty (feat. Cash Hollistah) 13. Tidal Wave (feat. Micah Ariss) 14. Fly (feat. Twilight Meadow) 15. My Love Continue reading→
You Wouldn’t Believe What Privilege Costs by CIVILIAN
A follow-up to 2012s Should This Noose Unloosen, YWBWPC's ringing guitars and sonorous vocals sway with austere, precise drumming while thoughtful bass paints outside the lines. Unlike its predecessor, "all of these songs were written after having just fallen ass over tip for a gal" as Alexander so eloquently puts it. "I wrote with the same intention to, through art, add nuance to how we talk about government and poverty except this time my brain was drenched in dopamine and serotonin."[...]Continue reading→
Never Lose Sight by Chris Tomlin
Often called America's Worship Leader, Chris Tomlin returns with his new album, NEVER LOSE SIGHT, on October 21. As the songwriter behind the worship favorites "How Great Is Our God," "Our God," and "Whom Shall I Fear," Chris' songs lead people to the heart of Jesus and into a deeper worship of Him. Featuring "Good Good Father" and the new single "Jesus," this brand new album is filled with songs that draw us closer to Jesus and give voice to our praises, prayers, cries and hopes.[...]Continue reading→
Behold: A Christmas Collection by Lauren Daigle
Award-winning singer/songwriter LAUREN DAIGLE, will release her first-ever Christmas album titled BEHOLD, on October 21 via Centricity Music. Produced by Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram, the style of the holiday album pays homage to the sounds of Lauren's hometown of New Orleans. Featuring soft jazz renditions of Christmas favorites, BEHOLD includes such classics as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "What Child Is This," "O Holy Night," and more; in addition to an original composition titled "Light of the World", which was written by Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram. Pre-orders for the album[...]Continue reading→
Majesty In A Manger by Various Artists
The Integrity Music family of artists and writers have come together to start a new tradition celebrating Emmanuel, God With Us, in worship with Majesty In A Manger. It's a collection of original songs that focus on the coming of Jesus Christ from artists and writers like, Paul Baloche, All Sons Daughters, Darlene Zschech, Seth Nirva, Travis Ryan, Michael Farren and more. This is a worship album that was created with the intent that churches around the world can adopt these songs as we celebrate Jesus' birth. From the soulful sounds of newcomers Seth Nirva on "Fill The[...]Continue reading→
Marc Martel Announces ‘The Silent Night EP’
Marc Martel, former co-vocalist of Canadian Christian contemporary pop/rock band Downhere, is preparing to release a new Christmas EP. Entitled The Silent Night EP, the EP will feature Martel's signature vocals set to several classic Christmas carols. Martel has already been dropping a few songs as singles these past few Christmases, in the form of "O Holy Night" and "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Both of those will be featured on the EP alongside new arrangements of "In the Bleak Midwinter," "..Continue reading→
Switchfoot Releases Surprise Live Album
Switchfoot pulled off one of the best-kept surprises of Christian music in recent years and released a new live album on Friday, October 21. Fans had previously been given no indication that the band was planning such a release. Live in Chicago The Looking for America Tour marks Switchfoot's first major live album in 7 years, since 2009's The Best Yet Live in Nashville. Featuring cuts from their critically-acclaimed new album Where The Light Shines Through as well as several of the b..Continue reading→
David Dunn Debuts Music Video For New Single ‘I Wanna Go Back’
BEC Recordings' David Dunn has debuted the music video for his new single, "I Wanna Go Back," from his forthcoming early 2017 release Yellow Balloons. Click below to watch the music video. This single is currently the No. 2 most added song at AC radio for the second week in a row with 25 adds. Click here to get the single at digital outlets. RELATED BEC Recordings Announces New Artist Signing, David Dunn "'I Wanna Go Back' is a song of nostalgia, of longing for the time in my li..Continue reading→
World
Orthodox Will Hold Humbled Yet Historic Council in Crete
Patriarchs disagree over how many disputes—out of centuries' worth—to tackle in 10 days. The last time the 14 separate branches of the Orthodox church met, in 787, they hadn’t yet split with the Roman Catholic church. So pulling together a Holy and Great Council meeting of the global representatives of 300 million Orthodox Christians for next week hasn’t been easy—even with the event being discussed since 1961. A number of issues have cropped up in the last 1,000-plus years. The short li..Continue reading→
As SBC Backs Refugee Resettlement, World Relief Leader Resigns
Southern Baptists vote to encourage compassion, while Stephan Bauman reveals next move. Southern Baptists adopted a resolution this morning encouraging fellow believers to offer “care, compassion, and the gospel” to refugees, while at the same time calling on the American government to “implement the strictest security measures possible in the refugee screening and selection process.” While on the floor of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Resolution 12 on “refugee m..Continue reading→
American
Ohio Bill Would Require Abortion Clinics to Bury Aborted Babies Instead of Selling Their Body Parts
Today, hearings began on Ohio Right to Life’s Unborn Child Dignity Act (S.B. 28), legislation which would require the humane burial or cremation of unborn children following an abortion. The legislation also increases informed consent for women seeking abortions by giving them the option of burial or cremation. Senator Joe Uecker, who is the sponsor of the bill, spoke before the Government Oversight and Reform Committee in the Ohio Senate, asking his fellow senators to join him in protecting th..
Alveda King: I’m Sick of Pro-Abortion Politicians Using Race-Baiting to Deceive Black Voters
Alveda King, the niece of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr, has released a pro-life message for Black History Month. The Civil Rights leader says she is sick and tired of pro-abortion politicians using race-baiting to deceive black voters into supporting them. “For years liberals and progressives have skillfully appealed to the Black communities, vying for the African American vote while maintaining that abortion is good for blacks and, conversely, that those who are pro-life are somehow anti-Afric..
Professor of Neurobiology: Human Life Begins at Conception, Fertilization
Maureen Condic, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Utah. She has been a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, a distinguished group of physicians, scientists, and theologians from the international community whose mission it is to study questions and issues regarding the promotion and defense of human life from an interdisciplinary perspective, since 2014. Dr. Condic is one of our nearly 40 associate scholars. In this interview, she discusses t..
Should a Father be Able to Stop The Mother From Aborting Their Baby? Lawmakers Say Yes
An Oklahoma bill is stirring up national controversy and raising awareness about fathers’ inability to legally protect their unborn children from abortion. The bill, Oklahoma House Bill 1441, sponsored by state Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Atoka, would prohibit unborn babies from being aborted without the father’s consent except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. A state House committee approved the bill on Tuesday in a 5-2 vote, and sent it to the full Oklahoma House for a vote, ..
Australia
Leading Bible expert is returning to Australia
In a major coup, Rikk Watts, a highly-regarded Bible scholar is returning to Australia, joining Alphacrucis College as Professor of Biblical Studies. He is currently a Professor of New Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. “I regard him very, very highly,” John Dickson, founder of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) told Eternity. “He is one of the world’s leading scholars on the Gospel of Mark. He has extraordinary ability both in the..
Where are all the godly role models for our men?
If you are an Australian man aged 15-44 years, you are more likely (by far) to die from suicide than any other cause says mental health support organisation Beyond Blue. It’s a concerning statistic – as is the fact that 80 per cent of all suicides in Australia are committed by men, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Men are also twice as likely to have a substance-abuse disorder, and will be the absent parent in 81 per c..
Former Imam in Eastern Uganda loses home, family, work after turning to Christ
NAIROBI, Kenya – Morning Star News – A 53-year-old man in eastern Uganda sits alone in a small shanty after losing his family, house and business because he left Islam for Christianity. Muslim relatives drove Kuluseni Iguru Tenywa, a former imam, from his ancestral home the night of June 27 in Budhagali village, Jinja District. Led by his brother-in-law, 45-year-old Isa Nsaja, the relatives gathered outside Tenywa’s house. “I heard people talking outside my house ar..
Charity must trump theology in gay marriage debate, says Christian thinker
A leading Christian commentator has come out in support of same-sex marriage on the basis of charity rather than theological principle. Scott Stephens, the ABC’s Online Editor of Religion and Ethics, told a forum last night that he had reached “a profound realisation” of the genuine fear of having a plebiscite felt among many groups. “I’ve reached the conclusion that the pain that’s caused to people by having the institution of marriage denied them – tha..
Law & Government
Colorado Pastor Prohibited From Using Name of Jesus in Bus Bench Advertisements
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. — Officials in a Colorado city are reviewing the advertising policies of a local transit company after it prohibited an area pastor from using the name of Jesus in bus bench advertisements. According to reports, Mountain Metro Transit told Lawson Perdue, pastor of Charis Christian Center in Colorado Springs that if the name of Jesus were allowed, the company would also have to accept ads considered hate speech. Perdue had been advertising on local bus benches for the past..
James Dobson Walks Back Assertion Trump Is Christian: ‘Do I Know That for Sure? No.’
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. — James Dobson, the founder of the renown Colorado-based organization Focus on the Family, is seemingly walking back comments he made last week asserting that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is a “baby Christian” who needs to be “cut some slack.” As previously reported, Dobson was interviewed last Tuesday by Michael Anthony of GodFactor.com, who was among the nearly 1,000 evangelicals who came to listen to Trump at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. During t..
Judge Strikes Part of Mississippi Conscience Act, Requires Clerks to Issue ‘Gay Marriage’ Licenses
JACKSON, Miss. — A federal judge who was appointed to the bench by Barack Obama has struck down part of Mississippi’s Freedom of Conscience Act, requiring clerks within the state to issue “gay marriage” licenses despite their religious convictions. As previously reported, in April, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law H.B. 1523, also known as the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act. It was sharply criticized homosexual and transgender advocates. “The sin..
Concerns Raised as Trump Silent on Supreme Court Ruling Striking Down Texas Abortion Law
WASHINGTON — Concerns are being raised as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been silent about Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a Texas abortion law as being an “undue burden on abortion access.” As previously reported, the court issued its 5-3 decision on Monday, stating that the Texas regulations, which require abortionists to have admitting privileges at a local hospital and keep their facilities up to the same standards as ambulator..
Entertainment
The Quiet Miracle of Queen of Katwe
It’s a miracle. The phrase is pregnant with Christian portent. Yes, other religions have their own sets of miracles, but Christianity seems to put a special emphasis on them. Jesus performed plenty of miracles, from killing fig trees to raising the dead, each one used as one more proof of His divinity. And ever since then, miracles have always been an important part of the Christian story—and Christian stories. Christian movies are enamored with the miraculous. Just this year, we’ve..
What the Magnificent Seven Says About American Faith
The Magnificent Seven begins in a church. It ends in a church. And even though the actual church building is a burned-out shell for much of the movie, the edifice still towers over the little town of Rose Creek—a charred, broken prophet, its shadow casting judgment over those who pass through. Throughout American cinematic history, the Western has long been a lens through which America sees itself—at our best and worst. It’s given us our defining heroes and served as a crucible thro..
Fox’s The Exorcist is More About God than The Devil. Here’s Why.
You just can’t keep a bad demonic force down, I guess. It’s been 45 years since William Peter Blatty wrote The Exorcist, and more than 40 since Blatty’s work became one of the best-known, most-feared movies in history. Now, thanks to Fox, The Exorcist is back, only with more installments and, hopefully, less pea soup. The story is different this time around, but its dynamics are roughly the same: A young girl from an affluent family is involved. A doubting priest and a grizzled vete..
‘Queen of Katwe’ tells of a mighty girl chess prodigy from Uganda
(This is from my column but I loved, loved, loved, this movie because Phiona is a mighty girl – and her mother a mighty woman) In Katwe, a slum outside of Kampala, Uganda, Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) drops out of school at a young age to help her widowed mother, Harriet (Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o), support the family. Meanwhile, Robert (David Oyelowo) takes a low-paying job at a Christian youth center in Katwe since he cannot find a job as an engineer. Phiona follow..
US
More Russian dirty tricks
Not only did the Russians hack into the Democrats’ e-mails in an attempt to influence the election. According to a classified report shared with Donald Trump, the Russians also compiled a dossier of “compromising” information about the president-elect’s personal life and about his finances. That the Russians released embarrassing information about Hillary Clinton but not about Trump is evidence, according to the CIA, that they wanted to discredit the former but protect the latter. But now some f..
Living under the law
More from David Zahl., who distinguishes between the big-L “Law” (of God) and the little-l “law” that people today try, futilely, to live by. . . . The latter too is a sign of how people today are obsessed with justifying themselves, even though they can’t. We need to point them to the justification they can have, freely, through Christ. I would add that those of us who have that justification should remember it more and should apply it when we ourselves fall into these syndromes of perfectionis..
The origin of the Bible’s chapters and verses
Imagine trying to look something up in the Bible if it didn’t have chapters and verses. But the Bible didn’t come with them. They were added to make the Scriptures more accessible. We have two men from two different centuries to thank for these innovations. Mark Wood at Christianity Today tells the tale, excerpted and linked after the jump. From Mark Wood, Who Divided The Bible Into Chapters And Verses? | Christian News on Christian Today: Anyone who knows about Magna Carta and King John has pro..
Justification and contemporary culture
Luther-influenced Anglican David Zahl has a brilliant article in the latest Christianity Today about Luther’s distinction between Law and Gospel and his understanding of justification by faith. These teachings, Zahl shows, go to the very heart of what people are most struggling with today in contemporary culture: perfectionism, the need for approval, and the futility of [Read More...]
Church & Theology
10 Ways to Be a Blessing to Your Missionaries
It is impossible for any local church to carry out the Great Commission without missionaries. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.—Matthew 28:19–20 Missionaries, then, are our co-laborers in the harvest. Just as we strive to be a blessing to those we physically labor alongside..
7 Ways Parents Undermine Their Own Influence
All children have moments or seasons when they struggle with obedience—just like their parents. But some young people, particularly in their teenage years, become defiant and overtly disrespectful. Why? There are many contributing reasons—including the freewill of every person to follow the Lord or to reject authority— but below are seven factors common when teenagers rebel. Regardless of what you may be doing right as a parent, if you are also doing any of these, you are undermining your own ..
How to Vote When This World Is Not Your Home
I don’t know that I’ve ever been so weary of politics as I am this election season. This year has certainly been one of the most negative and difficult in American history. Often when voting, we look for “the lesser of two evils.” Perhaps a better way to say it is that we should look for which candidate is more likely to support vital issues as related to the teachings of Scripture and is most likely to preserve religious liberty for those who desire to propagate Scriptural truth. This is not ..
7 Truths I Shared with Future Pastors Last Week
I meet once or twice each year with the senior men of West Coast Baptist College to discuss ministry philosophy and personal growth. As we met last week, I was encouraged by their sense of anticipation and eagerness for getting into the ministry. These are exciting days to serve the Lord. While it’s true that the ministry landscape is very different from when I first entered the ministry, it’s also true that there have never been more opportunities or a greater need for gospel-preaching churche..