Chinese Christian tells of harrowing escape from Communist government

March 4, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

Qi Ming, a Chinese national, told the human rights organization Open Doors that the Chinese communist regime engaged in surveillance of him and church members, and often harassed them. When ministry leaders refused the government’s request to install surveillance cameras inside the sanctuary of his church, Chinese authorities raided their worship service, Open Doors reports. “More than 100 were arrested,” Qi Ming told the organization. “From church raids, to the arrests of pastors, to the restriction of Bibles, to the... Read more

One student’s stand for faith in public school brought him to the White House [video]

March 3, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

One of the young people who joined President Trump at the White House on National Religious Freedom Day this year was Chase Windebank, son of Ken Windebank, Chief Operating Officer at Focus on the Family. Chase was invited after the White House heard of his legal battle with his former high school, Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While a freshman, Chase began a small group for students to pray during a free period in the gym at their school.... Read more

Who is Jesus?

February 27, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

We learn who Jesus is from the Bible. In it we learn that Jesus claimed to be God and the Son of God, which to many may sound contradictory and confusing. Jesus claimed that He and his Father are one. Jesus claimed that he is the truth, the resurrection, and the life. Jesus claimed that it is only through him that anyone can know God. Jesus claimed that he alone offers eternal life. Numerous eyewitnesses testified to hearing the claims Jesus made... Read more

Texas became less pro-life under Republican leadership over last 12 years

February 26, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

Texas is not as pro-life as people may think. According to an analysis published by Americans United for Life’s (AUL), Texas dropped from the 4th-most pro-life state in the U.S. to 17th in 12 years– all while under Republican leadership. The Life List 2020 is AUL’s annual state ranking based on a comprehensive analysis of each state’s law and policy protections for human life from conception to natural death. Its State Report Card is published every year, which ranks all... Read more

One of the best studies on Joy in Nehemiah and Philippians [video]

February 25, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

One of the best studies on Nehemiah can be viewed/listened to for free online. Called, A Prayer-Infused Journey to Joy based on the teachings of Nehemiah and Philippians, the study follows a similar format to that of the international Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) produced in San Antonio and to that of the Women in the Word series produced in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. This particular study is produced by the women’s ministry of Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Houston. The online... Read more

Who is a Christian and how can you tell?

February 24, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

A Christian is one who has repentant faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. Christians are given new life (Jesus says they are born again) and their purpose is to glorify God. The word Christian comes from the Greek word, Christos, meaning Christ, and refers to a follower of Christ. The word “Christian” is mentioned three times in the New Testament to describe new believers (Acts 11:26; 26:28 and 1 Pet. 4:16). Christianity comes from the... Read more

Apostasy: U.S. Episcopal diocese first lesbian bishop

February 17, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

The first openly “lesbian bishop” has been “consecrated” by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan in February 2020. Her position is being touted as one who “will not lead to further large-scale departures from the denomination.” Bonnie A. Perry, the eleventh bishop of the diocese, was elected by the Special Electing Convention in Detroit last year; she officially took on the role this month. In 2003, the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly homosexual bishop in its history, Rev. Gene Robinson in New... Read more

Foghorn alert #2: The message of Colossians 1:15-17 and laminin—the molecule that looks “like a perfectly shaped cross” and points to the cross of Christ, which holds the universe together.

February 11, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

Foghorn alert #2: The message of Colossians 1:15-17 and laminin—the molecule that looks “like a perfectly shaped cross” and points to the cross of Christ, which holds the universe together. Denomination and location: nondenominational, Atlanta I was recently made aware of a sermon series about “the glory of God in the human body,” which was given several years ago by a man who leads a large following of Christians. The last five minutes of one particular sermon continues to be... Read more

What does it mean to be content?

February 6, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

One of the interesting things about the English language is that many of its words are derived from Latin and often have more than one meaning. The initial, and majority, of search results online for the word “content” refer to ideas communicated through writing, marketing, or information. Content is key to understanding any piece of information. It can be misleading, inaccurate, destructive and deceptive. It can also be helpful, instructive, and truthful. Content is used as the basis for knowledge,... Read more

Foghorn Alert #1: The message of Luke 2:13-23 on racial reconciliation, “the fairly dark skinned” Mary and baby Jesus, and not pledging allegiance to the American flag

January 28, 2020 By Bethany Blankley

Foghorn Alert #1: The message of Luke 2:13-23 on racial reconciliation, “the fairly dark skinned” Mary and baby Jesus, and not pledging allegiance to the American flag Denomination and location: ECO-A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, Houston, Texas One poor sermon does not adequately depict one’s ability to teach or expound the text; this is one of several messages I’ve heard from this speaker. While I do appreciate what appears to be his genuine willingness to serve, it may prove... Read more