What is Advent? Advent is a season within a season… a time when many Christians briefly put aside Santa, his elves and reindeer… stressful shopping trips to crowded malls… overspending… family arguments… and unfulfilled expectations for the holidays. Advent is a time when Christians seek the quiet, meaningful side of Christmas. It’s a time of hope and joy, warmth and light within us. And this inner light shines even when the world grows cold and dark and winter hits us... Read more
Three different points of view yield the same conclusion: Christian nationalism cannot exist. So, why does it? Pope Francis once said, “When a Christian becomes a disciple of ideology, he has lost the faith….” Minister and author Johnathan Leeman insists, “There is no such thing as a ‘Christian nation’ in a Baptistic understanding since the membership borders of the nation and the church will not overlap.” And the writer in me recognizes an oxymoron when I see one. The Oxford... Read more
The nation’s most extreme right-wing “Christians” have tapped into our deepest fears and prejudices, hijacked the Christian faith and attempted to overturn a legitimate secular election. As we vote once again, will we tolerate this behavior or not? Can we not find a better way to deal with “Christian” extremism and hatred in America? Christ warns us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). And God the Father... Read more
A New Take on an Old Hymn Music soothes the savage breast – or is it savage beast? Either way, some music soothes the soul. In fact, a new study has found that “Amazing Grace” is the best song for heart health in older people with coronary artery disease. Over the years, various studies have shown that music helps people physically and mentally. But researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee wanted to take it a step further.... Read more
There Are Signs We Are As the U.S. 2024 presidential election draws ever closer, at least two positive changes may be occurring. The far-right extremist, white evangelical voting block may be beginning to crack, and at the same time, some post-evangelicals are pulling away from politics. The nation may finally be moving away from extremism and toward a new post-evangelical era. That’s according to new data and CNN’s new article, Post-evangelicals Shift Away from Faith Tied to Republican Politics. Moderate... Read more
God Has Me & He’s In Control – Riley Leonard Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is “naturally curious, insanely talented, relentlessly competitive, deeply religious,” says the South Bend Tribune. And Leonard has noted, “I have that faith-based mindset that God has me and he’s in control.” These traits mean that Leonard is able to keep it clean “while cleaning the competition’s clock….” according to the Tribune. He “has passed test after test while thriving in a variety of ad-hoc displays... Read more
In a nation where people have the right to worship – or not worship – as their souls dictate, a presidential candidate’s relationship with God shouldn’t be open to public scrutiny. But it is. Less than three months from now, Americans will hold an election in which faith matters. It matters a great deal. So, let’s look at the faith of one candidate for president. Let’s look at Kamala’s faith. A Melting Pot America has been called a melting pot,... Read more
It takes hard work, mental toughness, determination and God-given talent to reach the Olympics. Some athletes do not acknowledge God’s role in their success. But the wise ones, including these 10 U.S. Olympians, readily acknowledge and praise the Lord: Vashti Cunningham (track and field) Stephen Curry (basketball) Anna Hall (track and field) Vincent Hancock (shooting) Caeleb Dresser (swimming) Helen Maroulis (wrestling) Scottie Scheffler (golf) Mallory Swanson (soccer) Brody Malone (gymnastics) Kelly Cheng (beach volleyball) This post isn’t really a sports... Read more
Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst…. Those are the words of Thomas Paine, one of America’s founding fathers. Now, fast forward to the 21st century, and you will find radical right-wing politicians forcing their brand of religious tyranny on impressionable school children in several states. And in doing so, they have unintentionally opened schools to Satanism. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida schools are prime examples of religious tyranny in America. Louisiana law requires... Read more
Here’s What’s Happening in Louisiana & Oklahoma Louisiana and Oklahoma are stepping away from religious freedom in America and taking their citizens with them. Can the nation be far behind? And is it a positive step or a dangerous movement? Louisiana recently passed a law requiring all public schools to display the 10 commandments in their classrooms. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s chief education officer has mandated that public schools teach the Bible in all grades beginning with the fifth grade. That’s fine... Read more
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