NYC Mayor de Blasio: Protests essential, but not religion

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that ongoing protests in the city merit exceptions to coronavirus regulations, while religious services do not. The mayor’s remarks have drawn criticism from New York’s archdiocese.

“When you see a nation, an entire nation simultaneously grappling with an extraordinary crisis seeded in 400 years of American racism, I’m sorry, that is not the same question as the understandably aggrieved store owner or the devout religious person who wants to go back to services,” de Blasio said at a June 2 press conference, while defending his policy of allowing mass protests while continuing to restrict religious gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.

27 killed, some burned alive in jihadi attacks on predominantly Christian villages in Mali

Musicians and singers in a Dogon community in Mali

Suspected Islamic radicals killed at least 27 people, some of whom were burned alive, in a series of attacks that spanned from last Tuesday to Wednesday evening in three villages that advocates say are predominantly inhabited by Christians in Central Mali, officials said.

As escalations in communal violence have plagued the West African country in recent years, local officials told Reuters that attacks in the villages of Bankass, Koro and Tillé were carried out by armed men on motorcycles whom they believe to be jihadists that claim to protect Fulani herders from Dogon farmers.

"We were surprised by the attack on the village of Tillé,” Doucombo Deputy Mayor Yacouba Kassogué told the news agency. “Seven were killed, all Dogons, some of them burned alive.”

Why a porn magnate funds an international abortion agency

After a pornography tycoon donated millions to an international abortion group, one non-profit youth initiative warned of a dangerous link between the two industries.

Lindsay Fay, a mission team manager for The Culture Project, highlighted the connection between pornography and abortion. She told CNA that while both industries claim to emphasize sexual empowerment and women’s rights, they instead do a great deal of harm to human dignity.

How To Entirely Empty Your Bowels Every Morning - Top Surgeon Explains How

Learn more about this doctor's shocking discoveries. Watch presentation [HERE]

Millions of Pigs, Chickens, Cattle Euthanized While Media Warns 'Shortages' Are Coming

More than 26 million Americans have lost their jobs during these coronavirus lockdowns so far, and this has created unprecedented demand at food banks all over the nation. In many cities, vehicles start lining up at the food banks at the crack of dawn, and in some instances the lines have literally stretched for miles. But at the same time, farmers all over America have been dumping millions of gallons of milk, disposing of millions of pounds of fresh vegetables and putting farm animals to death at a rate that we have never seen before. In fact, Reuters is reporting that "millions of pigs, chickens and cattle will be euthanized" because they can't be sold. Unlike other parts of the globe, we actually have plenty of food right now, but we can't get much of that food to the people because so many food processing facilities have been shut down due to fear of COVID-19.

What we are witnessing is nothing short of a tragedy. Even though there are so many needy families all across America at this time, so many farmers are being forced to waste what they have produced because food distribution pipelines have been brought to a standstill. The following is how Forbes is describing the current state of affairs.

Chinese pastor who refused to join communist controlled church arrested for 'subversion'

A house church pastor in China’s Hunan province has been arrested for “inciting subversion of state power” after he refused to join the ruling Chinese Communist Party's Three-Self Patriotic Association.

Radio Free Asia reports that pastor Zhao Huaiguo, the founder of Bethel Church, was arrested on April 2 in China’s Hunan province, after being criminally detained since March 14 for inciting subversion of state power. His whereabouts are unknown.

His wife, Zhang Xinghong, told the outlet that after her husband was criminally detained, the state security personnel told her that the reason for his arrest was due to his re-posting of messages about the coronavirus pandemic.

Bishops ask parishes to help domestic abuse victims amid lockdown

The bishops of England and Wales have urged parishes to help domestic abuse victims after a surge in requests for aid during the coronavirus crisis.

Since the lockdown began in the U.K. March 23 there has been a 49% increase in calls and online pleas for assistance related to domestic abuse, the bishops said in a statement April 29.

Bishop John Sherrington, chairman of the bishops’ domestic abuse group, said: “Catholic parishes can play an important role in fighting the scourge of domestic abuse, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where we are seeing some shocking statistics from leading domestic abuse organisations.”

The top 10 benefits of being an atheist

There are supposedly real benefits to being an atheist, ten of which I’ve listed below (those in quotes are from actual atheists.

1. I can embrace new scientific theories about human origins, without being saddled with the belief that a god created everything.

2. I’m free from church hierarchy telling me what I can and can’t do.

3. I can embrace a woman’s right to make choices when it comes to her own body.

4. I don’t have to give my money to a church, so that the pastor can afford his own personal jet.

5. People don’t look down on me intellectually because I believe silly Bible stories like Noah and his ark.

6. I don’t have to prepare for an afterlife I believe I will never get. I instead enjoy the life I already have.

How Christian Parents Can Help Kids Navigate Life's Toughest Questions

Every Christian parent of an adolescent or adult child understands the frustration of watching their child figure out who they are and what they believe. We do everything we can to shelter them from destructive habits, but still, they choose to see for themselves how hot the fire is. It is excruciating to watch your child get burned by life.

Maybe they test the waters of religion, sexual temptation or drugs, or they choose to remove themselves from religion altogether. Ultimately, every person seeks to find the answers to life's multitude of questions. Why are we here? What is our purpose? Who am I? What are my belief systems?

King Solomon sums it up best in his writings. He sought after all the same things we do and found that it is all meaningless. Serving and searching after God is the only thing that brings peace, understanding and happiness. But how do we convey these revelations to those around us?

Honestly, the best thing we can do is search our own hearts. Oftentimes, those closest to us are repelled by Christianity because we do a poor job reflecting Christ in our daily lives. It's not about being perfect, but it is about being humble, acknowledging our wrongs and making them right. It's about repenting and doing our best to turn from sin, not justifying it. As we begin to change for the better and choose to not force Christianity upon others, we may begin to see their hearts change. It is not us who changes them, but God. We may water with our actions, but only God gives the increase.

Listen to my latest podcast episode to learn more.

Supreme Court to hear Little Sisters of the Poor case by phone

Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Supreme Court in March, 2016 , for the Zubik v. Burwell case.

The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear oral arguments by phone next month. Justices will hear arguments from lawyers remotely across six dates in the first two weeks of May in an effort to keep the business of the court moving during the coronavirus outbreak.

A statement from the Supreme Court, released April 13, said that ten cases would be assigned dates in the first two weeks of May.

Pastors, Christian entertainers host 2-hour ‘Easter Across America’ Sunday special

Some of the speakers for the Easter Across America event can be seen here.

As most church campuses in the U.S. remain closed due to restrictions meant to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease, church leaders are hosting a two-hour national video streaming event called Easter Across America, featuring speaker Nick Vujicic and megachurch pastors Max Lucado and Miles McPherson among others.

“Easter Across America is a faith-filled, hope-bringing, positive message for all Americans,” says the Facebook page of the online event, which will be hosted by author and pastor Nona Jones.

Pope creates emergency fund to tackle coronavirus in mission territories

Pope Francis at the General House of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Dec. 13, 2019.

Pope Francis has created an emergency fund for those affected by coronavirus in mission countries.

The pope has earmarked $750,000 for the fund, Agenzia Fides reported April 6.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples, said the pope was seeking to mobilize “the Church’s entire vast network to face the challenges ahead”.

“In her task of evangelization, the Church is often on the front lines of major threats to human well-being,” he said.

“In Africa alone, there are over 74,000 religious sisters and over 46,000 priests operating 7,274 hospitals and clinics, 2,346 homes for elderly and the vulnerable, and educating over 19 million children in 45,088 primary schools. In many rural areas they are the only providers of healthcare and education.”

The new fund will be based at the Pontifical Mission Societies, a worldwide group of missionary societies under the pope’s jurisdiction. The pope channels support to more than 1,000 dioceses, mainly in Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Amazon, through the group.

Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies, said the pope had established the fund to support the Church in mission territories as it responds to the coronavirus crisis.

“Through the Church’s activity of preaching the Gospel and of practical aid through our vast network, we can show that no one is alone in this crisis,” he said.

Individuals can make donations to the fund via the administration office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome.

As of April 6, more than 70,000 people had died from coronavirus and more than 1.2 million tested positive for the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.

Why the Enemy Hates It When You Pray in Tongues

Praying in tongues is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-11). It is a gift from God, enabling us in our prayer lives.

When we pray in tongues, we speak mysteries to God and build up our spirits. Sounds really good to me! Why wouldn't I want to do this?

"For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him, although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification and exhortation and comfort. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I desire that you all speak in tongues" (1 Cor. 14:2-5a).

Here's how you can receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues.

From the Journal of Malachi Talabi

Tongues are like sniper guns. The enemy hates tongues because they are like sniper guns.

The picture I have given you isn't about shooting devils or demons. It's about accuracy in prayer.

There is no better way to pray than to take things to God in prayer via tongues. The accuracy of tongues is profound; you hit the spot every time.

Tongues are like sniper guns.

Note from Malachi: As I researched sniper guns, I realized that a lot of snipers are a long distance from their target. This is like we are when we pray in tongues: we may not know it, but we can pray accurately about things way in the distance. I am talking years and even decades away.

Read this about the unlimited power of praying in tongues.

Finally! Christian Attire That Isn’t Cringey!

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As the trend of supporting faith-based businesses grows, more Christians are learning to curve their lifestyles, to be accountable in stewardship for God. What's hindering you from kicking off the day with a faith stating shirt outside summer camp or a church retreat? Is it the cringey artwork? The idea of contextualizing the gospel to the culture? Or the scratchy feeling the cheap fabric gives? Sacrize wants to bring to life a line of Christian clothing that fit for any occasion.

Vatican flags at half-mast in solidarity with coronavirus victims

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

Vatican flags are flying at half-mast on Tuesday in solidarity with the victims of the coronavirus in Italy and worldwide.

“Today, in solidarity with Italy, the Holy See will display flags at half-mast in mourning to express its closeness to the victims of the pandemic in Italy and in the world, to their families, and to all those who generously struggle for its end,” Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists March 31.

Record low number of Americans hold biblical worldview, survey says

Only 6 percent of Americans possess a biblical worldview, according to a new survey.

The study, which was released last week out of the recently launched Cultural Research Center based at Arizona Christian University, is called the American Worldview Inventory and is the first of what will be an annual report from veteran researcher George Barna, who is the CRC research director.

The survey asked 51 worldview questions that examined both what people believe and how they conduct their lives.

Approximately one-fifth of those who attend evangelical Protestant churches espouse a biblical worldview, as do one-sixth of those who attend charismatic or Pentecostal churches (16%), the survey found. The numbers were much lower for those among mainline Protestant churches, 8 percent, and Catholics, 1 percent.

"Born again Christians — a segment defined in part by their acceptance of scriptural exhortations regarding sin, grace, and salvation — were three times more likely than average to have a biblical worldview (19%). However, the fact that not quite one out of five born again adults holds a biblical worldview highlights the extensive decline of core Christian principles in America over the last several decades," the report said.

Rodney Howard-Browne Arrested: Prophetically Speaking, What's Next?

Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested on Monday and is facing misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health rules. The megachurch pastor had several hundred in attendance at The River at Tampa Bay church on Sunday—and held two services.

"His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk, and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week, in danger," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said at the press conference.

 

Howard-Browne has been outspoken about churches that close their doors. Will his church now be shuttered in the wake of the arrest until the coronavirus falls flat? He has vowed his church will "never close." Howard-Browne considers church an essential service that is therefore exempt from the coronavirus orders.

 

"In a time of crisis, people are fearful and in need of comfort and community, more than ever before," a Facebook post on the church's page said. "Even people who do not attend church regularly, or perhaps never go to church, need to know that there is somewhere for them to go when they need help."

 

Prophetically speaking, what is going on here? Prophets have been prophesying about a "new era." More churches are going digital in the face of this plague. But is this the beginning of a new era that will see the church persecuted in the United States?

 

Click here to read the rest of this article.

8 indispensable tips for confronting your boss

A friend of mine recently told me, “People go to work because of a vision. People leave work because of managers.”

People are difficult to work for. The No. 1 reason why? Because they are people. No matter how great your manager is, there will come a time when you will feel a need to confront your boss. If you don’t know how to face that, you may end up leaving a dream job over a simple misunderstanding.

So, what’s the right way to confront your boss? Of all the pointers I’ve read, there’s one that stands out: honor those in authority above you.

When the Apostle Paul told people to respect those in authority over them in Romans 13, he was likely speaking to a group that wasn’t really excited about their leaders. Showing honor is biblical. It’s lacking in our culture. It’s also effective. If you must confront your boss, they will likely remember how you carried yourself more than what you said, and showing honor may get you closer to your goal than any critique you may bring.

Is Jezebel Worship Releasing Witchcraft Against Your Mind?

From Lent until Resurrection Day every year—then again in May, the month of Mary—we see believers around the world suffering from the wicked effects of spiritual witchcraft.

That's because many sincere people around the world—and probably in your city—are exalting Mary in this season. Many are lighting candles, worshipping Mary or hailing Mary—and what we exalt we empower. Just as God inhabits the praises of His people (see Ps. 22:3), idol worship impacts a spiritual climate. If you've ever been to idolatrous nations, you've immediately noticed the oppressive atmosphere.

Christian Leaders Will Tell You, 'Never Give Up!'—Here's Why That's Wrong

Our spiritual leaders constantly tell us not to give up. The movies we watch say don't give up. Our music tells us don't give up. Our sports stars tell us not to give up and even our politicians tell us not to give up.

One of the most difficult things for us to learn to do is to give up. We have had it drummed over and over into our thoughts and minds: "Never give up!" But I am telling you that in order to be successful in our faith, we must learn to give up.