Naumann praises federal rule that will strip $60m from Planned Parenthood

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ conference pro-life committee praised Wednesday a new federal rule that will prohibit abortion clinics from receiving federal funding aimed at subsidizing some medical services for low-income women and families. The rule is expected to strip Planned Parenthood of about $60 million in federal funds.

“I applaud the Trump Administration for reaffirming that abortion is not family planning. Abortion ends the lives of families’ most vulnerable members, as well as damaging the spiritual, mental and physical health of mothers,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann in a Feb. 27 statement.

Where Are We Today on the End-Times Timeline?

Jim Bakker says America today is calling evil good and good evil—and that's a helpful clue for discerning where we sit on the end times timeline laid out in the Book of Revelation. Bakker discusses the end times, the church's role and the terrifying judgments to come in this video clip from The Jim Bakker Show.

Tim Keller: Don't confuse ‘blue state or red state individualism’ with Christianity

Pastor Tim Keller has warned against mistaking “blue state or red state individualism” for true Christianity in a post-Christian culture that it has “co-opted” biblical ideas and taken them to an extreme.

In a recent video posted on the Gospel Coalition website, Keller, senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, said that in today's post-Christian Western society, it's very difficult for Christians to engage culture without becoming colonized by it.

Why Christians Need to Stop Saying 'God Told Me You're My Future Husband/Wife'

Christian speaker and artist Joseph Solomon says Christian young adults need to stop claiming that God has told them a certain person they're attracted to is their future spouse. Usually, Solomon says, that's the result of normal human attraction being attributed to divine will. But Solomon says it's important to "stop putting words in God's mouth. God didn't tell you that."

What Does the Bible Really Say About the Sexual Sin Most People Struggle With?

One often wonders why the Bible doesn't directly address masturbation. It is the cause of so much guilt and speculation in the body of Christ. And so, we are left to cobble together biblical principles to come up with some idea of whether or not it is sinful, just as we do with subjects like gambling, smoking, etc.

Biblical Principles
 
Let's begin with an important biblical principle taught by our Lord—that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt. 5:27-28). A person who practices masturbation without imagining sex with someone is rare indeed, if he or she exists at all. On that basis, the practice is tantamount to engaging in adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior or any number of other sexual practices that the mind can imagine—even idolatry, as revealed in Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5 and Ezekiel 23:49. In a certain sense, it could be said that masturbation is a form of mental pornography, which we all know to be sinful.

New marriage enrichment initiative aimed at military couples

A global marriage ministry is launching a new initiative to provide resources, encouragement and enrichment opportunities for military couples in Canada and the United States.

The project is part of Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), in conjunction with the North American Military Services Outreach (NAMSO).

Are Alexa, Siri Setting the Stage for Antichrist's Worldwide Domination?

In today's world, humanity is desperately seeking someone with a strong hand to take the helm and bring about world peace—a leader who has the ability to compromise and appease every faction to stop all the madness. But what character traits are truly needed to navigate the currents of public opinion that shape the world in which we live?

For the past 2,000 years, people have anxiously tried to analyze who the Antichrist might be and when he might be revealed, says author and pastor Mark Biltz in advance of his soon-to-be-released book, Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times: What the Bible Says and What the Future Holds.

Catholic Secret Revealed: How Vatican Deals With Children Born to Priests

The cloud hanging over the Catholic Church is getting darker, with a new report revealing the church produced secret documents to deal with children born to priests.

In a statement, Vatican spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti told The New York Times, "I can confirm that these guidelines exist. It is an internal document."

Rwandan genocide victim learns to forgive, befriends man who cut off her hand

She had her hand chopped off, her head bludgeoned and saw her 9-month-old daughter split in two, but 25 years later, 48-year-old Alice Mukarurinda and the man responsible for cutting off her limb, Emmanuel Ndayisaba, are now good friends.

The two have preached the need for forgiveness and reconciliation that has encompassed the central African nation in the last quarter-century since one of the worst human rights atrocities in world history took place — the genocide against the Tutsi.

Bishops 'deeply concerned' by Trump border emergency declaration

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement Feb. 15 opposing President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the southern border. Trump made the declaration as part of an attempt to secure full funding for the construction of a border wall.

 

“We are deeply concerned about the President’s action to fund the construction of a wall along the U.S./Mexico border, which circumvents the clear intent of Congress to limit funding of a wall,” said the statement, which was jointly written by USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, who leads the USCCB’s migration committee.

UPDATE: 5 Killed in Aurora Warehouse Shooting, 5 Officers Wounded

A gunman opened fire in a warehouse in Aurora, Illinois, on Friday, killing five people and wounding five police officers before he was slain, law enforcement officials said.

Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said the shooter, identified as 45-year-old Gary Martin, was an employee at the sprawling industrial complex in Aurora, a Far West Chicago suburb, but did not say what may have motivated the attack.

Let's Share Jesus With a Confused World

Late in 2018, a Dutch man, Emile Ratelband, asked a court in the Netherlands to permit him to change his legal age from 69 to 49. He said he "feels 49," and he said his doctor agrees that he looks young for his age. Ratelband complained that he has suffered from age discrimination—especially when looking for dates with women online.

Comparing himself to transgender people who change their sexual identity, Ratelband claimed in his lawsuit that age is not a fixed reality.

"Time is just a figure," he said. "I say it is not fixed."

Actress: "Eating This Every Morning Changed My Life"

It may not be a glamorous topic, but for Maggie, it recently proved to be a life-saver.

"When you feel sluggish and run-down, it's easy to say, 'Well, I guess I'm just getting older,' but now I know that's not true—you can be 65 and still feel like you're 20," Maggie says.

That's why she's finally decided to share her story with others.

3 Keys to Making Your Love Last

Valentine's Day is coming up next week. If you're a wife, you may be thinking, I hope he remembers! If you're a husband you may be thinking, Oh no, again? Or maybe you're thinking, I wish this day would go away. Could I have possibly married anyone less romantic?

If love is a feeling, then marrying for love is the worst possible reason to say "I do." Feelings are fickle. Feelings will change. You married a sinner. Your spouse married a sinner too. And life happens: children, age, pounds and a million other things.

Why Christians can criticize 'Green New Deal', but can't dodge 'green' politics

A joint congressional resolution for a “Green New Deal” is the latest effort aiming to apply political solutions to environmental problems. Whatever the merits of the proposal, one theologian says, Christians must think hard about what their faith says about environmental policy.

“To think that the U.S. government can be agnostic about the environment is a little like thinking it’s agnostic about faith: policies will impact the environment, for good or for ill,” Joseph Capizzi, professor of moral theology and ethics at Catholic University of America, told a local media.

Seek Christ and his humble love, Pope Francis exhorts Catholics in UAE

Preaching on the Beatitudes during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, Pope Francis called on those present to seek communion with Christ before all else.

“Let us together ask here today for the grace of rediscovering the attraction of following Jesus, of imitating him, of not seeking anyone else but him and his humble love,” the pope said Feb. 5 during Mass at Zayed Sports City, a stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Venezuela crisis: Christian group providing emergency aid, food for starving

Venezuela is facing the biggest economic crisis in modern history with hyperinflation, leading to starvation, deaths and mass migration.

The U.S. announced Saturday that USAID will be sending hundreds of tons of food, medicine and supplies to the administration of President Juan Guaido. Nicolas Maduro, who has long refused to allow foreign aid to enter the country, has yet to relinquish his hold on power and has even threatened the possibility of a civil war.

Spirit-Filled Pastor Identifies the Roadblock Keeping You From Your Breakthrough

Living Faith Community Church's Pastor Reg Morais says doubt, fear and distrust are common roadblocks that prevent believers from seeing breakthrough and results from intercession. He says that in Matthew 13:58, even Jesus "was not able to bring about any signs and wonders, any sort of miracles," because of the unbelief of the people. So how can you overcome doubt? Morais explains more in this video.

Are You Cursing Your Family With Generational Spirits Without Realizing It?

Familiar spirits and generational spirits target our families and situations that are familiar to us. These spirits have been assigned to our genealogy and know our families' past mistakes and weaknesses. We also need to be aware of the word curses and generational curses in our family members' lives so that we don't repeat the past and bring what is dead, buried, and gone into the future. We need to make sure that we are speaking life and freedom and not cursing and bondage. By the words we speak, we can replant and build what the enemy has stolen of our past.

Pew: People who attend church are happier than those who don't

Those who identify with a religious group and regularly attend worship services tend to be happier and more civically engaged than those who do not, a new Pew Research Center survey has found.

A Pew Research Center report released Thursday on religion and well-being found that religious attendance — rather than religious affiliation — consistently linked to higher levels of happiness than for those around the world who claim no faith.

Pope calls United Arab Emirates 'a land of coexistence' ahead of visit

Pope Francis expressed gratitude for his upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates, noting it is an opportunity to promote greater peace between Muslims and Catholics.

7 Deadly Threats to Your Marriage

In his new book Kingdom Marriage, Tony Evans talks about a couple who came to him for marriage counseling. The couple came in with a handwritten list of problems that they needed to work out. As he looked through their list he thought to himself, "How are we going to fix all of this?" What he realized, almost instantly, is that the items on the list were a symptom of a deeper problem. He knew that if he only treated the symptoms they would be right back in his office with a new list. So he took their piece of paper and tore it up. Then he explained to them his plan at getting at the core relationship issues.
Many times, in marriage, when things go wrong, we look to change our behavior or our circumstances. Most of the time these fixes are just temporary. The real threats lie below the surface, in our attitudes. It's important not only to recognize these wrong attitudes but also to adjust them. With that in mind, here are seven threats to your marriage.

1. Lust

Sexual desire in itself is not a bad thing. It's actually a good thing in the right context. When sexual desire becomes self-seeking, that's when it becomes lust. Clearly, lusting after a person who is not your spouse is detrimental to the marriage. You begin to create a fantasy world and an object of desire in your head that your spouse can't compete with. Ultimately, it leads to feelings of dissatisfaction with your spouse. But even lusting after your spouse is detrimental because it is having a sexual desire that is focused solely on your own pleasure. The beauty and purpose of sex within marriage is for connection and intimacy. It becomes dehumanizing and degraded when one person is using the other for simple pleasure.

2. Selfishness

If the problems in relationships could be boiled down to one bad attitude, it would probably be selfishness. Selfishness is the opposite of love. Marriage is about giving. Giving is what cultivates a good relationship. Having the ability to not only think about the wants and needs of someone else, but the capacity to see the world from their view is what draws people together. Selfishness drives isolation.

Davey Blackburn's Resonate Church shuttered due to lack of successor, membership decline

The interim pastor at Resonate Church in Indiana that was founded by Davey Blackburn admitted they were poor stewards of church finances and revealed that they ultimately decided to dissolve the church because of dwindling membership and an inability to find a successor to continue the ministry.

“This decision was not made lightly but was deemed best due to several factors. We do not have the right successor to lead and pastor and additionally we have experienced a decline in attendance and financial support,” John Berry, interim pastor since Blackburn’s abrupt resignation a week ago, said in a statement.

The Spiritual Battle Behind This Year's State of the Union Address

Yesterday, President Donald Trump accepted Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's invitation to give the State of the Union address on Feb. 5. It was a huge political victory after a long battle, in which Pelosi withheld the important State of the Union address until Trump agreed to end the government shutdown. Trump responded by cancelling Pelosi's use of a military vehicle for an international trip. Finally, on Friday, both sides renegotiated to open the government for three weeks—and the State of the Union moved forward.

During these politically charged times, it's important to remember Ephesians 6:12: "Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." These conflicts playing out on the news are not about people. This is not one party against another. I believe this is a battle between good and evil.

Wisconsin now covering sex-reassignment surgeries for trans-identified employees

Wisconsin is now paying for sex reassignment surgeries and hormone therapy for state employees as part of their health care coverage.

Beginning Jan. 1, the state’s Group Insurance Board began covering hormone treatments and sex change operations for state employees suffering from gender dysphoria, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

WATCH LIVE: Christine Caine, Louie Giglio and Kari Jobe Unite the Next Generation at Passion 2019

The Passion 2019 conference is being streamed live on YouTube. The Atlanta-based conference features teaching from Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Matt Chandler, Chad Veach and more, with performances by artists including Kari Jobe, Lecrae, Trip Lee and Crowder.
Check out the live stream from this morning's session here, and visit the passionconferences channel for more updates.

The Protestant Case for Honoring the Virgin Mary

And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years."... Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" (Luke 1:18, 34).

In considering the life of Mary, history, theologians, traditions and agendas quickly set in. Some make far too much of Mary, and some make far too little of her.

In the New Year, God Is Doing Something Old

Every New Year's, many people turn into Athenians.

"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing else, but either telling or hearing something new" (Acts 17:21).

Everyone seems to be looking for a new word. What is God saying? What is the newest thing God is doing? Who has had a vision? What is prophet so and so saying? It seems to be the trend every New Year's. And this leads to all kinds of click-bait articles to draw you into a sensational word.

Why robot brothels are not the solution to America's STD crisis

With several sexually transmitted diseases reaching an all-time high in the U.S., could sex robots be the answer? Catholics leaders say no, because the alleged benefits of “sexbots” will never outweigh the harms inflicted upon the person and authentic human sexuality.

“There are all sorts of bad solutions to a legitimate problem. Even if it were the case that sex robots would cut down on STDs, it wouldn’t make sex robots a good idea,” said Matt Fradd, author of The Porn Myth.

Pope Francis: Invite God to dwell in your heart this Christmas

God offers himself to us in the manger in Bethlehem, Pope Francis said in his Christmas homily Monday night, inviting each heart to welcome this heavenly gift.

“At Christmas, we on earth receive Jesus, the bread from heaven,” Pope Francis said Dec. 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica. “We discover that the life of God can enter into our hearts and dwell there.”

“If we welcome that gift, history changes, starting with each of us. For once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love,” he added.

The pope’s homily at the Midnight Mass of Christmas centered on the meaning of Christ’s birthplace, Bethlehem, which translates to “House of Bread” in Aramaic and Hebrew.

The Hidden Message Revealed Through Each Detail of the Christmas Story

Neither the plot, the place, nor the people included in the Christmas story came about by happenstance. No, each detail was strategically selected by God to reveal the message of all messages. Kyle Winkler's inspirational Christmas short film will awe you with the revelation.

What went wrong in the Sexual Revolution? This documentary takes a look

The story of a donor-conceived woman. The Sexual Revolution of the 1960s. The development of birth control. And a papal document that shocked the world. These themes come together in a new documentary, Sexual Revolution--50 Years Since Humanae Vitae.

What we can learn from the beauty of Christmas carols

One of the perpetual complaints against Christianity is that it is a life-denying, puritanical system. In the Victorian era, poet Algernon Swinburne referred to Christ as the "pale Galilean" from whose breath "the world has grown grey." In our own time, films and television shows such as The Handmaid's Tale portray Christians as robotic control freaks. Meanwhile, elite commentators contend that the only reason Christians oppose same-sex "marriage" and transgendered toddlers is that they are full of hate.

One way to rebut the charge is to point to the fact that traditional Christmas carols – the ones that retell the central Christian story – are generally full of joy and gladness. They are decidedly not "grey" or "life-denying." What, exactly, one might ask, are the life-denying elements in Joy to the World and Ding Dong! Merrily on High?

But before getting to the carols, it's instructive to note that Christianity's two main competitors for the souls of men – secularism and Islam – actually are on the grey and grim side of the continuum. That's easy enough to see in Islam. With its burqas, alcohol ban, and rigid rules of behavior, Islam actually is a puritanical religion. But so, in its own way, is secularism. Today's universities, which are almost totally controlled by secularists, have elaborate behavior and speech codes which effectively take the spontaneity out of relationships and even out of simple conversation. You have to tread carefully in the secular world because it is seeded with hidden booby traps. Try reciting one of Swinburne's poems to a group of fellow student and you might end up in diversity hell. You never know what will offend the new puritans until it's too late.

LDS Church allows women missionaries to wear pants

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had announced that female missionaries will now be allowed to wear pants, specifically dress slacks, when doing mission work.

Church leadership had previously allowed women to wear dress slacks when doing mission work during the wet seasons in nations where mosquito-borne diseases are common.

The new change in dress code for women allows for the wearing of dress slacks all year round at their discretion, according to an announcement released Thursday.

Holy See dissatisfied Poland climate summit downplayed human rights

In a statement Wednesday, the Holy See said the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement, established during the recent UN climate change summit in Poland earlier this month, are lacking in urgency and in proper concern for human rights.

“We are grateful to the leaders from States and other stakeholders who contributed to this multilateral dialogue and the writing of the rulebook. Unfortunately, we must also note that the rulebook does not adequately reflect the urgency necessary to tackle climate change,” the Holy See stated Dec. 19.

How to Take Down 13 Demonic Strongholds That Bind You

Intercessory prayer can break demonic strongholds. Here is a list of those to be mindful of when praying:

Cluster 1—Anger, hatred, malice, rage, murder, temper, cursing, vengeance, retaliation, violence, abuse, cruelty, sadism, unforgiveness, bitterness, being judgmental or critical, taking offense easily/irritability, anger towards men or women, anger towards mother or father, anger towards authority, anger/resentment towards God

Cluster 2—Fear, fear of man, fear of authority, doubt/unbelief, dread, worry, anxiety, fear the worst will happen, fear of various illnesses like cancer, fear people will get angry with you or won't like you, spirit of false responsibility, spirit of rush

Pastor Breaks 18-Year Silence About Speaking in Tongues

After 18 years of silence, Pastor Shane Idleman finally opens up about his experience with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

He kept it quiet because he was so afraid of the opinions of others—until God called him out.

Watch the video for his story.

How to Wage 'Good Warfare' to Claim Your Prophetic Destiny

Dr. Reg Morais, senior pastor of Living Faith Community Church in Perth, Australia, says Paul's instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 are a model for how believers today should wage "good warfare." Morais also mentions there is a global prophetic movement taking place in churches around the world. He explains more in this video.

Pope Francis explains symbolism of Vatican Christmas tree and sand nativity

As the Vatican illuminated its 65-foot Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday, Pope Francis shared the deeper meaning found in the traditional festive spruce.

The signs and symbols found in Christmas traditions can “help us to contemplate the mystery of God made man to be close to each one of us,” Francis said Dec. 7.

9 Common Myths Christians Believe At Christmas

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year, because it calls our attention to one of the most beautiful teachings of Scripture — the Incarnation of Christ. When you realize the incredible truths behind the reality that God came and dwelt among us, it can’t help but impact the way you live. Plus, it’s an awesome reminder that God kept His promises from the Old Testament to send a Messiah to rescue His people from their sins.

However, since that time, many myths have been added to the greatest story ever told.

Here are nine common myths Christians believe at Christmas:

Churches turned into military barracks, people killed: Cameroon Christians cry out

Cameroonian Christians are crying out against the ongoing violence in their country, where churches are being converted into military barracks and believers are forced to flee.

“We need peace and the United Nations intervention," a Methodist Christian, whose identity wasn't revealed, told Protestant Digital.

“Many people die every day, homes and villages are burned, there are famished people and also those who take refuge in Nigeria. We do not have a voice in our country."

How You've Given Satan Legal Rights to Harass You

Jesus told His followers many times in the Gospels to forgive those who sin against them—no matter how many times they do it.

But did He give that command simply because it's a nice thin (EO)g to do? Or does unforgiveness have a deeper effect on our souls and bodies?

Watch as Pastor Candice Smithyman interviews deliverance minister Kathy DeGraw about the role of unforgiveness in Satan's attacks on our lives. Learn how to destroy the works of the enemy and prevent strongholds in your life!

Pope Francis to visit Abu Dhabi in February 2019

Pope Francis will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5 to participate in an international interfaith meeting, the Vatican announced Thursday.

“This visit, like the one to Egypt, shows the fundamental importance the Holy Father gives to inter-religious dialogue. Pope Francis visiting the Arab world is a perfect example of the culture of encounter,” papal spokesman Greg Burke said Dec. 6.

 

The papal trip is the second visit to a Muslim country scheduled for 2019; Pope Francis will also visit Morocco March 30-31.

Beware the Doctrine of the Modern-Day Nicolaitan Apostles

Nicolaitan apostles are rising. It's a new breed, but then again, it's not a new breed at all. Jesus warned us about Nicolaitan leaders in his letter to the church in Pergamum.

"So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will war against them with the sword of My mouth" (Rev. 2:15-16).

Noteworthy is the fact that Jesus applauded the church at Ephesus in an earlier letter and noted how he "hated" this Nicolaitan doctrine. So, what, exactly, was the teaching of the Nicolaitans?

Iowa prisoners sue to get their pornography back

Dozens of Iowa inmates have filed a lawsuit challenging a ban on pornography which has affected the state’s prisons in recent weeks.

The law, which took effect Nov. 14, prohibits pornographic material and puts an end to “pornography reading rooms” in all of Iowa’s nine state prisons.

Pastor John Gray draws praise, caution after allowing congregants to take cash from offering

Pastor John Gray's recent move to allow members of his church to take cash from the offering baskets has stirred discussion, with some applauding him for helping those in need and others expressing caution.

Praising Gray, Bishop Alphonza Gadsden of Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary in Summerville, South Carolina, told a local media on Friday that he believes the church should be doing more to help the needy.

“Having felt as if he is led by the Spirit of God to do this, then I think it’s a great gesture,” Gadsden commented. “I believe that the church needs to play a more active role within the community and if it means helping those who are indigent and don’t have a means of support then by all means the church should be able to do that.”

What’s the difference between crystals and relics?

To the outside viewer, crystals are pretty rocks.

Perfectly curated pictures of the pretty stones pepper the social media feeds of scores of millennials, as they have become increasingly popular on necklaces and as part of a “wholistic”, wellness-minded life. But, more than just a fashion statement, crystals are believed by some to have healing properties, related to their energy or vibrations.

The Catholic Church rejects all things associated with New Age beliefs, including the trendy crystals, as heretical and dangerous.

At the same time, the Catholic Church embraces the veneration of relics.

Lisa Bevere: How to Win Any Spiritual Battle You Face

"There's an amazing door of opportunity standing wide open for me to minister here, even though there are many who oppose and stand against me" (1 Cor. 16:9, TPT).

Opportunity attracts opposition. When you advance to a new level, you will be opposed by a new devil. To illustrate this point, imagine a virtual video game. With any good video game, it is necessary to complete multiple levels before ultimately completing the game. Each level consists of unique battles requiring specific battle strategies. The advancement to a new level always includes a stronger enemy.

According to my sons—who have achieved a level of mastery when it comes to video games—each level is important. The goal is not to get through a level as quickly as possible. A player with that mindset will not fare very well or last in the game very long. As I watch my boys maneuver and take risks to get certain articles hidden within the confines of the course at any given level, I've observed that each of these items has a unique value, but the need for these items is not usually immediate. More often than not, they are collected for future use. What is obtained at one level may be needed at the next.

Don't Waste Your Time Ministering to Evil People

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked; whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths (Prov. 2:10-15).

Some people have a hard time thinking a professing Christian can be evil, but the Bible is painfully pointed. For example, in Acts 5:3b, Peter says of one church member, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to deceive the Holy Spirit?"

Chinese scientists, officials denounce gene-editing of embryos

A Chinese scientist’s claim to have created a gene-edited baby has been met with an outpouring of condemnation, with critics voicing alarm at what they described as a disregard for biomedical ethics.

Approximately 120 scientists released a letter condemning the research, Reuters reported. The Chinese-language letter called the gene manipulation a “Pandora’s box,” warning, “The biomedical ethics review for this so-called research exists in name only. Conducting direct human experiments can only be described as crazy.”

Satanic Temple Settles Lawsuit Against Netflix for Using Baphomet Statue

The Satanic Temple has settled its copyright lawsuit against Netflix Inc and Warner Bros Entertainment over their alleged misuse of its goat-headed deity statue in the series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," a Warner spokesman said on Wednesday.

Keys to Releasing Angels and Opening the Heavens in Spiritual Warfare

The spiritual realm is not some far-off place. It's all around you and affects every facet of your life, including your health, your finances and your relationships.

One day Jesus will return and all evil will be defeated, Revive Israel's Asher Intrater says, but Jesus gave us the keys to heaven now. We don't have to wait for His return to open the heavens. Through prayer, we can open the heavens and release angels to do God's will.

Watch as Intrater reveals biblical keys to effective spiritual warfare and intercession.

How to Read the Book of Psalms Like a Bible Scholar

For many, Psalms is a book of encouraging, worshipful passages—thematically unified but you could read them in basically any order, with or without context. But the Bible scholars at The Bible Project say Psalms is actually an unconventional narrative, retelling the entire Bible story through the poetry genre. In five minutes, they give a primer on the entire book of Psalms, from its themes to its symbolism to its structure. By the time you finish watching, you'll have a richer understanding of Psalms than ever before.

A teen sex 'recession'? Blame porn, stagnating marriage rates, experts say

Young Americans are having less sex despite the hook-up culture and liberalized attitudes about its moral dimensions, a phenomenon some attribute to porn and others to falling marriage rates.

One of the reasons for a documented "recession" in sex now occurring in the United States is because marriage rates have stagnated, argued the Washington Free Beacon's Charles Fain Lehman, in a blog post for the Institute for Family Studies Monday.

Priest killed by military gunfire in Cameroon

A priest serving in Cameroon has been killed by military gunfire, amid a military and political conflict that has rocked the country in recent years.

Fr. Cosmas Ombato Ondari was reportedly killed Nov. 21 in Mamfe, a city in the country’s southwest, CNA has learned. Onari, a member of the Mill Hill Missionaries, had been serving in the country since March 2017, when he was ordained a priest.

Follow Mary's 'yes,' pope says ahead of World Youth Day

Serving others first requires listening to God in prayer, so that one can give the same ‘yes’ to God’s will that Mary gave, Pope Francis said in a message for World Youth Day 2019.

“To be at the service of others does not only mean to be ready for action. It means also to be in conversation with God with an attitude of listening, just like Mary,” the pope said in a video message Nov. 20.

“[Mary] listened to what the angel said to her and then she responded,” he said. “It is by relating to God in the silence of our hearts that we discover our identity and the vocation to which God is calling us.”

2 Killed in Chicago Hospital Shooting

Two individuals were killed in a shooting Monday at Chicago Mercy Hospital.

Two people were killed and two others critically wounded in a shooting at a Chicago hospital on Monday, and among the dead was the gunman who started shooting in the parking lot and then burst into the medical facility and opened fire, according to local media.

A police officer was among those wounded in the shooting on Chicago's South Side at Mercy Hospital, officials said.

Police cars and ambulances swarmed the hospital after the shooting.

Australian senator announces gender swap so he can speak on abortion issues

After being slammed for his religion and told he would never understand abortion because it is a women’s issue, Australian senator Barry O’Sullivan declared himself a woman before parliament last week so that he could speak about abortion issues.

“I’m going to declare my gender today, as I can, to be a woman, and then you’ll no longer be able to attack me,” O’Sullivan told fellow representatives at parliament Nov. 14.

Beware of This Pagan Influence on Your Prayer Life

I value quietness and solitude. In fact, it was in such a setting that I received the inspiration and direction for this article. It happened like this.

One morning I found myself wide awake at 3 a.m. No wanting to awaken Sue, I quietly arose and went into another room where I sat in a chair, enjoying the stillness and quietness of the early morning.

As I sat, with only light from a street light streaming through the window, I thought about God and His goodness and faithfulness. At times I would voice quiet words of praise and thanksgiving. As needs and concerns came to mind, I would present these in prayer. It was a wonderful, refreshing time. Sometime, during those quiet hours of fellowship with God, the title and layout for this article were presented to my mind.

Please do not confuse my "quiet time" with contemplative prayer. There is a world of difference. Contemplative prayer, emphasizing "silence," has roots that go back to the mystics of the medieval Roman Catholic Church. The mystics were, in turn, profoundly influenced by Neo-Platonism, a pagan, mystical religion founded by Plotinus, a disciple of Plato.

Pope creates class on ‘Sciences of Peace’ at Lateran University

Pope Francis Monday established a curriculum in Sciences of Peace at the Pontifical Lateran University, involving the “pope’s university” because of the special bond it has with the Holy See in a project to “foster seeds of peace.”

In a letter sent to Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, vicar general of Rome and chancellor of the university, Pope Francis put the new curriculum under the protection of St. John XXIII and St. Paul VI, “heralds of peace.”