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.

Jamal Bryant calls out Christians who burn sage, says it’s ‘witchcraft,' 'satanic aromatherapy’

Calling sage burning “witchcraft” and “satanic aromatherapy,” Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, warned his members on Monday to stay away from the practice.

In a teaching session with the women of his church streamed on YouTube, Bryant explained that he had to dive into some research on the practice after two members of his church gifted him sage for his new home in Atlanta.

I “was amazed because two saints gave me sage for my new house. I didn’t know what to do with it. I was unsure of it. And all the more, why they’d feel comfortable giving it to a pastor. Then I began to research and study it and found out that the sales of it have gone up by over 200% in the last four years and have to be constantly placed on restock in natural health stores.”

Biblical Ways to Find the Person You're Supposed to Marry

School closes gender-neutral bathroom after alleged sexual assault

A Wisconsin high school has closed its gender-neutral bathroom after an 18-year-old student was arrested for fourth-degree sexual assault, child enticement and exposing his genitals to a child inside the facility.

Austin Sauer, a student at Rhinelander High School, was arrested last week, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, WSAW-TV reported.

Babies born using IVF face increased risk of dying in first year: study

Doctor Katarzyna Koziol injects sperm directly into an egg during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) at Novum clinic in Warsaw October 26, 2010

 Babies born via in vitro fertilization face a greater risk of dying during their first year of life than babies conceived naturally, a study has found.

Researchers from Sweden analyzed data of nearly 3 million births across more than 30 years, finding that babies born through the use of IVF had a 45 percent higher mortality rate during their first 12 months of life, The Telegraph reported.

The Biblical Way to Inner Peace

Inner peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). As a core effect of Christianity, it is not supposed to be a distant ideal. Its absence in both teaching and reality is not because it doesn't exist. The teaching for arriving at it is found in the Bible; and it has been there for thousands of years, waiting to be found. Most of those who seek inner peace prefer to look at other ways of arriving at it. The Biblical way is the only one that brings God directly into the process. In this way, inner peace can be extracted from the Godhead; otherwise, we can only have whatever peace we can muster on our own strength, which is lacking.

Seven Cs for marriage on Valentine's Day and everyday

Two “Cs” that most people connect with Valentine’s Day are Candy and Cards. With love in the air, approximately $2 billion will be spent on candy and nearly $1 billion on cards in the hope of making your spouse or a significant other feel special.  However, after one week, the gifts of candy and cards are simply one day of romance and actual ongoing marital life becomes a reality.

Although candy and cards have their place, the Seven “Cs” are what keep a marital relationship healthy on a consistent basis.  The Seven “Cs” create satisfaction and bring about regular contentment and happiness. Think of the “Cs” in this article as daily vitamins for the successful well-being of your relationship both on Valentine’s Day and everyday.

Look who's spreading blood libel lies

A man wearing a kippah waits for the start of a demonstration against anti-Semitism at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, September 14, 2014.

The blood libel is one of the most hateful and destructive lies launched against the Jewish people over the centuries. While it takes on many different forms, it boils down to the false accusation that the Jews would kidnap and kill a non-Jewish child (or adult), using the victim’s blood for some ritual purpose. In the last week, it has raised its ugly head once again.

Do You Understand the Real Meaning of Holiness?

When a man has come to the place where his love for Christ has surpassed his desire for all else, only the presence of God will satisfy him, and the will of God becomes his delight. It is in this place of satisfaction that true consecration is born. If a person's longings are satisfied in Christ, he no longer desires the bitter taste of sin. But without this divine fulfillment, there is an endless search for satisfaction for which the pleasures of sin provide a temporary but attractive solution.

Have you ever noticed that things taste so much better when you're hungry? But after you have eaten and you're full, you could walk right past a buffet of delicious delicacies and not have the slightest desire for them. Proverbs 27:7 says it this way: "The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."

Why business needs Christian leaders

Christian business leaders often wonder how best to manage in a way that glorifies God.  Those bold enough to lead businesses these days face immense challenges.  Millennials make new demands compared to their parents and grandparents.  Global business, artificial intelligence and robots all shift jobs away from our friends and neighbors.  Data security, privacy, diversity and equality present ethical challenges for which no one really knows the answer.  Senior executive salaries have grown far faster than the typical worker, creating a historic earnings gap.  Each of these challenges call on Christians to lead their organizations in a way that reflects their faith.  Alas, both Christian and non-Christian business leaders have too often turned a blind eye to unethical behavior in order to further the financial goals of their organizations. Too many business leaders have signaled to the world that winning on the business battlefield is separate from faithful service to God.

Why Praying in Tongues Is Key to Hearing Holy Spirit

One key to growing closer to God in our walk with Him is praying in tongues, says Pastor Bob Yandian. It's in this practice that we hear the Holy Spirit the clearest, he says. There was a time Paul heard clearly from the Holy Spirit to turn and go a different direction on one of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:6-10), and Yandian says this supernatural direction came from Paul speaking in tongues while praying.

"Pray in tongues, and when you do, you hear from the Holy Spirit," Yandian says. "But we often want to make our own decisions. And Paul says in the Scriptures, 'in everything, by prayer and supplication.' So there should be praying in the Spirit a lot more, mainly for the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

Jonathan Cahn Reveals Stunning Mysteries that Show 'Fingerprints of God'

New York Times' bestselling author Jonathan Cahn released his new book The Oracle: The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled this fall, and readers worldwide were amazed at his much-anticipated work that reveals centuries-old mysteries tying directly to today's events.

"What if I told you of a mystery that began thousands of years ago and yet operates in the modern world, guiding, synchronizing, conforming all human events, directing the actions of leaders, the courses of nations and of world history itself—to bring about its appointed purposes," Cahn said. "It may seem hard to believe—but it's real. The mystery begins on a mountaintop in a desert thousands of years ago and is determining events of our modern world. How could something from ancient times be determining what's happening now? That is the mystery."

1 of 4 kidnapped Nigerian seminarians released after suffering serious injuries

Seminarians abducted from Nigeria's Good Shepherd Major Seminary.

A Nigerian seminarian who was abducted this month was freed by his kidnappers after 10 days in captivity. Three seminarians kidnapped with him remain in captivity.

The freed seminarian, who has not yet been identified, is being treated at a Catholic hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria. The extent of his injuries is unclear, but he is being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Signs and Symptoms of Demonic Manifestations

How can you tell if a person is manifesting a demon? We need to look at and study character traits, habits, motions or actions that are unlike them or are abnormal.

When you are still waiting for your spiritual discernment to increase, you can take the knowledge you have obtained and use it for natural discernment.

India: Hindu extremists protest 114 foot tall Jesus statue amid escalating persecution

Christians in India are seeking to erect the nation’s tallest statue of Jesus despite objections by Hindi groups who say one of their gods lives on the hill designated for the project.

Hundreds of hardline Hindus gathered to protest a planned Jesus statue that will rival Rio de Janeiro's "Christ The Redeemer" for its size, claiming the structure will go “against the spirit of communal harmony.”

On Monday, members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the hardline parent organization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, staged protests in the southern state of Karnataka's Ramanagara district, the Times of India reports.

Top three reasons people reject Christianity

In my experience, there are three top stumbling blocks or “turn-off’s” of Christianity that I see surface time after time with both non-Christians and believers who struggle in their faith. Although there are certainly other issues that crop up, here are the ones – from least to most problematic – that I’ve seen over and over again.

Unanswered Prayer

Near the end of the movie God’s Not Dead, the atheist college professor who has attacked and ridiculed his Christian student’s faith throughout the film admits that it was his mother’s death from an illness and his unanswered prayers for her healing when he was young that drove him to atheism. When he converses with a pastor who attempts to comfort him, the pastor says that God sometimes says ‘no’ to our prayers. The professor then with anguish utters something that is to me one of the most poignant statements in the film:

How You May Unwittingly Invite a Demonic Stronghold Into Your Life

Do you need deliverance from demonic strongholds or wrong mindsets?

We cannot and must not blame everything on a demon. We have responsibility for the mindsets we take on and the freedom we need to receive.

So often we relate the word deliverance to demonic entities infiltrating our soul. The definition of deliverance from American Dictionary of the English Language, Webster's Dictionary 1828, is, "release from captivity, slavery, oppression or any restraint." We can hold ourselves in captivity by wrong mindsets.

Nebuchadnezzar Spirit Rising in the Prophetic Movement

I've seen a troubling trend in the prophetic movement—a spirit of divination is masquerading as the Holy Spirit. There's such a fascination with the gifts of the Spirit in this hour—particularly the gifts that know something and the gifts that say something—that many don't stop to consider the spirit behind the words or the motive of the person releasing the impressive prophetic utterance.

Time and time again, I've seen people's jaws literally drop when someone can tell them when their birthday or their name (or the last four digits of their bank account number... scary!). People will stand for hours watching people operate in prophetic gifts, perhaps hoping they are next to receive a revelation. Sadly, a failure to unknowingly judge the source of the gifts of the Spirit leading many to idolize diviners instead of the divine one.

Case in point: I recently saw one prophetic pretender manifest with what looked like King Nebuchadnezzar madness in an online video. He was singing mocking words about curses and vindication with a crazed look in his eyes that grieved my spirit.

The number of people who laughed and cheered him on in the lunacy was not only shocking, it was yet another confirmation of the lack of discernment in the body of Christ—and how many blindly follow personalities instead of following the person of the Holy Spirit wholly.

Who Was Nebuchadnezzar?

Over the past 20 years, I've seen many troubling manifestations of the Nebuchadnezzar spirit—the spirit that was on the king who lost his mind in Daniel 4 after he took the glory that belonged to God:

At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Dan. 4:29-32, NKJV).

Click here to read the rest of Jennifer's article.

This Roman church was a gift from Catholics around the world to Leo XIII

There are many Catholic churches in Rome, but few can boast of having been built through the contributions of Catholics around the world as a gift to the pope.

San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello is an exception.

'Made for Mission': Student Leadership Summit kicks off in Phoenix

Attendees at SLS20.

Thousands of Catholics from across the nation are gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, this week for SLS20, the biennial Student Leadership Summit hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

The conference, which is being held under the theme “You Were Made For Mission,” opened on Dec. 30 at the Phoenix Convention Center, beginning with a Mass and keynote addresses from author and musician Emily Wilson, and Fr. Mike Schmitz. Fr. Schmitz is chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and leads the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.

China: Early Rain Church pastor Wang Yi sentenced to 9 years in prison

Pastor Wang Yi in a sermon "Waiting Together for the Day of Redemption" preached on September 9, 2018 at Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China.

Pastor Wang Yi, head of one of China’s largest unregistered churches, has been sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of subversion of power and illegal business operations amid an uptick in religious persecution in China.

The pastor of the 5,000-member Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, was sentenced Monday, according to a statement from the Intermediate People's Court of Chengdu Municipality.

Multiple People Injured in New York City Suburb Synagogue Stabbing Attack

Multiple people were injured during a stabbing attack at a synagogue in a New York City suburb Saturday night, according to reports.

Fox News reported that Steve Lieberman, a reporter with The Journal News in Rockland County, posted on Twitter that "at least three people had been stabbed just before 10 p.m. and that local police were conducting a search of the area" surrounding the synagogue on Forshay Road in Monsey, New York, a town of about 18,000 residents about 35 miles north of New York City.

Fox News also reported that "video posted on social media from Monsey showed emergency responders rushing victims to ambulances, surrounded by the flashing red lights of numerous emergency vehicles."

Fox News reported that "messages posted later by the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council of the Hudson Valley said that five people had been stabbed, including one victim who was struck six times, and that two of the victims were in critical condition." That message added that "a suspect was seen leaving in a gray Nissan Sentra vehicle."

One of the victims was stabbed at least 6 times, according to reports. The fifth/least severe case had a cut in his hand.

Reports said the perpetrator's face was partially covered with a scarf, but skin showed him to be an African American.

How to get young 'Christmas Christians' to engage yearlong

The problem of the “Christmas Christian” is one that’s troubled church leaders for decades. As a former youth pastor, I looked forward to seeing new faces in my youth group around the holiday season. However, once Christmas passed, those “Christmas Christians” disappeared.  Ninety percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, but it doesn’t translate into greater engagement with their faith the rest of the year. This is especially true for students, who are increasingly distancing themselves from their faith.

The problem of inconsistent church attendance is symptomatic of a greater issue – that young Americans simply don’t feel connected to their faith.

Trump Administration Investigating Ban on Christmas Decorations

Trump Administration officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have opened an investigation into MACO Management Company's ban of Christmas lights and yard displays at a 55 and older housing development in Missouri.

Liberty Counsel recently sent a demand letter to the MACO Management Company on behalf of residents at Grandview Estates, a HUD-subsidized residential complex. MACO Management prohibited residents from decorating their duplexes with outside Christmas decorations, including lights and yard decorations. Nothing in the lease agreement or regulations supported such a ban and residents have previously displayed Christmas lights and yard decorations for many years.

Excellence with Integrity: Four Reasons Why How You Do Your Job Matters

Throughout Scripture, it’s clear that how you do your job matters; the Bible has a lot to say about the importance of work and how Christians should conduct ourselves while performing in the workplace.

Colossians 3:23 reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” and Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Megachurch pastor steps away from pulpit because he feels far from God, tired in soul

The Rev. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, surprised his congregation earlier this month with an announcement that he is stepping away from his ministry for a season because he feels far from God, tired in his soul and needed to recuperate mentally and physically.

“From January 1 (2020) to April 1. I am walking away from every responsibility I have as pastor,” Wesley announced in his sermon on Dec. 1.

“You can’t pour out of an empty cup. It is very dangerous for your pastor to be on empty,” he told congregants.  “I need to take care of me.”

Louie Giglio's new children's devotional hopes to bridge the divide between God and science

Louie Giglio addresses the crowd at Passion 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, from Jan. 1-4, 2013.

Passion City Church Pastor Louie Giglio's new installment of his bestselling children's devotional, How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science, encourages the next generation while bridging the divide between faith and science.
 
After reaching hundreds of thousands of children with the first set of devotions in 2017's Indescribable, Giglio now penned 100 additional devotions about God and science that will expand the curiosity of children with How Great Is Our God. The book includes scientific facts, photography, illustrations, and activities that cover topics such as, space and time, the human body, animals and more.

"I think that one of the best-hidden beauties of this little devotional is it really does tear down the divide, if you will, in some ways that people try to build up between God and science,” Giglio told a local media in a recent interview.

How to Know God Has Called You to Be a Seer Prophet

Are you a seer prophet? While all believers have the ability to see in the spirit, not all are seer prophets.

How would you know the difference? Jennifer continues in her Seer Dimensions series with more ways to discern the call to seership.

Practical Ways to Cleanse a Room of Demonic Activity

When you enter a hotel room, you can cleanse it from demonic activity.

I think we all enjoy our anointed homes that we have prayed over and where we have Christian music playing. I don't know about you, but I have cultivated an atmosphere of praise in my home. It is peaceful.

I enjoy being there in the presence of the Lord. In fact, sometimes it makes it difficult to leave my home to go out in the world.

However, as I travel for the kingdom of God, and as some of you travel for your work, ministry, vacation or holidays, how do we continue to protect the natural environment we have to live in and guard our souls when we are away from home?

Why Social Justice Should Be a Crucial Part of Your Evangelism Strategy

During his message at The Gospel Coalition's 2019 National Conference, Pastor Tim Keller argued that justice—advocating for racial minorities, the poor and the needy—needs to be an important part of the Christian lifestyle. He says the primary mission of the church is to call people to repentance and share the gospel message, but that if we do not show our love by our deeds, the outside world will not heed the message we preach.

"When the world sees Christians only evangelizing and not caring about society, not doing the Good Samaritan thing—when the world sees Christians only evangelizing, you know what they see?" Keller says. "They actually see people who just care about increasing their tribe, increasing their market share, increasing their power. Now that's not true, but from the outside, they don't have the Holy Spirit. What else are they going to think when they see you do evangelism and the church grows and grows and grows? They're going to say, 'They're just like every other business in the world, every other power block in the world, trying to get a bigger part of the market.' But when they see us evangelizing and pouring ourselves out for the poor and the needy, and caring about racial justice—when they see us doing both, as Christians, then I think, frankly, the preaching of the gospel makes a lot more sense to them."

To hear his full remarks on the subject, watch the embedded video above.

How a False Prophet Can Still Give an Accurate Prophecy

Did you know a false prophet can actually give a correct prophecy? However, we still must not follow that prophet if the source of their power is demonic, says Pastor Joshua Reyes.

"False prophets and false prophecies are not the same thing," Reyes says. "A false prophet will either prophesy out of an evil and prideful heart or out of deception. The prophecy itself may be correct, but the spirit behind it is unclean, making the prophecy false because the source is tainted. Always consider the source of the prophetic word.

Did You Know Demons Strategically Monitor You?

You know the Christmas song that goes, "He sees you when you're sleeping; he knows when you're awake"? Well, prophetic minister Kathy DeGraw says you need to be aware that demons are strategically watching you so they can tempt you.

"When we look at monitoring spirits, they are gathering what we say, what we do, how we act, how we behave, and they're reporting back to the demonic commanders," DeGraw says. "Demons are organized, disciplined and committed. I want you to think about them kind of as a military force."

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke Dies Saturday at 79

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, a German Pentecostal known for his mission work throughout Africa since 1967, died Dec. 7, according to a Facebook post. Bonnke founded the ministry Christ for All Nations, which has recorded "more than 77 million documented decisions for Jesus."

Bonnke reportedly passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, and the family asks, "in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to Christ for all Nations – Africa Crusade."

Pope Francis’ letter on nativity scenes shares the story behind a beloved Christmas tradition

Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter Dec. 1 on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world.

“The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God,” Pope Francis wrote in Admirabile signum, meaning “A wonderful sign” in Latin.