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.”

Why Every Prophet Must Distinguish Between These 2 Things

A "prophet" gave me a prophetic word concerning my "little brother" about whom, he said, I had been very concerned. He assured me there was no need for my concern. God, he said, had revealed to him that my little brother would be saved.

Now, there was only one problem with this prophecy: I do not have a little brother! When I shared this fact with this individual, he seemed embarrassed and replied, "I will have to be more careful."

Trump Participates in Hindu Festival of Lights

President Donald Trump hosted Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at the White House on Tuesday.

"We're gathered today to celebrate a very special holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains throughout the United States and around the world," Trump says.

Pope Francis to visit Morocco in 2019

Pope Francis will head to two cities in Morocco March 30-31, 2019, the Vatican announced Tuesday.

Pope Francis will visit the cities of Rabat and Casablanca, a Nov. 13 message stated. The schedule of the trip is not yet published.

According to papal spokesman Greg Burke, the visit takes place at the invitation of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the Catholic bishops.

Why Peter Was Restored but Judas Was Not

Then a servant girl saw him as he sat near the fire, and gazed at him, and said, "This man was with Him." But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." Peter said, "Man, I am not!" About an hour later another man firmly declared, "Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." Immediately, while he was yet speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And Peter went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:56-62).

One of the most challenging things in life is learning to read people. We've all had people who completely surprised us. In Jesus' life, there were people constantly seeking to get closer to Him and enjoy a more intimate relationship with Him. Jesus was not paranoid, trusting no one. Neither was He naive, trusting everyone.

Trump signs rules restricting asylum for illegal migrants

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Friday morning that would prohibit those who entered the United States illegally through the southern border from applying for asylum.

The Nov. 9 proclamation, which goes into effect Saturday, is in response to the migrant caravan that has been headed toward the U.S. for the last several weeks. The caravan consisted of several thousand people at its peak, and recently departed Mexico City on its journey through Mexico.

Sandi Patty Warns Against This Deceptive Thought Process

Whether I was singing in my bedroom by myself with my little 45 rpm record player, using my hairbrush as a microphone, or I was singing to 18,000 people in a concert with a real microphone, it has all come from the same place. In music, I hear the voice of God and respond to Him.

Singing was always so natural to me that when I had to begin to talk in school, with teachers or with friends, I didn't know how. I probably presented a more confident affect than I actually felt. Every time I had to put things into words, I cringed inside. Although I liked to read, I was a slow reader. And my comprehension of what I read was slower still. But I liked to understand what I was reading. Whenever the teacher asked each student to take a section and read out loud, I froze inside. Are you kidding me? This was one of my worst fears. I would stumble through the words, and when I sat down, the teacher would say, "So, Sandy, can you tell us what those words mean?"

Francis makes appointments to Roman Rota, Vatican Court of Appeal

Pope Francis appointed Thursday two lay lawyers to tribunals of the Holy See and Vatican City.

On Nov. 8 Enrico Ferrannini was appointed substitute promoter of justice for the Vatican Court of Appeal, and Maria Fratangelo was named defender of the bond of the Roman Rota.

The Simple Key to Tapping Into Holy Spirit's Supernatural Power

John Wallace wrote, "Prayer moves the hand that moves the world." Think about that. A simple, sincere petition can influence the Creator of the universe to intervene in your situation. Truly, prayer is a valuable asset to the believer. As such, it should be our first resource not our last resort. Unfortunately, some people treat God like the paramedics—they only call when they have an emergency! Perhaps if we call on Him more often we will have fewer emergencies.

Trump Sends State Department to Nigeria Amid Massacre of Hundreds of Christians by Islamic Radicals

The U.S. State Department is headed to Nigeria this week amid the massacre of hundreds of Christians at the hands of various Islamic radical factions. Killings had spiked in October.

The State Department says on its website that the visit will be part of a wider focus on promoting stronger trade and commercial ties between the U.S. and several Africa countries, with the final stop in Abuja.

Faith Leaders Respond After Shooter Guns Down a Dozen in 'One of the Safest Cities' in US

A gunman walks into a bar. It's not the beginning of a sick joke, but the end of at least 12 lives.

The gunman, who has yet to be named, stormed into Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, and opened fire.

Catholic bishops ask Israel to repeal law excluding non-Jews

Top Catholic prelates in Israel are asking the government to repeal the recent Nation State Law, which they say paves a path for discrimination against non-Jewish citizens.

“Although the law changes very little in practice, it does provide a constitutional and legal basis for discrimination among Israel’s citizens, clearly laying out the principles according to which Jewish citizens are to be privileged over and above other citizens,” the Catholic leaders said in their statement, dated Oct. 31.

Vote, and Vote Biblically

The late Milton Berle used to say as a part of his comedy routine:

"Since perestroika and glasnost, the Russians have changed their electoral system. A man went in to vote and was handed a sealed ballot. He started to tear it open. An election official said, 'What are you doing, Igor?" 'I'm opening the ballot. I want to see who I voted for,' said the man. The election official replied, 'Don't be foolish, you're not supposed to know. We vote secret ballot in this country.'"

Berle's humor reminds us of a privilege which we often take for granted – one that other countries were not afforded so freely – the right to vote for our leaders – the right to choose the direction of our nation. Citizen Christians should earnestly thank God for the freedom to vote, and they should show their gratefulness each opportunity they have to cast a ballot.

Pope on All Saints' Day: Live for heaven, not the world

If a Christian wants to reach heaven, he or she should ask themselves if they are living for the pleasures of the world, or if they are striving after holiness with all their strength, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints.

“Let us ask ourselves what side we are on: that of heaven or that of the earth? Do we live for the Lord or for ourselves, for eternal happiness or for some fulfillment now?” the pope said Nov. 1.

“Let us ask ourselves: do we really want holiness?” he continued. “Or do we content ourselves with being Christians without disgrace and without praise, who believe in God and esteem others but without going too far?”

“In short, either holiness or nothing!” he said.

India blocks 800 websites, reviving 2015 porn ban

After Nepal banned thousands of pornographic websites last month, India has resurrected its internet pornography ban, blocking more than 800 major porn sites in an attempt to curb the country’s spate of sexual violence.

“I think it’s important to understand that India is struggling with really intense problems of sexual violence and harassment in particularly against women,” said Dawn Hawkins, executive director of the non-profit National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).