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.

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