Author Archives: Marsha West

About Marsha West

Marsha West is the owner and managing editor of Christian Research Network, Apprising Ministries (the late Ken Silva’s blog) and On Solid Rock Resources. She is also co-founder of Berean Research. For two decades Marsha was the owner and managing editor of Email Brigade website as well as the EMB News Report, a bi-weekly email report for conservative people of faith. For many years Marsha was a regular contributor to several blogs including CRN, RenewAmerica, News With Views and Web Commantary as well as popular websites she no longer endorses: American Family Association, Worldview Weekend, Stand Up For The Truth, The Christian Post and Christian Headlines. Although Marsha still blogs, her primary focus is CRN. Marsha also writes Research Papers (White Papers) on various topics that are published on CRN, Berean Research and On Solid Rock Resources. Visit Marsha’s other sites: On Solid Rock Resources https://www.onsolidrockresources.com/ Apprising Ministries http://apprising.org Marsha’s RenewAmerica Column http://renewamerica.com/columns/mwest Marsha’s Facebook Page http://facebook.com/marsha.west.77

The Importance of Obedience

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king” (vv. 22–23).  – 1 Samuel 15:10–35

Human beings are naturally religious, and part of that religious impulse involves following religious rituals. In most of the world’s religions, central importance is placed on the proper following of ritual while less attention is devoted to right belief….. Continue reading →

Political Elite Plays Its Last Card

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“It has become a broad-front war, after four years of unceasing political struggle unlike anything in the country’s history. It is a choice between traditional activist American government slightly right of center, in the Nixon-Reagan tradition, but with redoubled muscularity, and the angry, nasty Left, running against a president who is easy to attack and to defame, but who has a perceptive grasp of where the silent, patriotic, God-fearing American majority resides.”

(Conrad Black – American Greatness)  Every day, the battle lines are drawn more clearly for what promises to be a memorable election. The Democrats infamously lumbered the president with an investigation into his relations with Russia that they knew to be unfounded…. Continue reading →

Coronavirus pandemic and grocery shopping: No need to wipe down food packaging, FDA says

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“The FDA also provided tips on how to protect yourself, other shoppers and store employees when buying essential items.”

(Madeline Farber – Fox News)  Heads up, consumers: When running the essential errand that is grocery shopping during the coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., there’s no need to wipe down the food packaging after you’ve returned home, according to a federal agency. Continue reading →

Rush Limbaugh: ‘We Are Headed to Great Depression’ with ‘Democrats Fully on Board’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“That outcry had better happen, because this… We’re beyond now saying this is unsustainable. This is untenable! This is cataclysmic! We’re in the midst of a self-created disaster that we could fix (snap, snap, snap) at the snap of our fingers.”

(Breitbart)  A clearly astonished Rush Limbaugh warned his listeners Thursday that America is headed for another Great Depression if the economy contracts any further due to shutdowns in response to the coronavirus crisis. Continue reading →

Francis Chan actually calls communion ‘the Eucharist’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“So what’s going on with Francis Chan and Catholicism? Whatever it is, it’s been going on for a while now. One of the most telling incidents occurred at IHOP-KC’s Onething Conference.” 

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  In January of 2020, Francis Chan gave a sermon where he apparently accepted the Catholic view of communion that the bread and wine are literally the body and blood of Christ. Continue reading →

If Oprah Winfrey Really Thinks Black Lives Matter She Should Protest Abortion

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

“In this time of pandemic panic, we don’t need hyperbole. We need honesty. Coronavirus is not “ravaging” the black community. Violent crime is. Fatherlessness is. Abortion is. Devotion to a political party that depends on perpetual narratives of victimhood is.”

(Ryan Bomberger – LifeNews)  How is it that celebrities like Oprah see negative racial disparities in every facet of American life, except in the one industry that kills for a living? Continue reading →

Reformed Denomination Writes Letter to Government Warning of Civil Disobedience if Economy not Re-opened

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“…we must also do what we believe God expects of us, what is best for our people and our communities, and what our consciences dictate. For our American members, The U.S. Constitution rightly affords us these rights of speech and assembly because they extend to us from God, Himself.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) There has been an undeniable and growing unrest among not just Christians, but citizens around the country — and the world for that matter — who are practically imprisoned in their homes by decree of their local and national government leaders amid the coronavirus outbreak…. Continue reading →

Never Trumper Albert Mohler Endorses Donald Trump in 2020

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“That Party swerved so far to the Left and is now, even on religious liberty issues, antagonistic to biblical Christianity. But, (Trump) has been more consistent in Pro-Life decisions, executive orders…he has been more consistent than any President of the United States of any Party and any Republican, in the quality of appointments he has made to the federal judiciary, which will far outlive any presidency.”

(Capstone Report)  Democrats ‘swerved so far to the Left’ and are ‘antagonistic to biblical Christianity’

2020 is not 2016, Mohler said in explaining his move to support the GOP candidate Continue reading →

The Church Is More Essential Than A Hospital: Responding to Criticisms

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , ,

“If you are not part of the body of Christ, then you are not part of Christ. If you do not love His bride, the church, then you do not love Jesus (Matthew 25:40). You are still dead in your sins, and you are not saved.”

(Gabriel Hughes – The Midwestern Baptist)  In the midst of the current pandemic, various local governments have been shutting down those businesses and services it deems “non-essential.” This has stirred a lot of discussion as to what is considered essential and what is not. It was in the spirit of those debates that I made the following comment on Twitter: Continue reading →

Bob Iger Thought He Was Leaving on Top. Now, He’s Fighting for Disney’s Life

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“…people close to Mr. Iger and the company said in interviews that the real question wasn’t whether he saw the crisis coming — but whether his focus on burnishing his own legacy and assuring a smooth succession left him distracted as the threats to the business grew. No big media company is more dependent on its customers’ social and physical proximity than Disney, with its theme parks and cruise lines. Few have been hit harder by the pandemic.”

(New York Times) The former C.E.O. thought he was riding into the sunset. Now he’s reasserting control and reimagining Disney as a company with fewer employees and more thermometers. Continue reading →

Shutdown Could Kill More Americans Than COVID-19

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“The impact of layoffs goes beyond suicide, drug overdosing and drinking. Overall, the death rate for an unemployed person is 63% higher than for someone with a job, according to findings in Social Science & Medicine.”

(Betsy McCaughey – Townhall) Thursday’s unemployment update confirms that over the last three weeks, nearly 17 million Americans have been laid off because of the shutdown.

That’s one-tenth of the nation’s workforce. It’s not just an economic fact. It’s a public health disaster…. Continue reading →

CDC, FEMA Have Created Plan To Reopen America. Here’s The Projected Start Date And Phases

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

“Decisions on reopening individual communities – which will be made at the federal, state, and local levels – are contingent on…”

(Ryan Saavedra – Daily Wire)  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have created a plan to reopen America after the country was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in China.

“CDC and FEMA officials have worked on the public health response for at least the past week, and the resulting document has been discussed at the White House, including by members of the coronavirus task force,” [far-left] The Washington Post reported…. Continue reading →

What Will Change After the Virus Crisis?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“… it’s unlikely that the Wuhan virus will lead to a significant rollback of that order’s reach and power. Too many powerful interests are served by it––corporations, popular culture, high culture, universities, think-tanks, journalists, and the whole global technocratic elite that fancies itself superior to the parochial citizens of diverse nations. And don’t forget, we the people have become hooked on cheap goods.”

(Bruce Thornton – Frontpage Magazine)  We’ve reached that point in the Wuhan pandemic when we start talking about how the world will change after the crisis passes…. Continue reading →

AG Barr orders local governments to stop applying gathering restrictions to churches unfairly

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“The attorney general also revealed that the Department of Justice has intervened in a situation in Mississippi in which church members were fined $500 each for gathering in their cars in the church parking lot to listen to their pastor preach over the radio.”

(Adam Ford – Disrn)  Attorney General William Barr released an official statement Tuesday afternoon directing local governments across the U.S. to cease applying social-gathering restrictions to church unfairly. Continue reading →

Rush Limbaugh warns of ‘Your papers, please’ checkpoints in U.S.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Can you say George Orwell, folks? Do you know what an immunity card is? It is federal permission to leave your home. It is federal permission to leave your home and go to work and interact with others who are immune.”

(WND)  Talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh on Monday warned Americans of the possibility of “Your papers, please” travel checkpoints in the United States as part of the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill Gates worships at the altar of China

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“Gates was on Fox News Sunday and CNBC, and writing for the Post, because money talks. He buys influence and advisers. For that reason, we also have to pay attention to him. He doesn’t mind his own business and concentrate on ways to improve software products. Instead, he makes our lives and business his business.”

(Cliff Kincaid – Renew America) Bill Gates, who is worth more than $100 billion, made his money through Microsoft computer software programs. How did he become an expert on diseases and bioterrorism?… Continue reading →

The Christian Post’s ‘Editorial Advisors’ Surprised to Learn of Company’s Crimes

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

This article is the second in an ongoing series about controversial South Korean religious leader David Jang and a business empire that includes Olivet University and The Christian Post newspaper. … This article examines the “hear-no-evil, see-no-evil approach” embraced by many evangelical leaders who bask in the glow of Jang’s influential empire. 

(Steve Rabey – Ministry Watch)  The Bible praises those who provide good advice. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).  Continue reading →

Is There A Conspiracy To Make The Bible Anti-Gay?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“Hershey and Oxford confess to being “gay Christians.” That’s important to know because it reveals their bias up-front. The “gay Christian” movement is notorious for pushing the narrative that there’s been a decades-long conspiracy to make the Bible anti-gay. The reality is that the “gay Christians” are the ones attempting to make the Bible pro-gay. The most prominent voice in this movement has been Matthew Vines, who has refused to engage any true biblical scholar over the way he twists Scripture.” 

(Gabriel Hughes – The Midwestern Baptist)  The following is a question I was asked by a listener of the WWUTT podcast. I mentioned on that I would answer it on my blog. Here is the question and my response. Continue reading →

Anticipation Over U.S. Attorney John Durham’s Investigation Builds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

“I think what happened to him was one of the greatest travesties in American history. Without any basis, they started this investigation of his campaign, and even more concerning, actually, is what happened after the campaign, a whole pattern of events while he was president. So I — to sabotage the presidency, and I think that – or at least have the effect of sabotaging the presidency.”

(Kristina Wong – Breitbart)  Anticipation over United States Attorney John Durham’s investigation is growing as Attorney General William Barr recently hinted he is building the case to prosecute people. Continue reading →

Is President Trump finally getting ready to fire Dr. Fauci?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“The Times story includes dozens of dramatic photos, many of them credited to the WHO. The article can be read in its entirety here at msn dot com without having to navigate the newspaper’s restrictive pay wall. Suffice it to say that it attempts to break major new ground in the dominant media’s and the left’s largely evidence-free contention that Trump fumbled the federal government’s response to Covid-19 since day one and that as a result Americans died.”

(Peter Barry Chowka – American Thinker)  For the first time in the 2020 coronavirus crisis, President Trump has appeared to publicly put some major distance between himself and the Coronavirus Task Force’s principal medical advisor and spokesman, Anthony Fauci, M.D…. Continue reading →

It Could All Fall Apart and That is Ok

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“One of the problems is that we often interpret being a child of God to mean that we are now co-sovereigns with Him, but that is not the case. When the omnipotent God makes us His child, He does not stop being God. He does not hand us the reigns of the universe. Instead, He continues right on with His plan, and we should be grateful.”

(D. Eaton – Fight Of Faith) There is something about me that always wants to be in control. If I am sick, I want to outlearn the disease and overcome it. If relationships start to fail, I want to be able to charm them back to life…. Continue reading →

ALERT: Democrats begin persecution of Christians in America

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“If you are a Christian, then you need to know this: Democrats are using the pandemic to attack churches. It was revealed today that the Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi who sent police to harass churches endorsed Joe Biden for President.”

(Capstone Report)  Democrats are beginning a selective harassment campaign using their political power in states like Kentucky and local governments like Greenwood, Mississippi to persecute Christians. Continue reading →

Republican Governor Condemns Police And Mayor That Fined Churches $500: ‘You are going to have Mississippians revolt.’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

“While Pastor Hamilton Jr. clearly had no compunction about violating what he believed was an unconstitutional and ungodly decree, he also urged grace and kindness towards the mayor and officers, stating that he had no tolerance for any abuse of them.” 

(Pulpit & Pen)  In a tweet from earlier today, Republican Governor Tate Reeves came down hard against Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons and local law enforcement for their unconstitutional actions of shutting down all churches, breaking up services, and fining congregants $500.00 for participating in drive-in services. Continue reading →

Good Friday: Cosmic Child Abuse?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

The account of the crucifixion of Christ is found in the New Testament:

    • Matthew 27:33-36, And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
    • Luke 23:33, And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
    • John 19:17-18, They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.

Josh Buice reminds us that “The entire scene of the cross is filled with brutality, blood, insult, shame, and death.” So, why do Christians call the day Christ was nailed to a cross Good Friday? Should we really think of His brutal crucifixion as a good day….or was it, as some say, actually “cosmic child abuse”? In his blog post over at Delivered By Grace, Pastor Buice takes on the naysayers. He writes:  

Continue reading →