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

Reports: Trump Picks Pence as His Running Mate

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According to NewsMax, Mike Pence is hired:

Mike PenceRepublican Donald Trump chose Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

The move puts at Trump’s side a conservative with the potential to unify divided Republicans.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is to announce his choice on Friday at 11 a.m. in Manhattan. The choice of Pence was first reported by Roll Call, with The New York Times and CBS News following suit.

Trump is to be formally nominated as the party’s candidate for the Nov. 8 election at the Republican National Convention next week in Cleveland. Traditionally, the vice presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists.

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“52 Congressmen made decisions for Christ” – Rodney Howard Browne

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Berean Research explains why we must be skeptical of any claim made by the man who is known as the “Holy Ghost Bartender”:

There are 435 members of our U.S. Congress. Apparently 52 of them said the sinner’s prayer with (NAR) New Apostolic Reformation pastor Rodney Howard Brown during the recent Celebrate America 2016 event in Washington, D.C. If you’re a numbers person, that’s roughly 12 percent of our U.S. Representatives who are reportedly “baby Christians.”

“We visited every office of the House & Senate and were able to pray the prayer of salvation with 633 at the Hill. We had 52 Congressman and 4 Senators that said the prayer of salvation with us,” says Browne, calling the event a “Great Spiritual Awakening.”

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“Very clear signs of trouble” at Trinity Broadcasting Network as revenue shrinks, attractions close

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According to Teri Sforza of The Orange County Register, TBN “was built on the ‘Have a need? Plant a seed’ philosophy, or what critics call ‘the prosperity gospel.’  The idea is that if you give money to God, God will send riches back to you.  Trinity’s tax filings suggest the seed hasn’t been sprouting as it once did.”

Trinity Broadcasting Archagel MichaelIt has inspired awe in the God-fearing, and in those who mock them.

The elaborate campus of Trinity Christian City International in Costa Mesa – home of Trinity Broadcasting Network’s studios – has been likened to a mashup of a Disneyland castle, the White House and a wedding cake.

Visitors are free to wander the opulent grounds, marvel at historic Bibles, have their pictures taken with the giant archangel Michael, and get what no other attraction in Orange County can give: “A creepy adventure AND salvation!” one fan recently enthused online.

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GOP Platform Calls for Constitutional Personhood Amendment, Defunding of Planned Parenthood

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According to Christian News Network:

In what is being called the most pro-life platform to date, the Republican Party’s platform committee agreed on Tuesday to adopt language calling for a constitutional amendment protecting children in the womb, as well as the defunding of the abortion giant Planned Parenthood.

lanned Parenthood.

“The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that ‘all’ are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with the right to life,” it reads. “Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”

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Digest This: Heavy People May Die up to 3 Years Early

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According to NewsMax:

Fat catBeing too heavy may cost you your life — literally. Scientists say overweight people die one year earlier than expected and that moderately obese people die up to three years prematurely.

Doctors have long warned that being overweight can lead to health complications including heart disease, stroke and cancer, and previous studies have already found that extra pounds can take years off your life, based mostly on data from Europe and North America.

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State Department sent taxpayer money to group that attempted to oust Israel’s Netanyahu

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According to Fox News;

The U.S. State Department sent nearly $350,000 to an advocacy group that worked to oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a Senate report released Tuesday.

OneVoice Movement, a group that supported peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian factions, received grants from the State Department during a 14-month period ending in November 2014, according to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report.

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Ginsburg under fire from both sides over “highly inappropriate” Trump comments

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Fox News has the story:

Supreme Court buildingSupreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg faced a growing and bipartisan backlash Wednesday — including a call from Donald Trump to resign — as she doubled down on her criticism of the presumptive GOP nominee, calling him a “faker” who is unqualified to be president.

Even political figures and newspaper editorial writers who might agree with the comments swiftly said they were out of line for a high court justice.

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Pence introduces Trump at rally that doubles as VP audition

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Yahoo News reports:

Republican Donald Trump campaigned alongside Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Tuesday evening, the latest in a series of public auditions as the billionaire businessman mulls his vice presidential pick.

Walking onto the stage to cheers, Pence confidently introduced the presumptive GOP nominee and vigorously advocated for Trump as the best person to lead the country. The speech made clear that despite his mild-mannered reputation, the governor and former Congressman could serve the role of attack dog if Trump taps him as his running mate.

“Donald Trump hears the voice of the American people,” Pence said, saying that the billionaire “understands” the country in a way no one has since Republican icon Ronald Reagan. His voice raised, Pence drew thunderous applause when he warned of dire consequences if Democrat Hillary Clinton is elected.

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Some Illegal Aliens Enjoy Food Stamp Advantage Over U.S. Citizens

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According to CNSNews:

A new report produced by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) shows that people in the United States illegally can in some cases get more food stamps than U.S. citizens.

The report, released on Monday by the Washington, D.C.-based organization, reveals that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) “provides benefits to families with an illegal alien (or other ineligible alien) wage earner in it, while denying benefits to an identical family comprised of only U.S. citizens.”

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Lynch mum on Clinton email probe at tense House hearing

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Fox News Reports:

Hillary ClintonAttorney General Loretta Lynch repeatedly dodged specific questions Tuesday about the FBI investigation that yielded no charges against Hillary Clinton over her email use, frustrating lawmakers who planned to question her on the outcome of the politically charged case.

The nation’s top law enforcement official was peppered with questions by the House Judiciary Committee, her first congressional appearance in the wake of the Clinton decision. But she repeatedly deferred to FBI Director James Comey’s comments on the case, declining to elaborate herself.

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Republican Party Platform Declares Pornography a ‘Public Health Crisis’

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Christian News Network Reports:

The Republican Party has declared pornography a “public health crisis” in its 2016 platform, as an amendment over the issue was approved during deliberations on Monday.

“The internet must not become a safe haven for predators,” the amendment, proposed by North Carolina delegate Mary Frances Forrester, reads. “Pornography, with its harmful effects, especially on children, has become a public health crisis that is destroying the life of millions.”

“We encourage states to continue to fight this public menace and pledge our commitment to children’s safety and well-being,” it continues. “We applaud the social networking sites that bar sex offenders from participation. We urge energetic prosecution of child pornography which closely linked to human trafficking.”

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Rick Warren gets bolder in promoting breath prayer

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Berean Research reports:

Photo courtesy Apprising Ministries

Photo courtesy Apprising Ministries

Several years ago when Rick Warren promoted the pagan mantra technique of Centering Prayer on his Pastor’s Toolbox site, the post was yanked down when concerned Christians became alarmed and spoke up. Perhaps he was dipping a toe in the contemplative water to see if others would join him in the shallow end of the mystical pool.  Since that time though, the Saddleback pastor has been getting bolder in his contemplative prayer posts. (Last year for instance, he spoke at the Hillsong 2015 Conference and taught contemplative prayer techniques.)

This post from last week tells us that in spite of the warnings from those concerned about New Age seeping into the church, Warren has no problem with breath prayers, centering prayers or any other mystical practices:

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Study Finds No Racial Bias in Police Shootings

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According to NewsMax:

There is no racial bias in shootings involving police officers, contrasting what is a widespread public perception, according to a new study by an award-winning Harvard economist.

The study, however, does confirm that in almost all other interactions with police, blacks are treated more harshly. The detailed report tried to take into account for how, where and when the suspects encounter the police,The New York Times explains.

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Perry Noble removed as pastor at NewSpring for personal behavior related to alcohol

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According to Greenville Online:

About 2,000 members made the warm walk across the NewSpring Church parking lot in Anderson for each worship service Sunday morning.

Few were fully braced for the news that awaited: Perry Noble, the only senior pastor the church has known, has been removed from his duties.

Williamston Town Councilman Rockey Burgess said the news “did come as a shock” in the 9:15 a.m. service, even though recent rumors had prepared him to a degree.

“Everybody was kind of shocked,” Burgess said. “But the church isn’t made up of the preacher, and the church doesn’t worship the preacher. The church is the people who go there, and we all love one another.”

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In the aftermath of tragedy, we must be about the Father’s business

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Elizabeth Prata of The End Time responds to Thursday’s massacre during a “Black Lives Matter” protest in Dallas where twelve people were shot by a lone sniper.  Five police officers died and seven others were wounded.

We awaken to this today:

Drudge headlines

How can this happen, people wonder. It happens because of sin. Man is born a sinner, and it is only God’s common grace that retrains a man from murdering every day. However, God’s restraining grace is lifted as He abandons a nation. I wrote about that yesterday.

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Republicans to consider softening party’s official language on LGBT

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According to CBS News:

Rainbow flagWith the Republican National Convention less than two weeks away, moderate Republicans are drafting an amendment that would soften the GOP’s official position on gays and lesbians, CBS News has learned.

The party’s official stance on LGBT issues will be debated during next week’s meeting of the RNC’s platform committee, a 112-member group of Republican activists from around the country.

Outside Republican groups have been publicly pushing the party to modify its stance on same-sex marriage for over a year, but multiple sources told CBS News that the effort has officially taken hold among a group of platform committee members who are furiously polishing their amendment ahead of the party gathering in Cleveland.

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At least 5 police officers injured during protests in Minnesota

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Fox News reports:

Police in Minnesota said Sunday they arrested as many as 100 people after a protest over police shootings turned violent, with at least five officers injured.

Police used smoke bombs to clear demonstrators blocking Interstate 94, the Minneapolis Star-Tribunereported. Police said officers were hurt after some protesters hurled rocks, firecrackers and at least one Molotov cocktail at them.

According to Fox 9, protesters also threw bricks, glass bottles and construction rebar at the officers.

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Thousands Flock to Grand Opening of Answers in Genesis’ Ark Encounter

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According to Christian News Network:

Noah's ArkThousands flocked to the grand opening of Answers in Genesis’ Ark Encounter on Thursday, a project of biblical proportions that has been two years in the making.

As previously reported, the Ark Encounter is a theme park in Williamstown that features a full-scale replica of the ark that God instructed Noah to build to escape the coming flood, as outlined in the book of Genesis.

“As the largest timber-frame structure in the US, the 510-foot-long full-size Ark is designed to be family-oriented, historically authentic, and environmentally friendly,” the website for the theme park outlines.

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School Teaches White Children They Are Born Racists

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In this piece over at News With Views, Lee Duigon brings to light what is happening at the Bank Street School for Children, in Manhattan, which he calls “purposely-applied wickedness.”  He writes:

Of all the crimes of the Obama regime, the worst of many is its purposeful campaign to stir up racial animosity.

The ideology, of course, is that white Americans are to blame for everything that’s wrong in the world and that they must be punished for it. This is at the core of Obamaism. It’s a big part of what makes most Democrats tick. Besides which, “divide and rule” is a time-tested approach to power politics.

It comes down from the top; but let’s first take a look at some of the people that it lands on.

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Racial Tensions, Political Divides Heating up Angry Nation

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NewsMax reports:

HateA week of violence that left five Dallas police officers dead during the protests over the killings of two black men by law enforcement officials is bringing fears that the anger simmering just below the surface in the United States is beginning to boil over, and leaving people in public and private life searching for answers to restoring the peace.

Even while Dallas was mourning the officers’ deaths, which came at the end of an otherwise peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration, shots rang out in other places on Friday night, including in Valdosta, Georgia, where police say a man called 911 and then ambushed a police officer responding to the scene.

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Teach us to pray: “Grab some masking tape, make a circle…”

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Berean Research reveals that the latest fad known as “circle making” is a decidedly anti-biblical practice that true believers should not participate in.  These days many high-profile Bible study teachers, writers, and speakers lack spiritual discernment; thus, they have no clue that they’re promoting a practice that actually stems from witchcraft! Sadly, those who listen to them, who trust them, don’t realize that they’re being led astray.

I received a question today from a woman taking Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon Bible Study. One thing Gideon did NOT do was pray by drawing a circle around himself and demanding that the Lord do something in the circle. No, that example came from a scenario Shirer shared outside of Scripture (“extra-Biblical”) as an example, which she herself demonstrated by standing in a circle. She then instructs women to do the same, using masking tape or even a circle of their children’s toys:

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Why I Am Not Continuationist

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In the last installment of his series,  blogger, author and pastor Tim Challies examines a movement known as continuationism or “charismania” as Bible teacher John MacArthur has dubbed it.   Whatever you call this movement, one thing is for sure.  It is  “a fast-growing movement with disastrous implications.” 

The charismatic movement is known for its acceptance of miraculous sign gifts a.k.a. “signs and wonders.” Charismatics believe that the sign gifts are still in operation today.  Moreover, the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12–14 are said to be theevidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. According to Challies, “The miraculous gifts I see and hear in the charismatic movement have only the barest resemblance to the New Testament gifts.”

Now listen to Tim explain why he believes the Holy Spirit does not dispense the miraculous gifts today….

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FBI’s Comey a Victim of Politics

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James Comey“In my view,” says popular syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer, “Comey didn’t want to be remembered as the man who irreversibly altered the course of American political history.”

In a piece over at NewsMax, Krauthammer explains how he came to this view:

Why did he do it? FBI director James Comey spent 14 minutes laying out an unassailable case for prosecuting Hillary Clinton for the mishandling of classified material. Then at literally the last minute, he recommended against prosecution. This is baffling. Under the statute (18 U.S.C. section 793(f)), it’s a felony to mishandle classified information either intentionally or “through gross negligence.” The evidence, as outlined by Comey, is overwhelming.

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Dallas sniper who gunned down 5 cops “wanted to kill white people,” chief says

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Fox News has the story:

The sniper who killed five Dallas police officers Thursday night as they guarded protesters at an anti-police brutality march was angry about recent shootings by police and “wanted to kill white people,” according to authorities.

The Associated Press identified the gunman as Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, who was blown up by a police robot while holed up in a parking garage early Friday morning after negotiations with police broke down.

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State Department reopens internal probe of Clinton emails

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According to Fox News:

The State Department is re-opening an internal investigation into whether Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her top aides mishandled classified information, Fox News confirmed late Thursday.

The investigation, which was first reported by the Associated Press, focuses on how classified emails to and from Clinton’s private server were categorized at the time they were sent.

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