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

U.S. priests accused of sex abuse get second chance in South America

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USA Today has a story that’s guaranteed to leave folks outraged — but probably not surprised. According to Global Post columnist Will Carless: “Victim advocates say that relocating priests to poorer parishes overseas is the church’s latest strategy for protecting its reputation.”

Now to Carless’ report:

Vatican CityThe Catholic Church has allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children in the United States and Europe to relocate to poor parishes in South America, a yearlong GlobalPost investigation has found.

Reporters confronted five accused priests in as many countries: Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Peru. One priest who relocated to a poor parish in Peru admitted on camera to molesting a 13-year-old boy while working in the Jackson, Miss., diocese. Another is currently under investigation in Brazil after allegations arose that he abused disadvantaged children living in an orphanage he founded there.

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Fiorina: “I dare” Clinton, Obama to watch Planned Parenthood videos

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According to Christian Examiner:

AbortionRepublican president candidate Carly Fiorina stood out during Wednesday’s GOP debate for her answers to a host of questions, but it was her response to a question about federal funding of Planned Parenthood that had social media and pro-life leaders buzzing.

CNN’s Dana Bash had asked several candidates whether they supported shutting down the federal government during budget talks over the issue of Planned Parenthood, when Fiorina got her turn.

“I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes,” Fiorina said, referencing undercover videos made by the Center for Medical Progress. “Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. This is about the character of our nation, and if we will not stand up in and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us.”

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“Heart and homes” of America is target of Bin Laden leader re-emerging in new call for terror attacks

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Christian Examiner reports:

Al Qaeda’s leader has emerged from the shadows after a nearly two-year absence to call for greater unity among jihadists and to encourage “lone wolf” attacks in the American heartland, Reuters has reported.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Egyptian doctor who helped found Islamic Jihad and later al Qaeda with Osama bin Laden, urged a cease-fire among the “mujahideen” and called “on all Muslims who can harm the countries of the crusader coalition not to hestitate.”

“We must now focus on moving the war to the heart of the homes and cities of the crusader West and specifically America,” Zawahiri said, according to the translation provided by Reuters.

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Scalpers Selling Tickets to See Pope Francis for Thousands–Cardinal Condemns

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According to CNS News:

Pope FrancisNew York officials have joined Cardinal Timothy Dolan in condemning the scalping of tickets to see Pope Francis’ motorcade during his upcoming visit to New York City.

About 80,000 tickets were dispersed through a city-sponsored lottery system for the pope’s Sept. 25 procession through Central Park.

Tickets were being sold on secondary markets such as eBay and Craigslist for thousands of dollars soon after lottery winners were notified.

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Planned Parenthood caught: We make “fair amount” selling “fresh” baby eyes, gonads

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A 10th video has surfaced. LifeSiteNews has the horrific details:

Planned Parenthood officials are proud of being able to harvest “fresh” babies’ organs, including eyes and genitals, and admit such practices “generate a fair amount of income” in the latest video released by the Center for Medical Progress, released this morning.

The video, the fourth in CMP’s “Human Capital” series, captured abortion industry leaders saying that money for aborted babies’ body parts is a “valid exchange” – but the organization will not be “bullied by ridiculous laws.”

Leaders also admit the national office deliberately keeps all discussion of such activity at arms-length, and exposing the gruesome undertaking could be “a huge PR issue.”

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Evidence Mounts for Viability of Babies not Considered Legally “Human”

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Christian Headlines reports:

Pre-born babyA new study published Sept. 8 found that more infants born before 28 weeks gestation are surviving without disease or other complications compared to 20 years ago. The findings cast further doubt on the adequacy of the viability standard for protecting the unborn.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, examined 35,000 premature births between 1993 and 2012 at 26 U.S. centers participating in the Neonatal Research Network. It broadens a previous study published in May that found an increased survival rate for infants born at 22 weeks. The May study examined 5,000 infants born at 27 weeks or earlier between 2006 and 2011.

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After Iran deal, Obama to pivot to climate change

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According to Politico:

Buoyed by the success of his nuclear deal with Iran, President Barack Obama is preparing to move aggressively on other long-delayed priorities, including a major climate change summit this winter and his elusive quest to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp.

The National Security Council’s directorate of strategic planning has been quietly building an agenda of action items for the closing year of Obama’s presidency, in a White House that sees its work as far from complete, administration officials say.

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Shemitah is over – But nothing happened

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“Well almost nothing” says Berean Research’s editors:

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America
on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

We had a whole bunch of Hebrew Roots Americans jumping on to the fear-wagon promoted in the Mystery of the Shemitah book which claimed that we’re all doomed if we don’t keep the seven-year observation from the Old Testament.I’ve been warning Christians to not be fooled by the “Shemitah” ever since Messianic Rabbi and book author Jonathan Cahn began pointing Christians to laws meant for the children of Israel. (See: Will Christians be snookered by Shemitah?) Cahn claims that “the Mystery of the Shemitah and it’s so big that it affects everything we as a people are personally doing and will affect the rise and fall of the United States of America …

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War Room’s Alex Kendrick and a movie magic medallion

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John Lanagan has written a second piece on the hit film War Room. In his first piece he informed us that the film’s star, Priscilla Shirer, is into highly unorthodox teaching, which the three Kendrick brothers were unaware of or they wouldn’t have chosen her to star in the movie. Now we learn that writer/producer/director/actor Alex Kendrick participated in a film that promotes magic, even though the Bible clearly teaches that God’s people are not to dabble in sorcery.

…and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:21)

I have really appreciated the movies from the Kendrick brothers. I do think War Room as a movie per se will encourage many to renew their prayer lives, or to take prayer more seriously.

That’s the upside.

Unfortunately, the movie will also increase the influence of author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer, who stars in War Room. She did a great job in the movie.

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Armed Military, Police Group Offers Kim Davis Protection from Further “Unlawful Arrest”

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According to Christian News Network:

An armed group of current former military and police officials offered protection from further arrest to Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis from earlier this week, but was declined by her legal counsel.

Oath Keepers, whose motto is “Not On Our Watch,” is a coalition founded to provide education about, and defense of, the U.S. Constitution. The group issued a statement on Wednesday, outlining that it had offered protection for the now-freed clerk when she returns to her job on Monday.

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San Francisco jails to house transgender inmates based on gender preference

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According to the Los Angeles Times:

TransgenderBy the end of the year, San Francisco’s county jails will be among the first in the nation to house transgender inmates by their gender preference, Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said Thursday.

Currently, San Francisco County puts transgender inmates in an isolated wing of its downtown jail facility. But under the policy announced Thursday, Mirkarimi said, he hopes to have transgender inmates living with their preferred population before 2016.

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Muslim terrorists promise “Afro-Americans” mercy if they assassinate & target “racist politicians”

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Christian Examiner reports:

Al Qaeda’s newest edition of Inspire, a jihadist magazine aimed at recruiting terrorists from among the English-speaking world, encourages black Americans to rise up against their own government, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has reported.

In the Inspire article titled, “The Blacks in America,” a writer calling himself Abu Abdiliah Al-Moravid claims the recent killings of blacks such as Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Md., and nine black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., are unlike anything found in Islam.

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New TV Series to Help Christians Back up Pro-life Position

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Christian Headlines reports:

A new TV series which will help pro-lifers back up their position Biblically is set to air.

Todd Friel, the executive producer of the show called Life is Best, says that the show’s purpose is threefold.

“Number one is saving babies. Number two, saving souls. And number three, equipping Christians to prepare themselves to defend the pro-life position,” Friel told OneNewsNow.

Friel says the show will address the core argument in the abortion debate–whether the unborn is a human being or a mass of tissue that can be removed in a simple surgical procedure.

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Congress Discusses Planned Parenthood Baby Whose Face Was Cut Open with Scissors to Take Out Brain

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Christian News Network has this tragic story:

Abortion

A baby who survived an abortion as his heart continued beating, but was soon murdered alive as his face was cut through with scissors to harvest his brain, was mourned by an Arizona Congressman during a hearing on Wednesday regarding Planned Parenthood’s alleged harvesting and sale of the organs of aborted babies.

During his opening comments for the hearing, Rep. Trent Franks (R) relayed testimony from one of the most gruesome Planned Parenthood expose’ videos released to date.

“One of these videos describes an incident where one of [StemExpress’ employees procuring organs from babies at Planned Parenthood] calls one of the younger employees over to witness something that was ‘kind cool,’—that one of the baby’s hearts was still beating,” he explained. “The older employee then said, ‘Okay, this is a really good fetus, and it looks like we can procure a lot from it. We’re going to procure a brain.”

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“Mindfulness” meditation fad popular with celebrities including Emma Watson can make you dream up false memories

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According to Daily Mail, Buddhist meditation, which is what mindfulness is, can play tricks on your mind. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this practice, we’ve provided a link to a well researched article written by Marcia Montenegro. In her piece Marcia makes clear the reasons that Christians must not become involved in Eastern-style meditation.

Mindfulness is the fashionable form of meditation that fans say makes you feel less stressed.

But scientists have discovered one potential drawback – it can lead you to ‘remember’ things that haven’t happened.

People taking part in a 15-minute mindfulness session performed worse than those who did not on a memory test, researchers found.

The group who had been undertaking mindfulness were more liable to falsely imagine items on the test.

Mindfulness has become popular in recent years as a way to improve mental and physical well-being.

Celebrities endorsing it include Emma Watson, Davina McCall, Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey.

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Related artcle:

Mindfulness: No Mind-Over Matter by Marcia Montenegro

Willow Creek’s “The Practice” blends New Age & Catholic mysticism

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Berean Research reports:

A Catholic priest and a New Ager walk into Willow Creek…

No, it’s not a joke waiting for a punchline. It’s an experiment called The Practice, and it’s the brainchild of Pastor Bill Hybels’ son-in-law, Aaron Niequist. Niequist is also the Worship Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, and he calls a Jesuit priest his spiritual director.

Be warned; you are about to hear a lot of New Age lingo:

The Practice is an experimental gathering where we immerse ourselves in God’s dream for humanity, practice the historic disciplines that align us with His dream, and carry each other along the way. PracticeTribe.com

Starting this Sunday, Niequist will teach you about “unforced rhythms of grace,” in which you will learn to align your rhythm with God’s rhythm, practice contemplative prayer methods like Lectio Divina, and learn from a Catholic priest.

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War Room’s Priscilla Shirer “will become the main character” in the Bible stories she’s reading?

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John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire expresses his concern over the actress the Kendrick brothers cast in their new film:

Photo courtesy newsbusters.org

Photo courtesy newsbusters.org

I saw the movie, War Room, and liked it very much. Priscilla Shirer is an incredible actress, and the director made wise use of her facial expressions to tell much of the story.

Shirer is far more than an actress in a Christian movie. She is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher, and this movie is going to bring many women into her sphere of influence.

That’s not a good thing.

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SBC Executive Speaking at Muslim-Evangelical Interface Gathering

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Pulpit & Pen reports:

Ed Stetzer

Lifeway – a Southern Baptist entity – will soon have their (arguably) most prominent executive speak at a Muslim-Evangelical interfaith event. Ed Stetzer, Vice President of Lifeway Insights Division and executive director of Lifeway Research, will speak at the upcoming Spreading Peace Convocation. The Convocation is a gathering of Christian pastors and Islamic imams, and is designed – according to their website – to “learn how to relate” and “build bridges” between the various religions.

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Fox News’ Shepard Smith Rails Against Christians Supporting Kim Davis During Live TV: “Haters Are Going to Hate”

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Christian News Network reports:

During live coverage of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis’ release from prison, Fox News’ Shepard Smith unexpectedly started speaking over the press conference, calling it a “religious play” and chastising Davis and those who supported her decision to refuse to issue “gay marriage” licenses.

Shepard, who has had his own run-ins with the law, has had his share of random on-air outbursts, this one occurring during Tuesday’s live news broadcast.

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Homosexual Activist Human Rights Campaign Buys FreeKimDavis.com to Deceptively Raise Funds

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According to Christian News Network:

A group co-founded by a man who is currently facing child sexual abuse charges and is a friend of Barack Obama has purchased the domain FreeKimDavis.com to deceptively trick Davis’ supporters into giving money to the homosexual activist organization.

When the domain is entered, one is redirected to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) website, specifically its donation page.

“Donate to HRC today. Or give the gift of equality to a friend or loved one,” the page reads. “Please note: An HRC sticker is included as part of your donation.”

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Harvard allows students to register with gender neutral pronouns

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Boston.com reports:

Students registering at Harvard University now have the option to choose their preferred gender pronouns, including gender neutral terms like “ze, hir, hirs,” and “they, them, theirs.”

The Harvard Crimson reports that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ registration tool, which typically asks students to write down their gender marker in terms of “male,” “female,” and “transgender,” now for the first time allows students to write in their preferred pronouns when they registered this week.

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Pope Francis U.S. Visit 2015 Schedule and Dates: Pontiff Invites Rick Warren to Speak at Philadelphia Conference on Family

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According to The Gospel Herald Ministries:

Rick Warren and Pope Francis

Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church, has announced he will be speaking in Philadelphia later this month at the World Meeting of Families event to commence Pope Francis’ highly anticipated visit to the United States.

Warren announced his plans to attend the event during the Sunday morning worship service at the Lake Forest, CA church.

“Next month, Pope Francis is coming to America for a world gathering on families,” he told the congregation. “I’m not a Catholic, and we have many differences with Catholics. But they love the Lord and we have much in common with that – we believe in the Bible, and the Trinity, and in Jesus and the resurrection.”

“There are probably going to be a million people in Philadelphia at this final event with Pope Francis, and he’s asked me to be the final speaker,” the Purpose Driven Life author continued amid cheering and applause.

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