Just the facts.

Jim Bakker: God Will Punish Those Who Make Fun Of Me

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Richard Haas of Pulpit & Pen has the story:

Recently on the Jim Bakker Show, on October 17, 2017, Jim Bakker decided to speak for God. During the show, Bakker berated and belittled those who dare question his authenticity as a “profit.” Baker tried defending his past pathetic prophetic utterances by declaring that “when God says something to you, you don’t always know the exact time it is going to happen.” Then he went on to declare that God gave him 31 prophetic visions. What Bakker does not mention is how many of the 31 vision he got wrong. The Bible is clear about what we should do to those who claim to be prophets of God in Deuteronomy 18:22 and get but even one prophecy wrong. While I am not advocating anyone stone Bakker, it is clear that Bakker should be removed from any form of “speaking” for God or ministry work.

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Actor Tim Allen Finally Speaks About ‘Last Man Standing’ Sudden Cancellation

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The following story is posted for informational purposes and is not an endorsement of the source of the story or the TV show.

According to Tim Allen, “There is nothing more dangerous, especially in this climate, than a funny, likable conservative character.” Christian Headlines has the story:

ABC’s sudden ‘Last Man Standing’ cancellation caught everyone off guard, including the show’s star, Tim Allen. And now, the actor is finally speaking out about the way the network handled the unexpected decision.

In “The Last Man Standing,” Tim Allen plays a man outnumbered by his wife and three daughters. And according to Fox News, the show was the television network’s second highest comedy this season. It averaged 8.1 million viewers.

When news of the ‘Last Man Standing’ cancellation hit, it surprised everyone — including the show’s star, Tim Allen!

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U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal of Ruling Declaring Ten Commandments Monument Unconstitutional

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According to Christian News:

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a ruling out of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that declared a New Mexico Ten Commandments monument unconstitutional. Two Wiccan women who took offense at the display had filed suit against the Decalogue placement in 2012, stating that it made them feel “alienated.”

The nation’s highest court gave no reason on Monday for its decision to not to take the case.

“This is a victory for the religious liberty of people everywhere,” Peter Simonson, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, remarked in a press release. “The Supreme Court’s decision to let the rulings against the monument stand sends a strong message that the government should not be in the business of picking and choosing which sets of religious beliefs enjoy special favor in the community.”

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Co-ed Pastors, Male and Female, to Succeed Bill Hybels

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Not surprisingly Willow Creek has selected two people, male and a female, to replace celebrity pastor Bill Hybels. In her piece for Christianity Today Astray, Kate Shellnutt failed to mention that the Bible restricts women from having spiritual authority over men. Speaking on behalf of God, the Apostle Paul proclaims “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” (1 Tim 2:11-12)  Clearly, women are not to have spiritual authority over men. Why? Paul continues: “For Adam was formed first, then Eve;  and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” (vs 13 & 14.)  Women have been given many gifts including the gift of hospitality, evangelism, mercy, helps, teaching — but they are not to teach men.

Here’s the story:

Since “no one person can replace” Willow Creek Community Church founder Bill Hybels, the influential megachurch has named two people: its current executive pastor Heather Larson and teaching pastor Steve Carter.

Hybels announced on Saturday that the pair will succeed him as lead pastors when he steps down in October 2018.

The historic transition will make Willow Creek one of the largest churches in America with a woman in the lead pastor position, as well as the only major evangelical megachurch with male-female lead pastors who aren’t married.

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Boys Who Identify as Girls Allowed to Wear Skirts, Be Addressed as ‘Zie’ at Surrey Boarding School

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Evening Standard has the story:

A boarding school in Surrey will let boys who question their identity wear skirts and sleep in girls’ boarding houses.

Pupils may also request to be addressed by different names or gender-neutral pronouns such as “zie” at Gordon’s School in Woking, the Sunday Times reported.

The £15,000-per-year school which has five boarding houses for girls and five for boys will also allow students to use gender-neutral bathrooms.

Head teacher Rob Pavis told the newspaper one boy had worn light make-up and a dress to the prom and added that several others had explored their gender identity.

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Life Begins at Conception, Improving Healthcare Includes Unborn

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Christian News reports:

In a development that has drawn ire from abortion supporters and praise from pro-life groups, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has affirmed in a new document that life begins at conception and that improving healthcare in America includes the unborn.

The Department’s recently-released draft of the agency’s strategic plan for fiscal years 2018-2022 includes language expressing a commitment to caring for unborn children.

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services,” the plan’s introduction says.

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Where’s the Proof That Mindfulness Meditation Works?

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Scientific American reports that the highly touted technique that allegedly relieves stress and pain has very little scientific evidence backing it. Bret Stetka informs us that “only around 9 percent of research into mindfulness-based interventions has been tested in clinical trials that included a control group.”

The concept of mindfulness involves focusing on your present situation and state of mind. This can mean awareness of your surroundings, emotions and breathing—or, more simply, enjoying each bite of a really good sandwich. Research in recent decades has linked mindfulness practices to a staggering collection of possible health benefits.

Tuning into the world around you may provide a sense of well-being, an array of studies claim. Multiple reports link mindfulness with improved cognitive functioning. One study even suggests it may preserve the tips of our chromosomes, which whither away as we age.

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Pro-Life Students Should Have Same Rights as Superstar Athletes

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Shouldn’t pro-life students have the same rights as superstar athletes? Clearly they don’t. According to Kristan Hawkins, student voices that favor life over abortion are forcible being silenced. LifeZette has the story:

The uproar over Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to leave the Colts-49ers game after some NFL players took a knee during the national anthem again highlights the intense cultural debate over free speech that seems of utmost importance to the media and activists. Yet not all “speech” is treated as equal in coverage and attention.

Over the last few weeks, the free speech rights of students on college campuses have been violated, as peaceful chalk messages from students have been destroyed, flyers pulled down, and permits for new pro-life groups and speakers slow-walked through the approval process to prevent voices from being heard.

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Charismatic Hippies Take a Knee for Racial Disharmony at D.C. Event

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Pulpit & Pen News has the story:

They billed the event as a “Holy Spirit Woodstock.” The term hippies might be a broad brush to describe the charismatics flocking to the National Mall to take part in the ecstatic mind-altering worship experiences led by New Apostolic Reformation gurus like Lou Engle, but it’s hard to deny that the experience-driven, rhapsodic worshipers have something in common with the intoxicated celebrations in 1969 New York.

Steven Kozar writes of the futility and pointlessness of such a vaguely-objectiveless event at Messed Up Church. Describing the attendees singing nonsensical songs and blowing shofars to “blast away the darkness, Kozar writes…

Let’s be honest, folks, nothing is really happening here. Many of these people are wearing t-shirts from the last “world-changing” conference or rally that they attended. This is sad, delusional and useless activity being passed off as a “revival.” Do these people really believe that darkness has now been officially driven out because they gathered and clapped and stomped and chanted?

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Former Megachurch Minister Refuses to Exclude Profanity From Social Media Post: ‘I Will Not Sanitize This’

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Christian News reports on disgraced pastor Perry Nobel’s latest attempt to draw attention to himself:

A former megachurch pastor who says he has been struggling with guilt since being fired last year due to problems with alcohol abuse recently refused to exclude profanity from a social media post that transparently expressed how badly he feels about his sins and the consequences of his choices. His language has generated a variety of reactions, including concern from those who note that profanity is not to proceed from the mouths of those who profess Christ.

“I know it’s harsh, but I will not sanitize this article to appease those who may be offended at the language and want a scrubbed and safe version of Christianity that simply doesn’t work for the world!” Perry Noble of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina recently wrote on social media.

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Roman Catholic Dioceses Nationwide Being ‘Consecrated’ to ‘Immaculate Heart of Mary’

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According to Christian News:

A number of Roman Catholic dioceses nationwide—and also globally—have been consecrating themselves to the “immaculate heart of Mary” throughout 2017, a practice that evangelicals say is unbiblical and gives to the earthly mother of Jesus the devotion that should be bestowed to Christ alone.

“We are uniting ourselves to her who opens up the way for God to enter, and we are uniting our hearts to her immaculate heart, the one heart that is perfectly united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” James Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri told the National Catholic Register.

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See our Research Paper on the Roman Catholic Church

Mike Huckabee brings star power and a shot of news to TBN’s Christian lineup

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Mike Huckabee has a long list of accomplishments. For one thing he was the governor of Arkansas. Before he became governor he was a SBC pastor. Huckabee also hosted his own show on the Fox News channel, now he’s a Fox commentator. You may remember him as one of many GOP candidates in the 2008 and 2016 primaries. Huckabee’s newest venture is to host a TV show on TBN, the “world’s largest religious network.”

According to pastor-teacher John MacArthur “TBN has been dominated by faith-healers, full-time fund-raisers, and self-proclaimed prophets spewing heresy.” In other words, TBN is dominated by heretics. Heresy spewers include Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Paula White and Joyce Meyer. Faith teachers such as these are notorious for fleecing the Christian flock. TBN is rightly referred to by some as Trinity Blasphemy Network.

This begs the question. Why does it not bother Mike Huckabee that he’s linking arms with a “religious network” that shamelessly airs programs hosted by wolves in sheep’s clothing who prey on Christ’s sheep?

Tennessean has the story:

Mike Huckabee’s weekly talk show premieres Saturday on Trinity Broadcasting Network, representing a programming shift for the Christian television giant.

Hosted by the two-time Republican presidential candidate and taped just outside of Nashville, “Huckabee” will offer news commentary and feature political, musical and religious guests. Its look at current events from a practical and Biblical world view is a departure from TBN’s typical lineup flush with well-known Christian ministers, like Joel Osteen.

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Presbyterian Megachurch ‘Pastor’ Says God Isn’t Male, Denies Exclusivity of Christ

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According to Pulpit & Pen News:

Shannon Johnson Kershner is the impastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, a 5,500  member megachurch. The church just happens to be the second-largest church belonging to the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA). In a podcast with the Chicago Sun, she recently denied that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

Known as the “Exclusivity of Christ,” this doctrine teachers that the only means of salvation is through Christ. This is a benchmark doctrine of virtually all Protestant Christian thought, and is enshrined in Reformation theology as Sola Christus. Denying the Exclusivity of Christ is tacitly a form of Universalism or pseudo-Universalism, which teaches that ultimately, everyone (or most) will be saved whether or not they come to Christ for their salvation.

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Forty percent of cancers linked to obesity, overweight

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Following is the correct link to the article:

According to Fox News:

An unhealthy diet may affect more than just your waistband, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ‘Vital Signs’ report shows. In a press release on Tuesday, the CDC stated that 40 percent of all U.S. cancer diagnoses can now be linked to overweight and obesity.

The study presents daunting results, as nearly two-thirds of American adults are currently defined as overweight or obese.

“A majority of American adults weigh more than recommended – and being overweight or obese puts people at higher risk for a number of cancers – so these findings are a cause for concern,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, CDC director. “By getting to and keeping a healthy weight, we all can play a role in cancer prevention.”

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Up to 50 witnesses for Cardinal Pell sex abuse hearing

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The Local reports:

The 76-year-old, a top adviser to Pope Francis, is accused of multiple historical sexual offences relating to incidents that allegedly occurred long ago.

He is the most senior Catholic cleric to be charged with criminal offences linked to the church’s long-running sexual abuse scandal.

The exact details and nature of the allegations against Pell have not been made public, other than they involve “multiple complainants”.

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See our Research Paper on Roman Catholicism

Hollywood Producer Hides Lewd Behavior Behind Liberal Politics

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According to Zachery Lehman, “Charges against Harvey Weinstein and his own admissions reveal the man to be anything but the liberal feminist he’s claimed to be.”

LifeZette has the story:

Sixty-five-year-old Harvey Weinstein co-founded the successful studios Miramax and The Weinstein Company, and jump-started the careers of such filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith. He has arguably been Hollywood’s biggest producer for decades.

The mega-producer has also been an outspoken liberal over the years. He’s long been a critic of the National Rifle Association, and he was a major donor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016  presidential campaign. He even participated in the Women’s March in January of this year.

A new report from The New York Times reveals that, aside from his professional accomplishments and political advocacy over the past decades, Weinstein has also been leading a secret life.

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Pro-life congressman reportedly asked girlfriend to get an abortion

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Fox News reports:

An anti-abortion congressman asked his mistress to have an abortion when he thought she might be pregnant, according to a report this week.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said it obtained text messages between  Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., and Shannon Edwards, the woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair.

In a Jan. 25 text message, Edwards said Murphy had “zero issue posting your pro-life stance all over the place when you had no issue asking me to abort our unborn child just last week when we thought that was one of the options,” according to the paper.

“I’ve never written them. Staff does them. I read them and winced,” Murphy’s number replied, blaming his staff for his anti-abortion messages. “I told staff don’t write any more.”

Ultimately, Edwards was not pregnant.

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Matt Chandler Praying ‘Jesus Culture’ Over Us All Last Sunday

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Pulpit & Pen News has the story:

Matt Chandler just made an excellent move. As we explained in this post, Matt Chandler announced that Village Church was leaving behind the unbiblical multi-site church model. Of course, he didn’t call the model unbiblical and he explained that making the churches autonomous was a part of a “vision,” but still, it’s an improvement. It’s unfortunate that Chandler’s charismaticism and New Calvinist tendencies so often plagues the brilliant and dynamic ministry of such an outstanding leader.

Chandler has taught the charismatic notion of “binding and losing spirits.” He has endorsed Lent, which has been a recent trend in New Calvinism. He wrote the forward for Sam Storm’s book, promoting the growth of charismania in churches. Chandler’s social-justice bent (again, typical among New Calvinists) had his Village Church partnering with radical Islamic groups. He claimed that theoerotic Ann Voskamp was becoming his favorite author.

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Faith Based Movies Intending to Use More F-Bombs, Profanity

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The Hollywood film director who’s making these sorts of movies is a professing Christian with a Masters in Theological Studies. He claims using coarse language, that includes the F-word, plus taking the Lord’s Name in vain in his movies is all about marketing.

Good grief!

Pulpit & Pen News has the story:

Spencer Folmar is a Hollywood director and is known for producing faith-based films. He’s also a graduate of Bible College, having earned a Certificate in Leadership from the Capernway Bible School in New Zealand. He also earned a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. His latest movie was Generational Sins, a faith-based film in which two boys with a dying mother retrace their life steps and end up finding hope in their faith in God. Folmar’s production company is Third Brother Films, which describes itself as “a film production company established for the purpose of bringing compelling stories about the human condition to a film going audience in a way that artistically reflects the mind and spirit of Jesus Christ, and speaks truth to this present generation in a fresh and powerful way.”

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Keeping Kids Safe in an Age of STDs

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Dr. Meg Meeker wonders if we will see a warning on the front page of the major news organizations in the U.S. about the startling increase of STDs. Unlikely, says Dr. Meeker.  Why? Because most adults, including parents, teachers and politicians, hold the liberal view that sexual activity among teens is acceptable….and healthy.

In a piece she wrote for LifeZette, Dr. Meeker offers her advice on how to keep kids safe:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report that the sexually transmitted infections gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia have hit an all-time high. These infections have historically burdened women more than men because a woman’s reproductive anatomy is more complex.

Now these infections are affecting more pregnant women and their newborn babies.

The CDC’s report showed a whopping 36 percent increase of syphilis among women and a 28 percent increase in newborns. Gay men saw a 22 percent rise in syphilis among them — and half of these men also had HIV.

Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the CDC’s National Center of HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, sounded an alarm. “Increases in STDs are a clear warning of a growing threat. STDs are a persistent enemy, growing in number, and outpacing our ability to respond.”

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Did Hillsong Leader, Brian Houston, Lie Under Oath to Royal Commission?

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Pulpit & Pen News has the story:

I once heard a colleague make the eyebrow-raising statement, “I’d sooner put a Roman Catholic priest in charge of the nursery than a Pentecostal in charge of the worship music.” A foolhardy and controversial statement, indeed, nonetheless not without warrant. But what would be worse is if both were true.

Frank Houston, the deceased founder of Hillsong Church in Australia, was a confessed child molester–and a charismatic. He was no Roman Catholic priest, but he did run the church as the head of a top-down style ecclesiological system. If you’re unaware of the Hillsong scandal that’s been going on for years, Frank Houston confessed to molesting several children while he was the head of the church to his son, Brian Houston, the current leader. Brian Houston has now been under investigation by Australia’s Royal Commission for his possible role in sweeping his father’s crimes under the rug. During the investigation, Brian Houston made the following claims to the Royal Commission:

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HBC Elders Remove MacDonald from Leadership; Retain Him for Teaching

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One report declared that the reason James MacDonald was removed from leadership was because “nearly six hundred thousand dollars has gone unaccounted for in their operation, combined with an interconnectedness of its church plants and ‘satellite campuses.'” (Source)

The Elephants Debt has the story:

On September 22, 2017, the HBC Elders released an Update stating that James MacDonald was relieved of leadership duty, and he is to remain on staff solely for purposes of teaching/preaching. James MacDonald has been released from the Executive Leadership Team or the XLT (the staff team that runs the day-to-day of the church), and a new team will be assembled. The new XLT will report directly to the Elder Board (EC) and not James MacDonald. As usual, the Elder Update lacks sufficient transparent details to explain this significant decision, but rest assured we are dedicated to writing again on a regular basis to unpack the details.

As you know, on June 14, 2017, James MacDonald claimed to have “resigned” as President of HBF; we posted on this matter which can be found here. From a very reliable source we now can say definitively that this was a forced resignation/termination. This source also confirmed that certain HBF pastors threatened to leave HBF if MacDonald remained as President. As a natural consequence of his termination, HBF demanded an audit of HBF funds, utilizing their own auditors.

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Satanic Temple Wants Followers to Force Christian Bakers to Make a Cake to ‘Honor Satan’

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According to Christian News:

The Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple, out of its dissatisfaction with Christian-owned bakeries that decline to make cakes celebrating same-sex “weddings,” is now asking its followers to force bakers to make a cake for Satan.

The group says that it came up with the idea in light of the Masterpiece Cakeshop case soon to be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“[B]ecause sexual orientation is not a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (whereas race and religion are), there is a good chance that the right to discriminate against gay couples will be affirmed as a constitutional liberty,” it wrote.

Out of the Satanic Temple’s fears that the court will likely rule in favor of the cakeshop, it has asked that those “who feel alienated or oppressed by the privileged status that religion holds over sexual orientation” contact religious bakers and order a cake to “honor Satan.”

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‘Miracles really do happen,’ Scalise says to House

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Baptist Press has the story:

Steve Scalise, the House’s majority whip and a leading conservative in the Republican Party, spoke today (Sept. 28) after walking into the packed chamber with the aid of crutches. He was shot June 14 at an Alexandria, Va., park as GOP members practiced for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.

His ability to return to the House “starts with God,” Scalise said. “When I was laying out on that ball field, the first thing I did once I was down and I couldn’t move anymore was I just started to pray. And I tell you it gave me an unbelievable sense of calm, knowing at that point it was in God’s hands.

“But I prayed for very specific things,” he told his colleagues. “And I’ll tell you, pretty much every one of those prayers was answered, and there were some pretty challenging prayers I was putting in God’s hand. But He really did deliver for me and my family. And it just gives you that renewed faith and understanding that the power of prayer is something that you just cannot underestimate.”

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