Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NASB) 

I grew up as a Southern Baptist. I have heard a lot of very good preaching in my 68+ years. However, I have also heard a lot of what I would call now-a-days, humanistic preaching. Until just a few years ago I really didn’t know the difference, or if I did, then it was that the former was grounded deeper into the Word of God than the latter…. Continue reading →

Christianity Has Been Handling Epidemics for 2000 Years

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

“The Christian motive for hygiene and sanitation does not arise in self-preservation but in an ethic of service to our neighbor. We wish to care for the afflicted, which first and foremost means not infecting the healthy. Early Christians created the first hospitals in Europe as hygienic places to provide care during times of plague, on the understanding that negligence that spread disease further was, in fact, murder.”

(Lyman Stone – Foreign Policy)  The modern world has suddenly become reacquainted with the oldest traveling companion of human history: existential dread and the fear of unavoidable, inscrutable death…. Continue reading →

We’re Following A One-Size-Fits-All Coronavirus Strategy Right Into A Great Depression

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

“…for now, the real tax on everyone’s nerves is uncertainty. Americans are uncertain about the danger of this disease for their family and loved ones, they’re uncertain whether the hospital will be able to take care of them even if they don’t have the coronavirus, they’re uncertain about whether they’ll have a livelihood to go back to once the government lets them out of their homes, or whether their kids will ever go back to school. They’re even uncertain whether they should wear a mask.”

(Ben Domenech – Federalist)  Our leadership class responded to the outbreak of the coronavirus by shutting down the economy on a nationwide scale. While this will mitigate the loss of life the virus might otherwise have caused, it’s clear we’re also confronting a challenge no medical innovation can cure…. Continue reading →

Samaritans Purse Pop-up Hospital In NY Draws Scorn From Gay Democrat Senator

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

“The organization has been operating for over 50 years, sent out tens of thousands of volunteers, trained hundreds of thousands of workers, provided medical aid and relief in war-torn hellscapes and the harshest of conditions, has an operating budget of almost $700,000,000, engages in large-scale relief efforts, and operates in over 100 countries.” 

(Pulpit & Pen)  Samaritan’s Purse has come under new scrutiny from a bevvy of democrats and LGBT groups, sparked by New York Democratic Senator Brad Hoylman for his criticism of their statement of faith that it requires volunteer doctors and nurses at their new relief hospital to sign. Continue reading →

What My Obedience to God Costs Other People

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

Back in 2004 God took me through a year long renewal/revival with Him. By the end of that I found that I no longer cared anything about becoming “seen” or “known” through “religiosity.” No, all I cared about was being where God wanted me to be, doing what He wanted me to be doing. However, I still had some learning experiences to work through.  I naively assumed that other believers I knew would automatically see the truths God was revealing to my heart and rejoice in their own revival. However, that was not the case…. Continue reading →

Covid-19 And End Of Faith Healing?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

Where are the faith healers as the coronavirus is ravaging the world?

“Faith healing is often seen as a demonstration of supernatural benevolence or an affirmation of the transcendental capacity of the deities, spirits, and ancestors. So what happened to these supposed abilities of these superhuman agents? Do these deities exist or are they figments of various cultural imaginations? Why have faith healing potentials failed to manifest as the world grapples to contain the pandemic?”

(Leo Igwe – Modern Ghana)  Has the outbreak of the coronavirus marked an end to faith healing practices in Nigeria, Africa and the world? This question has become necessary because traditional, Christian and Islamic faith healing claims have been rampant…. Continue reading →

Chinese researchers isolated deadly bat coronaviruses near Wuhan animal market

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

“…the 2017 news report and 2019 video suggest several possibilities of accidental infection. They include accidental exposure in caves or field laboratories by those without proper protection, accidental infection during transit from caves or field laboratories, accidental infection inside the Wuhan CDC lab because of poor security, and accidental infection during shared work between the Wuhan CDC and the Wuhan Institute of Virology because of inadequate security at the CDC.”

(Bill Gertz – The Washington Times)  Chinese government researchers isolated more than 2,000 animal viruses, including deadly bat coronaviruses, and carried out scientific work on them just three miles from a wild animal market identified as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue reading →

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Goes Off Script, Encourages People Turn To God, Read Bibles During Trump Press Conference

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

As Lindell exited the Rose Garden stage, Trump said, “I did not know he was going to do that. He’s a friend of mine and I appreciate that.”

(Paul Bios – Daily Wire) During the Monday White House press conference centered on the COVID-19 pandemic, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell went off-script when he called upon Americans to read their Holy Bibles and find God during this unprecedented time of crisis.

Referring to the day Donald Trump won the presidency against Hillary Clinton, Lindell said,  “God gave us grace on Nov. 8, 2016 to change the course we were on. God had been taken out of our schools and lives, a nation had turned its back on God.” Continue reading →

The Scarlet Woman

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” Revelation 17:1-2 (NASB) 

John the Baptist was the one who was sent to make the way straight, to prepare the way for the one who was to come. Of course the one who was to come is our Lord Jesus Christ the long awaited Messiah of the Jews…. Continue reading →

The Church after the Coronavirus

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

“There will be wolves seeking to attack the members of local church online and through various other channels during this time of separation. Good under-shepherds must guide their congregations with clear and loving communication so that members of local churches do not fall by the way on account of this trial. Here are a few things keep in mind…”

(Nick Batzig – Bible Reformation Network)  The past three weeks have proved to be an unprecedented time of uncertainty for people throughout the world. Concern over the impact of the coronavirus has seized medical professionals, the elderly, those with weak immune systems, business owners, financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and—most significantly—local churches. Continue reading →

How China, The WHO, The CDC and the Mainstream Media Worked Together to Create the Greatest Pandemic Hysteria in World History

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

“The media in the US and around the world are corrupt and repeating China’s talking points.  What the media seldom mentions is that the individuals who are dying from the coronavirus are elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.  Everyone else is at a very, very low risk of dying.  The fatality rate for young people is almost zero but we keep children from their schools.”

(Jim Holt – The Gateway Pundit) China, the World Health Organization, the CDC and the leftist media combined to create the greatest pandemic hysteria in world history.  Here’s how they did it. Continue reading →

FACT: Where Abortion Clinics Are Closed, Coronavirus is SAVING More Lives Than It’s Taking

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

(Pulpit & Pen) The Republic of Texas placed a temporary moratorium on elective abortion procedures in the wake of the coronavirus panic. Called by leftist media, the “biggest-ever disruption for embattled women’s health providers,” Attorney General Ken Paxton’s decision to close abortuaries is a common-sense provision designed to reserve medical supplies for those trying to save lives. A survey of Texas abortion and coronavirus statistics demonstrates that at least within Texas, coronavirus is a life-saving virus. Continue reading →

FDA Gives Emergency Authorization of Hydroxychloroquine Use

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency authorization Sunday for hydroxychloroquine, a drug already used to treat malaria and other ailments, which has shown anecdotal efficacy against coronavirus.”

(Joel Pollak – Breitbart) The use of the drug — often paired with azithromycin — has not yet been proven in clinical trials to be effective against the disease. However, given reported success in a growing number of small, non-randomized studies; as well as testimonials from doctors and patients about the use of the “off-label” drug regimen, doctors are said to be prescribing the treatment to patients who are severely ill. Anecdotally, many doctors are taking it prophylactically. Continue reading →

He Was Numbered With The Transgressors

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (NASB) 

When this blog first came online in 2006 and then when I became associated with Christian Research Network in 2007 the number one topic that seemed to consume my time was debating a group of people called the “Emergents.” One of their leaders was Brian McLaren…. Continue reading →

Accountability

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 9 “When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. 10 “For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. 11 “Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest.” Psalms 95:7-11 (NASB)

Preaching or teaching from God’s Word is nothing to trifle with. The responsibility that goes with each is eternal. Those who minister through the Word will be held accountable. We must ask each time we preach or teach, “Did I treat what is Holy as it deserved? Have I fallen into doing my ministry perfunctorily?”… Continue reading →

Mother Earth or Father God?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“We see it at other times in history—Alexander the Great, Rome, the Third Reich, etc. God has a way of slowing arrogant advance. Of showing how weak and fragile we are. As nations we have pillaged his world, ignored his day, rejected his Son, banished his presence, rewritten his laws, and proclaimed ourselves masters of our fate. We are consumed with our own awesomeness.”

(Mark Loughridge – Gentle Reformation) Apparently, the city of Venice is enjoying crystal clear waters in its world-famous canals due to a lack of debris from tourists and near-zero boat traffic under Italy’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown. Continue reading →

No, New York City Has Not Been Turned Into an Apocalyptic War Zone

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

“The head of surgery at New York Presbyterian told NBC News New York that while the number of patients on ventilators has more than doubled, they still have the necessary resources to deal with the issue.”

(Todd Starnes – Townhall)  Contrary to the narrative being advanced by the Mainstream Media and Democrats, the nation’s largest city has not been divided into competing districts like some sort of dystopian movie.

There is no disputing that the coronavirus has caused suffering and death across New York City. There’s also no disputing that the virus has upended millions of lives and disrupted the city’s economy. Continue reading →

‘As a Black Woman I Will Never Support Planned Parenthood. It’s Racist’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Though abortions hurt families of every race and culture, statistics indicate that abortions disproportionately hurt the African American community. Census data indicates that African Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, but they have nearly 40 percent of all abortions. According to New York City health statistics, more African American babies are aborted in the city than are born each year.” 

(Micaiah Bilger – Life News) A young conservative black woman is raising awareness about the abortion chain Planned Parenthood through a series of short videos on social media. Continue reading →

Are You Open to Correction?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

A friend of mine went to his wife and asked for feedback. The next day, I asked him how it went, and he said to me, “I don’t expect she’ll ever give me feedback again.” When she said what she thought, he got angry and defensive, even though he had asked for her opinion.

How do we fare with criticism? Do we listen when we get feedback? Or do we recoil when a friend offers a gentle suggestion, a thoughtful correction, or a blunt critique? Continue reading →

Elites have 2 priorities during our crisis: Help China and more immigration

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

“With the nation on lockdown is it not wise to lockout foreigners? Why should Americans be confined in our homes as legal and illegal immigrants cross our border with impunity? We don’t know the health status of these individuals. Is it wise to keep the door not only unlocked but open?”

(Capstone Report)  Elites: Lockdown Americans? Great. Lockout foreigners? Racist!

“The problem isn’t that Trump wants to put American interests first or that China puts its own interests first. It’s that for decades American leaders have put China’s interests first.” — KT McFarland, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump Continue reading →

Dr. Birx Pops Media’s Coronavirus Panic Balloon

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“On Thursday, the U.K. readjusted a report that initially claimed some 500,000 people would die from the coronavirus in the U.K. and some 2.2 million would perish in the United States. The number for the U.K. was adjusted down to 20,000 deaths, a mere 4 percent of the original estimate, to account for the public health interventions that have since been put in place. …”

(Bronson Stocking – Townhall)  During the coronavirus taskforce briefing on Thursday, Dr. Deborah Birx rebuked much of the media’s panic reporting about the number of estimated deaths related to the coronavirus and the state of America’s medical supplies. Continue reading →

US Dept. of Justice Agrees It Is Not Fair for Males Who Identify as Female to Compete in Girls’ Sports

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“Following the Athletic Conference’s decision to provide “transgender student athletes with equal opportunities to participate in CIAC athletic programs consistent with their gender identity,” two biological boys, who go by the names Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller, were permitted to join the girls track team at their school and compete as females — moving on to the New England regionals.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a Statement of Interest in a case involving three female high school track athletes who sued the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and other entities over a policy allowing students to compete in sports in accordance with their stated “gender identity.” Continue reading →

To Save the Village We’re Destroying It

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

“The markets…are what enable you to choose multiple different kinds of bread — from artisanal sourdough to prepackaged sliced — when you go to the shops; they are the pension which gives you a comfortable retirement; they’re the one or two holidays abroad you can afford to take each year; they are your kids’ job prospects; they are pretty much everything that makes your life and my life worth living.”

(James Delingpole – Breitbart) When all this is over we’re going to look back and see who has had a good war and who has had a bad war; who called it right, who covered themselves in glory, who showed themselves to be an hysterical bedwetter, who placed too much trust in the wrong “experts”, and so on. Continue reading →

The Test of Shame

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” Matthew 11:2-6 (NASB) 

Do you remember the first time that someone ridiculed you for your faith? How did it feel? The Test of Shame is one that comes upon all professing Christians. This test is designed to separate the genuine from the disingenuous…. Continue reading →

Epidemiologist Behind Highly-Cited Coronavirus Model Drastically Revises Model

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“He now says that the U.K. should have enough ICU beds and that the coronavirus will probably kill under 20,000 people in the U.K. — more than 1/2 of whom would have died by the end of the year in any case [because] they were so old and sick.” 

(Amanda Prestigiacomo – Daily Wire)  Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, who created the highly-cited Imperial College London coronavirus model, which has been cited by organizations like The New York Times and has been instrumental in governmental policy decision-making, offered a massive revision to his model on Wednesday. Continue reading →