November 11, 2021

Magic Johnson Thanks God For Living 30 Years With HIV

Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson recently recognized the 30th anniversary of his retirement from the NBA following his HIV diagnosis. On Sunday, Johnson, now 62, took to social media to reflect on how God has used the past three decades of his life. He wrote, “God has really blessed me! Today marks 30 years living with HIV, so the message resonated with me in such a tremendous way. I thank the Lord for keeping me, giving me strength, and guiding me for 62 years but especially the last 30.” Johnson is a member of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in LA. Read more of his testimony here.

 

Pastor John MacArthur Says Zoom Church Is Not Church

For those who who worship at their church through zoom, pastor John MacArthur has a message. Zoom church cannot fulfill the New Testament’s commands for Christians. “Zoom church is not church. It’s not church. It’s watching TV,” MacArthur told members of his congregation, Grace Community Church in California. “There’s nothing about that that fulfills the biblical definition of coming together, stimulating one another in love and good works … sitting under the Word of God, praying together, being led by those who preach the Word and open the Scripture.” Read more about his views on zoom church here.

 

U.S. Supreme Court To Discuss If Death Row Inmates Are Entitled To A Pastor

 A Texas inmate’s request that his pastor be able to touch him and pray aloud with him in the death chamber met a mixed reception on Tuesday at the Supreme Court. Some justices said the request was a modest one that respected the inmate’s right to exercise his faith in his final moments while others disagreed. Lawyers for the inmate have argued that the state’s actions violate the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of the free exercise of religion as well as federal law. For the past four years, the inmate in question has been a member of the Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, though he cannot attend services in person. Read more about the lawsuit here. 

 

Veterans Untied Home Loans Launches National Campaign To Highlight Vets

Veterans United Home Loans, a Missouri-based mortgage lender and the nation’s largest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans provider, announced its donation of 11 homes to 11 deserving U.S. veterans. Veterans United teamed up with Marine veteran and comedian Rob Riggle to select 10 veterans making a difference in their communities for 10 home giveaways and is donating one more to any veteran who enters for a chance to win at ThanksToVeterans.com. Veterans play a pivotal role in strengthening civic health, from volunteerism and voting to charitable giving and community involvement. Read more about the giveaway here.