Feel Good News

Bible Knowledge Is Fading Away

While many people call Christianity their faith, a recent study shows that less people are actually reading their Bibles. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, the newly elected secretary-general of World Evangelical Alliance, believes that biblical illiteracy is a growing, troubling trend in the global evangelical church today. He says that not knowing what the word of God says leads Christians into believing false gospels. Read more of the study here.

Fire Destroys Historic Church

A massive fire, which erupted early Saturday in a vacant building in New York City’s East Village, spread to and destroyed one of the city’s oldest churches that is home to New York’s Liberty Bell, among other structures, including a women’s shelter. Although the fire gutted the church, parishioners vowed that services would continue, and are thankful no one was hurt in the blaze. Read more about this historic church here.

Mercy Me Releases New Song

Popular Christian Artists, MercyMe, have released a new song called, “Say I Won’t”. The song highlights the personal experience of  Gary Miracle, who was the first merchandising representative and bus driver for the band 25 years ago, and lost both arms and legs in January after falling into septic shock. Miracle is in the video for the song showing his struggle with coming back after receiving prosthetic limbs. Watch the music video here.

Lord Of The Rings Cast Buying J.R.R. Tolkien House

Attention all Middle Earth fans. Actors from the Hobbit films including Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman along with other celebrity fans, have organized a crowdfunding campaign to purchase J.R.R. Tolkiens’s house. The organizer’s want the house to be a place where fans of the writer can go and get a glimpse inside his life. The goal is to raise 6 million dollars for the purchase and renovations to the home. Read more about their efforts here.

The Most Read Bible Verse Of 2020

In a year filled with fear and anxiety, more people than ever are searching for comfort in the Bible. One popular Bible app saw searches increase by 80 percent in 2020, totaling nearly 600 million worldwide. The most popular verse? Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Read more popular verses here.

Christian Group Puts On Live Nativity Scene In Washington DC

A live nativity scene put on by Christian organization, Faith & Liberty, was seen going around the Supreme Court building and the U.S. Capitol Building. The nativity included Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and three wise men. The group put the scene on as a testament to Christianity and the Gospel story. In addition to standing between the two buildings, the actors sang, prayed, and read the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Matthew. Read more about the nativity scene here.

Most Americans Say Covid-19 Will Change Christmas

Covid-19 has changed the way Americans plan to celebrate this holiday season. Data collected by LifeWay Research reports an online survey of 1,200 Americans, conducted Sept. 9-23, using a national pre-recruited panel, shows that 65% Americans will make at least one change to their Christmas plans as a result of the pandemic. Whether it be buying less gifts, canceling family get togethers, or attending church services, people say their focus will be instead on God. Read more of the study’s results here.

Carrie Underwood And Son Sing Christmas Carol

Carrie Underwood is one of my favorites, so when she released her version of The Little Drummer Boy with her five year old son, Isaiah, my heart melted. The sweet duet is part of her new HBO Max special called, My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood. The singer is quoted as saying, “So happy we captured the sweetest voice in this special moment in time.” Read more about the Christmas special here.

Bethlehem’s inns Empty this Christmas

In 2020 Mary and Joseph would have no problem finding lodging. The coronavirus has halted Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, all but shutting down the biblical town revered as Jesus’ birthplace at the height of the normally cheery holiday season. Many hotels usually filled to capacity during the holiday season have been forced to close, and the famous Christmas tree lighting ceremony has been scaled down to include only a few people. Read more about the impact the virus is making on this small biblical town here.

More North Korean’s Having Access To Bible

Despite the persecution of Christians in North Korea, the annual White Paper on Religious Freedom in North Korea from The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights found that the number of North Koreans who responded that “they have an experience of seeing the Bible” increased by 4% each year since 2000. Pastor Eric Foley of Voice of the Martyrs Korea, said that despite the crackdown on religion, “God is finding ways to get Bibles into North Korea.” Read more about these Korean Christians here.

Franklin Graham Says 1.7 Million Accepted Christ Through This Years BGEA Efforts

In a year filled with bad news, its wonderful to hear about those who receive Christ as their savior and turn their lives over to the Lord. Evangelist Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse (BGEA) reported that 1.7 million people gave their lives to Christ in 2020 through their online ministries – over twice as many as last year. Read more about their efforts to share the Gospel here.

Michael Jordon Donate 2 Million Dollars To Feed Hungry

Known as a basketball icon, Michael Jordon also hjas a heart of charity. Donating proceeds from the hit documentary “The Last Dance” to Feeding America, to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. Jordon is quoted as saying, “In these challenging times and in a year of unimaginable difficulty due to Covid-19, it’s more important than ever to pause and give thanks. I am proud to be donating to food banks in the Carolinas and Chicago to help feed America’s hungry.” Read more about his generosity here.

Supreme Court Blocks Covid Restrictions On Churches

A victory was won by those who want to practice their faith in New York. The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday in favor of a Catholic diocese and an Orthodox Jewish group, temporarily blocking New York’s COVID-19 restrictions on houses of worship. The high court was cited as saying even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten. Read more of the ruling here.

Christian Psychotherapist Explains How Gratitude Impacts Your Health

In a year where finding gratitude is more difficult, psychotherapist and licensed mental health counselor Dr. Scott Bush believes gratitude can play a major role in our mental and spiritual health. He claims the greater our thankfulness, the happier we’ll be. And Bush says taking the time to look at what we can be grateful for “can change the whole dynamic of our life and our attitude.” Read more about his thoughts on gratitude and happiness here.

Starbucks Fires Barista For Refusing To Wear “Pride” Shirt

New Jersey resident, Betsy Fresse, a Christian from Newark, was fired for refusing to wear a shirt that went against her Christian beliefs. After stating she believed marriage to be between one man and one woman, Fresse refused to wear a “Pride” shirt which shows supports for homosexuality. Claiming she was let go shortly thereafter, Fresse has filed suit against the company for discrimination. Read more about her lawsuit here.

Couple Uses Deposit From Cancelled Wedding To Feed Others

When Illinois residents, Emily Bugg and Billy Lewis had to cancel their wedding ceremony due to covid restrictions, they didn’t let it get them down. Instead they chose to get married at city hall and use the money they would have spent on the reception to help others. The couple purchased 200 Thanksgiving dinners for clients of Thresholds, a nonprofit mental health provider dedicated to helping people with serious mental illnesses and substance use conditions. Read more about their generosity here. 

Christian Medical Group Urges Churches To Close

In some states where churches remained closed yet bars and strip clubs are allowed to stay open, a prominent association of Christian doctors is urging churches to stop in person gatherings. Christian Medical and Dental Associations says the recommendation is about loving one another and minimizing risk to the vulnerable around us. Read more about their reasoning here. 

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Creator Dies

Remember the ice bucket challenge when everyone was dumping cold water over their heads? The challenge was started to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. One of the co-creators, Patrick Quinn, died after a seven long year battle with the disease. Read about this disease and how the awareness continues here.

Housing Boom In The Middle Of Pandemic

Paralyzed Gymnast Starts Tea Company

On track at the time as an Olympic hopeful, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, saw her dreams as an athlete end when she became a quadriplegic. But instead of defeat, she turned things around by starting her own company. Called, Cup of Té, Noel went on to create her own line of organic tea blends and tea accessories. Read more about this inspiring young lady here.

Charlie Brown Returns To Public Television

After Appletv, who purchased the rights to Charles Schultz’s Peanuts, announced the specials will only be see on AppleTv, people were outraged. Now they’ve reversed their decision. After receiving a petition containing more than 250,000 signatures, the company says the specials will now air on PBS as well. Read more about the times and days here.

Christian Astronaut Heads To Outer Space

Have you ever wanted to go to outer space? Christian astronaut Victor Glover is headed for a six-month stint in outer space to take part in a science mission at the International Space Station. Bringing with him communion cups and a Bible, Glover plans to continue virtual service, virtual giving, reading his Bible and praying. Read more about his upcoming adventure here.

Christians Donate 27,000 Bibles

here in American we take for granted the ability to pick up and read a Bible whenever we want. but that’s not true for many around the world. So a Michigan charity called, Mission Cry, an organization that works with local churches by sending them bibles and helping with church plants, just sent 27,000 Bibles to Albania to aid persecuted Christians in the country. Read more about their efforts here.

Home Depot Giving 1 Billion In Raises

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, The Home Depot has been supporting its associates with expanded paid time off for all hourly workers and implementing temporary weekly bonuses for everyone. Now the company has announced its investing profits into its employees. Read more about the bonuses here.

Pastors Launch Church Planting Network

A group of of pastors have launched a network called, The Crete Collective. The team focuses on building churches in black, Hispanic, and Asian American communities. It plans to launch a half dozen churches over the next two years, focusing on poor neighborhoods in urban centers, and hopes to encourage people of color to become leaders in the religious community. Read more about their outreach here.

Rudy Giuliani Claims Massive Fraud Used To Steal Election

Rudy Giuliani and other lawyers representing President Donald Trump held a news conference on Thursday claiming a stolen election. The allegations ranged from complaints that Republican observers weren’t allowed to observe vote-counting, to a claim that U.S. voting machines made by Dominion Voting Systems Inc. used software made in Venezuela at the direction of Hugo Chavez. Read more of the lawyer’s claims here.

Biggest Concerns Facing Church Leaders Over Covid-19

With restrictions over in person worship and churches being closed, leaders are struggling with reshaping the church in the Covid-19 climate. Today’s ‘new normal’ has worship being conducted virtually. This leads to struggles over disciple making and the need for physical buildings. Church leaders have been tasked with developing a new model for online ministry. Read more about their concerns here.

Christian Pastor Advances On The Voice

California Pastor, Jim Ranger, turned three chairs this season on the popular singing show The Voice, singing Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” In the battle rounds of the competition last week, the minister at New Life Church beat out fellow contestant John Sullivan and is now on his way to the four-way knockouts. Ranger expressed his humility and gratitude at all the support coming his way. Read more about his singing journey here.

Kansas School Stops Christmas Charity

In a year where love and charity is desperately needed, a Kansas middle school has stopped a program giving gifts to needy children. Because of a complaint from an atheist group, the school ceased to be involved in Operation Christmas Child, a program by Samaritan’s Purse. No longer will the school be filling shoeboxes with gifts and donating them to the poor. Read more about the decision here.

Charities Trying to Save Christmas Despite Covid-19

With the rise of positive Covid-19 cases, charities are struggling because of cancellations and downsizing of annual giving opportunities. Organizations are being forced to rethink their ways of fundraising, as the needs of those hit by the pandemic are growing daily. Vowing to still continue with giving, the charities are coming up with new ways of donating. Read more about their efforts here.

First Christian Airline To Transport Missionaries

The first Christian Airline, called Judah 1, is set to launch in  2021. Started by a non-profit ministry, the airline is based out of Louisiana, and plans to fly missionaries around the world. While missionaries will have to pay airfare, Judah 1 has no baggage fees and no cargo fees. The plan is to fly to areas around the world normal airlines cannot and spread the gospel. Read more about this new airline here.

Arlington Wreath Laying Ceremony Back On

Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy has directed Arlington National Cemetery to reverse course and allow the annual wreath laying at veterans’ graves by Wreaths Across America and its many volunteers. The Officials from the cemetery announced the event would be cancelled this year due to covid-19 concerns. But after facing backlash from around the country, the government stepped in. Read more about the event here.

Indianan Town Fights To Keep Nativity Scene

Nativity scenes have always been a part of the Christmas holiday. But in Jackson County, Indiana, a federal district judge ruled that a nativity scene in front of the courthouse is unconstitutional. The nativity scene has been on display yearly since 2003 which includes Santa and his reindeer. The city plans to fight the decision. Read more about the ongoing case here.

San Diego Closes Churches But Opens Strip Clubs

Apparently seeing nude women is more important than practicing your faith in California. For while churches remain shut due to covid-19, San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil ordered California to to reopen strip clubs. Cristian leaders who have long been fighting for in person church services to reopen, call the decision absurd and shows the hypocrisy of the states leaders. Read more about this religious legal battle here.

Armenians Fear Ethnic Cleansing

After a peace deal this week ended the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, many Armenians fear the agreement will put their history as a Christian nation at risk. Although the deal ends bloodshed between the two countries, many Armenian Christians are afraid of ethnic cleansing by the Azeri military who is backed by the country of Turkey. Read more about the peace deal here.

Daughter Gets Job So She Can Be With Her Father

After covid-19 prohibited 49-year-old Nina Ambrose from seeing her father, she took action. Ambrose’s father, who suffers with dementia, now sees his daughter regularly since she volunteered as an activities and events coordinator in his nursing home. Volunteering has led to a new calling for Nina who is now considering making it her new vocation. Read about this loving family here.

Massachusetts Democrats Back ‘Infanticide Bill” 

Pro-life supporters are up in arms over a proposed amendment to the current abortion laws in Massachusetts. Labeling it the “infanticide bill”, critics say the legislation would allow abortion up until the moment of birth and remove the current protections for babies who survive abortion. Read more about this disturbing amendment here.

Russell Moore To Receive Defender Of Religious Freedom Award

Religious liberty for peoples of all faith is an important and vital fight. Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, will be honored for his work in religious freedom activism. Moore, who has been in the trenches fighting for religious freedom, is the second person to win the award. Read more about his efforts here.

Hillsong Church Being Investigated

Hillsong church announced it would be conducting internal investigations of its Hillsong NYC/ East Coast church. After Pastor Carl Lentz of the New York church was fired for moral transgressions, including an extra marital affair, Hillsong west coast Pastor Brian Houston, announced the investigation, citing it was the best for all involved. Read more about the church here.

Businesses Help Fellow Businesses With Covid-19

When an employee of the popular New Jersey restaurant, Würstbar, tested positive for covid-19, the eatery put the staff on quarantine. But instead of having to close down, their neighbors at Virile Barber Shop offered to help. Workers from the barber shop stepped in and took shifts at the restaurant until the wait staff could be cleared to return to work. Read about this neighborhood working hand in hand here.