News Of The Day

Biblical Archeologists Find Formation Resembling Noah’s Ark

Biblical archaeologists used ground penetrating radar to study a boat-like formation on Mount Tendürek in eastern Turkey, which has long been rumored to be the location of the legendary vessel from the Book of Genesis. But Geologists on the other hand claim the mountainous lump, which was discovered half a century ago, is simply an unusual rock formation. In the Book of Genesis, the mountains of Ararat in what is now eastern Turkey is the region in which Noah’s Ark comes to rest after the Great Flood – which is close to Mount Tendürek. Read more about the images here.

New Film Called The Jesus Music Hits Theaters October 1st

Featuring artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and Michael Tait, “The Jesus Music” is a documentary which tells the untold story of how Christian music became a worldwide phenomenon. The film shares some of the stories of popular contemporary Christian artists. This fascinating documentary reveals the music’s uplifting and untold story, from its humble beginnings at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, through its transformation into the multibillion-dollar industry of Christian contemporary music today. Read more about the film here.

Lutheran Pastor Goes On Fast Until Climate Change Bill Passed 

Goodbye Kisses Jar Offers A Last Treat For Dogs Before They are Euthanized

An Alabama animal hospital’s bittersweet tradition is bringing tears to the eyes of those on the internet. Smiths Station Animal Hospital shared a photo showing a glass jar filled with Hershey’s kisses, with the outside of the jar labeled “goodbye kisses.” Along with the photo was the caption, “This jar is reserved for our euthanasia appointments… because no dog should go to Heaven without tasting chocolate.” Hospital staff said they have gotten messages from people from all over the world about how their post touched their hearts. Read more about the treats here.

Southern Baptist Convention Mandates Covid-19 Vaccines For Missionaries

Truly wanting to protect others, and do no harm, the global agency of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest evangelical Protestant denomination in the U.S., announced this month it is requiring vaccinations for missionaries going into the field amid the pandemic. “This is a very common-sense decision,” said Ed Stetzer, a Southern Baptist who is dean of Mission, Ministry and Leadership at Wheaton College. “Mission-sending agencies from the United States have the real opportunity to be vaccinated, and they’re going to places around the world that don’t.” Read more about the decision here.

Megachurch Charter Bus crash Injures Over 30

“We ask that you would continue to pray for each student and their families during this very difficult time,” David Ashcraft, senior pastor of Lives Changed By Christ Church in Lancaster County, is asking for prayers for the students and their families after a bus crash injured dozens. A church statement said that the bus was carrying 31 students and leaders and the driver, and that the buses were returning from a high school ministry retreat at Lake Champion, New York. The bus went off the right side of the road and onto the shoulder, then through a grassy area, crashing through a guardrail that divides the lanes, and about 50 yards into a wooded area before it stopped, still on its wheels. Read more about the accident here.

Pope Francis Declares He’s Still Alive Though Some Want Him Dead

Pope Francis has joked that some people in the Church hoped he would not survive his recent colon operation. Asked about his health by one of the Jesuits, Francis was quoted as replying: “Still alive. Although some people wanted me dead. I know that there were even meetings between prelates who thought that the Pope was in a more serious condition than was being said,” he added. “They were preparing the conclave (to elect a new pope). So be it. Thank God, I am well.” Francis, who was elected pontiff in 2013, underwent colon surgery on July 4, and spent 11 days in hospital. He has since resumed a full work schedule. Read more his remarks here.

Firefighters Saving Sequoia By Wrapping Tree In Blankets

The KNP Complex Fire in California, has now burned 23,743 acres and is 0% contained, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks said in an update Monday morning. The fire has grown by thousands of acres in each recent day. And now, to save he world’s largest tree, a sequoia named General Sherman, recently got a blanket to help protect it from a raging wildfire. The sequoia was wrapped with house-wrapping material, kind of an aluminum-foil fabric that goes around the base of the tree. A fire-resistant foil capable of withstanding 1,200°F. The September 9th “Windy Fire,” was started by a lighting strike, burned 25,000 acres in Peyrone Sequoia Grove and the Red Hill Grove before it converged on Sequoia National Park. Read more about the efforts here.

Megachurch Pastor Says There Is No Credible Religious Argument Against Covid Vaccines

Because a fetal cell line was used during the testing phase of covid vaccines, some Christians are reluctant to get vaccinated. But Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, says religious faith is no reason to not get vaccinated. Evangelical Christians, according to the Pew Research Center, are more likely to be anti-vaccine. But Jeffress recently said that “there is no credible religious argument against the vaccines,” adding in an email sent to the Associated Press that he and his staff “are neither offering nor encouraging members to seek religious exemptions from the vaccine mandates.” Read more about his position here.

SoCal Harvest Returning After Halt From Pandemic

One of the longest evangelistic events in the nation is returning. Pastor Greg Laurie, who leads Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, is hosting the event, SoCal Harvest, in person on October 3 in Anaheim at 7:00 pm PST. The annual Christian event will be making a return next month for the first time in two years after it was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve never in my entire life and ministry encountered more hearts awakened to the Gospel,” said Laurie. “I believe in the wake of the global pandemic we might be on the precipice of a great, global revival.” Read more about the event here.

Christian Magician Wins America Got Talent

Season 16 of America’s Got Talent came to a close on Wednesday, September 15 after Christian magician. Dustin Tavella was crowned the winner. Tavella gained popularity with tricks about family, hope and generosity. “This is what I was hoping for. This is what I was praying for.” said the magician. ‘I am so blessed.” Each of Tavella’s tricks had a theme. In Tavella’s final trick of the season, he urged the audience to be generous and told them that a “small act of kindness can go a really long way.” In recent years he and his wife, Kari, have been involved in homeless ministry and a crisis pregnancy ministry. Read more about his win here. 

Standing More Often Could Help Prevent Chronic Diseases

In a Finnish collaborative study, researchers noticed that standing is associated with better insulin sensitivity. Increasing the daily standing time may therefore help prevent chronic diseases. Insulin is a key hormone in energy metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Normal insulin function in the body may be disturbed, leading to decreased insulin sensitivity and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Researchers have noticed that standing is associated with better insulin sensitivity. Increasing the daily standing time may therefore help prevent chronic diseases. Read more about the study here.

Bible Translator Marilyn Laszlo Passes Away At Age 88

A Bible translator who helped develop a written language for a Papua New Guinea village has died from Alzheimer’s near Valparaiso, Indiana. Laszlo spent 24 years living in the Hauna Village in Papua New Guinea. There, she formulated a written language and translated the Bible for the once-unreached Sepik Iwam people, starting by carving words into banana leaves. The ministry efforts she began in Hauna more than 50 years ago, including a church, school, and clinic, continue to this day. Read more about this woman of God here.

Rapper Pardoned By President Trump Receives Jesus As His Savior

Rapper Bill Kahan Kapri, popularly known by his stage name “Kodak Black,” was one of 73 people granted pardons by former President Donald Trump before he left office. Now the rapper has announced his acceptance of “Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” In 2019, Kapri was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for making a false statement in order to buy a firearm. He was serving His sentence when hevreceived the pardon. A number of religious leaders, including Pastor Darrell Scott and Rabbi Schneur Kaplan, also supported the pardon. Read more about his conversion here.

Religious Exemption Requests Spike After Vaccine Mandate

President Joe Biden has issued sweeping new vaccine mandates covering more than 100 million Americans, including executive branch employees and workers at businesses with more than 100 people on the payroll. Since then requests for opting out of the vaccine due to religious beliefs are on the rise. About 3,000 Los Angeles Police Department employees are citing religious objections to try to get out of the required COVID-19 vaccination. In Washington state, hundreds of state workers are seeking similar exemptions. Read more about the exemptions here.

Boy Raises Over $32,000 For Charity From Lemonade Stand

Wyatt Dennis, an 8-year-old Piedmont boy, set up a free lemonade stand that was a must-stop destination for many attending this year’s 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. His free lemonade stand started off as a way for him to raise money for college and get himself a Lego set, but also included a way to give back to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. He earned that money and much more thanks to thousands of shares on social media and even national news. Because of the generosity of those who donated, Wyatt was able to give $31,394.50 to the hospital. Read more about this remarkable young boy here.

Former NFL Coach Tony Dungy Defends The Unborn

Former NFL coach turned sports announcer, Tony Dungy is a well known Christian. Last week he took to Twitter to question President Biden’s position on abortion, arguing the Bible clearly sides with the unborn. Dungy’s tweet was sparked by a New York Post story that said Biden had changed his position and no longer believes life begins at conception. Biden, who is Catholic, previously said he accepted the church’s teaching on the issue. Dungy, like many are confused by Biden’s sudden turn around, and ignoring of church doctrine. Read more of Dungy’s tweets here.

“Let Us Worship” Draws Thousand To National Mall In D.C. 

Evangelical Christian musician and activist Sean Feucht held a two-day concert event in the nation’s capital over the weekend, which featured an address from former president Donald Trump. The concert was part of his ongoing “Let Us Worship” tour. The series of performances, which began last year is a protest against pandemic restrictions on churches. Feucht and his team led prayer at the U.S. Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial and White House with the goal of filling the nation’s capital with worship and prayer. The D.C. event kicked off 21 days of prayer for the nation. Read more about the concert here.

Max Lucado Diagnosed With Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Pastor of Oak Hills church in San Antonio Texas, and Christian author Max Lucado, announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with a serious cardiovascular condition and asked for prayer. The 66-year-old said his doctors found a bulge in the large blood vessel closest to his heart, called an ascending aortic aneurysm. Lucado shared a short video about his health this week and requested followers join him in praying. “I am under the care of an outstanding medical team, and most of all, I am in the hands of a good God,” he said. Read more about his diagnosis here.

Trump And His Religious Advisors Launch New National Faith Advisory Board

In another sign Donald Trump is eyeing a run to regain the White House, the former president and his religious advisers announced the launch of a national faith advisory board aimed at reinvigorating his conservative Christian base. Trump, a former Presbyterian who converted to nondenominational Christianity near the end of his time in office, was asked during the announcement about his belief in God. “It’s all based around God, it’s so important,” he replied. “God is so important to the success of what we’re doing. Because without God, we have nothing.” Read more about the advisory board here.

Satanic Temple Claims Texas heartbeat Bill Infringes On Their Religious Freedom

Salem based, The Satanic Temple, is arguing that the new Texas heartbeat law, the law that bans most abortions in Texas after six weeks’ gestation, infringes on the group’s religious freedom. The group claims the Texas law imposes an “undue burden” on its “satanic abortion ritual.” Adding its members should have access to abortion pills as part of its faith-based right. The temple’s legal counsel have filed a letter with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read more about their objections here.

Indians Boys Pay Respect At Military Funeral

In a wonderful display of respect, two boys in a southwestern Indiana city showed respect when they saw a funeral for an Army veteran last week. They hopped off their bicycles and stood quietly while “Taps” was being played. The funeral was for serviceman, Charles Everett Yorn, who died Aug. 29, according to his obituary. He was 89 and was born May 25, 1932, in Greenburg, Indiana. He was a longtime resident of Batesville. After the gun salute, the boys got back on their bokes and rode away. Read more about their inspiring act here.

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Grace Community Church To Receive $800,000 In Covid Settlement

Last year, when far-reaching government restrictions were put in place, Grace Community Church continued holding indoor worship services despite bans on such gatherings. The pastor, John MacArthur, also refused to enforce mask and social distancing guidelines for congregants. He argued at the time that such mandates violated constitutionally protected religious liberties. So the church sued the state. And now Los Angeles County and the state of California have agreed to pay $800,000 in attorney’s fees to John MacArthur’s church after the congregation prevailed in multiple courts over the issue of COVID-19 restrictions. Read more about the win here.

New Documentary Set to Celebrate God And His Creation

“The Riot and the Dance” is following in the footsteps of “The Chosen” by inviting viewers to invest in bringing to life a nature series that shows creation was intentionally designed by a divine Creator. The series, which celebrates how mankind and nature can live in harmony, was created by N.D. Wilson. “The name ‘The Riot and the Dance’ came from Dr. Gordon Wilson’s biology textbook. The show has also garnered the support of numerous celebrities, including Kirk Cameron, Kanye West, and “The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins. Read more about the series here.

Some Texas Churches Are Opposing Heartbeat Bill

Some Texas churches, alarmed that the new “Heartbeat Bill” goes too far, are taking on the issue of abortion. A coalition of 25 churches is opposing the state’s law and are promoting the continued legalization of abortion in what pro-life activist Albert Mohler calls a “tragic intersection of liberal religion and abortion politics.” Some clergy say the law will violate their First Amendment rights, because it is restricting their ability to provide reproductive counseling, which is fundamental to their faith, violating their religious freedom. Read more about the coalition here.

New Research Shows Smiling Can Repair Relationships

A certain type of smile can help to restore trust in relationships after someone has been uncooperative or untrustworthy, according to new research by Queen’s University Belfast. Co-author of the research, Dr Stephanie Carpenter from University of Michigan, USA, says: “Smiling at another person does not always lead to trust and cooperation. Subtle differences in a smile can have a real impact on whether people trust each other and choose to cooperate. In fact, the way you smile in a good or bad situation can impact whether people trust you.” Read more about the different type of smiles here.

Supreme Court Upholds Texas Abortion Law

In a win for prolife supporters, and unborn babies in Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court late Wednesday night refused to block a Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The Texas heartbeat Act, prohibits an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected, allowing exceptions for medical emergencies. The law took effect as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments this fall in a major case involving a Mississippi pro-life law that bans abortion after the 15th week of a woman’s term. Read more about the court’s decision here.

Christians Being Compared To Taliban

Many in Hollywood and the left leaning media, are comparing Christians to the barbaric terrorist group, the Taliban. Twice in one week, senior pundits at MSNBC have compared Christians to the Taliban. And filmmaker Michael Moore about Christianity and the Taliban tweeted, “They said they are going to operate under Islamic law. That’s exactly how a lot of Southern Baptists want it to be here too.” Christians and conservatives were quick to push back against the comparison as hyperbolic. Read more about these ridiculous comparisons here.

At least 3,000 medical Professionals Sue Biden Administration Over Transgender Mandate

Over 3,000 pediatricians have filed suit against the Biden administration for a health care mandate that would require medical professionals to provide gender-related services despite medical objections. Under Biden’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, objections to treating children with gender-related therapies would be considered discrimination. Dr. Jeanie Dassow of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the American College of Pediatricians and the Catholic Medical Association filed the suit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Read more about the suit here.

Brave Teen Rushes To Save People In Burning Building

Lily Swanson had been walking the family’s Rottweiler close to their home when a strong burning smell in Hough Lane, England made her stop in her tracks. She looked around for the cause and spotted black smoke spilling out of a window above a clothes shop. Lily ran home to wake her dad and called emergency services. Lily’s dad Mike Swanson, 42, grabbed his ladders and ran to the scene to help those trapped inside. Minutes later, the flat was ablaze. Firefighters thanked Lily for her quick thinking and heroic actions. Read more about her story here.

A South Carolina Pastor Quit And His Church Revolts

For years Pastor Todd Elliot and the elders of Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina have been fighting over who holds ultimate power in the church. With no solution in sight, Elliott resigned and received a year’s severance. But church members weren’t going to let their beloved pastor go without a fight. And so they organized on a Facebook page called, Beach Church Together, to defend Elliott. Within days, the Beach Church elders had resigned, the locks on the church had been changed and the doors opened for Elliott’s return. Read more about the revolt here.

Nazarene Fund Says State department Stopping Humanitarian Flights

Glenn Beck, whose Nazarene Fund raised over $28 million for rescue operations in Afghanistan, is blaming the U.S. State Department for standing in the way of such missions. He revealed that several neighboring countries to Afghanistan had already stepped up to take in Afghan refugees. However, the U.S. Department told these governments to stop taking in the Afghan refugees. “The State Department has blocked us every step of the way. We have to send people into even greater danger to try to smuggle these Christians out who are marked not just for death, but to be set on fire alive because they are converted Christians.” beck reported. Read more about his mission here.

Taliban Killing Christians With Bible App On Their Phone

Taliban militants are even pulling people off public transport and killing them on the spot if they’re Christians or considered ethnically “unpure”.  “We’re hearing from reliable sources that the Taliban demand people’s phones, and if they find a downloaded Bible on your device, they will kill you immediately,” reports Dr. Rex Rogers, who is president of the Christian media group SAT-7 North America. Afghanistan has been rated as the second-most dangerous country in the world for Christians even before the Taliban took control. Read more about the continued danger for Afghanistan  Christians here.

Rescue Efforts Under Way For Louisiana Residents Trapped By Hurricane Ida

More than 1 million homes and businesses remained without power in and around New Orleans. At least two people are known to have been killed: a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge. The state’s governor, John Bel Edwards, and Joe Biden said they expected the death toll to rise. Now rescues are underway for scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters. Dozens of US coast guard helicopters and high-water vehicles had been deployed along with state and local resources. Read more about the rescues here.

Glen beck Raises $30 Million To Rescue Afghan Christians

Popular Syndicated radio host Glenn Beck raised $30 million in less than a week for the Nazarene Fund, which works to rescue Christians and other religious minorities from persecution and slavery in the Middle East and around the world. As the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan last week, Beck urged listeners to “give until it hurts” to rescue some 5,000 Christians, mainly women and children, trapped in the country. “Keep your prayers coming,” Beck said. “Keep your thoughts, contributions moving. It’s working.” Learn where you can donate here.

More Evangelicals Are getting Vaccinated 

An August poll by NBC News shows that 59 percent of white evangelicals say they already have received the vaccine. A poll conducted in June by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Interfaith Youth Core showed that 56 percent of white evangelicals either had received the vaccine or planned on getting it. In March, 45 percent of white evangelicals in a PRRI poll answered that way. Together, the polls suggest that white evangelicals are gradually embracing the vaccine as the Delta variant spreads across the United States. Read about the poll here.

Chinese Authorities Are Offer Cash To Citizens To Spy On Christian Neighbors

In the latest persecutions of Christians in China, a new reward system is being used in as a way to crack down on Christians who engage in “illegal religious activities.” Earlier this month, the Meilisi Daur District in Heilongjiang Province’s Qiqihar city released “The Reward System For Reporting Illegal Religious Activities Offenses,” saying informants could be eligible to receive 1,000 yuan ($150). This is just the latest step taken by the Chinese Communist Party in an effort to assure that all its citizens comply with the edicts and beliefs of the state. Read more about the persecution here.

The U.S. EPA Banning Pesticide Harmful To Children

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it is banning a common pesticide, widely used since 1965 on fruits and vegetables, from use on food crops because it has been linked to neurological damage in children. The EPA said it would publish a regulation to block the use of chlorpyrifos on food. Environmental organizations, health advocates and groups representing farm workers have long sought to stop the use of the chlorpyrifos, after studies showed exposure to the pesticide was linked to lower birth weights, reduced I.Q.s and other developmental problems in children. Read more about the pesticide here.