The practice of compassion and caring for orphans and widows has been a unique activity of believers for centuries, demonstrating the gospel in a tangible way. The church's value of human life is rooted in God's creation and fatherly heart, leading to acts of kindness and generosity that imitate God's love. [... more]

The Spurs and Thunder face off in the NBA Finals, with Wembanyama and SGA leading their teams. Meanwhile, the Knicks are on a hot streak in the Eastern Conference finals, and the NFL is dealing with several burning questions, including the Stafford contract and Aaron Rodgers' future in Pittsburgh. [... more]

Ah fiery passion for God the proverbial burning heart red hot coals of burning zeal for Christ isn't this the ideal The way it should be So we never fall into the terrible spiritual and moral lukewarmness Christ condemned in the Laodiceans twenty centuries ago For this we must answer some key questions Will fire continue burning hot or even warm if not attended Or do we simply light a fire and that's it Is fire indeed self-sustaining Well as in nature so in grace our heart fires of devotion to Christ after being initially ignited will not burn hot [... more]

The story of how BB King's iconic guitar, Lucille, got its name is a testament to the power of music and the American spirit. According to Myron Johnson, a longtime friend of BB King, the guitar was named after a woman who was the cause of a fight between two men in a juke joint in Twist, Arkansas, where BB King was performing. The story of Lucille's origin is a fascinating tale of love, loss, and the importance of preserving history. [... more]

Xavier Becerra's past as HHS Secretary is scrutinized over his handling of immigration and child trafficking cases, while a World of Warcraft incident from 2005 is highlighted as a real-world pandemic simulation, and a norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship is reported. [... more]

When strange flames of fire manifested over the heads of those gathered in the Upper Room they were forever changed Oh they loved and believed in Christ before that electrifying visitation but afterwards their lives were radically changed by the full infusion of the Spirit Those tongues of fire ignited their passion for Christ and thereafter they were blessedly driven the rest of their lives with a glowing loyalty and enthusiasm for the Nazarene Persecution didn't quench their devotion Were these fires of devotion self-sustaining They were of divine origin sent straight from the hand of Jesus so did God [... more]

In that upper room two millennia ago the mighty Holy Spirit fell on the church with strange-yet-dynamically-productive tongues of fire As a result when those first believers exited that famous ecclesiastical birthing chamber they burst out into the world on fire It is indisputable that the source of that unquenchable spiritual burning was the Baptism with the Holy Spirit What is this experience Why don't we hear more about it Does it occur when we are water baptized Or born-again Or when we go through confirmation as a youth Or receive the elements of the Lord's Supper In this episode [... more]

A federal judge upholds a North Carolina law changing same-day voter rules, while the state's Board of Elections reviews 15,000 comments on its adoption of a rule for non-citizen list maintenance. Meanwhile, the state's tax policy is compared to that of Vegas casinos, which treat high-net worth individuals well, and the North Carolina Forest Service is working to contain multiple wildfires across the state. [... more]

A statewide burn ban is in effect in North Carolina due to drought severity and forecast fire weather, with six major wildfires burning across the state. Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, with some areas seeing progress and others still facing significant challenges. North Carolina's Republican congressional delegation is urging the Department of Homeland Security to clear administrative bottlenecks that have delayed FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene. Additionally, a state audit has found delivery gaps in the ABC system, which generates over $1.4 billion in revenue annually, despite meeting cost accuracy and safety performance indicators. The audit recommends improvements to the system, including developing contingency plans and establishing improved fleet maintenance schedules. [... more]

The Bible teaches that God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God who is eternally self-sufficient, caring, and willing to save us. He is the Lord who promises to be with us, and his promises will come true. Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush illustrates God's majesty, independence, and transcendence, yet his imminence and willingness to come near to his people. [... more]

Chuck Colson's vision for the Colson Fellows Program is to raise up Christians who can defend truth in the marketplace of ideas and live out the gospel, ultimately transforming culture and society. [... more]

William Carey, a shoe cobbler turned renowned missionary, faced numerous challenges and setbacks, including a devastating fire that destroyed his life's work. Yet, he persevered, trusting in God's presence and providence, and continued to move forward in faith, inspiring others to do the same. [... more]

The Spanish-American War marked a turning point in American history, as the country emerged as a world power and grappled with the complexities of imperialism. President William McKinley's decision to annex the Philippines sparked a debate over the country's role in the world, with some arguing that it was a paternalistic duty to educate and uplift the Filipino people, while others saw it as a threat to American values and a precursor to further expansion. The war's aftermath saw the rise of Theodore Roosevelt, who would go on to assert American power in the region and establish the Roosevelt Corollary, a policy that would increase Latin American resentment towards the US. The story of the Spanish-American War and its aftermath continues to be debated today, with questions about the nature of American power and its responsibilities in the world remaining unresolved. [... more]

Susannah Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, dedicated her life to teaching and counseling her 21 children, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships. She struggled with her husband's inflexible personality and stubborn wills, but continued to believe and teach the importance of spiritual growth and faith. Her efforts ultimately led to the impact of her two sons on the world, with John preaching to over a million people and Charles writing over 9,000 hymns. [... more]

God's presence with his people has always been the point of this whole Exodus journey. The tabernacle was a mobile Mount Sinai, a symbol of God's presence with his people, and it foreshadowed Jesus, who is the ultimate tabernacle. Jesus is our daily cleansing, our table of showbread, our golden lampstand, our altar of incense, and our holy of holies. We can experience God's presence every day by following the pattern of the tabernacle in our daily quiet time, which should be the center of our life. [... more]

The worship of nature and the elevation of man are central themes in modern paganism, as seen in events like Burning Man, where people seek spiritual experiences and connection with the natural world. Christians must respond with a measured and intentional approach, using knowledge, love, and truth to engage with others and share the gospel, rather than simply reacting to the culture war. [... more]

Minnesota's transformation into a sanctuary state for abortion and transgender mutilation surgeries has been accompanied by a surge in Islamic immigration, leading to widespread fraud and cultural changes that are altering the state's identity and values. [... more]

Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush reveals crucial principles for how we encounter God, including God taking the initiative, moving in response to prayer, and being the supplier of power. The story also highlights the importance of trusting in God's plans and not trying to accomplish them through our own strength or flesh. [... more]

Jesus Christ is a stranger to us because our hearts are hardened by sin, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, he opens our eyes to see the reality of his physical resurrection, proving he is the Christ, Messiah, and Savior. The Holy Spirit takes our darkened minds and gives us spiritual comprehension, allowing us to understand the gospel and recognize Jesus as the risen King. Through word and sacrament, the Holy Spirit ignites the fire of faith within us, burning away sinful desires and stirring love for God and our neighbor. [... more]

The sacred name of God, Yahweh, is revealed in the Old Testament as a personal name that means 'I am Who I am.' This name signifies God's eternal, unchangeable nature, and his power to decide for himself what he will do in the future. Through the name Yahweh, God reveals his character as a being who has always existed and will always exist, without beginning or end. [... more]