Western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, with federal grants aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening the workforce. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has joined the Trump administration's ratepayer protection pledge, promising to support measures preventing households and small businesses from paying for power plants and grid infrastructure changes. The North Carolina General Assembly is also debating election laws, with a pair of rewritten bills passed by the Senate that would shorten early voting for primary elections and add performance audits for election systems. Additionally, a state representative is raising concerns about professional standards in public schools, specifically regarding a transgender music teacher at an elementary school. [... more]

Worship is not just an event, but a lifestyle that overflows from a life changed by an encounter with the living God. Thanksgiving is a choice to replace complaining with gratitude, and a consistent practice of gratitude has physical and emotional benefits, including improved sleep, better heart health, and a longer life. Worship was thankful and communal in the Old Testament, with people gathering together to give thanks and sing psalms, and this communal worship is still valuable today, inspiring and motivating believers to deepen their relationship with God. [... more]

Pastor Skip Heitzig shares a message on the importance of a healthy prayer life, emphasizing the need for adoration, reflection, confession, petition, and submission to God. He uses the example of Ezra's prayer in Nehemiah 9 to illustrate this pattern, highlighting the benefits of confessing sin and making specific petitions to God. He also encourages listeners to broaden their prayer life beyond simple 'popcorn prayers' and to seek a deeper relationship with God through faithful prayer. [... more]

The Lord is not pleased when we complain about our circumstances, forgetting His blessings and miraculously freeing us from difficulties. We should not forget what happened to the complainers in ancient Israel, who were overthrown in the wilderness. God may not deal with a complaining Christian as severely, but He is displeased when we forget His benefits and complain about His testing. [... more]

Jonathan Lewis from Fathers for Fathers discusses the importance of being a faithful father, leaving a positive legacy, and modeling financial stewardship. He shares his personal story of overcoming struggles and encourages men to take responsibility for their actions, seek accountability, and prioritize their relationships with their children and God. [... more]

Investors are wondering whether the market is getting ahead of itself, especially in AI and tech. A timely article by Mark Biller at Sound Mind Investing explores how investors should handle a potential bubble, focusing on staying diversified, rebalancing periodically, keeping reasonable expectations, and focusing on a long-term strategy that can stick with all different types of market environments. [... more]

Investors should consider looking beyond the U.S. markets for diversification and growth opportunities, as foreign stocks can offer broader growth potential and emerging markets are exciting due to their significant growth potential and rapidly rising standards of living. [... more]

The rejection of God's authority leads to the degradation of humanity, as seen in the glorification of transgression and the pursuit of autonomy. This is a fundamental aspect of human nature, dating back to the story of Adam and Eve. The consequences of rejecting God's will are evident in modern society, where technology and feminism have contributed to the desecration of the human body and the devaluation of human life. The pursuit of autonomy and the rejection of God's authority ultimately lead to the desecration of humanity, as individuals seek to become their own gods and defy God's laws. [... more]

The rejection of God degrades humanity, leading to a crisis of meaning and a loss of moral depth. This is evident in modern society's glorification of transgression, autonomy, and the pursuit of self-creation. The Christian faith offers a solution to this problem through the consecration of man, which involves a return to deep, rooted conceptions of our limits, obligations, and ends. [... more]

Crystal Payne shares budget-friendly tips for a great family vacation, including planning ahead, taking advantage of free activities, and being strategic about meals. She also discusses the importance of financial planning for retirement, including considering Social Security and investment options, and the benefits of converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA. [... more]

Living a life controlled by God's will is essential for spiritual growth and pleasing Him. The knowledge of God's will is at the foundation of Christian living, and it leads to a productive life, bearing fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. [... more]

Helping adult children grow in responsibility and independence is a delicate balance for parents, requiring wisdom and grace. The way we offer support can shape not just their circumstances, but their character. Understanding what it means to define 'enough' and making room for maturity are key to strengthening our adult children, rather than sidelining them. [... more]

Navigating financial uncertainty with biblical principles can bring clarity and peace. By prioritizing spending, building emergency savings, and minimizing debt, individuals can prepare for uncertain times and trust in the Lord. A simple financial checkup and plan can help individuals stay grounded and avoid emotional decisions. [... more]

The Jesus described in the Quran and affirmed by Muslims is not the same Jesus who is proclaimed in the Gospels. According to Islam, Jesus was a miracle-working prophet who was the son of a virgin and whose second coming will usher in the apocalypse. However, the examples that supposedly show Jesus as a Muslim are a combination of biblical misunderstanding and selective reading. [... more]

Retirees face a crucial question: how much can they safely withdraw from their savings without depleting their retirement funds too soon. Mark Biller joins the discussion to revisit the widely used 4% rule and explore a more flexible, thoughtful approach to retirement withdrawals. [... more]

Character growth, relationships, and the gospel are key to manifesting patience in our lives. We must learn to trust God's timing and have faith that the harvest will come, even if we don't see immediate results. Practicing patience requires understanding people better, being willing to learn from mistakes, and persevering through challenges. [... more]

North Carolina faces a nearly $2.8 billion revenue shortfall over the next two years, according to Governor Josh Stein. Meanwhile, a long-standing election dispute in the small town of Pembroke has finally been resolved, with the challenger, Alan Dial, being certified as the winner after a two-and-a-half-year battle. The state is also dealing with wildfires and a burn ban, with crews making progress in containing the fires. [... more]

Protecting your finances is a form of stewardship, and being aware of potential scams and identity theft is crucial. Building a strong credit score without accumulating debt requires intentional steps, such as using a secured credit card or credit builder loan. A more straightforward approach to paying off your mortgage is to send extra payments annually, rather than relying on complicated home equity lines of credit. [... more]

Praying kingdom prayers is about surrendering our life to God, yielding our will to His, and living out the kingdom in our hearts. Jesus teaches us to pray 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done' as a way to submit ourselves to God's rule and reign, and to experience the deeper exchange with Him. This prayer is not about bending God's will to ours, but about coming to Him with a surrendered heart, asking Him to do His will in every situation of our life. [... more]

The ongoing conflict between Iran and the West, the role of NATO and diplomacy, and the security implications of these tensions. Additionally, discussions on quantum computing, the rising homelessness crisis in the US, and the increasing influence of Sharia law in Britain. The importance of gun rights and the introduction of the Burner Gun, a non-lethal self-defense tool. The ongoing debate over immigration and border security, and the impact of financial uncertainty on markets and personal finances. [... more]