Category: Faith & Religion

In 2021, I posted an essay titled “A Simple Explanation of the Catholic Faith.”  To my surprise, some folks have commented to me about it recently. The comments were all the same.  They asked for a follow-up article offering a simple explanation of “Why I am Catholic.” Simply put, my answer to this question is…

Have you heard the news? Mel Gibson’s sequel to The Passion of the Christ, titled The Resurrection of the Christ, is planned to be released in 2027. With Jim Caviezel reprising his role as Jesus, the first part is scheduled for Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and the second part for Ascension Day, May 6,…

Suddenly, the little-known reality of the Christian minority in Israel has become a trending topic. Many popular media personalities are chiming in to the conversation, but for some reason, most of the voices being amplified seem to have a unified version of reality where Israel is the true malignant state in the Middle East for…

A group of churchgoers from Kentucky sparked nationwide headlines after they went into a public library and checked out — and are now refusing to return — books they deemed “sexually perverse.” “My initial response is where do I send a donation to help this continue,” joked Pastor John Amanchukwu during an appearance on CBN’s “Faith…

In the wake of the latest mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota, some critics have wasted little time in criticizing those appealing to prayer. But Vice President JD Vance has been among the most vocal voices pushing back against this anti-invocation narrative — one perpetuated by some progressive voices after a trans-identifying gunman…

In an interview clip that’s circulating on social media, pop singer Michael Bublé said true wealth doesn’t come from material possessions but from deep faith and close family ties. “Rich isn’t what you think it is, kid,” he said. “That word, ‘rich,’ that your friends use — rich, it sounds like money, and stuff, and things,…

An ex-psychic is speaking out after streaming giant Netflix unveiled a controversial new feature on its platform: the Zodiac Watch List. Launched Aug. 21, the so-called “astrology hub” allows members to browse by their horoscope sign, Variety reported. Jenn Nizza, a former medium who became a Christian and now hosts the “Ex-Psychic Saved Podcast,” expressed…

Maryam Younnes is a Christian activist who was born in Lebanon, yet had to flee to Israel as a child with her family after Hezbollah took control of her region. Because of her life in the Jewish State, she is now banned permanently from entering her native homeland.  Listen & subscribe to our weekday early…

Cracker Barrel has quietly removed the Pride page from its website as it has faced intense fury over its short-lived rebranding effort. The restaurant’s formerly named “Culture & Inclusion” page, which included its “LGBTQ+ Alliance,” has been renamed to “Culture & Belonging,” which states, “At Cracker Barrel, welcoming people has always been at the heart…

There is a unique satisfaction that comes from catching a fish on a lure you fashioned with your own hands. There’s nothing else quite like it. Anyone can purchase a polished plug or shiny jig from a store shelf.  No special skill is needed to do so.  But when a tuna slams into a trolling…

August 24 is a special day for the universal church.  But it is also special, in a particular way, for me. Of course, August 24 marks the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, one of  Christ’s 12 apostles.  But many regard the names Nathanael or Nathaniel as the same as Bartholomew.  And Nathaniel is my name.  (For…

Gavin Casalegno is best known as one of the stars of the hit Prime Video series, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” — and he’s not letting his fame go to waste. Earlier this year, he was approached by social media influencer David Carmi, who’s known for asking one question: “What makes you confident?” In response, Casalegno…

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops (Matthew 10:27). It was sometime between night and morning. Ever since my twenties, I’ve often found myself waking in the middle of the night. I used to see it as a problem—something to fix,…

President Donald Trump is weighing in on the disappearance of America’s favorite “old timer.” Cracker Barrel has drawn a great deal of scrutiny in recent days after embattled CEO Julie Felss Masino led the beloved southern comfort chain into a major unforced error by unveiling a new logo and whitewashed restaurant design fundamentally reimagining the…

“Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are once again under fire for television content produced by their popular Magnolia Network. Critics believe the Christian duo, who have been outspoken about their faith, have compromised by including LGBTQ individuals and themes in their programming. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Coming off the heels of…

John Crist, the Christian comedian known for poking fun at Bible Belt traditions, announced this month he is engaged to girlfriend Lydia Fielder, a news anchor in the Nashville area. In a post on his Instagram account, Crist described the engagement as “the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life by…

St. Teresa of Avila to her nuns: … cast yourself into [the Father’s] arms, you know already He will not cast you away …(The Way of Perfection/Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, 1566). God is love. Where there is love, there is God. Where there is great love, with our families and those closest to us,…

It was a true answer to prayer. After a Tennessee man discovered that his Bible case filled with family photos and memories was stolen, he turned to the Almighty to plead for its return. Matt Williams told WTVF-TV he was stunned to learn that his personal Bible was taken from his vehicle. “I went around…

A California school district is fighting a legal battle to defend opening prayer, arguing it’s perfectly permissible to open meetings by invoking God. Joel Oster, an attorney for Advocates For Faith & Freedom, told CBN News Chino Valley Unified School District has taken decisive legal action to challenge what it believes to be an outdated…

At Fatima in 1917, Our Lady instructed three shepherd children to pray the rosary daily. Even today, Catholics find much comfort and peace by participating in this particular devotion. I know for me it has increased my faith in God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which shows the beautiful truth that praying the most holy…

If you’re familiar with contemporary musical theater, you may already have guessed which Old Testament story the title above references. If you haven’t guessed, here’s a hint: the title of the Broadway musical based on this story is long, modern, and a little ridiculous. Still stumped? The musical I’m referring to is entitled Joseph and…

The Gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke record Jesus saying the greatest commandments are to “love God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” and to “to love your neighbor as yourself.” Mathew 25 ties this love of God to Love of neighbor and essentially makes them one commandment. And the Good Samaritan parable explains…

The Parable of The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) is one of my favorite parables.  I love it because it is a fascinating, triple-decker salvation sandwich! Yes, you read that right. I am comparing this beautiful and powerful parable to a sandwich!  But before you rip your shirt screaming blasphemy or something of the…

A teenager who fought back after her public school wouldn’t allow her to place a Bible verse on her paid parking space has won her battle. “Sabrina Steffans will proceed with her original design that was previously rejected by the school because of its religious references,” First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty law firm, said…

The Cardinal Virtues – justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude – are sometimes known as the pagan virtues.  This is because before Christianity, the Greek and Roman civilizations saw them as the foundation of all other virtues, great and small. I have written in the past about prudence. This month I would like to examine the…

A high school senior who claims she was banned from painting biblical messages on her student parking spot is fighting back. Sabrina Steffens, a senior at Grand Island High School near Buffalo, New York, told CBN News that seniors at her school are allowed to personalize their paid parking spots. But when she attempted to…

There was a historic event at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening, when museum leaders joined NBA star Jonathan Isaac to unveil a new display that will become part of the museum’s Impact of the Bible exhibit. This new exhibition features a signed pair of Isaac’s Judah 1, the first-ever…

For centuries, western mythology portrayed dragons as murderous, greedy hoarders of treasure, destroyers of villages, and adversaries to virtuous heroes.  They were like Smaug in Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Historically, many symbols of evil warned against chaos and destruction.  Dragons were but one example. Modern movies and literature, however, increasingly invert good and evil.  They recast…

Evangelist Ray Comfort is known for boldly sharing the Gospel through movies, social media, and other creative means, but the Living Waters founder also has a passion for in-person, one-on-one dialogue with young people. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” “I go out twice a day to a local college, and then I go to…

Author Randy Kay says he’s seen heaven — and it’s an experience he still gets emotional recounting. It all happened years ago when Kay experienced a medical emergency. He recalled waking up in the middle of the night with a swollen calf after a business trip — something he initially ignored. “I could barely walk,…

Does not Pope St. Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae, foresee a correlation between the use of artificial birth control and an increase in marital infidelity?  And, does this not by extension, advance a greater infidelity to the moral teachings of the Church – subverting the deposit of faith and undermining the teaching authority of the…

Months after the U.S. Department of Education rescinded its historic fine against Grand Canyon University (GCU), a Christian college in Phoenix, Arizona, the school has scored another major victory: a separate lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was also dropped. The FTC sued GCU in late 2023, alleging the school deceived students about costs…

Actor Chris Pratt gave glory to the Lord while honoring his son’s 13th birthday on August 17. Pratt shared photos and wrote a heartfelt post to his firstborn on social media, concluding the note with a faithful message: “Jesus is King!” Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” “I have a teenager???” Pratt wrote. “Jack, I…

Jesus tells us in the Bible that He is the Bridegroom and the Bride is His Church. This Church is the Catholic Church, the Universal Church, the Apostolic Church, the Holy Church. In spite of the sins of its adherents, this Church is still around and is still holy, only because Jesus is its foundation…

On Seeking Silence One of the most comforting aspects of a church is its silence. A holy, inviolate silence that is overwhelming: when one steps through the doors of a church and one genuflects, one’s voice hushes. There is an unwillingness to break the sacredness of quietude. There is nothing to do but sit in…

Recently, a local young man, 19 years of age, died in a tragic accident. I was blessed to serve at a memorial Mass for him. As you might expect, a profound sense of shock, massive grief, and heartfelt loss permeated the consciousness of those in attendance. Neither he, nor his family or friends, had any…

Weeks after breaking his back — and writing two chart-topping songs while recovering — Christian artist Forrest Frank did it again as fellow singer David Crowder is recovering from his own injury. Crowder, 53, told his fans last week he had to have “emergency surgery” after breaking his leg, forcing him to cancel several scheduled performances….

Thirteen-year-old Dakota “Cody” Trenkle, Jr., is making a miraculous recovery after falling 240 feet into a ravine, where he spent three days alone without food or water. Cody is now awake after spending 11 days in a medically induced coma, according to KSDK-TV. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Stephanie Neely, his mother, knew her…

The force must be with Gina Carano. Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company settled with the former “Mandalorian” star, who sued the two studios last year after she was fired in 2021 because she “dared voice her own opinions” — conservative views — on social media. “I hope this brings some healing to the force,”…

Recently, my grandson approached me with a question regarding forgiveness; it went something like this, “ Danny stole my skateboard. Two days later he returned it, saying that he found it in the street by his house. If I forgive him, is his sin  forgiven?” I thought that this was a pretty good question coming…

Many of America’s colleges and universities have become advocates of indoctrinating their students into the culture’s degeneracy and ungodliness.  Unfortunately, this includes many Catholic institutions as well. Some Catholic parents and their teenaged kids researching potential colleges quickly realize most modern secular universities have become godless wastelands. So they often turn next to consider Catholic…

… I think that God with His Holy Spirit leads the Church into the consent of the truth.  He Himself promised that the Holy Spirit (Whom He would send) should lead them to understand all truth (St. Thomas More, Dialogue Concerning Heresies/Scripture and the True Faith, 1529). Our invitation to accept the gifts of the…

Truth Shocks, Deceit Rarely Does! It is said that those who have been uncovering the truth about  the corruption in the Church, most particularly in high places, are the instruments of the devil because they scandalize the faithful. But the devil is the purveyor of lies not the truth. It is the Holy Spirit who…

In what appears to be a misguided effort to make Catholicism seem more appealing, some clergy avoid preaching about sin – at least sins regarding human sexuality and marriage/family.  It is nearly four decades ago that the future Pope Benedict XVI reminded bishops that “Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral” (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1/1/1986). My…

Prolific film animator Tom Bancroft, a son of California, had a fast pass to Disney — but it all came to a screeching halt in 2000. While his name might be unfamiliar, his work has made its way into countless homes around the globe. He was the creator of Mushu in Disney’s “Mulan,” he designed…

A Bible once owned by the king of rock and roll — and filled with personal notes — is on display at a church in the U.K. Pastor Gary Stevens of Needham Market Evangelical Church in Suffolk, England, is showcasing the Bible on loan until Friday from the Museum of the Book in London, according to…

My mind is troubled by a matter that is not in my control.  A sense of helplessness pervades me, at the thought of being seemingly duped in a business deal by someone close to me.  A large sum of money is outstanding.  I am unable to focus on my golf game, and the dusk starts…