Introduction: Paul Mankowski, S.J. I recently read Karen Hall’s biography of the late, great Father Paul Mankowski, S.J., an ardent and untiring defender of the Faith. He was a materially unassuming and intellectually brilliant priest, who lived his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience with holy seriousness. Particularly intriguing to me is that Father Mankowski was…
Category: Faith & Religion
End Times and Israel: How ‘God’s Covenant With the Jewish People,’ Eschatology Shape Evangelical Thought Amid Gaza Chaos
Evangelical support for Israel has remained unchanged amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, according to a recent survey. Researchers found the belief that “God’s covenant with the Jewish people remains intact today” serves as the greatest impact on support for the Jewish state. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” “If a respondent professes this…
After Stunning Hollywood, ‘God’s Not Dead’ Returns With New Sequal Taking Aim at ‘Political and Spiritual Upheaval’
“God’s Not Dead” stunned Hollywood and helped usher in a new era of faith and family-friendly entertainment after its 2014 release. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” With just a $1.5 million budget, the movie’s more than $60 million profit sent a clear message to Tinseltown that there was an underserved Christian audience hungry for…
Mike Huckabee Unveils Biggest Fears About Election, Concerns Over ‘Disturbing’ Possibilities
Mike Huckabee has worn many hats in the public square. He was once the governor of Arkansas, a Republican presidential candidate — and a pastor. Today, he’s a commentator and TV host, sharing his perspective on the news and political happenings of the day. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” The preacher-turned-politico, who has a…
The Ease With Which We Judge
Long and frequent travels – to England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, back to Italy, then off to the Middle East – marked the past week. But even in a hectic week, there was still time for some reflection. As a brother priest thoughtfully drove me to the airport (the same airport from which he had…
The Prodigal Gospel Pt. 1
Here is the first of three posts on the story we know as The Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32. The story Jesus tells of a father and his two sons has been a favorite of many people and for good reason. But the story is more than just a prodigal child…
‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins Debuts Trailer for Holiday Movie ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
Christmas in July is officially here. Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the hit Bible-based series “The Chosen,” just dropped the trailer for his upcoming holiday flick, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” set to release in theaters Nov. 8. The film, distributed by Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is based on Barbara Robinson’s 1972 novel by…
Tony Perkins Announces Major Effort to Protect ‘Pro-Life, Pro-Family, and Pro-Israel’ Planks in New GOP Platform
With the 2024 election heating up, attention is turning to official party positions and platforms. On Tuesday, a coalition of groups announced the launch of the Platform Integrity Project, an effort to ensure the Republican Party Platform maintains its conservative ideals. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” A press release from Family Research Council Action…
Country Star Reveals Real-Life Miracle He Saw Amid Addiction, Chaos: ‘I Asked God to Help Me’
Country star T. Graham Brown was always a “believer in Jesus,” but, over time, he sort of “drifted away” from the truth — that is, until a conversation with himself and God ushered in a real-life miracle. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Brown, 69, told Fox News he was baptized early in life and…
What Traditions will Prevail?
My youngest grandson recently asked, “Grandpa, Why do you always stand and salute when the flag goes by or when the national anthem is on TV?” My quick answer was, “To show respect.” A slightly longer answer is that I believe “tradition” is very important. Flag Day Tradition This year’s June 14 Flag Day ceremonies…
Ray Comfort’s Surprising Reaction to ACLU’s Lawsuit Against Ten Commandments: ‘You Can’t Buy That Sort of Publicity!’
Preacher Ray Comfort is praising an unlikely party: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Comfort, known for his viral videos and engaging Gospel-sharing, recently sent a gift basket to the civil rights group after the organization sued Lousiana over its decision to become the first U.S. state to mandate the Ten Commandments be displayed in…
PRAY: Evangelist Reportedly Slaughtered by Islamic Extremists After Sharing the Gospel, Converting Muslims to Christianity
An evangelist was reportedly slaughtered in eastern Uganda last month by Muslim extremists after he shared the Gospel and converted people to the Christian faith. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Richard Malinga’s body was discovered June 17 in a pool of blood and “tied with ropes,” according to a resident who spoke with Morning…
Turn to Jesus
Recently I saw the movie Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. During the movie, I confirmed something that I regret. I expended a lot of time and energy over the years searching for something I did not have when all I really had to do was turn to Jesus. So many among us are…
Who Is Sitting Next to You on the Bus?
Someone you know or a stranger? I had a nasty fellow in the seat next to me. I hoped he would get off at the next stop, but I had no such luck. He sat He was disgusting. His fingernails were long and dirty, and his right-hand pinkie was so long, it curled under. With…
Two Chick-fil-A Employees Slain by Illegal Immigrant in Texas
A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Irving, Texas, is temporarily closing its doors after a Salvadoran man in the U.S. illegally reportedly shot and killed two employees at the fast-food location. Officers with the Irving Police Department said in the aftermath of the attack that they do not believe the double homicide was a random act of…
Oklahoma Will Require Bibles in Public School Classrooms Because It’s ‘One of the Most Foundational Documents’ to America
The Bible is heading back to the classroom in the Sooner State. Oklahoma officials announced Thursday the state is requiring a copy of the Bible to be in every public school classroom, beginning immediately, according to The Oklahoman. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” “Adherence to this mandate is compulsory,” said Ryan Walters, superintendent of…
What’s Driving the Growing Abstinence Trend Among Young Americans?
It’s tempting to look at the so-called “Great Abstaining,” as The Cut put it, and think it’s a notch on the belt of those preaching biblical morality in a culture run amok. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening, unfortunately. I think what we’re seeing now — this growing (and, on its face, encouraging) trend…
No More Church Teaching but Doctrine! Part II
No more use of the term “Church Teaching,” that is. The Church needs to use “Catholic Doctrine” instead of “Church Teaching,” because the Church needs Catholic Doctrine. This column is the second of two to show that Catholic Doctrine is indispensable to Catholic Faith. In the first column, I explained what doctrine is. In this…
If Grace Is a Gift, How Do We Merit It?
A common charge leveled against the Catholic Church is that it wrongfully teaches that Christians can “earn” grace. They say that this conflicts with the teaching that grace is a gift from God, which we can never earn. In this article, I will show why grace is indeed a gift from God that we do…
Good Samaritan Saves the Day After Discovering Mystery Bible, Embarking on Months-Long Quest to Find Owner: ‘I Just Couldn’t Rest’
It once was lost, but now it’s found. That’s the story surrounding a Georgia man’s beloved Bible, which had gone missing for months before the persistence of a good Samaritan changed everything. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” William Bailey lost his Bible in January, when it fell off his car before he went to…
Bill Maher Predicts Result of Presidential Election, Calls Left ‘Aggressively Anti-Common Sense’
Comedian and famed political commentator Bill Maher predicted recently it’s “very likely” former President Donald Trump will win the November election. He went on to condemn the modern political left as “aggressively anti-common sense” during an interview with English journalist Tina Brown at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. “Part of it the left has…
What God Cannot Do, and You Can
When God made you, when He made the new, unique, human person that you are, an ensouled body, an embodied soul, He made everything that you are. He made you in His image and likeness and He gave you an intellect and a will. His gift to you of will is the gift of a…
Iran Sentences Christian Converts to More Than 25 Years in Prison: Report
Five converts to Christianity have been sentenced by the Iranian judiciary to a collective of more than 25 years in prison, according to a report from Iran International. Hengaw, an organization reporting on human rights violations against Kurds in Iran, stated there has been no reason given for the charges against the five Christians. Listen…
‘Miracle of God!’: Nearly 300,000 Baptized in Papua New Guinea
Reports of stunning mass baptisms are coming out of Papua New Guinea, where one Christian leader said last month nearly 300,000 people have been immersed. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” The baptisms were part of an event series known as PNG for Christ, with initial estimates apparently accounting for only a portion of the…
12 Short Prayers to Give Hope Daily
Short prayers serve as a gateway to God, an answer to specific questions, or a moment of quiet reflection. I used to think short prayers weren’t more powerful than long ones. I would pressure myself to say long sentences, hoping it would mean more to the Lord. Prayers are conversations with God where we can…
10 Powerful and Simple Prayers for Children
Through saying prayers for children, we are able to seek God and witness His love and grace in our children’s lives. Children are exposed to various distractions and temptations nowadays. It feels like no matter what we do to safeguard our children; the world is too dangerous and fallen for us to keep up. But…
7 Powerful Prayers for Trusting God
Prayers for trusting God bring peace, put our anxiety into godly perspectives, and guide us back to Him. Do you have days when you feel defeated and in despair? Even in my adult years and in a relationship with Christ, I still have days like that. As a follower of Jesus, I remind myself, “Trust…
7 Effective Prayers for Good Weather
A prayer for good weather can bring us comfort and hope, acknowledging God as the Creator of all things and sovereign over the earth. There is an activity in our daily lives involving the outdoors. Whether commuting to work, drying our clothes, wearing sunscreen, or walking our dog, the weather significantly impacts our everyday lives….
7 Prayers for Family and Friends with Bible Verses
Prayers for family and friends help us nurture our connections with our loved ones and be closer to God. Building loving relationships and a happy home includes consistency, open communication, and trust. But just like habits are impactful, so is the habit of prayer. Praying for family and friends helps build strong and resilient relationships. …
Faith as a Paradox: Embracing the Contradictions of Spiritual Growth
The concept of faith is deeply rooted in the paradoxical, embodying the transformation from death to life, darkness to light, suffering to joy and triumph of goodness over evil. These juxtapositions are not merely rhetorical; they reflect profound spiritual truths that define the human experience. The Acts of the Apostles reminds us that “In him we…
Give Your Time to God
Putting things off is so much simpler than doing them right away, especially obligations of high importance when we are feeling tired and worn out. Not to say that there shouldn’t be time for breaks and relaxation, but things that demand our attention – such as ways to healthily sustain our bodily needs, family commitments,…
Trump Explains Rejection of Franklin Graham’s Request He Stop Cursing During Speeches
One evangelist’s request of former President Donald Trump is seemingly a bit too much of an ask for the reality TV star turned politician. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee told a crowd gathered in Philadelphia Saturday he is denying the Rev. Franklin Graham’s suggestion he avoid using course language during his speeches, essentially because it…
‘Jesus Is Coming Soon’: As Evil and Darkness Rage, Nick Hall Sees Revival, Joy Spreading
Evangelist Nick Hall is in the midst of yet another monumental, year-long evangelism campaign — and he believes hearts and souls are being transformed. “Anthem of Grace” kicked off with a massive global broadcast on Good Friday, hitting tens of millions of people with the Gospel. Translated into 60 languages, millions more are still consuming…
A Symbol of God’s Covenant, Not a Symbol of Sin
Throughout Catholic places of worship, it is common to find symbols of our Faith. These symbols hold deep meaning. For example, the Crucifix depicts Christ’s execution, but means much more. It reminds us of His sacrifice as atonement for our sin. However, it also is a reminder that Christ conquered death and rose from the…
‘Only God’: Couple Finds Jesus After Previously Getting Married as Gay, Transgender
“Only God can do that.” Those are the words of Lex Renick, a female who formerly identified as a transgender male before she and her husband — who used to identify as homosexual — came to faith in Jesus. Nic and Lex Renick got married May 30, 2020, when both of them were living out…
‘Stand for the Gospel’: Franklin Graham Announces Defense Fund to Support Religious Liberty in UK
The Rev. Franklin Graham announced over the weekend the launch of the Billy Graham Defense Fund, a legal support group advocating for Christians facing religious freedom challenges in the United Kingdom. “There are so many problems in our society, and people are looking for hope,” Graham said in a statement shared with CBN News. “We…
Two Years After Roe v. Wade Fell, How Well Are Churches Meeting Women’s Needs?
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled Roe v. Wade and sent the abortion issue back to the states, a new survey explores how many churches are coming alongside crisis pregnancy centers. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” According to Lifeway Research, just 31% of Protestant churchgoers in America have seen their churches connect…
The Saints and Mary
St. John Vianney (1786-1859) wrote many beautiful things about his devotion to the Blessed Mother. He assured us: The heart of this good Mother is all love and mercy; she desires only to see us happy. We have only to turn to her to be heard. The Son has His justice, the Mother has nothing…
Conversion Through Prayer
Knowledge, they say, lets you understand that a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable. Wisdom is not putting that tomato in a fruit salad. Both of these character traits help us grow in our faith. And if you had sufficient faith, you could move a mountain. I do not think this is hyperbole. But…
Those Who Feel Eternity: Beauty and the Artist
There’s nothing too small, I can still find its charm and paint it in gold and quite big, I hold it up high without even knowing whose soul will be fed by it.[1] I’m continuing the summer series of reflections on the transcendentals as they are brought forth and nourished by artists, intellectuals, and professed…
Christian Man Jailed on Blasphemy Charges After Accidentally Stepping on Pages of the Quran: Report
A Catholic man has been jailed in Pakistan after accidentally stepping on pages of the Quran, according to Christian Daily International–Morning Star News. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Dennis Albert, 35, reportedly found himself in legal crosshairs in April after exiting his pull car and inadvertently standing on papers said to have come from…
Fallout Continues Amid Robert Morris Scandal as Ex-Pastor Delivers Message to the Church
The fallout continues after Robert Morris resigned from Gateway Church over furor following allegations he molested a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. Daystar Television Network announced this week that it had removed all of Morris’ programming from its network, with Gateway Church elders separately launching an investigation into the claims against their former leader. “We…
The Month of June Proves that the World Hates You
What our generation calls the “culture,” Scripture and Jesus called “the world” – a system of values and social norms that are institutionalized into a society which coordinates them into a rebellion against God by redefining what constitutes morality and immorality. To encourage us to not let the culture/world manipulate us to turn away from…
‘Hungry For God’: Powerful Moves of Revival, Thirst for Bible Sweeps College Campuses
Jennie Allen has had a front-row seat to much of the revival unfolding across America, particularly among young people. She’s been speaking on college campuses and witnessing Gen Z’s rising interest in faith and the Bible. “It is so real,” Allen recently told CBN News from the red carpet of the KLOVE Fan Awards in…
The Power of the Word
“Oh no! Here they come!” At 8 am sharp, this is the thought going through my mind as the gates open to the noisy, bustling traffic. I am in one of the few green spaces in my city, a lung space that is precious for us to walk or run in amidst the verdant greenery. …
‘I’m Heartbroken’: Ex-Pastor at Gateway Church Responds to Robert Morris Scandal
A former pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, is speaking out in the wake of the Robert Morris scandal to share what he believes are helpful steps to address and prevent abuse in Christian circles. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Bob Hamp served as executive pastor of pastoral care at Gateway Church from…
Cussing Homeless Man Stops Pastor Mid-Sermon. Then Something Powerful Happens
A pastor who went viral for stopping in the middle of his sermon to offer kindness to a homeless man is sharing the real-life story behind the touching video of his compassionate act. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Pastor Ed Newton of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, told CBN News why he…
At War With The World
By The Unknown Centurion There was a time when the Church and its members transformed the world. Through the graces of her sacraments and the countercultural witness of her practitioners the world, over a millennium, had, to a certain extent, been conformed to Christ. Sadly, in these latter days, there has been a reversal, where…
New Study Proves What a ‘Regular Connection With God,’ the Bible Can Truly Do in a Young Person’s Life
The willingness to forgive is a powerful indicator of human flourishing, according to new data from the American Bible Society’s “State of the Bible USA 2024 Report.” Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” The most recent data, released last week, was predicated, in part, on a proclamation with which respondents were asked to agree or…
Everything We Know So Far About the Shocking Abuse Claims Surrounding Pastor Robert Morris
Controversy continues to swell after Pastor Robert Morris admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” after a woman claimed he began molesting her when she was 12 years old. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” It’s the latest controversy to rock Christendom, emerging just days after Dr. Tony Evans, another celebrated preacher, announced…
God and Science
An abundance of well-known celebrity scientists these days are proclaiming that there is no God, because God can’t be proven by the scientific method. This pronouncement is so funny, because you cannot put God under a microscope and then say “There He is!” Why? Because the scientific method is only good for physical, electrical, and…