Religion
/Health
/ArcaMax
The God Squad: Weird Thanksgiving thank-yous
I am still flooded and inspired by the God winks you are sending to me, and I thank you from the bottom of my winking heart. Even so, I am happy to take a break from God winks to send along my annual Thanksgiving blessings and my suggestions for things, animals and people for which, and for whom, we should give thanks, but do not....Read more
What is the significance of a tree planted by water?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: An artist friend of mine gave me one of his paintings of a tree growing by the water and added a Bible verse, Psalm 1:3. We had been talking about growing spiritually and I guess this is what prompted his lovely gift to me. What is the significance of a tree planted by water? – P.W.
A: It is no ...Read more
Why is it thought that philosophy produces wisdom, and is wisdom the power of Christian life?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: As a philosophy major, when I listen to lectures on the subject, I’m not sure I agree that philosophy is the study of wisdom and learning how to think. Why is it commonly thought that the study of philosophy produces wisdom, and is wisdom the power of living the Christian life? – W.W.
A: ...Read more
Why does the Bible compare marriage to God and the church, and why is God called the bridegroom and the church called the bride?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Marriage is very different today than in the past. Today, marriage is made a mockery. Most weddings don’t have a spiritual element to them at all, as couples try to outdo their closest friends and attempt to have the most exotic and carnal event; there is seldom any holy element to the ceremony or...Read more
How should I listen for the voice of the Lord?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: When I tell my friends I wish I could know God the way they do, they tell me that I should listen for the voice of the Lord. This seems impossible that God would call out to me – it seems more like a fairytale, yet I don’t believe my friends would lie to me. How is this really possible? – G.C....Read more
Will there be denominations in Heaven?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Will there be denominations in Heaven? – N.D.
A: The church – the body of Christ – is far greater than any building or denomination. It is the vast fellowship of men and women throughout the ages who belong to Christ. Paul wrote of “God’s household … the church of the living God” (1 ...Read more
Is being prejudiced an actual sin?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: America is a very prejudiced nation and it’s embarrassing to listen to the hatred that pours forth. I know that it isn’t right to be prejudiced against something or someone, but is being prejudiced an actual sin? – S.P.
A: Prejudice stalks many countries. It would be hard to find a nation ...Read more
Southern California priest supported political candidates, apparently violating federal law: 'I won't stop'
LOS ANGELES — A week before the general elections, worshipers at the St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in Bell Gardens were listening to the parish announcements when Father Nabor Rios introduced a political candidate.
"I'm not saying to vote for her," he told people, pausing. "Well, I am saying to vote for her, but Isabel is gonna run�...Read more
The God Squad: Golf ball God wink and lost and found winks
Certain patterns are emerging from the flood of God winks I have received. The vast majority of your winks are completely non-extraordinary events that occur at completely extraordinary moments. They do not violate natural law but their appearance in your life is way more than a simple coincidence. What makes them wonderful to me is that you are...Read more
How can we decipher between an authentic church and a false church?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: After reading the book of Acts about the beginning of the church started by Jesus, it seems that the church has wandered a good distance from those days. It’s difficult to decipher between an authentic church and a false church. What’s lacking today? – F.C.
A: The Bible tells us that the ...Read more
Is it wise to let children go to communion?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Is it wise to let children go to communion? It is way over the heads of kids; in fact, it’s over the heads of most adults and can even seem gory. – C.C.
A: A little girl, seeing a cross on the communion table, asked, “Mama, what’s that plus sign over the table?” Questions children ask ...Read more
'You are not an error.' How an Episcopal church reaches LGBTQ+ farmworkers
FRESNO, Calif. — Workplace bullying, religious trauma, complicated relationships with their own communities.
These are some of the challenges that LGBTQ+ farmworkers face, said Rev. Nelson Serrano Poveda, the Latino/Hispanic missioner at Fresno’s St. James Episcopal Cathedral. Many come from small, socially conservative towns in Latin ...Read more
The God Squad: Embarrassed by God winks?
Two reasons above all keep me sharing God winks with you, my dear readers.
First, they are a source of hope for those of you who are in grief over the death of a loved one. You want to know that death is not the end of us, and I believe with you and your winks that death is definitely not the end of us. It ought to comfort you to know that ...Read more
In melding faith and politics, churches follow do's and don'ts this election season
Don’t be surprised as Election Day fast approaches to see many signs outside Florida churches telling you to vote a certain way.
Mixing faith and politics, churches have long weighed in on matters affecting communities in the state and across the U.S., and their efforts are underway this year with the issue of abortion on Florida’s ballot. ...Read more
Denver Archdiocese, Catholic nonprofit contribute $225,000 to anti-abortion group in fight over Colorado's Amendment 79
DENVER — The Archdiocese of Denver and a nonprofit representing the state’s Catholic bishops have contributed $225,000 to a Colorado anti-abortion group in its fight against Amendment 79, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution.
The Pro-Life Colorado Fund, a coalition of more than 50 anti-abortion groups, received...Read more
Youth leader at Texas megachurch charged with child porn
A youth leader at an Evangelical megachurch in west-central Texas has been arrested and charged with child pornography, authorities said.
Charles Goff, who served as a youth volunteer at the Beltway Park Church in Abilene for approximately three years, reportedly told a member of the church he was struggling with his desire to watch child ...Read more
The God Squad: Halloween winks
When you scrape away the fun and silly, but charming, veneer of what is now the thoroughly secularized holiday of Halloween; when you get beyond the extorted candy of trick-or-treat; when you finish carving and lighting your last pumpkin; when you take off the ridiculous costume you wore to a Halloween party, and ...Read more
Ruling revives lawsuit to allow state funding for special education to go to religious schools
A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel revived a lawsuit this week filed by Orthodox Jewish families that sued California education officials over the state’s policy of refusing to fund special education programs at religious schools.
Two religious schools and three Orthodox Jewish parents whose children have autism filed the lawsuit against ...Read more
The God Squad: A bunny wink
Q: My family had a much-beloved pet rabbit that we rescued/adopted from a hospital lab. I worked at the hospital as a medical photographer, and as such spent a lot of time in various operating rooms and labs. The hospital was doing research with female rabbits and after they were done the animals were euthanized. We adopted three of the ...Read more
The God Squad: A pennies from heaven God wink
Q: I have a God wink to tell you about. Our oldest son was killed by a drunk driver when he was 20 years old and a passenger in another car.
When he was much younger, he asked me to give him dollar bills for some change he had on hand, and I said fine. He then gave me $3 in pennies and I gave him three $1 bills. It became a running...Read more
Inside Religion
Popular Stories
- Trump pans National Cathedral bishop's plea for compassion towards immigrants, LGBTQ people
- Boston-area ex-priest who pushed for Cardinal Law's resignation is accused of sexual assault
- A Black, LGBTQ Connecticut pastor leads nearly 600 New England churches. He has a gift for all who need it
- Commentary: Religious liberty in America -- past is prologue
- San Diego's first-ever cardinal will soon lead Washington, D.C., diocese as Trump takes office