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Insurer locked in battle with NY archdiocese over abuse payments sues AG's office
NEW YORK — In an ongoing battle over who will be financially responsible for payouts to survivors of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of clergy, an insurance company suing the Archdiocese of New York filed a suit against the New York attorney general’s office Monday.
Chubb, an insurer of the Archdiocese of New York, filed papers in New ...Read more
Michigan church pastor arrested, fired after camera found in bathroom, officials say
DETROIT — A Brighton church leader was arrested Friday after a staff member found a hidden camera in a bathroom, officials said.
Will Johnson, the worship pastor director of 2|42 Community Church, was also fired, a top church official said in a statement.
Eric Rauch, 2|42 Community Church's executive pastor of ministry operations, said ...Read more
How can we know the soul and conscience are real?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: How can we know the soul and conscience are real? They have never been seen – not even by medical experts. What is the key to this phenomenon? – S.C.
A: God has put within each one of us something that cries aloud against us; it bears witness whenever we do that which we know to be wrong (see ...Read more
Is there some element of truth in these accounts or are they outright lies?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I heard a preacher caution people to be careful about believing stories of people going to Heaven or Hell and coming back to tell about it. Is there some element of truth in these accounts or are they outright lies? – I.D.
A: There have been many ...Read more
When God’s people go through a time of testing, is it true that outcomes seem to produce results that amount to gold?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: When God’s people go through a time of testing, is it true that outcomes seem to produce results that amount to gold? – T.G.
A: Job, the Old Testament saint, considered the wonders of God in the midst of his trials and hardships, he proclaimed: “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as ...Read more
Florida Muslim group expands mental health outreach to tackle stigma around suicide
MIAMI -- Mental health is not easy for anyone to discuss openly. But, in some religious communities, there is an added stigma that may hinder an open dialogue — and that’s particularly true in the Islamic faith.
The South Florida Muslim Federation (SoFlo Muslims), an umbrella organization representing over 40 mosques and Islamic ...Read more
Missouri church 'takes a stand' by taking over anti-racism billboard near Confederate flag
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In 2021, Amanda Burrows had an answer to a giant Confederate flag that was erected along a popular route to the Lake of the Ozarks: a billboard with the anti-racist message, “EQUALITY BIGGER THAN HATE.”
She raised money through GoFundMe to lease the billboard so visitors would not leave with the impression that the area...Read more
The God Squad: Flowering God winks
Flowers often appear in God winks. Here is one of my favorites:
Q: I just read your faith, miracles and Godwink column in today’s Palm Beach Post on Aug. 16, 2024. … And believe I had the most beautiful God wink of all time. After being with the man of my dreams, my perfect partner of 13 years, we went fishing one weekend...Read more
Why does suffering get worse instead of better?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: With more breakthroughs in medicine and having more knowledge than at any other time in history, why does suffering get worse instead of better? – W.S.
A: There’s suffering in every country. People of every nationality experience untold pain. It’s been like this since the beginning. Personal ...Read more
This Miami church's new home is in a high-rise condo. You enter through the coffee shop
MIAMI -- Corner Coffee is not your typical coffee shop.
All the the usual suspects are offered: espresso, cold brews, pastries. But the distinct interior design offers some clues as to what is also on the menu: A ceiling mobile made of religious stained glass hangs over a seating area. A bronze sculpture of a life-size Homeless Jesus sleeping ...Read more
Will the children of 9/11 ever recover from the mess that this tragedy has done to their hearts?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: My children’s generation was ruined by 9/11 and I don’t think they will ever recover from the mess that this tragedy has done to their hearts. – D.P.
A: Every generation witnesses terrifying world events. The 21 st century was inaugurated with the horrific 9/11 tragedy that set the whole ...Read more
Isn’t being held to a higher standard a form of persecution?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’ve gained a large following by leading a Bible study. While I enjoy some perks that come from it, people hold me to a higher standard than others. Isn’t this a form of persecution? – P.R.
A: Life is easy when all goes smoothly; but when things go wrong, we can quickly lose our sense of ...Read more
How can I stop being so distraught?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’m distraught at every turn in life. I believe in God and have even served on the pastoral staff, but I’ve had to step away because I can’t overcome my own total inability to deal with the twists and turns that seem to pile on more heaviness and despair. – I.D.
A: Paul tells us of the ...Read more
Is Jesus’ goal for mankind different from what we’ve imagined?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I have many goals in life that haven’t come to fruition no matter how hard I’ve worked. Is Jesus’ goal for mankind different from what we’ve imagined? All of the conferences I go to tell me that we should strive for the abundant life that God promises – the fulfillment of our ambitions. �...Read more
Maryland Supreme Court to hear argument over Child Victims Act: 'This is what it means'
BALTIMORE — A priest lured 9-year-old David Schappelle into a private area of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gaithersburg decades ago under the guise of teaching him about confession.
Father Wayland Brown proceeded to masturbate under his “ceremonial robe,” withdraw his hand when he was finished and tell the boy that “God will be ...Read more
Can we as Christians really carry out Biblical teaching when it says to bless those that persecute you?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I used to think that persecution of Christians only happened in countries steeped in violent ignorance, but seeing things happening in the 21 st century makes me afraid that I won’t know how to prepare my young children for the future. Can we as Christians really carry out Biblical teaching when ...Read more
The God Squad: I once was lost…
Q: If someone does not obey God’s commandments, like Adam and Eve didn’t, God cast them out. If I, or anyone, does things that God doesn’t like, will he cast me out, too?
I have had struggles in my life for a while now, financial and health, and I pray to God for help, but I think God won’t or doesn’t want to help me ...Read more
Is thinking a bad thought as bad as doing it?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I am a Christian, but I disagree with others who say that thinking a bad thought is as bad as doing it. There’s no way this can be true, yet many stand on this as an absolute truth. How can this be? – T.D.
A: Robert Browning said, “Thought is the soul of the act.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ...Read more
Survivors call for expediency in sex abuse investigations of 2 Catholic dioceses
BALTIMORE — Survivors of child sexual abuse in Maryland on Wednesday demanded expediency from the state attorney general in its investigations of the Catholic dioceses of Washington and Wilmington, Delaware.
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, told reporters at a news conference that they hoped the Maryland ...Read more
The God Squad: Heaven calling
Q: I enjoy reading your column every week. I have been reading it since long before Tommy left. You were both so down to earth and understanding of different faith traditions. Thank you. I think I have a God Winks candidate.
Many years ago I was dreaming that the phone rang and my beloved uncle (and godfather) was on the line and ...Read more
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