The following article, Kamala Harris LOSES SUPPORT In Latest Post-DNC Poll (Video), was first published on Conservative Firing Line. (Natural News) A recent Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll shows that support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for president has experienced a significant drop since her official nomination during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. The poll, conducted on Aug. 29 among 2,500 self-reported likely voters, reveals that 44 percent of respondents would back Harris over former President Donald … Continue reading Kamala Harris LOSES SUPPORT In Latest Post-DNC Poll (Video) ...

The following article, The Ground Is “Moving” So Rapidly In One Part Of Southern California That A “State Of Emergency” Has Been Declared, was first published on Conservative Firing Line. If the ground under your feet is moving “up to 10 inches a week”, that might be a sign that it is time to relocate.  What is currently taking place in Rancho Palos Verdes is perhaps the most extreme example of the geophysical instability that is plaguing much of the state of California at this point.  … Continue reading The Ground Is “Moving” So Rapidly In One Part Of Southern California That A “State Of Emergency” Has Been Declared ...

by Jack Montgomery, The National Pulse: Law enforcement sources report a Haitian migrant flown into the U.S. last year under the Biden-Harris government’s Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole scheme has been arrested for molesting a 10-year-old boy. This follows another CHNV parolee from Haiti, Cory Alvarez, being charged with raping a 15-year-old girl in Rockland, Massachusetts, in March. Sources tell Fox News correspondent Bill […]

How You Can Promote Unity in the Body September 6 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? – 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 A man and his wife were walking through a park in Miami one afternoon when they saw a Cuban family enjoying a picnic. The family was tossing scraps of bread to a raccoon and saying repeatedly, "Oye, chico, ven aca" (Come here, boy!). The man thought for a moment and laughed. He confessed to his wife that his first reaction was, "That's silly. Raccoons don't speak Spanish!" Whatever our background, it's our nature to see the world through our own experiences. This can sometimes create a problem when well-meaning people from different backgrounds try to resolve conflict, each carrying his or her own assumptions for how the world "should" work. When we look at much of the disunity in our churches today, this has been the crux of the issue: People from different ages, races, and backgrounds come together with their own ideas of how Christianity works. But the truth is that these ideas are just that... ideas. They're preferences based on our own life experiences. To have unity in our churches, we as members must submit our preferences to a simple question: What is the best way to carry out the Great Commandment of loving God and loving people? So instead of just fighting for what seems right to you, question your own assumptions and be part of the conversation for how to move forward in unity! Prayer Challenge Ask God to help you see your opinions on non-biblical matters as secondary to unity in the Body of Christ. Questions for Thought Think of a time when a disagreement arose with another believer over a non-biblical matter. What happened? How might having a unity-focused perspective on your own opinions help you the next time you encounter a conflict like that? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post How You Can Promote Unity in the Body – Senior Living – September 6 appeared first on GodUpdates.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Children are naturally curious about the world around them, especially the people that cross their paths. When kids observe someone whose body looks different from theirs, such as a person with a limb difference, they are more prone to ask questions—often loudly and in public. This interest provides a tremendous teaching opportunity for parents that should not be suppressed but encouraged. “Discussing disability leads to normalizing disability, which leads to better understanding the needs of diverse communities,” explains Shree Thaker, director of communications and partnerships for the Amputee Coalition. Instead of advising kids to stay quiet or to refrain from asking questions, parents should encourage their child’s curiosity and use it as a chance to promote empathy and understanding. According to Cameron Lutges, a mentor with the No Limits Foundation, fostering children’s curiosity by allowing them to ask questions helps their brains understand what limb differences and prostheses are. Understanding prosthetics: tools, not limitations Prosthetics can fascinate children, especially when they observe athletes utilizing them in high-performance environments like during the Paralympics. These technologies, which are typically viewed as extensions of the human body, might pique a child’s interest, prompting questions about their function and purpose. “Prosthetic devices really are aids that help people,” Lutges explains. He suggests explaining prostheses to children by comparing them to something familiar, such as shoes. “People put on shoes to protect their feet. It’s the same kind of scenario for us to be able to wear shoes and be able to perform our daily tasks while making sure that we’re doing it in the safest manner for our bodies.” This contrast helps children perceive prosthetics as tools that help people perform various tasks, rather than something that defines them. Celebrating athletes: a focus on achievements When talking about Paralympic competitors, it’s vital to stress their remarkable accomplishments rather than their limitations. Thaker proposes that parents talk about Paralympic competitors in the same manner they talk about other elite athletes. “Normalizing disability helps to prevent ‘othering’ anyone,” she says. Parents can compliment an athlete’s speed, strength, or skill without mentioning if they use a prosthetic or other aid. For example, instead of stating, “Look how fast she is running on that blade,” say, “Look how fast she is running!” This technique teaches students to respect the athletes’ ability while also recognizing that their usage of prosthetics is only one aspect of their success. Building empathy: seeing the whole person Teaching young minds about disability involves more than just discussing prosthetics and athletic achievements. It is critical to portray people with disabilities as complete individuals with a colorful range of experiences and stories. “Disability is a part of their identity, while not their entire identity,” Thaker points out. Parents can help their children understand that, while a person’s disability is an important part of their life, it does not define them. Parents can paint a more complete picture of Paralympic competitors by highlighting their broader narratives, such as their training, devotion, and personal journeys. This technique not only fosters empathy but also teaches students to communicate properly with persons with disabilities in everyday situations. Addressing social gaps: the Paralympics and representation One key topic to discuss with kids is the difference in media coverage between the Paralympics and the Olympics. Despite their prominence as world-class athletes, the Paralympians receive significantly less attention. This distinction might serve as a starting point for discussions regarding how society values different body types and skills. “While great strides have been made, there is still more that needs to be done for people who have disabilities to be equal,” Thaker adds. By seeing these differences, parents may help their children appreciate the value of equity and representation in sports and beyond. Reassure and learn together For children who might be anxious about the possibility of losing a limb, it’s important to provide reassurance. Parents can explain that while accidents and diseases are unavoidable, they will always do their utmost to keep their children safe and cared for. Encouraging discussion about what would happen in such instances can lead to more in-depth conversations regarding accessibility and resilience. Parents do not need to have all the answers. If a child asks a question that the parent cannot answer, it is acceptable to simply say: “I don’t know; let’s learn together.” This technique demonstrates a positive attitude toward learning and helps children develop a more inclusive worldview. Using the Paralympics as a starting point, parents can expose their children to the concept of limb differences in a pleasant, polite, and instructive manner. These discussions not only normalize disability but also inspire the next generation to create a more inclusive and understanding society.The post Using the Paralympics to encourage conversations about limb differences with kids first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an ambitious bid to reduce excessive screen time among young children, France plans to trial a mobile phone ban in over 200 secondary schools. This plan, which will compel students to relinquish their phones upon arriving at school, expands on the existing 2018 policy, which already limits phone use on school grounds but lets students retain their devices with them. Nicole Belloubet, the acting education minister, indicated that if the trial is successful, the ban could go into effect statewide as early as January. The purpose of this “digital pause,” as Belloubet calls it, is to create an environment in which children may develop without continual interruptions from digital devices. The trial is viewed as a vital step toward reducing young people’s overexposure to screens, which has been a major worry among French health professionals and educators. Health concerns lead to policy change The need for this restriction derives from a larger national discussion about the deleterious effects of digital gadget use on children’s health. President Emmanuel Macron’s team produced a comprehensive report in March that highlighted disturbing results. The 140-page document describes a “very clear consensus on the direct and indirect negative effects of digital devices” on different elements of children’s well-being, such as sleep, physical exercise, and even mental health. The paper was particularly scathing of “hyper” mobile phone use, attributing it to a slew of ailments including increased sedentary behavior, obesity, and visual difficulties. It suggested a tiered strategy to limit children’s use of mobile phones, with no use before age 11, limited internet access between ages 11 and 13, and no access to social media until at least age 15. Servane Mouton, a neurologist and neurophysiologist on the commission, underlined the need for a cultural transformation, saying, “We must put the digital instrument in its place. A youngster does not require a digital gadget to develop until at least the age of six.” Mouton and her colleagues propose that rather than screen time, early childhood education should focus on activities that enhance physical and cognitive development. International perspectives on school phone bans France’s decision is part of a larger trend in Europe to control cell phone use in schools. Countries such as Germany and Italy have imposed various types of phone restrictions, however the scope and enforcement of these prohibitions differ. Most German schools, for example, have laws barring phone usage during class, and Italy just reintroduced a statewide ban after relaxing restrictions in 2017. Meanwhile, some countries are investigating alternative techniques. Portugal, for example, is experimenting with phone-free days in schools, while Spain has seen regional bans without a national mandate. In the United Kingdom, the government published non-statutory recommendations proposing that schools prohibit phone use during the school day, with individual headteachers making the final decision. As France begins its trial program, the world will be watching intently to see if this digital pause can serve as a model for other countries dealing with the issues of limiting young people’s screen usage.The post France will test a nationwide mobile phone ban for students under the age of 15 first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

It was only once I began to consistently make time and space to let God love me that my life began to be transformed and healed and I began to walk in freedom. It was only once I began to consistently encounter God’s heart that I was filled with a longing to love others.

If the church in America is going to make any meaningful progress toward addressing the 40 million adults who’ve left the church in the last 30 years, we must run on two mission-critical train tracks: individual and institutional. Jim Davis and I geared our book The Great Dechurching more toward helping individuals demystify what’s going on, grow in relational wisdom, and adopt a more persuasive posture with the people in their everyday lives. However, if Christians are to have any meaningful long-term influence, we must also have the parallel institutional track: local churches making progress on this issue. The aim for churches is threefold: close the back door, open the front door, and send out the church better equipped. To radically distill this plan, here are three critical questions your church must ask. 1. Close the back door: Do we have a process for people moving out of our community? What’s the number one reason people give for why they’ve dechurched? “I moved.” Just like at an airport, there are two kinds of moving—arrivals and departures. You need to have a plan for both. Let’s start with a strategy for departures since it’s simpler: Conduct exit interviews with individuals and households when they move. Communicate that you’d love to be helpful and resourceful as they move, and as part of that will help compile a list of three to five good churches to check out in their new community. Check in periodically in the months after their move to see how you can pray and how the church search process is going. What’s the number one reason people give for why they’ve dechurched? ‘I moved.’ While these actions won’t necessarily help your church (you’re the one losing members), they’ll help the wider church. By holding members’ hands as they transition to other faithful churches, you’re lovingly preventing people from becoming a dechurching statistic and serving the churches where they end up. 2. Open the front door: Do we have a process for people moving into our community? Next, we can consider the church’s “arrivals” strategy. The ways in which people find local churches continue to evolve, but there’s plenty of low-hanging fruit to be gathered using these approaches: Train your congregation on how to invite someone to church (35 percent of unchurched people will go to church if you invite them, and our study found that 17 percent of dechurched people would go to church if you invited them). Give them a script: “Hey, I don’t know if you have a church you attend regularly, but we really like our local church, and I feel like I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t extend a personal invitation for you to come.” Multiple platforms help you identify people who recently moved into your area, such as the Bless App, Gloo, and LeadsPlease. Multiple platforms help you do direct mail, such as Cactus Mailing and Outreach. Make sure you’re listed on the various church search engines (where appropriate), such as TGC (currently revamping), 9Marks, PCA, SBC, ACNA, and Acts 29. Review your website to make sure it’s friendly for people new to the community and easy access to all the information they’d need to see if you’re a good fit and to make their first visit smoother. Consider the ideas from Clover and ReachRight. 3. Send out the equipped: Do you provide training on how congregants can have spiritual and gospel conversations in their everyday lives? It’s no secret that many churches struggle to equip their members to communicate the gospel effectively. This is especially true as we’ve moved into a post-Christendom context where Christianity is often seen as regressive or even oppressive. Consider these suggestions: Identify and assess your current plan to train your congregation on having spiritual and gospel conversations. To analyze how your community outreach is doing, consider metrics like how many first-generation believers your church has baptized this year. Ask thoughtful questions about your area: What are the biggest idols in your community, and what gospel metaphors speak most powerfully to the underlying wants and fears embedded in those idols? What contexts or communities are the most responsive? Host training about the integration of faith and work. Additionally, we built a free 20-point checklist for local churches to audit themselves and are giving away our rechurching toolkit to anyone who registers for our TGC25 conference breakout session, “How Your Church Can Reach the Dechurched.” More Important than Strategies We’d be remiss if we didn’t make explicit the most important thing—Jesus Christ will build his church. Jesus Christ will build his church. We can have all the best practices and implement all the best systems and structures, yet none of it means anything if the wind of the Holy Spirit isn’t blowing and changing people’s hearts through the gospel. All these ideas assume we’re building our churches on the rock of the gospel and feeding the sheep with a steady diet of Word and sacrament.

Last week, on August 26, at the age of 86, John A. Reed Jr. quietly fell asleep in Jesus’s arms. His passing didn’t register on most people’s radar. But the news of his death had wide and strong aftershocks for many in Oklahoma City and around the country who knew and loved “Pops” or “Pop Reed.” The nicknames say a lot about the man and his ministry. Those like me who knew Reed viewed him as a father figure. Lifetime Legacy Reed was born in the home of a pastor. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a graduate of Langston University, and, most importantly, the pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church. Through his six decades of ministry, Reed touched many lives for Christ. At the news of his passing, the mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, called Reed “one of the most impactful residents [the] city has ever known.” Reed was baptized in Fairview. He preached there at the age of 19. After being asked to assist the pastor, he served that one congregation from the time he was 24 years old until his final days. Reed announced his retirement from Fairview’s pulpit on Father’s Day 2024—more than 61 years after his ministry there began. Though it’s not every pastor’s calling, there’s something special about a man who plants his flag for the gospel in a congregation and stays there serving Christ and the church for a lifetime. Earnest Preacher, Faithful in Crisis Because of his faithful and earnest preaching in Oklahoma City, Reed also was privileged to travel the country proclaiming Christ crucified. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he preached in every U.S. state. It was as if his motto was “Have Bible, will travel.” Yet if you ask Fairview’s members, they’ll tell you Pastor Reed was always there for them. When the sheep needed him, this faithful shepherd was there to care for his flock—from pastoral counseling to visiting the sick to grief care. For over half a century, Reed led Fairview with pulpit excellence, gospel vision, strategic discipleship, pastoral care, and wise administration. There’s something special about a man who plants his flag for the gospel in a congregation and stays there serving Christ and the church for a lifetime. In 1995, I preached at Fairview during their annual Simultaneous Revival, a weeklong evangelistic effort led by a coalition of churches. That Wednesday morning, I was awakened by what I thought was an earthquake. When I looked out my hotel window, I could see smoke rising downtown. We’d soon learn terrorists used a bomb to bring down the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. I had a front-row seat to watch Reed, who was serving as president of the local ministers’ fellowship, lead churches to pray for and serve their shocked and brokenhearted city while he also ministered to families in his congregation who’d lost loved ones in the bombing. Intentional Mentor, Servant of the Community Reed was a “preacher’s preacher.” He was a friend of preachers and a strong supporter of young preachers. Many congregations in Oklahoma City and beyond are led by “sons of Fairview,” whom Reed licensed, ordained, and trained. The list of pastors—young and old—who are where they are because Reed gave them a helping hand is long. I’m a part of that list. Along with leading local ministerial alliances, Reed worked tirelessly in his denomination, serving as the state president and regional vice-president of the National Baptist Convention, USA. He was also out in front of the civil rights progress made in Oklahoma City over the decades. On many occasions, Reed’s concern for his community prompted him to lead the way in political matters. But more often, he prayed for and counseled city, state, and national leaders behind the scenes—pastoring the politicians. When pressed to run for office, Reed refused, prioritizing gospel proclamation and shepherding his beloved Fairview. From ‘Uncle John’ to ‘Pops’ Reed and my father were dear friends. My dad affectionately called him “Buddy.” I can’t remember a time when “Uncle John” wasn’t a part of my life. My dad preached the Simultaneous Revival at Reed’s invitation the week after Easter each year. Reed preached Homecoming services for my dad in Los Angeles each June. The day my father died, Reed was flying home from preaching at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where my dad had served for 40 years. That same day, I was flying home from preaching at a youth meeting in Detroit. I was still in high school. After we both landed and received the news, Reed called to assure me that “Uncle John” would be heading right back to L.A. to be with me. But when he arrived a few days later, Reed was no longer my “Uncle John.” He was “Pops.” He adopted me as a son and was truly always there for me. Images provided by John A. Reed Jr.’s family Pops was with me as we preached my father’s funeral. He came back the next summer to ordain me to the gospel ministry. Then that November, at age 17, I went to Mt. Sinai to vote for a new senior pastor; I came home as that new pastor. I didn’t know what to do next, but Reed was there to advise, support, and encourage me. He helped to install me in both the congregations where I’ve served. He preached the message at my wedding to Crystal, and he treated my children as his grandchildren. Words and a Life to Remember The year after my dad passed, Reed invited me to preach at the Simultaneous Revival in honor of my father. He kept inviting me back to preach that revival week for more than two decades. It was through preaching for him that I met many great pulpiteers and was invited to preach in churches across the country. Each year, he’d recommend a fresh crop of books for me to read. “Son, make friends with books,” he’d say. “They will never leave you nor forsake you.” I called the first book I wrote It Happens After Prayer. The book title was Reed’s line, and it was no mere pulpit slogan. For decades, he’d call his members to prayer with the wonderful assurance that God is willing to hear and able to answer. It wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest longtime Fairview members will remember their pastor’s prayers as much as his sermons. For decades, Reed would call his members to prayer with the wonderful assurance that God is willing to hear and able to answer. After I preached at Fairview as a young preacher, Pops would often say to the congregation, “And it does not yet appear what he shall be . . .” Hearing him speak that subtle benediction over me encouraged me to attempt great things for the Lord. Now, as an older man and more seasoned preacher, my ambitions have mellowed. I’ve seen too many ministers crash and burn on the track as they sought to cross the line ahead of everyone else. At this point, I just want to finish strong, as Reed did: I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6–8)