In recognition of Monday, which marks Presidents' Day in the U.S., Michael Gryboski breaks down four facts about the federal holiday. Among the bunch: the holiday can be traced back to the early 1800s when Americans began celebrating the birth of George Washington. Continue reading.

With 80% of companies offering a subscription model to sell their goods and services, it is no surprise the convenience of subscriptions has made its way into the church—but these types of tools come at a price, warns Robin Schumacher. By turning the Christian faith into a "me-centered subscription" reliant upon virtual churches and the delivery of so-called spirituality in a box, it is too easy for people to just as easily unsubscribe. "[D]on’t be deceived: without Christ, there is no swiping away, opting-out, or unsubscribing from hell," Schumacher warns. Continue reading.

Is it a sin to gamble? In this op-ed, Rev. Mark H. Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, explores sin and gambling and whether various types of gambling and bet-making have any place in a Christian's life. Continue reading.

Community is an essential part of a Christian's life, and we wouldn't be able to accomplish many of the Bible's commandments without being with others, Miles McPherson writes. McPerson discusses why we are "better together" and why it is important to acknowledge hurt and work through reconciliation and forgiveness to strengthen Christian relationships and draw closer to Christ. Continue reading.

GMF was founded as an evangelism and gospel outreach ministry in 2003. Dr. Hamlet has used his gift of proclamation evangelism all over the world. In addition to international crusades, area-wide gospel-fests and outreaches are held throughout the United States. Most events include free food, entertainment, social services, and a message from Dr. Hamlet that clearly explains the gospel to all in attendance. GMF believes that biblical evangelism must be connected to biblical discipleship. In every country in which GMF holds evangelism festivals, Dr. Hamlet works in conjunction with GMF’s local church partners. By doing ministry side by side with them, local Christian leaders can carry on the discipleship process long after the crusades are over. Read Now

A trial court in Illinois has ruled that Winnebago County must pay more than $370,000 in attorneys’ fees for violating the legally protected freedoms of a Christian pediatric nurse who was ordered to refer women for abortions or provide abortifacient contraceptives against her religious beliefs and conscience. Sandra Rojas worked with the Winnebago County Health Department for 18 years before the health department introduced a new requirement forcing nurses to undergo training on how to refer women to abortion facilities and help them access abortifacient contraceptives. After refusing to accommodate Rojas due to her objections of conscience, they fired her, after which she sought protection under the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, who served as co-counsel for the nurse, stated, "The court’s fee award sends a clear message that health care workers are free to practice medicine in a manner consistent with their conscience and religious beliefs, and there will be a steep penalty if the government fails to respect that legally protected freedom.”

Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority announced Monday it is abandoning plans to absorb Christian holy sites on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives into a national park. The move comes as many Christian leaders protested the plans. A letter signed by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theopolis III, Catholic Church Custos of the Holy Land Francesco Patton and Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan Manougian called the plan “a brutal measure that constitutes a direct and premeditated attack on the Christians in the Holy Land.” Although the Israeli government argued the move would have preserved the local environment and wouldn't harm churches, the INPA stated that it has "no intention of advancing the plan in the planning committee and it is not ready for discussion without coordination and communication with all relevant officials, including the churches, in the area," as was reported by The Associated Press.