| | Ottawa police use pepper spray, stun grenades in Freedom Convoy clear out | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon and Happy Presidents' Day! It's Monday, February 21, and today's headlines include details on the Freedom Convoy arrests in Ottawa, an update on a nurse who was previously fired in Illinois over her pro-life beliefs, and a selection of articles from CP Voices. | Police in Ottawa, Canada, arrested nearly 200 people who were part of the Freedom Convoy, a movement that has been protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the country for the last three weeks. The police, who used pepper spray and stun grenades, also towed 57 vehicles from the city's downtown area and tweeted the streets were "cleared" as of Sunday evening. Ahead of the crackdown, the department tweeted, "If you are involved in this protest, we will actively look to identify you and follow up with financial sanctions and criminal charges." In Case You Missed It ...Franklin Graham criticized for urging followers to pray for Putin amid threat of warCP Voices: Minority neighborhoods need maternity wards, not crack pipesBurkina Faso coup leader sworn in as president, vows to defeat Islamic extremism |
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| 4 facts about Presidents’ Day | | 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. |
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| Let’s talk about your subscription to Jesus | | 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 buy a lottery ticket? | | 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. | | Choosing to be in community, even if you've been hurt | | 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. |
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| Dr. Richard Hamlet’s Global Ministries Foundation is Innovating Ministry in Memphis and Across the World | | 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 | |
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| Pro-life nurse wins suit against Illinois county | | 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.” |
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