Weekly briefing: $2T relief for Americans, Christian leaders on coronavirus, DOJ backs female athletes

We've compiled the top stories of the week. Here's what you need to know:

Senate passes $2 trillion relief package for Americans

The Senate passed this week a $2 trillion relief package, the biggest in U.S. history, to help save the economy during a pandemic that has left millions without jobs.

The package includes $1,200 for individuals and $500 for each child; an extra $600 per week on top of unemployment benefits; and $350 billion in loans for small businesses.

Amid lockdowns and social distancing, President Donald Trump said he hopes America can get back to having “packed churches” by Easter.

Christian leaders on what coronavirus signifies, how believers can respond

JD Greear says God is using coronavirus to show fragility of world

Pastor David Jeremiah on whether there’s a connection between COVID-19 and the End Times

Francis Chan says this is one of the greatest opportunities to reach the lost

Ravis Zacharias: Make sure your relationship with God is strong

“God is saying ... the world you are living in is not as secure as you think it is, and you need to rethink the foundations that you have.” — J.D. Greear

DOJ backs female athletes in lawsuit against pro-transgender policy

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in support of three female high school athletes who are suing Connecticut public schools over allowing trans-identified females to compete in women’s sports.

The DOJ argued that men and women have “real physiological differences” and allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports “deprives those women of the single-sex athletic competitions that are one of the marquee accomplishments of Title IX.”

“Allowing males to compete in the female category isn’t fair and destroys girls’ athletic opportunities.” — Christiana Holcomb of Alliance Defending Freedom

Some states call for halt on abortions during pandemic

Officials in several states, including Ohio, Texas and Tennessee, have ordered abortion clinics to halt abortions to comply with guidelines to suspend all elective and medically unnecessary surgeries.

This would help preserve personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

CP’s interview with Dream Center pastor Matthew Barnett on the worsening homeless epidemic

Pray for

Christians in India who face persecution almost daily

Christians in Burma whose villages have been targeted by the Burmese army

New releases

Films to watch during quarantine:

“I Still Believe” video on demand

“Home Sweet Home” on Pureflix

“Inwood Drive” video on demand

Albums:

Perspectives by David Dunn (March 27)

Taking My Voice Back by Brooke Robertson (March 27)

Choose to Worship by Rend Collective (March 27)

Books:

Jesus Over Everything: Uncomplicating the Daily Struggle to Put Jesus First by Lisa Whittle (March 24)

Chrysostom's Devil: Demons, the Will, and Virtue in Patristic Soteriology by Samantha Miller (March 17)

Nursing: Following God's Call to Mentorship

Nursing students recognize the caring and intentional personality of Professor Cindy Drohn, a woman who is passionate about her students and goes out of her way to show them with her actions.

Ms. Drohn is more than a professor to her students; she is a mentor and friend whom they can depend on and look to for guidance throughout their careers and lives.

“Throughout nursing school, I have faced many failures and surgeries. Through every heartache, I knew her office door would be open, the blessing jar full of chocolate, and her hugs would be waiting”, said Sierra Banks, a student of Drohn’s. “I knew her office was a safe place and I could say whatever needed to be said. … You can find Ms. Drohn in the nursing department any time of day or night, weekends included. She personally gets to know each students and truly cares.”

Ms. Drohn’s love extends past just a small handful of her students. She serves and invests in every nursing student that allows her to — whether she is meeting them in her office on nights or weekends, providing encouragement throughout their day, or simply smiling and intentionally greeting students as they carry on through stressful academic days.

Professor Drohn has been in the student’s shoes. In fact, she knew early on in her education that she might want to return to Liberty University to teach and work alongside students who were just like her.

“She embodies love for the School of Nursing”, said Dr. Shanna Akers, Dean of Liberty University’s School of Nursing. “She loves the Lord with all of her heart, and because of that love for Christ, she loves all of her students and colleagues. She has poured into her students and dedicated her life to not only giving love, joy, and hope to individuals— but truly investing in them.” Read More