All posts filed under: Arts

How Jesus is helping actor Chris Pratt Deal with the Haters

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In an interview with Page Six, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt, 43, shared how Jesus helped Pratt deal with the haters. Pratt came to the Lord after receiving a prophetic word from a Messianic Jew that he was destined for great things while standing outside a liquor store in Hawaii. Two weeks later, Pratt, who worked as a waiter, had a Hollywood director come into the restaurant where he worked for a meal. Over the years, Pratt has been outspoken about his faith and has come under intense criticism for it. Left-wing trolls on social media have tried to cancel him from any future Marvel roles claiming he radiated ‘homophobic white Christian supremacist energy.’ When Page Six reporter, Nicki Gostin, asked Pratt how he dealt with this criticism, the actor of ‘Jurassic World’ fame quickly turned to Jesus and the Bible. “I sure do but that’s nothing new, that’s nothing new, you know?” the actor, 43, told Page Six exclusively Monday at a Cinema Society screening of his upcoming Marvel movie, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. …

‘The Chosen’ TV series to be streamed to over 300 US Prisons

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The widely acclaimed Christian TV series, ‘The Chosen’, which presents a realistic, down-to-earth portrayal of the life of Jesus and the disciples, will soon be streamed into 300 US prisons, CBN reports. Prison Fellowship, America’s largest prison ministry, has partnered with the Come and See Foundation allowing the multi-season TV series to potentially reach 50,000 inmates in 38 states. According to Angel Studios, ‘The Chosen’s’ distributor, the popular multi-season TV series has already been viewed 500 million times by over 108 million people. READ: ‘The Chosen’ Series to Be Streamed to 300+ Prisons and Thousands of Inmates Across US

Actor Chris Pratt explains the difference between goats and sheep

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In an interview with Drew Barrymore on her talk show, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt shared how he met his wife, Katherine, the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger while attending church. He saw her sitting a few pews away and wondered who she was, God TV reports. But what I found intriguing in the interview was Pratt’s explanation of the difference between goats and sheep. Pratt now owns a farm on which he has both sheep and goats and their reaction to a car stereo helped Pratt understand the parable in Matthew 25:31-46, where Christ talks about the two animals. In the parable, the sheep refer to people who hear Christ’s voice, the Good Shepherd and follow the Lord. The goats referred to self-centered people who refuse to listen and only did what was best for them. Pratt saw the difference after a stereo fell out of a truck on his farm. The sheep were actually scared of it and refused to go near the stereo. The goats on the other hand were intrigued by this new …

Does the movie, ‘Nefarious’, expose the reality of evil spirit possession?

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Nefarious is a Christian movie with a twist: It’s being called a horror flick as it revolves around the story of a demon-possessed man on death row called Nefarious, played by Christian actor Patrick Flanery. In his review of the movie for Digital Journal, Markos Papadatos described the movie as riveting and gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5. “Most importantly, ‘Nefarious’ is a movie that will certainly spark serious conversations with viewers once it’s over,” Papadatos pointed out. The movie script was written by Christian filmmakers Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman who also wrote God is not Dead and Unplanned. The movie centers around the interaction between an atheist psychiatrist, Dr. James Martin, played by Christian actor Jordan Belfi, and Nefarious. Though he doesn’t believe in demons or demon possession, Martin has been called in to evaluate Nefarious’ mental health as he is scheduled to be executed for murdering 11 people. If found insane, Nefarious would avoid execution. During the interview, Nefarious reveals itself as a demon and Martin is forced to …

Country music star Granger Smith to leave entertainment industry for ministry

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In an April 11, 2023, Instagram post, country music star, Granger Smith, announced he will be leaving the entertainment industry to work in full time ministry at the church he attends near Austin, Texas. Smith, 43, will finish off his current singing tour, “Like a River”, on August 26, 2023, before entering full time ministry. Smith added that he has been taking classes at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary located in Wake Forest, North Carolina in preparation for this move. “This summer will be my last tour. I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like. I just want to glorify God the best way that I can,” Smith explained on Instagram. Smith’s final tour was named after his three-year-old son, who died in a pool accident in 2019. Smith has released 11 albums in his 24-year country-singing career that included one number-one hit in 2016, entitled “Backroad Song” and a second song, “If the Boot Fits” …

Controversial movie, ‘Come out in Jesus Name,’ causes a stir in theaters across America

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Another Christian movie is causing a stir in American theaters. This is not only because it hit number five in box office sales, but also because of what is happening in theaters where it is being shown. The movie, called “Come out in Jesus Name,” focuses on the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver people from demonic influences. The Demon Slayer Podcast, which includes Pastor Greg Locke, Alexander Pagani, Vlad Savchuk, and Isaiah Saldivar, were the driving force behind the movie’s production that came in fifth behind “AIR,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” “John Wick: Chapter 4,” and “The Super Mario Bros.” Incredibly it placed second when considering per screen average sales. Through the movie, the members of Demons Slayers Podcast are hoping that Christians will understand and embrace their authority in Christ over the demonic. But aside from how well the movie has done financially, it is what is happening at the theaters that is proving quite controversial, as God TV states there have been reports of healings, salvations, and deliverances. As an example, God …

Actress Melissa Hart shares about her battle with forces of darkness

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Actress Melissa Joan Hart, who became famous playing the lead role in 1990s TV hit series, “Clarissa Explains It All” and later in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” shared about her journey of faith in an interview with Paula Faris on her podcast Journeys of Faith, CBN reports. Hart explained that she came from a Roman Catholic background and her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, was raised as an Alabama Baptist. The two reached a compromise and decided to become Presbyterian and her faith began to grow after she decided to attend a community Bible study at a Presbyterian church. In the interview, Hart shared how she believed faith in Christ was the only way to heaven. It came up as she shared how her son had befriended a Jewish boy at school. The two ended up having many discussions about faith and Hart shared with her son that Jesus was the only way to heaven. Unfortunately, Hart’s comment generated a massive backlash on social media as she was criticized for holding this belief. It reflects a …

Blac Chyna quits her degrading OnlyFans career after becoming a born-again Christian

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In an interview with the Daily Mail, Blac Chyna, 34, shared the remarkable transformation that took place in her life after becoming a born again Christian and getting water baptized in May 2022. Blac Chyna, 34, a model, reality star and former stripper had set up a profile on OnlyFans in 2020 where she earned $1 million a year and was quickly awarded celebrity status on the website. OnlyFans is a subscription-based website where individuals set up profile and provide pornographic material to subscribers. Since her commitment to Jesus, she has changed her name back to her birth name, Angela White and has quit providing pornographic material through the OnlyFans website. The first hint of this remarkable change that was taking place in her life came shortly after her conversion when she shared a video of her being water baptized with her subscribers. The Daily Mail writes: Revealing all in a candid chat, the model explained that – following her baptism in May last year – she came to the realization that continuing to share very X-rated …

Believers and Hollywood: Which side are they on?

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Are you woke, or base? I am learning more about these terms, and they are interesting. We could use the older terms “left wing” and “right wing” but I believe most of us could not define those positions, in one sentence. Definitions are emotional, these days. The question really is, what tribe do you belong to? For you, which side is always right? And who is wrong, before they even speak? We are polarized by in our modern society. With polarized sides, and conspiracy theories, what happens if you believe in something spiritual? What side is God on, woke or base? I am a Christian, and for me, “spiritual” means God, and we find our way back to God through someone named Jesus. So, what does God think about Covid vaccines? Is God a Socialist, or a Capitalist? Does God approve of fifteen minute cities? What about climate change or global warming; yes or no? Is there any place for God in Hollywood? And for Americans, Republican or Democrat, and God? Other countries have their …

Did Kelsey Grammer receive a sign from God about his role in ‘Jesus Revolution’?

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American actor, Kelsey Grammer, who plays Chuck Smith in the Jesus Revolution, a movie about the Jesus People’s movement that swept America in the late 60s and early 70s may have received a sign from God leading him to accept the role, the Western Journal reports. Kelsey Grammer is best known for playing psychiatrist Frasier Crane in two hit TV series, Cheers and Frasier. Grammer shared the unusual story that led him to accept the role in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s Tonight Show. “The truth is I was having sort of a meditative evening one night in my home, and I was up pretty late. It was about 3, 4 in the morning,” Grammer told Fallon. “And I started to think, ‘I want to do something worthwhile, something that has a bigger purpose than just me.’ And I was kind of saying a prayer, I guess. And the next morning the script lands on my door. And I read it and I said, ‘OK, that’s it. I’m doing this Jesus story.’” When …

‘Jesus Revolution’ shocks at the box office

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Industry experts were shocked when Jesus Revolution scored third at the box office this past weekend bringing in an estimated $15.5 million as it played in 2,400 theaters across America. It finished behind Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Cocaine Bear. This was more than double early projections that estimated opening weekend sales would be between $6-$7 million. It is all the more remarkable considering tens of thousands had seen the movie prior to its theater release, as Lionsgate had organized pre-viewings in churches and universities. The movie portrays the start of the Jesus People movement in the late 60s and early 70s that swept the disenchanted American hippies in the USA. Many consider it among the greatest spiritual awakenings to sweep the country. It was led in large part by Chuck Smith, the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA, who is played by renowned American actor, Kelsey Grammer, 67. Kelsey, a Christian, is famous for his portrayal of Frazier Crane in two TV series hits, Cheers and Frazier. According to Rotten Tomatoes, …

Kelsey Grammer comes to tears discussing his role in ‘Jesus Revolution’

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Call it a series of coincidences. Revival broke out at Asbury University in Kentucky on Feb 8, 2023, which coincidentally was almost to the day that a similar major revival broke out at the school on Feb 3, 1970. The earlier revival was connected to the Jesus People movement caused by a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Hippies in California, which spread across North America. Many who experienced both revivals are seeing similarities between the two. Coincidentally, later this month (Feb 24, 2023), a movie called Jesus Revolution, is scheduled for release. Directed by John Erwin and Brent McCorkle, it is based on Greg Laurie’s book of the same name. It tells the story of the Jesus People movement as the Holy Spirit swept through Hippies during the late 60s and early 70s, resulting in tens of thousands being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Laurie was 17-years-old when he was saved in California in 1971 and by the age of 19, he was leading a Bible study of 30 hippies, which …

CBS tweeted it was ‘ready to worship’ in lead up to Grammy’s ‘tribute to Satan’?

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Yesterday, I reported on how some suggested the Grammy Awards looked like a tribute to Satan after singers Sam Smith and Kim Smith’s performance at the Grammys had a satanic theme with Smith dressed up as Satan. At moments, it seemed the dancers were worshiping Satan. The Satanic theme continued with other guests referencing the devil. It was so overt that the host was even forced to address it. The Daily Mail reported that some described the Grammys as a ‘tribute to Satan.’ Now The Blaze alleges that shortly after Sam Smith had sent out a tweet that his Grammy Performance was going to be special, CBS sent out a tweet in response that it was ‘ready to worship.’ CBS has since deleted its tweet. But why would CBS send out a tweet that it was ‘ready to worship’ unless it knew what was coming? READ: CBS deletes ‘We are ready to worship!’ tweet that it had posted ahead of Sam Smith’s ‘Unholy’ Grammy performance

2023 Grammys: A ‘Tribute to Satan’?

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Many viewers of the 65th annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday night, Feb 5, 2023, in Los Angeles, described the performance of the duo, Sam Smith and Kim Petras, as a ‘tribute to Satan’, the Daily Mail reports. Grammys are described as music’s biggest night and the two gave the performance after winning the Best Pop Duo/Group performance award. Smith who wore satanic headgear and at times seemed to be accepting worship from the dancers prompted several tweets that talked about the heavy satanic themes seen during this year’s ceremony, which included other performers talking about Satan. It was so obvious that the ceremony host was even forced to jokingly talk about it. The Daily Mail provided several tweets of people’s responses to the performance: ‘I know we on the right probably use the word satanic too often but this performance from Sam Smith is literally a tribute to Satan.’ ‘You don’t have to be super religious to be disturbed by that Sam Smith devil-worshiping performance.’ ‘That Sam Smith performance was weird I had to …

Because of overwhelming interest, the finale of ‘The Chosen’ will have an extended stay in theaters

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Because of overwhelming interest, the season finale of The Chosen, a TV series based on the life of Jesus, will have an extended stay in theaters, the Daily Wire reports. Season three’s final two episodes, 7 and 8, were scheduled to play in selected theaters across America on Feb 2 and Feb 3, however, because of interest CBN is reporting that this will now be extended to Feb 6. The finale will feature one of the major Gospel stories, the feeding of the 5,000. When the first two episodes of Season 3 aired in 2,012 theaters in November 2022, they were the third most watch movie in America that weekend, grossing $8.7 million. It finished behind, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Menu which were seen in over 3,000 theaters that same weekend, but was ahead of Disney productions. The Chosen differs from many Christians movies about Jesus and the disciples, because it portrays them a real, quirky people. “[They are] real, vaguely neurotic people, busting free of the stained-glass images that have long enshrined …

Dolly Parton puts prophetic dream to music

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With a career spanning over 50 years, Dolly Parton, 77, is a country music legend and also a Christian. Recently she wrote a song entitled, “Don’t Make Me Have to Come Down There,” which was based on a dream that she described as ‘something special,’ CBN reports. “I had a dream that God was standing on a mountain and looking down at us saying ‘don’t make Me come down there’,” Parton explained on Instagram. “It woke me up, and I got up and started writing this song over a period of weeks and months.” This divine warning became the basis of the lyrics for her song: “Last night I had a dream about God/He was standing on a mountain top/Looking down, around in such dismay,And in my dream, I heard him sayDon’t make Me have to come down thereMy children, you had best bewareIf you don’t pay attention, consequences will be direDon’t make Me have to come down there.” In the song, Dolly also speaks about natural phenomena such as earthquakes, erratic weather, and pandemics …

After brutal media attacks, Provorov’s jersey sells out at NHL online store

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There has been a subtle shift in culture where a person can no longer remain neutral on certain issues, but must actively support them, or risk being called some type of ‘phobe’. Ivan Provorov, a defenceman for the Philadelphia Flyers, recently found himself being lambasted by the woke media and on social media for not donning a pride-themed jersey during warm-up prior to a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, Fox News reports The Russian-born player sat out the warm-up stating that he didn’t feel comfortable doing it, choosing instead to stand with his convictions and religious beliefs. In an interview after the game, Provorov told reporters: “I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.” Provorov, who attends the Russian Orthodox Church, wasn’t being critical, he just couldn’t support it. But it seems a person can no longer remain neutral on these issues but must be seen actively supporting them or face the wrath of the woke …

Buffalo Bill QB, Josh Allen says ‘God is Real’ after Damar Hamlin’s collapse and recovery

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After Buffalo Bill’s safety Damar Hamlin experienced a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan 2, Bill’s quarterback, Josh Allen says the incident sparked a spiritual awakening among some team players, The Blaze reports. In an appearance on an NFL Network podcast hosted by Kyle Brandt, Allen spoke of the spiritual spinoffs from Hamlin’s recovery. “I said this in my press conference the other day,” Allen said, “[There was] just kind of a spiritual awakening really for me and … for a lot of other people that maybe didn’t have the strongest belief or wasn’t one of the biggest, strongest Christian followers.” “I’ll be the first to admit, like, I haven’t been the most devoted Christ follower in my life,” Allen added. “I’ve had my different beliefs and thoughts and ideas and stuff like that, but something got a hold of me there, and it was extremely powerful that, you know, I couldn’t deny it.” “It’s been really cool to see how guys have been moved and touched by this whole …

Former Pussycat Dolls pop star, Kaya Jones, shares her journey to forgiveness

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In an interview with Christine Yeargin, as part of Students for Life podcasts, former Pussycat Dolls pop star, Kaya Jones, 38, shared her journey to Christ that included leaving the popular girl’s group in 2004, CBN reports. At times, Jones felt like a prostitute, as a member of the popular girl band, because she had sold herself to a dream and popularity. She felt manipulated, controlled and at times as little more than an ‘owned commodity.’ Her journey included three abortions. The first took place when she was 16 and the second as a member of the band, when she was told to get an abortion. The third happened after she was raped at the age of 30. But it was a moment during one of her concerts that really spoke to her. Jones, who was in the process of having the second abortion, saw two young girls in the audience. “When you are doing things that are really incorrect and your body is up for grabs, this is where we have to take a …

Three unusual pop-culture stories, with a Christian twist

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In an article for Relevant Magazine, Jesse Carey shared eight of what she considers to be unusual pop culture stories, with a Christian emphasis. In this article, I want to share two of Carey’s examples that caught my attention, as well as one I came across while waiting for a physiotherapist appointment. Turning The Beatles into a Christian band? The first story involves John Lennon, a member of The Beatles, perhaps the most famous rock band of the 20th century. Lennon, along with Paul McCartney, co-wrote many of The Beatle’s greatest hits. Lennon was brutally murdered by Mark David Chapman in 1980. Though Lennon became involved in new age philosophy towards the end of his life, in a 1969 interview with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Lennon said that he was hoping that at some point, The Beatles would turn into a Christian Band. Of course, Lennon is also known for stating that The Beatles were bigger than Jesus, a statement that he claimed was misunderstood. He was stating this was the reality of what was happening, …

The Wonder Years’ actress, Danica McKellar, shares her journey to Christ

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American actress Danica McKellar, who starred in The Wonder Years playing the role of Winnie Cooper, recently shared her journey to Christ in an interview with Candace Bure on her podcast, CBN reports. McKellar, 47, also shared the important role that Bure played in McKellar’s decision to become a Christian, which included the gift of a small Bible that McKellar said she started reading every day. In April of this year, McKellar shared on an Instagram that she had been skeptical about Christianity but then had reached out to Bure: “It all started one evening when I was struggling with the idea of forgiveness and DM’d my good friend @candacecbure about a passage from the Bible she had read on her instastories, and then she sent me a Bible, and invited me to church.” McKellar summed up the changes taking place in her life with these words: “I can tell you I’m experiencing a relationship with God and Jesus that I’ve never had before, and it feels miraculous” READ: ‘Wonder Years’ Actress Closes 2022 Grateful …

‘The Voice’ contestant stuns judges by singing worship song ‘Gratitude’

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Bodie Kuljian’s recent performance of a worship song on The Voice, left judges speechless and others in tears according to several reports. Bodie, 29, is from Orange County, California. He is a worship leader at his local church and teaches songwriting and coaches a musical group at Vanguard University. During the first night of this season’s two-part finale, Bodie sang “Gratitude” written by Christian recording artist Brandon Lake. Though Bodie placed second in the competition behind Bryce Leatherwood, his performance impacted the judges. “I’m choking on my tears over here,” said judge Gwen Stefani. “You have a superpower behind you; it’s a truth. I think it comes from your pure faith that you have. … I can’t even speak right now. That was so beautiful.” Stefani’s husband, Blake Shelton who also served as Bodie’s coach during the competition described the performance as “one of the most moving performances I’ve seen in a long time on this show.” Brandon Lake, who is associated with Bethel Music, recorded his experience of watching Bodie perform “Gratitude “on Instagram. …

A weird answer to prayer for Bukayo Saka?

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Have you ever had a thought pop into your mind that you should pray for someone? I did recently, and it was kind of weird. My daughter and I were watching the World Cup soccer match in Qatar between Britain and France over the weekend. It was a quarter-final game, with the winner going on to the semifinals. France would win the game 2.-1. France was leading 1-0, and a British player was dribbling the ball down the right wing, when I felt the Holy Spirit impress me to pray for him, which I quickly did. At that point, I didn’t even know who the player was. I can’t remember exactly how I prayed, but it was something along the lines that God would help him, and bless him. After I uttered this brief prayer, the player continued down the right side and then turned sharply towards the goal and was fouled after he entered the penalty box, sending him tumbling to the ground. This led to a penalty kick, that was taken by another …

Tim Allen says his new Santa series will emphasize a religious aspect of Christmas

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In a recent interview with The Wrap, Hollywood actor Tim Allen, 69, who will be starring in Disney Plus’s The Santa Clauses, says the six-part series will be focusing on the religious aspects of Christmas. Allen stated the original script was emphasizing otherworldly things such as ghosts and goblins, but after Allen’s insistence has since decided it will focus on the real St. Nicholas, who was the historic figure on which modern Santa Claus is based. “I said no, this is Christ-mas. It’s Christ-mas. It literally is a religious holiday,” Allen said in the interview. “We don’t have to blow trumpets, but I do want you to acknowledge it. That’s what this is about. If you want to get into Santa Claus, you’re gonna have to go back to history, and it’s all about religion.” That part of the story will not be developed until the final two shows of the series. St Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra (270 AD to 340 AD), who became famous for the miracles attributed to his prayers and …

‘The Chosen’ surprised and placed third in theater box office sales this past weekend

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The Chosen is a multi season TV series on the life of Jesus portrayed in the Gospels. Each episode focuses on one of the stories. Now in its third season, the first two episodes were released as a special-screening in 2,012 theaters across the US this past weekend. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show shocked Hollywood as it grossed $8,7 million on its first weekend, and ended up as the third most watched movie. Leading the way was Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with $67.3 million on its second weekend of viewing. Second place fell to another new release, a comedy-horror movie called The Menu, which had $9 million in sales, but was viewed in 3,211 theaters, a third more than The Chosen. The Chosen beat out releases by such Hollywood franchises as Disney, Universal and DC Comics. It also outsold, She Said that covered the exposure of notorious Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein by New York Times reporter Jodi Cantor. Writing for the Texas Monthly, Sean O’Neal, said the show portrays Jesus’ disciples as real, …

Famous abstract art hung upside down for 75 years

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Apparently, a famous painting by abstract artist, Piet Mondrian has been hanging upside down for the past 75 years. The Dutch artist created the picture, by putting strips of black, blue, red, and yellow adhesive tape on canvas in 1941. The artwork called New York City 1 is currently part of the collection of the German state of North Rhine-Westaphalia in Dusseldorf. An expert has recently concluded that the artwork, which has hung in galleries and museums around the world since 1945, is being displayed upside down. Now to be fair, they can’t be absolutely certain, since the famous artist died in 1944. But this guess is based on a similar adhesive tape painting that Mondrian constructed that is apparently hanging the other way. Of course, it is entirely possible this other painting is upside down, and New York City 1 is being displayed properly. Whatever the case, New York City 1 will not be hung the other way because of fears this could destroy the abstract art constructed of now dried-up adhesive tape. READ: …

How Anne Wilson’s gospel hit, ‘My Jesus’, helped a woman contemplating suicide

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Popular Gospel singer Anne Wilson recently told the story of how her hit song, My Jesus, helped a suicidal fan. Raised in a Christian home, Anne rose to fame after she posted a YouTube video of a song that she sang at her brother’s funeral entitled, “What a Beautiful Name.” Her brother, 23, died in a car accident in 2017. This song caught the attention of a Nashville music producer and in April 2021, Anne released her first single, My Jesus, that went on to become a gospel hit. It reached the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs that year, and is currently in the running for the song of the year in the contemporary pop category at this year’s Dove Awards. But in an interview with Christian Headlines, Anne shared the remarkable story of how God used ‘My Jesus‘ to save a woman who was contemplating suicide. Anne told Christian Headlines: “There is a lady that came up to me at the show the other week, she was struggling with cancer and …

Poll: Teens more open to Christ than many realize

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A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group discovered that a significant percentage of teens around the world have a favorable impression of Jesus, Premier Christian News reports. Barna, a national American-based research group, conducted the survey of 25,000, 13 to 17 years olds in 26 countries, on behalf of several Christian groups, including Alpha, Biblical and World Vision. It was a surprising result considering that only 22% of those surveyed expressed having made a personal commitment to Christ. This meant that though 78% may not have been Christians, many still looked upon Christ positively: Based on these survey results, it’s obvious that Jesus needs to be front a center in all our ministry activities. “Our data suggests that although this generation may not deeply engage with Jesus,” David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group said. “They are open to him, and when they do engage, they experience positive effects. It is our goal to offer a picture of the rising generation to the Global Church so that we may support and engage teens in relevant, …

Woman holding an iPhone in 1860?

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Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s painting, “The Expected One,” shows a woman in a purple dress strolling down a path holding something in her hand. Waldmüller who was from Austria lived between 1793 – 1865 and painted the young girl in 1860. The painting actually gets its name from the young man who is hiding in the foreground near the path holding a flower for the girl. Recently several viewing the painting online are convinced the young woman is scrolling through an iPhone, and certainly, it is eerily similar to what we see every day walking down our streets. Of course, along with that comes suggestions by those with a sci-fi bend that this painting is evidence of time travel. But it is a sign of how much things have changed. As the experts point out, most people in 1860 would have known exactly what that woman was holding. It was a prayer book that contained prayers, Bible verses, liturgy, and devotionals that people could recite privately or even together with others. While some commentators sarcastically asked …

Pastor insists he is not Elvis

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Known as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42. Since then, conspiracy theories have emerged that Elvis is still alive, including some who recently suggested that Robert Joyce who pastors a small church, Household of Faith in Benton, Arkansas, is actually Elvis. Premier Christian News provides more details: Tom Mennel, watched a YouTube clip of the preacher and told The Express that he is convinced the pastor isn’t who he is claiming to be. He said: “I have been an Elvis fan since I was six-years-old and now I am 61-years-old. To me, Mr Joyce is Elvis and I do hope one day he will stand up and say who he is.” However, Mr Joyce has confirmed he is not Mr Presley who died on August 16th 1977. READ: Pastor believed to be Elvis Presley by fans refutes claims AND Elvis Presley is ALIVE and preaching in Arkansas as a singing pastor named Bob Joyce, bonkers conspiracy theory claims One of the reasons some think Pastor …

79% of Christian schools reported an increase in attendance

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According to a survey conducted by DickersonBakker, attendance is up in 79% of the Christian Schools in America with 43% reporting a ‘substantial’ increase since the pandemic started in 2020, ChristianHeadlines reports. DickersonBakker added that the growing interest in Christian schools was due to multiple issues including pandemic-related, and as well to concerns about moral and social issues. READ: Christian School Enrollment Booms: 79 Percent See Increase Post-Pandemic, Report Says New Christian schools opening The survey only looked at the growth of established Christian schools and does not include the interest reflected through the opening of new Christian schools this fall and in 2023. Pop star Kanye West recently announced opening of Donda Academy this fall in Simi Valley, California. MSN reports that the Christian school will include as part of its curriculum, “full school worship; core classes of language arts, math and science; lunch and recess; enrichment courses including world language, visual art, film, choir, and parkour”. READ: Kanye West opens private Christian school called Donda Academy Pastor John McArthur who pastors Grace Community …

Deion Sanders shares how he called out to God during a medical crisis

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Former NFL star, Deion Sanders, shared how he called out to God for help, which included speaking in tongues, during a serious medical crisis in 2021, the Christian Post reports. Saunders, 55, who is now the head coach of the Jackson State University football team, had to go to the hospital last year after experiencing blood clots in his legs that resulted in the amputation of two toes. Fearing the loss of his leg and possibly his life, Deion shared his experience in an interviewed with Chris Neely of “Thee Pregame Show,. In her article for the Christian Post, Jeannie Ortega Law provides more details: “It was a blessing. Because I could have lost my life very easily. It was there. It was a thought process of losing my leg from the knee down. It was almost there,” the legendary cornerback continued. “So when I look up and say thank you, Jesus, it’s because I know the quiet cries at night that were in that hospital.” […] “I know all the speaking in tongues, and the …

Has Shia LeBeouf found God?

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I have enjoyed Shia LeBeouf as an actor, from his early days as a child actor in “Even Stevens’ to his role in the “Transformers”. But there are now reports that LeBeouf has become a Catholic during his preparation for the movie on the life of a controversial Catholic Priest, Saint Pius of Pietrelcinathat, also known as Padre Pio, CBN reports. In the movie to be released in September, LeBeouf, 36, plays Padre Pio, who died in 1968 and was proclaimed a saint in 2002 after gaining notoriety when his body displayed the signs of the ‘stigmata’ (signs of the crucifixion) on his body. In preparation for his role, LeBeouf visited a monastery to acclimatize himself to the life of a Franciscan friar and in an interview with Los Angeles Bishop Robert Barron on his show “Word on Fire”, LeBeouf spoke of his conversion to Catholicism. He described his stay at the monastery turning into “something beyond all that” and found himself being drawn to the Bible. “It was seeing other people who have sinned …

‘China’s Taylor Swift’ displays her faith in the midst of communism

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You may never have heard of G.E.M. (Gloria Tang Sze-wing), 31, but in Communist China she is known as “China’s Taylor Swift.” Deng, who was born in Hong Kong, skyrocketed to fame after entering a singing competition on mainland China in 2014 called “I am a singer 2” where she placed second. She became the first Chinese singer to surpass 200 million views on YouTube, and the first female artist in that country to have four exceeding 100 million views, making her one of the country’s top pop singers. And in a country run by the atheistic Chinese Communist Party desperate to stamp out Christianity, she is a believer in Jesus. Throughout her music and videos, we see references to her Christian faith, such as Israel’s Red Sea crossing in her latest video, Gloria, based on the English name given by her father. As she prays in the video below, the sea parts and Deng encounters a bright light. Deng told Christianity Today, that Gloria was inspired by an incident in her own life when …

When the Holy Spirit falls upon people: Ex-gay Hollywood designer explains how this helped lead him to Jesus

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We read throughout the Bible of times that the Holy Spirit fell upon people and each time something unusual happened as there were outward manifestations: As we move into the New Testament, there is a shift because of Christ’s perfect redemption the Holy Spirit is now able to permanently reside inside us (1 Corinthians 6:19). But there were still instances of the Holy Spirit falling upon people, as took place on the Day of Pentecost. The same thing happened to a group of gentiles at the home of Cornelius as Peter was preaching. The Holy Spirit also fell on them, and they began speaking in tongues: 15 As I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (Acts 11:15 ESV). When the Holy Spirit falls upon people, something invariably happens, and a similar event laid the groundwork for Becket Cook, a Hollywood designer, to become a Christian, Faithwire reports. Becket was an influential designer in Hollywood, and had worked for major stars such as Oprah, Paris Hilton …