Bill Maher was surprised that the majority of people opposing abortion are women
In a recent program on HBO’s Real Time with Maher, host Bill Maher discussed some surprising facts that he discovered about abortion with his panel.
All posts filed under: Arts
17 Gangs targeting LA’s rich and famous?
After Hollywood’s elite called for the defunding of police in California and across America, Los Angeles police are reporting that 17 gangs, including the Crips and Bloods, are specifically targeting the rich and famous in that city.
The hidden cost of faith
As believers, we like telling the world that salvation is a free gift available by faith through Christ’s death and resurrection. But though it is free to everyone who chooses to believe, it also comes with a cost. And that was evident in a recent article on CBN about a young Christian woman, Leah Church, who chose to leave the University of North Carolina’s basketball team rather than compromise her faith.
Pop singer Ed Sheeran building a church on his Suffolk estate
The Daily Mail is reporting that popular British singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, is building a church/chapel on property he owns in Suffolk County, England.
How actor Michael Sheen’s great-grandfather went from town drunk to street preacher
Welsh actor Michael Sheen is best known for playing roles of famous people during his acting career, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in The Deal. He also played the role of journalist David Frost in Frost/Nixon, a movie about Frost’s 1977 interview with US President Richard Nixon. Though I am uncertain of Sheen’s faith, in April 2011, the actor led a modern retelling of The Passion in Port Talbot, Wales, the home of his great-grandfather. The play performed outside over three days involved the dramatic retelling of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. On the first day of the play, which started at 5:30 am on Good Friday morning, it drew a crowd of a few hundred people. By Easter Sunday, the crowd had grown to an estimated 13,000. But Port Talbot also serves as the backdrop to the remarkable spiritual transformation of Sheen’s great-grandfather. His great-grandfather was basically the town drunk, but Sheen says that all changed when one night, after being thrown out of the local pub, he was lying on his back in …
Denzel Washington’s advice to Will Smith: The devil comes for you at your highest moment
I haven’t watched the Oscars for years and probably never will, but there was a shocking moment last night when actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after he joked about Will’s wife Jade Pinkett Smith. Jada, who is struggling with hair loss because of alopecia, has chosen to shave her head bald. Rock joked, “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you,” a reference to the movie GI Jane when actress Demi Moore shaved her head bald for the role. Will Smith would go on to win an Oscar that night for best actor in King Richard. But during a commercial break shortly after the slap, Will said that Christian actor Denzel Washington counseled Will and gave some sound advice: “Denzel (Washington) said to me at the highest moment, be careful — that’s when the devil comes for you. It’s like, I want to be a vessel for love.” Will Smith would later apologize and according to reports Chris Rock has chosen not to press charges. But Denzel’s words, that …
The Hollywood elite want to stop Canadian natural gas pipeline
Fox News reports that some of Hollywood’s elite, those who earn millions of dollars each year, have jointly sent a letter and videos to the Royal Bank of Canada demanding that it immediately quit funding the construction of a Canadian pipeline, Costal GasLink, in British Columbia.
A weird thing happened to actress Joey King while filming ‘The Conjuring’
Faithwire recently reported on comments that actress Joey King, 22, made in her appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” concerning what happened to her while filming the supernatural horror movie, The Conjuring, which was released in 2013. The movie revolved around demonic events that took place at a farm owned by Roger and Carolyn Perron. King played the role of one of the family’s daughters, Christine. Though it happened over nine years ago, King added there are times she still has a slight shudder about what took place. During the 38 days it took to film the movie, King came down with a serious blood disorder. It required daily medical treatments at the hospital before the start of filming and then immediately after because of concerns it could cause serious internal bleeding. They diagnosed the blood condition after bruises started appearing on King’s body. Coincidentally, these bruises showed up as they were filming the scene when bruising appeared on the body of the family’s mother, Carolyn, after she was possessed by an evil spirit. Initially, …
Country singer and actress Jana Kramer gets water baptized
Faithwire reports that country singer and actress, Jana Kramer, recently shared Instagram posts of her water baptism that took place on Sunday, Jan 23, 2022, after her profession of faith. Kramer, 38, started her singing career in 2012 which has since featured seven chartered singles. She has also had acting roles on several TV series including, Friday Night Lights, One Tree Hill, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and CSI: NY. In her first post, Jana described the healing she received after coming to Christ, writing, “I don’t have the words yet …I will…but for now…’In the name of Jesus there is healing.’ Then in a follow-up post, which shows her sitting in a baptismal tank, Jana went into more details of what happened. Over the years, she has struggled with believing in God, and seems to suggest that this was due in part to a troubled relationship with her father, for which she was partially to blame. “He was always walking with me…I just didn’t think I deserved that. If I’m honest, I didn’t know how …
Kirk Cameron’s journey to faith in God
In an interview with PragerU, Kirk Cameron, who became famous in his role as a child actor, Mikey Seaver, in the popular TV series, Growing Pains, shared how he became a Christian at the age of 17.
Kathie Lee Gifford says westerners are too terrified of the ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’
In an interview with Sheila Walsh, who hosts “Life Today,” Kathie Lee Gifford said that Americans are way too ‘terrified’ of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. She added that we need to see how these gifts are operating in believers around the world to fully appreciate them. Gifford, who formerly hosted “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee” suggested that while some Christians believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for today, this is not what the Bible teaches. “We’re all supposed to have gifts of the Spirit,” Gifford said. “They’re supposed to be different, used like different parts of the body for one good work, but we’re all supposed to use them. And people go, ‘Oh, Jesus doesn’t do that anymore, God doesn’t do that anymore.’ Really?” She pointed to a passage in the Gospel of John, where Jesus said that everyone who believes in Him will be able to perform the same miracles as the Lord did. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works …
How a Jewish pop ‘Idol’ star in Israel found Jesus after being bitten by a snake
If you have ever been a fan of American Idol, you may enjoy this story about a Jewish woman, Birgitta Veksler, who finished eighth in Israel’s version of the program, ‘Kochav Nolad’ (Pop Idol). Birgitta was born to a Jewish family in Sweden and lived much of her early life in Estonia before her family decided to move to Israel when she was 12. But before she left, Birgitta had believed in Jesus for her salvation. However, when her family joined Israel’s Jewish community, Birgitta quickly learned that Jesus was an unacceptable, even taboo, topic, and quickly quit talking about her relationship with Christ. She became famous in Israel at the age of 17, when she finished in the top ten in the country’s equivalent of the American Idol. As her popularity grew, she was drawn into the partying scene of alcohol and boys, which left her feeling empty. But things would soon change for Birgitta. Israel has compulsory military service and at the age of 18, young men and women are drafted into Israel’s …
A New Year’s Resolution: What if I want to start over?
I am writing this on January 1, 2022. That means we have a new year in front of us, and everyone I know is tired of the old one. We had an endless stream of bad news about our health, and the health of the economy, and political arguments. For me, the news every day was a toxic mix. This morning, I had text messages from friends and a relative, and they feel the same as me. There is not enough optimism at the beginning of this year. We need something new, and better. It might comfort you to know that God thought of this first: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43: 18 and 19) Those are the instructions from a higher source, the highest source, when we get lost in things that happen around us. It is easy to …
The story behind Handel’s ‘Messiah’
In 2019, CBN wrote a story about George Frideric Handel’s composition, “Messiah” often performed at Christmas.
Denzel Washington does some preaching in ‘New York Times’ interview
In a recent interview for the New York Times, famed Hollywood actor, Denzel Washington, 63, shared a lot about his Christian faith. Maureen Dowd was interviewing Denzel about his most recent movie, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ and The Blaze provides a few of Denzel’s comments: “If you don’t have a spiritual anchor, you’ll be easily blown by the wind, and you’ll be led to depression.” “I’m a God-fearing man. I try not to worry. Fear is contaminated faith.” “The enemy is the inner me. The Bible says in the last days — I don’t know if it’s the last days, it’s not my place to know — but it says we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie, ‘Oh, me at the protest.’ ‘Me with the fire.’ ‘Follow me.’ ‘Listen to me.’ We’re living in a time where people are willing to do anything to get followed. What is the long- or short-term effect of too much information? It’s going fast and it can be manipulated, obviously, in a myriad …
How to Lose it all: Have you seen the movie ‘Come Sunday’?
Did you ever lose your faith? Yes, you did, if you are older than six. When I was a boy, I remember some other children who were told that Santa Claus was not real. I stayed out of that violent argument, but I saw their confusion and outrage. As we get older, people disappoint us, and if we are honest, we can disappoint ourselves. I formed a career goal when I was about twelve, and I saw myself as one of those people, just working on an education and waiting for an opportunity. I knew who I was, and my conviction was unshakable. Near the age of forty, I had to tell myself that it would never happen, and I had to keep the job I already had. I lost my faith. You are probably wondering; I saw myself as an archaeologist, like the ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and I thought of it first, before they made that movie. After reading all those books, and studying in so many university courses, it never happened. …
Actor Dennis Quaid to release a Gospel album in 2022
In an interview with the Chicago Sun times, actor Dennis Quaid, 67, recently announced that he will be releasing a solo Gospel album in 2022 featuring songs that he grew up with while attending a Baptist church as a boy and as well some of his original creations.
Actor Chris Pratt says listening to Christian music relieved his depression
In a recent Instagram post, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt stated that as he was going through a recent bout of depression, he listened to Christian music while jogging, and it provided an almost immediate release for the actor famed for his leading roles in Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Premier Christian News reports that the depression started after an uproar over an earlier post Chris had made, where he thanked his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, for giving birth to a healthy daughter. He was immediately attacked by trolls who accused Pratt of mocking his previous wife who had given birth to a son nine weeks early, who consequently experienced health issues including visual impairment. Of course, this was not Pratt’s intent, but the trolls were relentless and had previously gone after Chris because of his Christian faith. In his post, Chris explained what happened: “Good morning, everybody. I went to bed last night really kind of upset and depressed, and I woke up feeling crappy, and I didn’t want to work out. “I …
Denzel Washington shares that God has been telling him to ‘Feed My Sheep”
Hollywood actor, Denzel Washington, spoke at a christian men’s conference, “The Better Man Event,” hosted by First Baptist Orlando, on September 18, 2021. In a half hour sit-down interview with A.R. Bernard, the senior pastor of Brooklyn’s Christian Cultural Center, Denzel told the audience that every time he starts praying God has a word for him to ‘feed My sheep’: “In every prayer, all I hear is: ‘Feed my sheep.’ That’s what God wants me to do.” But it was a bit confusing, because as a Hollywood actor he wasn’t sure what that meant, but eventually he realized that there are different kinds of sheep, and God had people for Denzel to minister too: “What I found out in the last couple of years is there are all kinds of sheep. So that’s why I talk to experienced shepherds to help guide me.” But that calling to feed My sheep has been on Denzel for several decades. In an interview with Parade Magazine in 1999, Denzel stated that at times he’s wondered if he should …
From ‘ashes’ to a ‘crown of beauty’: The story behind Anne Wilson’s ‘My Jesus’
Nineteen-year-old Christian singer, Anne Wilson, expressed her shock and gratitude on how here inaugural song, “My Jesus,” climbed to No. 1 on the Christian Billboard after its release five months ago. In an interview with Billboard, Wilson who co-authored the song along with contemporary Christian singer Matthew West, and music producer Jeff Pardo stated that she has been overwhelmed by the response to the song: “I’ve been blown away by how God has been using My Jesus to impact so many lives. I’m so honored that He chose me to be His vessel for this specific time and season. My favorite part so far has been seeing people sing My Jesus at shows to the top of their lungs and hearing stories of how they’ve been impacted by the song. I would’ve never dreamed that God would use this song in such a mighty way.” The song has ministered to people’s hearts, because it addresses the struggles that many have faced over the past year and a half. But there is more to this story. …
Did Dustin Tavella receive a word of knowledge about his ‘America’s Got Talent’ victory?
I have to admit sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between the spiritual gifts of a ‘word of knowledge’ or ‘prophecy’, but one of them seems to have been in action in the life of America’s Got Talent’s (AGT) 2021 winner, Christian magician Dustin Tavella.
‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Dustin Tavella: The power of testimony
Christian Post recently reported on how, Dustin Tavella, recently won this year’s edition of America’s Got Talent. The sleight of hand, Christian magician won $1 million and as well an opportunity to perform live in Las Vegas.
Study: Just 30-seconds of Mozart could reduce epileptic seizures
According to researchers from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, just 30 seconds of Mozart has the ability to calm the parts of our mind linked to seizure and epileptic attacks. Study Finds reports that the researchers had 16 people with drug resistant epileptic seizures listen to several clips of music, including Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos, written in 1781. As they were listening, the researchers monitored their brain activity using electroencephalograms. They found that as the people listened to Mozart, there was an average 66.5% reduction in the electrical spikes in the brain that cause epilepsy. This song, along with “40-Hz auditory gamma-band tones,” were the only musical clips that recorded a reduction. Based on their observations, the researchers concluded that listening to Mozart daily could reduce the number of epileptic seizures by as much as 66%. This was not the first study to notice that this particular song positively impacted brain activity. An earlier study found that the song increased a person’s “spatial reasoning ability.” READ: Just 30 seconds of Mozart calms brain regions …
Praise & worship bands purchase 1 in 3 new guitars, report
Christianity Today recently reported on a study by Fenders Musical Instruments Corporation, a major US guitar manufacturer, that revealed nearly one in three new guitar purchases are to worship leaders or people playing in praise and worship bands.
Kanye West’s album DONDA has Biblical themes as it sets records on Spotify and Apple
Pop star, rapper Kanye West, 44, has seen a bit of controversy in recent months, but it certainly hasn’t harmed the sales of his most recent 27-song album release, DONDA, named after his mother who died in 2007. The album, released on Sunday, Aug 29, 2021, broke the Spotify record set earlier this year by Olivia Rodrigo’s album, Sour, for being the most streamed album in the first 24 hours following its release. It is also breaking records on Apple, where it became the number one song in over 150 countries during the same period, as it was streamed over 60 million times. In 2019, Kanye released a worship album, Jesus is King, that was also hugely popular and became the first album to simultaneously Top the Billboard 200, Top Gospel Albums, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Christian Albums and Top Rap Albums. Premier Christian News reports though not an overtly-worship album, DONDA has several Biblical-themed songs including Jesus Lord, Lord I Need You, Praise God, Keep My Spirit Alive, I know God Breathed On and …
Actor Jon Voight tells of the day God spoke to him and changed his life
In a recent interview, with Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, Hollywood actor Jon Voight, 82, shared an experience he had with God that changed his life.
Actor Kristoffer Polaha shares his life changing ‘but God’ moment
In a recent interview on Pureflix, Hollywood actor Kristoffer Polaha shared the amazing experience that turned his life back to God. He has appeared in several TV shows since he broke into acting in 2001 including CSI Miami, Bones, Hawaii five-0, and Castle and as well several Hallmark Mystery 101 TV movies where he plays the role of Travis Burke. He has also had several movie roles, including his most recent, “Wonder Woman 1984”. Kristoffer is also co-starring in “Jurassic World Dominion” that is scheduled for release in 2022. Born in 1977, Kristoffer grew up in a Christian family, but as he entered high school, he decided to take a break from his faith, but God’s miraculous intervention while he was in his second year of college caused him to renew his faith. He and a friend were walking down a street in New York City. Kristoffer, who was on the side nearest the traffic, suddenly got a strange feeling that he should be walking on the other side. He switched places, telling her, “I …
Did a personal prophecy play a role in actor Stephen Baldwin becoming a Christian?
With all the mockery Christians have received on the dozens of false prophecies given over the past couple of years, that then President Donald Trump would win a second term as US president, it is nice to see that legitimate prophecies have impacted people’s lives. Because it appears that a prophetic word played a key role in the salvation of actor Stephen Baldwin and his wife, Kenya, a Brazilian graphic designer. Their daughter, Hailey, also a believer, is married to mega pop star Justin Bieber. Stephen is also brother to actors Alec Baldwin and William Baldwin. Though, Stephen became a Christian shortly after the September 11, 2001 attack in New York City, in an interview with CBN, Stephen stated that the real transformation started before that tragic day, after they hired a young Brazilian woman, Augusta, as a nanny for their children. Within a week of her arrival, Augusta was singing songs about Jesus in Portuguese to the Baldwin children. Stephen said: “So we hired this lady from Brazil named Augusta, and the whole first …
How God transformed the life of actor Terry Crews
In a recent article, the wife of Terry Crews, a popular American actor and comedian, shared how God transformed the life of her husband.
Actress apologizes to Kirk Cameron for mocking his faith
Adrianne Curry, model, actress and TV personality, recently issued an apology on Facebook to former Growing Pains actor Kirk Cameron, for mocking his Christian Faith.
A mother’s faith and prayer avails much
In an Instagram post on Mother’s Day (May 9, 2021), international pop star, Justin Bieber, wished his mom, Pattie Mallette, a “Happy Mother’s Day.” But instead of focusing on his mother’s sacrifice to his 171 million followers, Justin shared the important role his mother played in Justin’s faith: “Happy Mother’s Day Madre ! I could talk about all of the sacrifices that you made to take care of me but the most incredible thing you could have done was share with me the love of Jesus!” Justin’s climb to international stardom started through videos that his mother initially posted on YouTube for family and friends. But as others found the videos and saw his talent, Justin’s popularity began to grow, until he was noticed by those in the music industry. But as the fame took over his life, he was increasingly being caught up in the negativity that often comes with it. For a few years, all we were reading about were Justin’s run-ins with the law and the latest scandal that overtook his life: …
Former Democratic Senator smears actress Gina Carano on national TV
The Daily Wire reported on comments that former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp made about Actress Gina Carano who was recently cancelled from her role in the Disney hit, Mandalorian, in February because Lucasfilm did not like her conservative opinions.
Rapper Lil Nas X introduces ‘Satan Shoes’
New shoes being introduced by Rapper Lil Nas X will not only contain a drop of human blood, but the numbered shoes slated to sell for $1,018 will be limited to just 666 pairs.
How Black churches brought dancing back to the church
An interesting article on Metro News explains how Black churches brought dancing back to the church in North America.
Apparently, movies are more important than funerals in Ontario
Cardinal Thomas Collins, the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, has been forced to ask a bizarre question of the Ontario government that restricts the number of people attending a church funeral to 10 during its lockdown.
OpentheWord.org 