Top of the Week: 2023: A Year of Celebrity Transformation and Influence
Following are snippets of the top stories posted over the past week on cn.mycharisma.com. We encourage you to visit the links to read the stories in full.
2023: A Year of Celebrity Transformation and Influence
The recent months have seen 2023 become a year of spiritual awakening for many well-known personalities in the entertainment industry. As the year began with a revival at Asbury University, the rest of the year saw an influx of celebrities from various fields leaving behind their fame and fortune to embrace a life devoted to Jesus Christ.
While some may argue that the personal lives of celebrities hold little importance, the impact of these influential individuals on the culture of America is undeniable. As Satan has long controlled the spiritual landscape of the country, the conversion of these celebrities to Christianity could potentially play a significant role in expanding the kingdom of God.
In sports, we have seen personalities like Jonathan Isaac and Christian McCaffrey openly speaking about their faith and being positive role models for the youth. McCaffrey’s humility and dedication to giving honor and glory to God serve as a reminder to fans that success and fame are fleeting.
New Legislation Targets Chick-fil-A Operations
In a recent development, New York state lawmakers have proposed new legislation that would require restaurants in rest stops on the Thruway and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to be open seven days a week. This proposed bill is specifically aimed at Chick-fil-A, a fast food eatery that operates in some of the rest stops along the Thruway but is closed on Sundays due to company policy.
Chick-fil-A has a longstanding company policy, in place since its first restaurant opened in 1946, that requires its locations to be closed on Sundays. This policy allows employees to enjoy a day of rest, spend time with their families and worship if they choose. However, this policy has come under scrutiny as Chick-fil-A is now operating in some of the newly renovated rest stops on the Thruway.
As part of the remodel of the Thruway’s 27 rest stops, new vendors have been introduced, including Chick-fil-A. However, their presence has sparked controversy due to some of the company’s policies.
Beware These 10 Heretical Views Regarding Jesus
Having a biblical view of Jesus during this Christmas season is essential. Unfortunately, many people in Christianity have erroneous concepts: Some think He was a created being, some think He was just a good teacher, some think He was fully divine and not human and some believe He was fully human and not God.
Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt. 16:13b, NKJV). It was important to Him that men correctly understood who He was. To know precisely meant a blessing, and not to know indicated you could not be blessed by Father God.
The great doctors of the early church who fought erroneous views regarding Jesus made the correct belief that knowing who Christ was of primary importance. The beginning of the text of the Athanasian Creed is as follows:
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Franklin Graham Slams Pope’s Endorsement of Same-Sex Unions
Following a trend of churches worldwide who have abandoned the tenets of God, the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the renowned evangelist Billy Graham, has strongly criticized Pope Francis’ approval of a measure allowing Roman Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples. Graham, who heads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, warned that these “blessings” will not “save you from the judgment of God.”
In a Facebook post on Monday, Graham referred to the Bible verse Isaiah 5:20, stating, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…” He emphasized that no one, including the Pope, has the right to “bless” what God considers sinful. He further urged individuals to seek God’s forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, as the Bible warns of destruction for those who forsake the Lord (Isa. 1:28).
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith issued a declaration titled “Fiducia Supplicans,” which expands the understanding of blessings and allows for the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations, including same-sex couples. The document states that a thorough moral analysis should not be a precondition for receiving a blessing and that individuals need not claim moral perfection to receive one.
116 Soldiers Embrace Jesus After Church Steps Out in Faith
An Oklahoma pastor whose church recently made headlines after seeing 116 Army soldiers accept Jesus said the mass embrace of faith was the result of his congregation stepping out in faith and trusting in the Lord.
Mike Keahbone, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lawton, told CBN Digital his church normally puts on its annual Living Christmas Tree musical, a massive Christmas show, for one weekend during the holiday season.
But this year, the church’s worship pastor, Xavier Abraham, wanted to do something a bit different. {eoa}
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