Category: Faith

Carol Swain: Americans Must Reject Identity Politics And Multiculturalism

Wendy Wilson

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee — Americans need to turn away from identity politics and multiculturalism and embrace an American identity, conservative writer and speaker Carol Swain said Tuesday at a Rutherford County GOP luncheon. That’s the only way our country can move beyond the conflicts we’re experiencing, said Swain, echoing a message she has given in interviews on Fox News in the aftermath of violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday between white supremacists and radical leftist counterprotesters. On Fox, Swain defended President Trump for blaming both sides. Swain said Tuesday that the ranks of those attracted to “white identity and white consciousness” is growing, but that it’s illogical to maintain that blacks, Hispanics and Asians can promote an identity for themselves rooted in race, but that whites can’t. The solution, she believes, is to support and promote an American identity to cultivate a unifying bond. Tickets for Tuesday’s luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel sold out. With 85 people attending, it was the largest quarterly luncheon gathering the Rutherford County GOP has hosted. Tuesday also marked Swain’s last official day as a law and political science professor at Vanderbilt University. But Swain has no plans to retire from writing and traveling to…

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Russell Moore’s Latest Column On Race ‘Classic, Liberal Propaganda,’ Says Shane Kastler

Wendy Wilson

  A pastor and writer in Louisiana is taking Russell Moore to task for his latest opinion piece in the Washington Post titled “White supremacy angers Jesus, but does it anger his church?” The piece was written in response to the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday between white supremacists and radical leftist counterprotesters. In a blog post, Shane Kastler writes, “His latest article is classic, liberal propaganda, Russell Moore-style. He takes a minuscule segment of the white population, implies that they represent a much larger segment than they do. And then skewers, ‘the church’ for being racist. And just in case you doubt him, he takes the words of Jesus out of their scriptural context, twists them for his political ends, and uses them to justify his argument.” Kastler is pastor of Heritage Baptist, an independent Baptist church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is known in Tennessee for his biography of Nathan Bedford Forrest which chronicles how Forrest became a Christian later in life. Moore is president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has been criticized by conservatives for his progressive views on race and immigration, his denunciations of President Trump…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, August 16

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 16, Wednesday Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.    

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Tuesday, August 15

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 15, Tuesday Daniel 6:23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Proverbs 3:5-7 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Monday, August 14

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 14, Monday John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge the righteous judgment. Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.    

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Sunday, August 13

Dana Hunsinger Gill

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 13, Sunday Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

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Franklin’s GracePointe Church Now Sharing Space With Unity of Nashville After Membership Plummets Because of LGBT Inclusion

Wendy Wilson

  An evangelical church in Franklin that broke with biblical teachings and embraced LGBT ideology has had to find a new home because of declining membership. GracePointe Church has left its building on Franklin Road in the heart of Williamson County and headed straight north to share space with Unity of Nashville in its building in Nashville, also on Franklin Road. On its Facebook page, Unity of Nashville describes its mission as “a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path.” GracePointe has changed so utterly over the years that its identity today sounds not that different than Unity’s. Traditional Christians would consider the teachings at both churches to be heretical. In his sermon July 30 during the congregation’s last service at its Franklin building, Pastor Stan Mitchell discussed how GracePointe has found a “clearer vision” and a “new and refined construction of our faith.” Mitchell’s comments reflected that while he has retained some conservative-sounding phraseology, he has completely cast aside orthodox doctrine. “We have achieved a degree, a measure of new construction, ongoing for…

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Family Action Council of Tennessee To Hold Biblical Worldview Seminar

Wendy Wilson

Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) will hold a half-day seminar this fall on cultivating a biblical worldview. The “Restoring the Vision” seminar on Saturday morning, November 11 at the Nashville School of Law will address such questions as, “What is the point of being a Christian? What are we are ‘saved’ for? Is Christianity about more than piety in this life and heaven later?” David Fowler, president of FACT, said on the group’s website that he wrestled with these questions when he reached a crisis point in his life in his 30s. At the time, he was going through the everyday motions of practicing law, thinking about Christianity in mostly an insular way as something that compels us simply to live a moral life and hope for God’s blessings while waiting to go to heaven. The answers he discovered to his questions changed the direction of his life. During the seminar, Fowler will share passages from throughout the Bible that will drive home his points in a comprehensive way. “But these foundational biblical truths aren’t ‘new’ or ‘newly discovered.’ They provided a vision for Christendom that transformed cultures and birthed Western Civilization, a vision that has largely faded within…

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Neighbors File Lawsuit To Stop Homeless Village On Church Property in South Nashville

Wendy Wilson

Neighbors have filed a lawsuit to stop plans for a village for the homeless on the property of Glencliff United Methodist Church in South Nashville, reports NewsChannel 5. The “micro home village” would include 22 tiny homes about 220 square feet each. The Metro Board of Zoning Appeals approved a building permit in May, saying places of worship are protected by federal and state laws from zoning rules. But neighbors insist that because the project will be run by Open Table Nashville, a separate nonprofit group, zoning rules should apply. “Neighbors didn’t really have any notice this was happening,” Jessica Van Dyke, who lives near the church, told NewsChannel 5. “It was forced on us and we were told after the fact.” The lawsuit was filed against the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals, Glencliff United Methodist Church, the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church and Bishop Bill McAlilly. Attorney Andrew Preston issued a statement on behalf of the church, conference and bishop stating that the “lack of housing is a very serious issue in Nashville and the church has decided to answer the biblical call to love our neighbor by providing safe and supportive shelter to some of our city’s most…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Thursday, August 10

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 10, Thursday Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you” Psalm 44:5 Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.    

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, August 9

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 9, Wednesday John 15:5-8 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Tuesday, August 8

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 8, Tuesday Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.~ Jesus Romans 10:9-10 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.    

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Monday, August 7

Admin
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 7, Monday Luke 10:1-11 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Saturday, August 5

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 5, Saturday Proverbs 18 1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. 3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. 5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. 6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. 8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. 9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. 11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. 12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. 13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. 14 The human…

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Vice President Mike Pence Praised By His Tennessee Fans

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee — President Trump may have been at the top of the ticket, but it was obvious from the enthusiasm shown for Vice President Mike Pence in Nashville on Thursday that he has his own strong fan base. People interviewed by The Tennessee Star at the Music City Center cited Pence’s conservative beliefs and Christian convictions as reasons they support the vice president. Pence was in Nashville to be the keynote speaker Thursday evening at the annual Statesmen’s Dinner held by the Tennessee Republican Party. During last year’s presidential campaign, Pence was seen as a steady presence and influence on Trump, who lacked Pence’s political experience and has a more flamboyant personality. Before serving as vice president, Pence was governor of Indiana and a congressman. But Pence is not without his colorful side. “He rides a Harley,” said Ken Nelson Jr. in offering another reason he backs the vice president. Nelson is a real estate agent who serves on the board of the Wilson County Republican Party. Gail Jones and her friend Vicki Beaty, both of whom live in Cleveland, Tennessee, had nothing but praise for Pence. “I like everything he stands for,” said Jones, an office manager for…

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Conservative Episcopal Churches Can’t Keep Property, South Carolina Supreme Court Rules

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that conservative congregations that left the Episcopal Church in 2012 cannot continue to own their properties. The ruling overturns a lower court ruling in 2015. The affected congregations previously had agreed to let the national church hold their properties in trust. Seven that did not sign such an agreement can retain ownership of their land and buildings. The Diocese of South Carolina broke away from the Episcopal Church in 2012 because of the ordination of gay priests and concerns about unorthodox interpretations of Scripture. “Splits within the Episcopal Church and other mainline denominations have caused property lawsuits to surge in recent years; in 2016, they became the top reason churches ended up in court,” reports Christianity Today. Property disputes are largely the result of disagreements between conservatives and progressives. The Diocese of South Carolina dates back to 1785 and is older than the Episcopal Church itself, according to Christianity Today. Today the diocese has about 50 churches and 20,000 members and is aligned with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Wednesday’s ruling means that 29 parishes do not get to keep about $500 million worth of historic church properties claimed by the diocese when it…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Friday, August 4

Admin
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 4, Friday Psalms 139:1–24 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 if I ascend to heaven, you are there! if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you;…

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Knoxville Man Creates Bracelets With Bible Verse Featured On Police Department Plaque

Wendy Wilson

  A Knoxville man has created bracelets featuring the Bible verse written on a plaque at the Knoxville Police Department that was moved last week because of complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The plaque, which was hanging above an employee entrance, was moved to the other side of the doorway where inspirational quotes from other traditions will also be displayed. City officials decided to relocate the plaque to show that Christian faith will not be promoted over other religions, which the Freedom From Religion Foundation said was unconstitutional. The Bible verse, Romans 8:31, says, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, then who can be against us?” Ryan Hudson designed and ordered the rubber bracelets with the help of family and friends. He has been selling them for $1. The proceeds will go to a charity that supports the police department. “They can take down a sign, but they can’t destroy our beliefs,” Hudson said on Facebook. His original idea was to provide police officers with the bracelets, but then demand grew from others in the community. Demand was so great that ordering has now closed. But Hudson said he will post on…

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Mt. Zion, Brentwood Baptist To Host Back-To-School Event Saturday

Wendy Wilson

Mt. Zion Baptist and Brentwood Baptist are teaming up to host a back-to-school event Saturday at Hadley Park in Nashville. Called “We’re Better Together,” the event is open to the public and will offer free backpacks and health screenings. Mt. Zion is a predominantly African-American church, while Brentwood Baptist is mostly white. Both are among the largest megachurches in the area. Church leaders believe that by working together, they are setting an example for how to bridge the racial divide, and say it will be one of many partnerships. “Our congregations are growing by leaps and bounds,” said Bishop Joseph Walker III, pastor of Mt. Zion, in a news release. “So is this wonderful city. It is our responsibility to grow together and support one another. ” Walker began the annual event more than 10 years ago and has seen it grow in popularity. Pastor Mike Glenn of Brentwood Baptist said he’s excited about the chance to serve alongside Walker and demonstrate their common commitment to the Christian faith. “The diversity of the church reveals the nature and character of God in a way that no one person or church can by themselves,” Glenn said. The event aims to help…

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Alabama GOP Senate Candidate Roy Moore Slammed by CAIR For Calling Islam a ‘False Religion’

Wendy Wilson

  A Muslim group has criticized former Alabama Supreme Court Justice and current U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore for calling Islam a “false religion.” Moore expressed his views on Islam in response to a question at a July 24 meeting of the North Jefferson County Republican Club. The question was about sharia law and whether it could become enacted in the U.S. “False religions like Islam, who teach that ‘you must worship this way,’ are completely opposite with what our First Amendment stands for,” Moore told the Republican group at Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ in Gardendale, according to AL.com. The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Moore’s comments were “un-American.” The group also invited Moore to visit a mosque. Khaula Hadeed, executive director of CAIR-Alabama, released a statement in which she cited a verse from the Koran that she said called on Muslims to respond to harmful acts with kindness. “Statements that espouse Islamophobia and cast out fellow Alabamians, implying that they do not have the same rights under the law, are unAmerican,” she said. “We invite Judge Roy Moore to visit a mosque, meet with Alabamian Muslims, and learn about their Islamic faith and about the Muslim…

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CAIR Demands Firing of Alabama McDonald’s Staff for Allegedly Putting Bacon in Chicken Sandwiches to Offend Muslims

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on a McDonald’s restaurant in Decatur to identify and fire the employee or employees who the group says put small pieces of bacon in chicken sandwiches ordered by a Muslim family. The restaurant denies any intentional wrongdoing. Islam prohibits Muslims from consuming pork products. CAIR-Alabama insists that what it says happened Monday was a case of intentional bigotry against Muslims and is demanding that the fast food chain provide surveillance video of the alleged incident. “Based on the evidence in this incident, as well as the unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide, we believe this was an intentional act of religious and ethnic bigotry,” Khaula Hadeed, executive director of CAIR-Alabama, said in a press release Tuesday. “McDonald’s should investigate this incident, identify and terminate the employees responsible, and take proactive steps to satisfy this American family’s concerns, starting with an apology.” Rick Walter, a McDonald’s owner operator in Decatur, issued a statement refuting CAIR’s claim. “We want to assure our customers that this was not an intentional act by our employees,” he said, according to The Decatur Daily. “We value every customer and strive to ensure all orders…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, August 2

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 2, Wednesday Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

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Controversial Former Pastor Rob Bell Wraps Up ‘Bible Belt Tour’ That Included Tennessee

Wendy Wilson

  Controversial former evangelical pastor Rob Bell recently wrapped up his “Bible Belt Tour,” which included two stops in Tennessee. Bell, whose teachings are considered heretical by conservative Christians, made appearances earlier this month in Knoxville and Memphis. “If evangelicals had a black list, Rob Bell would be on it,” wrote Megan Briggs in a review of Bell’s latest book, What Is the Bible?, for ChurchLeaders.com. Bell, 46, was once a rising star in evangelical circles as the pastor of a megachurch he founded in his native Michigan. But he eventually left the church as he began gravitating toward a far less orthodox belief system. Today Bell lives in Los Angeles and continues to promote himself as a spiritual leader, but his views are now more in line with those of Oprah Winfrey, with whom he toured the country in 2014. In his 2011 book Love Wins, Bell raised eyebrows by questioning the existence of hell and promoting a more inclusive form of Christianity. In What Is the Bible?, he concludes the Bible was inspired more by humans than by God and is not infallible. “According to Bell, Jesus came to earth to put a human face to the words of Scripture,…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Tuesday, August 1

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing August 1, Tuesday Acts 20:28-30 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Monday, July 31

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 31, Monday Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Sunday, July 30

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 30, Sunday Proverbs 10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him. Proverbs 25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.    

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Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero Faces Backlash Over Decision To Move Bible Verse Plaque

Wendy Wilson

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero is facing criticism that she acted too hastily in deciding to move a plaque with a Bible verse at the Knoxville Police Department. Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is among those saying that Rogero should have pushed back when the Freedom From Religion Foundation began to complain and threaten legal action earlier this year. Rogero announced her decision earlier this week, confirming it was the result of a complaint from the East Tennessee chapter of the national group, which is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and pushes for the separation of church and state. The group said the placement of the plaque was unconstitutional “religious promotion.” The plaque, which was put up in the early 1970s, had been displayed above a staff entrance not typically frequented by the public. Rogero said she was not aware of any other complaints in recent years. Rogero said the plaque would be moved to a new “Hall of Inspiration” on the other side of the door featuring quotes from various traditions. The plaque quotes Romans 8:31 and says, “If God be for us, then who can be against us?” The plaque was moved Friday morning. Aleta Ledendecker of the Freedom From Religion Foundation…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Saturday, July 29

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 29, Saturday Galatians 4:8-9 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? Jude 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct – as irrational animals do – will destroy them.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Friday, July 28

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 28, Thursday Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, July 26

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 26, Wednesday 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Tuesday, July 25

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 25, Tuesday Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Friday, July 21

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 21, Friday Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Thursday, July 20

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 20, Thursday Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, July 19

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 19, Wednesday Psalm 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Monday, July 17

Admin
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 17, Monday John 15:5-8 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Sunday, July 16

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 16, Sunday Matthew 6:5-14 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: 9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” 14 For if…

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Southern Baptist Ethics And Religious Liberty Commission Speaks Out Against Military Transgender Policy

Wendy Wilson

  Southern Baptist leaders object to the U.S. Army’s new mandatory transgender sensitivity training, reports Baptist Press. The training follows last year’s repeal of a ban on transgender men and women serving openly in the armed forces. Former President Obama’s defense secretary set a deadline of July 1 for fully implementing the new policy across all branches of service. Current Secretary of Defense James Mattis recently announced a six-month delay in enlisting transgender people, but those currently enlisted are allowed to transition. Soldiers are being told they must accept soldiers of the opposite sex who feel they have a different gender in barracks, bathrooms and showers. Andrew Walker, director of policy studies for the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), told Baptist Press that Army leaders’ acquiescence “to the demands of transgender activists is misguided.” “Most problematically, the Army is complicit in advancing a worldview that tells fundamental distortions about what it means to be a man or a woman,” Walker said. “The Army’s actions overlook the protests of dissenting soldiers uncomfortable with the idea of sharing private spaces with members of the opposite sex, which also pose risks to religious liberty. “It is unfortunate and lamentable that a venerable…

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Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, July 12

Dana Hunsinger Gill
Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing July 12, Wednesday Psalm 1:1-3 The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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Samford University Won’t Seek Formal Recognition Of LGBT Group But Still Plans To Work With Group

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

Samford University has decided not to seek formal recognition of a campus LGBT group as originally planned this past spring, but still plans to work toward the group’s goals. The group Samford Together was given provisional recognition at the Southern Baptist school in spring 2016 and was approved by the student senate in fall 2016. A faculty senate narrowly approved the group earlier this year, and then a majority of the full faculty voted for approval in April. A final decision was up to the board of trustees. The school intended to ask trustees this fall to grant recognition of the group, but now that won’t happen, Samford president Andrew Westmoreland said in a press release Friday. The Alabama Baptist Convention and its mission board had strongly criticized the push for formal recognition of the group, saying the school was in danger of compromising biblical teachings on sexuality. The state convention threatened to withhold its annual financial allocation to the school if Samford trustees did not vote to deny permanent recognition of Samford Together and revoke its provisional status. Westmoreland said Samford has voluntarily declined to accept its annual budget allocation from the state convention effective January 2018. This is the third time…

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