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Am I hearing the voice of God?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: People tell me that I should make peace with God now, but I’m starting college and want to experience all that life offers. But when I try to sleep, I’m agitated by the thought of doing something that could ruin my life. People tell me that’s the voice of God. Is that true? If so, I would have...Read more

Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun/TNS

Judge orders most Catholic Church names made public in Maryland AG report, calls for 'more transparency, not less'

Religion / Religious News /

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore judge has ordered the release of most of the redacted names in the attorney general’s report on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s history of child sexual abuse, according to court records unsealed Tuesday.

The order allows for the release Sept. 26 of 43 of 46 blacked-out names, including those of five high-ranking ...Read more

Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun/TNS

Baltimore Catholic Church abuse: Judge orders most redacted names in AG report can be made public

Religion / Religious News /

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore judge has ordered the release of most of the redacted names in the attorney general’s report on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s history of child sexual abuse, according to court records unsealed Tuesday. ç

The order allows for the release of 28 of 31 blacked-out names, including those of five high-ranking church ...Read more

Is this a description of love that can be applied to marriage?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My fiancé and I are preparing for our wedding and we want it to be a traditional ceremony that will point many of our friends to the real purpose of marriage and faithfulness for a lifetime. Weddings have become events and entertainment rather than a public commitment in the presence of family and ...Read more

Why does God allow us to go through hard times?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I know there aren’t easy answers to why God allows us to go through hard times and that often God allows us to experience difficulties to keep us close to Him. But isn’t there another way? – H.T.

A: When we’re healthy, we easily become busy and preoccupied with the present — and end up ...Read more

Is it more helpful to prepare for bad times before they swoop down upon us?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I have watched many of my friends enjoy life for years without much struggle at all. Now that we are getting older, many are in financial trauma and physical distress. Some are turning to the Lord out of despair, but I wonder if it is more helpful to prepare for these times before they swoop down ...Read more

Is the idea of faith-based religion Biblical?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The designation “people of faith” has become widely accepted in describing various belief systems, many denominations, and even different religions. It seems there is great compromise when religious people come together around faith, regardless of the object of faith. While many may believe this...Read more

The God Squad: More on organ donations

Religion / God Squad /

Thanks, dear readers, for responding to my appeal for organ donations as a spiritually transcendent act. There are more than 100,000 people waiting for transplants in the U.S., and 60 percent are from marginalized communities, according to the Health Resources and Service Administration. healthandspirit/religion/godsquad/s-2866715">Read more

My Answer

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Churches still have not recovered from the results of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people I know have withdrawn from public life. Surely, this cannot be healthy or helpful. Some churches are offering classes on how to deal with fear, but is this the right emphasis? Shouldn’t we be giving those in ...Read more

My Answer

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: A spirit of thanksgiving is a good medicine for those going through difficult times. A friend of mine went through cancer and before starting chemotherapy, she took a jar and named it “Gratitude” and filled it with little sayings and Bible verses that would keep her encouraged and...Read more

My Answer

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I am teaching a children’s Bible class and have been astounded to see how quickly kids pick up on things. I’ve learned more than I could have ever imagined. However, I struggle with how to answer some of their questions because I’m afraid I will mislead them. Is there a secret to teaching ...Read more

My Answer

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I work in the entertainment industry. Honestly, watching people chase after the rich and famous leaves me weary and troubled, particularly when I see many celebrities so messed up. Why are most people absorbed by celebrity personalities? Is it because they want to be like them and can’t, so they ...Read more

Isn’t the 'I Am Jesus Christ' video game a form of blasphemy against holy God since we cannot begin to think like God concerning people’s behavior?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It is greatly disturbing to see ads about a new video game called “I Am Jesus Christ” that allows gamers to mimic Jesus as they see fit, reflecting how they think Jesus would respond to some very dark scenarios as though God thinks like mere people. Isn’t this a form of blasphemy against holy ...Read more

Is living to please self the right way to live?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The world today is focus-driven and goal-oriented, and it seems that the thinking and teaching of this way of life is to do “whatever it takes” to be better than the next guy. This is sending a terrible message, particularly when some of these people are the very ones who motivate others to do ...Read more

The God Squad: A replacement for Tommy

Religion / God Squad /

My best friend and partner in the God Squad died on Feb. 16, 2016 and every second of every minute since then I have thought of him and loved him and missed him.

During the early years after his death the idea of replacing Tommy with a new God Squad partner seemed to me like a betrayal, even though he was gone. I felt very much ...Read more

An aging Minneapolis church gave its building to a younger congregation

Religion / Religious News /

MINNEAPOLIS -- On flyers, they called it the "Back to the Future Celebration." In conversation, they referred to it as the "great handover."

This summer, Walker Community United Methodist Church, which dates back more than a century, gave its Minneapolis building to New City Church, a growing congregation just eight years old. The move signals ...Read more

Does the Bible address the condition of ennui?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I have it good. I have an interesting career. I travel. I have no money problems. I even have a good family and have developed volunteer programs at my church in order to reach out to the community. I thought my efforts would fill the void in my life, but this has not happened. It frustrates me when...Read more

GENEVA HEFFERNAN/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

Archdiocese of Philadelphia agrees to $3.5 million settlement in priest sexual assault lawsuit

Religion / Religious News /

PHILADELPHIA — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will pay $3.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that one of its priests sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in Delaware County nearly two decades ago.

Filed in 2020, the lawsuit alleges that Pastor John Close raped the boy at St. Katherine’s of Siena in Wayne in 2006. The plaintiff, whose ...Read more

Do Christians make up the body of Christ and are to be like Him?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It is said that Christians make up the body of Christ and are to be like Him. How is this possible seeing that we are still in the flesh? – L.C.

A: Jesus prayed to His Father for those who would belong to Him, “that they may be one just as We are one” (John 17:22).

God’s will is for us to ...Read more

What is the secret to communing with the Lord?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: It is difficult to comprehend prayer, and I am discouraged. When I pray, it seems I am speaking into the air. I understand salvation found only in Christ Jesus, but I am not sure I grasp the reality of fellowship with Him when I can’t see Him. What is the secret to communing with the Lord? – C.P...Read more