Displaying items by tag: USA

The movie ‘Average Joe’ tells the remarkable story of coach Joe Kennedy, whose silent prayer at a high school football game led to a US supreme court case defending religious freedom. Raised in foster homes and expelled from several schools, Kennedy struggled with anger toward life and God. His journey of faith began after serving in the Marine Corps, eventually finding strength in Christ. After his games, he knelt for a thirty-second prayer at the 50-yard line, joined voluntarily by players. The school district ordered him to stop, and when he refused, they sacked him. The case reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in his favour, citing his First Amendment rights. Despite marital strain and death threats, Kennedy and his wife, Denise, reconciled, inspired by the film ‘Facing the Giants’. His story highlights God’s ability to use unlikely individuals for historic impact, illustrating his belief in a personal relationship with Jesus.

The heartbreaking story of Meghan Drye’s loss during Hurricane Helene took a miraculous turn. Meghan, her son Micah, and her parents were swept away by floodwaters in North Carolina. Meghan survived, but Micah, her parents, and their dog Bella were lost. In his final moments, Micah called out to Jesus, and his faith became a source of strength for his grieving mother. Shortly afterwards, Christian artist Elizabeth Londen, unaware of the tragedy, was moved by God to create a painting and poem entitled ‘Can you tell my mommy I’m safe now?’ The poem, written as if spoken by a child in Heaven, brought profound comfort to Meghan and her family, and they discovered that the painting referenced specific details from Micah’s life, including his dog and favourite blanket. Elizabeth reached out to the family, offering the artwork and peace in their sorrow. This story exemplifies God’s intimate presence and reassurance, even in the deepest grief.

A judge has overturned changes made by Georgia's Republican-controlled state election board in August, which a conservative group argued would disrupt voting rights ahead of the presidential election on 5 November. His ruling followed a lawsuit by the conservative group Eternal Vigilance Action, which claimed the board overstepped its authority. The changes included empowering county election officials to investigate discrepancies in vote counts before certifying results. The move drew bipartisan criticism; one official warned that it would undermine voter confidence and burden election workers. Democrats, who filed a separate lawsuit, argued the rules aimed to delay certification, a mandatory part of election outcomes. The judge’s ruling follows a similar decision to block a rule requiring ballots be counted by hand, which Democrats said was another attempt to impede certification. Georgia is expected to be a key battleground state in the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors are increasing efforts to target suspects who use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create or manipulate child sex abuse images, fearing that the technology could lead to a surge in illegal content. The Justice Department has initiated two criminal cases against individuals accused of such crimes. A department official has voiced concerns over the potential normalisation of such images, as AI makes it easier to create and distribute them. Prosecutors worry that AI-generated content will complicate the identification of real victims and make the task of law enforcement more difficult. These cases are likely to break new legal ground, especially when real children are not depicted. Convictions may face appeals as courts navigate the evolving legal landscape around AI and child exploitation.

Cameron Arnett, an actor who starred in shows like Miami Vice, experienced a profound spiritual transformation which led him to leave the mainstream entertainment industry. Initially drawn into Hollywood's allure, Arnett later became a Christian. His faith was tested when he was asked to do partial nudity for a role; despite attempts to compromise with a body double, the Holy Spirit convicted him to reject even the appearance of evil. He refused, and as a result, he lost his career, agency, and connections. However, he saw God’s plan in all of this, and realigned his career to reflect his faith. He became a pastor and then returned to film-making, this time with a focus on faith-based projects. To date he has appeared in over fifty movies and seven television shows, all with Christian themes. Arnett’s journey illustrates the importance of standing firm in one's convictions and using every platform, even in Hollywood, to shine the light of Christ.

As Israeli forces intensify their offensive centred on the Jabaliya refugee camp, over 400,000 civilians remain trapped in northern Gaza, according to the head of UNRWA. He expressed concerns about repeated evacuation orders and worsening humanitarian conditions, including hunger and the closure of key medical services. Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas has led to widespread displacement, with hospitals forced to close and critical aid deliveries disrupted. The USA has called on Israel to urgently address the ‘catastrophic conditions’ in Gaza. Journalists and civilians continue to be casualties of the violence. Humanitarian groups have condemned the forced displacements, describing northern Gaza as turning into a ‘lifeless desert’ while southern regions struggle to cope with the influx of displaced people. There have been more than 42,000 Palestinian casualties since October 2023.

On 9 October Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast, bringing 120 mph winds and widespread destruction. At one point a Category 5 hurricane, the Category 3 storm weakened overnight to a Category 1 storm, but not before destroying over 125 homes and knocking out power for over three million residents. Tornadoes and heavy rain have also caused significant inland damage, with storm surges threatening coastal cities such as Tampa. Officials have warned of severe flooding along rivers and lakes as Milton continues to batter the state, with nearly 100,000 people sheltering in evacuation centres. Florida officials had issued urgent evacuation orders for nearly two million people, many of whom had not recovered from Hurricane Helene. Joe Biden, calling Milton one of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida's history, has urged residents to heed local warnings.

After two years in the NBA, former Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin Jr announced his retirement to follow Jesus full-time. Griffin, 21, shared his decision in a heartfelt YouTube video after being released by his current club following the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 11.6 points per game. Griffin expressed excitement for this new season, saying, 'I’m not here to please man but only my Father in Heaven’. Quoting Hebrews 11:6, he hopes his decision inspires others to trust God fully. Griffin’s family, including his father (who also played in the NBA), has supported his faith journey. His walk with Christ deepened after the tragic passing of his two-year-old nephew Jayce a year ago. During a worship service, Griffin prayed with his family as they mourned. Now, feeling called to leave basketball, he looks forward to sharing the Gospel and pursuing God’s plan for his life.

Hans Schmidt, a street preacher and military veteran, was shot in the head while sharing the Gospel in Arizona. Unaware of the gunshot, he drove to his church, Victory Chapel, with blood streaming down his face. On the way to the hospital, he suffered a seizure and became unconscious. Doctors gave little hope, telling his wife Zulya that the outcome looked grim. They expected death, and detectives even spoke of an autopsy. However, prayer warriors across the nation began interceding for him. Hans was placed in a medically-induced coma and remained unresponsive for a month. Then, miraculously, he woke up and spoke. His wife was astonished and overjoyed. Against all odds, he fully recovered, returned to his family, and resumed playing the drums at church. He has also forgiven his assailant, who was never found. Now, he continues preaching the message of God’s love, focusing on the importance of forgiveness.

The Global Day of Prayer for America is scheduled for 22 September, with the goal of sparking a nationwide revival. Participants are invited to join an online prayer meeting from 7:00 to 10:00 am (EST), featuring leaders from around the globe. This event focuses on uniting believers to seek a Christ-awakening, where the Holy Spirit ignites a passion for Jesus and spiritual transformation sweeps across the country. Dr Jason Hubbard emphasises the urgent need for revival in American churches, communities, and families, highlighting the spiritual stagnation and division currently present. The call is for extraordinary prayer and intercession, recognising that true revival brings societal transformation and comprehensive change. The event underscores that revival is not merely a series of meetings but a deep, God-driven movement marked by humility, repentance, and a hunger for God's presence. It is a call for America to be saturated with the power and glory of God, bringing revival from coast to coast.