By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner DESTIN, Fla. (Christian Examiner) - Mike Huckabee is out of the Republican presidential race, but he says he won't stop advocating for his beliefs. However, he has no plans on endorsing anyone, either. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The governor of Texas supports police putting cross images on their patrol cars, saying they are part of U.S. historical practices, and symbols of service, his office said last week. Governor Gregg Abbott, a Republican, offered his support for the crosses in a brief filed to the state's attorney general. He was responding to a sheriff's office in Brewster County that received a complaint about images of a Christian cross with a horizontal thin blue line displayed on its patrol vehicles. "In addition to its religious significance, the cross has a long history in America and elsewhere as a symbol of service and sacrifice," Abbott wrote, adding in his opinion, the display does not violate U.S. constitutional provisions preventing the establishment of religion. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]

By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner CHICAGO (Christian Examiner) – The abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America took to social media during the Super Bowl to blast a Doritos ad that showed an ultrasound – and then got plenty of pushback from viewers who were incredulous that anyone would have had a problem with the commercial. The humorous ad shows a pregnant woman receiving an ultrasound as her husband stands by her side, watching. "And there's your beautiful baby," the technician tells the mom, who is upset at her husband for munching on Doritos. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

By Alliance Defending Freedom staff WASHINGTON – Fourteen briefs have been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that encourage it to weigh in on Washington state rules that force pharmacy owners and pharmacists to stock and dispense drugs contrary to their religious beliefs instead of allowing them to refer customers to other pharmacies and pharmacists as they are allowed to do in all 49 other states. The state allows referrals for a variety of reasons but singles out religiously motivated referrals as prohibited. Among the briefs in support of the petition that a Washington state pharmacy and two pharmacists filed with the high court last month are ones signed by 43 members of Congress; 13 state attorneys general; 29 notable legal scholars; more than 4,600 individual health care professionals; and 38 professional pharmacy associations, including the nation’s largest, the American Pharmacists Association. “No one should be forced to choose between following their deepest religious beliefs and following an unjust, unneeded government mandate that targets only people of faith. The state of Washington allows referrals for nearly any reason but does not allow referrals motivated by faith. The briefs filed with the Supreme Court … [Read more...]

By Julie Walters, National WMU communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – National WMU President Linda Cooper has issued a call to prayer for those serving on the national search committee charged with identifying the woman God would have as the next executive director for national WMU. On Jan. 11, Wanda Lee, who has served as executive director since 2000, announced to the WMU board her intention to retire, giving ample notice for a search committee to be formed and seek a new leader. Cooper said she prayed earnestly for God’s direction as she selected search committee members who have extensive experience in WMU and represent various geographical locations. The committee members are Joy Bolton, executive director of Kentucky WMU, who will serve as chairperson; Debby Akerman, former national WMU president (2010-2015); Jill McNicol, president of Illinois WMU; Kathy Sheldon, president of Pennsylvania/South Jersey WMU; and June Tate, president of Colorado WMU. “Above all, I am confident these women will take this task very seriously, seeking the Lord’s guidance in all they do in every step of this process,” Cooper said. “I encourage every Southern Baptist to pray intentionally and daily for the committee, for me, and for the … [Read more...]

By Alliance Defending Freedom staff OLYMPIA, Wash. – Alliance Defending Freedom filed a brief Friday with the Washington Supreme Court that answers arguments the state and the American Civil Liberties Union have made in favor of government discrimination against a floral artist, whom they sued for acting consistently with her faith. ADF attorneys asked the state high court to take up the case in June of last year after a lower state court ruled that Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, must pay penalties and attorneys’ fees for declining to use her artistic abilities to design custom floral arrangements for a long-time customer’s same-sex ceremony. Rather than participate in the ceremony, Stutzman referred the customer, whom she considers a friend and had served for nearly 10 years, to several other florists in the area who would provide high-quality arrangements and wedding support. “Barronelle and many others like her around the country have been more than willing to serve any and all customers, but they are understandably not willing to promote any and all messages,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kristen Waggoner. “No one should be faced with a choice between their freedom of speech and conscience on one hand and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Prayer took center stage for two-and-a-half hours Jan. 31 at First Bossier, as nearly 1,400 members of Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association churches gathered to cry out for spiritual awakening. Those gathered for the Call to Prayer asked for repentance, revival, spiritual change, world missions and protection for the persecuted church. Throughout the evening the First Bossier praise team and choir led worship through music. At other times, testimonies were shared. But, importantly, individuals, as well as pairs and sometimes groups prayed. Lane Moore, NLBA director of missions, said he was building on previous prayer gatherings held in recent years in the state and nationally. For months he had prayed for a large gathering from the association’s churches just to pray for spiritual awakening. By the end of the evening, Moore said the movement of the Holy Spirit was evident. “What we had was a great night where the association as a whole came together to worship and pray,” Moore told the Baptist Message after the prayer gathering. “Those who came got a snapshot of the diversity of our association’s churches, which were of different ethnic groups. It was … [Read more...]