John Hannah, pastor of New Life Church in Chicago, recently shared his experience visiting different churches… and noticing something that made him pause: musicians and singers showing up smelling like marijuana. 

Maybe that's why we don't feel the anointing on these songs anymore.

Now listen. This isn’t about being judgmental. This is about being honest.

Because a lot of us grew up in a church.

We grew up in a culture where holiness wasn’t optional. 

It was the standard. 

Especially if you were on the altar. And especially if you were a musician.

You didn’t just play before God. And you prepared for the anointing to show up.

So now the question is floating louder than ever:

Is it a sin for Christians to smoke marijuana? Or are we just calling everything “freedom” now?

Your body is a temple

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:12 – “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything,” but I will not be mastered by anything.  

 

Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

 

And that’s where the tension comes in.

This is where it might get uncomfortable.

Because modern Christianity loves to say:

“Don’t judge me.”

 

 

 

But very rarely asks:

“Am I representing God well?”

 

And those are two VERY different conversations.

So… Is It a Sin?

Here’s the grounded answer: Maybe

But....Serving in ministry while under the influence

You know the one. looking to meet.... Mr. Right. Or at least other single men.

She said she had a soft smile. good outfit. slightly anointed lip gloss.

The kind of presence that says, “Lord, if he’s here, I’m open to being found.”

Because in her mind?

she was basically the last single woman left.

She says she felt like… a rare, endangered species.

A Proverbs 31 unicorn.

God’s final available daughter before He shut the dating pool down.

So imagine her surprise—no, trauma—when she walked into what was advertised as a “Singles Gathering”…

…and saw a sea of women.

Not a few.

Not a handful.

Not even a “balanced ratio.”

No.

It was giving Women’s Conference: The Sequel.

Rows.

Sections.

Overflow seating.

At this point she's scanning the room like she lost something important.

Like surely… surely the men are in the back?

Maybe they’re parking?

Maybe there’s a second room?

Maybe this is just the “women’s intercession section” before the men arrive?

Nope.

Just estrogen.

Everywhere.

The Conversation We’re Not Having (But Should Be)

Now let me shift for just a second—because beneath the humor, there’s a real conversation here.

At some point during these events the church has to have the conversation:

“What if… the issue isn’t about being the last single woman?”

What if…

There are just a lot of women in church.

A LOT.

Like… thousands.

Beautiful. Smart. Anointed.

All gathered in one place…

…with zero men.

I’m sorry, but at what point do we pause and ask questions??

If every singles event looks like this…

if every room is filled with women ready for commitment, growth, and family…

Then where are the men?

And more importantly—

what are we doing to call them in?

Because building strong families doesn’t start at the wedding.

It starts with intentional discipleship, leadership, and creating spaces where men are:

Invited

Challenged

Developed

And actually present

We can’t keep hosting “singles events” that unintentionally turn into women’s gatherings and act confused afterward.

Respectfully… the math is not mathing.

This might be a bigger conversation about:

• How churches engage men
• How masculinity and leadership are taught (or not taught)
• And whether we are truly preparing both sides for marriage and family life

Because clearly… one side is showing up.

On April 12, something sacred unfolded high above the St. Johns River on the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida.

This wasn’t just another call.

It was a moment where life—and death—stood face to face.

And in the middle of it stood Officer Antonio Richardson.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man standing on the edge of the bridge—ready to jump. 

Sometimes the most dangerous moments don’t look loud.

They look like exhaustion.

Like someone who has simply decided they’re done.

Officer Richardson didn’t rush the moment. He entered it—with presence.

For nearly 40 minutes, Richardson did something that many overlook in crisis situations: he talked.

He told the man:

“Whatever you’re going through… you can get through it.”

And then he did something even more powerful—he reached out his hand and prayed.

Because beyond the badge, Richardson is also a pastor with over decades of ministry experience. 

And in that moment, he didn’t separate his profession from his humanity—he used both.

He shared that nothing about the moment was scripted—he simply followed what he felt led by God to say and do.

Later, Richardson shared how deeply the moment affected him. 

After it was over, Officer Richardson sat in his patrol car… and cried.

Because behind the badge is a human being who understands that sometimes the greatest act of service isn’t strength—it’s empathy.

And when you carry someone back from the edge, you feel the weight of it.

This story is a reminder: sometimes people just need someone willing to stand with them in their darkest moment and say, “You’re not alone.”

And on that bridge in Jacksonville, that was enough to save a life.

Thousands of travelers faced disruptions Sunday as delays and cancellations hit major U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, New York, and Newark.

More than 2,007 flights were delayed and 54 were canceled, causing missed connections, long lines, and frustration for passengers. Major airlines such as Delta, American, Southwest, and United were impacted.

Travelers are advised to check flight statuses regularly as airlines work to restore normal schedules. 

President Donald Trump addressed the nation late Saturday night after being evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following reports of shots fired near the ballroom at the Washington Hilton. The unexpected security scare brought the high-profile event to an abrupt halt as Secret Service agents moved swiftly to secure the President and protect attendees.

Speaking during a press briefing shortly afterward, Trump praised the professionalism and speed of the Secret Service, calling their response “incredible” and thanking local and federal law enforcement officers for their coordination during the tense moments. He also expressed gratitude that authorities acted quickly to contain the situation.

The incident served as a reminder of the intense security challenges surrounding major public gatherings involving national leaders. While details were still emerging, the President’s remarks focused on confidence in the agencies responsible for public safety.

We are sorry to hear about this troubling incident and continue keeping the White House, the President, law enforcement, and our country in prayer during this time.

As investigators continue to review what happened, attention now turns to the swift actions that helped prevent further chaos and ensured the safety of everyone at the event.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the President signed a new law called H.R. 1316, also called the “Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act.” This law makes sure that the government keeps track of important products that are sent to other countries. Some products can be used for regular business, but they can also be used for defense and security. These are called dual-use items.

Some examples of these products are computers, drones, satellites, special software, chemicals, and high-tech sensors. By keeping track of these items, the law helps protect America and make sure products don’t end up in the wrong hands. It also helps American businesses follow the rules and trade safely with other countries.

This law is important because it keeps Americans safe, helps our country stay strong, and makes sure our products are used the right way. It’s a smart step for keeping America safe while still helping businesses grow.

The United States and the European Union have made a new trade deal called the Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. This deal is designed to make trade between the U.S. and Europe stronger, fairer, and better for everyone. For Americans, this deal brings many benefits. Farmers and businesses in the U.S. will be able to sell more products in Europe, including nuts, pork, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and even lobster. When American companies sell more goods overseas, they often need to hire more workers, which creates new jobs and helps communities grow. European companies are also planning to invest billions of dollars in U.S. industries like technology, energy, and manufacturing. This brings even more jobs and strengthens the economy.

The deal also helps energy and technology businesses. The European Union will buy American natural gas, oil, nuclear energy, and $40 billion worth of computer chips, which supports U.S. companies and encourages innovation. Defense companies in the U.S. will benefit too, because Europe plans to buy more military and defense equipment, helping America’s allies stay strong and safe.

This trade agreement also makes rules fairer for businesses on both sides. It protects small and medium-sized businesses from unfair treatment, ensures that U.S. products meet European standards without being blocked, and works to prevent unfair competition from other countries. The deal even focuses on important issues like labor rights, environmental protection, and digital trade, making sure trade is safe, responsible, and fair.

Overall, this trade deal is meant to create more jobs, stronger businesses, better trade opportunities, and safer rulesfor Americans while building a stronger partnership with Europe. It shows how working together with other countries can make life better for businesses, workers, and families across the United States.