For the first time in its decades-long history, the United Nations “climate change” summit included a “Children and Youth” area packed with indoctrinated youngsters demanding that governments take “climate action” and dispense “climate justice.”

Thanksgiving, especially in recent years, is a neglected holiday. Sandwiched  between Halloween and Christmas, and overshadowed by Black Friday, people know Thanksgiving is there, but many don’t put much thought into it until they have to start planning family, food and travel. In recent years, Halloween has become a more culturally celebrated holiday than Thanksgiving. There was even a fun little trend going around social media where you’d show a picture of yourself on Oct. 31 ready for Halloween, and then on Nov. 1 ready for Christmas with Thanksgiving not even an afterthought. There’s just not much societal excitement for Thanksgiving, which is interesting - but it makes sense. Thanksgiving doesn’t fit the ‘cultural narrative’ of self-focus that has been set up.

Most of us know enough colonial history to remember the “First Thanksgiving,” dated November 24, 1621.  Whether that was actually the first thanksgiving feast on American soil is uncertain, but the date is not as relevant as the fact that those early Pilgrims understood the need, in spite of a horrendous first year, to render thanks to God. Half of the Mayflower immigrants had died the winter following their arrival, and the remaining survived only by God’s grace and His provision of Native Americans like Squanto and the kind Wampanoag people who helped them immeasurably.

Much of the conversation about the midterm elections has focused on the anticipated "red wave" which failed to materialize in the congressional results. While the layout of the U.S. Congress is is indeed important, as it will significantly influence what the Biden administration accomplishes over the next couple years, it's important not to overlook local election state election results. Dobbs didn't settle the abortion debate, it merely pushed it down to the states. And the states are beginning to speak. State election results are more important now than ever for determining the fate of unborn children across the country.

Left-wing Democrat U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer rallied with Dreamers last week claiming that mass immigration is vital for the survival of the U.S. because not enough Americans are having children. Therefore, Schumer announced, Democrats' "ultimate goal" is to create "a path to citizenship for all 11 million" illegal immigrants in the country.

Pastor Derek Buikema asks professor, theologian, and author Dr. Carl Trueman to explain a bit about “expressive individualism,” the subject of Dr. Trueman’s important book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution.

In another brief excerpt from IFI’s interview with Dr. Carl Trueman, author of two books that touch on “trans”-cultic beliefs including Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution, Pastor Derek Buikema asks about the responsibility of Christians in regard to the harm being done to children by “trans”-cultic beliefs.

How does Illinois compare to Oklahoma and Florida in protecting religious liberty? Do we have weak or strong protections for health-care workers, the ability of religious organizations to refuse participation in marriage and weddings that violate religious beliefs, and exemptions to childhood immunization requirements. What are the states with the best safeguards of free exercise in the nation?

Marijuana and alcohol abuse are at record highs, reports the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The substance abuse trend skyrocketed during the pandemic, and the hike only continues. By the end of 2022, the marijuana industry’s expected worth is $32 billion, and its popularity increases.

Have you ever wondered if the Church should continue to engage in the culture wars? After all, we will never eradicate evil from the world, and sometimes it feels like the water is pouring into our boats faster than we can bail it out.