Riley Gaines is back in the news. After her patently unfair college competition against "transgender" swimmer Lia Thomas, she has been crossing the country speaking out against men competing in women’s college sports. And unsurprisingly, many progressives are outraged at a woman who dares to speak the truth about womanhood.

Did you know that, in 1982, leaders in the Illinois General Assembly began the process of establishing a Prayer Room in our Capitol building? It is no longer there. But a new initiative has been launched in an effort to put a chapel (prayer room) back in the Capitol.

Ahhh…the scenes and smells of the fall season in the Midwest are here. Leaf collection and burning — where allowed. Crisp morning air with men still wearing shorts who refuse to believe summer has ended. Pumpkin everything has arrived, including several variations of pumpkin lattes at Starbucks. 

“My friend’s daughter went off to college, and now she’s a totally different person. It’s so sad.” How many times have you heard this story? I used to wonder how simply going to college could effect such a sudden and drastic worldview shift. I mean, going to a school couldn’t possibly change such a large thing as a worldview, especially one that has been held since childhood, right?

It should come as no surprise that actor Matthew Perry went to his death as a relatively young 54-year-old on October 28th. A final autopsy is weeks away, but his body had faced demise before. Drugs had taken their toll. Perry survived a coma in 2018 after nearly dying from a gastrointestinal perforation. 

Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union sent out a fundraising email written by the "transgender" "actress" and "drag queen" "Miss Peppermint." As ACLU's Artist Ambassador for Transgender Justice, Peppermint wrote a scathing rebuke of "stale, dusty politicians" who are trying to "take away our freedom to be ourselves," and urged supporters to contribute to the ACLU's efforts to fight back.

The October 7th Islamic terrorist attack in Israel that resulted in 1,400 dead Jews, many who were tortured and massacred in the most gruesome way imaginable, would serve as a wake up call for Jewish voters here in America and around the world. The pro-Palestinians, pro-Hamas rallies that have followed have only revealed how antisemitism is alive and well. How can this important voting block continue to support political allies of these violent haters?

Which side are you on? Do you know? There are only two. From the moment you get up in the morning until you go to sleep at night, you take one side or the other.

One of the main arguments against Christianity has existed in our modern society for longer than a century. It’s a major talking point debated by some of the smartest minds in this world. Some have dedicated their lives to proving this argument, and others to disproving it. It’s entirely relevant, certainly relatable, and based on something that controls much of the movement and forward progress of societies, cultures, and nations.

The story of Sage Blair is a worst-case scenario of epic proportions. At fourteen years old, Sage, who is being raised by her grandparents, began questioning her gender identity. At school, she was encouraged to socially “transition” and began using a male name, male pronouns, and the boys’ restroom. It was only after she was sexually harassed and threatened by male students in the restroom that Sage’s grandparents found out she was embracing a transgender identity.

It must be terribly difficult to be rich. I wouldn’t know. And with God’s help, I never will. I don’t dream of winning the lottery. I don’t buy tickets. I don’t envy those who win. Or who are wildly successful in their endeavors. Including athletes. Wealth changes people. Often not in a good way. Sudden wealth is worse. The recipient is clueless on spending.

As Dean of the Regent University School of Government, Michele Bachmann emphasized on the October 19 episode of Family Research Council’s “Washington Watch” that in addition to teaching accurate history (including the Holocaust and September 11, 2001), American schools and parents must teach Judeo-Christian values summed up in the Ten Commandments.

You may or may not know that October is “Pastor Appreciation Month.” Because I have pastored for thirty years, I am hesitant to write on this topic, but I also believe that it is an important issue. A number of surveys have revealed that there is a significant attrition occurring within the ranks of pastors which threatens the future of churches across the United States. These studies show that in recent years over fifty percent of the men who enter the pastorate drop out before achieving ten years of service. 

Does it feel like you've woken up to yet another day fighting the cultural dumpster fire? You're not alone. Many faithful brothers and sisters are fighting alongside you. But it's not enough to keep monotonously throwing water on the fire—it's sometimes important to step back and study just how the fire’s progressing. Only then can you know where best to attack.

The pro-Palestinian organization Students for Justice in Palestine announced Thursday, October 12 to be a "Day of Resistance" and called for a coordinated series of protests on college campuses to support the Hamas attacks on Israel and speak out against "Zionism." And what a day it was.