A lifeline for people who hurt — all the time

Chronic pain is more prevalent than many Christians realize. This ministry helps. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WOODWARD, Okla. — Their elbows, knees and ankles throb. Fatigue wrecks their ability to move at times. Like around one-fifth of U.S. adults, these Christians — young and old, male and female — live with chronic pain. Often, they suffer alone, feeling as if no one understands. But at a … Continue reading A lifeline for people who hurt — all the time

What it means to live in pain

A husband reflects on his wife’s battle with autoimmune diseases. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle You can’t see the pain. You can’t understand why the pretty woman in the burgundy SUV parks in the handicapped space. You can’t figure out why the devoted Christian — who taught children’s Sunday school classes and made homemade lasagna for fellowship meals — stopped showing up for worship. Related: A … Continue reading What it means to live in pain

📺 The legacy of Pat Robertson, televangelist known for mixing religion and politics 🔌

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! In the headlines today, former President Donald Trump has been indicted on federal charges in the classified documents case. A possible prison sentence aside, will the case help or hurt Trump with conservative Christian voters? Stay tuned. Here in Oklahoma City, where I am, the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate their third straight Women’s College World … Continue reading 📺 The legacy of Pat Robertson, televangelist known for mixing religion and politics 🔌

How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees

A Houston church develops a thriving outreach to families fleeing the war. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — On a blue-sky afternoon in this diverse Texas metropolis, about 50 Ukrainian refugees enjoy pizza, cupcakes and fellowship at the Memorial Church of Christ. All of the families seem to know Julia, a friendly woman with an engaging smile, a long blond braid that trails over her shoulder and a … Continue reading How a Russian immigrant came to serve Ukrainian refugees

✡️ Tree of Life synagogue massacre: Fear and heroism recounted as trial starts 🔌

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged This is our weekly roundup of the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith. We begin with a long-awaited trial in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. What to know: The big story Fight for killer’s life: As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s religion editor, Peter Smith was a key part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting … Continue reading ✡️ Tree of Life synagogue massacre: Fear and heroism recounted as trial starts 🔌

➗ Who’s in? Who’s out? The latest on the Baptist and Methodist doctrinal divides 🔌

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Our big story this week concerns doctrinal battles by the Southern Baptists, not all of them in the South, and the United Methodists, who are not so united these days. What to know: The big story Back in the saddle?: Last year, the Southern Baptist Convention kicked out Saddleback Church, founded by Rick Warren, for appointing women as pastors. … Continue reading ➗ Who’s in? Who’s out? The latest on the Baptist and Methodist doctrinal divides 🔌

Faith through hearing — and signing — the Word

Deaf elder and his wife bridge cultural and language barriers. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FAIRFAX, Va. — Sunday morning at the Fairfax Church of Christ finds elder Dennis Cesone and his wife, Cindi, in the foyer, greeting and encouraging fellow Christians. To a visitor, the couple’s friendliness and welcoming smiles are evident immediately. The fact both were born deaf is not. Related: Behind the scenes of this … Continue reading Faith through hearing — and signing — the Word

Have we had enough?

The massacre at a Dallas-area shopping mall raises the question — again. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALLEN, Texas — I was home in Oklahoma City watching a Texas Rangers game Saturday night when I saw an update on the death toll at the Allen Premium Outlets. Nine killed, counting the gunman. Seven wounded. Related: War at home: Former Army officer aids Texas massacre victims, seeks God’s healing Hundreds traumatized … Continue reading Have we had enough?

War at home: Former Army officer aids Texas massacre victims, seeks God’s healing

The nation’s latest mass shooting claimed eight lives — including three children — at a Dallas-area mall. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALLEN, Texas — A female in the bushes still felt warm, but she had no pulse.  “There was no face,” Steven Spainhouer told The Christian Chronicle, his voice choking with emotion. “There was nothing left.” Spainhouer — a longtime member of The Branch Church of Christ in … Continue reading War at home: Former Army officer aids Texas massacre victims, seeks God’s healing