10 U.S. Olympians Who Acknowledge & Praise the Lord

August 3, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

It takes hard work, mental toughness, determination and God-given talent to reach the Olympics. Some athletes do not acknowledge God’s role in their success. But the wise ones, including these 10 U.S. Olympians, readily acknowledge and praise the Lord: Vashti Cunningham (track and field) Stephen Curry (basketball) Anna Hall (track and field) Vincent Hancock (shooting) Caeleb Dresser (swimming) Helen Maroulis (wrestling) Scottie Scheffler (golf) Mallory Swanson (soccer) Brody Malone (gymnastics) Kelly Cheng (beach volleyball) This post isn’t really a sports... Read more

Radical Right Opens Schools to Satanism, Religious Tyranny

July 24, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst…. Those are the words of Thomas Paine, one of America’s founding fathers. Now, fast forward to the 21st century, and you will find radical right-wing politicians forcing their brand of religious tyranny on impressionable school children in several states. And in doing so, they have unintentionally opened schools to Satanism. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida schools are prime examples of religious tyranny in America. Louisiana law requires... Read more

Stepping Away from Religious Freedom in America

July 17, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Here’s What’s Happening in Louisiana & Oklahoma Louisiana and Oklahoma are stepping away from religious freedom in America and taking their citizens with them. Can the nation be far behind? And is it a positive step or a dangerous movement? Louisiana recently passed a law requiring all public schools to display the 10 commandments in their classrooms. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s chief education officer has mandated that public schools teach the Bible in all grades beginning with the fifth grade. That’s fine... Read more

Rest in Peace, Gospel Songwriter Rusty Golden

July 3, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Award-winning gospel songwriter Rusty Golden, 65, died at his home in Hendersonville, TN, on Monday, July 1. He was the son of Oak Ridge Boys’ band member William Lee Golden and the late Frogene Normand. In a statement released by the band, William Lee Golden said his son’s death was “the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face. I love my family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter, and a wonderful son.... Read more

Does the 7M TikTok Cult Exist? New Netflix Film Says ‘Yes’

June 28, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Religious cults – and cults in general — are dangerous. Yet, people continue to join them, and a new Netflix documentary points to the alleged 7M TikTok cult as an example. Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult offers a fascinating look at a purported religious cult and its alleged ties to TikTok dancers and the 7M Films talent management agency in Los Angeles. TikTok dancers, a talent agency and a religious cult are an unlikely combination. But the Netflix... Read more

Let Us Prey: Stopping Predators in the Church

June 22, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Predators are quite good at targeting and preying on churches because churchgoers are generally easy, trusting targets. Unfortunately, religious organizations are less effective in stopping predators in the church. That we know. So, what can Christian churches do? Catholics have been dealing – or not dealing – with sexual abuse of children for decades. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is taking its time finding solutions to its scandal, which is more about men attacking women than child abuse. And the... Read more

Misogyny Wins the Day at SBC’s Annual Meeting

June 15, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Misogyny has prevailed once again in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which held its annual meeting in Indianapolis June 11-12. Although a constitutional amendment to ban female pastors failed by a small margin, the organization’s new president, Clint Pressley of Charlotte, NC, assured the world that the SBC’s complementarian beliefs remain strong. In other words, misogyny wins the day. Complementarianism is the belief that God gives men and women complementary roles in the home and church. Translated, it... Read more

An Outsider’s Preview of Upcoming SBC Annual Meeting

June 6, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Southern Baptists Set ‘Pivotal’ Meeting June 10-12 Funding for sexual abuse reform, an amendment to officially ban female pastors and the election of a new Southern Baptist Convention president will top the agenda at the upcoming SBC annual meeting June 10-12 in Indianapolis. As an outsider looking at the SBC, I have mixed feelings. First and foremost, it isn’t any of my business because I left Southern Baptist denomination a lifetime ago. And while I have a few opinions about... Read more

New Methodist Leader Talks Hope, Unity, Inclusiveness & God

May 10, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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The issues are complex, and the future of the United Methodist Church is far from certain. Yet, Bishop Tracy S. Malone peppers her conversation with words such as hope, unity, inclusiveness and God as she settles into her two-year term as president of the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Council of Bishops. Malone’s election to the church’s highest office is historic. She became the first black woman ever elected to lead the United Methodist Church in November 2023. She accepted the... Read more

7 Scriptures that Can Ease Your Anxiety

May 2, 2024 By Ginny Baxter

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Have you ever met someone who says they have never experienced anxiety? Neither have I. It’s safe to say that anxiety is a widespread problem. In my article, The Body-Mind-Soul Connection on Patheos, I looked at new research into the link between faith and physical and mental health. It begs this question: how do we tap into our godly resource when we feel anxious, stressed or upset but don’t know where to begin? In today’s post, I am sharing 7... Read more