Justin Bieber’s new YouTube series “Seasons” released two episodes this week showing footage from his and his wife, Hailey’s wedding day. 

During the episodes Bieber revealed that he “was shaking” when he proposed to Hailey in the Bahamas in 2018.

“I was like, ‘I loved you for so long and I just can’t see myself being with anybody else. I love you so much and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?’” he recalled to his friends right before the wedding.

In episode 7 of the series, Hailey shared why the couple had a civil wedding ceremony shortly after their engagement before their religious ceremony last October.

“It’s actually really funny because we got engaged, and we were like, ‘Yeah, we’re not in a rush to plan a wedding, we’re chilling,’” Hailey said.

“We wanted to live together, we wanted to move in together, and we didn’t believe in doing that until we were married. So we got legally married and then moving in together, and living together, and getting to share space with each other, and just keep learning more about each other. It took the pressure off of the scary part of getting married,” she added.

In a previous interview with Vogue magazine, Bieber said he and his bride waited to have sex until their wedding night because he vowed to God that he’d live a chaste life after battling a sex addiction.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Jeannie Law

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World-renowned evangelist Luis Palau revealed his cancer is now at bay, though doctors had given him months to live when he was diagnosed two years ago. And now he’s ready to fully pass the mantle of ministry to his sons.

At the top of 2018, the beloved minister made the unexpected announcement that he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Months later, in a Thanksgiving Day update, Palau testified that he was defying the odds and doing much better than doctors had anticipated. Now, two years after the diagnosis, Palau says his cancer is under control because of their care regiment.

In March 2018, Palau shared that after two months of chemotherapy, the doctors were amazed at the results of his CT scan and blood work. All tumors had shrunk by one-third and there was no new growth of the tumors. The results were so uncommon for someone with stage 4 cancer that Palau said the doctors were stunned.

Again, at the end of last year, “One of the tumors actually shrank slightly!” he wrote on his website.

“I’m actually feeling quite well. And the cancer seems to be kept at bay with the current protocol,” he said.

Since then, the Luis Palau Association has carried on with multiple initiatives and in a new interview with CBN, the minister said it’s time for him to step out of the way and let his sons and those that follow continue on with the ministry freely.

He said moving aside and allowing Andrew and Kevin Palau to take up the ministry mantle will be “without relinquishing love and caring for my sons.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Jeannie Law

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Colton Dixon‘s family is about to expand by one!

The “Miracles” singer and former American Idol contestant is expecting his first child with wife Annie this fall, his rep confirms exclusively to PEOPLE.

“Becoming a dad is something I’ve always looked forward to. Whether seeing other kids with their parents or reminiscing on the times I had with my own when I was young, these are moments to be cherished,” says Dixon, 28. “Annie and I are ecstatic about this exciting new chapter! We are also relieved that this is no longer a secret.”

His wife adds that their baby on the way “is truly a dream come true,” telling PEOPLE, “As a first-time mom, I’ve felt really vulnerable navigating this new territory, but the kindness from fellow moms has help put me at ease, along with the support of my husband.”

“I asked a girl the other day, whom I’d never met before, if she liked her stroller. She didn’t hesitate to stop and give me the sweetest advice and encouragement,” recalls Annie, 31. “It was so kind. I believe the world is more beautiful when we help each other.”

“I think I will be able to understand life in new ways, and though I know it’s a big learning curve, I’m excited for the next chapter,” she continues. “Colton and I have always wanted children. We’ve always said, ‘One day.’ And that day is here! I am so grateful for this gift of bringing a child into the world! Even though I’m not looking forward to the literal side of that so much.”

SOURCE: PEOPLE, Jen Juneau and Anya Leon

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A coalition of Southern Baptists have rolled out a new network, dubbed the Conservative Baptist Network, for conservative Southern Baptists who are concerned about the influx of liberal ideology and progressivism — particularly, social justice — in the Southern Baptist Convention.

According to the network’s website, the network plans to officially launch June 8 during the denomination’s annual meeting in Orlando.

Listing Brad Jurkovich as the spokesman for the Conservative Baptist Network, a press release on February 14 said that the network is a “product of a grassroots movement that developed organically in the hearts and minds of devoted Southern Baptists who have become concerned about the current direction and perceived future of the convention.”

The press release cites “insolence” and “disrespect” to Vice President Mike Pence as many Southern Baptist leaders and messengers walked out in protest during his speech at the 2018 annual meeting and concerns that there is “growing apprehension about where the Southern Baptist Convention is headed.”

Source: Reformation Charlotte

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Hookers for Jesus says it is “trusting God” after a whistleblower complaint named the group as one of two lesser qualified organizations that received more than $1 million in funding from a U.S. Justice Department anti-human trafficking grant program over other organizations.

An internal department memo cited in a Reuters report showed that as of Sept. 12, two long-established nonprofits – the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach and Chicanos Por La Causa of Phoenix – were originally on the list of recommended grant winners after receiving high marks from outside contractors hired to review applications. Later that month, those two organizations were replaced by Hookers for Jesus and the Lincoln Tubman Foundation, which both received lower rankings and were not recommended for grants by outside reviewers.

A Sept. 23 memo says the change was made in an effort to “distribute funding across as many states as possible.”

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local 2830 filed a complaint asking the inspector general to investigate whether politics factored in the two grant awards in December Reuters said.

Chicanos Por La Causa has opposed the Trump administration’s immigration policies while the head of Catholic Charities in Palm Beach has reportedly participated in past Democratic National Committees as a delegate or standing committee member.

Hookers for Jesus, a mission-driven nonprofit that seeks to help individuals impacted by sex trafficking and the adult entertainment industry, did not respond immediately to questions from The Christian Post Wednesday but a statement on the Facebook page of the nonprofit run by born-again Christian human trafficking survivor Annie Lobert said, “Don’t believe everything you read—especially when news is written from a biased slant.”

The nonprofit then added on Tuesday: “Trusting God to be our defense in all false accusations, slander & slanted opinions. While we may be misunderstood by many—we know we do great work in helping so many ladies be freed of tyranny, torture & trauma. We love without agenda, serve without coercion & help without a motive.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair

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After 115 years, Concordia University in Oregon will close its doors following the end of the 2020 spring semester and faces a potential class-action lawsuit launched by a student who claims he was misled about the institution’s financial struggles.

In a statement, the private Lutheran institution with about 5,700 students explained that its board of regents voted after much prayer and consideration of all options to cease operations of the school in a resolution approved on Feb. 7.

The board’s vote follows “years of mounting financial challenges and a challenging and changing educational landscape.”

Interim President Tom Ries said the board concluded that it’s “impossible to pursue” the school’s mission considering the current and projected enrollment and finances of the school.

“The board has come to this difficult decision recognizing that it is in the best interest of our students, our faculty, our staff, and our partners,” Ries said. He pledged to share more information as it becomes available.

According to Oregon Live, the closure will result in over 1,500 layoffs that will occur by September.

Concordia says it is in “active discussions” with accrediting bodies to provide students with opportunities to continue their education at other higher education institutions. Concordia is also in talks about how to help faculty and staff transition to the next phase of their careers.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

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Couples who live together before getting married had less frequent sex and had lower levels of overall sexual satisfaction than married couples who did not live together before tying the knot, according to a recent study.

The Journal of Sex Research published a study in December titled “Associations Between Premarital Factors and First-Married, Heterosexual Newlywed Couples’ Frequency of Sex and Sexual Satisfaction Trajectories.”

The study, by Emma Altgelt and Andrea Meltzer, both of the Department of Psychology of Florida State University.

According to the Abstract, the researchers wanted to see what impact cohabitation and “courtship duration” had on sexual relationships during the first few years of marriage.

“Using a 4-year longitudinal study of newlywed couples, results demonstrated that couples with longer (versus shorter) courtships or who did (versus did not) cohabit engaged in less frequent sex at the start of marriage,” the Abstract stated in part.

“Couples who did (versus did not) cohabit were less sexually satisfied initially and over time; couples with longer (versus shorter) courtships experienced less steep declines in sexual satisfaction over time.”

In an interview with PsyPost published last week, Altgelt explained that “life choices that predate couples’ wedding day (e.g., courtship duration, cohabiting, having children) seem to matter for their sexual relationship during the early years of marriage.”

Altgelt warned that her study did not include experimental data, as they were “ethically unable to manipulate couples’ premarital factors.”

“For this reason, we cannot claim that these premarital factors cause changes in couples’ sexual relationships during marriage,” she told PsyPost.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Michael Gryboski

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Richard Logan, a former pastor and CEO of faith-based anti-poverty nonprofit Attack Poverty who fatally shot himself after killing his wife and young son in the family home, also tried to strangle his daughter who survived, police revealed Thursday.

While authorities in Sugarland, Texas, are still investigating the motive for Richard Logan’s actions, the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner said Logan shot his wife, Diana, 48, multiple times and then shot their 11-year-old son, Aaron, once, KHOU reported.

He then drove to San Marcos where his daughter, Ambrielle, is in her final year at Texas State University and tried to strangle her before taking his own life, police said.

“Police believe Richard Logan shot and killed his wife and son in their home before driving to San Marcos in Guadalupe County, physically assaulting his adult daughter and committing suicide. The handgun recovered at the scene of the suicide is believed to be the same weapon that was used to kill Logan’s wife and son. Forensic testing results are pending,” Sugar Land Police said in a statement, noting that Logan’s daughter did not report the physical assault.

Authorities further told ABC News affiliate KTRK that Logan’s wife and son were killed sometime over the weekend of Feb. 8-9. The family’s pastor at River Pointe Church said he last saw them together on Saturday about 5 p.m. They believe Logan tried strangling Ambrielle on Monday evening and then sometime between that night and Tuesday around 8 a.m. he fatally shot himself.

According to news station KPRC, police officers went to the home of the 53-year-old CEO to perform a welfare check after law enforcement in Guadalupe County informed them that Logan’s body was found with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound on the property of a company called TAS Environmental.

Police Chief Eric Robins said no one answered the door and when they eventually gained access to the home they found the bodies of Logan’s wife as well as their 11-year-old son.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair

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Dear Chuck,

I’m growing weary of our society’s overuse (and misuse) of the word love. I hear and see it in advertising, on social media and in conversations. If the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God, it appears we’ve confused our priorities. It appears we love money more than Him or His word.

Love is in the Air

Dear Love is in the Air,

Thank you for a great question. I chose to answer your question so I could talk about love and money on Valentine’s Day.

By the way, Americans will spend an estimated $50 billion dollars today on gifts and activities to show their love to a special loved one. My wife prefers that I save the money on chocolate or flowers on this day and show love throughout the year.

Love and Money

You have identified a significant problem. When love becomes misunderstood or misdirected, we all suffer.

Staggering debt levels, lack of savings, and rising stress suggest we have a spending problem and a heart problem. Even recently, experts have declared that when consumption turns into consumerism, it becomes a social disease.

The enemy has convinced people that things will bring happiness. Yet, throughout Scripture, God warns us not to be led astray. He tells us:

Just this week, the Wall Street Journal released information that hints at American’s disobedience and confused priorities. Credit card debt rose to record highs during the last quarter of 2019. Spurred by a seemingly strong economy and job market, spending increased dramatically. Unfortunately, the number of delinquent payments rose too. Consider this statistic sited in the article:

“Total credit card balances increased by $46 billion to $930 billion, well above the previous peak seen before the 2008 financial crisis, according to data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Tuesday.”

Debt brings stress and bondage. People are unable to live as God designed when they are strapped with debt. In today’s world that includes credit card debt, student loan debt, car loans, mortgages, personal and payday loans. It prevents many from saving money to be used as God directs. Bankrate’s recent poll shows only 41% of Americans could cover a $1,000 emergency with savings.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV)

There’s only one reason God supplies a surplus of wealth to a Christian: so that he or she will have enough to provide for the needs of others. True wealth comes with the responsibility of giving. God promises blessings to all who freely give and His curse on those who hoard, steal, covet, or idolize.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Chuck Bentley

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