WATCH: Comedy Skit Mocks Absurdity of Gender-Transitioning Children as Pushback to Transgender Ideology Grows

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WATCH: Comedy Skit Mocks Absurdity of Gender-Transitioning Children as Pushback to Transgender Ideology Grows

In what might be a sign of changing attitudes toward parents caving in to transgender ideology, a comedy group has released a hilarious skit about parents who kowtow to their child’s every whim.

The comedy troop We the Internet TV uploaded a new video to its YouTube channel Friday, humorously highlighting the absurdity of parents who are subordinates to their children.

In the sketch, a man named Mike announces that he found out his son is “actually a girl.”

“We’re all hanging out on the couch watching Netflix together, and Tommy turns to Sarah and me and says, ‘I’m a girl now,’” Mike says to a co-worker.

“I had no idea, but who am I to question my 3-year-old child, right?”

The subject of pronouns then comes up and Mike explains that his male child is not going by “her” or “they” — as is often the case with children who self-identify as transgender or nonbinary — but rather, the sound of flatulence. And because Mike’s child does not want to start school soon they are not going to make him go to kindergarten any time soon. Instead of saying “him,” Mike made the sound of a fart.

“Also, we’re starting [fart sound] on hormone blockers next week, so we don’t really have a lot of free time,” Mike says in the sketch.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Brandon Showalter

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

United Airlines to Train Flight Attendants to Stop Passengers from Watching Pornography on Flights

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United Airlines to Train Flight Attendants to Stop Passengers from Watching Pornography on Flights

United Airlines is now training flight attendants to intervene when passengers watch pornography on their personal devices as part of an effort to curb the increase of porn viewing on airplanes, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. 

United flight attendants alerted the nonprofit watchdog that their airline last month began providing new training on topics of pornography and sexual harassment.

A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed to NCOSE that the new training is taking place.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, intimidation or predation have absolutely no place anywhere in our society — including, and especially, in our industry and on our aircraft,” a United Airlines statement shared with NCOSE reads.

“In 2018, we strengthened our training for flight attendants to recognize, address and respond to instances of sexual harassment of any kind onboard our aircraft and will continue to adapt and enhance this training moving forward.”

NCOSE listed United Airlines on its 2019 “Dirty Dozen List” of “mainstream” companies and entities considered to be “facilitators of sexual exploitation in our society and culture.”

Among NCOSE’s concerns was that United Airlines employees were ill-prepared to “address the growing problem of viewing pornography on airplanes.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ’1917′?

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Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ’1917′?

Ahead of Sunday’s 92nd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle shares his predictions for a ceremony with a lot of locks but the potential for a few surprises.

BEST PICTURE

The Nominees: “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” “Parasite”

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Parasite”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

The last-arriving contender, Sam Mendes’ World War I film “1917,” has seemingly, fittingly run away with it. The top-prize winner of the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild and the BAFTAs, “1917” is the clear favorite. But I think Bong Joon Ho’s universally beloved “Parasite” could pull off an upset that would rank alongside the underdog win of “Moonlight” three years ago. Taking best ensemble from the Screen Actors Guild showed that “Parasite” has perhaps the most important vote in the actors (they make up the largest percentage of the film academy), and academy membership has also grown more international in recent years. The time may be right for the first foreign-language film to win best picture, and “Parasite” deserves it.

BEST ACTRESS

The Nominees: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”; Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”; Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; Renee Zellweger, “Judy

Will Win: Renee Zellweger

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan

Should Have Been a Contender: Alfre Woodard, “Clemency”

Zellweger is already a winner for “Cold Mountain” in 2004. But her fragile yet powerhouse performance as Judy Garland in “Judy” is that irresistible thing: a comeback story. The part reverberates with Zellweger’s own history; she and Garland are both former American sweethearts. She’s a fine choice, but the verve and velocity of Ronan’s great performance in “Little Women” shouldn’t be overlooked. Formidable as this category is, it would have been better with Woodard’s fully inhabited, devastatingly still performance as a prison warden in the spare “Clemency” — not to mention Lupita Nyong’o’s ferocious double act in “Us.”

BEST ACTOR

The Nominees: Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”; Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”

Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Should Win: Adam Driver

Should Have Been a Contender: Andre Holland, “High Flying Bird”

After several years of lethargy, best actor is the year’s most competitive category. The next five options — including Adam Sandler (“Uncut Gems”) and Eddie Murphy (“Dolemite Is My Name”) — are equally good. Phoenix, like all of this year’s acting favorites, has been the clear front-runner for some time, for his morose yet limber Joker. But Driver’s performance in “Marriage Story” is the real show-stopper here; a more nuanced and rewarding performance that culminates beautifully in song and tears. A shout-out also to the exceptional Holland, whose guileful, fast-talking NBA agent in “High Flying Bird” felt like a thrilling fast break.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Nominees: Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”; Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”; Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”; Florence Pugh, “Little Women”; Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”

Will Win: Laura Dern

Should Win: Laura Dern

Should Have Been a Contender: Zhao Shuzhen, “The Farewell”

Dern has won every precursor award ahead of the Oscars, and is poised to win her first Academy Award. That’s cause for celebration. Dern has been one of the finest actresses in Hollywood for decades, and her fearsome divorce attorney in “Marriage Story” is indelible, particularly her fabulous monologue on the double-standards of modern marriage. But this category is also missing some worthy actresses, including Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”) and Shuzhen, who played the grandmother unaware of her own cancer diagnosis in Lulu Wang’s tender family drama “The Farewell.”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Will Win: Brad Pitt

Should Win: Brad Pitt

Should Have Been a Contender: Wesley Snipes, “Dolemite Is My Name”

Nothing is more certain this year than Pitt’s win for “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” a movie that perfectly showcases Pitt’s sly charisma. His march toward his first acting Oscar has been fun, too, in a string of acceptance speeches (thanks to an apparent joke writer helping him out) filled with memorable one-liners. The talent in this category is extraordinary — Pesci or Hanks would win most years — but it’s still a shame there wasn’t room for Snipes’ irresistible prima donna actor-turned-director in “Dolemite Is My Name” or Rob Morgan’s powerful death row inmate in “Just Mercy.”

DIRECTOR

The Nominees: Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”; Todd Phillips, “Joker”; Sam Mendes, “1917”; Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite”

Will Win: Sam Mendes

Should Win: Martin Scorsese

Should Have Been a Contender: Marielle Heller, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

Mendes appears the favorite here for the technical acumen of his seemingly-one-take “1917.” The pristine command of Bong would be a better choice but so would the colossal achievement of Scorsese in “The Irishman.” He has won best director only once before. And in 2019, Scorsese not only produced a career-crowning masterwork but mounted a passionate defense for the future of cinema. Greta Gerwig deserved to be among the nominees here for her thrillingly vibrant “Little Women,” but so did Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), whose talent with texture, performance and authenticity doesn’t announce itself, and can go underappreciated.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “Knives Out,” Rian Johnson; “Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach; “1917,” Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns; “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, Jin Won Han

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Marriage Story”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar

A screenplay win for “Parasite” would signal a real chance for a best-picture victory. But also worthy here are two deeply personal scripts: Baumbach’s stirring portrait of divorce “Marriage Story” and Almodovar’s unfortunately overlooked “Pain and Glory,” a sublime, autobiographical work.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “The Irishman,” Steven Zaillian; “Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Waititi; “Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Silver; “Little Women,” Greta Gerwig; “The Two Popes,” Anthony McCarten

Will Win: “Jojo Rabbit”

Should Win: “Little Women”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Laundromat,” Scott Z. Burns

Waititi’s clever, poignant script for the Nazi Germany coming-of-age romp “Jojo Rabbit” appears to have the edge here. There is understandably wide respect for Waititi’s idiosyncratic and daring sensibility. Yet, Gerwig’s script inventively pulled apart Louisa May Alcott’s much-adapted novel —only to put it back together again.

DOCUMENTARY

The Nominees: “American Factory,” Julia Rieichert, Steven Bognar; “The Cave,” Feras Fayyad; “The Edge of Democracy,” Petra Costa; “For Sama,” Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov

Will Win: “American Factory”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Maiden,” “Rolling Thunder Revue”

The sheer number of great documentaries being made today can hardly be accommodated by one category. Just for starters the snubs here include the uplifting “Maiden,” about an all-female crew in a worldwide 1989 yachting race; Scorsese’s fiery Dylan documentary “Rolling Thunder Revue” and the enthralling archival project “Apollo 11.” “American Factory,” the first film released by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, is the most likely winner. But “Honeyland,” about a singular Macedonia beekeeper, is exquisitely intimate and yet resonates with global environmental allegory.

INTERNATIONAL FILM

The Nominees: “Corpus Christi,” Jan Komasa; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov; “Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly; “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”

This will be an easy win for “Parasite,” with potentially bigger awards to come. But little in this awards season was more disappointing than the lack of attention for Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” The period French romance, my favorite film of 2019, narrowly missed out on being France’s submission. (France instead chose the muscular police procedural “Les Miserables.”) Audiences will at least have a chance to catch up to Sciamma’s sensational film when it properly opens in theaters next week.

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Source: Associated Press – JAKE COYLE

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

United Airlines to Train Flight Attendants to Stop Passengers from Watching Pornography on Flights

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United Airlines to Train Flight Attendants to Stop Passengers from Watching Pornography on Flights

United Airlines is now training flight attendants to intervene when passengers watch pornography on their personal devices as part of an effort to curb the increase of porn viewing on airplanes, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. 

United flight attendants alerted the nonprofit watchdog that their airline last month began providing new training on topics of pornography and sexual harassment.

A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed to NCOSE that the new training is taking place.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, intimidation or predation have absolutely no place anywhere in our society — including, and especially, in our industry and on our aircraft,” a United Airlines statement shared with NCOSE reads.

“In 2018, we strengthened our training for flight attendants to recognize, address and respond to instances of sexual harassment of any kind onboard our aircraft and will continue to adapt and enhance this training moving forward.”

NCOSE listed United Airlines on its 2019 “Dirty Dozen List” of “mainstream” companies and entities considered to be “facilitators of sexual exploitation in our society and culture.”

Among NCOSE’s concerns was that United Airlines employees were ill-prepared to “address the growing problem of viewing pornography on airplanes.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Willow Creek Community Church’s Interim Pastor to Step Down as Church Drops Top Two Candidates to Fill Former Pastor Bill Hybels’ Vacancy

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Willow Creek Community Church’s Interim Pastor to Step Down as Church Drops Top Two Candidates to Fill Former Pastor Bill Hybels’ Vacancy

Elders at Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago announced Thursday that Steve Gillen, their interim senior pastor will step down on March 17. Gillen has been serving in the role since the church’s founder, Bill Hybels, resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal in 2018.

“Before starting the external senior pastor search, we asked Steve to continue in his interim role on contract to provide much needed leadership to the Willow staff and congregation. Given that the search process has taken longer than anticipated, Steve agreed to serve on staff until March 17, 2020. Steve will no longer be interim senior pastor after March 17, but he may stay engaged past that date to support the transition to a new interim senior pastor,” the elder board said. “He determined that now is an appropriate time for him and his family to seek out what God has in store for them in their next chapter.”

The announcement was made in an update from the elder board in which they also revealed that they are no longer considering two leading candidates they had settled on in December to fill the vacancy created by Hybels’ scandal.

“In our December update, we shared that the final two senior pastor candidates were presented to the full Elder Board. While both candidates have strong qualities as pastors, we released both from candidacy,” the elders said.

“Our consensus was that neither candidate is the long-term leader of Willow Creek; therefore, the search process has continued. We have provided updates throughout the process, and one of the consequences is that in our last communication, we set an expectation that we are not able to meet,” they said.

The elder board’s decision came just two days after they publicly apologized for allowing Hybels’ mentor, Gilbert Bilezikian, a retired Wheaton College professor, who is also credited with helping Hybels start Willow Creek, to keep teaching at the church despite abuse allegations against him.

Longtime Willow Creek member Ann Lindberg recently disclosed in an extended post on Facebook how Bilezikian victimized her for years and suggested he would have had sex with her had she allowed it during a relationship that lasted from October 1984 to 1988.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ’1917′?

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Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ’1917′?

Ahead of Sunday’s 92nd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle shares his predictions for a ceremony with a lot of locks but the potential for a few surprises.

BEST PICTURE

The Nominees: “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” “Parasite”

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Parasite”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

The last-arriving contender, Sam Mendes’ World War I film “1917,” has seemingly, fittingly run away with it. The top-prize winner of the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild and the BAFTAs, “1917” is the clear favorite. But I think Bong Joon Ho’s universally beloved “Parasite” could pull off an upset that would rank alongside the underdog win of “Moonlight” three years ago. Taking best ensemble from the Screen Actors Guild showed that “Parasite” has perhaps the most important vote in the actors (they make up the largest percentage of the film academy), and academy membership has also grown more international in recent years. The time may be right for the first foreign-language film to win best picture, and “Parasite” deserves it.

BEST ACTRESS

The Nominees: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”; Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”; Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; Renee Zellweger, “Judy

Will Win: Renee Zellweger

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan

Should Have Been a Contender: Alfre Woodard, “Clemency”

Zellweger is already a winner for “Cold Mountain” in 2004. But her fragile yet powerhouse performance as Judy Garland in “Judy” is that irresistible thing: a comeback story. The part reverberates with Zellweger’s own history; she and Garland are both former American sweethearts. She’s a fine choice, but the verve and velocity of Ronan’s great performance in “Little Women” shouldn’t be overlooked. Formidable as this category is, it would have been better with Woodard’s fully inhabited, devastatingly still performance as a prison warden in the spare “Clemency” — not to mention Lupita Nyong’o’s ferocious double act in “Us.”

BEST ACTOR

The Nominees: Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”; Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”

Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Should Win: Adam Driver

Should Have Been a Contender: Andre Holland, “High Flying Bird”

After several years of lethargy, best actor is the year’s most competitive category. The next five options — including Adam Sandler (“Uncut Gems”) and Eddie Murphy (“Dolemite Is My Name”) — are equally good. Phoenix, like all of this year’s acting favorites, has been the clear front-runner for some time, for his morose yet limber Joker. But Driver’s performance in “Marriage Story” is the real show-stopper here; a more nuanced and rewarding performance that culminates beautifully in song and tears. A shout-out also to the exceptional Holland, whose guileful, fast-talking NBA agent in “High Flying Bird” felt like a thrilling fast break.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Nominees: Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”; Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”; Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”; Florence Pugh, “Little Women”; Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”

Will Win: Laura Dern

Should Win: Laura Dern

Should Have Been a Contender: Zhao Shuzhen, “The Farewell”

Dern has won every precursor award ahead of the Oscars, and is poised to win her first Academy Award. That’s cause for celebration. Dern has been one of the finest actresses in Hollywood for decades, and her fearsome divorce attorney in “Marriage Story” is indelible, particularly her fabulous monologue on the double-standards of modern marriage. But this category is also missing some worthy actresses, including Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”) and Shuzhen, who played the grandmother unaware of her own cancer diagnosis in Lulu Wang’s tender family drama “The Farewell.”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Will Win: Brad Pitt

Should Win: Brad Pitt

Should Have Been a Contender: Wesley Snipes, “Dolemite Is My Name”

Nothing is more certain this year than Pitt’s win for “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” a movie that perfectly showcases Pitt’s sly charisma. His march toward his first acting Oscar has been fun, too, in a string of acceptance speeches (thanks to an apparent joke writer helping him out) filled with memorable one-liners. The talent in this category is extraordinary — Pesci or Hanks would win most years — but it’s still a shame there wasn’t room for Snipes’ irresistible prima donna actor-turned-director in “Dolemite Is My Name” or Rob Morgan’s powerful death row inmate in “Just Mercy.”

DIRECTOR

The Nominees: Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”; Todd Phillips, “Joker”; Sam Mendes, “1917”; Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite”

Will Win: Sam Mendes

Should Win: Martin Scorsese

Should Have Been a Contender: Marielle Heller, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

Mendes appears the favorite here for the technical acumen of his seemingly-one-take “1917.” The pristine command of Bong would be a better choice but so would the colossal achievement of Scorsese in “The Irishman.” He has won best director only once before. And in 2019, Scorsese not only produced a career-crowning masterwork but mounted a passionate defense for the future of cinema. Greta Gerwig deserved to be among the nominees here for her thrillingly vibrant “Little Women,” but so did Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), whose talent with texture, performance and authenticity doesn’t announce itself, and can go underappreciated.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “Knives Out,” Rian Johnson; “Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach; “1917,” Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns; “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, Jin Won Han

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Marriage Story”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar

A screenplay win for “Parasite” would signal a real chance for a best-picture victory. But also worthy here are two deeply personal scripts: Baumbach’s stirring portrait of divorce “Marriage Story” and Almodovar’s unfortunately overlooked “Pain and Glory,” a sublime, autobiographical work.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “The Irishman,” Steven Zaillian; “Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Waititi; “Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Silver; “Little Women,” Greta Gerwig; “The Two Popes,” Anthony McCarten

Will Win: “Jojo Rabbit”

Should Win: “Little Women”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Laundromat,” Scott Z. Burns

Waititi’s clever, poignant script for the Nazi Germany coming-of-age romp “Jojo Rabbit” appears to have the edge here. There is understandably wide respect for Waititi’s idiosyncratic and daring sensibility. Yet, Gerwig’s script inventively pulled apart Louisa May Alcott’s much-adapted novel —only to put it back together again.

DOCUMENTARY

The Nominees: “American Factory,” Julia Rieichert, Steven Bognar; “The Cave,” Feras Fayyad; “The Edge of Democracy,” Petra Costa; “For Sama,” Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov

Will Win: “American Factory”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Maiden,” “Rolling Thunder Revue”

The sheer number of great documentaries being made today can hardly be accommodated by one category. Just for starters the snubs here include the uplifting “Maiden,” about an all-female crew in a worldwide 1989 yachting race; Scorsese’s fiery Dylan documentary “Rolling Thunder Revue” and the enthralling archival project “Apollo 11.” “American Factory,” the first film released by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, is the most likely winner. But “Honeyland,” about a singular Macedonia beekeeper, is exquisitely intimate and yet resonates with global environmental allegory.

INTERNATIONAL FILM

The Nominees: “Corpus Christi,” Jan Komasa; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov; “Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly; “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”

This will be an easy win for “Parasite,” with potentially bigger awards to come. But little in this awards season was more disappointing than the lack of attention for Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” The period French romance, my favorite film of 2019, narrowly missed out on being France’s submission. (France instead chose the muscular police procedural “Les Miserables.”) Audiences will at least have a chance to catch up to Sciamma’s sensational film when it properly opens in theaters next week.

___

Source: Associated Press – JAKE COYLE

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

James MacDonald Launches Home Church Network for People Who Want to Avoid ‘Drama’ of Large Churches

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James MacDonald Launches Home Church Network for People Who Want to Avoid ‘Drama’ of Large Churches

Months after teasing a 2020 return to ministry, James MacDonald, the ousted former leader and founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, is promising to deliver a new Home Church Network without the “drama” of large churches for those who struggle to get to church, stay in a church, or simply can’t find a church where they fit in.

“I am not disillusioned with traditional local church, but large churches present complicating logistics and often negatively affect Christian relationships. For that reason, we feel led by the Lord to offer an alternative for those who need it – something different and refreshing that we are calling the Home Church Network – with all the impact of a large church but none of the drama,” MacDonald said in a statement on his website announcing the new ministry.

The ministry, which is expected to launch this spring, will feature video Bible teaching from MacDonald as well as live presentations designed specifically for home groups. The sessions are also expected to include worship from “some of the most loved and widely appreciated worship leaders in the world.”

“If you’re building a core group or have longed for an opportunity to lead a ministry from your home with solid biblical teaching and worship designed to impact your neighbors and loved ones, this is an opportunity to prayerfully consider,” MacDonald’s ministry said.

Applications are being accepted from individuals interested in leading home churches in MacDonald’s network. If they are accepted, approved applicants will have to undergo two days of onsite training in late spring.

“After 30 years of trying to give a small group experience in a large church, we hope to cultivate the quality of large ministry with the genuine intimacy and relationships of ‘small church,’” MacDonald said of the new ministry.

MacDonald was ousted as leader of Harvest Bible Chapel on Feb. 12, 2019, in the wake of “highly inappropriate recorded comments” he made on a radio program as well as “other conduct.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ’1917′?

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0

Ahead of Sunday’s 92nd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle shares his predictions for a ceremony with a lot of locks but the potential for a few surprises.

BEST PICTURE

The Nominees: “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” “Parasite”

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Parasite”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”

The last-arriving contender, Sam Mendes’ World War I film “1917,” has seemingly, fittingly run away with it. The top-prize winner of the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild and the BAFTAs, “1917” is the clear favorite. But I think Bong Joon Ho’s universally beloved “Parasite” could pull off an upset that would rank alongside the underdog win of “Moonlight” three years ago. Taking best ensemble from the Screen Actors Guild showed that “Parasite” has perhaps the most important vote in the actors (they make up the largest percentage of the film academy), and academy membership has also grown more international in recent years. The time may be right for the first foreign-language film to win best picture, and “Parasite” deserves it.

BEST ACTRESS

The Nominees: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”; Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”; Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; Renee Zellweger, “Judy

Will Win: Renee Zellweger

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan

Should Have Been a Contender: Alfre Woodard, “Clemency”

Zellweger is already a winner for “Cold Mountain” in 2004. But her fragile yet powerhouse performance as Judy Garland in “Judy” is that irresistible thing: a comeback story. The part reverberates with Zellweger’s own history; she and Garland are both former American sweethearts. She’s a fine choice, but the verve and velocity of Ronan’s great performance in “Little Women” shouldn’t be overlooked. Formidable as this category is, it would have been better with Woodard’s fully inhabited, devastatingly still performance as a prison warden in the spare “Clemency” — not to mention Lupita Nyong’o’s ferocious double act in “Us.”

BEST ACTOR

The Nominees: Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”; Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”

Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix

Should Win: Adam Driver

Should Have Been a Contender: Andre Holland, “High Flying Bird”

After several years of lethargy, best actor is the year’s most competitive category. The next five options — including Adam Sandler (“Uncut Gems”) and Eddie Murphy (“Dolemite Is My Name”) — are equally good. Phoenix, like all of this year’s acting favorites, has been the clear front-runner for some time, for his morose yet limber Joker. But Driver’s performance in “Marriage Story” is the real show-stopper here; a more nuanced and rewarding performance that culminates beautifully in song and tears. A shout-out also to the exceptional Holland, whose guileful, fast-talking NBA agent in “High Flying Bird” felt like a thrilling fast break.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Nominees: Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”; Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”; Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”; Florence Pugh, “Little Women”; Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”

Will Win: Laura Dern

Should Win: Laura Dern

Should Have Been a Contender: Zhao Shuzhen, “The Farewell”

Dern has won every precursor award ahead of the Oscars, and is poised to win her first Academy Award. That’s cause for celebration. Dern has been one of the finest actresses in Hollywood for decades, and her fearsome divorce attorney in “Marriage Story” is indelible, particularly her fabulous monologue on the double-standards of modern marriage. But this category is also missing some worthy actresses, including Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”) and Shuzhen, who played the grandmother unaware of her own cancer diagnosis in Lulu Wang’s tender family drama “The Farewell.”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Will Win: Brad Pitt

Should Win: Brad Pitt

Should Have Been a Contender: Wesley Snipes, “Dolemite Is My Name”

Nothing is more certain this year than Pitt’s win for “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” a movie that perfectly showcases Pitt’s sly charisma. His march toward his first acting Oscar has been fun, too, in a string of acceptance speeches (thanks to an apparent joke writer helping him out) filled with memorable one-liners. The talent in this category is extraordinary — Pesci or Hanks would win most years — but it’s still a shame there wasn’t room for Snipes’ irresistible prima donna actor-turned-director in “Dolemite Is My Name” or Rob Morgan’s powerful death row inmate in “Just Mercy.”

DIRECTOR

The Nominees: Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”; Todd Phillips, “Joker”; Sam Mendes, “1917”; Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood”; Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite”

Will Win: Sam Mendes

Should Win: Martin Scorsese

Should Have Been a Contender: Marielle Heller, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

Mendes appears the favorite here for the technical acumen of his seemingly-one-take “1917.” The pristine command of Bong would be a better choice but so would the colossal achievement of Scorsese in “The Irishman.” He has won best director only once before. And in 2019, Scorsese not only produced a career-crowning masterwork but mounted a passionate defense for the future of cinema. Greta Gerwig deserved to be among the nominees here for her thrillingly vibrant “Little Women,” but so did Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), whose talent with texture, performance and authenticity doesn’t announce itself, and can go underappreciated.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “Knives Out,” Rian Johnson; “Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach; “1917,” Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns; “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, Jin Won Han

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Marriage Story”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar

A screenplay win for “Parasite” would signal a real chance for a best-picture victory. But also worthy here are two deeply personal scripts: Baumbach’s stirring portrait of divorce “Marriage Story” and Almodovar’s unfortunately overlooked “Pain and Glory,” a sublime, autobiographical work.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Nominees: “The Irishman,” Steven Zaillian; “Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Waititi; “Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Silver; “Little Women,” Greta Gerwig; “The Two Popes,” Anthony McCarten

Will Win: “Jojo Rabbit”

Should Win: “Little Women”

Should Have Been a Contender: “The Laundromat,” Scott Z. Burns

Waititi’s clever, poignant script for the Nazi Germany coming-of-age romp “Jojo Rabbit” appears to have the edge here. There is understandably wide respect for Waititi’s idiosyncratic and daring sensibility. Yet, Gerwig’s script inventively pulled apart Louisa May Alcott’s much-adapted novel —only to put it back together again.

DOCUMENTARY

The Nominees: “American Factory,” Julia Rieichert, Steven Bognar; “The Cave,” Feras Fayyad; “The Edge of Democracy,” Petra Costa; “For Sama,” Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov

Will Win: “American Factory”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Maiden,” “Rolling Thunder Revue”

The sheer number of great documentaries being made today can hardly be accommodated by one category. Just for starters the snubs here include the uplifting “Maiden,” about an all-female crew in a worldwide 1989 yachting race; Scorsese’s fiery Dylan documentary “Rolling Thunder Revue” and the enthralling archival project “Apollo 11.” “American Factory,” the first film released by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, is the most likely winner. But “Honeyland,” about a singular Macedonia beekeeper, is exquisitely intimate and yet resonates with global environmental allegory.

INTERNATIONAL FILM

The Nominees: “Corpus Christi,” Jan Komasa; “Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov; “Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly; “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho

Will Win: “Parasite”

Should Win: “Honeyland”

Should Have Been a Contender: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”

This will be an easy win for “Parasite,” with potentially bigger awards to come. But little in this awards season was more disappointing than the lack of attention for Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” The period French romance, my favorite film of 2019, narrowly missed out on being France’s submission. (France instead chose the muscular police procedural “Les Miserables.”) Audiences will at least have a chance to catch up to Sciamma’s sensational film when it properly opens in theaters next week.

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Source: Associated Press – JAKE COYLE

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Rush Limbaugh Relying on ‘Relationship With God’ Amid Lung Cancer Diagnosis

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Rush Limbaugh Relying on ‘Relationship With God’ Amid Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh shared how his “deeply personal relationship with God” has sustained him as he battles advanced lung cancer.

On Monday, Limbaugh, 69, told his 20 million listeners he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. The talk show host said he plans to take a brief sabbatical for further medical tests and to determine treatment, but hopes to return soon, Fox News reports.

“This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory, for me, because I’ve known this moment was coming,” Limbaugh said. “I’m sure that you all know by now that I really don’t like talking about myself and I don’t like making things about me. … One thing that I know, that has happened over the 31-plus years of this program, is that there has been an incredible bond that has developed between all of you and me.”

Limbaugh, who began his nationally syndicated radio show about 30 years ago, told his listeners that his job has provided him with the “greatest satisfaction and happiness” of his life.

“So I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn’t have to tell you. It’s a struggle for me because I had to inform my staff earlier today,” he said. “I can’t help but feel that I’m letting everybody down. The upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.”

Limbaugh revealed he’s been experiencing shortness of breath that he initially thought might be heart-related but turned out to be a pulmonary malignancy. He credited his faith for sustaining his health amid his cancer battle.

“I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about, but I do, and I have been working that relationship tremendously,” Limbaugh said. “I am, at the moment, experiencing zero symptoms.”

Limbaugh said he plans to undergo further testing and will “push ahead and keep everything as normal” as he can.

“I felt that I had to tell you because that’s the kind of relationship that I feel like I have with those of you in this audience,” he said. “Over the years, a lot of people have been very nice, telling me how much this program has meant to them, but whatever that is, it pales in comparison to what you all have meant to me.”

“I hope I will be talking about this as little as necessary in the coming days, but we’ve got a great bunch of doctors, a great team assembled, we’re at full speed ahead on this,” Limbaugh said. “It’s just now a matter of implementing what we are going to be told later this week.”

His longtime producer, Bo Snerdley, also confirmed the news on Twitter.

“Those of you who are listening to the Rush Limbaugh show now. Pray with us. Thank you. God Bless you Rush Limbaugh. Love you so much Rush,” he wrote.

Source: Christian Post

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BCNN1 – Black Christian News Network

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Egypt, the strategic gateway to the Middle East

The Middle East stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Afghanistan. It is home to nearly 300 million people who live in 21 countries and who speak four main languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, and Turkish. That’s further broken down into roughly 60 mother tongues, all with their own local dialects.

The region encompasses Sudan, Mauritania, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahr, Yemen, Qatar, and Oman), Egypt, and Libya.

Of these countries, many recognize Egypt as a strategic location when it comes to the issue of reaching Muslims with the Gospel. After all, it’s a gateway into the Middle East. Greg Kelley, Executive Director of World Mission, says it’s also the cultural center for all of North Africa.  

On his recent visit, he saw, firsthand, that  Christians aren’t the only ones looking at mobilizing and training. Recognizing that an effective strategy to reaching Muslims in the Middle East needs to go through Egypt, and more specifically, through Cairo, he filed the following report:

 “Here is an amazing University and incredibly large university 60,000 students. It’s a missions training center located in Cairo, where the students are from over 100 countries around the world, all being trained as Muslim missionaries. Some 24,000 Graduates every year are being launched out to every country imaginable in Asia, in America and Canada, and all of Latin America throughout Europe.

It’s an incredibly aggressive strategy that Muslims have, and a lot of these students that are graduating are radicalized; they are taught on how to advance Sharia law there, they’re imams in these places. We need to be aware of that.  

Jesus has called us to make disciples of all nations and here in the Middle East, So be praying for the Middle East be praying for the Christian leaders that are reaching Muslims for Jesus in this area.”

SOURCE: Mission Network News, R.B. Klama

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