Conservative Anglicans, Lutherans Make Progress in Ecumenical Dialogue

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Conservative Anglicans, Lutherans Make Progress in Ecumenical Dialogue

acna assembly(Photo: ACNA)

Christian Post Report – Three theologically conservative church bodies released a report championing progress in their latest round of ecumenical dialogue.

Representatives from the Anglican Church in North America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Lutheran Church-Canada have been engaging in an ongoing dialogue for the past six years.

Titled “On Closer Acquaintance”, the interim report on ecumenical dialogue charts the progress made thus far on conversations between ACNA, LCMS, and LCC.

“The report is intended as an aid for ACNA folk wishing to get a deeper understanding of their counterparts in LCMS–LCC and vice versa, and as a resource that will help us determine the nature and goals of our relationship in the years ahead,” reads the report.

“In the process we hope that both sides will become convinced of the width and depth of the common ground we share in doctrine, liturgy, hymnody, devotional resources, and Christian life. At the same time, we anticipate the development of an informed awareness of the areas in which significant differences still divide us.”

LCMS Praesidium(Photo: LCMS / Kris Bueltmann)LCMS Praesidium: Dr. Scott R. Murray; Rev. Daniel Preus; President Matthew C. Harrison; Rev. Herbert C. Mueller; and Dr. John C. Wohlrabe. (Dr. Paul L. Maier not pictured.)

In a statement released Tuesday, ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach stressed the theological commonalities of the three confessing bodies.

“In a time when so many churches are departing from the teachings of the Bible, it has been refreshing to see the stand for Scriptural Truth that is being made by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church-Canada,” stated Archbishop Beach.

“We agree on the essentials of the Faith, and share a common desire to evangelize North America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Archbishp Beach said in comments sent to The Christian Post by a spokesperson of the three churches that the dialogue both involved “common ground … while not papering over differences between our two churches.”

“One of the most challenging tasks in front of us is exploring how each of our churches ‘orders’ its ministers. As churches, we enter this discussion at very different places,” said Beach.

“The Anglican Church in North America, we see the ministry of word and sacrament in the church carried forward through bishops, priests, and deacons in apostolic succession … Lutherans emphasize the work of ordained ministry as a single office, that of pastor.”

The 14-page “On Closer Acquaintance” outlines several points of doctrinal commonality between Anglicans and Lutherans, including but not exclusive to the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the divine inspiration of the Holy Bible, original sin, justification, and baptism.

“All of us are somewhat surprised to have discovered the deep common bonds between us in the Body of Christ, and to have registered the large measure of consensus that we have documented above,” read the conclusion.

“We regard these things that we have discovered together as a gift of the Lord, and trust Him to use our findings to His glory and to the good of the universal Church.”

LCC President Robert Bugbee said in a statement that during the dialogue no one “reached for easy compromises, nor did anyone paper over matters that needed to be fully worked through on the basis of God’s Word.”

“Biblical Christians throughout North America face many pressures, not only with the secularization of our society, but also because of the doctrinal decay and revisionism in much of mainline Christianity,” continued Bugbee.

“We thank the Lord for the commitment of our Anglican friends, and ask Him to use our witness to hold Christ the Saviour out to people all around us.”

Source : Christian Post

Billy Graham: Tips to Keep Your Focus During Prayer

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Billy Graham: Tips to Keep Your Focus During Prayer

Evangelist Billy Graham (Photo: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

Christian Post Report – Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York, June 25, 2005. Graham, 86, has preached the Gospel to more people in a live audience format than anyone in history – over 210 million people in more than 185 countries. His followers believe that the New York Crusade which runs from June 24 to 26 will be his last live appearance.

Christians must remember the importance of prayer to keep their minds from wandering or becoming bored, evangelical leader Billy Graham advises in a post on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website.

Responding to a follower’s question about how to stop one’s mind from wandering during prayer, Graham suggests that first, Christians must remember who they are praying to.

“You aren’t praying to yourself or another person; you are praying to God, the all-powerful and glorious Creator of the universe,” Graham writes, adding that Christians must respect their opportunity to speak to God in the same way they would prepare to speak to the U.S. president or queen of England.

“How much greater is God!” Graham exclaims, adding, “He alone is ‘majestic in holiness, awesome in glory,’ Exodus 15:11.”

The religious leader and renowned preacher goes on to encourage Christians to “take time when you pray to praise God and thank Him for His goodness,” arguing that too often, Christians come to God with a laundry list of demands and requests.

“Begin by thanking Him for His love, a love so great He sent His son into the world to die for you,” Graham says.

Another tip for staying focused during prayer is to keep a prayer list, Graham continues, suggesting that it helps maintain concentration, as well as keep track of which prayers have been answered.

“Give God the best moments of your day,” the evangelical leader concludes, “because of Christ ‘we have access to the Father,’ Ephesians 2:18.”

The 97-year-old preacher has previously spoken on the importance of remaining focused on God, not only during prayer but also through busy schedules and life changes.

In response to a May 2011 question posted to “My Answers” on the BGEA website, Graham said that “even when we forget God, He never forgets us! He knows what’s happening to us every moment of the day, and He also watches over us.”

There are lots of strategies for staying focused on God throughout the day, Graham says, the first being to start the morning with a prayer and a reading of the Scripture.

“Pray about things you know you’ll be facing that day, and read a portion of God’s Word, the Bible. Then let that portion of the Bible take root in your soul all day long, remembering it and calling it to mind,” Graham writes, noting that another method is to “develop a habit of constant prayer.”

“When you meet someone new, utter a silent prayer for them. When you learn about a problem someone is having, pray for them. When someone tries your patience, pray for them.”

While prayer is necessary, it is not all that Christians should do to strengthen their relationship with God, Graham wrote in an October 2004 post. Christians must also look to Scripture for guidance, because “prayer by itself is like a diet without protein!”

“You see, without the Bible we are in danger of making up our own ideas about God, and even wondering (as you do from time to time) if God exists or if it is all in our imagination.”

Source : Christian Post

Candace Cameron Bure Takes Down Too Sexy Dress in ‘Fuller House’ Photo

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Candace Cameron Bure Takes Down Too Sexy Dress in ‘Fuller House’ Photo

Candace Cameron Bure (Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok)

Christian Post Report – Actress Candace Cameron Bure (L) and her daughter Natasha arrive at the 2012 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 15, 2012.

“Fuller House” actress Candace Cameron Bure was criticized harshly by fans this week for posting a promotional photo of herself wearing a short dress that critics blasted as being too sexy.

The Iinstagram post featured Bure with her co-stars, Andrea Barber and Jodie Sweetin, from an upcoming episode of the new series. In the message to her fans, Bure wrote: “4 more sleeps until Kimmy, Stef and Deej are back in action!”

The image, which was quickly removed from Instagram Monday night, shows Bure wearing a low cut black mini dress.

A “Fuller House” trailer promoting the series (below) features a clip of Bure’s character “DeeJ” talking about how uncomfortable she feels going out in the aforementioned dress. “I don’t know if I should be tugging this thing down, or pulling it up,” she says.

Bure’s followers on Instagram must have felt the same way about the dress and immediately shared their disapproval.

“I thought she stands for Christian values. It looks like lingerie!” one comment read.

One person noted that her dress looked like a camiknicker, which is a garment that covers the torso and private parts all in the one garment, also known as a teddy. “That’s weird she’s wearing a teddy and the other two are wearing dresses. ‘Modest,'” the commenter said.

Another critic chimed in, saying, “Seriously though! I am so sad! I thought @Candacecbure stands up for Christian values?!?! This makes me so sad. I can’t let my kids watch this, is this is how you dress?”

Candace Cameron Bure(Photo: Instagram/CandacecBure)Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin, and Candace Cameron Bure pose on the set of “Fuller House”, 2016.

Bure’s attempt to promote the upcoming series seems to have backfired, as some fans have said they are now discouraged from watching the “Full House” spin off.

The actress usually takes a stand against naysayers, but this time she chose to do otherwise and removed the photo two hours after it was posted.

In the past, Bure has addressed critics who’ve bashed her wardrobe choices.

“‘I’m too religious, I’m not Godly enough, I’m too thin now, I’m not very humble, I’ve had too much plastic surgery, My brother Kirk is a better Christian than me, I’m too worldly, I’m too conservative, I’m not modest enough, I’m a show-off.’ Those are just a few of the types of comments I get no matter what I share, what photo I post or what I say,” Bure said in a blog posted in 2014.

The California native, however, delighted fans with her modest stance on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 18. From the beginning of the show Bure set the tone and received praise from her Christian fans.

 “I’m not gonna be your sexy girl, I’m a mom of three kids so I want to look good and feel beautiful, but I will probably stay on the more modest end of costuming,” Bure told the audience about her wardrobe selection.

Source : Christian Post

Archaeology Discovery: Religious Relic Uncovered at1700-Y-O Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity

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Archaeology Discovery: Religious Relic Uncovered at1700-Y-O Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity

Church (Photo: Reuters/Mussa Qawasma)

Christian Post Report – A tourist takes a picture with his mobile phone inside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem May 19, 2014. When Pope Francis visits the birthplace of Jesus next week, he will address a dwindling population of faithful whose exodus from the Holy Land could turn the shrines of Christendom into museum pieces. Picture taken May 19, 2014.

A newly discovered artifact has religious and archaeological communities buzzing with interest after an ongoing multi-million dollar renovation of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity uncovered the intriguing religious relic.

The identity of the artifact is currently being kept under wraps, and no images have yet been released. Fashioned from brass, silver, shells and stones, the undisclosed piece had been covered beneath plaster near a window in the nearly 1,700-year-old church structure. It has since been repaired and restored.

The icon is “of great religious and historical value,” said Ziad al-Bandak, a Palestinian presidential adviser for Christian Affairs and leader of the Palestinian committee tasked with the renovation, to The Times of Israel last week.

Originally built in the 4th century by Saint Helena, the Church of the Nativity is located in the biblical West Bank town of Bethelehem, and is situated over the cave said to be the birthplace of Jesus.

The ancient church had fallen into disrepair with a significantly damaged lead roof that was last restored approximately 200 years ago — according to reports — and rotting window frames, among other major issues. The edifice is considered endangered by the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO.

Restoration efforts began in 2013 when the Palestinian Authority financially spearheaded the project, and the first phase of work has already been completed. As previously reported by The Christian Post, the ongoing restoration is the most comprehensive that the church has received in nearly 600 years.

With $8 million already invested in the renovation thus far, $11 million more will be required, according to al-Bandak. But he’s pleased with the work that’s been completed to-date by a joint team of Palestinian and Italian engineers, restoration experts and workers who have specialized knowledge in the renovation of historical sites. “For the first time you can see, when you go up, mosaics really magnificent and beautiful and unique in the whole world,” al-Bandak said.

Mosaics that date back to the crusades have been restored to their original splendor after being cleansed of “centuries of dust.” While ceiling and roof repairs were underway, the mosaics were protected using a special cotton gauze to prevent pieces from falling or being damaged.

“We are very proud of it [results of the first phase of renovation] because when we protect our national heritage, our history, we protect our future,” said al-Bandak.

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Source : Christian Post

Is Twitter Silencing Conservative Christians?

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Is Twitter Silencing Conservative Christians?

Is Twitter Silencing Conservative Christians?

Christian Post Report – This cannot be good for free speech and the open exchange of ideas. Not for Christians and conservatives anyway.

Twitter announced on Wednesday that it has assembled a new “Twitter Trust & Safety Council” to “ensure that people feel safe expressing themselves on Twitter.”

Who’s for safety?

Yay safety!

Still, we need only look to the so-called “safe space” craze on America’s college campuses to gain a glimpse into what Twitter undoubtedly means here. Understand that, for the left, the word “safe” has nothing to do with, well, safety, and everything to do with censorship.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/religious-freedom-free-speech-twitter-safe-space-policy-will-censor-christian-conservatives-157699/#Amg7zumsDerRiGbO.99

Source : Christian Post

Obama Takes a Swing at Abstinence Funding

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Obama Takes a Swing at Abstinence Funding

Obama Takes A Swing At Abstinence Funding

Christian Post Report – Valerie Huber, president and CEO of Ascend, formerly the National Abstinence Education Association said Monday that President Barack Obama’s proposal to defund abstinence-only education programs because they are not “evidenced-based” is “indefensible.”

“The president’s recommendation to Congress is really indefensible. To say that there is not evidence that the sexual risk avoidance approach has research behind it is just not true,” said Huber in an interview with The Christian Post Monday.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/president-obama-cuts-abstinence-education-indefensible-valerie-huber-ascend-158364/#WHg72uHjo7Y4DPCH.99

Source : Christian Post

Duggar Sisters Return to Spotlight in TLC Spinoff Show After Brother’s Scandal

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Duggar Sisters Return to Spotlight in TLC Spinoff Show After Brother’s Scandal

Jill and Jessa Duggar (Photo: Instagram/Jessa Duggar)

Christian Post Report – Sisters and stars on “19 Kids and Counting” Jill and Jessa Duggar.

Jill and Jessa Duggar of “19 Kids and Counting” fame are returning to television next month with their own spinoff series, “Jill and Jessa: Counting On.”

The TLC network has released a teaser trailer for the new series, set to premiere on March 15, that shows the two Duggar girls raising their children with their respective husbands, Derick Dillard and Ben Seewald.

The series, which was recently given the green light for a full season, follows Jessa and Ben as they raise their infant son, Spurgeon, who was born in December 2015, and Jill and Derick as they raise their 10-month-old son Israel while living abroad as Christian missionaries.

The promotional video, released this week, starts with a voiceover of Jessa explaining that “2015 was a very difficult year” for her family.

“We’ve shared this journey with the world,” Jessa continues, adding “Family is everything.”

This is one of the first television appearances by members of the Duggar clan after they suffered a very public scandal involving 27-year-old Josh Duggar, who checked himself into a Christian rehabilitation facility in Illinois last year after it was revealed that he had a pornography addiction and held multiple accounts on the Ashley Madison extramarital affairs website. Josh is married with four children.

Media outlets also reported last year that Josh, son to Michelle and Jim Bob, had molested multiple underage girls while in his teen years. Jill and Jessa later came out as two of Josh’s victims.

Following the negative media attention last year, Jill and Jessa sat down with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly to discuss the molestation, saying that they were forced to relive the decade-old traumatizing experience again when it became national news.

“Definitely it was difficult whenever all this came up, the shock of this happening and then talking about it with the family and counseling, I mean, every step was kind of like difficult to walk through, but I’d definitely say that these past two weeks have been a thousand times worse for us,” Jessa told Kelly in June 2015.

Following news of Josh’s scandals, TLC canceled the Duggars’ “19 Kids and Counting” show, saying in a statement that it is “deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time.”

The Duggar family released a subsequent statement saying, “It is our prayer that the painful situation our family went through many years ago can point people toward faith in God and help others who also have lived through similar dark situations to find help, hope and healing, as well.”

The new spinoff series will include cameos from other Duggar family members, including Joy Anna Duggar, who says in the recent trailer that “through all our family’s gone through, I’ve grown up a lot” in the past year.

As People magazine reports, Duggar siblings Jinger, Jana, John David, Joy Anna, Josiah and Joseph Duggar will also appear in the spinoff series.

Source : Christian Post

Ciara Reveals Thoughts About Initial Celibacy Conversation With Russell Wilson

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Ciara Reveals Thoughts About Initial Celibacy Conversation With Russell Wilson

Ciara Harris (Photo: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)

Christian Post Report – Singer Ciara arrives at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 8, 2015.

Before the world was speaking about singer Ciara Harris and her NFL quarterback boyfriend Russell Wilson abstaining from sex while dating, the pair had a private conversation about the important decision.

Ciara, the 30-year-old who has a son with previous fiance and rapper Future, insisted the initial conversation about abstinence was not a hard one to have.

“No, it’s not hard at all. He’s an awesome guy and a very confident guy,” she told People. “Just like I feel like I’m a woman that knows what I want, he’s a man who knows what he wants.”

Last year, Wilson revealed that he and Ciara would not be having sex before marriage after the athlete felt led by God to do so. When speaking with Pastor Miles McPherson at The Rock Church in San Diego, California, last July, Wilson described how he presented the idea to his girlfriend.

“I asked her ‘what would you do if we took all that other stuff off the table and did it Jesus’ way, no sex?” Wilson asked the singer. “I knew God had brought me into her life to bless her and for her to bless me and to bless so many people with the impact that she has and I have. We’re not going to be perfect, by any means.”

Now that he and Ciara have kept that vow for close to a year, the singer admits that celibacy is not easy.

“We’re hanging in there. I’m not gonna lie,” she told Cosmopolitan magazine earlier this month. “I’m human, so it is not easy, especially when I look at him and I think he is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen — that I’ve ever laid my eyes on, to be honest. I’m like, Look the other way!”

However, Ciara believes that refraining from sex until marriage has become a cool thing to do.

“I run into different people and they’ll talk to me about their journey and their relationships, so I think that’s been really cool and it’s a healthy thing,” Ciara told E! News last year. “It’s a healthy conversation we all get to have as adults. I’m not sweating it at all.”

The singer believes her ability to have these types of conversations with Wilson make their relationship better.

“It’s just a fun new chapter in life for me … we talk about everything, and I think that’s what you should be able to do as people and partners in a relationship,” she recently told People. “So, that’s what makes it really beautiful.”

Source : Christian Post

Donnie McClurkin Dating CCM Singer Nicole C Mullen?

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Donnie McClurkin Dating CCM Singer Nicole C Mullen?

What a wonderful date to the Stellar Awards i had last night! @donmac6453 Thanks for treating me like royalty! #CantNobodyRockitLikeYou

A photo posted by Nicole C Mulllen (@officialnicolecmullen) on

Donnie McClurkin arrived at the Stellar Awards Saturday with fellow Christian singer Nicole C. Mullen on his arm, months after being transparent about wanting love.

The 56-year-old “We Fall Down” singer and Perfecting Faith Church pastor took to Twitter to let the world know about his wonderful date.

“Stellar awards with my date Nicole C. Mullen…a wonderful night…all is right with the world,” he wrote.

The pair walked the 31st Annual Stellar Awards red carpet together arm-in-arm on Saturday.

Mullen, the 49-year-old Contemporary Christian music singer, shared McClurkin’s sentiments. She went on to thank him for the experience.

“What a wonderful date to the Stellar Awards I had last night! @donmac6453 Thanks for treating me like royalty! #CantNobodyRockitLikeYou,” she wrote on Instagram. “OH what fun we had last night at the Stellars! Thx so much @donmac6453 … The blood makes all things NEW!”

Both singers have been open about their love lives in the past. Mullen was previously married to CCM singer-songwriter David Mullen, before announcing her divorce in 2014.

While McClurkin has never been married, the single father has struggled with feelings of loneliness while looking for love. Last year, McClurkin spoke about believing in God for love.

“Sitting in Johannesburg feeling a lil lonely and homesick … I live a blessed and prosperous life and travel this entire globe .. no lack of finances, gaining in health, loved and although [I’m] single, I’m believing for love …,” McClurkin revealed on Instagram. “After all, if I could be blessed with all of the wonderful,family, finances and friends..a love to share it with can’t be too much further away..and boy, are they gonna be BLESSED!”

The senior pastor has shared about his romantic life, mistakes and desires in the past, which include dating fellow gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

“Yolanda and I have been friends for almost 30 years and I tried to date her once. We are best friends,” he told Essence magazine last year. “Sooner or later I’m going to wear her down. Either her or Halle Berry, one of the two.”

donnie mcclurkin (Photo: Reuters/Kevork Djansezian)

Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin performs “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” as a tribute to Andrae Crouch during the 2015 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California, June 28, 2015.

McClurkin is a single father to a daughter and son, who he believes taught him the true meaning of love.

“My son is teaching me how to love,” McClurkin previously said on TBN’s Praise the Lord. “My son is releasing me to love.”

While he has been waiting to find the woman of his dreams, McClurkin has never shied away from his testimony concerning a battle with homosexuality in the past. When the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage last year, McClurkin was as outspoken as ever about the ruling.

“We’ve just received the answer from man’s Supreme Court … we already received the answer from GOD,” the pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in New York wrote. “With NO REGARD to what the Supreme Court of MAN decrees … no matter what MY past was or feelings & struggles … GOD has set the only standard for marriage to be between man and woman … in biology, in physiology, in history, Biblically & scripturally and that … I will NEVER speak against!”

Source : Christian Post

Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins

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Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins

israel houghton

Christian Post Report – Recording artist Israel Houghton poses with his Grammy after winning Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for “Love God. Love People” at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 13, 2011

In a transparent open letter that announces his official divorce after 20 years of marriage, Israel Houghton is repenting for his sins.

In a Facebook post shared with over 700,000 fans Monday, the worship leader at Pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, let fans know that he was officially divorced.

“It is with a collective heavy heart that we announce that after over 20 years of marriage and a long separation, Meleasa and I are officially divorced. Several years ago I failed and sinned in my marriage,” he revealed. “Though this is new to many, it is not new to us as we have been working through this for over 5 years. Although we tried, the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome.”

The 44-year-old singer-songwriter called for privacy so that his children could overcome the matter.

“We have always handled our family and ministry with grace and generosity toward others, discretion, and privacy. So, for the sake of our amazing kids, we are also handling this privately with pastoral oversight and assistance,” he wrote. “We choose to remain friendly and kind to each other going forward. I am in the process of restoration and I have repented for my actions.”

Houghton continued to express his sorrow for his actions, and apologized to his ministry for his personal failure.

“Although I am sincerely sorry, and forgiven, I soberly realize that I will live with the consequences of my failings for the rest of my life. As this has become a public matter I want to apologize to the many who have supported my ministry through the years,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the many who will be hurt to learn of my personal failure. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news may cause you.”

He closed the open letter by thanking people for prayers and allowing his family to handle the matter privately.

Usually Houghton does not share much about his personal life and told The Christian Post previously about maintaining his sense of privacy.

The five-time Grammy Award winner who released a one-night cinematic event called “Israel Houghton & NewBreed – Covered: Alive in Asia” last month, considered being transparent in the music documentary a challenge.

“I did what I’ve always been kind of reluctant to do and that is to turn cameras on and open up my life a little bit more to people. I feel like when I get on stage, I want to really open up a way to God for people as opposed to having them look at me,” Houghton told The Christian Post. “It was a challenge for me because I do maintain my privacy a little bit as it relates to my life and my life off the stage.”

Source : Christian Post

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