Maryland Governor Wes Moore said over the weekend that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last week was not a regional crisis but a national crisis that has the potential to hurt the U.S. economy. Moore made the remarks during a Sunday interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” while discussing last week’s incident‚ which happened when a 1‚000-foot cargo ship‚ the Dali‚ hit the bridge‚ causing it to instantly collapse. “More than 1.1 million containers of cargo passed through the Port of Baltimore last year‚ including more cars and light trucks than any other port in the U.S.‚” host Dana Bash said. “What effect is this going to have beyond Maryland on the national economy and the supply chain? Could Americans see delays and higher prices as a result?” “Absolutely‚” Moore responded. “And people have to remember‚ this is not a — this is not a Baltimore catastrophe‚ not a Maryland catastrophe. This is a national economic catastrophe as well. We — as you mentioned‚ I mean‚ this port is one of the busiest‚ most active ports inside of the country.” “And so this is not just having an impact on Maryland. This is going to impact the farmer in Kentucky. This is going to impact the auto dealer in Ohio. This is going to impact the restaurant owner in Tennessee‚” he continued. “Whether you’re talking about all those various industries‚ the Port of Baltimore is the largest port in the country for all of those things‚” he concluded. “And so the reason that we need people to move in a bipartisan basis and move in a fast basis is not because we need you to do Maryland a favor. Maryland needs no favors. We need to make sure that we’re actually moving quickly to get the American economy going again‚ because the Port of Baltimore is instrumental in our larger economic growth.” WATCH:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed Democrats during an interview late last week following the death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller‚ saying that the party openly embraces criminals and has turned its back on law enforcement. The 31-year-old police officer Jonathan Diller was allegedly murdered by 34-year-old Guy Rivera during a traffic stop as Diller attempted to get Rivera to vacate the car which is when Rivera allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Diller in the stomach. Rivera had 21 prior arrests and was released from prison in 2021 after serving five years for criminal possession of a controlled substance. DeSantis responded to the killing by highlighting during an interview with Newsmax’s Eric Bolling the difference between how former President Donald Trump responded to Diller’s death and how President Joe Biden responded to his death. “They get no support from these Democrat politicians‚” DeSantis said. “It used to be police officers‚ a lot of them were Democrats. That’s changed. The Democratic Party has turned their back on law enforcement‚ they embrace the criminal element and let the inmates run the asylum‚ and a lot of these people.” “And‚ you know‚ Obama and Biden and Clinton can go raise 25 million because they’re in the upper echelon‚” DeSantis said of the fundraiser the three had for Biden’s re-election campaign last week. “So they’re immune from their own policies. The people that it really hurts are the people who are more working class and middle income Americans. Democratic party has turned their back on them. They’re really become the party of the elites.” WATCH: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis blasts Democrats who "turned their back on law enforcement" because they "embrace the criminal element." His comments after Joe Biden skipped the wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller for a celebrity fundraiser a few miles away. pic.twitter.com/5Q8hJ0P1QB — Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 1‚ 2024

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Michael Turner (R-OH) said on Sunday that members of the House whose sole ideology is “chaos” are paralyzing the U.S. government. Turner made the remarks during a Sunday CBS News interview on “Face The Nation” while talking about the numerous Republicans who have announced they are retiring or resigning from Congress. “This obviously is very unfortunate‚” Turner said. “This has been a very strange time period‚ where we see that the – the Senate is at 50/50. We see the House at 50/50. Even the presidential race has run basically at 50/50. It’s almost unfolding that way perhaps again.” “And it shows that we can have radical fringes‚ even radical individuals who don’t really have an ideology or an agenda‚ other than chaos‚ that can cause disruptions‚” he continued. “And that’s what we have seen. That certainly makes it difficult for people who just want to get the job done. In the area of national security‚ I think Speaker Johnson’s made it‚ you know‚ very clear that he – we have his support to get national security agenda items done. And I think we will.” Host Ed O’Keefe tried to get Turner to attack former President Donald Trump for selling a special edition of the Bible‚ the God Bless the USA Bible. “Do you think it’s appropriate for the former president‚ for the likely Republican nominee to be selling such a product?” O’Keefe asked. “I think I’m more concerned about the White House restricting the ability of children to put religious symbols on Easter eggs for the Easter egg roll at the White House‚” Turner responded. “You know‚ I’m glad that CBS gives people the right to express their religious freedom.” “I can’t imagine that we’re in a situation where the Biden White House is restricting‚ especially that of children‚ their ability to express their religious freedom‚” he added. WATCH:

President Joe Biden faced backlash on Easter Sunday for proclaiming on his official White House X account that trans-identifying individuals “are made in the image of God.” The incident comes after Biden issued a proclamation on Good Friday that said that “all Americans” should join in lifting up “the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation” and work toward “eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity.” The White House‚ which also caused a stir with a release announcing it had banned overtly religious themed Easter egg designs for an annual art contest‚ then posted the following message on Easter: “Today‚ on Transgender Day of Visibility‚ I have a simple message to all trans Americans: I see you. You are made in the image of God‚ and you’re worthy of respect and dignity.” Actor Dean Cain responded to Biden’s message: “If folks are made in the ‘image of God…’ then why all the surgeries and hormones?” “‘God created man in his own image. . . . male and female he created them.’ Gn 1:27‚” said DeSantis communications aide Christina Pushaw. UFC fighter Tim Kennedy posted: “These aren’t mutually exclusive things. I celebrate every belief‚ race‚ religion‚ gender‚ but today I celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead.” Pro-life advocate Samuel Sey wrote: “If you really believed they were made in the image of God‚ you would encourage them to accept their God-ordained gender.” Related: ‘Speak Out Loudly Against This Evil’: Internet Erupts Over Biden Declaring Easter ‘Trans Day Of Visibility’

The accounts of Jesus’ appearances cannot be reasonably explained away.

Should you and your spouse feel the need for better money management‚ here are a few things that might help you:

Following God is a beautiful partnership through our willingness to say yes to God every day‚ our faith‚ and God’s strength and empowerment through us.

In summer 2016‚ a group of scientists published a new set of world maps. They didn’t chart new shipping routes or plot unknown parts of the deep sea. Instead‚ they depicted the world’s light pollution. The news wasn’t good. The maps showed that 80 percent of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way thanks to man-made light. Artificial light is a blessing in many ways. But something is lost when we can no longer look up and see our galaxy. As the lead researcher explained‚ “Literature‚ religion‚ philosophy‚ science—of course—the arts‚ all have roots connected with the contemplation of the night sky. This is the first generation that grew up without the possibility to see our place in the universe.” For a Christian‚ the problem is acute. It was the night sky that helped David recognize his place in the universe (Ps. 8:3–8) and it’s the heavens that “declare the glory of God” (19:1). What’s special about the stars is that they’re universal. Everyone on the planet can see them (v. 3; Rom. 10:18). You can’t say that about mountains‚ oceans‚ or the animal kingdom. Light pollution changes this. Make no mistake‚ God is still sending the same message David heard. But we’ve obscured it with technology. Noise in Our Differences Like the heavens‚ our creation as male and female is part of God’s good creation. And like the heavens‚ our bodies speak. They tell us about ourselves (Prov. 19:13–14; 1 Pet. 3:7)‚ about our place in the world (Gen. 1:27; Ps. 8)‚ and about our redemption (Eph. 5:31–32). God’s revelation isn’t gender-neutral. But just as technology (electric light) has muffled God’s truth in the heavens‚ something similar has happened with the truth God is telling us in our maleness and femaleness. Just as technology has muffled God’s truth in the heavens‚ something similar has happened with the truth God is telling us in our maleness and femaleness. The main technology that obscures God’s truth in our sexual differences is oral contraception‚ approved by the FDA in 1960. The importance of oral contraception is reflected in its being the only medicine we refer to simply as “the Pill.” This technology ushered in an era of unprecedented independence for women‚ allowing them to postpone childbearing and pursue education and full-time employment in increasing numbers. But it also severed the link between sex and procreation in the minds of entire generations. In doing so‚ it paved the way for no-fault divorce‚ same-sex marriage‚ and today’s transgender movement with its neologisms like “pregnant person‚” “chestfeeding‚” and “people who menstruate.” The Pill was able to do this because‚ as Mary Harrington writes‚ it “promised to flatten the most irreducible difference of all between the sexes: pregnancy.” Technology is pedagogy‚ and the Pill has reshaped our understanding of women’s fertility‚ making it more conceptually aligned with the way we think about men’s ability to engage in sex without necessarily considering procreation. This history helps explain one of the most unexpected consequences of widespread contraceptive use: the dramatic rise in out-of-wedlock births. George Akerlof and Janet Yellen reported almost 30 years ago‚ “We have found that this rather sudden increase in the availability of both abortion and contraception—we call it a reproductive technology shock—is deeply implicated in the increase in out-of-wedlock births.” Though many expected abortion and contraception to lead to fewer unwed mothers‚ a recent study confirms that “young couples today simply do not feel the need to marry when a baby enters the picture.” In 2014‚ 40 percent of U.S. children were born outside the protective confines of marriage‚ compared to just 5 percent in 1960. Whereas in the past‚ a young man felt social pressure to marry a girl he got pregnant‚ that sense of obligation diminished with the Pill. If a woman can control her “reproductive life” as the Pill promised‚ then how can a man be held accountable for her pregnancy? Men began to feel less responsibility for their sexual actions‚ just as many early women’s rights activists feared. Where contraception fails‚ a man simply needs to convince his girlfriend to quietly abort. Likewise‚ a woman can have an abortion without the baby’s father’s consent and without even telling him. Because Christians oppose abortion‚ we tend to think we’re immune to the Pill’s other effects. But we aren’t. Just as light pollution affects us all‚ so contraception clouds our Christian ability (and sometimes our desire) to see the splendor of our sexual differences. It’s easier than ever before to think of men and women as mostly interchangeable. Many of us do. We unwittingly make men the measure of women‚ whether in work or life or the church. I fell prey to this way of thinking when my daughters were little. I’d sometimes ask them what they wanted to be when they grew up and then suggest all sorts of wonderful things like a teacher or writer or doctor. I came to realize I was suggesting everything except the one thing only a woman can be: a mom. Clear the Air Technology has a profound effect on the way we see the world. But we aren’t left helpless or hopeless. Just as there are still ways to see and appreciate the wonder of the heavens‚ so there are ways to see and appreciate the wonderful differences between male and female. 1. Start paying attention. When I talk to Christians about the ways contraception has changed our view of men and women‚ they can’t quite believe that something they hardly think about could have such a profound effect. But hardly thinking about it is the problem. We need to think about it. Talk about it. Teach about it. For too long‚ we Protestants have consoled ourselves by thinking contraception is a Catholic issue. This is naive. The Pill is‚ even by secular accounts‚ one of the most significant technologies in human history. We ignore its power to our peril. Whatever our view of the Pill’s moral status—whether we conclude it can be used responsibly or should be avoided—we cannot understand our cultural moment without understanding the changes introduced by these tiny tablets. For too long‚ we Protestants have consoled ourselves by thinking contraception is a Catholic issue. We should ask the four questions Marshall McLuhan posed of any new technology: What does it enhance? What does it make obsolete? What does it help us retrieve? What does it reverse or flip into when taken to an extreme? We should also consider how our use of any technology—contraception included—reflects and affects our values. What is it that makes contraception seem like a necessity to so many young women today? Why have autonomy and self-sufficiency been elevated to such a high status today? How much have young people bought the lie that parenthood is a hindrance to their happiness rather than a major road to it? All these questions are ways of getting at the question of values. What values are expressed in our use of contraception? Where might those values need to be revised in light of the goodness of creation—a goodness our technology has obscured? 2. Look again with wide-eyed wonder. The Pill hasn’t changed the miracle of pregnancy or the painful triumph of giving birth. Tiny new image-bearers still come blinking into the world as they always have‚ full of potential. Nor has romance lost its deep appeal. Sparks still fly when a man and woman are attracted to each other. All the charm‚ pain‚ and comedy of two very different creatures coming together makes for great stories. If rom-coms need a revival‚ it’s because they’ve become trite‚ not because they’ve exhausted the thrill of a good love story. The Bible calls us to marvel at this aspect of creation. As the proverb says‚ “Three things are too wondrous for me; four I can’t understand: the way of an eagle in the sky‚ the way of a snake on a rock‚ the way of a ship at sea‚ and the way of a man with a young woman” (Prov. 30:18–19‚ CSB). The way a young man courts a girl is every bit as wonderful—and inexplicable—as the movement of an eagle in flight or a ship on the high seas. Lindsay Wilson captures the dynamic of this proverb when he writes‚ “Life is both hard to understand‚ yet a wonder to explore.” We might even say it’s so wonderful because it’s beyond our understanding. We should proactively highlight and celebrate the wonder of God’s design. What if we told more stories that explore the beauty of our sexual differences? What if the reason our lists of male and female traits feel reductionistic isn’t because they’re prejudiced stereotypes but because the differences are bigger and more profound than any simple list can capture? Thinking of sexual differences in this way might lead us to better answers when someone tells us he or she was born in the “wrong body.” Better Story We should proactively highlight and celebrate the wonder of God’s design. Contemporary culture often pitches a narrative of gender as a form of oppression‚ a burden to be thrown off‚ a hindrance of nature to be overcome by technology (not only contraceptive technology but hormones‚ gender-transition surgery‚ and so on). Christians have a far better story to tell. It’s a story about God setting his glory above the heavens and making us in his image to reflect it. It’s a story about how the union of two opposites in marriage echoes the saving truth at the heart of the universe. What a privilege to be made male and female with all the blessings—and responsibilities—of each. Though modern technology affects our vision‚ the picture remains ours to see‚ to celebrate‚ and to proclaim.

When our family moved overseas‚ the ministry we joined was a dream scenario. We were going to help a young church with members who hungered for solid‚ biblical teaching. Pastors throughout the region visited the church to receive training. It looked like the kind of ministry God could use to bring revival and reformation to a nation plagued by the prosperity gospel. Fifteen months later‚ it came crashing to the ground when I discovered evidence the lead pastor was involved in extensive financial deception and malpractice. When the situation escalated‚ we had to leave the country abruptly. As we packed our bags in shock‚ I looked at my wife. Her face communicated confusion. I felt the same. I couldn’t help but wonder‚ What went wrong? Sadly‚ our story isn’t unique. Money often corrupts missions. A partnership that lacks proper accountability inadvertently invites temptation. Therefore‚ trusting relationships and humble financial accountability are crucial in any cross-cultural partnership. Accountability and Ministry From all appearances‚ the ministry we joined had internal accountability measures. Part of my role was to mentor the leaders on handling money received from various partners. But it wasn’t long before I noticed discrepancies. When I did‚ I asked ministry friends how to approach the situation. Many assumed the issues were related to cultural misunderstanding. Irregularities were to be expected in other cultures. They recognized that the approach to finances and accountability often differs across cultures. But cultural differences only amplify the need for mutual understanding and sound financial practices when considering international partnerships. Although accountability may look different‚ it still needs to be in place. Why is financial accounting—and accountability—so important in ministry? The Bible repeatedly warns us about the connection between bad leaders and the love of money (1 Tim. 6:3–10). False teachers have “hearts trained in greed” (2 Pet. 2:14). Like Judas‚ they may appear to follow Jesus‚ but in secret‚ they pilfer the money box (John 12:6). The apostle Paul insists leaders must cultivate a proper attitude toward finances and be completely transparent. Those qualified to lead the church are men of virtue with nothing to hide. Love for God and people motivates them. They shouldn’t be “greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7; cf. 1 Pet. 5:3). Instead‚ an elder must be “a lover of good‚ self-controlled‚ upright‚ holy‚ and disciplined” (Titus 1:8). Thus‚ when collecting funds for ministry‚ Paul made sure finances were handled with transparency (2 Cor. 8:16–20) and by more than one person (9:3). The New Testament standard for a ministry’s financial integrity transcends cultures. If we’re not careful‚ appeals to cultural differences easily slide into ethical relativism. While sensitivity and cultural awareness are important‚ financial propriety is even more so. Support or Temptation? Maintaining financial accountability is challenging when many American individuals and churches prefer to give directly to a national church or local leader. Some are excited to fund a specific project‚ expecting their gifts to be used properly without any follow-up or accounting. Their intentions are generous and noble‚ but the lack of safeguards exposes those they support to danger. Sadly‚ the challenges of accounting across cultures often lead to financial partnerships with minimal accountability. This not only puts sincere pastors in a place of temptation but opens the opportunity for fraud. The New Testament standard for a ministry’s financial integrity transcends cultures. Imagine the temptation for a pastor of a small church in the U.S. who’s scraping by with $40‚000 a year but then receives $400‚000 for a ministry initiative in cash and with no accountability. It’d be difficult for anyone. Yet we do essentially the same when we give $30‚000 to an international pastor who makes $3‚000 annually. In America‚ it’s usually unthinkable to put a ministry leader in a place where he handles such large sums because we recognize the tempting power of money. It shouldn’t be different in international contexts. No matter the culture‚ temptation and sin threaten to destroy church leaders. Greed is a universal problem. To expose someone to this level of temptation is spiritually reckless. Give Guidance Here‚ then‚ are three practical tips to consider when giving cross-culturally that can help minimize temptation and strengthen partnerships. 1. Build relationships and learn the culture. Strategic financial partnerships require time and relational investment. Long-term relationships build trust and mutual understanding. They provide an opportunity to understand better how that culture views and uses finances. This necessitates the posture of a humble learner who asks good questions: How does accounting work in this culture? What are common areas of temptation? How do ministries handle finances? What does integrity look like in this setting? 2. Establish appropriate expectations for reporting. Wherever they are‚ ministries should handle finances with transparency. A cross-cultural partnership should establish what practices are appropriate and expected. Some of these practices may be new and difficult. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t happen. Training may be necessary on culturally appropriate methods of setting budgets‚ requiring multiple signatories‚ keeping detailed records‚ and reporting expenses. 3. Follow through with accountability structures. It’s not enough to establish best practices; there must be consistent verification that those measures and policies are followed. This includes ensuring more than one person is responsible for the funds and accounting. In our situation‚ the pastor claimed to have systems of accountability in place but‚ in practice‚ refused to allow other locals to keep him in check. After I made sure others were involved in the verification process‚ we uncovered issues. Accountability Is Loving While expecting financial accountability in international partnerships may feel distrustful or uncomfortable‚ it’s an act of brotherly love. It reduces the temptation for malpractice and protects the partner from false accusations. Ultimately‚ it protects the reputation of Christ and his church. The challenges involving international ministry finances don’t mean we should stop giving generously or stop partnering cross-culturally. Instead‚ we should seek to build trust through both deeper relationships and humble accountability. When we do‚ I believe it’ll increase our desire to give.