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Faith & Values


A Look At The First Great Awakening: Freedom And Liberty
Historians and theologians have identified four religious revivals in American Christian history. The First Great Awakening began in the 1730s and lasted to about 1740. The Second Great Awakening began in the late 18th century and lasted until the middle of the 19th century which came with reform movements. The Third Great Awakening ran from the 1850s-1900s and was characterized by missions, Chautauquas and the Social Gospel. The Fourth Great Awakening happened in the late 19
Mike Hernandez - Guest Writer
1 day ago3 min read


Scientists Revive Case for Shroud of Turin as Jesus’ Burial Cloth
For centuries, the Shroud of Turin has captivated believers and skeptics alike: a 14-foot-5-inch by 3-foot-7-inch linen cloth bearing the faint, haunting front-and-back image of a crucified man. Once widely dismissed as a 14th-century forgery following the 1988 carbon-dating tests, the relic has returned to the center of a vigorous scientific debate. Fresh research and re-evaluations by prominent experts now point to compelling evidence that the shroud could date to the time

Elisa Ballard
3 days ago6 min read


Chicago Bulls Clean House: Top Executives Axed One Week After Jaden Ivey Waiver Amid Massive Backlash and Dismal Season
In a stunning front-office overhaul, the Chicago Bulls fired Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas and General Manager Marc Eversley on April 6, 2026 — just eight days after the controversial waiver of guard Jaden Ivey. Ownership’s decision comes as the team sits at a dismal 29-49 record, 12th in the Eastern Conference, and long eliminated from playoff contention. Under Karnišovas and Eversley’s six-year tenure, the Bulls managed just one playof

Rex Ballard
6 days ago2 min read


Jaden Ivey: Ostracized by the NBA for Bold Christian Faith After Finding Redemption in Christ
In a move that has sent ripples through the sports world and reignited debates about religious freedom in professional athletics, the Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on March 30, 2026, citing “conduct detrimental to the team.” The timing was no coincidence. Hours earlier, the 24-year-old former No. 5 overall pick had gone live on Instagram, delivering an unapologetic, hour-long testimony rooted in his Christian beliefs.

Rex Ballard
7 days ago3 min read


Melania Trump’s “Bring Them Home” Initiative: A First Lady’s Diplomatic Push to Reunite Ukrainian Children Separated by War
In the midst of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, First Lady Melania Trump has spearheaded a targeted humanitarian diplomacy effort widely referenced in public discourse and social media as the “Bring Them Home” project. Though not formally titled as such in official White House statements, the initiative focuses on reuniting Ukrainian children forcibly displaced or taken to Russia (and Russian-controlled territories) with their families in Ukraine.

Rex Ballard
7 days ago4 min read


Pasini Family Update: Little Lorenzo's NICU Milestones and Alessio & Jessi's Emotional Adjustment
Since Lorenzo Leone Pasini made his dramatic entrance into the world on February 5, 2026, at just 26 weeks and 5 days of gestation, weighing a tiny 2 pounds 2 ounces, his parents Jessi and Alessio have continued to share their raw, heartfelt NICU journey with their online community.

Elisa Ballard
Apr 42 min read


Easter Celebrations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou Counties – 2026
With Easter Sunday tomorrow (April 5), our North State communities are coming together for egg hunts, brunches, sunrise services, and moments of renewal and grace. Here’s a partial roundup of public events happening this weekend—perfect for families, neighbors, and anyone seeking fresh hope in the season.

Rex Ballard
Apr 42 min read


"A Great Awakening" Ignites the Screen: A Timely Reminder That True Liberty Begins in the Heart
In an era when many feel the foundations of our nation are shaking, a new film arrives like a thunderclap from the past. A Great Awakening, released today in theaters nationwide to coincide with America's approaching 250th anniversary, stands as one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking historical dramas I've seen in years. Directed by Joshua Enck and produced by Sight & Sound Films, this PG-13 epic (running 2 hours 9 minutes) doesn't just recount history—it revives the

Kari Chilson
Apr 32 min read


Easter Hope: Love That Unites Us in Turbulent Times
As Easter draws near, many American families sit at kitchen tables wondering how to stretch one more grocery dollar or keep children safe amid headlines of division and unrest. The cost of living climbs, polarization deepens, and worry feels like a constant companion. Yet in the very heart of these struggles, the Easter story offers something the world cannot: unshakable hope rooted in God’s love and the victory of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John records Jesus’ own words jus

Elisa Ballard
Apr 22 min read


Gospel Moment
Imagine a young woman sitting alone in a quiet room, her hands trembling as she stares at a positive pregnancy test. Fear whispers that she’s not ready, that no one will understand, that her dreams are slipping away. In that moment of deepest vulnerability, God’s heart beats with a love so fierce it refuses to leave her alone.

Rex Ballard
Mar 133 min read


From Redding Roots to National Spotlight: Megan Rapinoe’s Soccer Legacy and Struggle for Relevance
Megan Rapinoe, the outspoken soccer star who grew up in the Palo Cedro area just outside Redding and starred at Foothill High School, once commanded the world stage. Today, many observers say she has moved well beyond her “sell-by date.” Like most things "woke", critics argue, Rapinoe is now struggling for relevance and has resorted to the —such as casting aspersions on the U.S. men’s gold-medal-winning hockey team—just to step back into the limelight.

Rex Ballard
Mar 113 min read


Farewell to a Legend: The Enduring Legacy of Lou Holtz
On March 4, 2026, the world of college football—and beyond—lost a towering figure. Lou Holtz, the charismatic coach who led Notre Dame to its last national championship in 1988, passed away peacefully at his home in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 89, surrounded by his loving family.

Rex Ballard
Mar 55 min read


Gospel Moment
Yet, amidst this chaos, we must recognize a deeper truth: we are not merely witnesses to geopolitical strife but participants in an ancient, cosmic battle between the Light of the Lord and the forces of evil on earth. This is no metaphor for the faint-hearted; it is the spiritual reality described in Scripture.

Rex Ballard
Mar 34 min read


Another Exposure of Bethel Church - Redding's Alleged Leadership Failures Amid More Allegations of Past Sexual Abuse
Sarah, a former intern at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), courageously came forward after 16 years of silence in a powerful interview on the Wake Up and Win podcast, hosted by Blaise Foret and Christina Foret. The episode, titled "Bethel Survivor Sarah Shares Her Experience of Clergy SA by Ben Armstrong", was released in mid-February 2026 and has since prompted significant fallout, including Bethel Church placing pastor Armstrong on administrative leave pending

Elisa Ballard
Feb 194 min read


Reclaiming the Third Space - Restoring Mental Wellbeing - Opinion
The Epoch Times recently published an interesting opinion piece "Reclaiming the Third Space" that explores the concept of three distinct "places" in daily life. It draws from sociologist Ray Oldenburg's framework, and argues that clear separation between these spaces is essential for brain and emotional health through varied stimuli that regulate stress, foster belonging, and support flexible identities.

Rex Ballard
Feb 135 min read


Patricia "Trish" Clarke: A Life of Community Service and Advocacy
Patricia "Trish" Clarke, born in Twin Falls, Idaho, has dedicated her life to public service, community advocacy, and empowering seniors and veterans in Shasta County, California. After earning a degree in legal secretarial studies, she began her career as a paralegal. In 1962, she moved to San Jose, California, where she met her future husband, Bob Clarke

Rex Ballard
Feb 123 min read


Celebrate a Decade of Heroic Honor: Preston Sharp's Veterans Flags and Flowers Fundraiser!
What started as one young boy's heartfelt determination has blossomed into a nationwide movement that reminds us all of the profound respect our veterans deserve. At just 10 years old, Preston Sharp changed the world—one flag and one flower at a time—and now, you have the chance to support his incredible mission at the upcoming Veterans Flags and Flowers Fundraiser on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the beautiful Win River Resort & Casino in Redding, California.

Elisa Ballard
Feb 113 min read


President Trump Declares a National Prayer Event
President Donald Trump announced a significant prayer event for May 17, 2026, on the National Mall during his speech at the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 5.
This gathering, aligned with the nation's 250th anniversary, aims to unite citizens in prayer and reaffirm the United States as one nation under God.

Rex Ballard
Feb 102 min read


Thomas Paine: The First Person to Go Viral
In an era before the internet, social media, or viral memes, Thomas Paine achieved what we now call "going viral" with his revolutionary pamphlet Common Sense. Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, this 47-page tract sold an estimated 120,000 copies in its first three months and up to 500,000 by the end of the Revolutionary War. With a colonial population of about 2.5 million, it reached roughly one in every five colonists—men, women, and children.

Rex Ballard
Feb 94 min read


Powerful Messages of Transformation Through Faith in Jesus Shared at Turning Point USA Faith Night in Redding
Positive, transformational messages of faith in Jesus Christ were shared Saturday evening at the Redding Civic Center at the event hosted by Turning Point USA Shasta County chapters to a crowd of approximately 400 attendees. Turning Point USA is the legacy organization of founder Charlie Kirk who was assassinated in Utah on September 9, 2025, while speaking to students on a college campus.

Elisa Ballard
Feb 83 min read
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