- Amie Ichikawa - Shane Idleman - John Inazu - Monique Ingalls - Chip Ingram - Dean Inserra - Jeff Iorg - Andrew Isker - Sara Ivill - Sherry Ivy -
amie ichikawa
Apr 17, 2023
Amie Ichikawa, founder of the incarcerated women’s rights group Woman II Woman, speaks about what women in prison are enduring due to the adoption of legislation such as California’s Senate Bill 132 which allows men (including sex offenders and hardened criminals) who claim to be women to transfer into women’s correctional facilities. She additionally shares about a pending lawsuit that has been filed by the Women’s Liberation Front on behalf of four incarcerated women and how churches can help those who are currently enduring the effects of gender self-ID laws in prison. |
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Jan 22, 2023: Christian Post: Man in prison for murdering his parents identifies as female under Maine's gender ID policy
In The Christian Post's "Generation Indoctrination" podcast series, Amie Ichikawa, a former inmate and head of the nonprofit organization Woman II Woman, said her family members were shocked and didn't believe her when she told them she was incarcerated with a man who had a history of violence against women.
"It's the most helpless feeling I've had to date," Ichikawa recalled of her time in prison at the Central California Women's Facility.
In The Christian Post's "Generation Indoctrination" podcast series, Amie Ichikawa, a former inmate and head of the nonprofit organization Woman II Woman, said her family members were shocked and didn't believe her when she told them she was incarcerated with a man who had a history of violence against women.
"It's the most helpless feeling I've had to date," Ichikawa recalled of her time in prison at the Central California Women's Facility.
Dec 8, 2022: Christian Post: 'It’s the most helpless feeling': Women forced to live behind bars with male rapists speak out
In a bonus episode of The Christian Post’s documentary-style investigative podcast series, “Generation Indoctrination: Inside The Transgender Battle,” Amie Ichikawa, who once was incarcerated and now leads the nonprofit organization Woman II Woman, revealed that when she called home to tell her mother that she was locked up with men, they couldn't believe it.
“It's the most helpless feeling I've had to date,” Ichikawa recalled of her time in prison at the Central California Women’s Facility, which is colloquially known as Chowchilla prison.
In a bonus episode of The Christian Post’s documentary-style investigative podcast series, “Generation Indoctrination: Inside The Transgender Battle,” Amie Ichikawa, who once was incarcerated and now leads the nonprofit organization Woman II Woman, revealed that when she called home to tell her mother that she was locked up with men, they couldn't believe it.
“It's the most helpless feeling I've had to date,” Ichikawa recalled of her time in prison at the Central California Women’s Facility, which is colloquially known as Chowchilla prison.
Shane Idleman |
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May 18, 2023: Shane Idleman: The Stream: They Will Fight for Your Children — Will You?

I’m all for political involvement (elections have enormous consequences and the church’s silence has led to the moral corruption that we see today), but politics is not the answer. Christians must move from just participation to adoration: Trusting, seeking, and fully surrendering to God is our only hope.
God’s Word is not vague on the issues confronting us today; it’s crystal clear. The Word can’t be candy-coated; it must be coated with the fragrance of God. We must be filled with the Spirit to triumph in this battle: “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” (Is. 59:19)bb --Shane Idleman May 18, 2023
God’s Word is not vague on the issues confronting us today; it’s crystal clear. The Word can’t be candy-coated; it must be coated with the fragrance of God. We must be filled with the Spirit to triumph in this battle: “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” (Is. 59:19)bb --Shane Idleman May 18, 2023
Apr 11, 2015: Charisma: WATCH: The Hardest Sin to Spot
We are called to contend for truth. But shouldn't that truth come from a broken, loving and humble attitude that does not enjoy pointing out others' faults?
We are called to contend for truth. But shouldn't that truth come from a broken, loving and humble attitude that does not enjoy pointing out others' faults?
JOHN INAZU
May 21, 2023: Current: Stanley Hauerwas on the Christian church: “My sense is that God is making us leaner.”
Longtime readers of this blog will know that I am a big fan of John Inazu’s work, especially his book Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference. Until I read this interview at Inazu’s Substack, I did not realize the Washington University law professor includes Duke University theologian Stanley Hauerwas among his mentors. Here is a taste of the interview, which focuses heavily on the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre.
Longtime readers of this blog will know that I am a big fan of John Inazu’s work, especially his book Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference. Until I read this interview at Inazu’s Substack, I did not realize the Washington University law professor includes Duke University theologian Stanley Hauerwas among his mentors. Here is a taste of the interview, which focuses heavily on the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre.

Why would evangelicals not stand with a movement that advocates racial justice in the common ground that they share? Why would they not work with atheists who care about helping to educate kids in inner-city schools? Why would they not work with progressive secular groups in a common effort to allow citizens the right to protest in public spaces regardless of their beliefs or ideologies? Why would they not work with gay rights groups against bullying of LGBTQ teenagers?
Evangelicals can pursue such common ground where it exists. They can work with non-Christian groups such as the Interfaith Youth Core on college campuses, support religious freedom for Muslims in court and partner with nonbelievers in improving cities.
Evangelicals can wholeheartedly affirm causes of racial justice in the areas where they agree. They can, in the words on the website blacklivesmatter.com, commit “to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people.”
Evangelicals can affirm, as that same website does, “Black folks’ contributions to this society, [their] humanity, and [their] resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” They can use this common ground and these areas of agreement as avenues for exploring a deeper awareness of the challenges and a deeper yearning for solutions.
Finding common ground does not mean endorsing every goal or every value of the people to whom we draw near. But it does mean drawing near. That is at the heart of the vision of what I have called “confident pluralism.” That vision is a challenge to enter into the reality of pluralism around us to find common ground. And we can do so out of a confidence in our own beliefs.
Pursuing meaningful common ground requires actions, not just words. But it begins by asking the right questions. InterVarsity asked the right question to a largely evangelical audience: not whether #BlackLivesMatter is friend or foe, but whether black lives matter. For some people in this country, religious and nonreligious, the answer to that question is that they do not. InterVarsity has said black lives do matter, but that is the beginning — not the end — of engagement. ---John Inazu; Washington Post; 1.6.16
Evangelicals can pursue such common ground where it exists. They can work with non-Christian groups such as the Interfaith Youth Core on college campuses, support religious freedom for Muslims in court and partner with nonbelievers in improving cities.
Evangelicals can wholeheartedly affirm causes of racial justice in the areas where they agree. They can, in the words on the website blacklivesmatter.com, commit “to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people.”
Evangelicals can affirm, as that same website does, “Black folks’ contributions to this society, [their] humanity, and [their] resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” They can use this common ground and these areas of agreement as avenues for exploring a deeper awareness of the challenges and a deeper yearning for solutions.
Finding common ground does not mean endorsing every goal or every value of the people to whom we draw near. But it does mean drawing near. That is at the heart of the vision of what I have called “confident pluralism.” That vision is a challenge to enter into the reality of pluralism around us to find common ground. And we can do so out of a confidence in our own beliefs.
Pursuing meaningful common ground requires actions, not just words. But it begins by asking the right questions. InterVarsity asked the right question to a largely evangelical audience: not whether #BlackLivesMatter is friend or foe, but whether black lives matter. For some people in this country, religious and nonreligious, the answer to that question is that they do not. InterVarsity has said black lives do matter, but that is the beginning — not the end — of engagement. ---John Inazu; Washington Post; 1.6.16
Sept 1, 2021: Seattle Times: Religious exemptions from coronavirus vaccines are expected to become a legal battleground
If judges are faced with a decision that pits a government mandate and a person’s individual religious exemption request, it might come down to what’s happening regionally, said John Inazu, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis. For instance, an area that has a higher percentage of total vaccinations might have less of a compelling government interest to require vaccination.
May 9, 2015: Christian Post: Christians Who Have Avoided the Culture Wars May No Longer Have a Choice With Religious Freedom in Jeopardy, Legal Scholar Says
Christians who have so far avoided controversial "culture war" issues will likely be pulled into those battles as their religious freedom becomes threatened due to gay marriage, Dr. John Inazu warned Monday.
If judges are faced with a decision that pits a government mandate and a person’s individual religious exemption request, it might come down to what’s happening regionally, said John Inazu, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis. For instance, an area that has a higher percentage of total vaccinations might have less of a compelling government interest to require vaccination.
May 9, 2015: Christian Post: Christians Who Have Avoided the Culture Wars May No Longer Have a Choice With Religious Freedom in Jeopardy, Legal Scholar Says
Christians who have so far avoided controversial "culture war" issues will likely be pulled into those battles as their religious freedom becomes threatened due to gay marriage, Dr. John Inazu warned Monday.
monique ingalls
Jan 10, 2023: Baptist News Global: The New Apostolic Reformation drove the January 6 riots, so why was it overlooked by the House Select Committee?
In Singing the Congregation: How Contemporary Worship Music Forms Evangelical Community, Monique Ingalls of Baylor University identifies independent charismatic churches among the sponsors for these events. Regarding one of the events, she notes, “In pre-parade meetings, rallies and prayer walks, parade organizers have encouraged the use of music as part of ‘sonic warfare’ against targets, including corruption in government, sexual orientations they deem immoral, and social ills … .”
She also says these events are called “musicospiritual warfare” that proclaim “the defeat of spiritual enemies and the taking back of territory for the glory of God” with songs being sung by “children and preteens decked in matching camouflage outfits.”
In Singing the Congregation: How Contemporary Worship Music Forms Evangelical Community, Monique Ingalls of Baylor University identifies independent charismatic churches among the sponsors for these events. Regarding one of the events, she notes, “In pre-parade meetings, rallies and prayer walks, parade organizers have encouraged the use of music as part of ‘sonic warfare’ against targets, including corruption in government, sexual orientations they deem immoral, and social ills … .”
She also says these events are called “musicospiritual warfare” that proclaim “the defeat of spiritual enemies and the taking back of territory for the glory of God” with songs being sung by “children and preteens decked in matching camouflage outfits.”
Chip Ingram |
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Ralph Browne "Chip" Ingram II (born June 21, 1954)is an American Christian pastor, author, and teacher. He is the founder, teaching pastor, and chief executive officer of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over 30 years, Chip is the author of many books, including Culture Shock, The Real Heaven, The Real God, The Invisible War, and Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships

On the night before Jesus’ death, he told his disciples:
“If you love me, keep my commands. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15, 21)
Jesus makes it clear that if we truly love Him then we will show it by obeying His commands — to love Him and others, and to show the world what God is like.
This kind of obedience to God isn’t just some external act where we strive to “do the right thing” or somehow earn His favor. It should flow out of love, never guilt or outward performance.
But, why does God require our obedience if we love Him?
Obedience is the organ through which intimacy with God is obtained.
Even Jesus connects His love for the Father through His submission and obedience to the Father’s will. He… for the joy set before him… endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus obeyed the Father and willingly chose to go to the cross. Why? — Because He loves us and wants the world to know the Father’s love.
Today, Christ is inviting each of us to love Him through our obedience to Him. This doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle with our temptation to sin, but we are able make different choices through the power of the Holy Spirit.
---Chip Ingram; Living on the Edge; Does Love Equal Obedience?
“If you love me, keep my commands. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15, 21)
Jesus makes it clear that if we truly love Him then we will show it by obeying His commands — to love Him and others, and to show the world what God is like.
This kind of obedience to God isn’t just some external act where we strive to “do the right thing” or somehow earn His favor. It should flow out of love, never guilt or outward performance.
But, why does God require our obedience if we love Him?
Obedience is the organ through which intimacy with God is obtained.
Even Jesus connects His love for the Father through His submission and obedience to the Father’s will. He… for the joy set before him… endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus obeyed the Father and willingly chose to go to the cross. Why? — Because He loves us and wants the world to know the Father’s love.
Today, Christ is inviting each of us to love Him through our obedience to Him. This doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle with our temptation to sin, but we are able make different choices through the power of the Holy Spirit.
---Chip Ingram; Living on the Edge; Does Love Equal Obedience?

If we were to dig into the meaning of power, we would find that it is the Greek word from which we get dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us....We need to allow God to develop our lives in such a way that the power made available to us in our new relationship with him gives us the strength to win........We can't blame all difficulties on hostile acts of the enemy. We live in a fallen world, and bad things happen. Not everything occurs because of demonic schemes. But everything can be exploited by demonic forces. As CS Lewis said, the danger is to put either way too much emphasis on Satan and demons or way to little. For most people today, it's way too little. --Chip Ingram; The Invisible War; (c)2006
Oct 17, 2022: Christian Post: Apologist Chip Ingram lists 5 relationships key to Christian discipleship
Speaking at the Southern Evangelical Seminary’s 26th annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend, Ingram explained that Romans 12 lays out five relationships that are integral to Christian discipleship: a relationship with God, a relationship with the world, a relationship with oneself, a relationship with believers, and a relationship with nonbelievers.
Speaking at the Southern Evangelical Seminary’s 26th annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend, Ingram explained that Romans 12 lays out five relationships that are integral to Christian discipleship: a relationship with God, a relationship with the world, a relationship with oneself, a relationship with believers, and a relationship with nonbelievers.

In this verse, Paul instructs his readers not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The verbs are in the same passive voice--"do not (allow yourself to be transformed [conformed to this world]). We allow it and participate in it, but God actively does it in us with our cooperation. It's His work. Most of the battle is in our thought life--that's where Satan can manipulate people toward his ends discreetly and invisibly. If he can distort our thoughts, our emotions, and our knowledge, then our behaviors and relationships will fall the way he wants them to. And even if he desn't manage to turn us to overt evil, a little bit of distorted thinking can neutralize us and render us practically ineffective. Human thinking is ground zero in this war., and if we haven't been diligent to fill our minds with God's truth and operate out of what he teaches us, we lose. The helmet of salvation guards the most influential organ in the invisible wart. --Chip Ingram; The Invisible War; page 133
dean inserra
June 14, 2023: Religion News Service: Ouster of Saddleback and Fern Creek from SBC over women pastors is affirmed
Freedom Church also had its say in front of the delegates on Tuesday, with Donald Stewart, an elder of the Florida congregation, saying in his three-minute speech that the church’s former pastor resigned and is “no longer involved in the leadership of the church.”
But Executive Committee member Dean Inserra cast doubt on whether that pastor would remain resigned. He added that the state convention and a local association in Florida “provided Freedom Church with the confirmed and admitted sexual misconduct of the individual serving as the senior pastor, yet Freedom Church took zero action.”
Freedom Church also had its say in front of the delegates on Tuesday, with Donald Stewart, an elder of the Florida congregation, saying in his three-minute speech that the church’s former pastor resigned and is “no longer involved in the leadership of the church.”
But Executive Committee member Dean Inserra cast doubt on whether that pastor would remain resigned. He added that the state convention and a local association in Florida “provided Freedom Church with the confirmed and admitted sexual misconduct of the individual serving as the senior pastor, yet Freedom Church took zero action.”
jeff iorg
Andrew Isker

Andrew Isker is the pastor of 4th Street Evangelical Church in Waseca, MN. He is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato and Greyfriars Hall Ministerial Training School in Moscow, ID, and he has served churches in Missouri, West Virginia, and Minnesota. He is the author of "Christian Nationalism" as well as the forthcoming book, "The Boniface Option."
Feb 22, 2023: Religion News Service: How big Christian nationalism has come courting in North Idaho
(Douglas) Wilson, a controversial figure long popular among a subgroup of Reformed conservatives, has recently emerged as something of a Christian nationalist influencer. He blurbed a 2022 book co-written by Andrew Torba, the founder of the right-wing alternative social media website Gab, and Andrew Isker, a Minnesota pastor who graduated from the ministry program associated with Wilson’s church. (The church is also affiliated with a K-12 school in the town and New Saint Andrews College.) Wilson’s publishing house, Canon Press, recently released “The Case for Christian Nationalism” by self-described “country scholar” Stephen Wolfe, who was recently named as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
(Douglas) Wilson, a controversial figure long popular among a subgroup of Reformed conservatives, has recently emerged as something of a Christian nationalist influencer. He blurbed a 2022 book co-written by Andrew Torba, the founder of the right-wing alternative social media website Gab, and Andrew Isker, a Minnesota pastor who graduated from the ministry program associated with Wilson’s church. (The church is also affiliated with a K-12 school in the town and New Saint Andrews College.) Wilson’s publishing house, Canon Press, recently released “The Case for Christian Nationalism” by self-described “country scholar” Stephen Wolfe, who was recently named as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
sara ivill

Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) has been leading, teaching or writing women’s Bible studies since she was eighteen. She has served at the Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership, in Bible Study Fellowship, and as Director of Women’s Ministry in the local church, among other leadership positions.
Sarah is the author of several Bible studies and books, including: Hebrews: His Hope, An Anchor for Our Souls
Revelation: Let the One Who Is Thirsty Come , Judges & Ruth: There Is a Redeemer, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude: Steadfast in the Faith, Ezra and Nehemiah: The Good Hand of Our God is Upon Us , Romans: The Gospel of God for Obedience to the Faith , Isaiah: The Holy One of Israel, Luke: That You May Have Certainty Concerning the Faith , The Covenantal Life: Appreciating the Beauty of Theology and Community , Never Enough: Confronting Lies About Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope, Broken Cisterns: Thirsting for the Creator Instead of the Created
The God Who Hears: How the Story of the Bible Shapes Our Prayers
She is also a contributing blogger for enCourage (a blog of the PCA Women's Ministries), and has a regular blog, The Haven, with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Sarah continues writing and teaching Reformed Bible studies for women, and speaking at women's retreats and conferences. A member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA), Sarah lives with her husband and four children in Matthews, North Carolina.
Sarah is the author of several Bible studies and books, including: Hebrews: His Hope, An Anchor for Our Souls
Revelation: Let the One Who Is Thirsty Come , Judges & Ruth: There Is a Redeemer, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude: Steadfast in the Faith, Ezra and Nehemiah: The Good Hand of Our God is Upon Us , Romans: The Gospel of God for Obedience to the Faith , Isaiah: The Holy One of Israel, Luke: That You May Have Certainty Concerning the Faith , The Covenantal Life: Appreciating the Beauty of Theology and Community , Never Enough: Confronting Lies About Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope, Broken Cisterns: Thirsting for the Creator Instead of the Created
The God Who Hears: How the Story of the Bible Shapes Our Prayers
She is also a contributing blogger for enCourage (a blog of the PCA Women's Ministries), and has a regular blog, The Haven, with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Sarah continues writing and teaching Reformed Bible studies for women, and speaking at women's retreats and conferences. A member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA), Sarah lives with her husband and four children in Matthews, North Carolina.

Paul’s exhortation, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16), warns us that there’s a war within our hearts. There are two desires within us, those of the flesh and those of the Spirit, and both cannot win. Although “the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2), these fleshly desires are so strong that we often succumb to them. Thankfully, there is hope. God’s power “has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). The truth that there are two opposing desires within you may seem daunting, but don’t let it be debilitating. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in our hearts to empower us to fight the battle with the Word of God and prayer.
You will know if the flesh is winning the war of your heart, or your loved one’s heart, because works of the flesh are obvious. Paul gives us some examples—sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, anger, and envy (Gal. 5:19-21). Sadly, several of these sins are acceptable today, even in the church. But Paul gives a sober warning, “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). Paul is not speaking here about the Christian person who commits a sin like anger, confesses it to the Lord, then strives to turn away from it. Every true believer will inherit the kingdom of God (Rom. 8:28-30). But this warning should still lead us to carefully examine our hearts. If we are indulging in works of the flesh on a regular basis, we need to evaluate our relationship with the Lord.
--Sara Ivill; The War of the Heart; 6.15.23
You will know if the flesh is winning the war of your heart, or your loved one’s heart, because works of the flesh are obvious. Paul gives us some examples—sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, anger, and envy (Gal. 5:19-21). Sadly, several of these sins are acceptable today, even in the church. But Paul gives a sober warning, “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). Paul is not speaking here about the Christian person who commits a sin like anger, confesses it to the Lord, then strives to turn away from it. Every true believer will inherit the kingdom of God (Rom. 8:28-30). But this warning should still lead us to carefully examine our hearts. If we are indulging in works of the flesh on a regular basis, we need to evaluate our relationship with the Lord.
--Sara Ivill; The War of the Heart; 6.15.23
sherry ivy

Life sometimes throws us a curve ball, especially when we’re faced with one tragedy after another. We lose our home and everything we have by fire, a tornado or we lose a lot of our relatives at one time by a bad car accident. When these things happen to us, we have to keep trusting God to bring us out. Then, we can be like Job and say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) NKJV - Sherry Ivy; New Providence M. B. Church