If war ever reaches the American home front, most people might expect to hear an air raid siren. But what they may actually hear is silence, when many of the things they rely upon each day stop working.

The Commission on the National Defense Strategy recently warned senators the United States is “unprepared” for a “devastating” cyber war that will bring life in towns and cities across America to a standstill.

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Former Congresswoman Jane Harman, co-chair of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy, told senators, “The public is essentially clueless about the massive cyberattacks that could be launched any day by our adversaries. Not just nation-states but rogue actors as well.”

Experts see the next war beginning with a keyboard attack on America’s critical infrastructure, threatening to cut off the internet, electricity, water, transportation and financial systems. It would mean almost everything, from phones to gas pumps to cash machines to traffic lights, suddenly stops working.  

Cybersecurity expert Dr. Samantha Ravich of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said, “We’re very vulnerable.”  

Ravich served on Congress’s Cyberspace Solarium Commission and as a deputy national security adviser in the Bush White House. She’s especially concerned about the lack of protection at America’s many municipal water stations.  

“A soft underbelly of our country is our water system. And those water utilities don’t often have the best cyber security. They have old technology,” Ravich said. 

After a cyberstrike on your local water plant, your water tap might not work, or your water could become dangerous to drink.  In 2021 a hacker tried to poison the water supply of Oldsmar, Florida, by increasing the levels of sodium hydroxide. The city now says it was operator error, but in the last year, foreign actors from Iran and Russia have been linked to water facility attacks in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Texas.

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Shawn Waldman, CEO of Ohio-based Secure Cyber and a member of CyberOhio’s Critical Infrastructure Working Group says, “One hundred percent of the water systems that I’ve been involved with have been extremely vulnerable to external attacks, specifically.”

Waldman warns that adversaries are constantly testing America’s cyber defenses for vulnerabilities in preparation for war.

“We’re in a cyber cold war today,” Waldman said. “We’ve got vulnerabilities with our radar systems and our air traffic control. We’ve got vulnerabilities in our 911 systems.”

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Brad Arnold, the lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down, caught attention this month for powerful comments he made about Jesus and faith during a concert at Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania.

Before belting out the band’s song “Away From the Sun” at the show on Aug. 23, Arnold told the audience he started feeling compelled two years ago to share an important message with fans during his performances.

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He then asked for just a few moments to tell the thousands gathered that God loves them, according to . It was a truly moving monologue.

“I feel like I can identify with this song more than most of our songs,” he said, calling “Away From the Sun” his favorite of the band’s ballads. “This world surrounds by a message we’ll never be good enough, we’ll never be strong enough, we’ll never be beautiful enough, we’ll never be rich enough.”

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Arnold wasn’t done there, calling out a “lie” he believes is perpetuated on social media and in other facets of life: that we’ll never be truly loved and that we’ll never “win.”

“My friends, I just want to take a second to tell you — that’s an absolute lie,” he said. “You are loved. You are enough, and you will win. Not only can you win, but you will win. You’ll always be enough for one reason, and that’s because Jesus Christ loves you.”

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Nearly 4,000 Israeli soldiers have been wounded since Oct. 7, many with life-changing injuries. Recently, a special guest encouraged them not to let those changes ruin their lives.

Nick Vujicic, an international Christian speaker who was born with no arms or legs, visited Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv. It’s where many of the soldiers wounded in the war come for treatment of their bodies and souls.

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“What I realize now is that when we look different, we are the ones that everyone looks at. So, the fact that we still exist, the fact that we sometimes smile, the fact that we keep on going out there, there are many people that say, ‘Wow, if he didn’t give up, then I’m not going to give up,'” he told a group of wounded veterans.

Vujicic, who is an inspiration to every audience he addresses, told CBN News he felt humbled and inspired after speaking to the soldiers. He called his experience with them “amazing,” and said, “I think for such a time as this, it’s very important for us to show up and show the support and love and plant seeds of life and faith into everyone here.”

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“Today was amazing to be with the wounded soldiers here. Um, you know, my mom was a nurse and so I have compassion for the doctors and nurses here as well, ministering to the needs of those here and families affected,” he said. “I think for such a time as this, it’s very important; important for us to show up and show the support and love and plant seeds of light and faith into everyone here.”

To read the full story, visit our content partners at CBN News.

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While speeches and applause took place inside Chicago’s United Center during the Democratic National Convention last week, chaos often erupted outside. In the midst of it all, a group of Chicago street ministers boldly shared the gospel just outside the security perimeter.

“We went on a day where there were feminists, communists,” said Juan-Elias Riesco who leads “Chicago for Jesus,” a multi-denominational team supported by the city’s Metro Praise International Church.

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Riesco added, “When we were communicating with the Communist Revolutionaries of America, we had a great 10-15 minute conversation. We talked about Jesus, and we explained to them that the Bible is way more sufficient than any communist manifesto.”

He continued, “I had the privilege of ministering the gospel to a trans person. I looked at her and said, ‘Did you know that you were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God? That God did not design you to be trans but made you perfectly as you are.'”

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Their encounters were often impactful—and occasionally shocking.

“So we know things can take a turn for the worst at any time,” Riesco said. “But brother, we believe God has called us to go to these places.”

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The government of Nicaragua has shut down 1,500 non-profit organizations, including hundreds of evangelical religious groups.

They’re accused of failing to disclose financial statements, but opponents say it’s part of a crackdown on groups that aren’t allied with the government.

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It’s the latest move by the Nicaraguan regime of President Daniel Ortega to consolidate control over the country. Vice President Rosario Murillo and Interior Minister María Amelia Coronel are reportedly directly involved in the ongoing crackdown.

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Not only is the government shutting down the non-profit groups, but it’s also seizing their assets for the state. Vatican News reports, “The Attorney General’s Office will now be responsible for transferring movable and immovable assets on behalf of the State of Nicaragua.”

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For years the Nicaraguan government has targeted Roman Catholic leaders who have taken a stand against human rights abuses in the country. This time around, Vatican News says some Catholic groups have been targeted but the vast majority of the shuttered ministries were “affiliated with evangelical communities.”

Since 2018, over 5,200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been wiped out by the government.

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From the grocery checkout line to the gas pump and now the church pew, Americans are closely watching what they spend and it’s putting some churches in a bind.

“Churches are in some instances struggling,” Robert Blair with Ministry Brands told CBN News. “They’re not keeping up with inflation. Donations are down. In some instances, attendance is down.”

Ministry Brands’ latest study shows charitable giving in 2023 failed to keep up with inflation, with 55% of churches seeing a decrease in giving. This hit smallest churches the hardest, with only 36% reporting an increase. On top of that, cash and check donations dropped for 33% of all churches included in the study.

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But there are some things churches can do. Blair says it starts with leaders communicating well.

“One of the most important things is the conversation that the pastor or the leader of the church has with the congregation,” he explained. “Talking about giving, why it’s important, and candidly, what it’s for. What’s the money going to?”

He says being transparent with congregants about where their money is going can lead them to give more money and more often.

Another plus can come from offering a variety of ways to give, like going digital.

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“I have a 21-year-old son. He’s never going to write a check. My mom only writes checks,” Blair said. “So, as leaders in the church, as leaders of trying to grow healthy churches, we need to be able to accommodate all congregants.”

Pastor Solomon Adair leads Inspired to Live Church in Arlington, Texas. He says going digital has been a game changer for the growth of his ministry.

“I can tell you that digital giving has been a catalyst to our ability to increase our giving across the board,” Adair told CBN News.

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With Joe Biden pushed to the sidelines, Kamala Harris had the stage all to herself Thursday evening at the Democrat National Convention.

Since becoming the nominee, she has energized Democrats. Last night, she took the opportunity to reach beyond her own party.

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“There are people of various political views watching tonight,” Harris told the crowd. “I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always trust me to put country above party and self.”   

Despite being vice president for three and a half years, her narrative hasn’t been fully cemented.

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One-third of voters don’t really know much about what she stands for. In her mission to define herself, she highlighted her career as a federal prosecutor.

In her speech, Harris had a few choice words for Donald Trump. She spent large portions of it attacking him. “Donald Trump is an unserious man,” she told fellow Democrats gathered in Chicago. “But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”    

But what about the seriousness of policy? Her recent economic proposal of price controls to bring down inflation went over poorly, even with liberal analysts. Thursday evening, she continued to be relatively vague. “We will create what I call an ‘opportunity economy,’ an opportunity economy where everyone has the chance to compete and a chance to succeed.”

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In the book of Esther, we see how God raised up a young woman during a time of crisis to save her people, the Jews. Evangelist Lou Engle sees 2024 as another pivotal moment in history, with God calling women to save this nation. Engle is calling a million women to the D.C. Mall in October, for such a time as this.

“Everyone knows, America is in a time of crisis, the world is in a time of crisis… fasting and prayer has always shifted history. Esther was raised up for a time (when), if there wasn’t a shift, they would lose a whole nation,” Engle said.

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In 2017, Lou Engle had a powerful dream.

In the dream, “A woman stands up and she’s teaching the book of Esther, and she says, ‘and these two words in the book of Esther actually mean Nazgul.’ I explode out of the dream instantly knowing what it means. I watched the third part of the Lord of the Rings where the Nazgul Witch King is destroying the armies of men and says, ‘No man can kill me,’ but the king’s daughter takes off her helmet, lets her hair down and says… ‘I am no man!’ and pierces the Nazgul with her sword,” Engle recalls.

‘A Massive Women’s Esther Movement Is Coming’

“I wake up and I knew there’s coming a massive Women’s Esther movement that will have authority just like Esther to take down spiritual powers, ideologies, and they will rise up a righteous woman’s movement, and I believe they will shift history,” said Engle.

That’s why on Oct. 12, the Jewish Day of Atonement, Engle is calling for an army of women to fast and pray on the National Mall in D.C.

“The Day of Atonement – the day when the blood is applied to the doorposts of the nation’s national guilt and saves from mercy, gives mercy or judgment – we will take a massive communion service that day and plead the blood over this nation, daring to believe that God will loose America into a new day of mercy,” Engle said.

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In addition to women, Engle also wants men, who like Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, understand the times we’re living in.

“We believe it is an Esther-Mordecai moment, not a division of male and female, but to connect together before the heart of God and believe that God will heal us and heal us in our ideologies,” he said.

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Comedian and veteran television star Tim Allen is opening up about his “amazing” experience reading the Bible cover to cover—a journey he described as “not at all what I was expecting.”

Allen, 71, has been outspoken about his faith in the past, as CBN News has reported.

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In this latest post, which he shared to his personal X account, the “Toy Story” star revealed he has nearly finished reading the Old Testament in the Jerusalem Bible, a Catholic translation of the Scriptures. He is planning to begin reading through the New Testament next.

“Never took the time in all my years to ever read and really read the Bible,” he wrote. “Currently almost through the Jerusalem Bible Old Testament and almost done with the Prophets. Next up to New Testament. So far amazing and not at all what I was expecting.”

Allen has not shied away from talking about his Christian beliefs.

The celebrity said in 2022 he wanted faith to be central to the Disney+ series “The Santa Clauses,” a spinoff of the 1990s movie, “The Santa Clause,” in which Allen famously portrayed Santa Claus.

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As CBN News reported at the time, Allen told The Wrap that the original plot line of the show featured some themes he didn’t like. Rather, he wanted the Christian story to have a principal role in the series.

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Close allies to Donald Trump are quietly urging independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to endorse the Republican nominee if he withdraws from the campaign for the White House as soon as this week.

Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., along with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and GOP donor Omeed Malik are among those who have been working behind the scenes to lobby Kennedy to drop out of the race and back Trump, according to a person familiar with the efforts. The person requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

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Kennedy will speak Friday “about the present historical moment and his path forward,” his campaign announced Wednesday, fueling growing speculation that he could drop out and support Trump. Kennedy’s running mate openly discussed the possibility on a podcast this week, saying the campaign was considering a move to “join forces” with Trump to limit the election chance of Kamala Harris, whose Democratic convention winds up Thursday night in Chicago.

The move would have once seemed unthinkable for Kennedy, a Democrat for most of his life and—as the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy—a member of a beloved Democratic dynasty.

Last month, during the Republican National Convention, Kennedy’s son posted and then quickly deleted a video showing a phone call between Kennedy and Trump, in which the former president appeared to try to talk Kennedy into siding with him.

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Kennedy will give a speech in Phoenix, hours before Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in neighboring Glendale. A spokesperson for Kennedy, Stefanie Spear, declined to say whether he planned to drop out or why he chose Arizona for his speech.

Trump and Kennedy have been in regular contact in recent weeks, including a meeting in Milwaukee as Republicans gathered for their national convention last month.

He told CNN Tuesday that he would “love” an endorsement from the independent candidate, whom he called a “brilliant guy.”

To read the full story, visit our content partners at CBN News.

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