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Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

October 2016

October 26, 2016

Leadership in Mercy: The Power of Mercy on Our Lives

(The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Leadership in Mercy.” If you’d...

May 2016

May 03, 2016

John Schlimm on “Five Years in Heaven,” Doing God’s Work, & the Smile That Changed the World

I interviewed John Schlimm one year ago about his memoir “Five Years in Heaven.” It...

March 2016

March 21, 2016

The Four Things I Liked Best About “The Passion: Live”

Last night, Fox aired "The Passion: Live," a re-enactment of the story of Jesus's final...

March 18, 2016

“The Passion” Musical to Share Jesus’s Story in a Modern Way

Network television has found success in recent years by airing live musicals such as "The...

March 16, 2016

Guilt – and What to Do About It

(The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Guilt - and What to...

March 11, 2016

“Last Man Standing” Offers Perspective on ‘Vengeful God’ versus ‘Loving Jesus’

(Photo courtesy ABC/Disney) A lot of ink (and pixels) get spilled when TV shows mock...

February 2016

February 26, 2016

Kelly Clarkson Makes “American Idol” a Family Affair, Calls on Men to Be Devoted Dads

A seven-months-pregnant Kelly Clarkson served as a guest judge on "American Idol" last night and...

January 2016

January 28, 2016

Escaping Iran, Fighting Lupus, and Relying on the Power of God’s Grace

Mahtob Mahmoody was dying. The auto-immune disease lupus was making her own blood largely incompatible...

November 2015

November 23, 2015

On Thanksgiving, the Gospel of Happiness, and Finding the Good in Darth Vader

It started as the happiest day of Christopher Kaczor's life. His wife was in the...

November 12, 2015

Overcoming Envy and Jealousy

The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Overcoming Envy and Jealousy” (which...

September 2015

September 18, 2015

“Captive” is a Compelling Hostage Drama with a Touch of Grace

"That's a bunch of church crap," says escaped murderer Brian Nichols (David Oyelowo) to widowed...

September 15, 2015

Actor David Oyelowo Talks His New Film “Captive” & the Perpetually Redemptive Grace of God

Actor David Oyelowo made a big impression on American moviegoers as the star of the...

September 14, 2015

God Loved Me in My Brokenness, Says Fmr. Meth Addict, Hostage Hero & Subject of Film “Captive”

"I'm gonna die, and this is what I deserve." That was the first thought that...

September 09, 2015

Family Ties & Perceptions of Truth in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told”

We live in an age in which we think we know the whole truth about...

July 2015

July 08, 2015

Fairy Tales, Deeper Truths, & Illustrating God’s Love for Children (and the Young at Heart)

(All photos and artwork property of Katy Betz Studio.) Like a lot of kids, Katy...

June 2015

June 17, 2015

Faith, Redemption, and Survival Highlighted in Trailer for Upcoming Movie “Captive”

When I interviewed writer/producer Brian Bird a few months ago about his Hallmark Channel series...

June 03, 2015

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From Paris with Love” Brings Romance, Comedy & Wisdom

(Moderate spoilers ahead) On an old episode of "Cheers" in which Sam and Diane consult...

May 2015

May 14, 2015

The 2015 Christopher Awards: Pictures Galore of a Hootin’ and Heartfelt Good Time

(Photos courtesy Paul Schneck) Every year I look forward to the Christopher Awards because I...

April 2015

April 20, 2015

Art Has Power to Bring People Together: An Interview with “Little Boy’s” Eduardo Verastegui

Eduardo Verastegui was a popular singer and telenovela star in his native Mexico when he...

April 08, 2015

The 2015 Christopher Award Winners in Film, TV, and Books Are…

NEW YORK, April 8, 2015 — An Olympic gold medalist, the actor best known as...

February 2015

February 19, 2015

VIDEO: Father Jonathan Morris on Moving Past Resentment

Are you walking around carrying resentment toward some person or situation in your life? Maybe...

January 2015

January 15, 2015

Lisa Hendey on Discerning God’s Will, Comparing Yourself to Others, and the Grace of Yes

Lisa Hendey admits that she's been a "control freak and Type A personality" in her...

December 2014

December 16, 2014

UPDATE: WIN A FREE COPY of “The Good Lie” starring Reese Witherspoon

UPDATE: Congratulations to our winners Doug H. and Nancy! The contest is now closed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

November 2014

November 20, 2014

VIDEO: Father Jonathan Morris on Deciding To Live Your Life for God

In this week's video reflection, Father Jonathan Morris reflects on the fundamental option for God....

November 13, 2014

Listening When God Speaks

The following is the text of the Christopher News Note “Listening When God Speaks” (which...

October 2014

October 29, 2014

Teaching Kids About Their Bodies, Their Souls, and the Concept of Forgiveness

"If you save her life, I promise to dedicate my life to You." At age...

October 15, 2014

A Cancer Survivor Brings Attention to God’s Divine Interventions

It was 2002 when 27-year-old Daniel Fazzina was diagnosed with a "lymphatic cancerous tumor" in...

October 07, 2014

How “Arrow’s” Oliver Queen Embraced the Commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill”

It was his time on Purgatory that turned billionaire playboy Oliver Queen into a killer....

July 2014

July 30, 2014

Actor Kelsey Grammer Offers Forgiveness to His Sister’s Killer

Actor Kelsey Grammer is best-known for his comedic role as Frasier Crane on the TV...

July 05, 2012

The Passing of a Quiet Hero

This morning on her Facebook page, former Christopher Closeup guest Rita Cosby announced the passing...