William Hemsworth's Blog, page 17

‘I Am Second’ Releases Two New Films

PLANO, Texas, Mar. 7, 2024 — In the two latest White Chair Films released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, collegiate Texas Tech athlete Bailey Maupin and former player-turned-coach Charlotte Smith each tell their stories about faith, basketball and identity. 

Bailey Maupin’s White Chair Film – “Breaking the Press”

Bailey Maupin, amid a wholesome upbringing on a farm outside of a small Texas town, found her faith as a young girl within her Christian home. She aspired to play college basketball and was scouted midway through junior high school. As she began her college athletic career, she found herself lost and extremely alone. Basketball, the game in which she’d found her identity, had failed to fulfill her.

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“It was culture shock for me, having to become [my] own person,” shares Bailey. “Finding your way in a world of sin and hatred and violence is hard…I [had] let my faith be held up by so many other things, and when I got to college, they were all gone.”

Consumed with the business, victories and pressure of basketball in an “environment that was hard…to find God,” Bailey eventually found herself neglecting her faith. Yet, following a sobering realization, she began to explore the avenue of online church to ultimately re-foster her relationship with God and point others to faith through her talents.

“I [hadn’t given] glory to God; I was glorifying myself,” continues Bailey. “In reality, I was good at basketball because that was God’s gift to me, and He is using my gift in basketball to proclaim his glory.”

Charlotte Smith’s White Chair Film – “Finding Balance”

Charlotte Smith, a “PK” (Pastor’s Kid), grew up in a sheltered home centered around faith, benevolence in community and love toward all people. Yet, as sports was also a second-nature interest for her family, Charlotte eventually began to place a priority on sports over everything else, ultimately modeling her life around her idol Michael Jordan. She recalls getting recruited to play for North Carolina Chapel Hill, winning the national championship and chasing the high of the wins — yet accompanied by a deep sense of conviction and emptiness.

“There’s a lot of temptations, a lot of distractions,” shares Charlotte, looking back on her career. “Unfortunately, because at that point in time I wasn’t strong enough in my identity, I fell into a lot of sexual temptation…I professed to be a Christian, but behind the scenes I was doing a lot of things that I knew my parents wouldn’t approve of—and I knew that wouldn’t make God proud.”

In the film, Charlotte opens up about her lowest point, amid her time playing for the WMBA, when she was forced to face the reality of losing herself amid her athletic career’s conclusion. As she grappled with what to do next, she ultimately found her purpose of giving back to others through a heart change of obedience.

“You finally hit that brick wall where you surrender to God, and you realize…He is my hope, He is my joy, and He is the love of my life,” continues Smith. “There comes a point in time where you have to make a decision…Are you going to give God your whole heart and fully surrender?”

Basketball, Second.

Each woman’s powerful story reveals a deeper sense of hope and fulfillment than that of a glorified court-centered identity, offering inspiration to individuals searching for more.

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To watch these exclusive I Am Second films, visit:

Bailey Maupin’s story at  Iamsecond.com/film/Bailey-Maupin              Charlotte Smith’s story at  Iamsecond.com/film/Charlotte-Smith

About I Am Second

I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit  iamsecond.com .

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Deuteronomy Is Misunderstood

First, it is unfortunate that Deuteronomy, and the Pentateuch as a whole, are for the most part ignored.  They are a part of divine revelation and as such should be discussed a bit more.  In all fairness I am also guilty of this.  I admit that I am not a priest or deacon, but do teach children, and to a lesser extent some adults. 

However, the message contained in Deuteronomy is one that is applicable to us all.  Deuteronomy has the unfortunate distinction of being called “second law” based on its naming in the Septuagint.  As an exhortation it can be synchronized with what we read in the New Testament.  

Moses And The First Address of Deuteronomy

In Deuteronomy four, Moses challenges the Israelites to look at the evidence of what God has done for themselves.  He describes everything that God has done for the people.  At this point they have seen the events of Sinai and seen various miracles occur. 

They heard the voice of God themselves.  Moses declared the great things that the Lord has done, is attempting to stir the hearts of the people, and implores them to follow the instructions given.  This is the first address of Moses.

You Must Choose

The second address takes places in Deuteronomy 5-11.  Here Moses is using personal pronouns like “I” and “We” and includes himself in the conversation.  The tone of this address is quite different from that found in Exodus 21-23 which utilizes a third person element.

This is an important distinction as in Exodus Moses is giving the law while Moses in Deuteronomy in challenging the people.  In Exodus he is addressing the people as a whole and in Deuteronomy, based on the pronouns used, he is addressing the people individually. 

This is an important distinction not only for Israel, but for us today.  Moses is not shy about saying how YHWH chose the people, saved them from bondage in Egypt, and provides for them in the desert.  The Lord chose the people of Israel, but the people are also responsible for their own actions.

Choose Life And Stay Faithful

The third address of Moses takes place shortly before his death in Deuteronomy 29-30.  Moses reminds the people of the need to stay faithful to the Lord, the consequences for not, and tells them to choose life not death. 

Moses has seen the people fall into sin before and exhorts them to stay on the narrow path.  The things that they had learned in Egypt would manifest themselves at times and cause them to stumble. 

This is something that Moses was aware of, but out of love for the people, he addressed the issue again.  Choose life.  The way of the Lord is life and not following leads to death.  

Deuteronomy And The Pentateuch

Deuteronomy presents itself differently than other law texts in the Pentateuch.  This can be seen based on language, tone, and the content in the addresses.  There is more than can be taken from Deuteronomy, but the three I have provided provide a good start. 

Though we may have grown up in a Christian family, there comes a point where we have to evaluate evidence for the faith ourselves.  Like Moses says to the Israelites, we need to see for ourselves everything that the Lord has done. 

Also like the Israelites, there comes a point where we cannot hide within the group.  Basically just because your parents and grandparents were Christians does not make you a Christian by default.  You are responsible for your own actions, which is what Moses told the Israelites. 

It is up to you to choose the way of death or the way of life.  True we are several centuries removed from the writing of Deuteronomy, but its message stands the test of time and the addresses of Moses can be applied to situations today.

Circumcision Of Heart

The law was given to Israel, but it goes further than that.  The heart has to be changed.  If it is not changed then we are missing the point.  The law was written on tablets, but not on the tablets of the peoples’ hearts. 

The issue of a changed heart is mentioned in several other parts of the Old Testament.  In Jeremiah 31 the Lord speaks of writing the law on the hearts of the people.  In Ezekiel 11 the Lord discussed removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh.  

It is in this way that Deuteronomy and Malachi coincide a bit, especially in Deuteronomy 34 and Malachi 3.  Moses is the messenger of the Old Covenant.  He was the shepherd and messenger of God to the people of Israel.  Deuteronomy 34 says that a prophet has not risen like Moses, but Malachi 3 says another is coming and he will purify the hearts of the people.

Much more can be said, but the heart of the Gospel can be seen in Deuteronomy.  It is unfortunate that it is something that is ignored for the most part.  Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy for than any Old Testament book and for good reason. 

The message of Deuteronomy was also his message.  Love the Lord with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  It not only breaks up the ten commandments into two sections but is a rule of life.  If you love God with everything you got, you will hand your life over to him and your heart will be changed.  In other words, the law will be written upon your heart and from there you will love your neighbor because your heart is now after the things of God.  In short, doing this is to choose life. 

NEWS RELEASE UPDATE – Archbishop Broglio Deplores VA Decision to Provide Abortions

WASHINGTON, DC – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, has issued the following statement on the decision of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Administration to provide abortions:

“The Department of Veterans Affairs has finalized an interim rule that permits abortion counseling and abortive procedures in VA Medical Centers through all nine months of pregnancy. The notion that killing an unborn child can somehow be considered ‘medical or surgical care’ certainly violates the dignity of the human person and suggests that some lives are more important than others.  I deplore this decision that once more removes the right to life for the defenseless and inflicts untold physical and psychological trauma on mothers.

“In April 2023, this Archdiocese, along with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), raised multiple objections to the rule in its interim form.[1] This Archdiocese and the USCCB particularly observed that the VA Secretary exceeded his authority in expanding the definition of ‘medical or surgical care’ to include abortion, especially because the section 106 of Veterans Health Care Act specifically limits abortion.[2] In its comments with the final rule, the Department of Veterans Affairs agreed that the Secretary has absolutely no authority to allow for abortion within section 106 of Veterans Health Care Act, writing, the Act ‘barred the provision of abortion.’[3] However, nonsensically, the Department claims that other statutes, which never mention abortion, create in their silence, a right to abortion, even though abortion is specifically prohibited within the larger statutory scheme for VA Health Care. The VA notes that including ‘abortion’ is a ‘general versus specific canon of statutory construction.’ This bald rhetoric ignores logic and basic tenets of statutory construction, and belies a relentless ideological pursuit of abortion even when it is plainly contrary to law.

“The VA’s decision is at odds with the notion that the military protects the innocent.  Now, the Department which was established to care for Veterans of the United States Armed Forces through service-related disabilities and retirement, affirms its decision to join what Pope Francis called ‘hit men’ – those who choose ‘to do away with a human life to solve a problem.’

“It is expected that the Department of Veterans Affairs will at least respect the conscience rights of medical personnel, staff, and other employees and permit them to abstain from any involvement in immoral procedures.”

[1] 2022.9.21.comments.VA_.regs_.final_.pdf (usccb.org).

[2] Section 106 states that “In furnishing hospital care and medical services under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to women the following health care services: … (3) General reproductive health care, including the management of menopause, but not including under this section … abortions … except for such care relating to a pregnancy that is complicated or in which the risks of complication are increased by a service-connected condition….” (Emphasis added.)

[3] Federal Register :: Reproductive Health Services see Section B(2) Specific Assertions of Lack of Authority or Conflicting Authority.

John 9, 1-41

God so loved the world.

John 9, 1-41

Praying the Psalms

What makes the psalms particularly apt for prayer is that they do not hide the truth from God but express the whole gamut of our actual feelings. They give an honest voice to what’s actually going on in our minds and hearts.

Praying the Psalms

No Suffering Can Compare

When it is our lot to suffer pain, trials, or ill-treatment, let us turn our eyes upon what our Lord suffered, which will instantly render our sufferings sweet and supportable. However sharp our griefs may be, they will seem but flowers, in comparison with His thorns. -St. Francis de Sales Count Elzearius received many insults […]

No Suffering Can Compare

Church Militant to shut down following $500,000 defamation lawsuit brought by priest

By Daniel Payne, Catholic News Agency, March 2, 2024 Church Militant, the controversial Catholic media outlet that has for years maintained a reputation for combative and antagonistic coverage of Catholic figures and issues, will cease operations next month following a $500,000 defamation judgment against it. Boston-based law firm Todd & Weld said in a press […]

Church Militant to shut down following $500,000 defamation lawsuit brought by priest

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio to be Recognized as “Founding Patron” of the Saint John XXIII Foundation

WASHINGTON, DC — Mr. Joseph Starshak, CAPT, USNR (Ret.), Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saint John XXIII Foundation, is honored to announce that the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will be recognized as the “Founding Patron” of the Saint John XXIII Foundation during the Foundation’s upcoming 2024 Patrons Reception. The honor recognizes Archbishop Broglio’s immeasurable impact on the lives of the faithful of the Archdiocese, as well as his work in the creation and formation of the Saint John XXIII Foundation. 

The Foundation will publicly recognize Archbishop Broglio at its Second Annual Patron’s Reception scheduled for May 2, 2024, in San Antonio, TX. During the reception, Archbishop Broglio will be presented with the Resolution of the Board of Directors and the Decoration and Medal of the Patrons.  

Reflecting on the decision of the Board to bestow this honor, Mr. Starshak said, “Mindful of his 16 years of selfless service to our Catholic Men and Women in uniform and his unwavering support of the Foundation in its first year of operations, honoring Archbishop Broglio as an Honorary Patron and singling him out as the Founding Patron was the only way to go.” Mr. Starshak added, “on a personal note, as Chair and one who has served, it has been a particular honor and joy for me to work alongside Archbishop Broglio to build a foundation dedicated to supporting the pastoral care of the men and women who serve our nation.”

The evening will begin with the Celebration of Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown San Antonio. The 2024 Patrons Reception will follow immediately thereafter at the Valencia Hotel (across the street from St. Mary’s). The Patron’s Reception is a ticketed event. Registration is available online at https://www.stjohnxxiiifoundation.org/event/patrons-reception-2024/

Archbishop Broglio was appointed Founding Patron by unanimous board resolution on Feb. 6, 2024. Capt. Starshak will be joined by the board members to present Archbishop Broglio the honor at the Reception.  

To learn more about the Foundation and the work of the Patrons, visit the Foundation website: www.stjohnxxiiifoundation.org. 

Defamed priest makes Church Militant pay; Catholic outrage outlet shutters doors

By Damien Fisher Church Militant is closing. Weeks before the defamation trial was scheduled to start, Church Militant settled the lawsuit brought by the Rev. Georges de Laire and agreed to pay out $500,000 to the parish priest who serves as judicial vicar for the Diocese of New Hampshire. The Michigan-based media non-profit, St. Michael’s […]

Defamed priest makes Church Militant pay; Catholic outrage outlet shutters doors