Paul Random

Sophia Forchas Released from Hospital, Don’t Forget Answered Prayer

The Church of the Annunciation massacre in the Windom neighborhood of Minneapolis back on August 27 claimed two lives – Fletcher Merkel, age 8, and Harper Moyski, age 10.

In addition to those two students killed, seventeen other individuals were also shot. At press conferences following the tragedy, officials and family members repeatedly asked for prayers as several of the students clung precariously to life.

One such youngster was Sophia Forchas, age 12. With a bullet lodged in her brain, Dr. Walt Galicich operated soon after her arrival to the hospital. In order to reduce the swelling, they had to cut away the left half of Sophia’s skull. Doctors feared she might not make it.

Days after the surgery, Sophia’s mother and father, Tom and Amy Forchas, wrote,

We are asking everyone to keep praying; keep praying with fervor and vigor!! Pray with a vigor that mirrors Christ’s vigorous love for us. Sophia is receiving prayers from Oslo to Johannesburg, from Sydney to Santiago, from Vietnam to San Francisco, and from Mt. Athos, Greece to Minneapolis, MN. We want to empress upon everyone to keep those prayers going. We need everybody to keep praying for Sophia’s recovery.

She is fighting for everybody across the globe! She has a long road of recovery ahead of her. As we are close to getting over this first hurdle we will post further updates when we know more information on her recovery in the long term. As it stands right now we will get test results to tell us what areas of the brain are affected, when and if we can wake her up, and how long this process is projected to be.

It’s been 58 days since the horror of that August in morning, and those prayers offered on Sophia’s behalf have been answered.

On Thursday, Sophia emerged smiling from the hospital and headed home just days before her 13th birthday – but not before stopping at Hennepin Healthcare so she could express her appreciation to the first responders who first rescued her and her classmates.

The Forchas family wrote,

Sophia’s healing journey continues with outpatient therapy and the road to full recovery remains long. Yet, our hearts are filled with indescribable joy as we witness her speech improving daily, her personality shining through once more, and her ability to walk, swim, and even dribble a basketball. Each step she takes is a living testament to the boundless grace of God and the miraculous power of prayer.

We pray a lot as Christians, and for good reason. It was James who wrote, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (5:16). Prayer may not change God’s mind, but it changes us. It deepens our relationship with the Lord. It reminds us that nothing is impossible when God is involved (Matthew 19:26).

Our prayers are not always answered to our satisfaction, but more of our prayers are answered than we likely realize. Just consider where you are today compared to where you were years ago. You’re likely enjoying many of the blessings you asked for back then – but now may all too quickly take for granted.

Sophia Forchas was the last victim of the shooting released from the hospital. Lydia Kaiser, age 12, was released earlier this month and has returned to school. For now, she’s unable to play volleyball and basketball, but she remains on the road to recovery.

Sophia Forchas and Lydia Kaiser are wonderful examples of answered prayer.


Healthy people want a thousand things – but Sophia and her family have wanted just one – to get well.

Wrote Tom and Amy Forchas, “Your prayers have been a wellspring of comfort, hope, and healing for our entire family. Even in the midst of this profound joy, our hearts remain tender. We continue to pray for those whose lives were tragically lost on that heartbreaking day.”

Welcome home and happy birthday, Sophia!

Tucker Carlson: ‘All That Matters is Having Children’

Cultural provocateur and podcaster Tucker Carlson sparred with students at Indiana University earlier this week as part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour.”

The late Charlie Kirk was originally scheduled to appear on the Bloomington campus.

The former Fox News host shared his perspectives on a wide array of topics raised by audience members, including abortion. After a student expressed support for it, Carlson wasn’t shy or subtle in his disagreement.

“Abortion is murder, obviously, and everyone knows that, and people are so into it because it’s the same ritual that every civilization, every civilization ever been studied has engaged in, which is human sacrifice,” he stated.

Carlson then went on to mention that both the Inca and Viking civilizations practiced forms of human sacrifice as a means to “appease the gods.” The Incas, who lived in South America between the 1400s and mid-1500s, called it “Qhapag Hucha” and considered the deaths to be honorable.

“[Abortion is] the most crazed level of fanaticism I’ve ever seen … That’s dark … It’s the saddest thing that could ever happen,” observed Carlson.

Given his college audience, the podcaster then pivoted to contrast the tragedy of abortion with the beauty and benefit of children.

I’m telling you this as a young person with the greatest sincerity, I mean this as a father of four, the only thing that matters is not your stupid job at Citibank. Trust me, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is having children, and your children are all that will matter to you. I don’t care what you say. I’ve lived it. I know that’s true.

Carlson went on to say he’s known plenty of women who have had abortions. “I don’t know one who’s happy about it, you know, and they’re really sad about it, and it’s awful,” he stated. “Because it’s not something that people take joy in.”

Seriously flawed attempts to prove otherwise have garnered lots of media attention.

A study published in 2020 by the University of California San Francisco claimed 84% of women who had abortions had positive or no feelings at all about killing their child after five years.

Reports failed to mention the study was funded by a pro-abortion entity and the women who agreed to be questioned (less than 38% of patients contacted) were likely less morally burdened. A high percentage of the women never responded at all after several years – likely because of the emotional trauma associated with abortion.

It was the late scientist and writer Isaac Asimov who observed, “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.”

The student at Indiana University this week debating Carlson claimed abortion was a human right.

“It’s not a human right to kill people, dude,” quipped Tucker. “Sorry. In fact, killing people is the enemy of human rights. The human right is to live.”

“It’s not a person,” countered the student.

“Why don’t we show a video of an abortion, and let’s see if you can sit through it, and you would feel sick to your stomach,” Carlson shot back.

He then added,

No one wants to talk about the details, ever, and the most horrific things in life, including a lot that happens in war, including transgender surgeries, definitely including abortion. It’s all couched in abstract ideological terms, which are designed to prevent you from facing what’s actually happening.

A human being is being beheaded with a knife inside a woman, and if that beheading didn’t take place, that would be a person … We don’t get to kill people simply because they’re in the way, period, and if you can kill children who are in the way, you can kill the elderly who are in the way, and in the end, they’ll be killing us who are in the way. You can’t do that.

Despite Charlie Kirk’s assassination, robust debate on college campuses continues thanks to Turning Point USA and it’s bold, blunt, and some might even say brazen, guest hosts, especially Tucker Carlson.

Image credit: Turning Point USA.

David French, What’s Stirring in Christian America is the Holy Spirit

From a rise in Bible sales to large college prayer gatherings to new seekers attending church services for the first time in a long time, there is ample evidence that Americans are hungering for answers to ultimate questions.

It was D.L. Moody, an evangelist of another era, who once observed, “If you want to see revival in your country, draw a six-foot circle around your floor and stand in the middle of the circle and say, ‘Lord let it begin here.’”

The one-time shoe salesman turned 19th century pastor was stressing a fundamental and foundational point: spiritual conversion is personal but also contagious. 

When any man or woman decides to commit their life to the Lord, their commitment sends out shock waves. We’re impressionable people. One person’s witness can do wonders when it comes to influencing others.

Yet, writing in Thursday’s New York Times, David French opines that recent news and reports of revival are making him nervous.

French is a formerNational Review writer who once called a “Drag Queen Story Hour” one of the blessings of liberty. He voted for Vice President Harris “to try to save conservatism.”

Despite tens of thousands of babies being saved since Dobbs, French claims the “pro-life position is in a state of political collapse.” In 2022, French flipped on his previous opposition to same sex marriage. 

Curiously, the New York Times and others still label him a conservative – perhaps a convenient designation to address and soften the historic ideological bias at the Old Grey Lady. Considering himself to be a civil libertarian, French regularly uses his platform to critique socially conservative Christians.

Case in point, from this week’s column, “Incredibly, Christians are attacking what they call the “sin of empathy,” warning fellow believers against identifying too much with, say, illegal immigrants, gay people or women who seek abortions. Empathy, in this formulation, can block moral and theological clarity. What’s wrong is wrong, and too much empathy will cloud your soul.”

Over the years, French has regularly conflated empathy with policy. He’s right that Christians are called to be kind, sympathetic and compassionate. The apostle Paul urges us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Peter counseled to “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8).

But what does he mean by “identifying too much with” fill-in-the-blank?

Nobody really knows, but it seems he’s displeased with policies that won’t affirm said sins. In fact, true empathy isn’t enabling or going along with a harmful and destructive lifestyle but instead stepping in to try and help the individual or movement turn away from it.

French goes on to suggest that he doesn’t see repentance accompanying any of the recent revival. But where is he looking – and has he looked everywhere?

It’s always easy to cherry pick examples that would seem to fit your narrative. Instead, French pivots to his usual political targets.

The very best news is that the Holy Spirit is always around us. Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). 

That “forever” includes right now. Be encouraged and be of good cheer. The Holy Spirit is stirring, even if it makes David French nervous.

Allie Beth Stuckey and Megan Basham Call Joy Behar’s Bluff: Would You Welcome Our View?

Joy Behar thinks conservatives are afraid to come on The View.

The ABC daytime talk show is a panel program that was first launched in 1997. Starring Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg, it became a popular and reliable program over the years for trying to normalize radical propaganda. While the show has featured such conservative panelists as Elisabeth Hasselbeck, traditionalists have always been ideologically outnumbered.

Only the imbalance hasn’t just been limited to hosts but also guests.

On Wednesday, Behar, known for her blunt and liberal point of view, responded to the show’s one-sided editorial flavor.

“I think that we should have more Republicans on the show,” she acknowledged. “But they don’t want to come on – they’re scared of us.”

Note that Behar is only confirming the validity of the criticism. By contrasting her fellow cast members with the GOP, and saying “us,” she’s admitting the show is ideologically driven and oriented.

But do conservatives really fear The View?

Certainly not The Daily Wire‘s Megan Basham nor Allie Beth Stuckey.

“I will go on tomorrow,” replied Basham. “No prep.”

Allie Beth Stuckey, who hosts a podcast distributed by Blaze Media, echoed similar sentiment.

“I don’t know, I think I might be able to overcome my crippling fear and step into the arena,” she wrote on X.

The delusion that conservatives are afraid of debating liberals is a tired, radical trope that just don’t hold up to scrutiny.

Even Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time, suggested that it’s liberals who are more likely to be unwilling to appear on talk shows where tough questions might be asked. In late September, Maher hosted Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. He said,

Thank you for being here. I always say that to my Republican friends. I say it every week. The Republicans show up. The Democrats do not. I say it every week. Stop asking me why the Clintons have never been on the show! They’re invited. AOC, all these people that never come. Ask them. Get on their case.

In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Maher told his audience that civil dialogue between ideological adversaries is not only possible – but could also open up some eyes as well.

Speaking about inviting conservatives like Kirk on his program, Maher gave what could be partially construed as a backhanded compliment, saying, “I like them all. They’re all nice people when you meet them in person. Nobody’s as crazy as they’re made out to be.”

Whether appearing on The View or preaching from a pulpit, Scripture makes clear that Christians are to be bold.

“The righteous are bold as a lion,” wrote Solomon (Proverbs 28:1). Luke writes in Acts, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your Word with all boldness” (4:29). The writer of Hebrews declares, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (13:6).

Both Megan Basham and Allie Beth Stuckey exude that spirit of fearlessness. They’re willing to be mocked by ideological opponents and made to look like fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Cor. 4:10).

“Daring to believe clear orthodox Christian doctrine out loud means you will no longer be welcome to share your views in secular media,” Basham has warned.

Stuckey likewise encouraged her listeners and viewers, “Let us not waste time living in fear. Stay aware, be involved, pray, but we can’t let anxiety consume us.”

Is Joy Behar willing to welcome those two conservative Christian women who hold fast to Biblical, timeless views on The View?

Image credit: Megan Basham, X, Allie Beth Stuckey, X

The ‘Trans’ Fad is Dying – Long May it Rest

It’s no longer as much in fashion to be sexually confused.

According to a new survey from The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), the percentage of undergraduate students in the United States identifying as other than their actual male or female sex has dropped from 6.8% in 2022 and 2023 to 3.6% in 2025.

Long suspected as being a social contagion as opposed to an inherent genetic or biological construct, the dramatic drop confirms what many of us have believed – the “trans” movement is a destructive fad.

So, what’s behind the shift?

“This is the biggest indicator yet that we aren’t just winning politically but the entire culture is shifting and waking up to the horrors of gender ideology,” wrote de-transitioner Chloe Cole on X. “Let’s finish the job! Every de-transitioner should sue their doctors for every penny they have.”

Elon Musk agreed.

“Yes, time to restore sanity and truth,” he responded. “What a terrible lie to tell a child they have the ‘wrong’ body.”

The new data also found that freshmen were less likely than seniors to fall for the delusionary labels – additional indication that the “trans” movement is akin to fading fashion trends like wide-legged jeans – only with deadly consequences.

Some have speculated that the drop is driven by a constellation of factors, including a corresponding decline in mental illness and depression, along with a successful or at least increasingly effective campaign against the woke propaganda infiltrating schools and social media.

While the trend is promising and revealing, it once again exposes the heartbreaking torture that far too many young people have endured and encountered over the years, often at the hands of adults who knew better but who refused to confront the cultural insanity.

“It’s horrific what they put me through when I look back on some of the things they told me and my parents,” Cole acknowledged. ‘Would you rather have a living transgender son or a dead daughter?’”

That manipulative and destructive line of defense and justification has enslaved thousands of young people in recent years.

Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order banning the surgical mutilation of children. In June, the Department of Justice announced plans to target medical professionals and institutions experimenting on sexually-confused children with the use of drugs, hormones and surgeries.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated:

There is a radical ideological agenda being pushed throughout every aspect of American life – from TV programming and Hollywood film production to children’s books and elementary school classrooms – that teaches children to deny biological reality.

Gender ideology, masked as science, teaches that children should process adolescent stress and confusion as a case of mistaken identity and that the solution is not to root out and eliminate the underlying condition but to acquiesce in it permanently through life-altering chemical and surgical intervention.

It can’t be coincidental that the significant drop in “trans”-identifying youth corresponds with the arrival of a president who unapologetically affirms the biological reality of just two sexes – male and female. Unconcerned with offending the deluded, Trump’s use of the bully pulpit to declare common sense has a cumulative effect on culture.

Highly impressionable young people, especially, are hungry for guidance and leadership. They are poorly served when their confusion is affirmed, enabled, and compounded by the lies and lunacy of radicals who make things up and try and destroy and redefine God’s perfect and exclusive creation of male and female.

Image from Getty.