Culture

Winnie the Pooh Day has fallen on Wednesday this year and fans of the the bear are celebrating across the world.

Observed every year on Jan. 18, the holiday was created to celebrate not only Pooh and his friends but the author of the children's books by A.A. Milne.

Alan Alexander Milne was born in London in 1882. Much of his early education was by his teacher and mentor, H.G. Wells, who went on to write War of the Worlds and many other works. Milne described Wells as "a great writer and a great friend," according to PoohCorner.com. more >>

It was a speedy delivery for first-time parents Rabita Sarkar and Aditya Saurabh of New Jersey. The couple, on their way to the hospital, opted to take the New Jersey PATH train and was surprised by the early arrival of their son.

Rabita had been experiencing pain she should could be contractions and told reporters, “We were coming here to check if it was false labor or not. I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just doing it for peace of mind.’” It turned out not to be false labor.

As soon as she boarded the train, Rabita could feel that the baby was coming. Thankfully another passenger took notice of the situation. “She asked me, ‘Where are you headed to?’ I said, ‘33rd then to the hospital at 59th.’ Then she told me, ‘You can’t wait.’” more >>

Lisa Osteen Comes delivers honest, inspirational stories while engaging the reader with biblical truths in her new book, You Are Made for More!

The Associate Pastor of the Lakewood Church, Lisa Osteen Comes preaches on a rotating basis at the largest church in America. The church is led by her brother, Joel Osteen, who she often fills in for while he is traveling.

In a foreword by her brother, Joel Osteen tells readers that You Are Made for More! will help you "recapture your joy, renew your faith, and respond to every test with integrity." more >>

Polish pop star Dorota “Doda” Rabczewska was recently fined 5,000 zlotys ($1,450) by Polish authorities for defaming the Bible in a 2009 interview, which shows, observers say, that Poland still clings to its strong Roman Catholic roots even as it faces a more secularized culture.

In a 2009 interview, Rabczewska said she had trouble believing the Bible “because it’s hard to believe in something that was written by someone drunk on wine and smoking some herbs,” according to The Blaze.

Doda received much flak from the religious community at the time of her comments. more >>

Nutrition expert Kristen Feola has penned The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast to help readers in their fasting quests.

The book provides facts, recipes, and reasons to do a Daniel Fast, all while encouraging the reader with real-life stories as well as quotes from Scripture.

Many people participate in fasts for health, diet, and spiritual reasons, but Feola's guide highlights the benefits of self-discipline in a plight to grow closer to God. more >>

Actor Mark Wahlberg has never shied away from professing his Christian faith, and in a recent interview, the Hollywood star discussed his daily reliance on God and an important decision he had to make when he found himself in jail as a youth.

Speaking to Anderson Cooper on Dec. 29, 2011, the 40-year-old actor talked about his upbringing and the gang life he stumbled into at a young age. When he was only 16, he robbed a pharmacy, attacked a number of people inside, including a security guard, and was charged with attempted murder and sentenced to jail at Boston's Deer Island House of Correction, the Catholic Herald reported.

“You grew up in a tight-knit neighborhood in Boston, you could have gone the wrong way, you did time in jail at one point, [but] you turned your life around. How did you do that?” Cooper asked the actor.  more >>