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Virginia pastor says Psalm 23 provides hope for all those who are struggling

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Virginia pastor says Psalm 23 provides hope for all those who are struggling

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“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).  

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This beautiful passage is from Psalm 23, one of the most well-known passages of the book of Psalms, a collection of 150 poems, songs and prayers written in ancient Hebrew, according to the website Bible Project. 

A little less than half these psalms are attributed to King David, about a third are anonymous — and the rest are attributed to a variety of authors. Psalm 23 is attributed to King David. 

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“These first words of Psalm 23 are not merely an introduction; they are a declaration of God’s provision and care,” Işık Abla of Virginia told Fox News Digital.

Abla is senior pastor of Dream Church International in Virginia Beach and the author of many Christian books. Born in Turkey and raised as a Muslim, she moved to America while fleeing an abusive marriage, her website says. 

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Işık Abla, senior pastor of Dream Church International in Virginia Beach, revealed that Psalm 23 had a profound impact on her own faith and conversion.  (iStock/Courtesy Isik Abla)

After a “personal encounter with God” on a day she intended on ending her life, Abla experienced supernatural healing and converted to Christianity. 

“When trauma makes us feel lost and lacking, these words remind us that we have a Shepherd who meets our needs,” she said. 

“His presence was my sustenance, a reminder that even in scarcity, I could find abundance in His spirit.”

“In my darkest moments,” she continued, “feeling as though I had nothing left, I learned that in God, I lacked nothing. His presence was my sustenance, a reminder that even in scarcity, I could find abundance in His spirit.” 

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It was through the words of Psalm 23, said Abla, that “God extended His grace to me, a soothing balm that healed my wounds and restored my soul.” 

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As the text of the psalm continues, it reminds believers of “God’s promise to lead us beside still waters and make us lie down in green pastures,” said Abla — which “speaks to His desire to restore tranquility to our lives.”

“In my journey, these words became a reality as I allowed God to guide me to tranquility, much like a shepherd who gently guides his flock to places where they can rest and rejuvenate safely,” she said. 

The verse’s imagery of still waters and green pastures “speaks to His desire to restore tranquility to our lives,” said Abla of Virginia.  (iStock)

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Psalm 23 “became a prayer and a practice, as I sought places and moments of peace in God’s creation, finding solace in the simplicity and beauty of nature that He provided,” said Abla. 

The process of healing from trauma, she said, “is more than just overcoming moments of past pain; it’s a restoration of the soul, a deep and profound renewal.” 

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“As I leaned on this promise, I found that God was actively restoring my vitality and purpose,” said Abla. 

“Each step forward in righteousness was a step away from the shadows of my past, guided by His loving hand, showing me a way through the suffering.” 

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The path that God has for each person “is not defined by the trauma we experience, but by the healing He offers,” said Abla.

“Just as a shepherd tends his flock with care and love, God attends to our broken spirits,” a Virginia pastor told Fox News Digital.   (iStock)

“Just as a shepherd tends his flock with care and love, God attends to our broken spirits,” she said.

God “does not leave us to wander in despair, but leads us to peace, restores our souls, and guides us in righteousness,” she said. 

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Abla said she hopes those who are struggling “find in Psalm 23 the same hope and healing that I did.” 

She told Fox News Digital, “Trust in the Shepherd who has promised to carry you through, to restore your soul, and to lead you into peace.”

“You are being led by the Father who loves you infinitely and personally.” (iStock)

“You are not walking this path alone,” she said.

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“You are being led by the Father who loves you infinitely and personally.”

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GOP Rep Nancy Mace introduces ‘Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act’

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GOP Rep Nancy Mace introduces ‘Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act’

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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has introduced a bill to authorize the death penalty as a potential punishment for the sexual abuse of children.

“We have zero mercy for child rapists. Those who prey on our most vulnerable deserve the harshest consequence we can deliver,” Mace said in a statement.

The proposal is aptly called the “Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act.”

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., announces she will run for South Carolina governor during a press conference at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, on Aug. 4, 2025. (Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

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“No predator should be allowed to walk away from the most unthinkable crimes against children,” Mace noted. 

“This bill is simple. Rape a child and you don’t get a second chance, you get the death penalty. We will never apologize for protecting America’s children,” Mace added.

The bill would put capital punishment on the table as an option to punish those who sexually abuse children.

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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., attends the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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“INTRODUCING: The Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act to amend Title 18 to authorize the death penalty for aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact offenses against children. It will also amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to authorize the death penalty for the rape of a child,” she said in a post on X.

“We’ve spent months fighting to expose Jeffrey Epstein’s network of powerful predators. We’ve demanded accountability and pushed for transparency. Now we’re making sure anyone who rapes a child faces the ultimate consequence,” she noted.

Mace has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2021. 

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She is one of the candidates currently running in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary.

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Virginia Democrats talk affordability — and vote to nearly triple their own pay

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Virginia Democrats talk affordability — and vote to nearly triple their own pay

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The Virginia State Senate and its Democratic majority may have voted to nearly triple their pay if a provision inserted into their final budget survives the House reconciliation process and reaches Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.

The development comes as Spanberger has centered her campaign on “affordability,” with Richmond Democrats echoing that they are working to improve their constituents’ personal finances.

Virginia’s legislature itself was founded as a part-time, gentleman’s chamber, where lawmakers would return to their day jobs when Richmond wasn’t holding session.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs executive orders. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Proponents of raising the current 1988-established salary of $18,000 for senators and $17,640 for delegates say the structure restricts who can afford to serve as a lawmaker today. Lawmakers also qualify for a $237 per diem, mileage reimbursements, and coverage of office, meeting and other expenses.

Senators’ new salary would be $50,000.

Republicans were quick to criticize the final budget, with the Virginia Senate Minority Caucus saying in a statement that “teachers got a 3% raise, but Democrats give themselves 300%.” The actual increase would be closer to 178%, though one could say the new salary would be 300% of the original. 

“The affordability hoax just gets worse and worse,” the caucus said, adding that the chamber’s majority killed a repeal of the car tax — something GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Sears ran on — while increasing the state budget by $1 billion overall.

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, told WVTF it is the “wrong time” to address lawmaker pay.

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 “It’s supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly,” he said.

Virginia’s legislature — the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World — has been making laws since its inception as the House of Burgesses in Colonial Williamsburg, where Spanberger gave the Democratic Party’s State of the Union response.

In her speech, she claimed President Donald Trump is the one “enriching himself, his family and his friends” and said Republicans are the ones “making your life more expensive.”

“I traveled to every corner of Virginia, and I heard the same pressing concern everywhere: costs are too high. In housing, healthcare, energy, and childcare,” she said.

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“Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night.”

“Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability — in our nation’s capital and in state capitals and communities across America,” Spanberger said Tuesday.

The pay raise could be moot if the Democrat-controlled House of Delegates does not amend its own budget proposal to include the provision.

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The House’s budget includes $137 million for expanded childcare access, a minimum wage increase to $13.75 in 2027 and $15 in 2029, and a $20 million appropriation for state employees’ and home health care workers’ collective bargaining, according to Washington’s ABC affiliate.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the governor, as well as the House and Senate minority leaders, for further comment.

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Virginia murder suspect in bus stop stabbing had lengthy criminal history, multiple dropped charges

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Virginia murder suspect in bus stop stabbing had lengthy criminal history, multiple dropped charges

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A Virginia murder suspect accused of fatally stabbing a woman at a bus stop earlier this week has a lengthy criminal history filled with multiple arrests, but was let back onto the streets nearly every time. 

Abdul Jalloh, 32, is charged with the Monday night killing of Stephanie Minter, 41, of Fredericksburg, at a bus stop shelter, the Fairfax County Police Department said. 

Minter was found by officers with stab wounds to her upper body and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. 

Abdul Jalloh, 32, is accused of killing Stephanie Minter, 41, at a Virginia bus stop.  (Fairfax County Police Department; provided)

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Jalloh, 32, who was seen on surveillance cameras exiting the bus with Minter at Richmond Highway and Arlington Drive, was arrested the next day. 

He was arrested at a liquor store after an employee called 911. At the time, officers arrested him for allegedly shoplifting. Investigators linked him to the murder a day later. 

Authorities were still trying to determine a motive for the killing and what led to the deadly stabbing. 

A search of online court records revealed Jalloh has more than a dozen arrests in northern Virginia, including on charges of petty larceny and malicious wounding. 

In most of the cases, prosecutors dropped the charges, FOX D.C. reported. 

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Abdul Jalloh seen on a bus in Virginia.  (Fairfax County Police Department)

Laura Birnbaum, the chief of staff for Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, said Jalloh was known to the district attorney’s office and was “acutely aware of the risk he posed to the community.”

“That is why we convicted the defendant of a 2023 malicious wounding charge, and have since made every effort to hold him accountable each subsequent time that he has come in contact with the criminal justice system, including asking him to be held in custody whenever possible,” Birnbaum said. 

“Unfortunately, the defendant in this case also had a history of selecting victims with no fixed address – some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” she added. “In multiple cases, we were unable to move forward with prosecution because victims could not be located or contacted.”

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Stephanie Minter, 41, was killed on Monday after getting off of a bus in Virginia.  (Provided)

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An obituary for Minter described her as a “happy, jolly” person. 

“A beam of light in dark places,” the obituary states. 

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