Below are this week's Articles of Interest as compiled by Mr. Van Baker. This collection of articles is cultivated by Mr. Baker with the goal of highlighting some of the trends, upheavals, and things to watch for in our society. These articles are not necessarily the express views of the United Church of God, Mr. Baker, or me as the pastor, but they are informative of what is occurring in our nation and culture. In accordance with Christ's warning to correctly discern the times (Matthew 16:1-4), it is wise to be aware of what is going on around us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Texas board approves optional "Bible-infused" curriculum for elementary schools – The Texas State Board of Education voted Friday [11/22] to approve a new curriculum that introduces optional Bible-based teachings in elementary schools, a move which aligns the Lone Star state with other Republican-led states pushing for greater religious presence in public classrooms. The curriculum, which is optional for districts to adopt, aims to infuse Bible teachings into various subjects, particularly reading and language arts, for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. While districts can choose whether to implement the lessons, those that opt to do so will receive additional state funding. However, the decision has sparked significant opposition. Critics argue that the curriculum primarily focuses on Christian teachings and could alienate students from diverse religious or non-religious backgrounds.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/texas-board-approves-optional-bible-infused-curriculum-in-schools.html

Growing Momentum in Bible Translation – A reviving interest in the Great Commission is driving an unprecedented pace in Bible translation.
https://philanthropydaily.com/growing-momentum-in-bible-translation-prompted-by-generosity-of-the-heart/

Half of U.S. at risk for blackouts during extreme cold this winter – “NERC [North American Electric Reliability Corporation] has been warning for years that increased reliance on unreliable wind and solar threaten grid reliability, but the ‘2024-2025 Winter Reliability Assessment’ explains that as coal resources diminish and the U.S. becomes more reliant on natural gas, pipeline infrastructure may not be adequate to ensure a secure supply to homes and generators.”
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/energy/grid-watchdog-report-warns-half-us-risk-blackouts-during-extreme-cold-winter

Anglicanism Is in Its Worst Crisis Since Henry VIII – A child abuse scandal that spans two continents is the latest challenge for a divided faith.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/11/18/anglican-church-justin-welby-john-smyth-child-sexual-abuse/

Evidence for Jewish Return to Jerusalem During Ezra Period – The Biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah record that when Cyrus became king of Persia, he allowed the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. A unique archaeological discovery provides evidence of the slow resettlement of Jerusalem during the Persian era.
https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2024/10/18/evidence-for-jewish-return-to-jerusalem-during-ezra-period/

Ancient Mosaic from Israel Equating Jesus with God on Display in US – The Meggido Mosaic, which includes the words “God, Jesus Christ” in Greek, giving the earliest evidence that the first believers equated Jesus with God, has been shipped to the U.S. for a new exhibition at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The 581 sqft (54 sqm) Roman mosaic, which dates back 1,800 years, has been described as “the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls” by Carlos Campo, the CEO of the museum.
https://charismanews.com/news/ancient-mosaic-from-israel-equating-jesus-with-god-on-display-in-us/

The Mystery of Governor Bradford’s Hebraic Gravestone – Standing on Burial Hill overlooking Plymouth Harbor, a marble obelisk marks the grave of Governor William Bradford (1590-1657), the longtime leader of Plymouth Colony. Etched on the stone are three Hebrew words that in English read, “God is the help of my life.” The inscription reflects Bradford’s Puritan piety and profound engagement with the Old Testament. Around the same time he penned the phrase that later adorned his gravestone, Bradford began studying biblical Hebrew. In the opening pages of his manuscript history of Plymouth, he added an extensive Hebrew vocabulary and a series of scriptural citations. Bradford’s exercises reflected his deep desire to understand the Old Testament in its original language. Like many Puritans, he often turned to Scripture as a way to connect with God and used it as a lens through which to view the world.
https://www.realclearhistory.com/articles/2024/11/26/the_mystery_of_governor_bradfords_hebraic_gravestone_1074605.html

Father Loses His Fight to Save His Son From Transitioning – Life Site News reports that a judge in California has permanently ruled that Texas dad Jeffrey Younger cannot stop his wife from putting the 12-year-old boy through the procedure. On Tuesday [11/19], Younger wrote on X [formerly Twitter] that any contact with his sons must be supervised.
https://pjmedia.com/lincolnbrown/2024/11/21/father-loses-his-fight-to-save-his-son-from-transitioning-n4934505

UTIs are extraordinarily common but kidney infections are not— now doctors know why – A multidisciplinary team at Cambridge University in England solved the conundrum in an elegant series of experiments. Dr. Andrew P. Stewart and colleagues found that highly specialized biological structures called neutrophil extracellular traps— NETs — are pivotal in protecting the kidneys from infection. NETs are sticky webs of wispy strands that quite literally serve as traps. They ensnare bacteria that attempt to migrate northward to the kidneys from the lower urinary tract. NETs add to an array of antimicrobial activities mounted by the body to beat back infection.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-utis-extraordinarily-common-kidney-infections.html