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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are America’s Non-Attenders Growing More Secular? There’s this well-worn phrase you hear in Christian circles: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.” It’s often used by pastors to remind people that simply showing up on Sunday isn’t enough to be a faithful Christian. The point is that authentic faith is more than just checking a box once a week. But there’s another way to read that line — especially for people who don’t go to church much. I hear it all the time: “I don’t need to show up at some worship service to grow deeper in my faith.” Put simply, are never-attenders becoming more secular each year? [the writer] can actually answer that question using data from the General Social Survey, hosted by the Association of Religion Data Archives.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/never-in-the-pew-are-americas-non-attenders-growing-more-secular

Digital curiosity about faith surges as Christians dominate online activity – New research suggests that interest in faith is increasingly playing out online, with Christianity emerging as the most active religious community on major social media platforms.
https://www.christiantoday.com/news/digital-curiosity-about-faith-surges-as-christians-dominate-online-activity

Ninth Circuit Issues Landmark Religious Liberty Decision – The government cannot force a Christian organization to hire employees who openly reject its faith and mission.
https://breakpoint.org/ninth-circuit-issues-landmark-religious-liberty-decision/

Moses Always Knew He Was a Hebrew—and So Did Everyone Else – Moses, an Egyptian prince who discovers he is a Hebrew, makes for a compelling movie. But is that the peshat, the straightforward meaning of the biblical story?
https://www.thetorah.com/article/moses-always-knew-he-was-a-hebrew-and-so-did-everyone-else

OnSite: Petra – Tucked away in the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan sits a wonder of the ancient world: Petra of the Nabateans. Whether it is the stunning façade of the Khazneh or the winding entryway into the city, known as the Siq, the beauty and grandeur of this ancient city are enough to cause even the most seasoned explorer to pause in awe. [video]
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/bas-onsite/onsite-petra/

What the Bible Says About Pain – From the beginning of humankind, pain has been part of the human experience, making it a central theme in the Bible. The first mention of pain appears in Genesis 3, a consequence of the Fall of Man. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, pain has plagued us all. God’s punishment was severe: “To the woman He said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children’” (Genesis 3:16). Pain was not part of God’s original design. However, because Adam and Eve engaged in prideful behavior, pain disrupted the harmony God had intended for His creation. Therefore, pain is not only physical but also present in all broken relationships between humans and God and among humans against one another throughout the world.
https://townhall.com/columnists/myrakahnadams/2026/01/11/a-quick-bible-study-vol-302-what-the-bible-says-about-pain-n2669194

We Emit a Visible Light That Vanishes When We Die, Surprising Study Says – An extraordinary experiment on mice and leaves from two different plant species has uncovered direct physical evidence of an eerie 'biophoton' phenomenon ceasing on death, suggesting all living things – including humans – could literally glow with health, until we don't.
https://www.sciencealert.com/we-emit-a-visible-light-that-vanishes-when-we-die-surprising-study-says

The Complicated Truth About The ‘Simple’ Jellyfish – On a planet filled with living organisms that are wonderfully equipped to travel though water, one surprising creature stands out as the most efficient swimmer of them all— the jellyfish. This remarkable animal has no skeleton, blood or heart, yet it’s designed to expend the least amount of energy as it journeys through the oceans of the world. The biological engineering involved has captivated scientists who seek to re-create its unexpected genius in the form of robotic locomotion. [video]
https://www.hillfaith.org/agnosticism/design-or-evolution-the-complicated-truth-about-the-simple-jellyfish/