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

NATO leader warns Europe is unable to defend itself without US assistance – Mark Rutte told European lawmakers in Brussels that they would need to double their expected economic spending on defense if they hoped to defend themselves without the U.S. “If anyone [here] thinks … that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming. You can’t,” Rutte said, according to the Associated Press. “If you really want to go it alone, forget that you can ever get there with 5%. It will be 10%.
https://justthenews.com/world/europe/nato-leader-warns-europe-unable-defend-itself-without-us-assistance

2025 was a record year for [UK] Bible sales – UK Bible sales reached their highest point ever in 2025, doubling since 2019. Finally, and maybe controversially – what if none of this has anything to do with our work? Sure, we can look at the social factors, how perceptions of the church have changed and what they offer now, but what if God’s just calling and people are listening?
https://christiantoday.com/news/2025-was-a-record-year-for-bible-sales-uks-biggest-christian-publisher-asks-why-gen-z-is-heading-back-into-church

Don’t Interpret from the Trench – Sometimes, all you can see are events spiraling out of control, prayers going unanswered, and God’s people being crushed while God’s enemies celebrate. But there’s a bigger picture. The "trench" is not just a position on the battlefield, but a way of seeing— a vantage point that feels clear but is actually the most limited perspective possible. And it’s where many Christians live today. Close to the ground. Eyes fixed on the immediate. Interpreting Scripture through the narrow window of what’s directly in front of them, never stepping back far enough to see the larger narrative those moments belong to. From the trench, every passage stands alone, every event feels disconnected, and life itself begins to feel like fragments rather than a single unfolding Plan.
https://www.str.org/w/don-t-interpret-from-the-trench

Poll: Only 37% of Americans identify as pro-life – A Marist poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus found that most Americans call themselves pro-choice but still support some limits on abortion.
https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/kofc-marist-2026-poll

Lyon County [Kansas] jury sides with former professor in religious discrimination lawsuit against Emporia State U – [Dusti Howell; an AC graduate] had served as a professor for nearly 25 years but began noting concerns in 2018, saying [2 University officials] did not let him be involved in certain holy day observances and unduly created lengthy review times for requested time off.
https://kvoe.com/2026/01/22/lyon-county-jury-sides-with-former-professor-in-religious-discrimination-lawsuit-against-esu/

Canadian Man Killed His Wife [via MAiD] by Getting a Doctor to Euthanize Her – The story of the Canadian woman, known as Mrs. B, who was killed by euthanasia after her spouse experienced care-giver distress, even though she had requested palliative care, has been reported by several media [outlets].
https://www.lifenews.com/2026/01/26/canadian-man-killed-his-wife-by-getting-a-doctor-to-euthanize-her/

Online witchcraft is booming – People [are turning] to “metaphysical services” to help with everything from selling a house to dealing with stress. On Etsy, customers only need to type in “spell”, “hex”, “jinx” or “curse” to find hundreds of offers from shops boasting thousands of five-star reviews.
https://archive.is/9OPza

Scientists Discover Breast Milk Carries Key Gut Bacteria to Infants – Most discussions of breast milk highlight nutrients, antibodies, and the parent infant bond, while the microbes in milk get far less attention. Yet human milk also contains its own small microbial community, and these bacteria may help steer how a baby’s gut microbiome develops, with downstream effects on nutrient absorption, metabolism, and immune maturation.
https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-breast-milk-carries-key-gut-bacteria-to-infants/

Breastfeeding Report Card – (AI Overview) Breastfeeding initiation in the U.S. has risen significantly, growing from a low of around 22% in 1970 to approximately 83–86% for infants born in 2020–2022. While initiation rates are high, exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months remains lower, at roughly 25-28%. Rates generally increased from 74% in 2008 to over 83% in 2019. Historical Trends in the United States: Early 1900s–1950s: Breastfeeding was common but saw a sharp decline by the mid-century, with only about 22% of infants breastfed by 1970.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/breastfeeding-report-card/index.html