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.

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New Archeological Finds Point to Goliath, Other Ancient Giants – Is this proof that the Old Testament account of David killing the Philistine giant Goliath with nothing more than a sling and a smooth stone is based on actual events and is not a fable? You can read the original account here from 1 Samuel 17. That’s a possibility, of course, but, as cross-examined.org’s Frank Turek explains in the following 5:43 video, the argument that these large implements of war were only ceremonial seems much less probable. [video]
https://www.hillfaith.org/this-is-huge/this-is-huge-news-new-archeological-finds-point-to-goliath-other-ancient-giants/

Archaeologists claim they may have uncovered ruins linked to Ark of the Covenant – Archaeologists with Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) have uncovered fresh clues at a dig in Israel's West Bank with researchers claiming they have found previously uncovered walls and structures as part of the Shiloh, an ancient city that was a key location for Israelite worship. The additional walls form a structure that may be part of the Tabernacle complex, which was believed to have housed the Ark. Other religious artifacts have also been uncovered, as well as newly identified fortifications that could help piece together the ancient city’s layout. The team’s biggest breakthrough came in the form of a southern wall, which researchers say is a key piece that helps them define the overall footprint of the ancient structure.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2223831/Archaeologists-uncover-ruins-linked-to-Ark-Covenant

Congo Ebola Outbreak Fastest Spreading in History – "You have to imagine that this is a fire," said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu with the World Health Organization. "There's something driving the fire in its heart, and it's also expanding at the same time." The outbreak, which was declared on May 15, is even more deadly than previous ones because the Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments. The World Health Organization says the true number of infections could be two to four times higher than official figures.
https://cbn.com/index%2Ephp/news/health/fire-congo-ebola-outbreak-fastest-spreading-history

The First US City Is on Track to Run Out of Water – It seems inconceivable, even if you're aware of the perilous situation that the world's water supplies are in, but a developed coastal city in Texas that more than 300,000 people call home is now in serious danger of running out of water. The city is Corpus Christi, and difficulties with water scarcity are now coming to a head after years of concerns over shortages.
https://www.sciencealert.com/tremendously-grave-the-first-us-city-is-on-track-to-run-out-of-water

New Blackout fears grow as 17 US states are once again placed under power emergency – Blackout fears are intensifying for millions of Americans as a punishing heat wave strains the nation’s power grid to its limits. According to a report from the Daily Mail, the U.S. Department of Energy on Sunday [7/26] authorized the grid operator serving parts of 17 states to activate idle power sources in a bid to keep electricity flowing. The emergency order covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
https://endtimeheadlines.org/2026/07/new-blackout-fears-grow-as-17-us-states-are-once-again-placed-under-power-emergency/

On August 12th We Will Witness A Total Solar Eclipse, A Rare Parade Of 6 Planets – It is normally quite rare to see a planetary parade that includes six different planets in the night sky. And it is exceptionally rare for such a planetary parade to occur on the date of a total solar eclipse. But that is precisely what we will get to experience on August 12th.
https://mycharisma.com/most-recent/on-august-12th-we-will-witness-a-total-solar-eclipse-a-rare-parade-of-6-planets-and-the-peak-of-the-perseid-meteor-shower/

Ultimate Limit of The Human Lifespan May Be Identified – A new study suggests immortal life may be scientifically impossible, even if we somehow found the perfect anti-aging medicine. If scientists managed to overcome every other aspect of aging, humans still couldn’t live forever, the new research shows. Random DNA mutations would continue accumulating in our cells until the body could no longer function. Simulations conducted by a team at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Russia suggest this process could impose a fundamental limit on human lifespan, with most people living no longer than about 150 to 190 years under this optimistic scenario.
https://www.sciencealert.com/ultimate-limit-of-the-human-lifespan-may-be-identified-study-suggests