Tuesday, August 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2016

By Kevin Swanson

Demolition of Church in Henan China Halted for Now

The proposed demolition of Mengen Church in Henan, China has been halted for now. After gathering 147 signatures and convincing the electrician not to cut off the power, the Mengen church members are still meeting there. But continue to pray that the Lord would protect this body of believers and the meeting place. Pray for the Mengen Christian brothers and sisters.   

North Korea Threatens to Attack the US and South Korea

North Korea is threatening to launch a first strike in which they say Washington, DC and Seoul will be reduced to a “heap of ashes.” Reports in The Pyongyang Times indicate that the hermit nation is especially bothered by joint military exercises right now being conducted by the United States and South Korea.

Terrorist Bombing in Turkey Kills 54 People Including Many Children

Nearly half the casualties were under 14 years of age, in that terrorist bombing at a wedding celebration in Turkey over the weekend. 54 dead and scores others wounded. One mother lost four out of five children, and she told of her anguish to a Turkish television station, saying, “If my remaining child was not alive, I would commit suicide.”

Jeremiah 31:15 says, “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”

Zimbabwe Pastor’s Life Threatened for Speaking Against Corruption

One Zimbabwe pastor testifies that Christians can be a light in the midst of war and corruption. Pastor Evan Mawarire had to escape from his country after his life was threatened for speaking out against corruption in Zimbabwe. At an event held by the Atlantic Council, Pastor Evan shared his thoughts about why this is so important:

“For you to understand, that for us, it’s not about votes, it’s just about life. It’s just about wanting to be free in our own country. It’s about me wanting Zimbabwe to be the best place for a Zimbabwean to live.”  

Lutheran Church in Norway Switches to Digital Membership

Quitting the church in Norway is only one click away. The Norwegian Lutheran church has moved to a digital membership, and any member can disfellowship or join on the church website. In just four days, the church lost over 15,000 members, and gained 500.

Johns Hopkins University Study Says People Aren’t Born Gay or Transgender

​In a new study from Johns​ Hopkins University, researchers are saying that there is no compelling evidence that people are born “transgender or homosexual.” (Article: http://www.christianpost.com/news/no-scientific-evidence-that-people-are-born-gay-or-transgender-johns-hopkins-researchers-say-168263/)  

Texas District Court Judge Halts Obama’s Transgender Bathroom Mandate

Obama’s transgender bathroom directive has been stopped in its tracks by Texas district court judge Reed O’Connor. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is thrilled with ​the decision.  

Human Trafficking is Still on the Rise

Human slavery continues to rise per reports from the Salvation Army. In the last four​ years, they’ve served over 4,000 trafficking victims, according to Christian Today. The ministry is encouraging people to keep their eyes and ears open as human trafficking is often happening right in plain sight.

Isaiah 49:25 says, “But thus says the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends with you and I will save your children.”

Applebee’s Waiter Pays for Elderly Lady’s Groceries and Makes Her Day

“Be ye kind one to another…” Apparently, one waiter from a Dallas Applebee’s restaurant didn’t realize how far one simple act of kindness will go. While Kasey Simmons was grocery shopping, he noticed an elderly woman who appeared to him to be sort of down. So he paid for the woman’s groceries in an effort to lift her spirits. The next day Kasey noticed that one of the customers had left a $500 tip on a 37-cent bill. The customer was the woman’s daughter. She left a note on a napkin thanking Kasey for his kindness that he showed towards her mother. Her daughter wrote, “On one of the most depressing days of the year … you made my mother’s day wonderful. You insisted on paying. Told her she is a very beautiful woman. I have not seen this woman smile this much since dad died” [three years ago].

Today Show Features Christian Homeschool Family

NBC’s Today Show featured  the Bush Family a few weeks ago. Not the famous political one mind you. But​ an African-American homeschooling family from Florida with nine children. Two of the teenaged daughters already have Master’s Degrees. And brief scenes in the feature story show Dad reading the Bible and praying with his family, and mom teaching out of the McGuffey Readers. Although, you will have to pause the video to make it out.

Praise God for every father who teaches God’s words diligently to his children, and “talks of them when he sits in his house.”

Colonel Sander’s Secret Recipe Discovered

The Chicago Tribune says it has uncovered Colonel Sander’s secret recipe . . . from a scrapbook owned by the Colonel’s late wife, Claudia. According to the Tribune, the recipe calls for two cups of flour, 2/3 tablespoons of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of thyme, 1/2 tablespoon of basil, 1/3 tablespoon of oregano, 1 tablespoon of celery salt, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of dried mustard, 4 tablespoons of paprika, 2 tablespoons of garlic salt, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger and 3 tablespoons of white pepper.

Southern Sudan Recruits Children Into the Army

Southern Sudan is preparing for a civil war, and their newest recruits are child soldiers according to a United Nations document.  UNICEF estimates  Sudan has recruited over 15,000 children into the army since 2013.

“Happy Birthday” Song Now Public Domain

These lawyers got a big present after they fought to make the “Happy Birthday” song public domain again. The award for attorney fees in the court battle came out to $4.6 million by Judge George King’s order. For the rest of us, that means we can sing Happy Birthday anytime and anywhere.

And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.