Thursday, December 29th, in the year of our Lord 2016
By Jonathan Clark
Nigerian Army Still Searching for 200 Girls Kidnapped by Boko Haram
The Nigerian, African army is still on the hunt for the remaining Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the Muslim terrorist group known as Boko Haram. Twenty girls did come home for Christmas, but 200 more are still missing.
The World View got more information on the story of the Chibok girls who did return to their families on Christmas. We talked to William Stark of International Christian Concern about the trauma the girls have received. He said right now counseling is a top priority.
“Another thing that we’re doing is trauma counseling. Just looking at these twenty girls that were released; they were kidnapped at age 16, 17, from an all girls’ school and for over two years, they were held by Boko Haram militants. They were actually used as militant wives or prizes of war.
“A lot of these girls coming back actually have children from Boko Haram militants. I don’t know if they know who the fathers are. And that there is going to be a really hard thing to go through. They’re coming back to these families. They left girls and and are coming back, traumatized mothers. So finding a way to work with these traumatized communities and helping to restore them is something we’ll definitely be doing in 2017. It’s something that needs a lot of prayer.”
Stark remarked that Christians in Nigeria are much more encouraged about the state of persecution than they were a year ago. But the fight is not over.
“I would say that Christians affected by the Boko Haram issue are maybe a little more uplifted now. The fact that they are able to move back to some of the areas that they haven’t been able to go to before is definitely a very very positive sign. Despite that, there are still intermittent attacks on different communities within the Northern Nigerian area.”
Jeremiah 31:17 says, “There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border.”
Franklin Graham Reminds His Followers of the Brevity of Life and Need to Trust in Christ
Franklin Graham commented on the deaths of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, pop icon George Michael, and Watership Down author Richard Adams last week. “We all have something in common . . .” says Graham: “Death. … Our time on Earth is brief — the Bible says like ‘a vapor.’ And each of us will stand before Almighty God to give an account.”
Graham encouraged his Facebook followers to believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to trust Him as Savior and to follow Him as Lord.
Pro-Lifers Sing Christmas Carols Outside Abortion Mills
Pro-Life Christmas carolers sang outside of abortion mills this Christmas season. At least six babies were rescued from death in Orlando, Florida and several more from other states according to the Pro-Life Action League. One couple told the singers, “It was because of your caroling that we decided to keep our baby.”
Young Father Stabbed to Death in San Francisco Target Store
Sad story from the San Francisco bay area. While shopping at Target, a young father was stabbed to death by two young men after he asked them to turn down the vulgar music they were playing in front of his son.
He was buying last minute Christmas gifts for his children. The family says, Christmas will never be the same without him, according to the East Bay Times.
Federal Judge Postpones Texas Law Requiring Burial of Aborted Babies
A federal judge ruled last week, postponing a Texas law that would require abortion mills to bury or cremate the remains of the murdered babies. Further arguments about the law will be heard on January 6th by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks.
Nearly 100 ISIS Fighters Killed at Mosul on Christmas Day
As the battle for the city of Mosul, Iraq continues, reports indicate nearly 100 ISIS fighters were killed by Iraqi soldiers on Christmas Day. A U.S. battlefield commander stated Iraqi forces and American troops will make a new push in the now two-month-old offensive against the militants.
Trump Blames Obama For Causing Problems with Transition
President-elect Donald Trump told a reporter last week the presidential transition was going “very, very smoothly”. However, Trump’s tweet yesterday blamed President Obama for causing problems with the transition by making “many inflammatory statements and roadblocks.”
President Obama has come under criticism for allowing the United State’s representative to the United Nations to abstain from a vote on Israel’s West Bank settlement. UN Resolution 2334 passed last week which condemns Israeli settlement of the West Bank.
In Romans 10, Paul’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is “that they may be saved. . . For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Founders of Christmas Tree Collection Business Raise $20,000 to Help the Homeless
Sibling entrepreneurs Dan and Morgan Sevigny of New York City and founders of Christmas Tree Brooklyn decided to use their business to help the homeless through Covenant House. While picking up discarded Christmas trees this season, Dan and Morgan have raised $20,000 worth of supplies for the homeless through their clients, reported Christian Headlines.
Deuteronomy 15:11 says, “You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.”
Small Dog Eats Up Family’s Entire Christmas Turkey
Bubba, the 5-year-old Chi Apso, consumed the entire Christmas turkey of its owner, David Barrett, from Prestwick, South Ayrshire in the UK, reports The Sun.
The breed, which is half Chihuahua, has such a small frame that it’s no wonder the bloated pooch was lying on her side, barely able to move, after sneaking into the kitchen and eating the bird, which had been left on the bottom tier of a two-tiered table, with some tinfoil and a dishcloth over it. Barrett’s post has gone viral, amassing almost 10,000 retweets and 24,000 likes. Thankfully, an aunt provided a second turkey for the family.
ISIS Terrorist Behind Berlin Attack Dies in Shootout
Anis Amri, ISIS fighter and suspect behind the Berlin truck attack, was killed last week in a shootout outside Milan, Italy. When asked for identification during a traffic stop, Amri shot the officer. Another officer returned fire, killing Amri.
“Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity… His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.” (Psalm 7:14, 16)
And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.