Persecution

Xi Jinping Ramps Up Religious Persecution - National Review 
The National Review reports: "Over the past decade, rash optimism that China was finally moving past the era of former Communist dictator Mao Tse-tung’s influence has given way to president Xi Jinping’s reconsolidating his power. One of the major ways he’s done that: persecuting religious believers. [...] Chinese policy dictates that anyone holding religious activities outside of a church will be arrested. That means no church camps, no Bible studies, no youth groups, no orphanages, no Church-run health clinics, and since 2017, police have begun disrupting funerals for any faith, including native Taoists, Catholic News Agency reported."

Comment: It's very hard to grasp the scale of repression that is possible in China. Modern technology has created the tools for massive surveillance and enforcement of a police state that we in the West can scarcely imagine.  Our notions of privacy, personal rights and freedom of religion simply don't exist. Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in China, that they will endure persecution with perseverance, faith and the kind of love that wins over their oppressors.

Wickedness Inceases

California police ID accused gunman in Bay Area shooting attack
UPI reports: "The gunfire erupted Sunday at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, an annual fixture on the city's summer calendar. The three dead were the boy, identified by his family as Steven Romero, a 13-year-old girl and a man in his 20s, neither of whom have been identified. Gilroy is located 30 miles southeast of San Jose and 70 miles southeast of San Francisco. Gilroy police Chief Scot Smithee identified the shooter as 19-year-old Santino William Legan, a native of Gilroy, during a news conference Monday."

Comment: It's only Monday and here's another mass shooting. The week is not off to a great start. I bet if you look at the life of the shooter you will find that he comes from a broken life. The only answer to the despair, anger and violence in the heart of people is Jesus. 

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China blames United States for escalating military competition
UPI reports: "China claimed in its defense white paper published Wednesday the United States is 'undermining global stability.' The criticism of U.S. policy comes at a time when China has stepped up drills in the Taiwan Strait and has slammed the United States for sending military ships to the South China Sea, a vast body of water Beijing has claimed as its own. [...] The paper is the first defense policy document of its kind that has been published since Chinese President Xi Jinping began to rule without term limits in 2017, according to CNN."

Comment: I've long maintained that the U.S. and China need not be enemies, but a belligerent attitude by both with guarantee conflict in the future.   

Rumors of War - Persia

Iran's poking at West heightens risks of military missteps
AP reports: "Rather than tangle with a stronger U.S. military, Iran is poking and prodding its Western antagonists in ways apparently designed to avoid triggering war but that nonetheless seem to heighten the risk of missteps and miscalculation that could lead to an armed conflict with global consequences."

Comment: I don't think anyone should underestimate the potential for this to spiral out of control.

Rumors of War - Persia

Trump says U.S. Navy 'destroyed' Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz - Reuters
Reuters reports: "President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a U.S. Navy ship had 'destroyed' an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the aircraft threatened the ship, in the latest incident in the Gulf. Trump told an event in the White House that the drone had flown to within 1,000 yards (meters) of the USS Boxer."

Comment: This is becoming a shooting war. Fortunately, this time it's just unmanned drones...so far. Pray for peace. 

Pestilence

Hundreds of people dead from dengue, Philippine authorities say:
UPI reports: "More than 450 people have died in the Philippines of dengue, a viral disease that has affected a region of more than 20 million people. Philippine health authorities this week issued a 'national dengue alert' as cases have nearly doubled from same time last year, CNN reported Tuesday. About 100,000 dengue cases have been reported in the Philippines in the first six months of 2019, up 85 percent from 2018, according to the report."

Comment: This is interesting as I don't think of the Philippines when I think of dengue outbreaks. I'm sure you agree, it's Africa that we tend to think of as the primary site of dengue outbreaks. I hope they get it under control.

Gospel Preached to All Nations

Bible shortage? Publishers say tariffs could cause it
The AP reports: "Religious publishers say President Donald Trump’s most recent proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could result in a Bible shortage. That’s because millions of Bibles — some estimates put it at 150 million or more — are printed in China each year. Critics of a proposed tariff say it would make the Bible more expensive for consumers and hurt the evangelism efforts [...] Biblica, the International Bible Society, is a charitable religious organization that gives away Bibles to people in 55 countries. China represents 72% of the group’s investment in Bible publishing, according to Biblica President and CEO Geof Morin. A Bible tariff would 'dramatically affect the number of Bibles we are able to print and give away, impacting the religious freedom of individuals in countries where Bible access is limited and often nonexistent,' Morin said in testimony to the Trade Representative, according to a transcript he provided."

Comment: This is an article that really surprised me.  I had no idea that the majority of Bibles were printed in China. Did no one ever stop to consider the notion that closing domestic printing houses and relocating to China, a country that is hostile to Christianity, would be a bad idea? Still, this report does have some good stats on Bible sales and if you ever need to back up an argument in which you say that Bible is still the bestselling book in the U.S., this report has some good stats for you.

Earthquakes

7.1-magnitude earthquake rattles southern California - UPI.com
UPI reports: " A 7.1-magnitude earthquake has hit Southern California, marking a second big quake since Thursday. [...] Similar to Thursday's quake, it was centered in the Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, Calif., though it was a little bit farther away from Los Angeles, and it was the the largest to hit the area in 20 years."

Comment: Ok, this was a bit surreal. I was slow to realize that the news alerts I was receiving on my phone were about a second big earthquake. I would note that this is a holiday weekend in the States and I was more disconnected from the news than I normally would be.  So, I'm breaking my custom of stepping away from online news and social media on Sunday to take note (belatedly) of this second and very large earthquake in Southern California. Does it portend The Big One?

Earthquakes

6.4-magnitude earthquake shakes Southern California - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook Southern California on Thursday morning in the Mojave Desert about 120 miles from Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. [...] The earthquake was the largest to hit Southern California since 1999, when a 7.1-magnitude quake hit the Mojave Desert."

Comment: I've been reading reports that suggest this may be a precursor to the "big one" that is certain to hit sometime in the next 50-100 years.  I wonder if Californians are really prepared?

Rumors of War - King of the North

NATO gives Russia 5 weeks to destroy missiles violating INF Treaty
UPI reports: "NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday gave Russia five weeks to destroy ground-launched missiles that violate a treaty with the United States banning certain short- and intermediate-range missiles. [...] He said if Russia doesn't comply with the warning, NATO's response will be 'defensive, measured and coordinated.' [...] 'There are no new U.S. missiles in Europe, but there are new Russian missiles in Europe,' he said in December. [...] In April, the Russian government said it severed contact with NATO. The relationship has been strained since Russia forcibly annexed the Crimea peninsula in 2014. Tensions flared again last year when Russia captured Ukrainian soldiers and military ships in the Kerch Strait, a move Western governments said violated international law."

Comment: Russia is very good at spinning a counter-narrative to explain their actions. They say they are the aggrieved party, they are being merely defensive, reacting to actions from NATO and the United States. Yet the fact remains that NATO is a defensive alliance, it has not seized territory or expanded its arsenal, while Russia has done those things. Here we are in the 21st Century and European land has fallen to conquest and it is Russia that has done that, not NATO.  Crimea is now under Russian control and 20% of Georgia's internationally recognized territory is under Russian military occupation. If anything, the allied response to this territorial expansion in the heart of Europe has been extremely restrained, given the lessons of WWI and WWII. In fact, some might say that NATO has failed in performing its core mission of stopping Russian expansion. It is past time for NATO to assert itself.

Covenant With Many

Palestinians reject U.S. Mideast peace plan as 'snow job'
UPI reports: "About 2,000 protested in Ramallah, with one demonstrator holding a coffin to represent the chance the deal has in winning over Palestinians. The demonstrations are aimed to draw attention ahead of peace talks between U.S. and Middle East officials this week in Bahrain."

Comment: The U.S. is gathering moderate Arab nations to underwrite Palestinian economic development, the Palestinians reply that they don't want any of that kind of thing. No jobs, no infrastructure, no trade, nothing that might imply life can go on as usual if it means tolerating Israel.  How to make sense of such hatred?

Roaring Seas and Waves

Protecting U.S. coastal communities from sea level rise will cost $400 billion - UPI.com 
UPI reports: "Authors of the new report estimate 50,000 miles of coastal barriers will need to be built across 22 states over the next two decades. The report, compiled with the help of engineering firm Resilient Analytics, organizes the costs by city, county, congressional district and state. [...] researchers relied on moderate sea-level rise projections and expected yearly storm surge. Should sea levels rise more quickly than expected, governments will be forced to spend more and build more quickly."

Comment: This would be a good time to sell your coastal property. 

Mark of the Beast

Facebook plans its own currency for 2 billion-plus users
AP reports: "Facebook already rules daily communication for more than 2 billion people around the world. Now it wants its own currency, too. The social network unveiled an ambitious plan Tuesday to create a new digital currency similar to Bitcoin for global use, one that could drive more e-commerce on its services and boost ads on its platforms."

Comment:  Apparently Facebook is toying with the idea of creating a new digital currency for FB users. Since FB is a global social network, we could call it a new global digital currency. Pretty interesting, right? I'm thinking of the Biblical "money changers" at the temple, it's always been big business to "help" people exchange currency. This is one of the things a global currency would have to overcome, there are so many vested interests that would be threatened by making it so easy for people to use the same currency everywhere. On the other hand, it would make it easy for people to buy things in a truly global online marketplace and to send money internationally. It might put Western Union out of business! Still, the question remains, would you trust Facebook with your money?And if Facebook controls it, could they decide to restrict your access if you fall out of favor?

Rumors of War - Persia

Tensions rise as Iran speeds up enrichment, US sends troops
The AP reports: "Iran will surpass the uranium-stockpile limit set by its nuclear deal in the next 10 days, an official said Monday, raising pressure on Europeans trying to save the accord a year after the U.S. withdrawal lit the fuse for the heightened tensions now between Tehran and Washington. Hours later, the two countries appeared to approach a flashpoint when the Pentagon announced it was sending about 1,000 additional American troops to the Middle East to bolster security in the region in the face of what U.S. officials said is a growing threat from Iran."

Comment: Is this headed towards war? It's hard to imagine Iran suddenly returning to the table to negotiate a new deal with Trump. If that does not happen, then what is the alternative? 

Rumors of War - Persia

Stern words from Iran: US cannot 'expect to stay safe'
The AP reports: "Iran’s foreign minister warned the U.S. on Monday that it 'cannot expect to stay safe' after launching what he described as an economic war against Tehran, taking a hard-line stance amid a visit by Germany’s top diplomat seeking to defuse tensions. A stern-faced Mohammad Javad Zarif offered a series of threats over the ongoing tensions gripping the Persian Gulf. [...] Europe has yet to offer Iran a way to get around the newly imposed U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, a July 7 deadline — imposed by Iran — looms for Europe to find a way to save the unraveling deal. Otherwise, Iran has warned it will resume enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels."

Comment: Although the subject of Iran has dropped off the radar for most Americans, it remains a flashpoint for those in the national security community, who continue to see it as a situation that could easily spiral out of control. 

Pestilence

CDC confirms 1,022 measles cases as outbreak reaches 28 states:
UPI reports: "Measles cases in the have hit a record number of 1,022, as outbreaks continue to plague patches of the United States. The updated number of cases, announced Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is 40 more than last Monday's official report and more than 20 more than last Thursday's report, when the number first crossed the 1,000 case mark."

Comment: I wonder at what point to they declare a public health emergency? 

Pestilence

U.S. measles cases hit 971, highest single-year total since 1994
UPI reports: "Measles cases in the United States have hit a high of 971, shattering the 943 cases in 1994 to be the highest number of cases in 25 years -- and it comes barely halfway into the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the number on Thursday afternoon, the agency's second measles count released this week. Monday's report, of 940 cases reported through May 24, already was the second highest since 1994."

Comment: I'm not sure I have any more to say about this. I'm opposed to those "anti-vax" parents failing to understand the risk. Since we know there are many more potent diseases out there waiting in the wings it seems foolish to subject people to suffering from a curable disease. It's just a tragedy.

Earthquakes

Seismologists find possible early warning sign of a pending megaquake
UPI reports: "Geologists have found a possible early signature of massive earthquakes. New research suggests the telltale seismic pattern shows up between 10 seconds and 15 seconds into a seismic event. Scientists discovered the warning sign after analyzing GPS records of peak ground displacement during dozens of earthquakes."

Comment: It's time to start paying extra attention to the quake reports from USGS and other sources, a megaquake could be around the corner.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 8 earthquake strikes Amazon jungle in Peru
The AP reports: "A powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck a remote part of the Amazon jungle in Peru early Sunday, collapsing buildings and knocking out power to some areas but causing only one reported death.

Comment: I don't usually check the headlines on Sunday. I follow that traditional approach of reserving Sunday for the things of God and for quiet time for reflection and fellowship with friends and family. However, today I received a breaking news alert and so I wanted to note this very large earthquake, perhaps one of the largest ever recorded, taking place today in Peru. Fortunately, the epicenter was not in a populated area otherwise there may have been massive damage and loss of life.

Rumors of War - Persia

U.S. sending 1,500 troops to Middle East over Iran tensions - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Pentagon will send an additional 1,500 troops to the Middle East to counter Iranian influence in the region, President Donald Trump said Friday. [...] Officials said the deployment will largely involve engineering capabilities, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance units and those involved with Patriot defense missiles. Their comments might indicate that no immediate plans for a U.S. ground invasion are under consideration."

Comment: It looks like this is a relatively small increase in forces designed to boost capabilities and readiness. Hopefully it will serve as a deterrent to Iran.