Tanzania: home to largest number of elephants; 65% killed in four years, and why it happened.

Shocking news for those of us who love Africa.

65% of the elephant herd in Tanzania's game park next to Serengeti have been wiped out in four years. Read more about a pilot killed who was hunting poachers.

Why the slaughter of elephants continues unchecked and how it was supposed to be stopped is a story worth reading. The Telegraph digs deeper into the story.

Canada's Wasted "Brain Gain" - How Immigrants could be earning what they should be getting.

We have many neighbors who are highly skilled in their professional life before coming here as immigrants. Everything has been done legally, their applications granted and now they have their families, homes and work.

Except .... that their professional credentials from "back home" are not accepted. Or, if they are accepted, their new credentials are not portable across Canada, from province to province. Here is a good analysis of the problem. Read more.

Orthodox Church Council meeting - After 1,200 years it was supposed to meet in Syria - in May!

A religious summit last held more than 1,200 years ago suddenly risks being downgraded or postponed because of Syria’s four-year civil war. This unexpected twist has come as the world’s Orthodox churches, the second-largest ecclesial family in Christianity, were supposed to be only months away from their first major council since 787.

Now it is no longer clear when or where the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, a summit first proposed at least as far back as 1961 and provisionally scheduled for May in Istanbul, will be held.

Read more.

How Coffee affects our body within seconds.

An interesting insight into the many different functions in our bodies that respond to coffee. In at least nine different ways.

Read more.

"EU has only two months to solve the Refugee Crisis at its borders" - Donald Tusk, EC President

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council has

issued the starkest warning yet. The European Union has only two months left to figure out how to handle the refugee crisis. If there is no decision by the end of March, countries across Europe will begin to close their borders.
Read more.

A video prayer for peace in Jerusalem

A prayer for peace in Jerusalem, that the Messiah will bring harmony - five min video. Watch the video

"Love and Loss in Syria" - from The Gospel Coalition

The story of Ibrahim's struggles in Syria, his marriage and present situation in Turkey is a powerful demonstration of the Gospel. When he was arrested in another country, he was told that his life was as damaging as that of ISIS. He replied, "No, the ideas inside the heads of ISIS leads them to kill others. The ideas inside my head leads me to love others." Read more.

Top 10 archaeological discoveries that authenticate the Bible

These discoveries are interesting for a number of reasons. These discoveries cover several sections of the Bible. Some of the discoveries discredit teachings that are commonly taught in some seminaries, such as, 'There is no evidence for the "house of David", or King David's reign, etc." Very interesting.

Top 10 archaeological discoveries that Authenticate the Bible

The Anglican dilema: "Doctrine and Holiness (in African Churches) vs. Pastoral Care (In the Western Churches)

"Same Sex Marriage" rites in The Episcopal Church in the USA, TEC, and soon to be approved rites in the Anglican Church of Canada, ACC, are at the roots of a 12 year long battle between completely different points of view.

African Provinces, in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, all of them characterized by growing numbers of adherents, emphasize Biblical doctrines and holiness. The leaders of churches in the USA and Canada, more swayed by "Human Rights" than their African counterparts, stress "Pastoral Care" for those of the GBLT community.

These three articles in The Guardian show how the recent decision of the Anglican Primates has been received on the "liberal" end of the spectrum in the UK.
Anglican Church risks global schism over homosexuality (January 12) and
Anglican church avoids split over gay rights - but liberals pay the price (January 14) and
Chris Bryant quits Church of England over its views on homosexuality (January 15)

Churches in African, Asia and South America,, which are growing and possibly make up 85-90% of active Anglicans, as measured by church attendance and other criteria, see things from a completely different point of view.

Left out of most aspects of the conversation is that these churches were begun during a time of colonialism. The main ideas forming the basis of their understanding came from the West, from colonial powers. Now, colonialism is a bad word. And it is now that new winds, new "doctrines" are coming from the West, principally from academics, seminaries and top ecclesiastical leaders, and African leaders, especially, are not about to accept what they call, "this new colonialism".  They are grouped under an organization called GAFCON, or Global Anglicans . . .. Here is their statement after the Primates gathering.   A close reading of these four articles shows the impossible gap between the declining, older and wealthier congregations in the West, and the exploding, younger and impoverished churches in the South.

"Same Sex Marriage" rebuked in USA Episcopal Church - Anglican Communion damged, but survives.

THE CONFLICT: Same Sex marriage rites threatened to divide the third largest group of Christians in the world.

THE RESOLUTION: The significant meeting, still being held by the archbishops and primates of the world wide Anglican Church, has avoided a major split, instead, issuing a statement on "how we may preserve our unity in Christ given the ongoing deep differences that exist among us concerning our understanding of marriage. . . . such unilateral actions on a matter of doctrine without Catholic unity is considered by many of us as a departure from the mutual accountability and interdependence implied through being in relationship with each other in the Anglican Communion."

Same Sex marriage has been the most recent issue facing Christians in the Anglican Church, has been authorized by The Episcopal Church of the USA, TEC, and a same-sex marriage rite is being established by the Anglican Church of Canada, ACC.

After this historic meeting, Same Sex marriage will not be tolerated by the majority of Anglicans. "Marriage in the Anglican Communion is held to be between a man and a woman. Same Sex marriage has been identified as being contrary to the Scriptures and "represent(s) a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of our Provinces on the doctrine of marriage. The traditional doctrine of the church in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching."

THE SANCTIONS: As a result, TEC is being sanctioned, given the seriousness of these matters we formally acknowledge this distance by requiring that for a period of three years The Episcopal Church no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity.

Read more.

SIGNIFICANCE: For the first time, Christians in the non-West part of the world have stood up to the church bodies in the West and demanded a response. These are significant decisions: 1. because of the  careful leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury. 2. The communique was issued by the primates, with at least 2 / 3 of the regions around the world signing on. 3. At upcoming meetings breakaway groups of Anglicans in the USA will not have TEC voting against them when they apply for status and approval as "Anglican bodies" during the next few years. 4. For the first time, Anglicans in the USA have formally been sanctioned by Anglicans around the world. 5. This is the first time that Christians have pushed back against "Same-Sex marriage rites" after these were authorised for general use in the churches (the authorization was given at General Council, summer, 2015).

OTHER STATEMENTS: This statement by the majority of Anglicans (numerically at least) comes from most of the churches in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They are grouped in a body known as GAFCON and were threatening to break off all relationships with Anglicans in the USA and Canada. They are disappointed that the statement makes no reference to repentance on the part of TEC and ACC.

"The Anglican Communion is our spiritual home and the GAFCON Primates travelled to England in the hope that godly faith and order could be restored through renewed obedience to the Bible.
We are pleased that Archbishop Foley Beach of the Anglican Church in North America has played a full part in the Canterbury meeting of Primates and that sanctions have been applied to the Episcopal Church of the United States, (TEC) recognising the need for mutual accountability on matters of doctrine within the family of the Communion." Read more.

ANGLICAN INK:  George Conger writes: The primates of the Anglican Communion have suspended the Episcopal Church from full participation in the life and work of the Anglican Communion. On 14 January 2016 a motion was presented to the gathering of archbishops and moderators gathered in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral that called for the Episcopal Church to be suspended for a period of three years. Read more.

Archbishop Justin Welby's Address:

Here is his opening address, attempting to keep the Anglican Church together, world-wide.

Read it all.

The Anglican Church communion worldwide: Will it split this week? Or, will it stay together?

An historic meeting of the Anglican Church / Communion is taking place right now.

This is an important turning point in Protestant Christianity. Take time to learn the issues.

The future of Anglicans as a major church boy may be determined by decisions reached during the next three days. At issue is whether the North American bodies, in the USA The Episcopal Church, TEC and in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, ACC will be accepted by, or rejected by the other larger Anglican church bodies in other bodies around the world. At issue is how to interpret Biblical doctrines. The presenting issue, as you probably know, was "same-sex marriage".

If you are only just now becoming aware of the controversy, here is a lucid blog on the "Liberal" side, by Mark Harris, of Delaware in the USA. Read more.

On the "Conservative" side David Ould spells out the possible results of a world-wide split in Anglicanism. Read more.

"Why Millions of Muslims are Leaving Islam" - An interview with Iranian Dr. Hormoz Shariat

This is a time of great tension for Muslims. They were brought up believing Islamic doctrines, which included the unity between followers of Mohammed and they were taught their religion was one of peace. However, confronting daily realities that show these and other tenants of their faith to be not real in their lives, many are searching for a deeper connection with the Lord. This is an amazing story, one that is not usually reported in the mainstream press for obvious reasons. Read more.

"Should Christians be Encouraged to Arm Themselves?" Article by John Piper

"For the sake of the safety of his campus, and in view of terrorist activity, Liberty University's President Falwell encouraged the students to get permits to carry guns.

"After implying that he had a gun in his back pocket, he said, 'I just want to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to get your permit. We offer a free course. And let’s teach them a lesson if they ever show up here.' On December 9 he stated that the policy at Liberty now includes permission to carry guns in the dormitories."

What should be the Christian's attitude towards the tendency for citizens to arm themselves? John Piper begins with a series of Biblical texts as he addresses the need for security. Read more.

"Putin's Power Play in Syria" - Foreign Affairs

In October,

Putin said, “The collapse of Syria’s official authorities will only mobilize terrorists. Right now, instead of undermining them, we must revive them, strengthening state institutions in the conflict zone.”

Although Moscow may not be wedded to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the long run, it is adamantly opposed to anything that would weaken the rule of secular strongmen in the Middle East—hence Putin’s repeated denunciations of U.S. support for opposition forces during the Arab revolts of 2011 . . . "

Read more.

Sad details of Refugees living in Turkey - those unable to travel to Europe

So often we hear of refugees crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on their way to the Greek Island of Lesbos. They pile into a small rubber dingy, far too many people in each one considering the large waves they will encounter on the precarious way across the straight.

What of the refugees who are unable to pay the approximately $2-3,000 per person to the human smugglers? At least two million people are living in deplorable circumstances in towns and cities across Turkey. Here is a recent eye witness account:

The Turkish Coast Guard showed us pictures of adults, babies & children whom they had rescued from sinking rafts in the Aegean.  Most of the refugees going over to Greece leave from the region near Assos.

We were able to travel through the Arabic and Kurmunji (Kurdish) speaking camps.  The two language groups attack each other with knives, stealing from one another, and causing mayhem. The conditions are deplorable.  People live in structures made of trash and plastic. They cook in the open, and fetch water from a drainage ditch.  After a  rain they walk in mud up to their ankles.  Some churches are handing out grocery vouchers and supply packages for babies & children.  Those who are involved in helping the refugees will not go to the camps at night.

"The most dangerous crisis in decades"

A penetrating analysis about the Middle East at the beginning of 2016 comes from Hassan Rouhani. Unfortunately, the changes of the last two months spell continued and apparently unending suffering for millions. Read more. and here: The most dangerous crisis in decades.

This is where the action was 4,000 years ago. Surprise?

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"Britain is no longer a Christian nation and it's time to rid England of Anglicanism" - a panel says.

"Britain is no longer a Christian country and should stop acting as if it is, a top-level inquiry into the place of religion in society has concluded, provoking a backlash from politicians and the Church of England."

Read more. from the Telegraph on this development.

Diyarbakir's Christians suffer in the margins during Turkey's war with PKK Separatists" - Al Monitor

In Sur, Turkish special forces teams backed by tanks, helicopter gunships and armored personnel carriers have laid virtual siege to the district, which now lies in ruins.

The youths remain dug in, but over half of Sur’s residents have fled. And while their suffering has been well-documented, little has been said about the clutch of Christians who have been quietly toiling to resurrect Sur’s once vibrant multi-faith community. It was brutally destroyed in 1915, when Ottoman forces and their Kurdish collaborators slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Christians (most of them Armenians) and other non-Muslims in what many respected scholars call genocide. Immense human suffering continues and few in the world know of it.
Read more.

Important cultural divisions in America - Barna Group Research

The following topics were studied in depth in 2015 by the Barna Research Group:

1. Legal Same-Sex marriage reveals cultural fault lines.
2. Concerns over religious freedom are growing.
3. Post-Christian beliefs are on the rise.
4. U.S. Adults do not agree on who Jesus was and is.
5. Americans define themselves by family country and faith.
6. Voters want a presidential candidate to take a stand on issues.
7. Discipleship in American churches is not effective, pastors say.
8. Scotland research offers lessons on ministry in a post-Christian context.
9. Women are disengage
ng from the church.
10. Most Americans plan to stay where they are living.

Read more from this excellent research.

"Biblical birth narratives are weird and incredible. We can stop sanitizing them." - Washington Post

The Biblical narrative of Christ's birth is built upon at least seven aspects that churches avoid at Christmas: infertility, peasant life, refugee status, the shame of an unwed mother, quiet faithfulness of seniors, injustice and social stigma. Did your Christ
mas play of the nativity deal with any of these?

This well-written essay W. David. O. Taylor examines the Christmas story as it is written in the Gospels. Read more.