October 21, 2024

NK and Russia Teaming Up, Post-Election Ad Ban, Kamala’s Response to Hecklers

October 21, 2024


October 21, 2024

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“The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian life.”

Jonathan Edwards

North Korea and Russia Teaming Up?

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that at least 1,500 North Korean Special Forces troops are training in Russia, confirming direct military cooperation between the two nations. Ukrainian officials claim North Korea could send up to 10,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Satellite images and intelligence from Seoul show that North Korean troops were issued Russian uniforms and equipment to blend in. Since August 2023, Pyongyang has provided Russia with 13,000 containers of weapons, including artillery shells. While NATO acknowledges increased North Korean support, it has not confirmed large-scale troop deployment. The developments come as Ukrainian President Zelensky seeks continued Western support to counter Russia's growing alliances.

Sadly, wars and alliances between evil actors are possible on this side of the Fall (Romans 8:22). Thankfully, this is temporary. They're only possible on this side of the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 22:3). There is an expiration date on evil, and only God knows when that date will arrive (Romans 16:20).  

Jesus told us that we would hear of "wars and rumors of wars" in these last days but instructed us not to be alarmed, declaring that "such things must happen, but the end is still to come" (Matthew 24:6).

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). An antidote to our worry is to take our eyes off of the happenings in the world and fix our eyes on the Lord. He is in control (Psalm 103:19), and He is good (Psalm 145:9).

God is the one who will ultimately settle disputes between nations (Isaiah 2:4). One day, there won't be any more wars, for the former things will have passed away (Revelation 21:4). Continue to pray for peace and for Christ to come back quickly (Philippians 3:20).

By: Jamie Wilder

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Post-Election Ads Banned

Google has announced it will temporarily block all election-related advertising in the U.S. following the closure of polls on November 5, 2024, in a bid to prevent "misinformation" about election results. This policy, mirroring Google's approach from the 2020 election, seeks to curb premature victory claims and ensure accurate information dissemination during the vote-counting process. The tech giant's decision arises from concerns over the potential for misleading ads to influence public perception at a crucial time. This move has sparked a debate. Critics argue it grants Google undue influence over political communication at a critical juncture, suggesting it might suppress important political discourse or legitimate campaign updates.

Conversely, proponents believe it's essential for safeguarding the electoral process from the spread of unverified or false information. Google's policy affects all its advertising platforms, ensuring no political ads regarding the U.S. election will run until the company deems it safe to resume. Google's attempt to create a more stable post-election atmosphere highlights the significant role tech companies play in modern electoral integrity, though the real-world implications of this policy remain to be fully realized. Data shows that around 80% of the political donations from Alphabet and its affiliates went to Democrats in recent election cycles. This pattern of giving suggests a strong financial tilt towards the Democratic Party.

Similarly, Google's employees have historically donated overwhelmingly to Democrats, with some reports suggesting that up to 90% of employee political contributions go to Democratic candidates or causes.

The Lord knows what is in the hearts of each man (John 2:24). As mere men ourselves, we do not know the motives of the hearts of men, and we certainly cannot assess the "heart" or motives of a corporation like Google and its advertising policies during the complexity of a presidential election. Jesus does warn us against evil and encourages us to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:24), yet while we should think critically, we should not think critically of others or assume malicious intent. Whether Google is benevolently trying to manage misinformation and maintain election integrity or whether it is maliciously suppressing speech and seeking to influence election outcomes is a matter trusted only to a sovereign, just God to judge as he rules over all (Psalm 103:19). 

God encourages righteous pursuits in all things (Proverbs 10:9) and warns us that pursuits of power plagued by corruption do not end well (2 Samuel 15-18; Ecclesiastes 8:11-13). So long as we trust that in the end, Jesus Christ is Lord and judges all (Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:11-15), there is no advertising policy, election interference, suppression of speech or any corrupt pursuit of power that should trouble our hearts (Philippians 4:4-9; Revelation 7:17). God's word encourages us to seek wisdom before power (1 Kings 3:5-14). Political ads tell us something about someone, some policy or some assertion "second-hand," and wisdom suggests that only a first-hand consideration is prudent (Proverbs 18:17). God even warns against "advertisements" of His immutable Word, encouraging us to hear matters with "an open mind" and then go do research ourselves by reading our Bible (Acts 17:11).

Deception is contemplated by God, and He has made provision--and it's why we are constantly encouraged to focus on the unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18) and rely on the sovereignty of God (Psalm 46). The best anecdote to bad ideas, banned advertisements, misinformation, disinformation, lackluster candidates, corruption, and evil at the helm of power is ALWAYS bold truth - and those of us who find it shall be set free (John 8:32).

By: Matthew Lopez

Kamala Responds to Hecklers

At a campaign rally in Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris responded to hecklers by telling them they were at "the wrong rally," humorously adding that they probably meant to attend "the smaller one down the street." Her supporters cheered as she deflected the interruption. This marked her sixth visit to Wisconsin during the 2024 election cycle, where Harris has been actively campaigning, emphasizing her stance on reproductive rights.

Kamala’s response to the heckling at her event has understandably created quite a stir. Videos and reporting across the Internet offer pieced-together audio and visual clips that fail to offer a truly complete picture of what exactly happened to merit her response. Two young men were escorted out of her event after heckling, themselves shouting “Jesus is Lord” and “Christ is King.” In a later interview with Fox, they testified that her comments were in direct response to those words. In other clips, you can also clearly hear “Lies, lies, lies” being shouted. 

Whether or not Kamala was telling these self-proclaimed Christians/protestors that they did not belong at her rally because of their faith is in doubt. Both Kamala and her critics would be wise to heed Proverbs 18:13 and James 1:19. What is not in doubt is the fact that true Christ-followers would/should have felt wildly out of place at an event raucously cheering for unrestricted murder in the womb (Psalm 1:1). 

Heckling is not the most effective way to win others over and/or enact change (Colossians 4:6), (and Kamala would not be the first speaker to put their foot in their mouths (or worse) in response to interruption), but speaking up for the truth (Zechariah 8:16), the vulnerable (Job 29:12), and the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9) is a time-honored, biblically-supported act of faith. 

By: Kirby Mankin

Other news you should know

🍔 Donald Trump visits McDonalds.

🛒 Last full-size KMart closes in the US.

⚾️ The Dodgers are headed to the World Series.

💸 Musk is giving away money for people who sign his petition.

🧇 Frozen waffle recall after Listeria scare.

💥 Israel targets Hezbollah in Lebanon’s financial districts.

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