SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JANUARY 5th, 2025

Virginia State Congress wants abortion on state ballot
The state of Virginia’s Congress is inching closer to sending abortion to voters. 2024 saw several states bring the issue to a vote with citizens in each state voting for or against abortion being added to state constitutions. Legislators in Virginia say they want to “enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution”. One politician called the right to an abortion a private treatment choice, just like cancer treatment. The comments upset Republican delegates who have vowed to bring the vote to the people; one politician further added the new abortion laws being pushed in the state are for more extreme than any other state in the U.S. The process will take some time as the amendment must first pass the state congress twice before it is sent to voters for a decision.

 Jewish leader issues call to Christians
A Jewish leader is encouraging Christians to stand up more for the Jewish people in the new year. Jonathan Bernis, president and CEO of Jewish Voice Ministries International is asking Christians to support the Jewish people as part of a new campaign. Bernis says that rise in antisemitism is alarming and has continued since October 7th. The leader says prior to the attack on Israel antisemitism was on the rise. Since the attacks he says antisemitism has grown to 300%. The organization’s campaign Love Your Jewish Neighbor is designed to encourage Christians and supporters of the Jewish people to stand up and defend them during this time. Bernis says terrorists’ groups such has Hezbollah and Hamas have succeeded in their campaign to make Israel and the Jewish people look like the aggressors. Bernis is encouraging supporters to speak out and speak up if you see any offense against the Jewish people.

Israel and Hamas conflict continues in Middle East
Tensions continue to rise between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. Israeli officials are demanding an accurate update on the remaining hostages. The demands are being made after several reports from former hostages detailing horrific treatment at the hands of their captors. Hamas is demanding a ceasefire before any details concerning the hostages is released, including possible negotiations for their return. Israel is continuing their vow to eliminate the terrorist group. The remaining hostages have been held in captivity of over a year. The U.S. has continued to be a strong ally of Israel during this conflict. President elect Donald Trump has vowed to stand with Israel, end the conflict and bring the remaining hostage’s home.

In our SNBC Health report: the importance of staying active as we age
Researchers are encouraging older adults to remain active as they age. According to research from the University of South Australia, staying active is key to brain health as we age. The study followed over 400 people over the age of 60. Subjects who focused on mentally stimulating activities such as prayer, listening to music, reading, and interacting socially were found to have more health benefits in their brains. Researchers believe this study will help with reducing the effects of cognitive impairment issues, such as dementia. Researchers suggest changing habits with simple 5-minute swaps will help improve cognitive health. The study also followed various factors around the subjects including lifestyle, health behaviors, and health history, which may also factor into cognitive health.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY DECEMBER 29th

Realtor accused for prejudice for Christian stance
A Virginia realtor has been found guilty of promoting hate speech by sharing his faith. Realtor and Pastor, Wilson Fauber was found guilty of a religious violation by the Virginia Association of Realtors. Fauber shared his faith in a social media post on his personal page, which was a repost of a comment made by Rev. Franklin Graham in 2015, the same year Fauber reposted the comments. In his post, he called homosexuality a sin. A complaint was later filed by two fellow realtors. The Association claims the comments were a violation of the expression of religious beliefs. However, the post was made prior to the association’s creation of this clause concerning religious comments and their violation of association rules. Fauber said he is allowed to keep his realtor’s license for now, calling the Virginia Association of Realtors “woke” and stating this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for other Christians. He is appealing the Association’s ruling.

SNBC NEWS UPDATE: Shooting at Christian school
SNBC NEWS is continuing to monitor the details of a shooting at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. According to various sources, the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, was enrolled at the school. Rupnow opened fire in a study hall killing one teacher, one student, and injuring six others. The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police are working with witnesses and the family of the shooter to determine the reason for the attack. In a press conference, they say one of the heroes was a second-grade teacher who called 911 after the first shots were fired. Please continue to keep the students, staff, and the city of Madison in your prayers at this time. SNBC News will update you as more information is released.

God Behind Bars reports more salvations and baptisms
Another praise report concerning revival. God Behind Bars is reporting another great harvest of souls. According to the ministry, 140 women received Christ as their Savior and were baptized at a prison in Colorado. This is the largest women’s prison in Colorado. The ministry also reported this was the first baptismal service ever allowed inside these prison walls. Women were reportedly shouting and openly weeping as they made the decision to be baptized. The youngest prisoner allowed to be baptized was just 16 years old. God Behind Bars started in 2009 and is dedicated to witnessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to prisoners across the U.S.

In our SNBC Health report: What Did Your Great-Great-Great-Grandparents Eat?
The 1800s offers us a unique view into a different relationship people had with food — one where abundance was celebrated, meals were a source of joy, and the dinner table was the heart of family life. People maintained simpler, more intuitive connections with their meals. Their approach to food differs from our modern perspective. While we often grapple with complex dietary rules and restrictions, our ancestors focused on nourishment, celebration, and making the most of available ingredients. There is profound value in looking to the past and drawing from the wisdom of our ancestors to uncover how they cultivated healthy, balanced lives and sustained their communities across generations. In the 1800s, people ate three structured meals daily (breakfast, dinner, supper) without snacking or fasting, maintaining a simpler relationship with food than we have today. They consumed a high-carb diet, rich in saturated fats (probably because they were much more active that we are), with minimal polyunsaturated fats, as they didn't use vegetable oils or eat many nuts and seeds. A typical breakfast consisted of various meats, along with hominy, potatoes and eggs. Lunch, typically called dinner, consisted again of meats like pork, veal, quail and duck, including fish, as well as vegetables and soups, and was served mid-afternoon, while supper was typically on the lighter side with just a few menu items like fish variations and bread and butter. Examples of desserts were homemade rice cakes, sponge cakes and bread puddings, or hasty pudding. Tea or coffee were served at most meals. While we are not saying we should adopt all these habits today, gaining a perspective from the diets of our great-great-great-grandparents can be both liberating and grounding. In today’s world, where so many foods are scrutinized, this perspective can help alleviate unnecessary fear around eating. So instead of feeling overwhelmed, we can optimize our health by keeping it simple. Return to simpler food principles by cooking at home, buying quality ingredients within your means, staying active, and prioritizing peace and happiness over strict diets. And as in every aspect of our lives, as II Corinthians 13:11 says, “..Live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th, 2024

Israel issues warning during tense ceasefire
The nation of Israel has issued a warning to the nation of Lebanon. Israeli officials are warning the Lebanese government to step in concerning terrorist attacks during Israel’s tense ceasefire with Hezbollah. Israel’s defense minister says that either Lebanon’s government enforces the ceasefire insisting the terrorists stop with violations or that country will face consequences as well. Lebanon is known as a stronghold for the terrorist group Hezbollah. Israeli officials and Hezbollah have agreed to a tentative ceasefire. Israeli officials claim the terrorist group continues to violate the details of the ceasefire including attacking Israeli territory. Israel at one point was fighting against Hamas and Hezbollah; the battle with Hamas is ongoing since October 7th of last year.

 Revival Report: Vietnam
Revival is continuing around the world; a recent evangelism event in Vietnam is being deemed a success by organizers. Rev. Franklin Graham held a Festival called Season of Love in Vietnam in early December. Over 24-thousand people filled a stadium in that nation for the event. The event was organized with the help of over 300 churches. The two-day event saw over 10-thousand people each night. The second day of the event over 10 thousand stood in the rain to hear the Gospel of Jesus. The ministry reports over 12-hundred people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Rev. Franklin Graham said of the event that the Gospel transcends all languages and cultures. He added that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is praising God for those who accepted Christ as their Savior.

Bible grows in purchases for 2024
According to recent reports the Bible continues to rise in popularity among consumers. According to the Wall Street Journal, sales of the Bible have rose by 22 percent. This number is higher than at the same time last year. This number is significant because the number of U.S. book sales is up by less than one percent.  The number according to the Wall Street Journal means the Bible is being sold more frequently than any other literary publication at this time. The numbers broken down increased from 9.7 million in sales in 2019 to 13.7 million Bibles sold in 2024. A bookstore manager interviewed for the article says people are on a quest of hope, leading them to the Bible. CBN News reported last year that more young adults are being drawn to scripture with an increase in Bible study for those ages 18-26. This number is expected to continue to climb according to experts. The Bible App YouVersion is also reporting an increase in use of their app. The app’s parent company is reporting use up in every nation and in every age demographic.

SNBC Health report: the CDC claims this little vegetable is a nutrient powerhouse
According to reports from the CDC watercress is the most nutrient dense vegetable. The vegetable scored 100 points on the organizations list of powerhouse fruits and vegetables. Watercress according to the report has 17 nutrients including zinc, seven different vitamins, niacin, and iron. The vegetable is in the cruciferous family and is low in calories. Watercress supports heart health, encourages hormonal balance, assists in liver health and skin health. This vegetable can be prepared in variety of ways, but it is best to consume it raw as watercress will lose some of its nutritional benefits when cooked. Other top vegetables on the CDC’s powerhouse list include Chinese cabbage, Swiss chard, beet greens and spinach.

 (Full list of CDC’s powerhouse fruits and vegetables listed below with rating on vegetable/ fruit according to the CDC)

Watercress 100.00

Chinese cabbage 91.99

Chard 89.27

Beet green 87.08

Spinach 86.43

Chicory 73.36

Leaf lettuce 70.73

Parsley 65.59

Romaine lettuce 63.48

Collard green 62.49

Turnip green 62.12

Mustard green 61.39

Endive 60.44

Chive 54.80

Kale 49.07

Dandelion green 46.34

Red pepper 41.26

Arugula 37.65

Broccoli 34.89

Pumpkin 33.82

Brussels sprout 32.23

Scallion 27.35

Kohlrabi 25.92

Cauliflower 25.13

Cabbage 24.51

Carrot 22.60

Tomato 20.37

Lemon 18.72

Iceberg lettuce 18.28

Strawberry 17.59

Radish 16.91

Winter squash (all varieties) 13.89

Orange 12.91

Lime 12.23

Grapefruit (pink and red) 11.64

Rutabaga 11.58

Turnips 11.43

Blackberry 11.39

Leek 10.69

Sweet potato 10.51

Grapefruit (white) 10.47

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th, 2024

ICC criticized for criminal warrant issue
The fallout from a recent action by the International Criminal Court continues. Recently the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the nation’s former Defense Minister accusing the two men of hate crimes. The court claims the current and former Israeli officials are guilty of various crimes including humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The warrant means any nation under ICC must comply and arrest the men if they are in their country. This includes several nations in Europe. The governments of the Netherlands and Ireland have already agreed to arrest the men if they have the opportunity. The European Union foreign policy chief says all nations under the ICC’s jurisdiction are obligated to comply. France, Germany and the United Kingdom are also under ICC jurisdiction. Criticism of the arrest warrant was swift, with critics calling the decision biased and antisemitic. The National Security Advisor for President-Elect Donald Trump says the U.S. will give a strong response to the Anti-Semitic bias of the ICC and the U.N. in January. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the arrest warrants saying they have done everything to protect citizens in Gaza and target only terrorists.

Colorado state settles with Christian graphic designer
Officials in the state of Colorado have agreed to pay a judgement in favor of a Christian graphic designer. Alliance Defending Freedom is reporting their client Lorie Smith has won her case. The graphic artist based in Colorado sued after state officials persecuted her for denying service to a same sex couple. The couple requested her services to create a wedding website, which Smith declined. Citing her Christian faith, Smith said later being fined by the state of Colorado was an injustice. The case was later appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation’s highest court agreed with Smith. The court ruled 6-3 in her favor; one justice who wrote the majority opinion following the case said the First Amendment gives citizens here in the U.S. the right to think and speak as they wish, not just those the government finds worthy. Alliance Defending Freedom celebrated the judgement. ADF president Kristen Waggoner said in part in a statement, “No government has the right to silence individuals for expressing these ideas or to punish those who decline to express different views." The state will pay a total of 1.5 million dollars in legal fees and a settlement to Ms. Smith for violating her First Amendment rights.

Students protest trans student on team; face persecution
Another group of high school female students are taking a stand following a controversial decision. Students on the volleyball team at Clarkstown High School in New York are protesting a male student being allowed to play on the team. The school officials claim the student in trans identifying and was allowed onto the team without the knowledge of the other students. Members of the team and their parents protested the decision recently at a school board meeting. Several of the students quit or refused to play in protest of the decision. Similar cases are happening across the U.S. with several students and schools being punished for refusing to play against trans students. Supporters believe these student athletes should be allowed to play with the gender of their choice. Critics point out there is a clear biological advantage between male and female athletes. Some have also pointed out that these students are using the opportunity to take advantage and dominate a sport where they previously had not qualified in the male equivalent of the same competitive sport.

SNBC Health report: the continued health benefits of walking
According to reports health experts are continuing to praise the healthy benefits of walking. This exercise, according to experts continues to show long term benefits to the body in a number of ways. Walking according to the U.S. surgeon general should be done as an activity every week at least two and a half hours. Walking lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia, and depression. It helps improve blood sugar levels, bone health, lose weight and sleep better. Walking is also considered a low impact exercise which promotes joint health and strengthens the lungs and heart. The average American walks three to four thousand steps per day. Experts are encouraging people to walk at least 150 minutes per week. This can break down to a little as a 10-minute walk three times a day, five days a week. Outdoor walking is recommended, but you can also walk on treadmills and indoor walking areas to achieve this goal.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY DECEMBER 1st, 2024

World Leaders wish president elect congratulations
The re-election of President Trump made headlines not only here in the U.S. but around the world.
The landslide victory was met with warm congratulations from supporters and leaders around the U.S. and around the world, including the nation of Israel. Amid worldwide criticism and antisemitism, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated President-Elect Trump calling him a close friend and a strong supporter of Israel. The Prime Minister also says he and Trump have already spoken three times since the election results. The two leaders are working on once again establishing the strong alliance between the Israel and the U.S. and will present a united front against Iran. During the Biden Administration Iranian funds totaling billions were allowed to be accessed by that nation’s government. Iran has since used the funds against Israel, supporting several terrorists’ attacks and organizations. Netanyahu says he and President Trump are united in their view of Iran as a threat to the world. Israel is currently attacking a Hezbollah stronghold in Lebanon. Iranian leaders, who are believed to be funding Hezbollah, claim they are not deterred by the attacks, and they will prevail.

Israeli citizens targeted at soccer game
The renewed strong alliance between Israel and the U.S. comes at a critical time as attacks on the Jewish people continue to rise around the world. A group of Pro-Palestinian Muslims recently made headlines for a vicious attack in the Netherlands. According to reports a large crowd in Amsterdam attacked Israeli fans who were attending a soccer game. The fans were in the Netherlands supporting an Israeli soccer team. When the game concluded, Muslims shouting pro-Palestine chants attacked the fans leaving the stadium. The attacks against Israeli citizens was so severe, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an emergency flight to the Netherlands to pick up fans and bring them back to Israel. Israeli officials are calling for more protection from the Dutch government for Jewish citizens and called the attack pre-planned. Nations across Europe are reporting a rise in persecution against Jewish citizens; Germany, France and Great Britian are reporting antisemitic incidents have doubled in each of their nations since last year.

US voters decide on abortion in several states
The U.S. elections in addition to the presidential election addressed other major issues including abortion.
A total of ten states had potential abortion amendments on the ballots for a vote this year. 8 states had abortion on the ballot during this year’s national election. One of the state amendments that received the most attention was the vote in the state of Florida. Voters with the support of Governor Ron DeSantis voted against the bill defeating Amendment 4, as it was dubbed in that state. Governor DeSantis and pro-life groups thanked Floridians saying in part that the state’s citizens voted for life. Voters in South Dakota and Nebraska were also praised for voting down pro-abortion amendments in those states. Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Missouri and Montana all had pro-abortion amendments on the ballot which were all passed.Critics say Missouri’s amendment is the most extreme abortion law in the nation, even more extreme than California, New York, and Illinois’s state amendments.
The president of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly released a statement saying in part "The tragic passage of abortion laws in seven states reflects the important work we have in the pro-life movement to make abortion unthinkable."

SNBC Health report: the health benefits of tarragon
This herb is normally thought of when it comes to enhancing the flavor of food. Tarragon is much more than just an herb to add some depth to an entrée,  it is also beneficial to the human body. According to reports the herb helps in aiding digestion and balancing the immune system. Tarragon works as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body and helps fight against bacterial infections. A 2015 study found mice given tarragon showed signs of pain relief in addition to anti-inflammatory properties. It helps insulin insensitivity and promotes skin health. Tarragon contains vitamins A, C, calcium and potassium. There are different plant forms of Tarragon, but the herb is normally added to various dishes including salad dressings, meat dishes and other cooked food for added flavor.