SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY AUGUST 10th, 2025

Dodie Osteen passes

Dodie Osteen has passed; the widow of the late Pastor John Osteen and mother of Pastor Joel Osteen passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 30th. Homegoing services were announced for August 8th. Mrs. Osteen was the co-founder of Lakewood Church along with her husband in 1959. In addition to being the matriarch of the Osteen family, she was an author, minister, and teacher. One of Osteen’s most celebrated books was Healed of Cancer, a book detailing her miraculous healing from cancer through her confessions from the Word of God. Delores “Dodie” Osteen was 91 years old and is survived by her five children, 19 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. 

Federal Government settles with University
The Federal Government and UCLA have reached a settlement involving the persecution of students and faculty members. According to reports the University has agreed to pay a fine following their failure to protect Jewish students and faculty during anti-Israeli and antisemitic protests on the campus. The protests were part of nationwide protest against Israel after that nation defended itself from attacks by terrorists’ groups. The protests following the October 7th attacks focused on occupying several college campuses around the U.S. Protestors according to the federal government intimidated and harassed Jewish students, faculty, and staff on campus.  The Trump Administration later fined each college and threatened to pull funding unless school policy was changed to protect Jewish members of each school community. Several schools refused to admit wrongdoing claiming they had no power over protestors. UCLA agreed to pay a fine of 6 million dollars which will include a financial settlement to victims involved in the lawsuit, prevention from a similar incident happening again and a donation to a Pro-Jewish organization.

Worship leader claims being blocked by Canadian officials
  A worship leader says there has been a united effort to keep his ministry out of Canada. Sean Feucht says that several Canadian official across the country have intentionally prevented his ministry group from holding worship and revival events in various cities. Six cities across Canada denied requests for revival event’s from Feucht’s group. Each city official claimed the team was in violation of various permit requirements in order to hold public events. Officials in Montreal did confirm the requests were denied claiming the event would have hateful and discriminatory speech. Several churches and organizations that stepped into host events following the cancelations were also fined for various issues according to city officials. The worship leader called the cancellations a blatant attack by Satan. Feucht also reported that each event was a success with many attending and receiving Christ as their Savior despite efforts to ban the worship events.

SNBC Health Report: new guidelines are being introduced concerning a familiar product
The secretary of Health and Human services is planning to make dairy products great once again. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced that a new dietary guideline will be released soon. The new guideline according to Kennedy will include full fat dairy. Kennedy in his comments says there has been an attack on dairy products confirming. He added that scientific studies are proving the need for protein and other nutrients provided from dairy products confirm the need for these foods to be part of a healthy diet plan. Dairy products provide nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamin D and protein. It is beneficial to bone health, heart health and the immune system. Dairy products also provide various other nutrients including probiotics in fermented foods such as yogurt and phosphorus. Critics say that you should still regulate dairy products accordingly and not over consume any product regardless of health recommendations.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd, 2025

Pro-Life Groups report big win in the fight for unborn children
Pro-life groups are reporting more facility closings of the nation’s largest abortion supplier, Planned Parenthood. According to reports, officials said the organization is closing multiple locations due to a lack of funding. The group is reporting a significant drop in funding that may cause more locations to close and estimates 60 percent of Planned Parenthood facilities are in danger of closing. A spokesperson for a Texas branch claims all medical procedures are now banned because of the drop in funding and changes in legislation. Cancer screenings and other medical health screenings are still available, according to multiple sources. Several locations claim they are now switching to teleservices and will refer patients to other states for abortions. Critics of Planned Parenthood are celebrating these closures saying they are a win for unborn babies, and say the organization is at fault for their focus on abortion.

Adoptive mother wins in court
An Oregon mother will be allowed to foster and adopt children following a lawsuit. The state of Oregon had placed a ban on a potential adoption because of the parent’s Christian faith. Jessica Bates sued the state after she was banned from adopting a child over what she called a refusal to acknowledge “woke ideology.” The state’s human services department required potential parents to embrace certain beliefs including LGBT beliefs and introduced children to trans ideology at a young age. Bate refused, citing her faith. She later sued after state officials rejected her application. Bates was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, and the case was later appealed to the US 9th Circuit Court. Justices presiding over the case ruled in favor of Ms. Bates and reminded Oregon officials that foster, and adoption services are supposed to promote the best interest of the child, not the state’s political views.

IRS makes changes for church community
The Internal Revenue service has announced new measures for pastors. This new ruling gives religious leaders the freedom to discuss politics in the pulpit without a threat to their tax-exempt status. The measure had been used by some previous administrations in an attempt to silence the church on political matters. Arguing a separation of church and state, some officials threatened churches and leadership in exchange for silence. The threats angered some who say the ban violated the rights to Freedom of Speech. Several faith leaders have celebrated the announcement. Many called the decision an end to an attempt to limit moral judgement and guidance that churches provide for their congregations.

SNBC Health Report: How a Healthy Heart Boosts Your Body From Head to Toe

“Keeping a healthy heart puts you on a path to better health from head to toe,” said Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health.

When your cardiovascular system struggles, it triggers a cascade of problems throughout your body. Chronic inflammation is one of the main ways poor heart health leads to other diseases. If inflammation persists, it begins to damage blood vessels and organs and can cause high blood pressure and poor circulation. Excess body fat and environmental factors can also damage blood vessels and tissues.

Here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your heart health:

• Eating 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day may lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases by 28 percent and premature death from all causes by 31 percent.

• Getting 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week—like brisk walking, biking, or running—can cut the risk of death by 21 percent . Two to four times more per week may boost that benefit to 31 percent.

• Stopping smoking directly reduces damage to blood vessels and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It also cuts your risk of stroke and heart attack by half after a year.

• Cutting salt by 2,300 milligrams can lower systolic blood pressure by 5.6 millimeters of mercury and diastolic by 2.3 millimeters.

• Sleeping fewer than five hours doubles your risk of developing artery disease compared to getting seven to eight hours.

• If you snore or feel unusually tired during the day, consider getting screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Left untreated, sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and heart disease.

• Frequent, recurring anger may increase the risk of heart disease by limiting the blood vessels’ ability to open. Positive emotions like happiness and contentment may protect against heart disease and stroke.

• Poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which causes chronic inflammation, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of heart problems. Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes reduces that risk.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

A global study analyzing more than 2 million people found that when adults aged 55 to 60 lowered their high blood pressure, it added several years to their lives.

The more risk factors people improved, the healthier years they gained.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JULY 20th, 2025

Article criticizes Evangelical support of Israel/ Biblical beliefs
A CNN article is drawing ire for its depiction of Christians and their Biblical beliefs. The article posted on CNN’s website is entitled: Prophecy, not politics may also shape America’s Clash with Iran”. The article’s writer claims Evangelical Christians are shaping America’s view of Iran based on end time prophecy. The article specifically Christian’s belief in the Rapture make Israel the focal point of world history, while villainizing Iran. The article, written by John Blake also claims Christians have misinterpreted the Bible concerning end time events. Blake claims the Book of Revelation is a reference to the destruction of the Roman empire, and anti-Rome sentiment. A Christian scholar criticized the article and pointed out that it is Islam and other sects of that religion that villainize Israel and the U.S. The writer of this piece was later challenged concerning the contents of the piece and its lack of counter arguments; the writer of the article has not commented on this questions or the controversy.

Christian wins case in Australia after attempted censorship
A Christian in Australia has won his case after persecution. Chris Elston was accused of cyber abuse in 2024 for comments he made online. Elston was criticizing the appointment of a person who claims to be transgender to the World Health Organization. Elston fought the claims remarking during the tribunal that he was not disrespectful but chose to use the person’s pronouns that matched their biological gender. The tribunal later voted that the criteria for cyber abuse, did not match the incident that occurred. The executive director of Alliance Defending Freedom International says that the ruling was a decisive win for free speech. Paul Coleman went on to criticize the Australian government for attempting to censor Elston, who is a Canadian citizen.

Iranian government vows revenge for leader hurt in airstrike
Iran is claiming it will seek retaliation after a recent airstrike. In our SNBC NEWS update from Israel, the Iranian government has confirmed that nation’s leader was injured in a recent airstrike. Israeli forces launched the air assault recently; the president of Iran is confirmed to be one of the injured in that strike. Iranian officials have now closed their airspace and are threatening to seek retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas has again rejected a ceasefire agreement, prompting Israel’s airstrike. This is just the latest in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel along with the US launched airstrikes recently in Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program. Israel’s prime minister has vowed to continue all military efforts until the terrorist groups in the region are destroyed.

SNBC Health Report: Researchers have found new health benefits from eating kiwi
Researchers believe this small fruit makes a significant difference when it comes to gut health. Researchers commented that kiwi helps digestion by giving a boost to vitamins and antioxidants. Kiwi contains eight grams of fiber and is considered a superfood because of its nutrients. This wealth of nutrients helps improve gut health and is considered a natural enzyme to aid digestion. A 2011 study found eating kiwi may help protect the boy from certain illnesses, such as cancer and promotes heart health. It is also rich in vitamins C, E, and K. This fruit also aids in health concerning vision, bone health, respiratory health and promoting a better night’s sleep. Kiwi is traditionally harvesting from October through May, but can be found throughout the year here in the US.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JULY 13th, 2025

Christian university criticized for liberal fund award
A Christian university is being criticized for accepting a controversial donation. Baylor University recently accepted a large donation from a liberal group. The organization awarded the school over 600-thousand dollars towards LGBT research. The endowment is being used to conduct surveys about the “exclusion of LGBT people in churches”. The group awarding the endowment claims the studies will be used to “foster institutional courage and foster change.” Critics say the university’s announcement is a culmination of a pattern of liberal behavior at Baylor. Others have advised parents keep their students away from the school. One critic referred to Baylor University as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A spokesperson for the university says Baylor’s commitment to its Christian mission and identity remains steadfast and the school will continue to uphold the Biblical value that shaped the school’s foundation.
SNBC NEWS UPDATE: per reports Baylor University has reversed its decision and will decline the donation due to scrutiny from public.

US Department of Education and university reach agreement
The US Department of Education and the University of Pennsylvania have reached an agreement.
The university has announced it will remove a biological male from its titles in swimming for the women’s division. Announced on the Department’s website, the university has agreed to apologize to competitors that were not able to compete due to the swimmer who goes by Lia Thomas, taking a spot on the UPenn women’s team. The agreement will include Thomas being stripped of all awards, female athletes being awarded those spots, and following all Title IX regulations. This includes biological females only in women’s locker rooms at the school and an apology to members of the UPenn swim team. Supporters of the announcement praised the decision remarking that it was late, but still a welcome announcement. Several trans athletes have dominated various women’s sports across the US and around the world. Critics have called for stronger, more clear regulations to ban these athletes from women’s sports. Several women have reported injuries and being ostracized by liberal groups for speaking up to ban biological males in women’s sports.

President and Israeli Prime Minister meet
President Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister met recently in Washington as they continue towards plans to defeat Israel’s enemies on all sides. The meeting was behind closed doors. The two leaders discussed various issues including several conflicts Israel is currently facing with terrorist groups and hostile governments. In addition to the talks, the Prime Minister announced that he had formally nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Prime Minister praised the president for his role in the Abraham Accords and continued work to bring stability to the Middle East. Both leaders have expressed there will be another round of talks with Iran after the recent 12-day conflict.

Our SNBC Health Report: the benefits of watermelon
This summer fruit is a favorite of people here in the US and around the world. It is constantly celebrated for its water content, but watermelon has much more to offer in health benefits. Watermelon is rich in several nutrients including potassium, copper, selenium, and zinc. It is rich in magnesium which promotes heart health and regulates blood pressure. It aids in diabetes treatment according to several studies, an improves brain health. Watermelon also improves digestive health and is possibly an aid in skin health concerning certain issues like eczema. You can find watermelon in some form year-round here in the US, but its peak season is July and August, and the fruit is available from May to September.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JULY 6th, 2025

Nation’s Highest Court decides on Parental choice case
The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of parental choice in Maryland. The case which will have nationwide affect will allow parents to opt out of their children reading controversial books. Parents in Montgomery County Maryland sued after the school district required children as young as elementary school age to read pro-LGBT books. The parents were previously allowed to opt out of the book reading, but the school district later changed their policy making it mandatory. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in their decision in favor of the parent group. The group consisting of Christian and Islamic families celebrated the win. Justice Samuel Alito, in his majority opinion written on the case remarked the government cannot condition certain guidelines to education that violate the parent’s acceptance of such instruction due to their religious beliefs. Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her minority dissent against the ruling commented that children being exposed to the existence of LGBT people does not require intervention by the nation’s highest court. Sotomayor went on to say she is concerned about the long-term effects of this decision.

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart passes
Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart has passed; the well-known evangelist minister passed away at the age of 90 following a series of health issues. His family announced on Swaggart’s social media of his passing. Rev. Swaggart’s family asked for prayer following an announcement he had suffered a cardiac arrest about two weeks ago. The family says he never fully recovered from that incident. Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart was in ministry for over 70 years and founded the SonLife Broadcasting Network and the pastor of Family Worship Center in Louisiana. Swaggart also recorded several music albums and authored nearly 50 books. Swaggart is survived by his wife Frances, son Donnie, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ministry reports large numbers accepting Christ in prison
A ministry in Oklahoma is announcing an amazing move of God as part of a prison ministry. Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma is reporting a large outpouring in response to ministry events being conducted in the prison system in their area. Pastor Paul Daugherty says God has shown favor with the state’s governor allowing the church to reach out to those in prison through ministry outreach. The church’s last prison outreach hosted over 700 inmates to hear the Gospel of Jesus. 400 accepted Christ as their Savior and 41 were later baptized immediately following the outreach. Pastor Daugherty says that the prison outreach will continue to witness the Gospel to inmates and have several lined up for outreach events in the coming fall and winter of this year.

SNBC Health Report: the benefits of walking to help alleviate certain health issues
Researchers are reporting that walking not only benefits the body, but helps with various issues, possibly helping to alleviate certain issues. The study was released by doctors in Norway. Published in the JAMA Network Open Journal, the study mainly focused on subjects experience lower back pain. Those participating in the study were monitored after beginning a workout routine that involved daily walks. The study varied among each subject concerning amount of walking time and intensity. 11-thousand participants over the age of 20 reported their results to researchers. Study subjects reported walking a decrease in pain issues after walking daily in times ranging from 100 minutes or less. Some reported a difference by 23 percent. Walking also improves health by promoting movement in the legs, engaging the core, and helping with lung and heart function. Doctors recommend walking about 6 thousand to 8 thousand steps per day or more determining on age and mobility.