One of the many criticisms "the world" has about Christianity is that it keeps women down or does not allow women to reach their full potential. Some of the reasons for this may be due to the fact some Christians and Christian groups emphasize male leadership. The Bible mentions the lead role of a man in marriage. God is referred to as "the Father," and I could go on with other examples.

Despite all this, the Bible makes it clear that God's image is made up of both male and female (Genesis 1:27). Let's not forget this physical life is not what it is all about. God has primary roles for both men and women in this world.

One of the big themes for the Church of God at this time of year is change. God's holy-day season begins in the spring of the year as winter has ended and spring has sprung. This major seasonal transition is connected to the beginning of God's yearly holy days. One of the things the Days of Unleavened Bread bring to mind is the need for change in our lives. Christ's sacrifice for us reminds us of the need to become more like Christ. We can do this by removing sin from our lives.

According to Wikipedia, a genetic chimerism or chimera is a single organism composed of cells with more than one distinct genotype. A genotype is the genetic material of an organism. So, in other words, a genetic chimera is similar to the mythological chimeras, like a griffin, a half-eagle and half-lion-like beast.

Last year scientists successfully grew monkey embryos with human cells. Human stem cells were injected into monkey embryos, and they grew in a petri dish, with three of the embryos surviving for up to 19 days.

How quickly things can change! The recent tension between Ukraine and Russia changed into war and quickly involved the Western powers. Like any conflict, things can get out of hand quickly.

One of the things that may manifest when this conflict simmers is a more united European Union (EU). The most powerful nation in the EU is Germany, and this crisis has probably had the most significant effect on them thus far.

Within a week Germany stopped completion of a gas pipeline with Russia, suspended close banking ties, provided lethal weapons to Ukraine, and promised to increase their defense spending.

One of the most important biblical concepts we can develop is accountability. By accountability, I mean "subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable." There are so many examples of this in the Bible. Let's take a look at just a few to develop our understanding of this important concept.

Right from the start of the Bible, we see this important principle being played out. Adam and Eve sin, and God holds them accountable. But let us take a closer look at this incident to see a couple of major points we need to make about accountability.

One could easily argue that since the end of World War II the United States has been the most powerful nation on earth. Since that time, our military, economy, and technology have been preeminent compared to all other nations. The argument can be made we are still number one in these categories, but how long will we remain in that position?

One interesting recent development pertains to the development of hypersonic missiles. Believe it or not, the United States (US) has fallen behind both China and Russia in this very important missile technology.

A few weeks back, I wrote a blog on why people fall for cults. We will define a cult as a religion or religious sect generally considered extremist or false, with its followers often living unconventionally under the guidance of an authoritarian or charismatic leader.

I'd like to follow that up with some characteristics of cults. Just because your church might reflect some of these characteristics does not mean you are in a cult. But if these characteristics become the norm or are frequently employed, you may want to take notice.

A new controversial Canadian law went into effect on January 8, which considers Bible teaching on sexuality and gender as a "myth." The passage of Bill C-4 (the "conversion therapy" ban) is raising concern among many Canadian Christians. Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is a term for approaches aimed at changing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people to a heterosexual orientation or diminishing same-sex behavior and/or attractions.

In a letter published by Liberty Coalition Canada, a group of Evangelical pastors comment:

"This bill's wording is sufficiently broad to allow for the criminal prosecution of Christians who would speak biblical truth into the lives of those in bondage to sexual sins like homosexuality and transgenderism... Even a mother or father who offers their children freedom from sexual sin through repentance and faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) could be threatened with five years in jail."

First of all, what is a cult? A cult is a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object. The term has taken on a more negative connotation over the last 50 years. Today many people think of cults as a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. Groups like the Manson Family, the Peoples Temple, the Branch Davidians, and Heaven's Gate would fit into this second definition.

Keeping in mind the negative definition, let's consider the reasons people fall for these extremist groups.

In some of my blog posts, I have argued that things are not always as bad as some try to make it seem. I want to now offer some support for the negative side of things. In November, the United States government announced that over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021. That is the first time U.S. drug overdose deaths have crossed the 6-figure threshold in any 12 month period.

Partly to blame for this increase is the use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl is much more powerful than morphine and heroin, which are potent opioids. In fact, over 64,000 of the 100,000 deaths were due to fentanyl. Fentanyl is being added to other drugs like cocaine and counterfeit pills, killing people who ingest it unknowingly.

A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that 54 percent of teens ages 14 to 18 said "living a religious life" is very important to them, compared to 95 percent who thought free time and 93 percent who thought career success was more important. These numbers point out the fact our younger generations are not prioritizing religion as being important.

More dramatically, a 2018 Pew Research poll found 65 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 believed in at least one of four beliefs that Pew called "New Age." These beliefs included the power of psychics, astrology, and spiritual energy being in physical things.

I just wanted to write this blog to remind everyone in the United States about how lucky we are to live in this country. Especially at this time of our Thanksgiving holiday, we need to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are. Sure, we are going through issues right now on mandates and vaccines. There is disagreement and division in the country over it. But we are debating these issues in the courts, and everyone's perspective can still be heard. We also get the right to vote if we choose to and to determine who will make these types of decisions.

Is it possible for a Christian to be perfect in our flesh and blood bodies? Believe it or not, I have run into this idea a few times in my life. Once was in college when a street preacher was suggesting this in a public area on campus. I heard it again from a Seventh-Day Adventist who used to visit my church in Maryland. I have even heard it brought up by Church of God folks.

Because of this, I decided to write this blog. At first glance, you may wonder why anyone would think they could be perfect in this life since Jesus Christ had to die to purge us of our sins. If we can become perfect on our own, why would we need Jesus?

On October 9, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1084, which will force large stores to have non-gendered toy sections beginning in 2024. The stores will still have boys' and girls' sections. Still, the new law will have stores provide "a reasonable selection of toys and items in a "gender-neutral section…regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or boys."

California Assemblyman Evan Low stated, "Traditionally, children's toys and products have been categorized by a child's gender. In retail, this has led to the proliferation of [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]-geared toys in a 'boys' section and toys that direct girls to pursuits such as caring for a baby, fashion, and domestic life."

French foreign minister Jean Yves Le Drian has accused the United States (US) President Joe Biden of acting like Donald Trump after France was pushed aside when the US, United Kingdom (UK), and Australia announced a partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will lead to Australia purchasing US nuclear-powered submarines.

The partnership by the US, UK, and Australia is attempting to counter China's emerging Navy in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The last time the US ever engaged in a technology transfer like this was from 1958 to 1962, when it agreed to exchange nuclear capabilities with the UK in an effort to deter the Soviet Union from nuclear action as part of the US–UK Mutual Defense Agreement, which is still in effect.