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Watchdog Alert: Latest From Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Pardon Request & Legal Turmoil
- The Israeli Prime Minister has formally asked for a presidential pardon in his years-long corruption trial — an unprecedented move while charges (bribery, fraud, breach of trust) are still pending. Reuters
- The request has sparked sharp criticism: political opponents and legal experts warn that granting a pardon before a verdict could undermine judicial integrity and set a dangerous precedent. AP News
- Supporters argue a pardon could help unify a deeply divided country amid war and regional instability. Reuters
Hostage Remains Returned from Gaza; Continued Violence Despite Ceasefire
- Militants in Gaza, according to Hamas, have handed over the body of one of the two remaining hostages from the October 7, 2023 attack — believed to be either an Israeli officer or a foreign national. Israel is preparing to receive the remains via the Red Cross and conduct forensic identification. Reuters
- The handover comes even as violence persists: an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a Palestinian journalist, and Gaza authorities report continued casualties. Reuters
- The return of remains underscores the fragile and incomplete nature of the ceasefire and hostage-return process, and highlights ongoing humanitarian and security risks. Reuters
Netanyahu Suggests Possible Deal with Syria — New Diplomatic Push
- Netanyahu has signaled that a deal with Syria could be possible — conditional on Syria’s agreement to establish a demilitarized buffer zone stretching from Damascus to Mount Hermon. Reuters
- The proposition comes amid ongoing tensions: Israel recently conducted a strike in southern Syria that killed 13 people, reportedly targeting a Lebanese militant group. Reuters
- If Syria agrees, the deal could reshape regional alignments and constitute a major strategic shift, though deep mistrust remains on both sides. Reuters
Something About Mary
Recently reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke regarding the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would have a son in miraculous fashion, I began thinking more fully on the cultural implications for Mary.
Mary would have been a teenager when Jesus was born, and Joseph would probably have been in his 20s, possibly even close to 30. This is the accepted cultural information found everywhere one looks. However, my questions weren’t related to the age of Mary or Joseph.
What about Mary’s parents? We know nothing of them except that Mary and Joseph’s marriage had been arranged. That takes involvement of the parents.
Logic must therefore reign as we ponder Mary’s situation. Her parents must have raised her diligently in the instruction of their faith. They must have at some level supported her unplanned pregnancy, as they did not reveal it to religious authorities. Otherwise Joseph, her betrothed, would not have thought about “putting her away privily” (Matthew 1:19). Religious authorities could have judged her and caused her to be stoned.
What about Mary and Joseph’s friends, extended family, and work relationships? We can’t remove this couple from their community and social life. The gossip must have been intense after Jesus was born and people began counting months since the time Joseph took Mary as his wife as the angel instructed.
Matthew 1:18-20
“Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being as just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her if of the Holy Ghost.”
Mary had to trust God with confidence that no matter the looks and whispers, she was in His will.
Mary received the angel Gabriel’s declaration with faith. “Be it done to me according to thy word,” (Luke 1:38) was a declaration of acceptance of God’s will no matter the cost. Culturally the cost could have been her life. At the least, gossip and shunning. She would have been well aware of the cultural laws.
When she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth before her and Joseph came together in their marriage, Elizabeth called her blessed because she believed.
Luke 1:45
“And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting to Mary must have greatly comforted the young girl’s heart and mind. Her cousin provided further confirmation of the things Gabriel announced. And Mary must have been greatly comforted to see proof of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, as Gabriel also had told her.
Literal Biblical Interpretation: Four Exceptions
This is Episode 9 of Bible Rebel’s 10-part ‘Bible 101’ series. It’s about seven minutes in length and briefly covers the exceptions to the principle of understanding scripture in a strict literal sense.
You can find the complete 10-part series here.
The Whole World Is A Series Of Miracles…
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.”
― Hans Christian Andersen
Well said, Hans.
I’ve found the secret: train your mind to see even the most mundane things for what they are – miraculous works of God.
From the tiniest being in existence to the vast splendor of a starry night, it’s all meant to show the glory and wonder of our loving Creator.
They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Numbers
Here are some interesting and insightful quotes about the fourth book of the Bible, Numbers.
R. K. Harrison (Old Testament Scholar)
“Numbers reminds us that spiritual progress requires trust and obedience. Israel’s wanderings reveal that unbelief stalls the journey, but God’s patience endures even in the midst of human failure.”
Timothy Keller (Pastor & Author)
“In Numbers, we see a God who walks with His people even when they complain, rebel, and wander. Grace is not a New Testament invention—it’s woven throughout the wilderness story.”
Gordon Wenham (Biblical Scholar)
“Numbers is a book of transition—from promise to fulfillment. It shows that while God prepares His people for blessing, He also forms them through discipline, shaping them into a covenant community.”
John MacArthur (Pastor & Commentator)
“The Book of Numbers reveals the seriousness of sin and the faithfulness of God. The wilderness becomes a classroom where God teaches His people to trust His word above their fears.”
Faith Of The Pilgrims
What was the religious faith of the Pilgrims?
The Pilgrims were predominantly English Separatists, a branch of the Puritan movement within Protestant Christianity.
Separatists believed the Church of England was too corrupt to reform and chose to break away entirely (unlike other Puritans who sought to reform it from within).
Their faith was deeply Protestant, emphasizing personal Bible reading, simple worship without liturgy or ritual, covenant community life, and strong moral discipline.
The Pilgrims were mainly Puritan Separatists — English Protestant Christians who left the Church of England to practice their faith freely.
Watchdog Alert: The Nightmare In Nigeria
The kidnappings, murder, and ongoing Christian persecution happening in Nigeria right now is an alarming reminder of the darkness and evil in our current age.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)
The roaring lion remains loose in Nigeria.
According to a January 2025 report by Open Doors, Nigeria topped the world’s list for the number of Christians killed (3,100) and kidnapped (2,830) in 2024 — far more than any other country. Catholic News Agency
A watchdog group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), estimated that in the first seven months of 2025 alone, over 7,000 Christians were killed and around 7,800 abducted. wng.org
In state-level incidents earlier in 2025: for instance, “Fulani herdsmen” reportedly killed five Christians during a Bible study in Kaduna. CBN
In response to mounting pressure, the Nigerian government has denied systematic persecution claims, characterizing reports as distortions propagated by “foreign lobbyists.” Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom. The Nigerian Inquirer
Here’s the Latest
More than 300 students and teachers abducted from Catholic school in Niger State
Gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papyri, Niger State, and abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers — one of the largest mass kidnappings recorded in Nigeria. Victims were both male and female. TIME
This attack came in a week that also saw other kidnappings and church attacks. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) issued alarm, and the incident has increased international scrutiny on Nigeria’s ability to protect religious minorities. TIME
Christian leaders call on U.S. action amid alleged systemic “genocide” against Christians
On November 20, 2025, a coalition of Nigerian Christian and civil-society groups publicly urged the U.S. government to intervene, warning that the ongoing targeted killings, mass displacements, and destruction of Christian communities may amount to genocide. International Christian Concern
Their appeal signals a growing belief among Nigerian Christians that the violence is not random or isolated — but rather a systematic and sustained campaign against them. This raises major human rights, diplomatic, and security concerns. International Christian Concern
Watchdog Alert: Witchcraft In America
As watchdogs we need to be aware of current spiritual trends in our culture so that we can boldly and pointedly proclaim our faith in Jeshua our Messiah as the antidote to darkness, nihilism, and occultism.
CNN is currently reporting on the popularity of witchcraft among the among the population.
“Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism are more popular than ever, with some estimates topping 2 million practitioners in the US. CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan met with modern witches to discover what they’ve found in witchcraft that they haven’t elsewhere.”
Here’s the intro video to their full report (which is apparently behind a paywall.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIWZhsVNo9A&t=26s
CNN reports that there may now be 2 million or more people in the U.S. identifying as witches, pagans, or Wiccans.
The story follows modern practitioners and explores why people are drawn into witchcraft today — for some, it’s disillusionment with organized religion; for others, it’s community, healing, or a more personal spiritual path. Modern Ghana
It also looks at how witchcraft is being reimagined in contemporary culture (not just as fantasy or superstition). Modern Ghana
Also, Time recently did an article on the rise of witchcraft in modern America.
An excerpt from the piece:
“Although the practice of witchcraft is not new—people have long turned to the occult for cosmic intervention during difficult times—this trend is unique because the practice of hiring witches to do spellwork is no longer considered taboo.”
Forewarned is forearmed, fellow watchdogs.
Death Row Letters: The Hiddenness of God
This post was originally published on in April, 2025 and updated on November 22,2025.
Howdy, I trust all is well with you as you sit here on death row with the rest of us.
Someone recently asked me why an all-loving and all-powerful God would hide and allow for so many folks to doubt His existence.
The so called ‘hiddenness of God’, which has been debated in philosophical/theological discussions for a long time, raises the question of why God doesn’t just make His presence undeniably clear to everyone.
Do we ask why the clockmaker doesn’t show himself every time we look at a big, beautiful grandfather clock? Nope. Because the clock is proof of the clockmaker.
God isn’t hidden, you can see Him everywhere you look.
Psalm 19:1-2 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (KJV)
How can any intelligent person look at the creation and not see the Creator? So, no, God is not hidden – people who claim He is are in denial.
Romans 1:19-21 – Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Not only has God revealed Himself through the Book of Creation, He has also shown Himself perfectly through the written Word of God, the Bible, and in complete fullness by the Word made flesh, Jeshua our Messiah, the only begotten son of God.
Even so, I understand the argument: Why doesn’t God just do a bunch of magic tricks for everyone all the time so that they will see Him and love Him?
Well, part of the answer to that question is imbedded in the question itself. See if you can figure it out before our next little chat when we’ll dig a little deeper into the hiddenness of God.
Until then,
Your fellow death row occupant