Current News & Events

Tuesday Watchdog: Vatican Creates Schism

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Vatican Declares SSPX in Schism, Excommunicates Bishops and Priests

The Vatican formally declared the Society of Saint Pius X to be in schism after it consecrated four bishops without papal approval. The Vatican excommunicated the bishops and hundreds of priests involved, making it one of the most significant internal Catholic ruptures in decades. AP

Jesus prayed that His followers would be one (John 17), but unity without truth isn’t biblical—and neither is churchianity dressed up as truth. When religious institutions fracture over authority, every Christian should ask: Is my ultimate loyalty to Christ and Scripture, or to a denomination or tradition?

Traditionalist Priests Say a Future Pope Will Reverse the Decision

Following the excommunications, leaders within the SSPX publicly expressed confidence that a future pope would welcome them back into full communion, signaling that they view the dispute as temporary rather than settled. Reuters

The hope of Christianity isn’t found in the next pope, pastor, or church council—it’s found in our Lord Jesus Christ and in Him alone. If our confidence depends on the next religious leader fixing everything, we’re royally screwed.

Should we always put Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus over religious tradition and authority? Is the Pope Catholic?

Saturday Watchdog: America At 250 – Celebration… Or Warning?

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As America celebrates its 250 years, the headlines are filled with debates about our history, our identity, and what kind of nation we want to become. Some want to emphasize our achievements, and we should. Others insist we confront our failures, and we should do that too. It’s good and proper that America is asking hard questions about itself.

Where Does America Stand in God’s Eyes?

The Bible teaches that one day, after this age is over, every individual will stand before God for judgment. But throughout Scripture, God also judges nations within history. Egypt. Babylon. Assyria. Israel. Rome. No nation gets a permanent exemption, including the good old USA.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34 (KJV)

America has been incredibly blessed. Millions have flocked here over the generations to enjoy the freedom, opportunity, and generosity that this nation has provided through God’s grace, wisdom, and mercy.

But blessings aren’t a lifetime achievement award. They’re a stewardship, and America has not always managed that stewardship according to our Heavenly Father’s will and heart.

And America has been harshly judged within our own history for our national sins. The Civil War was the horrible consequence of the wickedness of slavery, for example.

What About Now?

The real issue isn’t whether America is the greatest nation on earth—we believe it is. The real question is whether we’re pursuing justice, truth, humility, and obedience to the God who ultimately rules over every nation.

At 250 years old, America doesn’t just need another birthday party. It needs honest self-examination and a return to acknowledging that the world is dark and broken, and that the light shining from the city on the hill is God’s light, not our own.

So What?

Before criticizing and damning our country—or worshipping it—ask God to examine your heart first. Nations are made up of people, and renewal and revival always begin one person at a time.

Friday Watchdog Alert: Why God Allows The Earth To Shake

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Wednesday, Venezuela got rocked by two massive earthquakes—7.2 and 7.5—leaving at least 188 dead, thousands injured, and entire neighborhoods in rubble. Rescue teams are still digging through collapsed buildings, airports are shut down, and the country is in a full state of emergency.

So let’s talk about the question everyone asks when the ground moves: “Why would God allow this?”

I’ll be blunt: earthquakes aren’t “evil.” They’re part of how the planet works right now—tectonic plates shift, pressure releases, oceans move, rivers overflow. Nature isn’t broken; fallen humanity’s authority over it is.

According to the Bible, humanity originally had legal authority over creation. But when Adam bailed on God’s command, that authority transferred to someone else—“the ruler of this world,” Satan (see John 12:31).

Humanity handed over the keys, and the world has been groaning ever since.

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” – Romans 8:22-23

But here’s some good news; as believers today, we have authority in Jesus Christ and a restored spiritual connection with our Heavenly Father, so we can use that power and authority to mitigate and even overcome the consequences of those “natural disasters” which plague the world around us.

That’s not the end of the story, though. Jesus stepped in to reclaim what Adam lost. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18). The takeover has already begun—but the full restoration is still ahead.

The purchase price has been paid. The legal documents have been signed and notarized. We’re just waiting for the effective date on the bill of sale to arrive so that the new Owner can move in and start the renovation.

In the meantime, God isn’t ignoring the pain. He’s promised to rebuild everything. Revelation 21:4 says He will wipe every tear, end death, and make all things new. Not patched. All things completely restored to their original condition of perfection and glory.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

So when the earth shakes, don’t blame God. Blame the broken authority structure humanity created—and look to the One who’s already fixing it.

Pray, give, support relief efforts. Be part of the healing while we wait for the world God promised.

Saturday Watchdog Alert: Supporting Israel Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

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A wild idea: what if supporting Israel didn’t require a seminary degree, a prophecy chart, or a 12‑week Bible study on the End Times?

What if it’s as simple as this: they’re a free, modern democracy in a rough neighborhood, and friends stick with friends when things get loud. You don’t need a burning bush to get behind that.

The Bible actually backs up the idea of standing with friends and allies, especially when the world around them is chaos. You don’t have to be religious to get that. You just have to have common sense.

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Sticking by long-time friends who need us isn’t “Zionist” or “anti-Islam”; it’s the right thing to do. And Israel isn’t just a long-time friend of the USA—Israel is a geopolitical and strategic partner in a violent, dark, and unpredictable world.

Tuesday Watchdog: ‘Peace’ But Still Side‑Eying Each Other

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Today’s headlines dropped a geopolitical plot twist: the U.S. and Iran just signed a Memorandum of Understanding—a deal meant to stop months of fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and cool down a region that’s been running hotter than a Montana July. According to multiple reports, the agreement halts hostilities, lifts the naval blockade, and kicks off a 60‑day window for deeper talks on nukes, sanctions, and oil flows.

But here’s the wild part: even with the ink drying, everyone’s still watching everyone. Israel’s still firing in Lebanon, Iran’s still suspicious, and the U.S. is basically saying, “Great job, everyone—don’t mess this up.”

If global politics feels like a never‑ending group project where nobody trusts the guy holding the glue stick… you’re not wrong.

And yet Scripture cuts through the noise: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

Not the peace‑talkers. Not the peace‑posters. The peacemakers—people who build peace where chaos tries to live. But let’s also understand that any peace this side of the return of the Prince of Peace and his kingdom is temporary.

So What?

Be a mini peacemaker today. Reflect the nature of the kingdom to come. Do one small act that reduces conflict—online or IRL. Send a kind message. De‑escalate a dumb argument. Be the calm voice in a loud room. That’s rebellion the Bible actually endorses.

Tuesday Watchdog Alert: Wars And Rumors Of Wars

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Over the weekend, Israel and Iran exchanged direct military strikes once again, raising fears that the region could slide into a broader war. Reports indicate Iranian missile attacks were followed by Israeli strikes on military targets inside Iran before both sides signaled a temporary pause. The ceasefire remains fragile, and tensions continue across Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

For Christians, moments like this create a temptation: either panic or obsession.

Some people treat every missile launch like it came with a free copy of Revelation attached. Others ignore the situation completely. The Bible calls us to neither extreme.

Jesus warned that there would be “wars and rumours of wars,” but He also said, “See that ye be not troubled” (Matthew 24:6). Notice that. He didn’t say the conflicts wouldn’t happen. He said His followers should not be ruled by fear.

Whether today’s headlines are directly connected to end-times prophecy or simply another chapter in humanity’s long history of conflict, they remind us of one thing: this world is not our ultimate hope. Christ is.

Spend five minutes today praying for peace in the Middle East, protection for civilians, and courage for Christians living in the region. Then turn off the doom-scrolling and spend ten minutes in God’s Word. One of those feeds your anxiety. The other feeds your soul.

Thursday Watchdog Alert: Middle East Political Messiahs?

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Iran says its attack on Kuwait was self-defense. Negotiations with the United States have now been suspended. Independent

Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue. Politicians blame politicians. Generals blame generals. Everybody promises a solution. Military.com

And yet the Middle East remains what it has been for thousands of years: a place searching for peace and rarely finding it.

Every generation believes the right leader, the right government, the right treaty, or the right movement will finally fix the world. We keep looking for a political messiah.

The Bible says that longing is real—but we’ve been looking in the wrong place.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Notice that Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, not the Negotiator of Peace. Real peace won’t be accomplished at a conference table. Real peace will only be realized when Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish God’s kingdom on earth.

That’s why every human peace plan eventually cracks. You can sign agreements on paper, but you can’t legislate away sin.

The headlines remind us that humanity’s deepest problem has never changed. Neither has God’s solution.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Tuesday Watchdog Alert: Young Men Are Showing Up

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For years, we’ve been told the story was simple: Christianity is declining, churches are emptying, and faith is becoming irrelevant. All certainly true enough.

But maybe there’s some light starting to show at the end of this tunnel.

A recent Gallup poll found that young men are becoming more interested in religion, with significantly more men ages 18–29 saying faith is important in their lives and attending religious services than just a few years ago. At the same time, reports from churches around the country describe growing numbers of Gen Z men looking for community, purpose, and meaning.

Why?

Because endless scrolling isn’t a substitute for purpose, online influencers can’t answer life’s toughest questions, and because human beings were created for something bigger than themselves.

And maybe some folks are starting to get a better understanding of priorities.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33)

Notice what these young men aren’t looking for: more entertainment, more apps, or more self-help slogans. They’re looking for meaning, purpose, and the Big Picture

So What?

Try this: Read Matthew 5–7 and ask God to show you where you’re seeking meaning in the wrong places. The answer may be closer than you think.

Saturday Watchdog Alert: The Death Of Common Sense?

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Two recent headlines point to a growing trend in American culture: people are losing confidence that objective truth even exists.

A recent article from the George Barna, of the Barna Group, found that many Americans now believe truth is personal and self-defined rather than something that exists outside themselves. At the same time, educators and commentators continue debating whether facts should take a back seat to personal experience and individual identity in shaping beliefs.

That’s a dangerous game because if everyone gets their own truth, then nobody gets the truth.

Imagine playing football where every player makes up his own rules. The game would last about three minutes before somebody got tackled by a guy carrying a lawn chair.

Yet that’s increasingly how many people approach life. But the Bible takes a radically different view. Truth is not something we invent. Truth is something we discover because it comes from God.

Jesus said:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17

When a culture disconnects itself from truth, confusion follows. Relationships suffer. Institutions weaken. People become anxious because they are forced to invent their own meaning, morality, and purpose.

Common Sense And Truth Are Both Victims

Strange times we’re living in.

The far left has gone so far left and the far right has gone so far right that they converged at the junction of antisemitism, “everyone I disagree with is a pedophile or pedophile protector”, and extreme libertarianism/anarchism.

I guess common sense is no longer cool enough and doesn’t get some folks the attention they so desperately crave.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Thursday Watchdog Alert: Prophecy Junkies

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Iran. Israel. Hezbollah. Gaza. Houthi missiles. “Wars and rumors of wars.” Sound familiar?

This week alone, headlines focused on escalating Iran-Israel tensions, renewed Hezbollah activity, and political leaders openly using end-times language while discussing war in the Middle East. – The Guardian

And yes — many Christians immediately start flipping to Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation.

But the Bible never told believers to panic. It told us to pay attention.

Jesus said:

“See that ye be not troubled.” — Matthew 24:6

That’s the part many prophecy junkies conveniently skip while trying to turn every missile launch into a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Could current events connect to biblical prophecy? Maybe. The Middle East has always mattered in the biblical storyline, and nations like Persia (modern Iran) do appear in prophetic passages Christians have debated for centuries.

But prophecy isn’t meant to turn Christians into bunker-dwelling doom addicts. It’s supposed to wake us up spiritually.

The real issue is this: while nations rage, millions of ordinary people — including Christians trapped in conflict zones — are suffering, afraid, and searching for hope.

So instead of obsessing over timelines and hashtags, let’s try this:

Pray for persecuted believers. Open our Bibles instead of rage-scrolling. And shine light into a world addicted to darkness and chaos.

Because whether Christ returns tomorrow or 100 years from now, our mission today remains exactly the same.