U.S. Strikes IS in Nigeria for Killing Christians

 The U.S. military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria over the violent  targeting of Christians, the Christian Today website reports today (Feb. 22, 2026).

The strikes were carried out in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas day.

Christmas has become a tense time  of year for Christians across Nigeria's central and northern states due to the threat of attacks by Islamist exrtremists.

The strikes targeted two IS camps in Sokoto State. The strikes involved missiles and drones, and were baSED ON  SHARED INTELLIGENCE.The  U.S. military's Africa Command said on X that they took place "in coordination  with Nigerian authorities."

President Donald Trump publicly announced the  operation on his Truth Social platform and said it was a response to ongoing attacks by IS--linked militants against Christian communities in Nigeria.

"Tonight,  at my direction as commander in chief,  the United States launched a powerful  and deadly  strike  against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing --primarily innocent Christians -- at levels not seen  for years, and even centuries,"Trump said.

Pope Leo Declines to Join Trump's Board of Peace

 Pope Leo XIV has declined President Donald Trump's  invitation ro join  the newly  established Board of Peace --feeling doing so would violate the  authority of the United Nations --as  the international peacekeeping body,  the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 20, 2026).

While speaking to reporters on Feb.17, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced that the  Vatican "will not participate in the  Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is not that  of other States."Parolin elaborated on the Vatican's concerns about the Board of Peace.

"There are points that leave us somewhat perplexed," Parolin said."There are some critical points that would need to find explanations."

"At the international level,it should above all be  the UN that manages these crises situations," he said. "This is one of the points on which we have insisted."

Other sovereign  states that have declined Trump's invitation to join the Board of Peace include  Denmark, France, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden. A TOTAL OF 62 NATIONS HAVE BEEN  INVITED TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL BODY. 

The Board of Peace was officially  unveiled last month at the  World Economic  Forum in  Switzerland. Part of Trump's peace deal to end the Israel--Hamas conflict, the UN Security Council approved the creation of the Board of Peace in  Resolution  2803, envisioning the body as "A TRANSITIONAL  administration with  international legal personality that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for the redevelopment of Gaza pursuant to the peace plan."

The war in Gaza Strip began after Hamas' Oct. 7,2023 terror attack on  civilian  and military targets in  southern  Israel, which prompted an Israeli military offensive to eradicate Hamas and secure the release of hostages.

The charter of the Board of Peace says it seeks to "promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance,and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict."

8 Skiers Killed in Deadliest Avalanche in Calif. History

Eight skiers were killed on Feb. 17 in a massive avalanche near Lake Tahoe, marking the deadliest avalanche in California's recorded history. the USA Today website reports today (Feb. 19, 2026).

The avalanche struck late Tuesday morning in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada, norrthwest of  Lake Tahoe. A group of 15 skiers on a multi--day back--country trip  was caught in the slide, which witnesses described as fast--moving and overwhelming.  

The avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. , sweeping skiers down the mountainside and burying several under deep snow and debris.

One skier remains missing, with officials stating the individual is presumed deceased.

Six skiers survived, with some injuries requiring hospitalization.

Officials noted that the victims had "little time to react"once the slide began. 

This event is considered the deadliest avalanche in  Calif. history. It is also the deadliest avalanche in the  U.S. since 1981, when  11 climbers were killed on  Mount Rainier.

Putin Uses Russian Orthodox Church to Control Rel. Life

 Russia, under President Vladmir Putin, is increasingly using the Russian Orthodox Church as a tool to control religious life, limit dissent, and expel state influence, both inside and outside the country, the Christian Daily  website reports today (Feb. 16, 2026). 

The Kremlin and the Church are deeply intertwined. Putin presents the Russian Orthodox Church as the guardian of "traditional values" and Russian identity. 

This partnership gives the Church privileged status, while minority Christian groups and other faiths face restrictions. 

Groups facing pressure include: Evangelical Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses,  Muslims, Independent Orthodox communities not aligned  with the Moscow Patriarchate.

These groups are often labeled "extremist" or "foreign agents."

Love Is a Choice We Need to Make

God commands us to live one another, the Crossmap website reports today (Feb. 18, 2026).

We need to love those who love us back. These are kind,  caring,and compassionate people.

But what about that co--worker who always complains and puts you  down? What about the spouse who  cheated on you or lied about where they'd been for the last 24 hours? What about the neighbor who does nothing  but  cause chaos in your town?Is it easy to love them?

The short and truthful answer is no. It's not easy to love those who  don't treat you with love and respect. And yet, God calls us  to love and do good to all people, and that includes those  who have and will continue to hurt you.

In John 13, Jesus tells us that we are called to love one another, just as He loved us. If we are truly His Disciples, then we love without cause. Why?  Because Jesus loved us to  death. While we were still sinners, spitting in His face, cursing Him, and crucifying His body, He looked down on us with love. He chose to die for us because  of His  great, sacrificial,eternal, and never--ending love.

Rev. Jesse Jackson,Civil Rights Activist, Dies at 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights activist and former candidate for President, has died at the age of 84, the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 17, 2026).

The Jackson family released a statement announcing that the Baptist minister died on Feb.17morning, being survived by his wife, six children, and multiple grandchildren.

"Our father was a servant leader -- noy only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world," stated the Jackson family. 

"We shared him with the world, and in return,  the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice,equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to   honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."

Jesse Louis Jackson was born Oct.8, 1941in Greenville, South Carolina. The son  of a single teenage mother, Jackson  was an honor student in high school and later earned a bachelor's degree in  sociology from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina in  1964.  He completed graduate work at the Chicago Theological  Seminary in the 1960s and later received honorary degrees from the institution.

Jackson first engaged as an  activist while  a student at CTS when the Rev. Martin  Luther King Jr. came to Chicago to launch a northern chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Theology and Society blog of George Patsourakos

God Is the Remedy for Grief

Valentine's Day is  often framed as a celebration of love shared with a spouse, friends,family,or even quietly with yourself and God,  the Christian Today website reports today(Feb. 15, 2026). 

Yet for many, this day does not stir joybut ache. It becomes a painful reminder of what has been lost: a friendship that faded, a relationship that ended, a marriage that broke, or a loved one who has died.

To have loved deeply and to have been loved in return is one of life's greatest gifts. But when that love is taken away, grisf follows. And grief, in many ways, neverf fully leaves.  It may soften with time, but it lingers like a wound that has closed but  still aches, easily reopened by a memory, a song, a place or a passing moment.

What if there is Someone who understands your grief more deeply than you ever could? (Psalm34:18)

A loving  Father who looks upon you with compassion and longs  to lift the weight you brar(Lamentations 3:32--33). No one who is distant or indifferent,  but  One  who  knows sorow intimitely becuse He experiences it daily.

God created the world out of love, desiring relationship, joy, and communion with humanity (Genesis 1). Yet, that love was not  returned  (Genesis 3).We turned away. We chose the  creation over the  Creator (Romans 1:21--25). And in doing so, we cut  ourselves off from the very Source of life (John 1:4). From  God's perspective, this was death, and He grieves this  fallen world (Ephesians 2:1, Genesis 6:6).

Canada's Deadliest School Shooting Leaves 10 Dead. over 25 Injured

Canada's deadliest school shooting ever leaves 10 dead and over 25 injured, the Christian Post website reports today (Feb.12, 2026).

A shooter opened fire at a high school in  western Canadaon Feb.10,killig at least nine people and injuring dozens before killing himself.The incident marks the deadliest schoolshooting in the country's history

The bodies were found inside Tumbler Ridge  School in British Columbia and another  two at a nearby residence, while a 10th person died while  being transported to a nearby hospitlal. according  to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Reuters reported.

The suspected shooter,described as a female in a dress with brown hair, but who is believed to be a teenage male who identified as transgender, was found dead from a self--inflicted injury in  the school, and police believe there are no additional suspects.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said officers were still notifying families of the victims and confirmed that trauma counselors would be sent to assist the community. 

Most Americans Believe in God, but Many Rarely Attend Church

 Most adults in the U.S. believe in God and engage in some form of religious services, according to data from the Pew Research Center, the Christian Daily website reports today(Feb. 11, 2026).

The analysis, based on Pew's 2023--24 Religious Landscape Study,found that 83 of every 100 adults say they believe in God or a universal spirit. Of these, a majority express strong conviction:54 say they believe with absolute certainty,  while 21 are fairly ceertain. Another eight say they are not too certain or not certain at all. Sixteen  people say they do not believe in God or a universal spirit. 

In the scaled--down town, 44 people would pray daily,while 23 would pray weekly or monthly. Thirty--two would seldom or never pray.

Why We Love God's Law

God's law is not a  burden --it is a gift,  the Crossmap website reports today (Feb. 10, 2026).

Scripture tells us that "the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul" (Psalm 19:7). In a world filled with shifting values and moral confusion, God's commands stand as a steady light, showing us the way to live with wisdom, peace, and integrity.

God's law reveals His character. Every command reflects His holiness, His justice, and His love. When He calls us to purity, it is because He is pure. When  He calls us to compassion, it is because He is compassionate. To love His law is to love the heart of the One who gave it. 

God's law protects us. The boundaries He sets are not meant to restrict joy, but to preserve it. Like guardrails on a mountain road,His commands keep us from dangers we cannot always see and guide us toward the life He intends for us.

God's law leads us to Christ. The more we see God's perfect standard,  the more we recognize our need for a Savior. The law points us to the grace found in Jesus, who fulfilled it completely and offers us forgiveness when we fall short.

Loving God's law is ultimately about loving God Himself. His commands are expressions of His care, His wisdom, and His desire to draw us closer to Him. When we walk in His ways, we discover the freedom, joy, and peace that only God can give.

 

At Least 162 Executed in Nigeria

 At least 162 people were killed in Kwara state in Nigeria after residents rejected radical Islam, the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 9, 2026). 

Gunmen attacked two villages, killing and abducting villagers over a 10--hour period.

President Bola Tinubu deployed an army battalion to the region following the violence.

Gunmen massacred and executed dozens of people in  two Muslim--majority villages in Nigeria's western Kwara state after residents refused to accept their extremist preaching, according to reports.

Gunmen arrived on motorcycles, tied many of the villagers' hands behind their backs, and executed them, witnesses said. The attackers also went house to house and opened fire, with some victims shot during prayer, and others burned alive,  the villagers said.

Nigeria's Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that U.S.troops were in the country providing intelligence support, following a request from Nigeria's government.                                                              

How to Overcome Greed

As Christians, we are familiar with Scripture's clear warnings about money, the Christian Today website reports today (Feb. 7, 2026). 

We are told that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil"  (1 Timothy 6:10) and that no one can serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13).  Yet, despite knowing these truths, ,many of us still find ourselves desiring wealth and possessions. 

Desires often extend beyond what is necessary. They grow into the urge to accumulate more than we need "just in case,"to pursue comfort without sacrifice, or to display success and status.

Greed never satisfies (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Instead, it breeds comparison, envy, resentment,division, and injustice. It fuels conflict on both personal and global levels, leading people to hoard rather than share to protect excess while others go without. What begins as a reasonable concern can quickly become a distorted hunger that harms both  ourselves and others.

We are stewards, not owners, and stewards do not live for themselves. What they manage is entrusted to them for the good of others and the glory of their master (Matthew 25: 14--30). What we have,therefore, is not meant to be consumed for ourselves, alone, but to be used to bless others (1 Peter 4:10). Even in the Lord's Prayer,  the request for daily bread comes after the prayer for God's kingdom to come to earth-- reminding us that our provision is always tied to God's purposes, and that what sustains us is also meant to serve His kingdom (Matthew 6:9--11).

When we live this way, giving freely and stewarding faithfully,  it brings joy both to those who receive and to our own  hearts, and it becomes an offering that pleases God (Acts 20:35; 2Corinthians 9:7;Philippians 4:18).

Trump Backs Religion at National Prayer Breakfast

l President Donald Trump saId "religion is coming back"in the United States and touted the administration's accomplishments for religious liberty, while attacking his political opponents during a wide--ranging speech yesterday at the National Prayer  Breakfast in Washington,D.C., the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 6, 2026).

Trump opened his speech by dismissing concerns about the state of  his soul, given  comments he made last year that he "maybe not Heaven--bound," claIming  such remarks  were made in  jest and misinterpreted.

"I say, 'I'm never going to make it to Heaven.I just don't think I qualify. I don't think there's a thing I can do.' " 

"But all of these good things I'm doing, including for religion.You know religion is back now, hotter than ever before," he said.

Trump then said he has done more for religious freedom than other modern presidents,claiming most were either too neutral or actively hostile toward faith. He accused Democrats, especially, of opposing God.

God's Passionate Pursuit of Our Hearts

 The entire Bible from Genesis 3 to Revelation 22:21 is a record of God's passionate pursuit of the human heart, the Crossmap website reports today (Feb. 4, 2026).

God has pulled out all the stops. He moved heaven and earth -- literally -- to win  us back,  to reestablish the  glory that was lost in the Garden. 

Jesus said "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take  my yoke upon you, and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you  will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28--30)

Yet, easy and light are not words many of us would use to describe our faith journey.

God is pursuing us. Through the beauty of a flower in wintertime.The sun reflecting off the snow. The whisper of the wind. The love letters of His Word. 

Taliban Legalizes Slavery, Cuts Women's Rights

The Taliban has formally legalized slavery under its interpretation  of Islamic law, the Crossmap website reports today (Feb. 3, 2026). 

The development is part of a broader tightening of extremist policies since the group regained control of Afghanistan.

The Taliban has codified rules that permit the taking of slaves under certain conditions, based on the strict interpretation of  Sharia.

Women and girls are especially vulnerable, as the regime continues to impose severe restrictions on  female education, employment, and movement. 

Human rights groups warn that this move could increase trafficking, forced marriages, and sexual exploitation.

International observers say Taliban's actions violate global human rights norms and further isolate Afghanistan from the international community.

World Watch List 2026: Syria among Worst 10 Countries for Christians

Persistent violence and instability have driven Syria back into the top 10 countries where Christians face the next severe persecution to Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, the Christian Daily website reports today (Feb.2, 2026).

Syria broke into the top 10 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian for the first time in nearly a decade in Open  Doors' 2026 World Watch List (WWL) as more than 338 million Christians worldwide faced high levels of persecution or discrimination last year.

"The intensity of persecution and discrimination continues to increase, with more than 338 million Christians worldwide (one in seven) facing high levels of  persecution and discrimination for their faith," the WWL report states. "This accounts for 8 million more people than last year."

Facing at least high levels of persecution or discrimination for their faith  are one in five Christians in Africa; two in five Christians in Asia; and one in 12 in Latin America.

With a surge of anti--Christian violence, Syria vaulted from No. 18 in 2025 to No.6 in the 2026 report.