2. TRAFFICKED BY HER MOTHER, SHE BECAME PREGNANT AT 14 AND RAN AWAY TO SAVE HER SON
from: LiveAction
SYNOPSIS: Jess Levinson was sexually abused at nine. At age 12, she was trafficked by her mother and became pregnant at 14. Fearing pressure for an abortion, Levinson ran away and hid her pregnancy until 24 weeks. After giving birth, Levinson placed her son for adoption to give him a better life.
Levinson said that after giving birth in 1997, she was taken to a group home for mothers: "One day, I was just playing with him like I did in the mornings before school. They demanded that I hand him over. And then they told me I needed to go make bottles for him, and if I signed papers to the state, he would have a better shot at life, a loving family, the things that I wanted for myself that he deserved." Levinson was reunited with her son for the first time in two decades after watching him grow from afar. She recently reunited with her son after 20 years. She later married and had more children and founded Leah's Place, a safe housing project for at-risk mothers.
Thank the Lord for Jess Levinson being reunited with her son, after making that difficult decision to give him up as a baby, and for her "Leah's Place" safe housing ministry.
3. MORE THAN SHAMROCKS: A ST. PATRICK’S DAY LESSON ON MORAL COURAGE AND FORGIVENESS
from: American Life League
SYNOPSIS: St. Patrick and his life are an example of moral courage, forgiveness, and sharing faith. At age 16, St. Patrick was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland, where he was forced to work as a slave and herd sheep. He cultivated a strong relationship with God and found strength in prayer during his enslavement. After six years, he escaped and returned to preach Christianity.
Today, Patrick’s clear yet simple way of explaining the faith can serve as an important guide for us as we go about our lives and encounter the “pagans” of our world. We can learn much from St. Patrick's missionary spirit about how to evangelize others. St. Patrick's example emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, compassion, and living a life focused on getting to heaven. The author urges readers to reflect on those in their lives who need their love and missionary spirit.
Thank God for St. Patrick's example of courage, love and faith, and ask God to give us the boldness like St. Patrick had.
4. 'SANCTIFICATION OF SINS': CRIMES OF THE 'DEFENDERS OF THE UOC' IN OCCUPIED UKRAINE
from: RISU
SYNOPSIS: An analytical report details how the Russian Federation, through the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), is systematically destroying religious freedom and Ukrainian religious heritage in occupied territories. The ROC is used as an instrument of control, with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP), which has not severed ties with Moscow, acting as an internal assistant. The report highlights the "Russian world" ideology ("Russkiy mir") as a tool for justifying the invasion and repressing dissenting Christians and other denominations.
The UOC-MP is used in the information war, instilling ideas of spiritual unity with Russia among its parishioners. The article details methods of persecution, including the forced registration under Russian law, imprisonment, torture, and killings of religious leaders, particularly by the FSB. The report emphasizes the use of religion as a weapon and a laboratory for creating religious and spiritual resistance, or resilience.
Plead with God for an end to Russia's invasion and war in Ukraine, and for religious freedom and independence.
5. STARBUCKS, WALMART, OTHER RETAILERS ROLL OUT FRAMEWORK FOR ACCESSIBILITY
from: Disability Scoop
SYNOPSIS: Starbucks, Walmart, CVS, and other retailers are collaborating to improve accessibility in retail spaces. The Access Coalition, which includes these companies, released a "playbook" and updated checklist to help businesses become more inclusive. The 76-page playbook outlines practical steps for inclusive design in physical spaces.
Starbucks introduced its Inclusive Spaces Framework in 2024 and is applying it to new and renovated stores. The resources released by the coalition are intended for use beyond traditional retailers, including non-profits and schools. David Wykes of Starbucks emphasized the importance of designing for accessibility for all. Dewayne Johnson of the American Association of People with Disabilities highlighted the value of practical, user-informed guidance.
Thank the Lord that these retailers are giving more attention to the accessibility needs of people with disabilities.
6. AGEING DOESN'T MEAN DECLINE. YALE STUDY FINDS MANY OLDER ADULTS IMPROVE OVER TIME
from: Yahoo News
SYNOPSIS: A Yale University study found that many older adults improve over time, challenging the idea that ageing inevitably leads to decline. The research, published in the journal *Geriatrics*, revealed that nearly half of adults 65 and older showed measurable improvement in cognitive or physical function. Dr. Becca R. Levy, lead researcher, emphasizes the role of mindset, stating that a positive outlook on ageing is crucial.
The study analyzed data from over 11,000 participants and found that individuals with positive beliefs about ageing were more likely to improve. Improved cognitive and physical gains were observed, with some participants exceeding clinically meaningful thresholds. The research builds on Levy's stereotype embodiment theory, suggesting age stereotypes can significantly impact health outcomes. Levy advocates for reducing ageism, emphasizing the potential for improvement and inspiring a more positive view of ageing.
Ask the Lord that we would, like fine wine and cheese, all improve with age!
7. MILANO CORTINA 2026 - BIGGEST PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES!
from: Disabled World
SYNOPSIS: The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be the largest in the event's history, with 612 athletes from 56 National Paralympic Committees set to compete across 79 medal events in six sports. It highlights significant milestones including five debuting nations - El Salvador, Haiti, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal - along with record female participation of 160 women and expanded delegation sizes for several countries
Milano Cortina 2026 refers to the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Winter Games hosted jointly by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Paralympic edition, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games, is the largest in history with 612 athletes from 56 National Paralympic Committees competing in 79 medal events across six sports - Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. The Games open on 6 March 2026 at the Arena di Verona, Italy.
Praise God for more participants in the Paralympic Winter Games this year and for more people becoming aware of their presence in society.
A MAN POKES OUT HIS EYES TO BOAST OF BEING BLIND
Rational Blindness (RB): "[Those] who are browbeaten must slip the blindfold over their eyes and accept their position as rational. Every decision after that is made using the blind rationale. Rational Blindness is one way that ideology affects one's ability to judge clearly. What one believes establishes what one can see and think." -James H. Ford.
The "Age of Reason" (or "Age of Enlightenment") has indoctrinated and browbeaten people to accept the belief that only what we can know "objectively" is real. This limits our scope of knowledge to the input of our five senses and instruments that help us explore the material world – the cosmos. But before the "Age of Enlightenment" people could hear the stars singing and the trees talking: "the heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth His handiwork." So the modern era might better be called the "Age of Endarkenment."
What we fill our minds with is what we will come to think and believe. If you watch CNN, you'll begin to think and believe like the announcers on CNN. If you watch Fox News, you'll begin to think and believe line the announcers on Fox News. If you read critical race theory, you'll begin to believe that all white people are evil and all Black people are good. If your read critical gender theory, you'll begin to believe that all men are weak and evil, and all women are strong and good. If you read critical Biblical theory about "the historical Christ," you'll begin to disbelieve in His supernatural nature. If you scroll for hours on end watching Facebook or TikTok, you'll begin to lose your capacity to think clearly at all!
The term "smartphone" is a deliberate misnomer – they don't make you smarter, they make you dumber. The average attention span has decreased in the last 15 years to under 5 seconds: if a video clip doesn't "hook" you in the first few seconds, you go on to the next stupid clip. It's not only school children who can't read anymore, it's the average college freshman who can't read a whole textbook in a semester. Please, please read this: 30 Facts About Childhood Today that Will Terrify You by Ted Goia... and weep!
What am I driving at? This present "Age of Endarkenment" is an ideology that has made us dumber, to disbelieve in real reality. Modern physics informs us that "Dark Matter" or "Dark Energy" – some unknown "thing" or "energy" we can't perceive with our five senses or measure with our scientific instruments – makes up at least 95% of everything in the universe, and without it the universe could not exist or hold together – everything would fly apart.
What – or Who – is it? "[Christ] is the icon of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him were all things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through Him, and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together" (Colossians 1:15-17).
"Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the icon of God, should not dawn on them" (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
"His Son is the radiance of His glory, the very icon of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3).
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him. Without Him was not anything made that has been made" (John 1:1-3)..
“Behold, the Virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a Son. They shall call his name 'Immanuel,' which is, being interpreted, 'God with us'" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
"A voice came out of heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased'" (Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-34).
"But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" (Mark 2:6-7).
"Behold, [the demons] cried out, saying, 'What do we have to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 4:41, 8:28).
"Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?'" (John 14:9).
"Pilate said to them, 'What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?'” (Matthew 27:22). So, what will you do with Him? Believe in Him? Or say – "Let Him be crucified"?
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Are you getting 24 hours older every day, 168 hours older every week, and 8,736 hours older every year? We sure are! How can we turn around that fact to our advantage? Of those 168 hours, subtract 40 hours for work, 10 hours traveling to and from work, 56 hours for sleep, 30 hours for household tasks, leaving 32 hours of "leisure time." What if we re-imagine our use of that free time: give 10% of it, 3 hours per week, to doing actual diakonia-ministry for the widows, orphans, and people with disabilities? This would restore the Church to relevance in society, and us as well!