by Raphael Machado, Strategic Culture: In the contemporary world, as we all know, conflicts have lost the linear character of kinetic clashes between opposing armies. This phenomenon hasn’t disappeared, but it has ceased to constitute the primary part of confrontations between opposing forces. In fifth-generation conflicts, even when there are clashes between armed forces, they […]

Are You Opening God's Word? For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12 A minister was out one day visiting the home of one of his church members. The lady of the house welcomed him in, and began trying to impress him with how devout her family was by pointing out the large Bible on the bookshelf. "We have a real reverence and respect for God's Word in this house," she told the minister. And as she was talking, her five-year-old son walked in the room, overhearing part of the conversation. He interrupted, saying, "Mommy, I didn't know that book was God's. We should probably just send it back to Him because we never read it anyway." So many Bibles in homes these days serve no other purpose than to sit on the shelf and collect dust. Few people really read God's Word. And even worse, many mistakenly believe that having a Bible on the shelf accounts for some kind of spirituality. An unopened Bible is as useless as no Bible at all. So be sure to open God's Word regularly. It won't transform your life just sitting on the shelf! Prayer Challenge: Ask God to help you stay consistent in His Word so it can transform your life. Questions for Thought: How often do you think you honestly open your Bible? What can you do to become more consistent in reading God's Word? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post Are You Opening God’s Word? – Senior Living – October 1 appeared first on GodUpdates.

When discussing the looming dockworker strike, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President Harold J. Daggett said “I will cripple you.” “The International Longshoremen’s Association is the largest union of maritime workers in North America, representing upwards of 85,000 longshoremen on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Great Lakes, major U.S. rivers, Puerto Rico and Eastern Canada, and the Bahamas,” the union states on its website. “They’re not making millions no more, they’re making billions. And they’re spending it as fast as they make it. I want a piece of that for my men,” Daggett said. “Cause when they made their most money was during COVID, when my men had to go to work on those piers every single day when everybody stayed home and went to work,” he continued. “Not my men. They died out there with the virus. We all got sick with the virus. We kept them going,” he said. “Everybody went to work during COVID. Nobody stayed home. Well, I want to be compensated for that,” he added. “If they don’t, then I have to go into the street and we have to fight for what we rightfully deserve,” he continued. “These people today don’t know what a strike is. When my men hit the streets from Maine to Texas, every single port will lock down,” he continued. “Who’s going to win here in the long run? You’re better off sitting down and let’s get a contract and let’s move on with this world. And in today’s world, I’ll cripple you. I will cripple you, and you have no idea what that means,” he said. WATCH: Longshoreman Union President "I will cripple you!" pic.twitter.com/2OAXR7lc0K — Sweetcaligurl (@Sweetcaligurl07) September 30, 2024 “It’s official. The East and Gulf Coast ports of the United States of America are on strike. The ILA hasn’t announced a port strike (I keep furiously refreshing their Facebook page) but picket lines are now visible on the gate cameras,” Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen said. It’s official. The East and Gulf Coast ports of the United States of America are on strike. The ILA hasn’t announced a port strike (I keep furiously refreshing their Facebook page) but picket lines are now visible on the gate cameras:https://t.co/NhmITnH9vj pic.twitter.com/tbFiomZC6Y — Ryan Petersen (@typesfast) October 1, 2024 From the Associated Press: Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas began walking picket lines early Tuesday in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike. The strike affecting 36 ports is the first by the union since 1977. Workers began picketing at the Port of Philadelphia shortly after midnight, walking in a circle at a rail crossing outside the port and chanting “No work without a fair contract.” The union had message boards on the side of a truck reading: “Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands For Job Protection.” At Port Houston, which is in the Central time zone an hour behind the East Coast, at least 50 workers gathered outside the port with signs saying “No Work Without a Fair Contract.” They appeared poised to begin picketing. Workers showed a statement from the ILA on the strike saying that employers have refused to compensate workers fairly. “The ILA is fighting for respect, appreciation and fairness in a world in which corporations are dead set on replacing hard-working people with automation,” the statement said. “Robots do not pay taxes and they do not spend money in their communities.” The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers, but when picket lines went up just after midnight, it was apparent that no deal had been reached. The union’s opening offer in the talks was for a 77% pay raise over the six-year life of the contract, with President Harold Daggett saying it’s necessary to make up for inflation and years of small raises. ILA members make a base salary of about $81,000 per year, but some can pull in over $200,000 annually with large amounts of overtime. Watch the full conversation with Harold J. Daggett below:

Historical Events 1688 - Louis-Armand de Lom d’Arce leaves Michillimakinac on a mysterious journey of exploration about which he later writes he discovered a 'Long' river 1706 - Treaty of Altranstädt: Charles XII of Sweden and August II of Saksen; Augustus renounces his claims to the Polish throne and his alliance with Russia 1964 - Ringo Starr forms Brikley Building Company Ltd 1964 - Willi Stoph succeeds Otto Great as Prime Minister of German Democratic Republic 2018 - Pakyong Airport, India's 100th airport, is opened in the Himalayan mountains at 1,400 meters by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 2020 - David Attenborough breaks Jennifer Aniston's record as the fastest person to reach 1 million followers on Instagram More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1667 - Jean-Louis Lully, French composer and son of Jean-Baptiste Lully, born in Paris, France (d. 1688) 1833 - Henry Alanson Barnum, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Jamesville, New York (d. 1892) 1924 - Jean-Pierre Warner, British high court judge (d. 2005) 1950 - Mohinder Amarnath, Indian cricket batsman (69 Tests, 11 x 100, 24 x 50, HS 138; Punjab, Delhi, Baroda), born in Patiala, India 1966 - Bernard Gilkey, American MLB outfielder (NY Mets), born in St Louis, Missouri 1971 - Peter Salisbury, English drummer (The Verve), born in Chippenham, England More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1180 - Manuel I Komnenos, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire (1143-80), dies at 61 1517 - Frederik IV, of Baden, bishop of Utrecht, dies 1976 - Romney Brent, Mexican-American actor and writer (Dinner at the Ritz), dies at 74 2001 - Peter Shore, British politician (Labour), dies at 77 2004 - Joep Straesser, Dutch composer (Blossom songs, Ramasasiri), dies at 70 2019 - Jimmy Nelson, American ventriloquist (Nestles - Farfel the Dog), dies at 90 More Famous Deaths »

The Banishing is the triumphant result of Gong and Utopia Strong member’s mental battle, loss of his family, support from his friends and a “heroic dose of magic mushrooms”

Tens of thousands of dock workers at ports along the East and Gulf coasts walked off the job at midnight on Tuesday, a massive strike that brings billions of dollars in trade to a screeching halt. The International Longshoremen’s Association launched the strike after port ownership failed to meet its demands for higher wages and address the union’s objections to port automation. Negotiations broke down over the summer and the two sides are still at an impasse. About 45,000 workers will refuse to work during the strike, which will snarl supply chains and choke off nearly 50% of U.S. imports. A total of 14 ports are affected including the Port Authority in New Jersey and the ports in Boston, Philadelphia, Wilmington, North Carolina, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, Mobile, and Houston. Overnight workers quickly began to picket, and pictures of the striking workers popped up on social media almost immediately. BREAKING – Over 45k union dockworkers with ILA are officially on strike, shutting down all East and Gulf coast ports, from New York to Miami to Houston. They’re standing to protect their future against the shipping companies forcing automation on the docks. pic.twitter.com/BnRqZzkHqT — On the Line (@laborontheline) October 1, 2024 On Monday, the union rejected a last-minute offer from port ownership, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance, which offered the union a nearly 50% wage raise. The alliance also said it offered to triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, better health care options, and to keep the current language around automation and semi-automation. The union reaffirmed its plans to strike earlier in the day, saying in a statement that port ownership continues to “block” a “fair and decent contract and seems intent on causing a strike at all ports from Maine to Texas.” It’s official. The East and Gulf Coast ports of the United States of America are on strike. The ILA hasn’t announced a port strike (I keep furiously refreshing their Facebook page) but picket lines are now visible on the gate cameras:https://t.co/NhmITnH9vj pic.twitter.com/tbFiomZC6Y — Ryan Petersen (@typesfast) October 1, 2024 “The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” the union said Monday. “ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.” Depending on how long the strike lasts, Americans could see shortages and delays past the election and into the holiday season. WATCH: Ben Shapiro Explains Why the Dockworkers Strike Could Impact You Bananas, coffee, cocoa, pharmaceuticals, clothing, furniture, vehicles, and even Christmas decorations are among the products that will be affected. As far as American exports, beef, poultry, pork, eggs, and cotton will be impacted as well. The union’s president Harold Daggett took an aggressive negotiating stance as the strike approached. “I’ll cripple you, and you have no idea what that means,” Daggett warned in a video message a few weeks ago. The Biden-Harris administration had the ability to stop the strike, but has opted not to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act, which gives the president the power to keep workers on the job. “I have not been very focused on that,” Biden commerce secretary Gina Raimondo says about the upcoming dock worker strike that will choke off half of U.S. imports tomorrow What exactly has she been focused on?pic.twitter.com/rl71mpfyBN — Mairead Elordi (@JohnsonHildy) September 30, 2024 Critics say the administration didn’t do enough to bring the two sides together. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was asked on Monday about the strike, and admitted that she has “not been very focused” on it.

There is grace for you today to seek the face of your heavenly Father. There is grace to open up your heart and accept the wonderful gift of encountering God’s presence. There is grace to know and experience the depths of God’s love for you. 

For most of my life, I didn’t feel particularly masculine. I don’t care for fixing engines, blowing stuff up, wrestling in the mud, or getting jacked. I did play football in high school, but as a 185-pound offensive lineman less than 6′ tall, any “masculinity” I possessed was pummeled out of me when the game began. Action movies bore me, I don’t want to play paintball, and while I’m a gamer, I’m more Boggle than Fortnite. When boomers say my generation is “soft,” they’re referring to me. And yet, without any “come to John Wayne” moments, something has changed—I now feel masculine. What changed for me wasn’t discovering a new hobby or buying a pair of blue jeans or sitting at the feet of Andrew Tate. It didn’t require a retreat in the woods, a workday on the farm, or a toolbox. It wasn’t a stereotypical masculine activity. It was the church. I’m not alone. Last week, The New York Times published a piece detailing the shocking shift in religious affiliation among my generation. In the article, Ruth Graham detailed her visit to Grace Church in Waco, Texas, where men were manning the welcome doors, filling the pews, and leading the worship. But the trend is bigger than Texas. According to the Survey Center on American Life, almost 40 percent of Gen Z women now describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated, compared to only 34 percent of men. In every other age group, men were more likely to be unaffiliated. So if Gen Z women are exiting the church, why are Gen Z men like me staying? Because the church is giving us real masculinity. Positive Vision Gen Z men have grown up in a time when the concept of masculinity has been under intense scrutiny. In the wake of movements like #MeToo and widespread abuse revelations, our culture has rightfully questioned toxic behaviors often associated with manhood. But in the process, the culture has failed to offer a positive, constructive vision of what masculinity should look like. Instead, it has presented us with two extremes: On the one hand, there’s a toxic version of manhood—equating masculinity with dominance, ego, and self-centeredness. On the other hand, there’s a soft, aimless version of manhood that’s hesitant to lead, unwilling to take responsibility, and unsure if there’s anything distinct—or commendable—about being a man. Neither of these extremes has provided a firm foundation for Gen Z men to build their lives on. And unfortunately, amid endless debates and social media wars, our society seems to have left us behind. Except the church. At church, Gen Z men are still being called to sacrifice in a culture that taught them to live for themselves (John 15:13). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to discipline in a culture that taught them indulgence (2 Tim. 1:7). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to community in a culture that taught them to do it on their own (Prov. 27:17). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to a purpose in a culture that taught them their life was meaningless (Eph. 2:10). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to love their wives in a culture that taught them marriage could wait (Eph. 5:25). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to purity in a culture that promised them fulfillment from sexual freedom (1 Cor. 6:18). At church, Gen Z men are still being called to work hard in a culture that taught them to “quiet quit” (Col. 3:23). At church, Gen Z men are still being called sons in a culture that taught them they’re toxic (1 John 3:1). Cruciform Masculinity In the church, Gen Z men like me are rejecting the false masculinities offered by the culture and finding an alternative—a cruciform masculinity. In his death, Jesus subverts the ego, dominance, and self-centeredness of toxic masculinity in a divine display of humility, sacrifice, and love. But the cross also challenges the soft, aimless version of manhood that avoids responsibility and purpose. Jesus’s example shows us that real manhood embraces responsibility, cultivates strength, and commits to a mission—not to serve oneself but to serve others. At church, Gen Z men are still being called to sacrifice in a culture that taught them to live for themselves. At church, we’re called to something higher. True masculinity is rooted in knowing who you are—your identity as a son of God—and in having a mission, a purpose worth giving your life to. It’s about taking action and showing agency, knowing you have the power to make a difference in your life, your family, and your community. It’s about leaning into a unique, God-given responsibility, entrusted with power to protect, care for, and defend the vulnerable. My church is a place where these aspects of true masculinity are modeled and celebrated. I feel masculine when I use my experiences to lead my small group of high school students, helping them navigate their struggles with faith and life. I feel masculine when I use my time and energy to serve in the kids’ ministry on Sunday mornings, serving as a spiritual father to the next generation. I feel masculine when I worship with my wife during the weekly service, building a relationship centered on faith. I feel masculine when I meet with my friends for a Bible study where we challenge each other and grow in spiritual brotherhood. I feel masculine when I work hard at my job for the benefit of my community, knowing my efforts contribute to something larger than myself. I recognize, of course, that many of these examples could just as easily be true for a woman. A woman might say, “I feel feminine when I lead with compassion, serve my community, or build relationships rooted in faith.” Amen! That’s because redeemed masculinity and femininity both find their origins in Jesus’s sacrificial love. But I think Gen Z men, in particular, are responding differently because our culture has been especially confused about what it means to be a man. Today’s gender-neutral, gender-fluid world has blurred the lines of God’s creation of males and females as distinct expressions of humanity. It has questioned masculinity’s value. Gen Z men like me long to hear that our God-given power has purpose, our responsibility has reward, and our valor has value. We crave the call to be humble sons, committed brothers, and wise fathers in our spiritual communities. And in a culture of confusion, the church has provided a clear and consistent vision of manhood shaped by the cross. Gen Z men like me long to hear that our God-given power has purpose, our responsibility has reward, and our valor has value. This kind of manhood is built on the fruit of the Spirit—on being a man of patience, faithfulness, and self-control. It’s about growing in wisdom, applying what you know in the right way at the right time, and leaving a legacy that will outlast you. The church has been shaping men like this for generations, and it’s no surprise Gen Z men are drawn to this vision of strength through service. Kind of Manhood Gen Z Craves While the culture keeps throwing around confused ideas of what men should be, the church has been steadily providing a model that makes sense: Christ. The man who laid down his life, led with love, and showed that real strength isn’t about puffing your chest but about putting others first. This is the kind of manhood Gen Z men crave. So my encouragement to the church is simple: Keep going. Keep promoting the sacrificial love of Jesus in a world desperate for meaning. Keep calling men to higher standards, to lives of integrity, and to leadership that looks more like a cross than a crown. You’re not just shaping better men; you’re shaping men who know their worth comes not from their accomplishments or status but from their identity as sons of God. Gen Z men like me don’t need a new cultural definition of manhood. We need to be reminded of the one that’s been true all along—the one many of us are finding at church.

Christian music is having a moment. In the first half of 2024, it was the fourth fastest-growing music genre, fueled by surprisingly large gains among younger listeners. Millennial and younger listeners represented 39 percent of the genre’s overall audience in 2022, but in 2024, that share is up to 45 percent. All this might come as a surprise, especially as the dominant narratives about Christianity in the West are declensional (deconstruction, dechurching, secularization, post-Christian, etc.), especially among Gen Z. But the upward trend for Christian music is real, and it’s starting to be noticed by the secular press. Billboard magazine recently published a feature article on Christian music’s “heavenly rise,” noting the growth has been especially pronounced on streaming sites like Spotify (where the genre has experienced 60 percent growth globally over the last five years). What should we make of this trend? What factors might explain this seemingly counterintuitive rise of contemporary Christian music (CCM) in a secular age? Here are four initial thoughts. 1. CCM has gotten better. Perhaps the most straightforward explanation for CCM’s growth is that it has just gotten better as a genre. I’ve been around Christian music my whole life (and for the majority of its existence as a subculture), and I’ve seen this quality improvement unfold in real time. Christian music has grown up. It’s not as homogenous, predictable, and cheesy as it once had the reputation of being. Christian music has grown up. It’s not as homogenous, predictable, and cheesy as it once had the reputation of being. Of course, excellent Christian music has always existed. But “indie” Christian artists in the ’80s and ’90s—those with more daring artistic inclinations—didn’t have an easy way to gain a large following, since their music purposefully didn’t fit the mold of what Nashville or Christian radio gatekeepers wanted. But technology has changed the game, giving artists new, organic pipelines (namely social media and streaming platforms) for doing their own thing, in their own way, and still finding large audiences. The Billboard article mentions this dynamic, noting the social media savvy of 2024’s breakout stars Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen, both of whom found success organically on social media before landing on the Billboard charts (and garnering Dove Award nominations for “New Artist of the Year”). Christian music is better quality today in part because it sounds more authentic and organic rather than formulaic and gatekeeper-approved. Artists like Frank and Queen make the music they love, even if it’s outside the box. Other artists like Jon Guerra, Andy Squyres, or Taylor Leonhardt can reach audiences with the sort of Bob Dylan–esque troubadour lyricism that Christian radio would never touch. Listeners like authenticity, and younger listeners have an ever-more-refined radar to detect the hypocrisy that has been sadly endemic in “Christian pop culture.” Less gatekeeping plus more authenticity is a net win for the overall quality of the genre. 2. Christianity’s global growth brings new artists and audiences. Globally accessible streaming platforms make the spreading and sharing of music, and the creative collaboration of artists, much easier for the world’s 2.4 billion Christians. Like Christianity generally, there’s no geographic “center” for Christian music. It’s global, and increasingly so. It’s no surprise that Christian music streaming is surging in nations like Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, and the Philippines. That’s where Christianity is growing. Like Christianity generally, there’s no geographic ‘center’ for Christian music. It’s global, and increasingly so. In addition to providing new markets of listeners, Christianity’s growth globally has produced a new crop of artists whose work brings beautiful diversity and international flavor to the genre. I’ve celebrated many of these artists over the years at The Gospel Coalition: CityAlight and Tenielle Neda (Australia), Jonathan Ogden (U.K.), Claudia Isaki (France), IMRSQD (Namibia), Limoblaze (Nigeria), Darla Baltazar (Philippines), and many more. Christian music has existed in different countries around the world for a long time, but the streaming era affords new opportunities for exposure and cross-pollination globally. “CCM” the official industry might still be concentrated in Nashville, but Christian music as a genre exists—and thrives—far beyond America’s Bible belt. 3. Christian music encompasses a diverse array of sounds. Part of what makes Christian music unique as a genre is that it doesn’t have one “sound” but rather can draw inspiration from almost every existing music genre—from folk to Afrobeats to techno to metal and more. Like Christianity itself, Christian music is transcultural and finds expression in limitless ways. This dynamic is noted in the Billboard article: “Unlike most genres, CCM/gospel is built around a central message rather than a particular sound, allowing for a greater range of musical styles, including the pop of for King & Country and Frank; Queen’s rustic, singer-songwriter style; Tauren Wells’ pop/R&B vibe; and Lecrae’s rap.” This stylistic diversity means more music lovers can find something to like. If you like lo-fi, there are plenty of options for you. If you’re into country music or hip-hop, Christian artists in those genres abound. The genre diversity makes it fun to create topical playlists like “8 Psalms, 7 Ways,” which includes musical settings of biblical psalms in a dizzying array of styles, from choral to Celtic to cowboy folk. Christian music is eclectic and full of surprises. This is a strength in the playlist-centric contemporary music environment. Christian music’s stylistic diversity means more music lovers can find something to like. Another part of Christian music’s diversity—and growth—is captured in a distinction Lecrae makes between music made “from the church for the church” and music “from the church to the world.” Music in the latter category is often less explicitly Christian but comes from artists (like Tori Kelly, Surfaces, or Needtobreathe) who don’t hide their faith. This music may reach scores of nonbelievers, improving their perceptions of Christian artistry and leading them to be more open to enjoying explicitly Christian releases by these artists. 4. Listeners are hungry for hope. I suspect another reason Christian music is growing in appeal is that so much of the contemporary music world feels creatively and commercially stagnant. The “meh” climate of pop music—an era when promotion cycles are shorter and would-be tentpole releases are forgotten as quickly as they arrive—opens a door for audience attention to explore elsewhere. So much of pop music generally feels lifeless and uninspired, bogged down by political angst, by tired attempts at transgression, or by the abiding acedia of a decadent culture. Maybe there’s a growing hunger in this culture for less depressing, less navel-gazing music and more hope-filled music anchored in bigger truths. Maybe there’s a growing spiritual curiosity as more and more young people grow weary of the frothy emptiness (heavy on vibes, light on meaning) and diminishing returns of love-yourself anthems of so-called empowerment. Music that’s about nothing but meme-friendly weirdness or vibey aesthetics can only go so far in filling a spiritual void. I think there’s a stirring hunger among young people for music that isn’t just an eternal recurrence of breakup songs set to bubbly ’80s synth or Bon Iver woodsy-folk melancholia. They want substance, hope, purpose, and joy. They want songs that call us to a more interesting and fulfilling place than what goes on within the claustrophobic buffered self. Christian music offers counterprogramming that doesn’t diminish the pain and friction of life but calls us to a higher beauty and perspective. And growing numbers of younger people desire this. Who knows, maybe the expanding popularity of Christian music in the United States is another indicator that the long secular trajectory here might be slowing—or even reversing. Maybe the Christian music upward trend is related to the fact that we’re starting to see the rise of religious “nones” level off. Time will tell. For now, the thriving Christian music scene is worth celebrating. And the good stuff being created by believers around the world is worth sharing.