by J.B. Shurk, All News Pipeline: In the end, Marxist globalism will fail. The Machiavellian push for One World Government will fail. The World Economic Forum’s master plan for a small cabal of egomaniacal “elites” to rule over Earth’s eight-billion-plus inhabitants will fail. Why? Because those who conspire to foist such despotism upon the rest of us have no […]

  The Vandals, a nomadic Germanic tribe, established a powerful kingdom in North Africa. Despite their infamous reputation due to the sack of Rome in 455 CE, which gave rise to the term “vandalism,” they were more than mere looters and destroyers. After wresting control of North Africa from the Western Roman Empire, the Vandals created a prosperous state. They successfully repelled multiple imperial attempts to reconquer the region, becoming a major power in the Western Mediterranean. However, the Vandal Sack of Rome forever sealed their reputation. The Vandals outlived the Roman West but fell to the Justinian’s reconquest, which erased the Vandal Kingdom from the map in the mid-6th century.     The Vandals’ Homeland Was Northern Europe Drawing depicting the Vandals on the move, unknown author   Like many Germanic tribes, the Vandals originally resided in Northern Europe. Divided into two ethnic groups – the Hasdingi and Silingi – the Vandals gradually migrated westward, eventually coming into contact with the Roman Empire during the late second and early third centuries CE. During the reign of Constantine the Great, the Vandals received official imperial permission to settle within the Roman territory, in the province of Pannonia. However, this peaceful coexistence ended when the Vandals, fleeing from the Huns, crossed the Rhine River in force, wreaking havoc in Roman Gaul.   The Vandals were among several “barbarian” groups that crossed the frozen Rhine on that fateful New Year’s Eve in 406/407 CE. Yet, they would profoundly impact the future of the Roman West and play a significant role in its eventual downfall.   They Conquered Roman North Africa The map depicting the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa and remnants of the Roman West in the late fifth century   Ironically, the Vandal’s success was partly due to the assistance of several powerful Roman military men vying for power in the twilight years of the Roman West. Constantine III, the emperor usurper, briefly contained the Vandals in northern Gaul, planning to use them in his civil war with the western emperor Honorius. However, the revolt of Constantine’s second-in-command, Gerontius, allowed the Vandals to move south and, in 409 CE, enter Spain practically unopposed. Twenty years later, the “barbarians” crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and landed on the shores of Roman-controlled northern Africa.   According to historian Procopius, another powerful Roman – general Bonifacius – invited the Vandals to Africa, planning to use the Germanic warriors to gain power in the Roman West. His plan, however, backfired, and the Vandals, led by their king Gaiseric, defeated the Roman army and, by 439, established their own kingdom.    They Created a Powerful Vandal Kingdom Mosaic from Bor-Djedid near the site of Carthage showing a Vandal aristocrat and a fortified city, late 5th – early 6th century CE. Source: The British Museum, London   In 439 CE, Gaiseric conquered Carthage and made it the capital of the Vandal Kingdom. The fall of Carthage along with all of North Africa, sent shockwaves through the Roman Empire. Suddenly, a powerful rival was in possession of a vast and super-rich territory, second only to Egypt as a “breadbasket” of the Empire. The control of the African ports and Mediterranean islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia allowed the Vandals to directly challenge the Roman navy in the Western Mediterranean, making imperial attempts to recover the lost territory difficult, if not impossible.    Without fertile lands and wealth of North Africa, the Western Roman Empire fell into decline while the Vandals prospered. The Vandals blended local Roman political, economic, and social structures with their own, with a Germanic elite ruling with the help of a local Roman administration. They continued the Roman way of life, building opulent villas adorned with lavish mosaics and frescos.    The Vandals Sacked Rome The Vandals sack Rome in 455 CE, unknown author   The Vandals ruled over one of the most powerful realms of the late antiquity. They were highly sophisticated rulers who enjoyed the benefits of the Roman civilization. However, one pivotal event would forever change their perception in the annals of history and turn those Romanized “barbarians” into savages, with the Vandal name becoming a synonym for senseless destruction –the Sack of Rome in 455 CE.    Under Gaiseric’s leadership, the Vandals entered the ancient city and plundered it for two weeks. While the event was less destructive than the earlier sack by the Visigoths in 410, it tarnished the Vandal name for posterity. The term “vandalism” was coined in 1794 to describe the destruction of artwork during the French Revolution. The rest is history.   The Vandal Kingdom Was Destroyed in Justinian Reconquista The Eastern Roman Empire (incorporating the Vandal Kingdom) at the death of emperor Justinian I, 565 CE   The Sack of Rome further destabilized the already weakened Western Roman Empire, which collapsed two decades later. However, the wealthy Vandal Kingdom remained the fixation of the emperors in Constantinople. All the Romans needed was a cause for an attack. Finally, in the 530s, Justinian got what he wanted when the Arian faction deposed king Hilderic, who was sympathetic to the Catholics. Seizing the opportunity, Justinian dispatched his general Belisarius, at the head of a small expeditionary force.   Belisarius landed in Africa in 533 CE and, in a lightning campaign – Vandalic War – defeated the Gelimer at Ad Decimum and took Carthage. Then, in 534, Belisarius dealt a decisive blow to the Vandal army at Battle of Tricamarum, with the last Vandal king surrendering to the Romans. The Vandals, who had ruled over North Africa and the Western Mediterranean for a century, were defeated, and North Africa was Roman once again.

A Prayer for When You Doubt God’s Work in Your LifeBy Christine Perry  “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." John 5:17b NIV Have you ever looked at your life, and it seems like nothing was happening? You read your Bible, pray, go to church, and you aren’t seeing the outcomes you want to see. Maybe you’ve come to a place in your faith where you doubt that God is even at work. If that’s you, I want to share a true story with you. Lee Stobel, a former atheist and journalist for the Chicago Tribune, came to Christ after trying to disprove Christianity. After his conversion, he wrote the book The Case for Christ. One day, Lee felt compelled to share the gospel with his former coworker. He was excited to let his former coworker know how Jesus had changed his life. He went in full assurance that something radical was going to take place. As Lee shared his newfound faith and invited this man to church, his former coworker sat stonewalled. At the end of the conversation, he not only didn’t budge on his atheism, he blatantly refused to go to church. Lee walked out of his former coworker’s office completely baffled. He genuinely believed he was supposed to go and share the gospel and he didn’t see what he hoped he would see, and yet, he truly believed he was doing what the Lord asked. Was this God’s work or was he being led by his own ideas?  Have you been there? Maybe you stepped out in faith and fell flat on your face. Perhaps you did what the Lord asked you to do, and the results didn’t pan out the way you thought they would. You may be wondering if you heard wrong. You’ve been praying, and yet you have heard no answer. I want to remind you, as I remind myself, that God is always at work in you and in the world - even if we can’t see it.  The story about Lee isn’t over. Several months after Lee had enthusiastically shared his faith with his former coworker, a man came up to him and said, “You don’t know me, but you lead me to Christ.” Lee stood there bewildered by the man’s words. The man continued, “I was out of work, and I knew someone at the Chicago Tribune. Since I am a handyman by trade, they hired me to lay tile. You came into the office where I was working and shared about Jesus and how He changed your life. The guy you were speaking with didn’t care to hear it, but I was behind his desk working. I heard every word.” Friends, you never know what the Lord is up to. He is always at work, even when You can’t see it. Don’t give up. Keep trusting in Him. He is good, and He does good. Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father,Please forgive us for doubting You. We cannot see the whole picture but You can. Thank You that You are always at work. Thank You that You neither slumber nor sleep. Thank you that You guard our ways and lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name sake. Thank You that when we are weak, You are strong. Thank You that when we fall short, You have all we need. Thank You that You are able to work, even while we rest. Help us to be still and know You because You say to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and all these things, our daily needs, will be added unto us. Thank You that You see the beginning to the end. Thank You that You know what is the very best for us. Thank You that You have not forgotten us. But I pray that You would help us to trust in You and to get busy loving, serving, and caring for those around us. Help us to think of others better than ourselves so that we will not waste the time You’ve given us here on earth. Lord, we love You. Help us to be more like You. Help us to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to become angry. We need Your help every day. Thank You for never giving up on us. We are grateful. Amen! Photo credit: ©Pexels/cottonbro studio Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine’s work at her website:  Learning to be fearless and her Patreon. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for When You Doubt God’s Work in Your Life – Your Daily Prayer – June 2 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1863 - Harriet Tubman leads Union guerrillas into Maryland, freeing slaves 1942 - Red Sox star Ted Williams enlists as a US Navy aviator 1958 - Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford fans 6 in a row to tie an AL record 1979 - John Paul II becomes 1st pope to visit a Communist country (Poland) 1984 - Flight readiness firing of Discovery's main engines 1984 - Actress Jill Ireland has a radical mastectomy 1984 - "Welcome To Fun Zone" hosted by Dr Demento airs on NBC-TV 1985 - RJ Reynolds Company proposed a merger with Nabisco 1987 - Mariners draft Ken Griffey Jr. #1 2004 - Ken Jennings begins his 74-game winning streak on the syndicated television game show "Jeopardy!" More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1763 - Pontiac's Rebellion: At what is now Mackinaw City, Michigan, Chippewas capture Fort Michilimackinac by diverting the garrison's attention with a game of lacrosse, then chasing a ball into the fort 1862 - Raid at Early's: Maryland towards Washington, D.C. 1902 - British naval officer David Beatty is appointed captain of the cruiser HMS Juno 1967 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in the US; it is their first album with identical track listings in US and UK, and goes to number one for 15 weeks in US, 22 weeks in UK 1985 - LPGA Championship Women's Golf, Jack Nicklaus GC: Nancy Lopez wins by 8 shots from fellow American Alice Miller 2020 - UK death toll from COVID-19 passes 50,000 (50,032) according to its Office of National Statistics More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1740 - Marquis de Sade, French philosopher and writer (Justine) and where the words sadism and sadist are derived from, born in Paris, France (d. 1814) 1941 - William Guest, American soul singer (Gladys Knight Show), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2015) 1941 - Stacy Keach, American actor (Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer), born in Savannah, Georgia 1968 - Jon Culshaw, British comedian and impressionist 1972 - Simon Staho, Danish film director 1972 - Wentworth Miller, American actor More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1575 - Pieter Aertsen [Long Worm], painter, dies at about 65 1873 - François George-Hainl, French cellist and composer, dies at 65 1913 - Alfred Austin, English poet laureate of England (Garden), dies at 78 1948 - Viktor Brack, German Nazi physician and war criminal, executed by hanging at 43 1990 - Frederick Mellinger, founder of Fredericks of Hollywood, dies at 76 1998 - Sylvester Ritter (Junkyard Dog), American professional wrestler, dies at 45 More Famous Deaths »

Friends, you never know what the Lord is up to. He is always at work, even when You can't see it. Don't give up. Keep trusting in Him. He is good, and He does good.

Many Christian parents are aware of Paul’s instructions to not exasperate or provoke their children (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21). But the line between loving discipline and exasperating discipline can be difficult to discern as parents engage their children’s unique personalities. Though there’s no universal formula for disciplining and nurturing a child, Paul gives two clear indicators a child is feeling exasperated: anger and discouragement. Spending more than 15 years counseling young adults wrestling with the ramifications of how they were parented has prompted me to think deeply about specific parenting behaviors that lead to feelings of anger and discouragement in most children. There’s a type of parenting that crosses the line from instructive and nurturing to oppressive and exasperating. And it’s important we understand the difference both because our parenting has ramifications for our children and because our parenting is a reflection of the gospel. What’s the Big Deal? If you read the chapters leading up to these parental commands, one thing is apparent: Paul can’t get enough of the gospel. Before issuing practical commands about family dynamics, Paul takes the time to convey the glorious reality that God “predestined” us for adoption “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4–5) to the “praise of his glorious grace” (v. 6). Paul explains that being God’s child has nothing to do with our performance or our ability to repay him. Our adoption was a rescue operation, a “redemption” plan that cost Jesus his “blood” (v. 7). To cleanse us from sin, God “lavished” his “grace” on us “in all wisdom and insight” (vv. 7–8) so that “things in heaven and things on earth” would be united in him (v. 10). Those undeservedly adopted into God’s family receive a “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator,” leading to “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Col. 3:10, 12). Salvation produces peace, love, and thankfulness in the hearts of believers (vv. 14–15; Eph. 2:17; 5:2) because the gospel “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). On the heels of these rich chapters overflowing with gospel truth, Paul says, “Do not provoke your children to anger” (Eph. 6:4) and “Do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col. 3:21). We should take seriously the call to avoid parenting that exasperates and provokes, because our parenting is a reflection of the gospel. Three Ways to Exasperate Kids Parents are wise to take note when their child seems angry or discouraged and consider how their own behavior may have affected the child. After years of conversations with adolescent and adult children raised in Christian homes, I’ve noticed three parenting behaviors that, whether intentional or unintentional, commonly exasperate children to the point of anger and discouragement.      1. Guilt-Tripping Guilt-tripping tries to make people feel guilty to shape or control their behavior. It may come out of a desire to keep children from potential danger or future pain, but it often demonstrates a personal sense of entitlement. The parent might say statements like these: “Did you not care about me?” “If I weren’t here to help you, your life would be a mess.” “I work so hard for you, and this is how you repay me?” “When I was your age, I was already . . .” Instead of gently and creatively directing the child to God’s empowering love that motivates us to do what’s right, the parent makes her own needs, desires, and accomplishments primary. We should take seriously the call to avoid parenting that exasperates and provokes, because our parenting is a reflection of the gospel. If our primary reaction when our kids do something disobedient or dangerous is to make the situation about us, we should consider whether we’re engaging in guilt-tripping. Are we training our kids to believe that Jesus should have “first place in everything” (Col. 1:18, CSB) or that we should? When we resort to guilt-tripping to shape our child’s behavior, we replace the gospel story of grace with a worldview of entitlement. The reality of Christ’s death and resurrection should free Christian parents to calmly create a safe environment for productive dialogue and “sincere” fellowship (1 Pet. 1:22) centered around the supremacy of Christ (Col. 1:18). Conversations steeped in gospel truths will promote peace (3:15); conversations steeped in entitlement will cause confusion, anger, and discouragement. 2. Man-Made Laws As we point our kids to the gospel of grace, we have a responsibility to teach them to love and submit to God’s law, as it’s a reflection of his perfect goodness, wisdom, and love. In the process, we must be careful to differentiate between God’s law and our preferences. It’s good to have reasonable standards for a child as a functioning part of a family system, but if these standards are inconsistent, unpredictable, or unfair, the child may become exasperated. For example, if a child consistently responds to a particular rule or expectation with anger or discouragement, parents are wise to consider whether that rule is necessary. Would removing it cause your child to disobey God’s law in any way? Or is it primarily a matter of parental preference? Consider what issues and occasions tend to evoke conflict between you and your child. Particularly as we engage with teenage and adult children, expectations about how to celebrate holidays, how often to call or text each week, how to raise kids, and how to make decisions can lead to anger and discouragement if we make our preferences into laws. When a child disagrees with his parents’ rules or opinions, it can be easy to chalk it up to disobedience or disrespect. But the gospel should free us to hear our children out if they feel discouraged or angered by a particular standard. Before dismissing a child’s, teenager’s, or adult’s frustration, parents should consider whether their expectations have been clearly communicated and are appropriate for their child’s season of life. 3. Anger Anger can seem easy to justify in parenting. We often think it’s the only thing that’ll get through to our kids. But if we’re honest, our anger toward our kids is rarely, if ever, righteous (Eph. 4:26). It usually flows from an inappropriate sense of entitlement or a prideful demand for respect. I’ve heard too many stories of Christian parents pointing knives at their children, throwing objects at them, shoving them against walls, and verbally threatening them. These behaviors aren’t just exasperating; they’re abusive. But even if we haven’t resorted to those means, there are other ways to express anger that shouldn’t be normalized: speaking harshly, yelling, mean looks, name-calling, mocking, and sarcasm. These behaviors don’t promote peace, unity, and understanding; they alienate us from our children and deeply discourage them. Anger may get our children to obey us temporarily, but it won’t help them grow in godly righteousness (James 1:20). What If I’ve Already Exasperated My Child? Not all anger and discouragement in children results from their parents’ behavior. There are many other reasons a child might struggle with these feelings. But Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 remind us to consider how our behavior affects our children, and they exhort us to parent in ways consistent with the gospel of Christ. Anger may get our children to obey us temporarily, but it will not help them grow in godly righteousness. Whether our kids are living in our home or off on their own, the gospel should free us to humbly invite their feedback, genuinely try to understand them, sincerely apologize for exasperating behavior, and intentionally treat them with dignity and respect. Those conversations may be long and painful, and they might require the help of a pastor, mediator, or counselor. But they’re necessary for true reconciliation. If you know your child has been angered or discouraged because of your behavior, pursue peace “so far as it depends on you” (Rom. 12:18). You need not worry that sincerely apologizing to your kids will cause them to take advantage of you. You may be surprised to find the opposite is true. When parents confess their sins openly and seek effective accountability, their children feel safer and more free to enjoy their parents’ company and pursue a healthy relationship. This is what true gospel living produces—sincere parent-child relationships grounded in love, peace, and thankfulness, not in anger and discouragement.