A U.S. Navy warship shot down more than a dozen terrorist drones fired by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists based in Yemen that were operating over the Red Sea on Saturday as attacks against U.S. forces and large commercial shipping vessels continues to escalate. “In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64)‚ operating in the Red Sea‚ successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen‚” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. “The UAS were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries. Regional Red Sea partners were alerted to the threat.” U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that HMS Diamond also shot down one of the terrorist drones on Saturday. “HMS Diamond‚ one of the Navy’s most advanced warships‚ swiftly intercepted and neutralised a potential threat to merchant vessels in the Red Sea using a Sea Viper missile‚” the British Military said. “Alongside @RoyalNavy ‚ we remain steadfast in safeguarding the lawful passage of ships in the region.” HMS Diamond‚ one of the Navy's most advanced warships‚ swiftly intercepted and neutralised a potential threat to merchant vessels in the Red Sea using a Sea Viper missile. Alongside @RoyalNavy‚ we remain steadfast in safeguarding the lawful passage of ships in the region. pic.twitter.com/9GGnF1PAaZ — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 16‚ 2023 The incident on Saturday followed multiple Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea on Friday. Early Friday morning‚ “Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA‚ a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it‚” CENTCOM said. “The Houthis directed the vessel to turn around and proceed south. Although there were no U.S. ships in the area‚ U.S. forces maintained direct communications with the vessel‚ and the ALANYA continued north.” About two hours later‚ “a UAV launched from Houthi held territory struck the Liberian flagged Motor Vessel AL JASRAH as it was travelling south in the Red Sea‚” the statement said. “The AL JASRAH immediately broadcast a mayday signal that said the crew was fighting a fire caused by the attack.” Approximately four hours later‚ “Houthi forces launched two ballistic missiles towards the international shipping lanes in the Bab el-Mandeb strait‚” the statement concluded. “One of these missiles struck the Liberian flagged MV PALATIUM 3‚ which broadcast a mayday call and reported that the vessel was on fire. The USS MASON has responded to that request. The other missile likely missed any ships.”

Jewish-American Actor Michael Rapaport was in Israel this last week to increase pressure on international organizations to forces Hamas to release the more than a hundred Israelis that they are still holding hostage. Rapaport highlighted the wide range of people that he has met while visiting the country‚ saying that the nation’s “spirit” was special. “Your reputation really precedes you‚” he said. “The kindness‚ the warmth‚ the generosity that I’ve experienced in my time here‚ has been unparalleled in my travels. And unfortunately‚ amidst this spirit‚ there’s also a deep sadness and heartbreak that is apparent. Right over there by a tree I met a 69 year old Brazilian born Jewish woman named Pearl‚ whose family moved here when she was just nine years old. I said to Pearl‚ how you doing? And she started crying. And she said not good. She said what have they done to our country? I’ll never forget that. I know that everyone here has been affected and everyone is hurting in Israel. I also know that despite what we see on the news‚ despite what you see on social media‚ everybody in my city of New York is hurting also.” “The families that I’ve spoken to‚ who have sons that are still held captive inside Gaza after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in broad daylight are devastated‚” he continued. “The heartbreak and despair that they are enduring is unimaginable and cannot be portrayed by any actor‚ Jewish or not. Currently‚ there are 129 men‚ women‚ and babies who have been in captivity for 71 days. 71 days. They need to come home now. There are two children — a 10 month old baby who still relies on formula and his four year old toddler brother — they need to come home now. There are 19 women‚ most of whom are in their 20s and 30s‚ 19 young women need to be freed akshav [immediately].” He also called on the male hostages‚ both young and old‚ to be released so they can go back to their families. “This is not just an Israel or Jewish crisis. This is not just an Israel or Jewish crisis‚” he continued. “This is a world wide global humanitarian crisis. The Red Cross‚ you need to get involved‚ you’re an embarrassment.” “From the bottom of my heart to the family members and friends that I’ve met since I’ve been here‚ the family members that I’m looking out‚ the family members behind me and around me‚” he said. “I know that so many people have suffered. I know that people are scared. I know that people are heartbroken and I am so sorry for the loss of so many lives. I want you guys to know this because I know it and I’ve only been here five days‚ Israel will rise. Israel is not going anywhere. The Jewish people are not going anywhere. I also want to encourage all Jewish people all around the world‚ whether you’re secular‚ Sephardic‚ Hasidic‚ and everything in between to stick together. Be nice to each other smile at each other and stick together stand tall‚ stand proud‚ stand stronger than ever‚ and bring the hostages home thank you guys and I love you.” WATCH: Actor and comedian @MichaelRapaport rallied at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv Saturday‚ continuing calls for Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza. @livenowfox pic.twitter.com/q6lC8naVlo — Giacomo Luca (@GiacomoLucaTV) December 16‚ 2023

This Christmas and Advent season‚ let the reminder of Christ’s birth and life be a source of great joy for you. Contemplate the incredible joy of the Incarnation — God’s entry into humanity.

Why even celebrate Christmas if you're not going to open the biggest gift?

This time of year can feel hectic and overwhelming. There are a million to-do lists happening at once‚ family schedules to be worked out‚ travel plans to be solidified‚ and more. It can be easy to fall into the temptation to be anxious‚ stressed‚ or fearful. However‚ as we focus on the fourth candle of Advent today‚ may we remember the wonderful gift of peace that Jesus has brought to us.

When J. I. Packer entered into the presence of his Lord on July 17‚ 2020‚ five days short of his 94th birthday‚ the evangelical world lost one of its most articulate‚ intelligent‚ humble servants. Count Zinzendorf is known for saying‚ “Preach the gospel‚ die‚ and be forgotten.” I appreciate the sentiment‚ but J. I. Packer won’t be forgotten—and not because he built a legacy for himself. His aim in life was never to perpetuate the memory of his labors. Yet his multitudinous written works ensure his efforts will continue exerting a Christ-exalting influence on generations to come. Substantive‚ Not Simplistic If you mention Packer’s name to many Christians today‚ you may hear‚ “Yes‚ I read his classic Knowing God‚ and it transformed my understanding of who God is.” That was precisely Packer’s goal in penning it. “I wrote Knowing God over a period of years‚” he reflected in the preface‚ “during which I was deeply concerned . . . to help people realize God’s greatness.” Packer then confesses that before his conversion he was “self-absorbed in just about every way‚ a silly‚ twisted adolescent who needed a great deal of straightening out.” One milestone in this journey of spiritual growth was discovering that the first thing to ask of Scripture isn’t what it tells us about ourselves but what it says about our God. Published in 1973—50 years ago—Knowing God is Packer’s attempt to tell us what Scripture says about God. It isn’t a technical dive into the doctrine of God‚ accessible only to seasoned theologians‚ but neither is it a merely anecdotal survey of God’s character and deeds. It’s substantive without being off-putting. It’s straightforward while avoiding the shallowness that characterizes so much contemporary writing about God. Packer points to J. C. Ryle‚ John Calvin‚ John Owen‚ and Jonathan Edwards as the most influential voices in his journey of discovery. That alone should alert us to the depth‚ clarity‚ and biblically saturated perspective on God that Packer brings. So much could be said about Knowing God; enough‚ I trust‚ to encourage those unfamiliar with the book to obtain it and spend precious moments pondering the greatness of our God. Knowing God is substantive without being off-putting. It’s straightforward while avoiding the shallowness that characterizes so much contemporary writing about God. To understand Packer’s intentions in writing this book‚ consider his assessment (in the 1975 preface) of certain ministers who “look at God‚ so to speak‚ through the wrong end of the telescope‚ so reducing him to pigmy proportions”—and who thus “cannot hope to end up as more than pigmy Christians.” He has little patience for those who consider a study of the nature and character of God as impractical or irrelevant. He insists “a devout‚ earnest‚ continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity” is the most practical project in which anyone could engage. God’s Greatness Is Multifaceted But what exactly does Packer mean by the phrase “knowing God”? Is it‚ he asks‚ merely a special sort of emotion? Shivers down the back? A dreamy‚ off-the-ground‚ floating feeling? Tingling thrills and exhilaration‚ such as drug takers seek? Or is knowing God a special sort of intellectual experience? Does one hear a voice? see a vision? find strange trains of thought coursing through one’s mind? or what? (34) Clearly not. He writes‚ Knowing God involves‚ first‚ listening to God’s Word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it‚ in application to oneself; second‚ noting God’s nature and character‚ as his Word and works reveal it; third‚ accepting his invitations and doing what he commands; fourth‚ recognizing and rejoicing in the love that he has shown in thus approaching you and drawing you into this divine fellowship. (37) Through exploring Scripture‚ Packer unearths God’s greatness in his immutability (he’s unchanging)‚ his majesty (incomparable)‚ his wisdom (never perplexed or bewildered)‚ his love (ever free and sovereign)‚ his grace (uncoerced and undeserved)‚ and his justice and wrath (unchallenged and unimpeachable). Both goodness and severity are essential to his character. Both God’s goodness and his severity are essential to his character. Perhaps my favorite statement in all that Packer says about God is his chapter on divine jealousy—an often misunderstood feature of God’s character. When God tells Moses his name is “Jealous” (Ex. 34:14)‚ he means he “demands from those whom he has loved and redeemed utter and absolute loyalty‚ and he will vindicate his claim by stern action against them if they betray his love by unfaithfulness” (171). But Packer doesn’t stop with what we typically call divine attributes; he portrays divine activity‚ specifically in the gift of the Son and his penal substitutionary death on the cross. Packer’s defense of the true nature of propitiation—the satisfying of God’s holy wrath in the sufferings of his incarnate Son—is without parallel. One of God’s aims in this expression of redeeming grace is to adopt us as daughters and sons‚ which Packer contends is “the highest privilege that the gospel offers; higher even than justification” (206). Packer’s defense of the true nature of propitiation is without parallel. Another feature that makes Knowing God a classic is the way Packer makes application to the challenges of daily life. He’s at his best when describing the practical implications of God’s wisdom‚ guidance‚ and adequacy to meet our every need—as well as how God’s character‚ specifically his love‚ enables us to endure and grow through trials. Encouragement for Readers Knowing God isn’t a quick read‚ but it is quickening. It will illumine your mind‚ stir your affections‚ and strengthen you to face a lost world with hope rooted in the character of a great God. I’ll close with Packer’s words: We are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange‚ mad‚ painful place‚ and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business‚ for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God‚ and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded‚ as it were‚ with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul. (19) Amen. Take up and read.

My parents are business owners. Growing up‚ I often sat in the office of their manufacturing plant with my siblings‚ making paper airplanes‚ spinning in chairs‚ and doing what we could to pass the time. I didn’t know it then‚ but watching my parents run a company as followers of Jesus over years was one of the most formative experiences of my life. My parents stewarded the company out of an outpouring of their faith. They were unashamed of following Jesus and fully submitted to his will for the organization. They prayed in meetings‚ knew the families of the 100-plus people who worked there‚ and were committed to following Colossians 3:17. When the school bus dropped me off there in the afternoons‚ it was a time for my siblings and me to wait until our mom finished working‚ but it was also a time for us to witness the kingdom of God at work outside the walls of the church. That’s exactly the kind of witness my generation needs. Gen Z—Inside and Outside the Church—Needs Evangelism Evangelism and discipleship are complex. While evangelism is typically for those outside the church‚ the statistics of young people inside the church reveal evangelism is needed there too. One recent study shows that 64 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds raised in the Christian faith walk away from the church once they reach adulthood. Is it time to throw in the towel on Gen Z? Is it time for churches to retreat from the world and simply hold on until Jesus comes back? I say no. The church has redemptive work to do—and it’s not to invent an evangelism technique that uses a clever acronym‚ trendy graphics‚ or an assortment of language from pop culture. Gen Z doesn’t need that‚ nor do they want it. Instead‚ Gen Z needs a body of believers willing to live out their faith in every area of their lives. They need electricians working tirelessly to the glory of God‚ nurses willing to pray at their patients’ bedsides‚ moms and dads committed to discipling their families counterculturally‚ and business owners valuing their employees as an outpouring of their faith. Long Obedience in the Same Direction Evangelism doesn’t always look like revival nights or youth group invitations or mission trips. Most of the time‚ it’s the steady witness of a long obedience in the same direction. While some may say this is passive‚ it’s the hardest kind of obedience. It’s difficult to show up to church every Sunday morning when your friends are sleeping in. It’s difficult to disciple your family when others look like they’re having more fun. It’s difficult to boldly proclaim‚ “If it’s just me‚ Lord‚ I will still follow you.” Yet this long obedience is effective‚ faithful‚ and like our Savior. Witnessing the Spirit active and working in another’s life has a powerful evangelistic influence. Witnessing the Spirit active and working in another’s life has a powerful evangelistic influence. This was evident in our Savior’s evangelistic ministry. The power of God moved so mightily through him that people dropped what they were doing to witness it. Witnessing God’s power in Jesus caused an outcast to do anything to merely touch his robe (Luke 8:43-44). Witnessing God’s power in Jesus caused four men to get their friend in front of Jesus by any means possible (Mark 2:1–11). Witnessing God’s power in Jesus caused one of the greatest persecutors of Christians to become the second most important person in the history of Christendom (Acts 9). The life and way of Jesus drew people to saving faith. Today‚ a body of believers radically pursuing the Father and living obediently to the Word can draw Gen Z to saving faith too. While our lives will never equal our Savior‚ he gave us a model to emulate. Praise God. Enthusiastic Obedience in the Same Direction Here’s what Gen Z doesn’t need: more programming‚ more pastors wearing oversize blazers and Nike Dunks‚ or another podcast collab. Gen Z needs genuine‚ powerful faith modeled to them every day. Gen Z needs the kingdom of God active in the lives of the saints. They need to witness genuine‚ countercultural faith. We need believers who wage war against apathy; who don’t check boxes out of obligation; who don’t read their Bible merely because they have to but because they want to hear from God; who don’t pray brief‚ faithless prayers but spend time on their knees because they understand the value and necessity of prayer; who don’t neglect their community but live life committed to relationships. Gen Z needs the kingdom of God active in the lives of the saints. They need to witness genuine‚ countercultural faith. As a Gen Zer inside the church‚ I could easily have been part of the statistics of those abandoning the faith‚ and I mourn for my friends who are. We all need the same thing: we need the saints to come around us‚ pray for us‚ encourage us‚ and model a life we can’t help but emulate. My parents did this for me first. Day after ordinary day‚ they showed me that following the God of the Bible is delightful‚ not burdensome. Their lives ministered to me in a way that other methods couldn’t. They spurred me to intimacy with Jesus because they had intimacy with him first. Be encouraged. Your daily‚ ordinary faith is contagious to those around you.

Gah dawg‚ Bryce

Donald Trump continues to be straight up royalty at UFC events

Scientists have warned that the largest solar flare in six years could be headed for Earth in a matter of days. This comes after the flare blanked radio frequencies‚ including a major radio blackout in South America. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently reported that the solar flare "is likely one of the largest solar radio events ever recorded." The flare is caused by explosions on the surface of the sun‚ which then expand outward and spew bursts of electromagnetic radiation.The New York Post reported that the solar flare occurred on Thursday after a sunspot known as AR 3514 erupted with a class X.28 solar flare — the largest variety of flare that our sun is capable of producing. The report went on to say that the flare was the largest the star has generated since 2017. — (@) The flare had far-reaching consequences‚ including a massive radio blackout in South America. There was also a total loss of radio signals for several hours‚ but they were eventually recovered. The U.S. experienced shortwave radio blackouts‚ too.However‚ it appears that the solar flare was just one part of the ominous activity on the surface of the sun. Our star also produced what is known as a coronal mass ejection‚ which is a cloud-like explosion of plasma that could be headed for Earth‚ according to scientists researching the activity. If scientists are correct in their prediction‚ our planet could experience a geomagnetic storm no later than December 17. The phenomena could wreak havoc on satellites and ultimately lead to a blackout on Earth that could cost billions of dollars‚ according to the Post. A recent study even suggested that the geomagnetic storm could adversely disrupt railway systems‚ turning train signals from red to green. However‚ there is no confirmation that this will happen. Scientists appear to be in agreement that this particular storm will likely be minor‚ causing fluctuations in the power grid and potential disruptions to radio communications.On the flip side‚ CBS News reported that the flare could make the Northern Lights visible for those living in the northern U.S. However‚ it is not guaranteed that such lights will be seen‚ as this light phenomena has generally been seen with M-class ejections‚ which are milder than the one that recently occurred.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!