Slideshow image
He (the Lord) has shown you, O mortal , what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN UKRAINE CONTINUES TO UNFOLD

As Russia steps up increasingly indiscriminate assaults on civilian targets and infrastructure, fears were growing on Monday that thousands of Ukrainians could die in the coming days if urgent relief does not arrive soon, and humanitarian cease-fires fail to take hold. 
 
As of Wednesday, a cease-fire has allowed refugees to evacuate from certain cities and to allow humanitarian aid to enter the cities. except for the port city of Mariupol which continues to be under siege by the Russians. They have not been able to have people leave nor are they able to receive humanitarian aid such as food, water, and medicines. Time is running out for the people of Mariupol and more deaths are expected'. 
 
As mostly women and children are fleeing to other parts of Ukraine or other countries like Poland. They then travel to wherever they are going from there. Many volunteers have come forward to assist the Ukrainian people, some from other countries such as Germany. As of early this week, already 1.5 million Ukrainians - mostly women and children - have been displaced. 
 
God of the dispossessed, God of the broken hearted, we pray for your spiritual and material comfort for the millions whose lives have been thrown into chaos by the violent authoritarianism and blinding arrogance of a neighbor. Comfort the mourning and displaced, Lord. May borders, homes, and hearts open.
DATA SUGGESTS AMAZON RAINFOREST TIPPING POINT IS LOOMING
Increased destruction and development in the Amazon Rainforest has led to a tipping point, where, upon reaching, the rainforest would be lost with “profound” implications for the global climate and biodiversity. Computer models have previously indicated a mass dieback of the Amazon is possible, but the new analysis is based on real-world satellite observations over the past three decades.  More than 75% of the untouched forest has lost stability since the early 2000s, meaning it takes longer to recover after droughts and wildfires. The greatest loss of stability is in areas closer to farms, roads and urban areas and in regions that are becoming drier, suggesting that forest destruction and global heating are the cause. These factors “may already have pushed the Amazon close to a critical threshold of rainforest dieback”, the scientists conclude. ​​
God, how many more reports, conferences, and statements do we need to wake up? As if sleeping at the wheel we hurtle towards calamity. Lord Jesus, shake us into discomfort; wake us up, Lord!