#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 21, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 21, 2026.

In today’s top stories, the U.S. is reportedly considering a high-stakes move to seize Iran’s Kharg Island with over 2,000 Marines, aiming to gain leverage despite the U.S. Navy’s current deficiencies in minesweeping. This comes as President Trump’s war against Iran maintains strong support among his base, though conservative commentators express concerns about rising costs and gas prices. Domestically, student journalists are clashing with universities, prompting at least six states to consider legislation protecting their First Amendment rights. Additionally, federal judges, typically silent outside of written opinions, are now speaking out due to increased threats and public criticism. Globally, Japan navigated a crucial meeting in Washington “unscathed,” yet persistent concerns about the reliability of the U.S. partnership and China-related issues remain. Meanwhile, following a surprise U.S. intervention in Venezuela, experts suggest a similar attempt in Cuba would prove significantly more challenging. Finally, Iraq’s newfound peace and national unity are once again threatened by the ongoing Iran war, with attacks from Iran, the U.S., and internal militias reigniting old divides.

Turning to our recent video offerings, viewers can catch up on our “Sunday Morning Service,” learn “10 Biblical Steps to Protect Your Marriage from Adultery” with Jonathan Vorce, and watch Bishop Jason Garner’s “Senior Pastor Sunday Worship at 10:30a,” “Latino Worship at 1:30p,” and “Wednesday Bible Study at 7:00.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include updates on a “Church Planting Intensive In Session,” the “‘Jesus Wells’ Campaign Focuses on ‘World’s Thirstiest Communities,’” news of a “Ministry Winning ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at Movieguide® Awards,” and an announcement for the “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13.”

In the latest prophecy news, some believe that America’s defeat of Iran could mark the beginning of the Messiah’s clock ticking, an event reportedly foreseen by the Sages of Israel over 1,500 years ago. Other significant events include a historic heat wave hitting the U.S., potentially setting new March and April records in over 140 cities from California to Missouri. Internationally, Iran’s new supreme leader has vowed retribution for the killing of top security chief Ali Larijani, promising that the “criminal murderers” will pay. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that shrapnel from Iranian missiles fell on sacred sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as across central Israel.

Finally, looking back in Jewish history to this day, March 22nd, we reflect on a somber event from 1144 in Norwich, England. This date marks the first recorded ritual murder libel, a false accusation that would tragically set a pattern for centuries. A 12-year-old boy named William was found dead on Easter Eve, and the local Jewish community was immediately accused of killing him in a mock crucifixion. While this initial accusation didn’t include the later common claim of using blood for matzos, it led to the Jews being summoned to a Church court, which they refused, asserting that only the king held jurisdiction over them. Scholars later suggested the boy may have died from a cataleptic fit or was the victim of a sexual predator.