In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· The First 100 Days
· "Dear Mahmoud"
· New Pro-Life Bill in Congress
· Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
The Daily Brief
1. Life With Big Brother - WorldNetDaily
A little-discussed provision in President Obama's economic stimulus plan would demand that every American submit to a government program for electronic medical records without a choice to opt out, and it has privacy advocates more than a little alarmed.
Patients might be alarmed, too, privacy advocates said, if they realized information such as documentation on abortions, mental health problems, impotence, being labeled as a non-compliant patient, lawsuits against doctors and sexual problems could be shared electronically with, perhaps, millions of people.
· Father, a few years ago, the HIPAA act guaranteed our privacy against releasing any medical records without our permission. To demand that all Americans give up that right is unfathomable. We ask that You stop this plan in its tracks before it gets off the ground, and we pray Your protection against intrusion. (Read more.)
· "For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from getting caught." (Proverbs 3:26 NKJV)
2. The Fight Against FOCA Begins - OneNewsNow.com
Brad Mattes, executive director of Life Issues Institute, says the Freedom of Choice Act, or FOCA, is a dangerous bill that President Barack Obama has promised to sign. "FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act, would kick to the curb every protective law that has been passed by Congress, state legislatures, or local communities," he explains.FOCA would promote partial-birth abortion and ban parental-notification laws, according to Mattes. However, he has not lost hope. "If FOCA is brought through committee and to the floor of the House and the Senate as an entire bill, I think our chances are better at stopping it," he notes.Mattes says those chances diminish if it is attached to other bills piecemeal. He points out it is vital for the grassroots voice to be heard. A petition can be signed against FOCA at the Life Issues Institute website.
· Lord we ask that You move on Your people to rise up and contact their Congressional Representatives en masse. We pray that You will activate the voices that will reveal to the administration that the vast majority of Americans are not in favor of abortion. We also pray that You will stop this plan from going forward, and that any attempt to piecemeal the contents will be prevented.
· "Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with hell will not stand;" (Isaiah 28:18a)
3. Sen Vitter: ACORN Getting Political "Payoff" - Newsmax.com
Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter doesn't think much of the Democrats' economic stimulus bill. And he tells Newsmax TV he especially doesn't like its provisions allocating billions for so-called "community organizations" like the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.Vitter lashed out at the proposal to give $4.2 billion to ACORN, which actively recruited voters for President Barack Obama and all Democrats in the run up to the November election.
· Pray that this portion of the bill will be so repugnant to the American people that they will make their voices heard against it. We should not be paying for a group that is actively under investigation for voter registration fraud and run by a "terrorist."
· "Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity." (Psalm 64:2)
4. Ford Loses $5.9Billion, Still Doesn't Need U.S. Loan - Fox Business
Ford Motor Co. on Thursday reiterated its financial health and said it won't need a bridge loan from the U.S. government. The auto maker said it's on track to be break even, or be profitable on a pre-tax basis by 2011.
· Father , thank You that thus far, Ford Motor Company has had the integrity to own their own mistakes and not demand taxpayer bailout. We pray that their actions would be a testimony to others, and that more businesses will stop using the government to be their crutch.
· "Let him not trust in futile things, deceiving himself, for futility will be his reward." (Job 15:31 NKJV)
5. US Mistakenly sells secret files in Jerusalem - Fox News.com
Hundreds of files - with social security numbers, bank account numbers and other sensitive U.S. government information - were found in a filing cabinet purchased from the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem through a local auction.
· Lord, we bind confusion, laziness, and lack of caring in all governmental employees of America's consulates and embassies worldwide. We pray that You will create in them a desire to do their jobs well and pay attention to details. We thank You that this appears to have been caught before the information passed into criminal hands, but we do cover every name in the files with Your Blood and ask protection against illegal use of the information.
6. Liberia Declares State of Emergency as Caterpillar Plague Wrecks Crops - UK Guardian
Liberia has declared a state of emergency over a plague of caterpillars that has destroyed plants and crops and contaminated water supplies, threatening an already fragile food situation.As this situation appears to be spreading to all of West Africa, it places millions of lives at stake. Let's stand with the ministries on the front lines of this plague and agree with their words:
· [Prayer below is offered by Hinds Feet Ministries, based in the U.S. and in Liberia. Please pray, too, for other nations in West Africa at this time, including Sierra Leone and Guinea.]
· "Let us earnestly pray for the people in these infested countries. Let us also ask God what we, as a nation, Liberia, need to repent of. Unfortunately, 30 years ago we had the rice riots in Liberia which led to the coup d'etat which took us through much distress. This army of worms is truly concerning to all who know that we are indeed in the last days. However, the Lord has promised that those who put their trust in Him will always be taken care of."
· "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4:1 NKJV)
7. BREAKING! Illinois Senate Votes to Oust Gov. Blagojevich - AP
Illinois Senate votes unanimously to strip Rod Blagojevich of power in a move that will likely end the governor's political career.
· Offer praise that this sorry episode in Illinois' political history is now closed. Praise the Lord, too, that the State of Illinois has upheld standards of righteousness in governing. May the Lord use this time now to cause Mr. Blagojevich to be humbled, that he might yet find the forgiveness given at the Cross, and salvation through the Blood of the Lamb and in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
· "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
8. Snow Storm Kills at Least 23, Leaves a Million in the Dark - Fox News
A destructive winter storm left more than a million customers in the dark before barreling into the Northeast on Wednesday, delaying flights and turning the morning rush into the morning slush as communities braced for the worst.
· Here we go again! We seem to indeed be living in the "perilous times" foretold by the prophets centures ago. Even so, His Grace is still sufficient . . . if we but ask. Pray for all who are now in danger without power; and for those who are working to restore electricity to the impacted areas. May their needs be met in unusual ways, as they seek the means to survive this winter season.
· "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1)
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12,13)
1. Abbas: We will prove Israeli war crimes - Ynet News
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas vowed on Tuesday to take a tough stance in talks with Israel and said he would tell a US envoy that Israel's Gaza offensive proved it was not intent on peacemaking.
2. Two Kassam rockets fired from Gaza Strip fall land Sderot - Jerusalem Post
Two Kassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning fell in open areas near the town of Sderot.
3. War with Israel helped Hamas win hearts, minds - Washington Times
In conventional military terms, Hamas lost badly in Gaza, but in the far more important long-term struggle for the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people, it followed the model of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland and won big.
4. Mashaal rejects Israeli truce conditions - Jerusalem Post
The exiled leader of Hamas said Wednesday that Israel's conditions for a long-term truce with the group were "unacceptable."
5. Hizbullah attack against Israeli target in Europe foiled - Jerusalem Post
Israeli intelligence agencies recently thwarted a major Hizbullah terror attack against an Israeli target in Europe, Channel 2 reported Wednesday, citing security officials.
6. EU shifts conditions for Palestinian unity government - Ynet News
The European Union has made a gesture towards accepting a Palestinian unity government that could include Hamas, a move it hopes can help heal a rift between the Islamists and their Western-backed rivals, Fatah.
7. Iran arms ship released by U.S. Navy now 'sailing to Syria' - Ha'aretz
The captain of a ship that the United States Navy recently detained has said his vessel is now en route to Syria. The boat was initially believed to be carrying arms destined for Hamas, though sources say the weapons will likely be delivered to Hezbollah.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days; DAY TEN
Often as a new man is sworn into the office of The President of the United States, the world watches how he performs in his first 100 days. As our new president, like all presidents before him, pursues his own first 100 days in office, please agree with this promise from the Word of God for him.
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1 NIV)
1. FOX News Poll: Teary-Eyed Thumbs Up for Obama
The latest FOX News poll finds 65 percent of Americans approve of the job President Obama is doing, and more than a quarter were moved to tears during his inauguration.
2. Dodd Orders Treasury to Recover Billions in Wall Street Bonuses
The chairman of the Senate banking committee claimed Thursday that he would "look at every possible legal means" to recover billions in bonuses to Wall Street executives, after President Obama called the bonuses plain "outrageous." The president reacted harshly Thursday to reports that corporate employees got paid more than $18 billion in bonuses last year. "That is the height of irresponsibility. It is shameful," he said.
3. Activist Groups Pressure Republican Senators to Back Stimulus
MoveOn.org, along with the Service Employees International Union and other groups, are running ads pressuring Republican senators to support President Obama's stimulus plan.
4. Senate Republicans Warn Stimulus Rebates Could Pay Illegal Immigrants
Republicans find that tax rebates in the stimulus bill would allow eligible recipients to use taxpayer identification numbers, which illegal aliens can obtain, instead of Social Security numbers to identify themselves.
5. Obama Signs Equal-Pay Bill
President Obama on Thursday signed an equal pay bill that negates a 2007 Supreme Court decision that said workers only had 180 days to file a pay discrimination lawsuit.6. Military Judge Deals Obama Guantanamo SetbackMilitary Judge James Pohl has refused the Obama administration's order to delay the arraignment of Abu al-Nashiri, the accused planner of the 2000 USS Cole attack in Yemen.
6. Obama: Tough Decisions Soon on Iraq, Afghanistan - NewsMax
The United States must make tough decisions soon about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday after receiving his first briefing from the heads of the U.S. armed forces.
7. Senate approves Blair for intelligence director - AP
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed retired Adm. Dennis Blair as the new national intelligence director. (Source for all news in this section is Fox News.)
"Dear Mahmoud"
During the campaign, candidate Obama made headlines by suggesting that he would meet, without preconditions, with some of America's worst enemies, including Iran's "president," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Today, there are reports in the foreign media that State Department officials have written three drafts of a letter for President Obama to send to Ahmadinejad, in order to pave the way for a future meeting. (You may recall that Ahmadinejad wrote many letters to President Bush demanding that America convert to Islam.)
According to one report, the "conciliatory" Obama letter "gives assurances that Washington does not want to overthrow the Islamic regime." If true, our green president may be on the verge of repeating the mistakes of Munich, seeking to appease the Islamofascists who have threatened to "wipe Israel off the map," who have prayed for our destruction and who are the main suppliers of money and men for radical Islam's jihad against the West.
Mark my words, Iran will use any negotiations to stall the West and buy precious time while it works feverishly to complete its nuclear weapons program. How sad that Obama is getting ready to crush the hopes of millions of Iranians who want to live in freedom, while he puts us and our Israeli allies at greater risk. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; Jan. 29, 2009)
New Pro-Life Bill in Congress
House, Senate Consider Pro-Life Legislation
Yesterday, four U.S. representatives --- including one Democrat --- introduced legislation to reinstate the Mexico City Policy after President Barack Obama eliminated it Friday. Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., Jim Sensenbrenner, R- Wis., Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Bart Stupak, D- Mich., are sponsors of H.R. 708.
"The Mexico City Policy represents common ground," Smith said. "It has allowed the U.S. to substantially fund international family planning without padding the budgets of radical groups intent on spreading the scourge of abortion."
Sensenbrenner said that with one stroke of his pen, "Our new president gave the green light for the execution of thousands of preborn children. "I can think of no clearer signal to illustrate our changing times," he said. "We pro-lifers now face a huge challenge in our cause to protect the life of the innocent unborn children who have no voice but ours to speak out for their survival."
Also today, the U.S. Senate rejected a similar pro-life measure, which was offered by Sen. Mel Martinez, R- Fla. Among the 60 senators who voted "no" was Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who ran as a pro-life supporter in the 2006 campaign for his Senate seat. Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, supported the amendment.
TAKE ACTIONAsk President Barack Obama to stop using your tax dollars to support abortion overseas. You can find contact information through our Action Center. (Source: Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)
Good News Corner
Good News:Most Americans Support Strict Interpretation of Constitution
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters say U.S. Supreme Court decisions should be based on what is written in the Constitution, but only 35 percent think President Barack Obama agrees with them.That's according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
"The survey reveals the American people are much more conservative regarding judges than our president is or any of the liberals in Congress," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
Hausknecht said Obama --- a former constitutional law instructor --- should pay attention to the survey, especially as he makes appointments to the federal bench. "During his campaign, Obama promised to appoint judges who were empathetic with plaintiffs," Hausknecht said. "That's the wrong way to judge. The Constitution should be the start and finish of how judges judge." (CitizenLink)
