In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• One Trillion Dollars In 28 Days
• A Beheading in New York
• Food for Thought: Part 1
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
In This Issue
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 NKJV)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama Travels to Denver to Sign Stimulus Into Law - Fox News
President Barack Obama travels to the American West on Tuesday to sign into law his hard-fought stimulus plan, hoping the measure will put a floor under the collapsing U.S. economy.
A relentless storm of economic bad news and public pessimism has raged through the first month of Obama's presidency. After his legislative victory with the $787 billion stimulus measure, he now must take equally vigorous steps to prop up the country's deeply troubled financial system, ease the pain of Americans facing home mortgage foreclosures and save the teetering auto industry.
• As we enter the first quarter of this Administration, we pray Lord that You will give the Administration all the right people to make decisions that are inspired by You. Let no one work of a corrupt motive work out these plans!
• "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established." (Proverbs 15:22)
2. Despite Stimulus, Markets Tumble; Dow Nears Decade Lows - News Max
Stocks tumbled Tuesday, sending the Dow Jones industrials near their November lows as investors grew more doubtful that the government can quickly turn around the still-weakening economy.
• "Pray without ceasing. . ." (I Thess. 5:17)
3. Pressure's on States Deciding How to Use Stimulus - USA Today
It may sound like a nice problem for states figuring out how to spend the billions in infrastructure funding they'll receive as part of President Obama's economic stimulus plan. Under the plan Obama is likely to sign into law today, states will divide $27 billion to build and repair roads and bridges. That is less than half the $64 billion in projects states told the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials they had ready to go.
• Heavenly Father, we pray that projects that will stimulate job growth will be the main focus of this stimulus plan. We pray those projects that are nothing more than pork, will never happen!
• "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." (Proverbs 21:20)
4. GM, Chrysler Finalize Plans To Restructure - Washington Post
General Motors and Chrysler raced to save their place in the American auto industry yesterday, putting the final touches on plans to curb production, cut jobs and pare brands in hopes of securing billions of dollars in additional federal aid. The plans they are scheduled to submit today to the Obama administration call for a broad restructuring of their operations at a time the industry is suffering one of its steepest declines in decades. But as detailed as the plans are, they are more of a starting point than an end.
• Lord, as we are going through these birth pangs of a new way to manage our economy we pray that You will only allow good plans for restructuring these large companies. Help those affected by this recession to be sustained in these difficult days.
• "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
(Proverbs 16:9)
5. Despite Obama Pledge, Justice Defends Bush Secrets - AP
Despite President Obama's promise of more open government, the Justice Department is resisting pressure to release documents the Bush administration kept secret about domestic wiretapping, data collection on travelers and U.S. citizens, and interrogation of suspected terrorists. The FBI withheld some material on the basis of discretionary FOIA exemptions and ones that require balancing privacy and public interests.
David Sobel, attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based group that advocates civil liberties in cyberspace and brought the lawsuit, said those decisions might come out differently under the new guidelines.
• Lord, You know what information should be known and what should remain hidden. We pray only those things that need to be exposed will be; let all else remain hidden in the interest of national security.
• "Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined." (Proverbs 25:8. 10)
6. Clinton warns against North Korean missile launch - CNN
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made her strongest comments yet about North Korea Tuesday during her tour of Asia. Speaking at a news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, the U.S. secretary warned that a possible North Korean missile launch "would be very unhelpful in moving our relationship forward." Clinton said the U.S. is "watching very closely" actions by North Korea. U.S. officials recently said they obtained evidence that North Korea was gearing up for a launch of a long- range missile.
• Lord as we look to You for our protection, we pray that N. Korea will calm down and not continue to threaten other nations with their missiles. We pray for cooperation between the nations to reduce violence.
• "He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." (Proverbs 17:27, 28)
7. Obama Plans Dramatic Changes to Reduce Nuclear Arsenal - NewsMax
The clock is ticking on the issue of America's aging nuclear arsenal. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II) with Russia expires at the end of this year. President Barack Obama must decide soon if he's going to modernize the country's nuclear deterrent, or risk weakness in the face of increasing Russian militarism.
Says Gaffney: "At the very least, the Strategic Posture Commission -- and assuredly the next president -- is going to have to wrestle with a problem that cannot be effectively addressed by straddling, let alone by wholly wrong-headed thinking to the effect that the world will become nuclear free -- if only the United States would de-nuclearize."
• Lord, we desire a secure nation that will not be weak in the light of an attack. So we pray You will guide the Obama Administration on how to protect our nation. Let nothing be missed in protecting our nation!
• "Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit . . . Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!" (Psalms 80:12, 19)
8. Netanyahu only needs Lieberman to secure PM slot - ICEJ News
UTJ endorsement gives 'Bibi' 50 right-wing seats Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly sewn up deals with right-wing parties representing 50 Knesset seats, putting him well ahead of Kadima leader Tzipi Livni but not quite over the finish line in the race to present Israeli President Shimon Peres with a ready-made coalition even before he begins consulting with Knesset faction heads on Wednesday.
• Continue in prayer over these elections in Israel until the new coalition government has been decided, and the name of the new Prime Minister is secure. May the Israelis choose a man who will lead her with courage and tenacity, and who will defend her God- given borders in the days ahead!
• "By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice." (Proverbs 8:15)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice." (Proverbs 8:15)
1. Post-election poll shows most Israelis want unity government - ICEJ News
Nearly two-thirds of Israelis would like Kadima and the Likud to form a national unity government, according to a survey conducted the day after last week's general election. Exit polls had already given the public an idea of just how tight the results would be when Market Watch began surveying 498 Israelis who had just voted. According to the poll, 47 percent of the people questioned said Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu should form the next government, while 39% thought Kadima leader Tzipi Livni should. A whopping 65% said that they would like to see Kadima and Likud in a unity government . . .
2. Hamas blasts Olmert for linking Schalit to Gaza truce - ICEJ News
Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal was quoted on Tuesday as saying that Israel's outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert was jeopardizing Egyptian-brokered talks over a truce in Gaza by his last-ditch attempt to link a ceasefire deal with the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.
3. Iran seeks to buy Russian air defense system in case of Israeli attack -
ICEJ News
Iran's defense minister will travel to Moscow on Tuesday in an attempt to convince the Kremlin to deliver on promised air defense systems which could help repel possible Israel and US air strikes, according to Russian media. "I hope this visit will lead to the further development of relations between our two countries in all areas, including in the sphere of military cooperation," Iran's defense minister, Mohammad Najjar said.
4. France officially acknowledges collaboration in Holocaust - ICEJ News
France's top judicial body on Monday formally recognized the nation's collaborationist role in deporting Jews to Nazi death camps during the Holocaust. In the clearest such recognition to date, The Council of State found that the Vichy French government "allowed or facilitated the deportation from France of victims of anti-Semitic persecution."
Indeed, the draconian Vichy regime, led by Marshal Philippe Pe'tain, helped to deport some 76,000 people - including 11,000 children - from occupied France to concentration camps during the war. Fewer than 3,000 returned alive.
5. Israel launches covert war against Iran - London Telegraph
Israel has launched a covert war against Iran as an alternative to direct military strikes against Tehran's nuclear programme, US intelligence sources have revealed.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 29
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Are Obama's Policies Ushering in Era of Socialism?
Numbers show the U.S. is drifting ever closer to the socialist systems popular within the European Union.
2. Obama Signs $787 Billion Stimulus Package
President Obama marks a huge legislative victory less than a month into his term, signing the $787 billion stimulus plan passed by Congress late last week.
3. Did Delay in Stimulus Signing Cost Economy More Jobs?
If the link between the $787 billion recovery package and the job market is as direct and immediate as Democratic leaders say it is, then President Obama's delay in signing the bill could have cost the economy tens of thousands more jobs.
4. Obama Defends Bush Rule on Permitting Guns in National Parks
The Obama administration is going to bat for former President Bush by defending his last-minute rule allowing loaded guns in national parks. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that while the Interior Department is internally reviewing whether the measure passes environmental muster, the Justice Department sought to block a preliminary injunction of the controversial rule in response to a lawsuit filed Friday by gun-control and environmental groups.
5. White House to Host Japanese PM Aso Next Week
The sit-down with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso underscores the new administration's outreach to Asia. (All the headlines in this section were reported today by Fox News.)
One Trillion Dollars In 28 Days
President Barack Obama is flying to Colorado today for a signing ceremony for the so-called "stimulus" bill. He has been in office for only 28 days and already he has put the taxpayers on the hook for more than one trillion dollars in new Big Government spending.
With interest, the total cost of the Democrats' spending bill will be roughly $1.3 trillion over the next ten years. That's why the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office warned that the Democrats' "stimulus" bill will very likely hurt long-term economic growth.
This morning, I had numerous emails in my inbox from angry conservatives, frustrated by the three Senate Republicans - Arlen Specter (PA), Olympia Snowe (ME) and Susan Collins (ME) - who voted for the bill. At the risk of alienating a few good folks, I'd like to make a few observations.
Out of 219 Republicans serving in Congress, 216 of them voted against the Democrats' trillion-dollar spending bill, while 304 out of 312 congressional Democrats voted for it. That's 98.6% of Republicans against it and 97.4% of Democrats for it. In my view, three Senate Republicans are not the problem. Our problem is 304 Democrats.
Not one Senate Democrat voted against this bill. Not one! Every single Senate Democrat lined up behind Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. Rather than obsessing about the two percent of congressional Republicans who broke ranks, our outrage should be directed at the 97% of Democrats who voted to expand Big Government by one trillion dollars. . . . (Source: Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; 2/17/09; excerpt)
A Beheading in New York
A Shocking Irony
Late last week a disturbing story broke in New York when Muzzammil Hassan was arrested for murder. According to various reports, Hassan beheaded his wife, Aasiya, after she filed for divorce. Her divorce attorneys stated that her claim was based on "cruel and inhumane treatment" and numerous violent altercations with her husband during their eight-year marriage. A week prior to her death, she had obtained a restraining order against Muzzammil Hassan that forced him out of their house.
But the disturbing irony in this case is that Muzzammil Hassan ran a television station, Bridges TV, devoted to building "bridges of friendship and understanding" by portraying a positive, peaceful view of Islam to American audiences. Hassan once complained that "The level of ignorance regarding Muslims and Islam is very high in the United States."
Some Muslim groups are trying to portray this incident as just another example of domestic violence, but not everyone is buying it. The president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women called the beheading, "a terroristic version of honor killing, murder rooted in cultural notions about women's subordination to men." I'm glad at least one feminist is speaking up.
Over a year ago, I wrote in this daily report about how some Islamic clerics actually teach young Muslim men the "proper" way to beat their wives by comparing women to "camels and donkeys." As shocking as that is, the same ideology compares Christians and Jews to monkeys and pigs, turns its children into bombs, turns airplanes into weapons of mass destruction, vows to "wipe Israel off the map" and refers to the United States as "the great Satan."
The level of ignorance regarding the threat of Islamofascism is indeed high. Sadly, as we have seen in recent days, from the closing of GITMO to dismissing charges against the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, it now reaches to the highest levels of public office.
I will do everything I can to expose that ignorance and to educate our public policy makers about the need to defend our values. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; 2/17/09)
Food for Thought: Part 1
from Pastor Faye Higbee
Raven Ministries
Idaho
Part One: Introduction
Every year we hear people tell us something has "shifted." And every year things seem about the same as the year before. 2008 was a huge exception. There was a shift, all right, and it wasn't a good one, and it wasn't just spiritual. It was across the board. So how do we cope with big shifts in every level of life? The Lord gave me three points which I will share later in this newsletter that may help.
Once when I was riding a bus through the countryside of Fiji, I asked the Lord about the spiritual warfare I sensed in the land. It had been a difficult fight for some, and I sensed several specific forces at work. He said something that hit me like a herd of elephants: "Satan's house is not divided."
WHAT? As Christians from varied backgrounds, we are prone to think that with so much evil in the earth, Satan is bound to shoot himself in the foot, or work at cross purposes to himself. Rest assured; that is not the case. When evil appears to be in chaos, it is not, and the powers behind it are calculating well the responses, reactions, and actions of the players. (Read Eph 3:10, Eph 6:12) It is exactly how we got into the messes we and our nation are in at this juncture in history. Mankind is the victim of confusion and chaos, the demonic realm is not. Problem for them is, they have already lost the war. Too bad they don't take a break and go to the beach instead of causing mayhem.
Look at it this way: if you stand dominos on their ends in various patterns and directions, the way you stack them will determine whether they fall properly or make a huge confused pile of wooden blocks. Sin in our lives and nation stacks circumstances in a specific manner to produce fear, panic, increased sin, governmental dependence, and more disaster. It is these times when we are to remove ourselves from the plan of the enemy and place ourselves in the hands of the Lord!
An example of how this looks came when we were in India, where so many millions of deities worshiped (demons) produces an atmosphere of confusion. It is difficult to think there unless you are aware and prayed up, even for the locals. At one point, a bus driver drove into a street too far away (and on the wrong side of our hotel) that was too narrow for the bus -- and had absolutely no idea how to get out. Backing up was an idea that totally eluded him. He was so panicked and confused that it took him 45 minutes of yelling and screaming at everyone on the street to figure out that all he needed to do was back up the bus. Was that a sign of Satan's confusion? No, it was an effect of the presence of sin opened up by the worship of demons.
The demons weren't confused, the people were - it was calculated to create an atmosphere where people could not function as they were meant to function.
Recently, I told my church friends three things the Lord had showed me for this year. For those of you who have heard it before, now you have it in writing. I want to share them with the rest of you to give you encouragement that even though we live in a time of an open "Pandora's Box", we also have a Saviour who teaches, guides, protects, and helps us through all the valleys we must face.
TOMORROW: PART TWO -- Panic and fear produce blindness.
Good News Corner
Discovered: Unique Ancient Bacterium that may have Provided "Phenomenally" Long Life
(Russia)-The Daily Mail reports that Russian scientists working at a "graveyard" of extinct mammoths and woolly rhinos in the Yakutia region of "Mammoth Mountain" in Siberia claim to have found a bacterium which could prolong human virility and lifespan.
"Already," the report notes, "experiments on mice show it increases mental alertness, physical prowess. . . with females reportedly having babies into old age."
Professor Anatoli Broushkov of Tyumen University said: "We have found what seems to be a very old bacterium which is still living in the sandy soil of the permafrost...It is a truly unique event, absolutely extraordinary, as scientists never before managed to prove such phenomenally long life for a bacterium. We made a set of tests and the results prove that simple organisms like fruit flies and mice live longer after being vaccinated with the ancient bacterium extract."
(Source: Breaking Christian News)
