In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• The Pope Teaches Pelosi on Abortion
• Appeasing Iran is Path to Destruction
• Food for Thought: Part 4
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
In This Issue
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Friday, February 20, 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. Poll: Obama beats Jesus as American 'hero'- World Net Daily
When Americans were asked whom they admired enough to call their No. 1 hero, the majority of respondents answered "President Obama." In the new online Harris poll, citizens chose Jesus Christ as No. 2, followed by Martin Luther King. Others in the top ten, in descending order, were Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Abraham Lincoln, John McCain, John F. Kennedy, Chesley Sullenberger and Mother Teresa, according to Harris Interactive.
- Lord, we glorify Your name and pray that there will be turning toward You for hope and leadership in this nation.
- "So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you." (1 Corinthians 3:21)
2. Dodd Says 'Nationalization,' Markets Tank - Washington Post
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), chairman of the Banking committee, offhandedly -- or maybe not -- said around 1 p.m. today that nationalization of some banks may be necessary "at least for a short time," which accelerated a fall in the markets today. Nationalization -- or government control -- is the worst fear of every business, especially banks, and Wall Street acted accordingly: Although the markets had been down between 1 and 2 percent, in the moments following Dodd's remark, the S&P 500 briefly fell more than 3 percent.
- As the financial situation continues to be bleak, we pray that members of the US government will look back into history and will follow the path that was laid out by our founding fathers. We pray that the economic leaders will work with the government so that the public trust of private institutions will be strengthened. We pray that people will turn to You as the savior and not to government programs.
- "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house." (Matthew 12:29)
3. U.S. officials: Hamas slipped note to Obama via senator - CNN
Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas passed Sen. John Kerry a letter for President Obama while Kerry visited Gaza on Thursday, senior State Department officials said. The letter for the president is in the hands of the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, the officials said Friday.
- Lord, as the new administration begins to enter into relationships with nations across the world, we pray that there will be discernment. We pray that terrorists will be found out and that Your hand of protection will rest on Israel despite being surrounded by threats.
- "Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)
4. Holder Calls U.S. 'Nation of Cowards' on Race Matters - Fox News
Eric Holder, the nation's first black attorney general, said Wednesday the United States was "a nation of cowards" on matters of race, with most Americans avoiding candid discussions of racial issues. In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self- segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.
- Lord, we pray that there will be reconciliation in this nation so that everyone can recognize their equality before God. We pray also that the media will publicize the work that is being done in this nation to lessen any divides that may persist and that we will all see ourselves as sinners who need to be saved by You.
- "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
5. Illinois Gov.: Burris Should Resign From Senate - Washington Post
Gov. Pat Quinn (D) said Friday that the time has come for Sen. Roland W. Burris (D-Ill.) to resign and allow a special election to be held for the seat once held by President Obama.
- We praise You that wrong-doing is coming into the light. We pray that those who may have broken trust will be honest and will give up their power in order to regain hope for their souls.
- "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." (Proverbs 28:13)
6. A. Clinton: Nobody Knows Whether North Korea Had Uranium Program - Fox News
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told FOX News that nobody knows whether North Korea ever tried to produce highly enriched uranium, despite claims seemingly to the contrary from intelligence officials. "
B. Clinton: North Korea Engaging in 'War of Words' With South Korea - Fox News
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admonishes Pyongyang not to follow through on its recent threats to test-launch a long-range missile. While issuing a fresh warning to North Korea not to proceed with its planned test-launch of a ballistic missile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also announced the appointment of a special envoy to oversee the Obama administration's diplomacy relating to the country.
- We pray that the new administration will be aware of the threats throughout the world and will be diligent to assess dangers. We thank You for those in the intelligence community who work hard to assure our safety and pray for focus and clear minds so they can do their work.
- "He has put out his hand against those who were at peace with him; he has not kept his agreement." (Psalm 55:20)
7. Kyrgyz President Signs U.S. Base Closure Bill - Fox News
Kyrgyzstan's president has signed a law to close a key U.S. air base used as a staging post for military operations in Afghanistan. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed the bill Friday to cancel the lease agreement for the Manas air base. The base is a transit point for 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo each month to and from Afghanistan.
- As other nations begin to posture for prominence and favor, we pray that innocent soldiers will not be punished. We pray there will be agreements reached that will allow armed forces members to be safe while in transport.
- "You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues." (Psalm 31:20)
8. Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed as Israel PM - London Telegraph
Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel's Right-wing Likud party, has won the endorsement of Israel's 'kingmaker' in a crucial step towards becoming prime minister. Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, formally recommended that President Shimon Peres send for Mr Netanyahu and make him prime minister. Consequently, Israel may soon have a hardline, Right- wing government that may prove an exceptionally difficult partner for America's new administration.
- We pray that the Israeli government will focus on security of its nation and people. We thank You that the elections went smoothly and we pray the politicians there and in the US will turn to You for guidance in making strategic decisions.
- "And he said to them, 'Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.'" (Acts 5:35)
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. Peres hands Netanyahu mandate to form new government - ICEJ News
Livni rebuffs president's bid to forge Likud-Kadima partnership
Israeli President Shimon Peres failed in his last-ditch effort on Friday to coax Kadima leader Tzipi Livni into joining a unity government, leaving him little choice but to formally entrust Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu with the task of building what will likely be a 65-seat right-of-center coalition.
Peres invited both leaders to the presidential residence at Beit Hanassi this morning in hopes of mediating a broad Likud-led coalition, which Netanyahu assured he was willing to "go to great lengths" to ensure. But Livni, who was rejected as prime minister even by the left-wing Labor and Meretz factions this week, insisted she wanted no part of a government that "lacks diplomatic vision. "[A] broad coalition is worthless if it is not governed by values," she asserted after her private audience with Peres.
Not long after, Peres summoned Netanyahu and issued him an official letter of appointment to proceed with forming a government. Though Netanyahu immediately made fresh overtures to Kadima and Labor, it appears his coalition will be forged around the six nationalist and religious factions on the Right who recommended him as prime minister.
Netanyahu said repeatedly during the campaign that not forming a national-unity government when he was prime minister from 1996-99 was his worst-ever political mistake. He now has up to six weeks to seal finalize his coalition deals and win passage in the Knesset of a confidence motion in his cabinet.
Without Kadima or Labor, Netanyahu's biggest obstacle will be reaching compromises on the issues of civil marriage and streamlined conversions between the secular Israel Beiteinu party and the ultra- Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism factions.
2. Mortar barrage hits Negev; no injuries - Ynet News
A barrage of about 10 mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip landed in open fields in the Eshkol Regional Council on Friday. The shells were launched shortly after 9:30 am. No injuries or damage were reported in the attack.
3. IAEA issues disturbing reports on Iranian, Syrian nuclear programs - ICEJ News
Uranium traces found at Syrian plant, Iran has enough 'yellow cake' for bomb
According to two IAEA reports released on Thursday, UN researchers have found new traces of uranium and graphite in samples taken from an Israeli bombed Syrian site, while Iran is believed to now possess enough fissile material to produce at least one atomic bomb.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 32
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Israeli Ambassador Calls for 'Serious Action' Following Iran Nuke Report
The White House also says the international community must work together to address Iran's uranium enrichment activities, after a United Nations report showed Iran has enough uranium to build a nuclear bomb.
2. White House Tamps Down Talk of Bank Nationalization
Investors are worried that the government will nationalize Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp. and wipe out shareholders in the process.
3. America's Deficit-Spending Spree Raises Alarms
The huge deterioration in the government's finances reflects the recession -- which has cut into tax revenues -- and the large amounts of money being spent from the $700 billion finance rescue plan that Congress passed in October.
4. Obama Team Requests More Information on Auto Restructuring
The Obama administration issued a statement following the first meeting of its auto task force stressing that officials understand the urgency of dealing with the auto problems.
5. Napolitano: Violence in Mexico Not Yet Spilling Across U.S. Border
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano acknowledges rising violence in Mexico, but says while U.S. officials are preparing for that violence to spill across the border it has not yet.
(Source for all headlines above is Fox News.)
The Pope Teaches Pelosi on Abortion
Pope Schools Democratic Leader Pelosi on Church History and Abortion
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went to the Vatican to meet the Pope, but the reception was not what she expected. Pope Benedict gave Pelosi an earful about her support of abortion. And Pelosi tried to spin the 15 minute meeting by employing the faith- based themes that Democrats successfully used to garner religious support in the recent US election. Whether it was arrogance or stupidity, Pelosi exposed herself and her party to the righteous light of the Catholic Church's Biblical stance that the killing of the pre-born is evil. Further underscoring the Pope's distaste for Pelosi's position, no photos or videos of the meeting were released to the public.
The Pope should be commended for schooling Pelosi, and Americans should take to heart the Pope's words as a warning to a nation that kills over 4,000 pre-born babies a day. This is the result of Americans electing immoral and unethical politicians. Isaiah 59:6- 8 says, "Their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have mede them crooked paths: whosoever go therein shall not know peace."
(Source: Bill Wilson; The Daily Jot; 2/19/09)
Appeasing Iran is Path to Destruction
Appeasing Iran Has Lead America and Israel down the Path of Destruction
The United Nations and those who would follow the one world order body have placed Israel and the United States in grave danger of nuclear confrontation with a wild-eyed group of terrorist-sponsoring madmen. Every Christian and Jew in the world should be sounding the alarm that our lives and the lives of our children are facing clear and present danger. The UN is now reporting that Iran has stockpiled enough enriched uranium to make at least one nuclear bomb. Iran also announced that it had successfully launched an information gathering satellite. To launch such a satellite, its missile system has developed to the point that a nuclear carrying missile is within the realm of possibility.
Nobel Peace Prize winner and head of the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency Mohammed El Baradei has maintained for years that Iran was not building nuclear weapons, but that its nuclear program was peaceful. On Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004, El Baradei said, "I am not ready to jump to the conclusion and say this is a weapons program unless I see a diversion of nuclear material to such a program or I see clear cut proof that this is a weapons program. And we are not there yet." In the fall of 2007 he said Iran was a "few years" from having a nuclear weapon. In June of 2008, El Baradei told Al- Arabiya TV Iran would need six months to a year to build a nuclear weapon.
Now the IAEA is saying that Iran is on the brink of building the bomb. But El Baradei is still trying to buy diplomatic time for Iran by noting that the pace at which Iran was enriching uranium has slowed in an apparent attempt to show the United States that there is a willingness to discuss the matter. In short, El Baradei-an Egyptian born Muslim-has stalled action against Iran's nuclear program for the better part of a decade. He has compelled those who would listen that Iran had peaceful intentions. He has effectively put the United States and Israel at imminent risk by holding diplomats at bay while Iran develops a nuclear bomb and the missile system to deliver it.
El Baradei should be removed immediately. He is the fox guarding the chicken house of the free world. And speaking of the chickens, the Clinton and Bush Administrations should have handled Iran decisively instead of putting the lives of Americans and Israelis in the hands of Islamic UN diplomats who are honored with peace prizes while saying "peace, peace" when there is no peace. Now the current Administration is even more conciliatory toward radical Islam. And our families are endangered. 2 Timothy 3:13 says, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." When dealing with evil, the route of appeasement is the route to destruction.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Food for Thought: Part 4
By Pastor Faye Higbee
Raven Ministries
Idaho
Part 4:
Whirlwinds around us: Call on the Name of the Lord!
I awakened one Sunday morning after a very vivid dream in which four huge F4 tornadoes were bearing down on our area. I was driving west, they were churning east a short distance beside me. I kept my eye on them to make sure they weren't too close, when suddenly the two ahead of me swerved directly into my path. I was caught up in the tornado and felt the pressure and whipping of the wind. I felt absolutely no fear. I simply called out "Jesus!" and woke up in complete peace.
I believe that 4 tornadoes denote 4 directions (north, south, east, and west). The situations we face are coming from every direction, and can strike at any moment. We live on this earth; we are subject to the same circumstances as everyone else around us. But WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE, we have a SAVIOR who is our very present help in trouble. If there is any one message out of these three words from the Lord, it is STOP, talk to the Lord, ask for direction, and call on His Name. Your faith cannot be in changing the circumstances; it must be in the Lord Himself. He IS the great I AM, Jehovah Shamma, Emmanuel, the God who lives in us and will never leave us.
"But everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 NLT)
"This is what the Lord says - the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord. "Ask Me, and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come." (Jeremiah 33:3 NLT)
"God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas . . . There is a river - its streams delight the city of God, a holy dwelling place of the Most High. God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.. (Psalm 46:1-2,4-5 NLT)
Love and many blessings,
Faye Higbee
Good News Corner
Playboy posts steep quarterly loss
Playboy Enterprises Inc. posted a steep quarterly loss Wednesday due to a $157 million charge, which primarily reflects the tumbling value of its television assets. The results came amid a wrenching transition for the adult-entertainment company, which is slashing costs and overhauling its operations to cope with both an advertising downturn and the erosion of an audience that now has a wider choice of adult media. Playboy reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $146 million, compared with a year-earlier net loss of $1.1 million. Revenue for the period fell 19 percent to $70 million.
In December, Christie Hefner said she was stepping down as chief executive after two decades at the helm of the company founded by her father. Last month, Playboy said it was closing its New York office and consolidating its editorial operation in Chicago. The restructuring will further pare a staff that shed 55 people last fall. "It is clear our streamlining initiatives need to continue," said company board member Jerome Kern, who is serving as interim chairman while Playboy searches for a successor to Hefner. (Source: Chicago Tribune)
• As Playboy, too, is hit with the results of the global economic meltdown, intercede for all of those who are directly affected by this news -- Playboy's employees. In their time of need, may they each be drawn to find the Source of all life, and all provision: Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
• "Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves Do not break through and steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:19-24)
[Please note: the story we shared on our Wednesday edition this week, Feb. 18, entitled: "HOME ALONE: A Shooting in Butte, Montana" has proven to be false. We apologize for our error; and we promise to remain "true to the true" in the future. Thank you!]
