In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• Christian Schools Told to Stop Praying
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, March 19, 2009
"I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it that men should fear before Him." (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
The Daily Brief
1. House Passes Volunteerism Bill that Critics Call Pricey, Expensive Forced Service - Fox News
The House of Representatives passed a measure Wednesday that supporters are calling the most sweeping reform of nationally-backed volunteer programs since AmeriCorps. But some opponents are strongly criticizing the legislation, calling it expensive indoctrination and forced advocacy.
• Lord, we cry out to You against this bill and ask that You stop it in the Senate and kill it before it reaches the President. This bill is reminiscent of communist youth camps under the guise of "volunteer" actions. We pray for the protection of our young people against this constant barrage of indoctrination against parents, God, and the demand that they advocate the issues of the liberal agenda.
• "But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me - it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!" (Matthew 18:6) HCSB
2. Pelosi: Obama Scraps Idea of Billing Veterans' Private Insurance for Treating Service-Related Injuries - CNS News
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced on Wednesday afternoon that President Barack Obama is shelving a controversial proposal that would have forced the private health insurance of veterans to pay for their war and service-related injuries.
• Father, we thank you that for now at least, this administration has shelved this bill. We pray that You would stand guard over the health care of our veterans, improving it, and protecting them from any action which would cause them to lose coverage. We ask that You prevent this measure, or any similar to it from being passed by subterfuge.
• "The Lord advances like a warrior; He stirs up His zeal like a soldier. He shouts, He roars aloud, He prevails over His enemies." (Isaiah 42:13) HCSB
3. U.S. Warns of Iran-Hezbollah Influence in Latin America - VOA News
The commander of U.S. forces in Latin America says the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is involved in drug trafficking in Colombia. The admiral is worried about increased Iranian and Hezbollah activities throughout the region.
• Father, we have seen such increased violence in the drug trafficking of Latin America, that we should have seen this influence earlier. We pray that You will root out these Iranian and Hezbollah forces and destroy their influence over all Latin American nations where they have gained a foothold.
• "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; seek out his wickedness till You find none." (Psalm 10:15)
4. U.S. Commanders: U.S. Ready for Any North Korean Missile
The top U.S. commander in the Pacific, Adm. Timothy Keating, told senators Thursday that there is a "high probability" that the United States could knock down any North Korean missile.
• Lord, as the US anti-ballistic missile system was successful in a Hawaiian test this week, we thank You for the competency of the US military. But we place our trust in You before military weaponry and declare Your Lordship over all American interests. We place our nation in Your mighty hands and call on You for mercy and protection against any attacks, accidental or intentional.
• "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;" (2 Corinthians 10:4)
5. As Economy Slumps, Firms Line Up to Hire Skilled Foreign Workers - Fox News
At a time when high-tech corporations like Microsoft, Cisco and IBM are laying off American workers by the thousands, some of those very same companies will begin applying for the right to hire foreign workers on April 1.
• Lord, this outrageous situation steals from American workers and leaves them in a hopeless situation. We ask that You block these corporations from worsening the American job market.
• "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another." (Leviticus 19:11)
6. A) Judge Orders Religious Woman's Kids Back to Public School - Fox News
A North Carolina judge presiding over a bitter divorce case has ruled that three home-schooled children must start attending public school - a decision their mother angrily says was based on her religious beliefs.
B) Chaplain at Florida Hospice Resigns Over 'God' Restriction - Fox News
A chaplain at a Florida hospice says she has resigned due to a ban on use of the words "God" or "Lord" in certain public settings.
The Rev. Mirta Signorelli said that Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton told her and other chaplains on Feb. 23 to "cease and desist from using God in prayers," the Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. That ban on religious references, she said, rendered her incapable of doing her job.
C) Harvard Chaplain Oversees Godless Congregations - Fox News
The monthly schedule is church-like, with its parenting classes, guest speakers and small group meetings to hash out shared beliefs.
But God isn't part of this Cambridge congregation.
Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard University, is building a God-free model of community that he hopes helps humanists increase in numbers and influence.
Epstein sees potential in research showing that there are more people with no religion. In the latest American Religious Identification Survey, released this month, 15 percent of respondents in 2008 said they had no religion, compared to 8.2 percent in 1990.
• Father, we continue to repent for the falling away of America. O Lord, release Your Holy Spirit and blow the winds of revival and power over our nation. We have forgotten You, Dear Lord, and are paying a heavy price. We ask for Your mercy, for the gift of repentance, and for the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment in our land. Come, Holy Spirit, come and set us free!
• "And when He is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (John 16:8)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15)
1. Assad: We were within reach of peace deal - Ynet News
Syrian President Bashar Assad says that the Turkish-mediated talks between his country and Israel brought the two sides very close to a peace agreement.
2. Kadima, Labor don't rule out unity gov't - Ynet News
Sources in the political arena estimated Friday evening a secret mediator has been passing messages in the past few days between leaders of the Likud, Kadima and Labor parties in a bid to examine the possibility of forming a national unity government.
3. Netanyahu to ask for 2 more weeks to bring in Labor - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to ask President Shimon Peres for two more weeks to form a government, after he renewed his effort to bring Labor into his coalition on Wednesday.
4. Israel downplays S-300 sale to Iran - Jerusalem Post
Israeli officials downplayed reports in the Russian media Wednesday that Moscow signed a deal two years ago to sell S-300 air defense missiles to Iran, saying what is important is that the state-of-the-art weapons have not been delivered.
The First 100 Days
DAY 59
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Obama on 'Tonight Show' Discusses Economy, Makes Special Olympics Joke
Some have questioned whether the president's light-hearted chat with Leno would strike a humorous tone when a serious one was merited
2. Obama Envoy Holbrooke Served on AIG Board When Controversial Bonuses Approved
Richard Holbrooke, a veteran diplomat who is now the administration's point man on Pakistan and Afghanistan, served on the board between 2001 and mid-2008.
3. Lawmakers Debate Impact of Deficit Projections on Obama's Budget Plan
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office releases Friday what sources say will be a grim assessment of President Obama's $3.6 trillion budget's affect on the nation's deficit, a $1 trillion increase above previous projections.
4. Obama: Energy Research Will Create Jobs
President Obama says his administration's plan to invest heavily in energy research now during hard times will create the kinds of jobs and technology the United States needs to survive economically.
5. Senate Committee Approves Locke for Commerce
Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke won unanimous approval from the Commerce panel Thursday.
6. Obama Earned $2.5M in Book Royalties Last Year
President Obama received nearly $2.5 million in book royalties last year for his two best-selling works -- "Dreams From My Father," which was written before he was elected to the Senate from Illinois, and "The Audacity of Hope."
(All articles from Fox News)
Christian Schools Told to Stop Praying
In Illinois: Christian Schools Told to Stop Praying
Illinois Christian Schools Told to Silence Prayers before Sporting Events
The Illinois High School Association has decided Christian schools cannot broadcast prayers --- or any religious announcements --- over their public address systems the day they host state sports tournaments. The ban comes on the tail end of the state basketball tournament.
Marty Hickman, executive director of the group, said he was not trying to make a political statement.
"Our attorney's position and our position is that it's against the law," he told CitizenLink.
Several Christian schools complained about the policy to the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).
"Not only does it not violate the Establishment Clause, but it violates the free-speech rights of private schools," said David Cortman, senior legal counsel for ADF.
The Alliance Defense Fund has offered to represent the state free of charge if it changes the policy and is challenged in court.
Hickman said he would be open to changing the policy on the advice of his attorney.
(Focus on the Family; CitizenLink; March 6, 2009)
Good News Corner
A (Simple) Prayer Strategy for ISRAEL!
Months ago I asked you to pray with me for our nation 1 minute at 8:00 pm, by setting our phone alarms as a reminder. Many of you were stirred by the Spirit and joined me. Last week I dropped my Blackberry in water and it was disabled. With my new phone I again set the alarm for 8:00pm.
Last night I had a dream about Israel and God gave me the interpretation to pray for Israel within the 1 minute. So tonight I add Israel. Will you ask the Lord if you are to join me, and begin also? Please let me know if He says yes (Pray4Israel@fullnessnetwork.net). God has instructed.
From: Bev Robinson; FULLNESS ONLINE Ministries; March 14, 2009
• Yes, Bev, we are happy to share this "one minute" strategy with our network! We pray for a great response, too!!
• Acts 13:40-41 "Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: 'BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH; FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.'"
