In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Friday, March 27, 2009
"The LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever." (Psalm 37:28)
The Daily Brief
1. Fargo Flees as Flood Waters Top All-Time High - Fox News
Fargo police ordered mandatory evacuations early Friday after a breach in flood protection created a "significant leak" as the Red River topped 40 feet, breaking a record crest set in 1897.
- Lord, protect those in the course of these floods. We pray for power and peace for those servants who will be working to save lives.
- "For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock." (Psalm 27:5)
2. Report: Reid Says Roberts 'Didn't Tell Us the Truth' - Fox News
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts did not "tell us the truth" during his 2005 confirmation hearings, suggesting Roberts misled senators into believing he was more moderate than he really was. According to Politico.com, Reid complained about Roberts during a discussion hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. "Roberts didn't tell us the truth. At least (Samuel) Alito told us who he was," Reid said, according to the article. "But we're stuck with those two young men, and we'll try to change by having some moderates in the federal courts system as time goes on -- I think that will happen."
- You are so mighty that You have allowed strong, godly men to come into positions of authority in the courts of this land. As the battles for the courts continue, we pray that there will be a shift in the balance of the courts so that citizens and their rights will be protected. We pray for peace for Justice Roberts so that he will not be hurt by false accusations.
- "For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions." (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
3. Jury acquits Tiller in abortion case, but new proceeding looms - Kansas City Star
A jury today acquitted one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers of violating Kansas law requiring an independent second opinion for the procedure. But moments after the verdict was announced, the state's medical board made public a complaint against Wichita physician George Tiller on similar allegations. Tiller was acquitted Friday of 19 misdemeanor charges stemming from some abortions he performed at his Wichita clinic in 2003. Prosecutors had alleged that a doctor he used for second opinions was essentially an employee of his and not independent as state law requires.
- Lord, we do not understand when the wicked are set free, but we trust in Your promise that You will punish the guilty. We raise up women who have suffered by this man's hand, and we pray that the medical board of Kansas will take away his ability to practice medicine.
- "Realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers." (1 Timothy 1:9)
4. Kansas Governor Signs Bill Ensuring Those Seeking Abortions Can See Ultrasound First - AP
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signs a bill ensuring that women and girls seeking abortions can see ultrasound images before the procedure. The legislation, signed Friday and taking effect July 1, also ensures that abortion patients can listen to the fetal heartbeat.
- We praise You that there will be an opportunity for women to see and hear their children before they choose abortion. Lord, we pray that this will mark a new path for the new Secretary of Health and Human Services so that she will protect the lives of all citizens.
- "Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment." (Leviticus 5:17)
5. Reid Leaves Open Option for Extreme Maneuver on Health Care, Energy Overhauls - Fox News
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is holding the option of using a legislative maneuver to create not only a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system but also a controversial cap and trade energy program, a move that could torpedo bipartisanship. The maneuver, known as "reconciliation," protects legislation to which it's attached from a Senate filibuster. Republicans, in their deep minority status, are in an uproar over the possibility that they will be all but eliminated from the legislative process. But Republicans are not alone in their opposition. A sizable number of Democrats have protested the move; first and foremost, Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who excluded it from his committee's budget passed Thursday.
- Lord, we call to You for justice so that there will not be a power grab on Capitol Hill. May the legislators work together to solve problems and not seize control by means that undermine our system of checks and balances.
- "Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!" (Job 14:4)
6. Shoddy wiring 'everywhere' on Iraq bases, Army inspector says - CNN
Thousands of buildings at U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan have such poorly installed wiring that American troops face life-threatening risks, a top inspector for the Army says. "It was horrible -- some of the worst electrical work I've ever seen," said Jim Childs, a master electrician and the top civilian expert in an Army safety survey. Childs told CNN that "with the buildings the way they are, we're playing Russian roulette." He said problems are "everywhere" in Iraq, where 18 U.S. troops have died by electrocution since 2003. All deaths occurred in different circumstances and different locations, but many happened on U.S. bases being managed by various military contractors. The Army has has reopened investigations in at least five cases, according to Pentagon sources. Of the nearly 30,000 buildings the Army's "Task Force Safe" has examined so far, Childs said more than half "failed miserably." And 8,527 had such serious problems that inspectors gave them a "flash" warning, meaning repairs had to be completed in four hours or the facility evacuated.
- We pray for prosecution for those who valued money above the safety of our troops. Lord, protect the men and women who are staying in these buildings and help those who are working to correct this issue.
- "You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength." (Psalm 31:4)
7. A. US deploys warships as North Korea prepares to launch missile - Telegraph UK
The US has deployed two warships with anti-missile capabilities in the waters off Japan as tensions mount over North Korea's plans to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska.
B. Japan Has Decided to Shoot Down North Korea Missile - Bloomberg
The Japanese government has decided to issue an order to shoot down a missile if fired by North Korea, public broadcaster NHK reported today.
- We pray for protection for those who may be in harm because of this planned launch. Lord, we know You grant wisdom, and we pray for it to be bestowed on those negotiating with North Korea. May our emissaries be alert to any machinations on the part of Kim Jong Il.
- "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'" (Ezekiel 33:11)
8. U.N. 'Climate Change' Plan Would Likely Shift Trillions to Form New World Economy - Fox News
A United Nations document on "climate change" that will be distributed to a major environmental conclave next week envisions a huge reordering of the world economy, likely involving trillions of dollars in wealth transfer, millions of job losses and gains, new taxes, industrial relocations, new tariffs and subsidies, and complicated payments for greenhouse gas abatement schemes and carbon taxes - all under the supervision of the world body. Those and other results are blandly discussed in a discretely worded United Nations "information note" on potential consequences of the measures that industrialized countries will likely have to take to implement the Copenhagen Accord, the successor to the Kyoto Treaty, after it is negotiated and signed by December 2009. The Obama administration has said it supports the treaty process if, in the words of a U.S. State Department spokesman, it can come up with an "effective framework" for dealing with global warming.
- In this time of fear throughout the world, we pray that the UN will not seek to take resources and redistribute them. May the administration work in the best interests of this nation while, at the same time, do good work throughout the world.
- "But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me." (Galatians 2:6)
9. Brazilian President Says Credit Crisis Caused by 'White People With Blue Eyes' - Sky News
Brazil's President, while meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Thursday, said the global financial crisis was caused by "white people with blue eyes." Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvamade made the comments after talks with Brown to try to forge a global consensus on how to save the worldwide economy. During a press conference, da Silva, a socialist who told Brown poor countries should not have to suffer because of the mistakes of the rich, suddenly pointed his finger at Brown and said, "This is a crisis that was caused by white people with blue eyes. And before the crisis, they looked as if they knew everything about economics."
- You have created all humans as equal, and we pray that there will not be a move toward division and strife. Let the countries of the world help one another and not choose scape-goats on whom to lay blame.
- "But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth." (Colossians 3:8)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Keep not silence, O God. Hold not your peace. Be not still, O God. For, behold, Your enemies make a huge noise. They that hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, consulted against Your hidden ones. They have said, Come, let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For . . . they are confederate against You:" (Psalms 83:1-5)
1.'Sudan strike told Hamas, Iran: Your smuggling route is exposed' - Jerusalem Post
The alleged Israeli air force strike on a weapons convoy in Sudan was a signal to Hamas and Iran that Israel had exposed their smuggling route, and that they should cease using it, a security analyst said on Thursday.
2. PM hints: 'Nowhere Israel can't reach' - Jerusalem Post
While Jerusalem had no official comment Thursday on reports that either Israel or the US bombed one or more convoys last month carrying arms through Sudan for eventual delivery to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said there is "nowhere in the world" that Israel cannot reach.
3. Netanyahu says expects no U.S. pressure over peace process - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he did not expect to come under pressure from the United States over the Middle East peace strategy of his right-leaning government.
4. Sudan: Strike obliterates Iranian ship at sea - Jerusalem Post
Following unconfirmed reports that Israel or the US attacked a convoy of trucks carrying weapons headed for the Gaza Strip in Sudan, a new report by Sudanese sources cited an additional strike on a ship possibly making its way to Sudan from Iran.
5. Israel successfully tests 'Iron Dome' anti-rocket shield - Jerusalem Post
The Iron Dome anti-rocket shield passed a critical test in the past 48 hours, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday evening, in a message that will be welcomed by residents of the rocket-battered western Negev.
6. Labor defections follow vote to join coalition - Ynet News
The decision by the Labor party to join a Likud-led coalition enraged many of its members. In recent days, dozens of constituents have asked to cancel party membership, in protest of a union with a right-wing government.
7. Obama: Israel-Egypt treaty inspires us to expand circle of peace - Ynet News
The 30th anniversary of the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel proves that peace is always possible, US President Barack Obama said Thursday.
The First 100 Days
DAY 67
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. More States See Double-Digit Jobless Rate
The U.S. Labor Department said Friday seven states have unemployment rates that topped 10 percent last month. That's up from four states in January.
2. Report: Bailout Exec Gave to Obama Senate Campaign After He Resigned His Illinois Seat
Bruce A. Heyman, managing director at Goldman Sachs, which received a $10 billion bailout last year, donated a maximum $2,300 to the Obama 2010 fund the day after Christmas.
3. Obama Calls for New Strategy to 'Dismantle' Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
President Obama says he is ordering 4,000 additional U.S. troops to help train Afghan security forces and is calling on Congress to approve $1.5 billion a year in aid for Pakistan over the next five years.
4. Obama to Offer Auto Industry More Aid With Strings Attached
President Obama promised additional aid only if Detroit automakers change their ways and receives concessions from stakeholders.
5. Consumer Spending Increases for Second Straight Month
The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer spending edged up 0.2 percent in February, in line with expectations.
6. Obama Seeks Input of Bank CEOs on Recovery
President Obama wants to hear from the chief executives of some of the country's biggest banks as he caps a week in which he clarified his overall plan for stabilizing the financial system.
(All articles from Fox News)
Good News Corner
OUR HOPE ENDURES
This is a wonderful song of faith and hope, sung by Natalie Grant.
At the end of another tumultuous week in American history . . . our hope endures.
God bless you, and may you each have a wonderful weekend this weekend, in the renewed understanding that, yes, "our hope endures."
Shalom!
