In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, May 5, 2009
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22)
The Daily Brief
1. For GOP, It's Coleman or Bust - Politico
With former Sen. Norm Coleman now standing between Democrats and their 60-seat super majority, the GOP is prepared to back the Republican's appeal to the federal level if even a shred of doubt emerges in the case currently before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
"This makes it pretty darn important," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, of the race following Specter's switch.
• Heavenly Father, we do not want a nation ruled by one party. We pray that You will intervene and block this from happening. We pray that you will turn the balance of our nation back to conservative voices.
• When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
2. Businesses Pan Tax Crackdown Plan - Washington Times
President Obama proposed detailed plans Monday to crack down on corporate tax loopholes, prompting a strong reaction from business groups, arguing that the president's proposal went too far and would be too punitive on U.S. corporations. "Obama's proposal will shove jobs and capital out of America and into foreign countries," said Americans for Tax Reform, pointing out that U.S. companies already pay a higher corporate tax rate of 40 percent domestically than in many other countries, and that forcing them to pay this rate on profits they make internationally will drive operations out of the country.
• Heavenly Father, we have steered off course in restoring the economy. We pray that excess spending will stop; that laws enacted will not hurt businesses but be profitable for everyone. Give us wisdom.
• Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.(Proverbs 13:11)
3. Hatch Cites Obama Assurance Not to Appoint 'Radical' Justice - Washington Times
Mr. Hatch's comment emerged as Mr. Obama began consulting with senators about his pending selection and as Sen. Jeff Sessions, a conservative former prosecutor from Alabama, became the likely top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, which will vet Mr. Obama's eventual choice. Mr. Sessions, who fought vociferously on behalf of former President George W. Bush's conservative judicial nominees, brings a unique perspective on nominations to the committee: His own 1986 nomination to a federal court was blocked by Democrats.
• Lord, we pray that no one will take the seat for the Supreme Court that would decide cases against You and our laws. Give us godly judges and justices to decide the cases in our nation.
• These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed Innocent Blood . . . a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, (Proverbs 6:16, 18)
4. Obama Vows Tougher Overseas Tax Policies - Reuters
President Barack Obama vowed on Monday to overhaul tax policies that he said reward companies for shifting U.S. jobs overseas and allow wealthy people to evade taxes using offshore accounts. Swiss banking giant UBS AG acknowledged in February that it helped U.S. clients conceal assets from their government. It agreed to pay a $780 million fine and has since identified about 320 of its American clients.
• Lord, may the people who deal dishonestly in business be caught and punished. May loopholes be closed and may the laws reflect a right judgment for businesses.
• Perverted balance Differing weights and differing measures-- the Lord detests them both. (Proverbs 20:10 NIV)
5. Health Advocates Fear Betrayal - Washington Times
Many liberal health care advocates, who have embraced President Obama's pledge to push for universal health care, are growing worried that Democrats in Congress will succumb to Republican pressure and sell the plan short. Yet even if a public option insurance plan is included in a final bill, many on the left worry it will be diluted to the point of being ineffective at best, or a burden to the health care system at worst.
• We thank You, Lord, that there is an opposition against free-reign by one party in our government. We pray that there will be a stronger opposition and success in keeping bad laws from being enacted.
• My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. (Proverbs 1:15, 16)
6. Next on Senate Agenda? 'Pedophile Protection Act' - WorldNetDaily
The leader of a pro-family organization says families across the nation need to contact their U.S. senators now to try to derail a legislative plan that already has passed the U.S. House and is being awaited by President Obama - after a Democrat confirmed that it would protect "all 547 forms of sexual deviancy or 'paraphilias' listed by the American Psychiatric Association."
WND columnist Janet Porter, who also heads the Faith2Action.org Christian ministry, today cited S. 909, dubbed the "Pedophile Protection Act" as an extreme danger to America. It specifically denies such protections to other targeted classes of citizens such as pastors, Christians, missionaries, veterans and the elderly.
• We ask Your forgiveness Lord, for not being active enough to block the efforts of those who are against You and Your laws! We pray that You will help us to stem these assaults on godly, conservative values.
• The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. (Proverbs 3:33)
7. Netanyahu Says Ready for Peace Talks Right Away - Reuters
Israel's prime minister said on Monday he was ready to begin Israeli-Palestinian peace talks immediately but he made no reference to a Palestinian state, an omission that has dismayed Arab, European and U.S. officials. Netanyahu's stance may bring him into conflict with Obama, whose special envoy, George Mitchell, has stressed Obama's commitment to a "two-state" solution that would create a Palestinian state beside Israel to end the six-decade conflict.
• Lord, we pray that the two-state solution that our government is trying to press as a way for peace will not go forward if it includes dividing Israel.. Block every effort and bring a solution that is agreeable to You.
• I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. (Joel 3: 2)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength." (Psalm 93:1)
1. Egypt: Israeli nukes 'greatest threat' - Jerusalem Post
Western policies based on pressuring Iran to give up its nuclear program will fail because they disregard Israeli nuclear capabilities, which is "the first and greatest threat to security in the region," an Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
2. Poll: Majority of Jewish Israelis Favor Strike on Iran - VOA
A new Israeli opinion survey says the majority of Israeli Jews favor a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
3. AIPAC delegates to lobby for two-state solution - Jerusalem Post
While Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is refusing to explicitly endorse a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian conflict, participants at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference will this week be urging their elected representatives to press President Barack Obama for precisely that.
The Good News Corner
American Minute with Bill Federer
May 4
McGuffey's Readers
Selling a million copies a year for over 100 years, McGuffey's Readers were the mainstay of public education in America.
Generations of school children read them, making them some of the most influential books of all time.
They were written by William McGuffey, who died MAY 4, 1873.
A professor at the University of Virginia and president of Ohio University, William McGuffey began one of nation's first teachers' associations.
In the foreword of McGuffey's Reader, 1836, he wrote:
"The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our prevalent notions of the character of God, the great moral governor of the universe.
On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions."
In McGuffey's 5th Eclectic Reader, 1879, is a lesson by William Ellery Channing, titled "Religion-The Only Basis of Society":
"How powerless conscience would become without the belief of a God . . .
Erase all thought and fear of God from a community, and selfishness and sensuality would absorb the whole man.
Erase all thought and fear of God from a community, and selfishness and sensuality would absorb the whole man.
Appetite, knowing no restraint...would trample in scorn on the restraints of human laws. . .
Man would become . . . what the theory of atheism declares him to be - a companion for brutes."
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