In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Hate Crimes Bill Passes Senate
• Repentance: Step Eight
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Friday, July 17, 2009
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)
The Daily Brief
1. Islamic Supremacist Group Holds First US Conference - Fox News
Hizb ut-Tahrir is a global Sunni network with reported ties to confessed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Al Qaeda in Iraq's onetime leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It has operated discreetly in the U.S. for decades. Now, it is coming out of the shadows and openly hosting a July 19 conference entitled, "The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam," at a posh Hilton hotel in a suburb of Chicago.
- Lord, we sound an alert that the intelligence agencies of this nation will awaken to any threats that are spreading within our borders. May those who are entangled in this lie see the truth and turn to You.
- "The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made; In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught." (Psalm 9:14)
2. 'We Have to Go Spend Money to Keep From Going Bankrupt' - CNSNews.com
Vice President Joe Biden told people attending an AARP town hall meeting that unless the Democrat- supported health care plan becomes law the nation will go bankrupt and that the only way to avoid that fate is for the government to spend more money. ..."It's totally unacceptable. And it's completely unsustainable. Even if we wanted to keep it the way we have it now. It can't do it financially."
- May this administration become aware of the dangers of increasing debts, and may Congress begin to be wise in their spending decisions.
- "Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him, Even mockery and insinuations against him And say, 'Woe to him who increases what is not his-- For how long-- And makes himself rich with loans?'" (Habakkuk 2:6)
3. Eligibility arguments to get court hearing - World Net Daily
In what ultimately could prove to be a turning point in the legal challenges to Barack Obama's eligibility to be president, a federal judge in California has planned a hearing on the merits of a federal court case raising those questions. According to attorney Orly Taitz, who is working on multiple cases alleging Obama is a "usurper" because he doesn't meet the constitutional requirement that only a "natural born citizen" can be president, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled in a hearing today that her case will move forward. The hearing was on her motion for a default order against Obama, because although Taitz said she notified him of the action, Obama's attorneys did not make an appearance.
- Lord, please bring light into this debate and may the judges who are considering these cases be given incontrovertible proof so they can make wise decisions.
- "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10)
4. Obama urges 'new black mindset' - BBC News
US President Barack Obama has told America's oldest civil rights organisation that African Americans should take charge of their own lives. He told the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) there were "no excuses" for minority children not to succeed.
- We are thankful that the president recognizes the need for all people to take responsibility for their actions. We pray that people throughout the nation will see the dangers to minority and poor children and will work to open opportunities to all.
- "Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive; And let your widows trust in Me." (Jeremiah 49:11)
5. Bombs at hotels in Indonesian capital kill 9 - USA Today
Bombs minutes apart ripped through two luxury hotels in Jakarta Friday, killing nine and wounding at least 50 more, ending a four-year lull in terror attacks in the world's most populous Muslim nation. At least 14 foreigners were among the dead and wounded.
- We pray for comfort for the families of the murdered victims, and we pray there will be a move of the Spirit in Indonesia that will negate the influence of the wicked.
- "Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, Who forsake Your law." (Psalm 119:53)
6. Powerful cleric says Iran in crisis - MSNBC
In a sign of endurance for Iran's protest movement, demonstrators clashed with police Friday as one of the nation's most powerful clerics challenged the supreme leader during Muslim prayers, saying country was in crisis in the wake of a disputed election. The turnout of tens of thousands of worshippers for former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's sermon at Tehran University and the battles with police outside represented the biggest opposition show of strength in weeks. Protesters faced fierce government suppression and hundreds were arrested following the disputed June 12 presidential election.
- As the turmoil continues, we pray for safety for the innocent in Iran. We are thankful that there are some leaders who are speaking up for the Iranians who have been seized and tortured by the government, and we pray that this will bring forth a revival among those who are opening their eyes to the false teaching that underlies the Iranian government.
- "To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." (Luke 1:74- 75)
7. Medvedev Shows Off Sample Coin of New 'World Currency' at G-8 - Bloomberg
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev illustrated his call for a supranational currency to replace the dollar by pulling from his pocket a sample coin of a "united future world currency." "Here it is," Medvedev told reporters today in L'Aquila, Italy, after a summit of the Group of Eight nations. "You can see it and touch it." The coin, which bears the words "unity in diversity," was minted in Belgium and presented to the heads of G-8 delegations, Medvedev said.
- Lord, keep us aware of the threats that are growing throughout the world and may we work to keep power from being concentrated in the hands of the few.
- "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely." (Jeremiah 6:13)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"O do not remember against us the iniquities and guilt of our forefathers! Let Your compassion and tender mercy speedily come to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name! Deliver us, forgive us, and purge away our sins for Your name's sake." (Psalm 79:8,9)
1. Director of Iran's nuclear agency resigns
The director of Iran's nuclear agency, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, has resigned without a public explanation so far, according to a report on Thursday from the semi-official ISNA news agency. Aghazadeh is considered close to failed presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, whose claims that last month's elections were rigged has sparked widespread protests throughout the Islamic republic. Analysts believe his departure is unlikely to impact the standoff between Iran and the West over the country's renegade nuclear program since Aghazadeh was not involved in negotiations, and ultimately all decisions on policy lie with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
2. NAM backs Palestinians at Sinai summit
Leaders from over 50 countries from the Non-Aligned Movement spent recent days in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm al-Sheik for their semi-annual NAM summit, with some using the occasion to reiterate their backing of Palestinian rights and claims against Israel. "The question of achieving a just and a comprehensive solution that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the national Palestinian soil, is a top priority for Jordan," Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Dahabi told the summit.
3. IDF footage shows Lebanese home destroyed by Hizbullah arms blast
The IDF's Northern Command released video footage on Wednesday taken from an Israeli aircraft just minutes after a house in a village some 20 kilometers north of the Lebanese border was gutted Tuesday in an apparent accidental detonation of a large cache of Hizbullah missiles. Israeli officials accused Hizbullah of hiding missiles and other banned weapons in civilian homes all over southern Lebanon in violation of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
4. More bad economic news for Israel
The hard-hit Israeli economy got some more bad news on Wednesday when the Central Bureau of Statistics released figures showing that inflation rose to 3.6% in June and the Consumer Price Index rose 0.9%. "The rise in the consumer price index in the past few months is due to an increase in global commodity prices, government-induced price increases and seasonal increases," said Yoel Finkel, associate statistician at the bureau.
5. Neo-Nazi on FBI 'most wanted' list nabbed in Tel Aviv
Israeli immigration police arrested a suspected neo-Nazi on the FBI's top-100 'most wanted' list on Monday in Tel Aviv. Micky Louis Mayon, an American fugitive wanted in Pennsylvania for violent assault against a Federal judge in 2007 and other crimes, will soon be returned to the US to stand trial. Mayon has been living illegally in Israel for over a year, moving around to various hostels in Tel Aviv and working odd jobs to support himself, as well as receiving money from his parents. There are conflicting reports about how Israeli authorities learned of his presence in the country, including claims an Israeli girlfriend turned him in.
6. Israeli warships rehearse for Iran attack in Red Sea - Telegraph UK
Israeli and Egyptian officials said two ships had sailed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. Media reports in Israel said the two Saar-class missile ships had been sent as a "message" to the Tehran government, which has repeatedly issued threats against Israel and is developing nuclear technology believed by the West to be intended for atomic weapons programme.
Hate Crimes Bill Passes Senate
Senator Brownback Attaches an Amendment to Nullify the Language of this Bill
Senate OKs Sweeping 'Hate-Crimes' Legislation (Source: CitizenLink)
By a voice vote Thursday night, the U.S. Senate approved a sweeping expansion of the federal "hate-crimes" law. The legislation creates a new class of crimes based on the victim's gender, sexual orientation or "gender identity." And, pastors who preach against homosexuality could face prosecution if they are found to have "induced" a hate crime against a self-identified homosexual by preaching from the Bible.
The House passed a similar bill in April, and President Barack Obama supports the legislation.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he was very disappointed by the vote.
"It's just a shame that we're going to start punishing people based on what they believe or what they think, and that the punishments for different classes of people are going to be different," he said. "I'm hoping we can use some procedural things to slow (the bill) down or stop it."
The Senate approved an amendment from Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., which reiterated that the Constitution protects religious speech.
NOTE!! THIS IS NOT OVER!!
Watch for more news on the Brownback Amendment on Monday's edition of the OCAP. In the meantime, pray in the spirit over this bill.
THE FIGHT TO PRESERVE OUR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS NOT OVER TONIGHT!
Repentance: Step Eight
"PREPARING OUR HEARTS TO ENTER IN"
Ten steps of Repentance, Redirection and Renewal in Christ
Step Eight: BRING CHRIST INTO YOUR RELATIONSHIPS (Adapted from original text)
Take the spirit of the Way of God into your total life. You have now one more set of relationships to bring into line with His Way -- your present relationships. To be a Christian is to be in Christian relations. Of course, that must be qualified: Do it as far as it depends on you, for other wills are concerned, and you may not be able to establish Christian relations with them. "As much as it lieth in you, live peaceable with all men." (Rom. 12:18) This is important, but we are to do the Christian thing even though the other person doesn't respond. Here are four areas to consider:
a) The home: Where there are points of friction, talk over things objectively. Try to see the matter from the standpoint of the other person. Project yourself in imagination into the very self of the other person and see things from his or her position. That will take sympathetic imagination. Don't confess the other person's sins; confess your own. That will beget confession in the other person. Even if it doesn't, you have done something to yourself; your peace has returned to you. Next, go beyond talking over points of friction and come together each day in a spiritual quest -- a prayer time together. In that prayer time you will be melted into common purpose and a common mind. In God you will become one.
b) Your daily occupation: That daily occupation can be the extension of your spiritual life, your spiritual life become incarnate in material things. Your Christian character can be registered in the work that you are doing.
c) Your relationships with the person next to you. Become a witness to the new life. Nothing is yours that is not shared. The simplest and most effective thing you can give away is just the thing you have received. Share it.
d) Your relationships with the Church. If you are not in the church, get in. If you are marginally in, get into the center.
"O Christ, I am beginning to extend Thy life and purposes into my contacts which are the extensions of me. Help me to create no longer in my image, but in Thy image. That will not be impossible if Thou are in me -- wholly. Come in, then -- wholly. Amen."
[Today's teaching is drawn from a book by E. Stanley Jones, The Way, published in 1956 by Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, New York, pp. 81-82.]
The Good News Corner
"IN GOD WE STILL TRUST"
This inspiring song, released by Diamond Rio, can be heard by going here.
The lyrics to "In God We Still Trust" follow.
Have a blessed weekend, everyone. YES!! In God we STILL trust!
You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the Truth
His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,
And when we Pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,
There is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.
Chorus:
In God We Still Trust
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust
Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.
Here in America
Here in America
Here in America,
In God We Still Trust
Here in America,
In God We Still Trust
Here in America
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust
Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.
Here in America
Here in America
Here in America,
In God We Still Trust
Here in America,
In God We Still Trust
Here in America
