Thursday, February 11, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - February 11, 2010

In This Issue
• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• UPDATE: IRAN
• The Daily Jot (Part One)
• The Daily Jot (Part Two)
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us

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The Daily Brief - Thursday, February 11, 2010

"Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?" (Job 38: 22-23 NKJV)

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Today's Daily Brief

1. Hillary Clinton Leaves Washington for New York to Be With Husband - AP

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has left Washington and is heading to New York to be with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who has been hospitalized after feeling chest pains.

Aides to Clinton said Thursday she left the capital shortly after meeting President Barack Obama at the White House ahead of a planned trip to the Persian Gulf that was to begin on Friday.

Please remain in prayer for former President Clinton, asking our Lord to bring him healing in body and in soul.

"He sent forth His Word and healed him, and delivered him from all his destructions." (Ps. 107:20)

2. Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell to Set Election Date to Replace Murtha - AP

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says he will decide in the coming days when to schedule a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha. Murtha died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center after suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. Rendell has 10 days by law to schedule an election to replace the 35-year lawmaker. Rendell must pick a day that is at least 60 days later.

Pray comfort for the family and friends of Rep. Murtha. Pray also for the Lord's choice of a new representative to run in this special election. Murtha represented the 12th District of Pennsylvania with his office in Johnstown. Set the new candidates free from all the pork barrel that Murtha was noted for in supplying his district.

- When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

3. Bernanke outlines stimulus-aid pullback - Washington Times

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke on Wednesday began to outline the central bank's strategy for reeling in stimulus money once the U.S. economic recovery is more firmly rooted.

- Lord, we ask for mercy over Mr. Bernanke, that You would change his heart and bring truth and wisdom to his term in the Federal Reserve.

- “that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth” (Philippians 2:10)

4. Ten Texas church fires under investigation - USA Today

Pastor Carl Samples says his flock's faith hasn't wavered, even after their sanctuary was destroyed in a string of East Texas church fires that authorities say were deliberately set.

- Father, we ask that You reveal all hidden secrets in this string of arsons in Texas. We thank You that no arsonist can hide from You, and that You will prevail against those who attack Your people. As the days of hostility grow against Christians in America, we rejoice that You will cover us all with Your hedge of fire and the Blood of Your Son!

- The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. ( Psalm 34:16)

5. a) Snowfall Breaks Mid-Atlantic Record - NewsMax

Worst winter ever? The second blizzard in less than a week buried the most populous stretch of the East Coast under nearly a foot of snow Wednesday, breaking records for the snowiest winter and demoralizing millions of people still trying to dig out from the previous storm.

b) Blizzard paralyzes U.S. air travel - USA Today

A blizzard that tore up the East Coast on Wednesday shut down major airports for the second time in less than a week, causing one of the biggest disruptions to air travel since the 9/11 hijackings, according to airlines and government statistics.

c) Snowball Fight on the Hill Over Gov't Shutdown - The Wall Street Journal

In a town where everything takes on political freight, this week's historic snows have dumped a shovelful of mixed metaphors on the federal government.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn found himself stranded inside the Capitol, an odd position for a small-government curmudgeon who called the government shutdown a "dream." He cleaned his desk, wrote to constituents, read books and reveled at the empty corridors of power.

"The best thing is we're not passing any legislation, which ultimately will save the government a lot of money," he said. "We're not gonna be blamed for this one," he added, alluding to a prior shutdown in 1996, caused by a dispute over the federal budget.

- Lord, thank You for a respite from the wrangling and bickering in Washington. We pray that You will move during this time over all members of Congress and the Administration to reveal truth, justice, and Your heart. We ask that You assist the people in digging out from under the snow, that you would restore power to all, and protect Your people from harm.

- Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

6. Haiti quake toll rises to 230,000 - BBC

The number of people killed in the Haiti earthquake could be 230,000, the Haitian government says, revising its latest estimate up by 18,000.

- Oh God, we grieve over the loss of life in Haiti and ask that You comfort the people gripped by sorrow. May they call out to the Lord God almighty and find salvation in Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the great Comforter and we plead for their souls that none be lost. Draw them unto You, Lord, in their deep distress, in Jesus Name.

- "And we have seen and do testify that the Father God sent the Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God." ( I John 4:14-15)

7. Haitian Judge Recommends Release of 10 U.S. Missionaries - AP

The Haitian judge deciding whether 10 U.S. missionaries should face trial on charges of trying to take a busload of children out of the country, said Thursday, he will recommend that they be released.

- Lord, we rejoice in this hope of release for the Americans, and pray that You will cause the release to be completed. We cover them with the Blood of Jesus in this land of voodoo, and ask that You break the power of the enemy over that nation. We pray for wisdom to cover the American missionaries, and that only Your plans for them will prevail.

- The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)

1. Ahmadinejad: Finish Israel off if it attacks - Ynet News

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told his Syrian counterpart that Israel should be resisted and finished off if it launched military action in the region, state broadcaster IRIB reported on Thursday.

2. Hamas gets hit with a cash flow crisis in Gaza - World Tribune

Hamas has failed to pay its security forces. Palestinian sources said about 20,000 security and military personnel did not receive their salaries for January 2010. They said the delay signaled a cash flow crisis by the Hamas regime.

UPDATE: IRAN

For all the headlines cited below, we pray

Lord, the wicked leaders of Iran mock You and Your people. Like Nehemiah before us, we lay their ravings and their wicked schemes before You and pray for Divine intervention against them. We lift up the pro-democracy people of Iran and ask that You find a way to re-connect them with the internet. With Your strength may they rise up and throw off the chains of tyranny.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish. (Proverbs 14:11)

a) Ahmadinejad Says Iran Is Now a 'Nuclear State' - AP


President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed Thursday that Iran has produced its first batch of uranium enriched to a higher level, saying his country will not be bullied by the West into curtailing its nuclear program a day after the U.S. imposed new sanctions.

b) Iran: Hundreds of thousands attend rally - Jerusalem Post

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered Thursday in a central Teheran square to mark the 31st anniversary of the revolution that created the Islamic republic as security forces dispersed nearby anti-government protests.

c) Iran celebrates revolution anniversary under media ban - Ynet News

The Iranian government said it will permanently suspend Google Inc's email service in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported on its website on Wednesday.

The Daily Jot (Part One)

White House China Diplomacy Threatens US Security

The current Administration's lack of diplomacy in the conduct of America's foreign policy combined with its deliberate, extraordinary and record debt has placed the national security in grave danger. Example: While the previous Bush Administration seemed to get away with meeting with the Dalai Lama and fortifying Taiwan, this White House is in deep trouble with China over the two issues. The Bush Administration operated from the position of strength and isolated trade and business with China from the more delicate political matters. Yes, China always put up a diplomatic fuss when the Bush Administration supported the Dalai Lama or Taiwan, but now there are threats from the Chinese military.

According to Reuters, Chinese generals are calling for a comprehensive strategy to punish the man who occupies the Oval Office for selling arms to Taiwan. Reuters quoted Luo Yuan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences as saying, "Our retaliation should not be restricted to merely military matters, and we should adopt a strategic package of counter-punches covering politics, military affairs, diplomacy and economics to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of this disease." Luo said Beijing could "attack by oblique means and stealthy feints," giving the example that the Chinese could sanction the U.S. by using economic means, such as "dumping some U.S. Government bonds."

American businessmen and government officials have for decades tried to penetrate China, the most populous market in the world. But instead, China has bought nearly a trillion dollars of U.S. debt, and has become a net exporter to the U.S. Now China holds leverage over the United States in many ways--a major holder of debt, the manufacturer and exporter of staple products purchased by Americans, and as a supporter of Iran on the United Nations Security Council. Rather than the U.S. conquering China by being a tremendous trading partner, the tables have turned and now America is beholden to a communist regime that supports terrorist states and has the power to destroy the U.S. economy.

Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The economic potential of China has blinded Americans to China's severe human rights treatment of Christians, forced abortions, slave labor, support of terrorist states, and blatant attempts to conduct cyber warfare against the United States. Now China's hand on our back has moved to the throat of our nation, and China is starting to squeeze. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Be not deceived. Evil companionships corrupt good moral habits." America's government and businessmen should have taught Chinese counterparts how to conduct business righteously. Instead, China has become a snare.

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

-- Special note from CHPP:

Robert Gibbs announced today that the Dalai Lama will visit the President at the White House next Thursday, February 18.

The Daily Jot (Part Two)

Landmark Recall Case Going To Superior Court In New Jersey

A valid and peaceful way to rid the U.S. Senate of usurpers who violate their oath's of office by voting for unconstitutional and fiscally irresponsible legislation is "recall." There are 18 states who have recall provisions in their state constitutions. Some nine states specifically allow the recall of all elected statewide officials. Additionally, some states' constitutions name members of Congress. There are about 14 U.S. Senators that can be recalled by their states according to this process, which usually involves collecting signatures from a percentage of those who voted in the previous election. If enough signatures are collected, then the state must hold a recall referendum or call an election.

New Jersey is one such state. The New Jersey Constitution states, "The people reserve unto themselves the power to recall, after at least one year of service, any elected official in this state or representing this state in the United States Congress. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for such recall elections." Now the people of New Jersey have started a recall of Democratic Senator Robert Menendez. When it was begun, the Democratic controlled state government said that the state's constitution was unconstitutional and that Menendez was not able to be recalled. Menendez had over 50 lawyers representing him, and they claimed that the people of New Jersey had no right to criticize his representation.

Now the matter has gone to the Superior Court of New Jersey. The American Civil Rights Union (ACRU), an organization dedicated to defending Constitutional rights, has weighed in with an Amicus Curiae brief--which means it is supporting the individuals who are attempting to recall Menendez. The brief references the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision against the McCain-Fiengold prohibitions on corporations and unions from criticizing a candidate, saying that "Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy, for it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people." ACRU argues that McCain-Feingold embodies Senator Mendendez's "claimed freedom from criticism."

This New Jersey court case is important because it could act as precedence for every state to exercise recall--and that could change America for the better. Colossians 2:8 says, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." These are days that we must exercise our God-given rights, as the Founders put it, to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It starts with righteously removing evildoers from public office. As Christian Americans we have a say in how we are governed. We have been asleep at the switch far too long, it is now time to repent and correct our weak occupation of our nation.

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

The Good News Corner

THE DAY OF PURITY - Friday, February 12

World Congress on Families Managing Director Larry Jacobs comments: "With the culture -- including the news and entertainment media, public education, and government -- constantly pushing teen sexual experimentation, it's refreshing to have a day specifically dedicated to promoting premarital abstinence." "'Day of Purity' is to be commended," he declared.
Over 300 secondary schools, colleges and universities in 44 states are participating in "Day of Purity," as well as hundreds of churches, ministries and civic organizations.

"The message of 'Day of Purity' is truly countercultural," Jacobs observed. "The culture tells teens it doesn't matter what they do, as long as they use a condom. The dubious wisdom of this approach may be seen in skyrocketing 3 million per year cases of teen venereal disease, teen abortions and out-of-wedlock births; and high rates of teen depression and mental illness."

To learn more about the Day of Purity, and to access resources to observe this time, go here.

Worship With Us

"Amazing Grace" - by Wintley Phipps

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