In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• (NDP) News from the Prayer Caucus
• A Nation Gone Under?
• Miracle at Eilat (Israel)
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Friday, April 23, 2010
"I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end." (Daniel 6:26)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama Administration to Appeal Ruling Against Day of Prayer - AP
The Obama administration will appeal a court decision that found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional.
A federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled the National Day of Prayer that Congress established 58 years ago amounts to a call for religious action. About two dozen members of Congress have condemned the ruling and pressed for an appeal.
In a notice filed Thursday, the Justice Department said it will challenge the decision in the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
President Obama is the principal defendant in the lawsuit. The case was brought by atheists and agnostics who argue that the National Day of Prayer violates the separation of church and state. The administration says the law simply acknowledges the role of religion in the United States.
- We praise God for this great victory, and we stand in the place of alignment and of blessing of President Obama in this decision. May our Lord grace each attorney within the DOJ who will be preparing to file this appeal with His wisdom in doing so. In Jesus' Name, amen.
- "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
2. Graham Booted From Pentagon Prayer Event - AOL News; Fox News
Evangelist Franklin Graham said Thursday that he regrets the Army's decision to rescind its invitation to him for the Pentagon's National Day of Prayer service on May 6, but expressed "strong support" for the U.S. military. An Army spokesman confirmed to Fox News that the invitation to Graham to be honorary chairman at the event was rescinded amid complaints from Muslim members of the military about his description of Islam as an evil religion. The Army spokesman said the event will go forward but without the National Day of Prayer Task Force participating. Read more
- Brother Graham has been cast in to the Den of Lions for standing up for Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It is called persecution of the saints. That this should happen to the son of Billy Graham in the United States of America is a sign of the end times and the persecution of the church. Hopefully this will make the sleeping church arise out of its slumber. (Carolyn Sissom, Pastor; Eastgate Ministries, Inc.; Katy, Texas)
- "All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, o king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which alters not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he always had done. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. They came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's decree." (Daniel 6:4-6)
3. Report says health care will cover more, cost more - AP
Obama's health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts: More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up. Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance - adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.
- Lord, you are the bread of life; in you we put our trust, and we thank you for revealing all things known in this health care bill. The costs for those to afford insurance was only a disguise to gain control of health care on a national level. Forgive us Lord as we steal the truth from the poor.
- Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established by counsel and with good advise make war. (Proverbs 20: 17, 18)
4. Tackling oil rig disaster 'number one priority'Obama - AP
Obama has said that dealing with Tuesday's oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is a "number one priority". The government was providing "all assistance needed" in the rescue effort off Louisiana, and in mitigating any environmental impact, he said. The Deepwater Horizon sank after a blast, leaving 11 workers missing.
- Pray that the families are comforted in the Lord during this time of searching for the missing workers. Lord, we know the land needs your mercy, and the people need your mighty hand.
- O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for His mercy endureth forever. (Psalm 107: 1) They go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great water; these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. ( Psalm 107: 23, 24)
5. 'Perfect storm' sets stage for widespread doubt - One News Now
A conservative political scientist and historian says a recent poll showing that 80 percent of Americans mistrust Washington doesn't bode well for the Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections.
- Pray for the unity of our nation to return. Let our nation bring honor and glory back to our God. As the days draw near, we pray eyes are opened and ears will hear, and the standard of TRUTH will again be the measuring tool used in the hearts of people.
- They gather themselves together against the soul of righteous and condemn the innocent blood. But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge. And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness, yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off. ( Psalm 94: 21 - 23)
6. Potentially deadly fungus spreading in US, Canada - AP
A potentially deadly strain of fungus is spreading among animals and people in the northwestern United States and the Canadian province of British Columbia, researchers reported on Thursday. The airborne fungus, called Cryptococcus gattii, usually only infects transplant and AIDS patients and people with otherwise compromised immune systems, but the new strain is genetically different, the researchers said.
- We speak protection, and the healing power of the Lord, to stop the spread of this strain of fungus.
- For he healed many, inasmuch as they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. (Mark 3: 11,12)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left . . . And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:11-12)
1. Netanyahu ready to agree to Palestinian state within temporary borders - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is amenable to an interim agreement in the West Bank that would include the establishment of a Palestinian state within temporary borders.
2. Biden: Iran sanctions soon, Israeli strike unlikely - Ynet News
Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday he expects new UN sanctions on Iran by late April or early May and dismissed the notion that Israel might attack the Islamic Republic before first allowing sanctions to take their course.
3. US 'disappointed' with Israel, Palestinians - Ynet News
US National Security Advisor James Jones said Wednesday that his country was disappointed that Israel and the Palestinians have not begun direct negotiations.
4. Israel won't strike Iran without US - Jerusalem Post
Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that Israel would not attack Iran without consulting the United States and that Jerusalem clearly saw sanctions as the next step to deal with Teheran's nuclear program.
(NDP) News from the Congressional Prayer Caucus
Before you leave for church this Sunday morning, please take a few minutes to watch Congressman Forbes' interview at 8:30AM (EST) on CNN's "Faces of Faith." He will be discussing the ruling which held that the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer violates the Establishment Clause. He will be joined by Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the organization that brought this lawsuit.
On Wednesday of this week, Congressman Forbes joined 30 Members of Congress and spokesmen from faith organizations representing millions of people across the country, for a bi-partisan press conference to directly respond to the decision of one unelected judge to substitute her own opinion for what the Constitution says and protects. Throughout our nation's history, prayer and religion have been deeply woven into the foundation of our great democracy. The federal judge's decision to call the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional represents a movement we are seeing across the country of a small minority who want to exclude faith, religion, and morality from the marketplace of ideas.
Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus encourage you to join them in the fight as they continue to work defend religious liberty and our Nation's spiritual heritage.
The press conference is available below:
Part One: Go here.
Part Two: Go here.
Thank you for all you and your organizations have done to protect not only the National Day of Prayer, but also religious freedom!
Congressional Prayer Caucus
Office of Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-4)
A Nation Gone Under?
The assault on America's religious heritage continues. The Army has rescinded Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a Pentagon National Day of Prayer event. According to the Associated Press, "Muslim employees at the Pentagon were offended by the invitation."
In response to this news, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson issued a statement, saying, "It is time to say, 'Enough is enough.' America is engulfed in bloody wars on two fronts, where men and women are fighting and dying for the cause of liberty. They need, and deserve, the prayers of people of faith during their time of sacrifice. We ask the American people to defend the right to pray in the Pentagon. We can be silent no more."
Wednesday, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) organized a press conference attended by more than two dozen members of Congress in defense of the National Day of Prayer. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), a co-sponsor of the bill Ronald Reagan signed designating the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer, said, "What brings us together today is a misguided court decision which threatens the longstanding tradition of this country. I urge the Obama administration to appeal this decision and to dedicate the best and brightest minds of the Justice Department to this case."
Today, the Justice Department announced that it would appeal the decision. As Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said, "What's next? Declaring the federal holiday for Christmas unconstitutional?"
Unfortunately, this is the same Justice Department that has called for the Defense of Marriage Act to be overturned and that dropped the 2008 voter intimidation case against the Black Panthers.
When the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia reached an impasse, Benjamin Franklin exhorted the delegates to prayer. Ronald Reagan warned us, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
My friends, Shirley Dobson is right. Men and women of faith must speak up and get involved in the public policy debates that are impacting our liberty. And that means getting involved in the political arena. The Left sees politics as its religion and government as its god. Liberals are literally tithing to scores of leftwing candidates and causes. They get it. Our side needs to engage in the culture war because only one side can win. Are you ready to get involved? (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day)
Miracle at Eilat (Israel)
Rockets Fired at Eilat, Land in Jordan
After two hours of conflicting reports, it has been ascertained that one or two rockets were fired at Eilat, but did not land there.
Shortly before 11:00 this morning, two or three explosions were heard in Eilat, and reports of rockets fired from Jordan or the Sinai at the southern port city began to surface. The reports took on various shames and forms, and nearly every permutation of Kassams and Katyushas fired from Jordan and Sinai towards Eilat was reported until around 1 PM, when the army finally announced that no findings of rocket blasts had been located in the city.
It then began to become clear that rockets had landed in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, adjacent to Eilat. Egypt denied that missiles had been over-shot from its territory, while a Jordanian security source soon announced that the rockets had been under-shot from within Jordanian territory, not reaching their target of Eilat.
An official Jordanian government spokesman said only that an explosion had occurred in a warehouse north of Aqaba, causing damage but no casualties.
Israel has been officially at peace with Jordan since 1994, though King Abdullah recently said that his country was better off economically before it signed the peace agreement with Israel. "Our relationship with Israel is at an all-bottom low," he added. (Israel National News)
"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent." (Isaiah 62:1)
The Good News Corner
Jury Clears Navy SEAL in Iraq Abuse Case
A U.S. military jury cleared a Navy SEAL Thursday of failing to prevent the beating of an Iraqi prisoner suspected of masterminding a 2004 attack that killed four American security contractors. Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Huertas was found not guilty of charges of dereliction of duty and attempting to influence the testimony of another service member. Full Story (Military.com)
Worship With Us Today!
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