The Daily Brief - Thursday, July 15, 2010

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." ((2 Samuel 22:31)

The Daily Brief

1. Senate Clears Last Hurdle on Wall Street Reform - MSNBC

The Senate has cleared a sweeping bank regulation bill for final passage by breaking through a Republican blockade.

The Senate voted 60-38 Thursday to end debate on the bill. That paved the way for Congress to send Obama a crackdown on banks and Wall Street that in some ways is tougher than what he sought.

- Father, as this bill comes up for final vote, we pray for wisdom on the part of all Senate members. Lord, as the government seeks to expand its control over all portions of American life, we pray for Your intervention and mercy to return us to the freedom originally desired for this nation.

- "For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it." (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

2. Obama Defends, Then Reverses Course on Abortion Funding in Health Care - LifeNews.com

Officials in the Obama administration are scrambling to respond to evidence showing the new health care law Obama signed will fund elective abortions in Pennsylvania and New Mexico -- and possibly in more states.

- Lord, as we suspected, the supposed "deal" made by Congressman Stupak to halt any federally funded abortions was a ruse to obtain his vote. We repent on behalf of those who were duped by the deception, and ask that You find a legal challenge to these stipulations that will completely nullify the government's plans to use our taxpayer money for murdering the innocent.

- "He who works deceit shall not dwell within My house; he who tells lies shall not continue in My presence. Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land." (Psalm 101:7-8a)

3. Norquist: Bush Tax Cut Expiration Will Cost Taxpayers $1 Trillion - Newsmax.com

Low-tax crusader and Republican strategist Grover Norquist tells Newsmax that letting the Bush tax cuts expire in January 2011 would amount to a $1 trillion tax increase - the largest boost in American history. If that's not frightening enough, the Democrats' plan for a value-added tax would siphon 20 percent of every American's paycheck, he says.

- Pray that God will raise up people to fight for tax breaks to be in effect before these current ones expire.

- "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope." (Psalm 119:116)

4. Homes Lost to Foreclosure On Track for 1M in 2010 - AP

More than 1 million American households are likely to lose their homes to foreclosure this year, as lenders work their way through a huge backlog of borrowers who have fallen behind on their loans.

Nearly 528,000 homes were taken over by lenders in the first six months of the year, a rate that is on track to eclipse the more than 900,000 homes repossessed in 2009, according to data released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc., a foreclosure listing service.

- Father, with proposed legislation for new taxes, and all costs skyrocketing in America, it's not just the backlog of cases at banks that are in jeopardy, it's the current homes of all lower and middle income Americans. We ask for mercy and hope for the hard-working people who are fighting to stay in their homes.

- "The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down." (Psalm 146:9)

5. BP replaces leaking line, back on track with critical tests - CNN

BP replaced a leaking piece of equipment Thursday and hoped to resume procedures leading up to a vital well pressure test that could put an end to the oil that has been gushing into Gulf of Mexico for the last 12 weeks, said a top company official.

- Thank You, Lord that the leaking choke line was replaced. We ask that You intervene to stop the flow of oil, so that the restoration process can begin in the Gulf.

- "For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted." (Isaiah 49:13b)

6. 9 States Back Arizona in U.S. Immigration Suit - Fox News

States have the authority to enforce immigration laws and protect their borders, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said Wednesday in a legal brief on behalf of nine states supporting Arizona's immigration law.

- Lord, we ask favor for all of these states who have joined Arizona in the courts. We ask that Your heavenly host would stand guard around our borders, and that no weapon formed against us would prosper.

- "Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly." (Psalm 6:10)

The Middle East in Focus

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

"Who should not revere You, O King of the nations? This is Your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all the kingdoms, there is none like You." (Jeremiah 10:7)

1. Report: Israel struck deal with Egypt to let Libya aid reach Gaza - Ha'aretz

A deal struck between Israeli and Egyptian officials enabled a Libyan ship carrying aid to the Gaza Strip to change course and dock peacefully at an Egyptian port on Wednesday, the London-based A-Sharq al-Awsat reported.

2. U.S.: Israel's East Jerusalem demolitions pose obstacle to peace - Ha'aretz

U.S. State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley On Wednesday criticized Israel's recent demolition of Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem, saying that it was precisely "the kind of unilateral action that undermines trust."

3. Iron Dome test in South successful - Jerusalem Post

Israel inched a step closer on Wednesday to deploying a missile defense system along the border with the Gaza Strip after the Iron Dome successfully intercepted a number of missile barrages in tests held in southern Israel this week.

4. Libyan Gaza-bound aid ship enters Egyptian port - Ynet News

A Libyan-chartered ship carrying aid for Palestinians reached an Egyptian port on Wednesday after altering its course following a warning from Israel's navy away not to head to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The Daily Jot

Anarchy vs rule of law in Philadelphia--an eyewitness report

The debate over border control and illegal immigration moved center stage to the city of brotherly love--Philadelphia. Philadelphia is known for its cheese steaks and Geno's Steaks is the place to get the best. Geno's owner Joey Vento became involved in the illegal immigration fight in 2006 after posting a sign that reads: "This is America: When Ordering Please 'SPEAK ENGLISH.'" The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations filed a discrimination complaint alleging that Geno's violated Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance by denying service to someone because of their national origin. After nearly two years, the Commission ruled that Geno's did not violate the Fair Practices Ordinance.

After having visited Arizona and listening to the stories of illegal immigration there, the Geno's owner decided to hold a fundraiser to assist the state in defending itself against the federal government, which is suing Arizona over its new immigration law. The law is virtually the same as the federal government, but because the federal government is not enforcing the law, Arizona citizens believed they should. Led by Attorney General Eric Holder and the White House, the federal government says that Arizona is interfering with US foreign policy and is suing to hold that Arizona is violating the Constitution by taking over the federal government's task of enforcing immigration laws.

The fundraising rally at Geno's was protested by various anarchists that support illegal immigration. Some 63 of them showed up with signs that read "Jobs for Justice", "We all are one", "Racists", and even some vulgar ones. The anarchy crowd was separated across the street from Geno's by police barricade. They shouted chants, repeating the word "Shame", and "Immigration not Deportation." Two very clean cut young men opened boxes of American flags and handed them out. They went to the anarchists first, but only were able to give away four flags. The rest of the flags were eagerly snatched up by the thousand or so well mannered pro-Americans across the street at Geno's.

A Fox News reporter asked me about the anarchists calling the pro-American side racists. I replied, "Im not saying that people shouldn't immigrate, shouldn't come here. We welcome everybody. That's the beauty of the diversity of our nation. So its not about race. Its about if you want to come here, come here legally." This is a basic Biblical principal as depicted in Leviticus 24:22, "Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God." Herein, the alien must comply with the same law as the citizen. Citizens are here legally, then so shall immigrants be here legally. I would have to say that the anarchist side was hateful. In lawlessness, love grows cold.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

More on that Mosque

Clueless Elites

Liberal elites may be clueless, but New York City residents get it. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that New York City voters overwhelmingly oppose the mosque - 52%-to-31% - even while those same voters express generally positive opinions of Islam. Opposition cuts across demographic lines with blacks opposed by 11 points, Catholics opposed by 10 points, Jews opposed by 42 points and Hispanics opposed by 41 points.

Fortunately, some New York politicians are speaking out. Former Congressman Rick Lazio, the Republican candidate for governor, has also demanded that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democrat candidate for governor, investigate the funding for the mosque. (Is this another project of the Saudis?) Lazio will be testifying against the mosque at a public hearing today on historic landmarks.

Rep. Peter King (NY), the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, is demanding an investigation of where the estimated $100 million needed for the Ground Zero mosque will come from. King told the Associated Press, "It's a house of worship, but we are at war with al-Qaeda. I think the 9/11 families have a right to know where the funding comes from; I think there are significant questions."

Our elected leaders ought to be asking many questions about this mosque and the nature of the enemy we are fighting. We got more proof of the barbarism of radical Islam this week when scores of soccer fans were blown up in Uganda. We should never forget what the Taliban did in Afghanistan - they turned soccer stadiums into execution arenas, blew up ancient religious artifacts, banned music and banned little girls from schools. Such an evil ideology will not hesitate to turn our own tolerance against us.

This issue is not going away, and we will not be silent. Click here to encourage your members of Congress to support Rep. King's call for an investigation of the mosque's funding. (Gary Bauer)

Gay Agenda Hits Bar Association

American Bar Association May Adopt Same-Sex Marriage Measure

The American Bar Association (ABA) -- a 400,000-member legal association -- signaled today that it will offer a measure next month that will urge state, territorial and tribal governments to support same-sex marriage.

No formal opposition to the same-sex marriage measure has been announced.

The ABA House of Delegates -- the 560-member official policy-making body for the association -- will meet in San Francisco Aug. 5-10 to vote on this measure along with 32 others.

The association's participation in controversial issues is not new; in fact, it has increased considerably in the past few years.

The influential body openly opposed attempts made by the Honorable President Bush and pro-marriage organizations to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.

The ABA Board of Governors approved the creation of the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities (IR&R) and the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in 2007. Since then, these entities have actively promoted the redefining of family law, the repealing state and federal marriage protections and the promotion of policies that stifle free speech and religious freedoms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Read the ABA's "2009-2010 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Goal III Report." Go here.
Learn more about the ABA's Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Go here.
Homosexual projects and groups at the ABA. Go here.
(CitizenLink)

Obama's Abortion Bombshell

When Being Right Feels So Wrong . . .

We hate to say, "I told you so," but after yesterday's abortion bombshell, the jig is up for Obama's pro-life charade. Yesterday, the sirens went off at the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) when it discovered that the Obama administration has given its approval to a $160 million Pennsylvania program that will directly fund abortions under the new health care law. Using what's called "high-risk insurance pools," the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened its wallet to any abortion procedure that's legal in Pennsylvania.

What about "no-federal-dollars-will-be-used-to-fund-abortions" Obama? Well, for one thing, he just validated everything FRC Action said about his sham of an Executive Order. Remember, this flimsy piece of paper that he signed back in March (without, I might add, any media present) was supposed to block HHS from sending millions to states like Pennsylvania for abortion. It was meant to be, in the words of Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), "an agreement to respect the sanctity of life on health care reform." What it turned out to be, in the words of the Washington Times, was "fool's gold."

Ironically, the uselessness of the Executive Order was one of the few things that FRC and Planned Parenthood agreed on during the entire ObamaCare debate. Both of our organizations recognized it for the "symbolic" and "unenforceable gesture" that it was. Back in May, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) tried to push HHS for a progress report on how HHS was implementing the Order. Yesterday, he got his answer. "The fact that the high-risk pool insurance program in Pennsylvania will use federal taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is unconscionable," he said.

Unconscionable, yes--but not unexpected. "The ObamaCare law is full of faucets that can be opened to provide abortion subsidies," said Douglas Johnson of NRLC. "Regrettably, this is just the first." Apart from the actual insurance coverage, the law also includes $12.5 billion for community "health centers" and $6 billion for co-ops, both of which can fund abortions. Yet when FRC Action tried to block the funding from the health care bill, we were called " deceivers" by President Obama and "liars" by his allies. Now we know who the true deceivers and liars really are. And some of them, including the "pro-life Democrats" responsible for this debacle, are up for re-election. (Family Research Council)

Family Movie Night on Friday

Vote with Your Remote: You Hold the Control!

Fortunately, there are still companies out there who do care about responsible programming--and this Friday's primetime special from Wal-Mart and P&G proves it! Following up on their promise to bring back family movie night, the Family Moments campaign is debuting its second original movie, The Jensen Project, on NBC at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on July 16. Like their number one hit, Secrets of the Mountain (which is available on DVD at Wal-Mart), Jensen is "no lunge" TV--completely wholesome and profanity-free!

At the heart of the show is a family that hasn't managed to connect with each other until a top-secret project brings them together. As they race against the clock to keep a dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands, they discover an important truth. In this high-pressure, high-tech world, sometimes the smartest th ing they can do is lean on each other. (Watch the trailer here).

Thanks to families like you, Secrets was the top show on NBC when it aired on April 16. You can help rocket this project back to the top and send a message to Hollywood that clean, family shows aren't just positive--they're profitable. Join the Perkins family for Friday movie night! Kick back with your kids and some popcorn, and get ready for an adventure you won't forget! (Family Research Council)

Prayer for Israel

Pray for Israel During The Hebrew Month of "Av"

by James W. Goll (edited)

This past Monday, July 12th, was the first day of "Av"", the fifth month in the Hebrew Biblical calendar. This date is specifically mentioned in Numbers 33:38 as the day on which Aaron, the High Priest died. This is a month which is looked upon with sobriety by many Jewish people - from the first to the ninth, many enter into a form of fasting by abstaining from eating meat.

The three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (July 20th this year) is when the First Temple was destroyed and has sometimes been referred to as "Bein haMetzarim"-"between the straits". Lamentations 1:3 states, "All her persecutors overtake her between the dire straits." Because of the many calamities that have occurred to the Jewish people throughout history during or surrounding this period of time, several key leaders in the land of Israel and in the global prophetic and prayer movements see this as a critical time for prayers of protection. . .

Many "noted seers" have consistently seen this period of time as a season when demonic dark forces have historically sought to take advantage against God's covenant land and people of Israel. This calls for special watchfulness over Israel and Jewish people in the nations, bringing them before the "Father of Lights" according to James 1:17. With this in mind, we are emphasizing special prayer for Israel during the Hebrew month of Av.

Although the name Av is actually a Babylonian name, adopted during Judah's captivity, it happens to bear the same spelling and pronunciation as the Hebrew word for "Father". As we pray in our Global Prayer Storm over the land and people at the beginning of this Hebrew month, we can remind God of His word as found in a verse from Jeremiah 3:4: Will you not from this time cry to Me, "My Father, You are the guide of my youth?"

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY:

That Israel be protected from evil that seeks an occasion to be released against her during these three weeks and throughout this Fifth Month.

• Pray Psalm 118:5: "Out of the strait (metzar) I called to Ya (the LORD). Ya answered me in a wide-open place."

• For Israel - The People: to be brought into the fullness that God has for them - and to survive the narrows which must be traversed along the way, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life" (Matthew 7:14). Yeshua came that His people might come into fullness of joy (John 15:11; 16:24).

• For Israel - The Land: to come into the fullness God has ordained. At present the land is too narrow to adequately nurture the Jewish People God has already brought from the nations - and she is under constant pressure from the nations to become narrower still. "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left" (Isaiah 54:2-3).

• Declare that Israel's "times" are in the Lord's hands and that evil cannot maintain sovereignty over any segment of time. Entrust the spirit of this land and people into the Lord's hands, who has redeemed her (Psalm 31:15, 5).

I have adapted this material from several sources of reliable friends in the Land of Israel today. I concur with it and hence am bringing it to your attention. Let us be watchful! A Watchmen for Israel!

James W. Goll

The Good News Corner

Did the Prayers of Passengers Save This Jet?

(Palm Beach, Florida) - The Mail Foreign Service reports that it is finally being revealed that in 2008 a single loose screw in a cockpit window heater caused a potentially fatal accident to happen on an American Airways Boeing 757-as it flew 36,000 ft. above the Atlantic Ocean.

Notes the report: "The flight crew were showered in glass after the heater caused an inside ply on the windscreen shattered into thousands of tiny cracks. As the cockpit filled with smoke, the 2008 flight from Puerto Rico to Philadelphia was diverted to Palm Beach, Florida, as terrified passengers were instructed on procedures for a rough ground or ocean landing."

Amazingly, the report adds, "U.S. flight safety officials have known about the fault for years but have not required airlines to fix it." "It was absolutely horrifying. There's no other way to describe it," said Rebekah Conrad, 23, who was reportedly among two dozen students who held hands, sang hymns and prayed through the ordeal. (Source: Mail Foreign Service) [Reported by: Teresa Neumann; Breaking Christian News; July 2, 2010]

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Capitol Hill Prayer Partners "Daily Brief"

Thursday, July 15, 2010

CHP Daily Brief - July 15, 2010