In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Call: Sacramento
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, August 31, 2010
"As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool." (Daniel 7:9)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama Marks End of U.S. Combat Mission in Iraq -Fox News
Obama praised the Honorable President Bush's commitment to U.S. troops Tuesday as he announced a close to combat operations in Iraq that he said cost America a "huge price."
Speaking from the same desk where President Bush launched the war, Obama cast the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- demonstrated by the departure of 95,000 U.S. combat troops to a remaining force below 50,000 -- as an opportunity for America to "turn the page," both on American involvement in Iraq and American priorities at home, where the economy is still struggling to regain its footing. (Read more)
- Pray for the safety of the remaining 50,000 American troops in Iraq, who will work with the new, sovereign nation to maintain its stability. Take a moment tonight and offer a prayer for the Americans who have lost loved ones in this mission; and say a word of thanks for those who have served so faithfully in this very difficult arena.
- " . . . there is . . . A time of war, and a time of peace." (Eccl. 3:8)
2. Earl, a Category 4 Hurricane, on Course Toward US East Coast after Battering Caribbean - ABC News
Hurricane Earl, now a powerful Category 4 storm, barreled toward the U.S. coast early Tuesday after battering tiny islands across the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and winds that damaged homes and toppled power lines.
"Any small shift in the track could dramatically alter whether it makes landfall or whether it remains over the open ocean," said Wallace Hogsett, a meteorologist at the centre. "I can't urge enough to just stay tuned."
• Father, we thank You that You are the Lord of the wind and the waves; and we ask You to direct the path of this hurricane according to Your perfect will. We ask protection for all who may be found in the storm's path, and we thank You that You are a God who hears and who answers prayer. Amen!
• That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11)
3. Two Men on United Flight from Chicago Arrested on 'Preparation of a Terrorist Attack' in Amsterdam - ABC
Two men taken off a Chicago-to-Amsterdam United Airlines flight in the Netherlands have been charged by Dutch police with "preparation of a terrorist attack," U.S. law enforcement officials tell ABC News. U.S. officials said the two appeared to be travelling with what were termed "mock bombs" in their luggage. "This was almost certainly a dry run, a test," said one senior law enforcement official.
In addition, officials said, al Soofi was found to be carrying $7,000 in cash and a check of his luggage found a cell phone taped to a Pepto-Bismol bottle, three cell phones taped together, several watches taped together, a box cutter and three large knives. Officials said there was no indication of explosives and he and his luggage were cleared for the flight from Birmingham to Chicago O'Hare.
• Lord, we thank you for having exposed these terrorists. We pray that any other terrorists who are planning attacks will be caught and severely punished so they will stop and not return. Protect our nation.
• For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, And have put to shame those who hated us." (Psalms 44:6, 7)
4. Mexico Says Drug Lord 'the Barbie' Captured - Yahoo News
Federal police on Monday captured a long-sought, alleged Texas-born gang kingpin who faces drug trafficking charges in the U.S. and has been blamed for a vicious turf war that has included bodies hung from bridges and shootouts in central Mexico. U.S. prosecutors say they used a federal wiretap of a related case in Atlanta in January 2008 to identify Valdez as the source of thousands of kilograms of cocaine that were imported into the U.S. from 2004 to 2006.
Witnesses said some truckloads traveling from Laredo to Atlanta carried more than 650 pounds of cocaine. The workers made shipments of money, often containing several million dollars in cash, back to Mexico in tractor-trailer trucks, according to the court records. Poire said Valdez directed a criminal enterprise that spanned four states, and included extortion and money laundering as well as drug smuggling.
• Lord, we thank you this drug lord has been caught. We pray that many more will be caught and will surrender their lives to You, Lord. We pray for the violence on our borders because of the drugs and human slave traffickers. Let them be stopped. Protect the US citizens.
• My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High . . . In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Psalms 56:2, 3)
5. Tea Party Group That Assisted Miller Now Helping O'Donnell - CNN
A leading Tea Party organization that supported Republican Senate nominees Sharron Angle of Nevada and Mike Lee of Utah, and which gave a big boost to Senate candidate Joe Miller of Alaska, says it's coming to the aid of Christine O'Donnell of Delaware.
Tea Party Express is one of the most recognized national Tea Party organizations thanks to its three high-profile bus caravans and rallies. The Tea Party Express has also become a major player in Republican politics, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads for Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown in Massachusetts, who in January upset Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election to fill the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat.
• Lord, we pray many conservative candidates will be elected to office. We pray they will remain true to strong, Christian, conservative values and they will quickly reverse the damage that has been done by this last group of officials.
• O Lord our God, masters besides You Have had dominion over us; But by You only we make mention of Your name . . . You have punished and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. (Isaiah 26:13, 14)
6. Predator Drones Set to Watch Mexico Border - Reuters
The U.S. government will have unmanned surveillance aircraft monitoring the whole southwest border with Mexico starting Wednesday, as it ramps up border security in this election year. "With the deployment of the Predator in Texas, we will now be able to cover the southwest border from the El Centro sector in California all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, providing critical aerial surveillance assistance to personnel on the ground," Napolitano said during a conference call.
• Lord, we thank you our government is starting to protect our borders from everyone entering this nation illegally - especially terrorists. We pray that these new strategies and drones will never be used against our citizens.
• O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. (Daniel 9:18)
7. Poll: 57% of Americans Oppose Tax Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research - LifeNews
On the week in which a federal judge ruled that President Barack Obama's executive order forcing Americans to pay for embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer funds violates a federal law, a new poll shows a majority of Americans opposed tax-funding the controversial and unproven research. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Republicans and 62% of voters not affiliated with either major party oppose taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research. Fifty-five percent of Democrats do back forcing taxpayers to fund the destructive research.
• Lord, we pray these unborn babies will be saved as sonograms become more available. We pray that people will not have the stomach to kill unborn children. God shelter and protect these babies from violence and destruction.
• But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
8. TOMORROW: White House to Host Seminar for Muslim Brotherhood organizations - Big Peace
Topic: Providing "funding, government assistance and resources." to Islamic groups
On August 31, this coming Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood-associated "Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations" (CCMO) will bring 25-30 Muslim leaders of 20 national Muslim groups to attend a special workshop presented by the White House and U.S. Government agencies (Agriculture, Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services etc.) to provide the groups "funding, government assistance and resources." The workshop will apparently provide special access for these Muslim Brotherhood organizations: the organizers pledge to provide "direct access" and "cut through red tape." Government and Muslim groups will hold an Iftar dinner (breaking the fast of Ramadan) after the workshop. Read more.
- Pray that, when Congress returns next week, there will be a hearing about how and where our taxpayer-funded stimulus money is being used with "faith-based" groups. Pray that Congress will help this White House to become accountable for its actions, in all respects. Pray!
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
9. U.S.: Rabbi's 'Offensive' Remarks Harm Peace Efforts - Ha'aretz
The United States on Sunday condemned remarks by the spiritual leader of Israel's leading ultra-Orthodox party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who said the Palestinians should "perish". The 89-year-old is a respected religious scholar but is also known for vitriolic comments about Arabs, secular Jews, liberals, women and gays, among others.
"Particularly on the eve of renewed peace talks, and on the eve of the Jewish New Year, one would have hoped that Rav Yosef could have inspired his students and followers with a message of hope, humility, repentance and forgiveness," said a statement from ADL chief Abraham Foxman.
• Lord, we pray these remarks will not be used to stir up more animosity. We pray the Palestinians will not force Israel to accept rules that would harm their security. We pray the peace of the Lord upon Israel and peace in the Middle East among all.
• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." (Psalms 122:6, 7)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them . . . My spirit that is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed," says LORD, "from now and forever." (Isaiah 59:21)
1. Israel braces for difficult month - Washington Times
As Israeli and Palestinian negotiators prepare for the first direct negotiations since 2008, the Jewish state is braced for one of the most difficult diplomatic months in its history.
2. Abbas wants talks according to Quartet - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Sunday that the Palestinians were going to the direct talks with Israel on the basis of the Quartet's declaration in Moscow from March, which calls for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state and a halt to settlement construction.
3. Hizbullah and Syrian army to join forces against Israel - Jerusalem Post
Lebanese guerilla group Hizbullah and the Syrian military have reportedly agreed to cooperate on any future conflicts with Israel, according to Kuwaiti newspaper a-Rai.
4. Israeli waters may hold large oil reserves - Business Week
The Israeli partners in a U.S.-led consortium developing a natural gas field off the Mediterranean coast say that up to 4.2 billion barrels of oil may lie under the seafloor in Israeli waters.
5. Egypt intercepts shipment of missiles - Jerusalem Post
Egyptian authorities intercepted a shipment of at least 190 anti-aircraft missiles in Sinai probably destined for Gaza on Saturday, Palestinian news Agency Ma'an reported.
6. Building set to start in settlements - Jerusalem Post
Fifty-seven settlements are to begin building just one day after the freeze ends, Army Radio reported on Monday.
7. BREAKING - 4 Israelis killed in shooting attack - YNet News
At least four Israelis murdered in West Bank shooting attack Tuesday evening ahead of resumption of peace talks in Washington; security forces, rescue services rush to scene of attack in Gush Etzion area.
The Call: Sacramento
More and more Americans realize that our nation's problems are bigger than we are. For that very reason our Founding Fathers, recognizing the importance and power of prayer, closed down the civil government to allow all Americans to devote themselves to days of solemn fasting, repentance, and prayer.
During the 60 days between now and the November elections, many Christian leaders, denominations, and para-church organizations are calling for periods of fasting and prayer to engage millions of believers in praying for our nation. I want to personally invite you to join me, hundreds of Christian leaders, and thousand of believers from across the nation in Sacramento, California, where Lou Engle has organized what will probably be the largest on-site prayer meeting in America between now and Election Day. The event will kick off this Friday, September 3rd at Raley Field a nd close after an all-day rally this Saturday, September 4th on the Capitol Mall in Sacramento.
This "National Solemn Assembly" is intended for believers of all ages, but thousands of young people are expected to attend. Please join us in united prayer for America at what may be the most important juncture in our modern history. For more information, log on to TheCall Sacramento
(Tony Perkins, Washington Update, Family Research Council)
The Good News Corner
New Microbe Discovered Eating Gulf Oil Spill
WASHINGTON -- A newly discovered type of oil-eating microbe is suddenly flourishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists discovered the new microbe while studying the underwater dispersion of millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf following the explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.
And the microbe works without significantly depleting oxygen in the water, researchers led by Terry Hazen at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., reported Tuesday in the online journal Sciencexpress.
Our findings, which provide the first data ever on microbial activity from a deepwater dispersed oil plume, suggest" a great potential for bacteria to help dispose of oil plumes in the deep-sea, Hazen said in a statement.
"Our findings show that the influx of oil profoundly altered the microbial community by significantly stimulating deep-sea" cold temperature bacteria that are closely related to known petroleum-degrading microbes, Hazen reported. (Associated Press) Readmore.
Worship with Us Today!
Derek Redmond -"You raise me up!"
This is one of the best videos we've seen in a long time. A reflection of our Heavenly Father's LOVE for us when we are wounded and fallen on the course of life. Very powerful, inspiring video to NEVER give up!
