In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" (Rev. 22:17)
The Daily Brief
1. 4 GOP Candidates with Eyes on Both Parties' Failings - Washington Post
Six months ago, few Republican strategists could pick Ryan Frazier, Jeff Perry, Austin Scott or Randy Demmer out of a crowd. Today, that quartet of candidates is part of a small group of challengers who national Republicans think could be the deciding force in whether the party will win back the House majority on Nov. 2. All four men mention the health-care legislation - along with the economic stimulus package and the cap-and-trade energy measure that passed the House last year - as examples of the danger of single-party rule, insisting that the national Democratic Party has veered wildly away from the interests of the average American in their respective districts.
Any of the four - none of whom is a favorite in his race but all of whom can make a credible argument about how they can win - would love to have a chance to come to Washington to prove to voters that things have changed in the GOP since 2006. And the national Republican Party needs victories in places and districts like these to recapture the House majority.
• Lord, we pray that people will remember the good that happened under Republican majority: lower unemployment and more entrepreneurial opportunities for citizens. Let them not believe the lies that are being said in this election. Give people sharp discernment on who is lying.
• However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.(John 16:13)
2. Survey: CEOs Wary of Health Costs, End of Bush Tax Cuts - NewsMax
Chief executives are becoming more confident about the economy, though many worry high employee health care costs and the possible end of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans could hurt businesses. just over half of the CEOs said they would not start their businesses in the current environment if they had to. "No double dip is good news, but healthcare, taxes, access to credit, and overall economic uncertainty remain obstacles to jump-starting sustainable growth," said Vistage International chairman Rafael Pastor.
About 46 percent said they planned to expand their workforce up from 39 percent a year ago. "Nonetheless, fewer firms planned additions to their payrolls than any time prior to the 2008-09 recession," said Pastor. "Uncertainty about the level of future sales as well as concerns about the costs of new health care regulations continued to hold hiring plans at lower levels."
• Lord, we pray the Bush Tax Cuts will be extended before the new year. We ask for bi-partisan cooperation and the votes to pass it. Let strong, godly conservatives be elected to repeal the bills that have been passed which are destroying our economy.
• The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)
3. US, Europe Face Specter of Mumbai-style Attack - AFP
European and US security officials, citing recent intelligence, say that Al-Qaeda may be planning Mumbai-style attacks with heavily-armed gunmen, a tactic that inflicts mass carnage and terror without the risks associated with bomb-making. Any attack against European cities and the United States will likely rely on militants with Western passports, who can more easily avoid detection thanks to a "clean skin," while reinforcing Al-Qaeda propaganda about a global struggle.
Well-trained European special police squads also would likely be able to contain such an attack much faster than in Mumbai, where Indian police faced accusations of a slow response. But even so, the effect would still be horrific, experts said. American police are trained for such events, but not for a larger-scale assault similar to Mumbai involving teams of gunman with more elaborate plans.
• Lord, we thank you for protection against these possible planned attacks. Give our authorities wisdom and discernment to thwart any attack. Confuse the camp of the enemy. In Jesus Name.
• Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9,10)
4. Art Exhibit Depicting Jesus in a Sex Act Sparks Outrage in Colorado - Fox News
An exhibit at a Colorado art gallery is stirring up outrage from critics who say it depicts Jesus Christ in a sexual act. The lithograph, on display since Sept. 11 at the tax-funded Loveland Museum Gallery in Loveland, Colo., is part of an 82-print exhibit by 10 artists who have worked with Colorado printer Bud Shark. It includes several images of Jesus, including one in which he appears to be receiving oral sex from a man as the word "orgasm" appears beside Jesus' head.
But the artist, a professor at Stanford University, said he was simply making a statement on problems he sees with religious institutions, including the sex-abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic church. "In my work mentioned above I address the role of the Catholic Church (among other religious groups) imposing its credo on Native American cultures all over the Americas. I also critique the Church's position against same-sex marriage while allowing pedophiles to exist within its ranks for decades and keeping it quiet."
• Heavenly Father, this is nothing but blasphemy and coarseness beyond our senses. We pray that Christians will begin to rise up against these types of abominations for the sake of our children. We cannot allow these kinds of people to destroy our culture and the purity of our nation. Remove these people from schools, public places, organizations, and places of influence.
• Holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:19, 20)
5. Anti-gay Church, Grieving Father Square Off Over Free Speech, Privacy - CNN
At issue is a balancing test between the privacy rights of grieving families and the free speech and religious expression rights of demonstrators, however disturbing and provocative their message. Several states have attempted to impose specific limits on when and where the protests are conducted. Here, venue and context will be key to the justices' decision -- whether funerals warrant a greater zone of privacy, and whether the "speech" in this case was specifically aimed at a private citizens like the Snyder family.
The hecklers carried signs that varied from the general to the personal: "God Hates America," Priests Rape Boys," but also "You're Going to Hell," and "God Hates You," which the Snyder family claimed was directed specifically at their son, who was not gay. A federal appeals court concluded the signs and shouts did not directly refer to the lance corporal, and were therefore protected speech on issues of national debate. That court called WBC's actions "rhetorical hyperbole." Now the Supreme Court is poised to offer the final word.
• Lord, we pray the Supreme Court will say clearly this type of speech is not covered by the Constitution - but is hate speech against the military people. Let the Court not be divided, but united in this decision against these hateful picketers. Let true justice be done!
• My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies; My ears hear my desire on the wicked Who rise up against me. The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (Psalms 92:11-12)
6. US Deficit is 'Real and Growing' Threat: Bernanke - AFP
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called for quick and decisive steps to rein in the exploding US budget deficit, warning failure to act could result in a serious crisis. The US saw a record 1.47 trillion dollar budget shortfall in the financial year that ended in September, as tax revenues dried up and the government splurged on economic bailouts and stimulus spending. Bernanke suggested new fiscal rules from Congress could help put the US budget back into order, but only with sustained political support.
"Both current and future congresses and presidents will have to make some very tough decisions to put the budget back on a sustainable trajectory," he said.
• Lord, we pray for the newly elected officials to have a strong determination and focus to turn back this unsustainable debt. We pray for strong political support from both parties.
• And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Genesis 45:7)
7. Home Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention: Another Bailout Boondoggle - Townhall
Because loan modifications can be lucrative for lenders, HAMP has created a new pattern of aggressive - and at times ethically-challenged - behavior among major banks who themselves have been TARP beneficiaries. And it may be that some of the trial modifications have "failed" for a disturbing reason. Lawsuits seeking class-action status recently have been filed against mortgage servicers such as Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, alleging the lenders broke the terms of trial modification agreements by not upgrading them to permanent status despite homeowners making payments on time. "This litigation is spreading all across the country," remarks Kevin Costello, a lawyer with the Boston firm of Roddy Klein & Ryan representing plaintiffs in some of these cases. "People have been relying on a promise all along, and then they get a denial. Then they find themselves in that much worse of a hole."
• Lord, we pray these actions of foreclosures will stop immediately, so investigations can be done to determine if people were rushed into contracts and foreclosures without due process. Let those families who were wrongly evicted be restored. Help us to solve this real estate problem.
• 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)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, "What has God wrought!" (Numbers 23:23)
1. Chief scientist who questioned evolution theory fired - Ynet News
Dr. Gavriel Avital, who called environmental groups 'green religion' and said, 'There are many people who don't believe evolutionary account is correct,' was dismissed by Education Ministry.
2. Hundreds of activists from Muslim countries planning new Gaza-bound flotilla - Ha'aretz
Pro-Palestinian activists from dozens of Muslim countries are planning to send a convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip in a new effort to break Israel's blockade of the coastal territory.
3. Israel to compensate settlers for construction freeze losses - Ha'aretz
The state will pay more than NIS 2.5 million shekels to settlers who incurred losses due to the government's decision to suspend construction in West Bank towns.
4. Netanyahu urges restraint on US 'freeze for promises' offer - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday urged restraint on a deal offered by the US in which Israel would limit West Bank settlement building for 60 days in return for certain US promises.
5. Netanyahu: Israel, U.S. working quietly to resolve peace talks deadlock - Ha'aretz
Netanyahu's comment came as an Asharq al-Awsat report claimed the Prime Minister had agreed in principle to extend Israel's freeze on settlement construction by 60 days.
6. PA: Settlers targeting mosques to hinder peace talks - Ynet News
Amid US efforts to save the recently launched Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, the Palestinian Authority fears Jewish settlers are trying to ignite the region by targeting mosques and olive groves.
The Daily Jot
The company of evil has its day in the Washington, DC sun
On October 2, there was a rally in Washington, DC. It wasn't a very big rally, but it was very revealing. The mainstream media contrasted the rally of about a month ago where over half a million people gathered to honor the United States and to call for a return to family values, conservatism and strict interpretation of the Constitution. The news media wouldn't venture a guess as to how many showed up for the October 2 rally, but those who observed it say less than 10,000 were in attendance. Many of the current White House appointees, former appointees and supporters were at the rally. While the numbers in attendance are an indication of the support for these groups, it is more important to understand this mix.
The October 2 rally was organized by progressives, communists and socialists. These are the people who have a view of America that is the antithesis to the true national identity of America, why it was founded, and how it became great. In other words, and I know this is harsh, the organizers and most of those who attended were anti-American. For example, what does the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, Queers for Economic Justice, the Mass Transgender Political Coalition and the American Muslim Association of America have in common? Islamic law calls for putting homosexuals to death. What they have in common is their hate for what holds America together--her national identity as a Christian nation.
What does the National Education Association have in common with Americans for Democratic Action, Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, Communist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America, Humanist Party New York City Chapter, International Socialist Organization, Left Labor Project, and the Green Party? Everything. They are all anti-American socialist and communist organizations that wish to force their totalitarian principles down the throats of true Americans. And the National Education Association is the arm of this coalition that is dedicated to brainwashing your children and grandchildren through ideological subversion and the laurels of utopian communist society.
Moreover, what does the National Baptist Convention, USA and the United Methodist Church have in common with Sojourners and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations? They have bought into the lie that socialism is a tenet of the Christian faith. Now all these groups sponsored this socialist, anti-American gathering in our Nation's Capitol. They are united in remaking America into their image of utopia--a communist society. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Be not deceived: evil companionships corrupt good moral habits." These are evil companionships. Ask yourself: how are they influencing the lives of those I love? Then seek righteousness with a passion.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
