CHPP Daily Brief - Friday, January 20, 2012

News for Prayer!

•  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot (Part One)
•  The Daily Jot (Part Two)
•  "Amerika"
•  The Good News Corner
•  Worship with Us Today!


Please note: Next Monday, January 23, we will publish the Daily Brief. The next edition of "On Capitol Hill This Week" will be published on Monday, January 30, 2012.


Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for Our Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net

The Daily Brief  - Friday, January 20, 2012

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)


The Daily Brief


1. 'Radioactive material stolen from Egypt plant' - Jerusalem Post


Radioactive material has been stolen from a nuclear power station on Egypt's Mediterranean coast that was the site of violent protests last week, state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. A safe containing radioactive material at the Dabaa nuclear power plant was seized while another safe containing radioactive material was broken open and part of its contents taken, the newspaper said.


- Father we pray that this radioactive material will be quickly found or destroyed before it is used to construct any devices of mass destruction.


- "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." [Isaiah 54:17]


2. Congress puts anti-piracy bill on backburner amid uproar - Fox News


Congressional leaders announced Friday that they are putting controversial anti-online piracy legislation on the backburner, amid widespread objections from the tech community and others.


Earlier in the week, major websites and Internet companies protested the proposal. Wikipedia blacked out its site for a day, while Google circulated a petition that generated more than seven million signatures. The White House also raised concerns about the proposal over the weekend, though later claimed the president was not taking sides.


Read More:


- Father, we intercede over this bill. As our leaders debate this bill, give them a plan concerning online piracy by foreign websites - and at the same time - would protect against over-regulation and censorship of the internet. Holy Spirit, guide them in this debate and provide a workable plan and strategy.

- 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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-14)


3. House GOP to push for pipeline despite Obama move - AP


House Republicans say a fresh push for a 1,700-mile Canada-to-Texas pipeline could be part of a new round of negotiations over extending the payroll tax cut and benefits for the long-term unemployed, after the President nixed the pipeline.


- Abba, we ask for Your wisdom to be displayed among the lawmakers regarding this oil pipeline. We do ask for understanding - not only for Congress - but also for the President, as to what needs to happen regarding this pipeline to best benefit America, and American interests. We ask, that as a people, we would seek Your face to know what is the best course of action. May we not continue to be dependent on foreign oil - when we have so many resources of our own - and can also put more people back in the work force, as we deal with this situation. We thank You for Your strength, mercy, and grace.


- "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where they refine gold. Iron is taken from the dust, and copper is smelted from rock. Man puts an end to darkness, and to the farthest limit he searches out the rock in gloom and deep shadow. He sinks a shaft far from habitation, forgotten by the foot; they hang and swing to and fro far from men. The earth, from it comes food, and underneath it is turned up as fire. Its rocks are the source of sapphires, and its dust contains gold." (Job 28:1-6)


4. Protesters to demonstrate outside US courthouses - AP


Protesters plan to "occupy" courthouses in more than 100 cities across the U.S. on Friday to protest a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed most limits on corporate and labor spending in federal elections.


- "Father, we are concerned about these many "occupy" groups that are trying to stir up strife and "class envy", and dissension. Lord, we ask that these people will have a revelation of how to express their opinions in peaceful ways that will not endanger the public, or cause any calamities. May they carry out their protests lawfully. We thank You, Lord, they are small in number, and pray they will not try to increase their numbers through violence and civil disobedience; but that, rather, engage in discussion of their ideas. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.


- " What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure."(James 4:1-3)


5. Floods, avalanches, outages all effects of Northwest storm - MSNBC


A day after more than a foot of snow, and 100 mph winds made Seattle streets look more like ski runs, freezing rain and accumulating ice shut runways at the city's airport Thursday and made travel even more treacherous, knocked out power to about 250,000 electric customers around Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia after it coated much of Washington in ice and swelled Oregon rivers, killing a child and two adults. Utility crews worked Friday to restore power to hundreds of thousands of Pacific Northwest residents left in the dark by the powerful snow and rain storm. Besides the outages, the big concern now is more flooding in both states with warmer temperatures and rain.


- Lord, we are humbled by the mighty power displayed by the weather, and thank You that You are the One who stills the seas and commands the winds to cease. We ask that no more lives will be lost through this tragedy, and that You would enable the rescue workers to do their important work of restoring utilities and roads and rescuing those stranded. We ask for a gradual warm-up to melt the snow at a pace that will prevent flooding. We also ask for the residents affected by this storm to find their comfort and peace in You! Amen.

- "God thunders marvelously with His voice;He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man,That all men may know His work." (Job 37:5-7)


6. 26 Homes burn as high winds fuel blaze near Reno - MSNBC


Firefighters worked Friday to hold the line on a fast-moving brush fire near Reno that forced more than 10,000 people to flee and destroyed more than 26 homes. Fire officials said one person was dead.


- Father, again we come to You and call upon Your mercy. We thank You these firefighters are doing their best to try and confine this fire and put it out. We ask You to protect them, and the property they are trying to save. Give them wisdom, and cause the winds to cease and be still. We ask that no more lives will be lost. May they cry out to You for their deliverance, and may they see You working on their behalf, we pray.


- "He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:26,27)


7. US home sales rise for third month - Breitbart


Sales of previously owned homes in the United States surged five percent in December from November, industry data showed Friday, in a report that pointed to recovery in the housing market.


- Father, we thank You for this good news of the gradual recovery of the housing market. We pray that this trend will continue and will not cause inflation. We ask that more Americans will be able to take advantage of lower prices to purchase homes for their families, and that also the job market would improve, so more people can afford to keep the homes they have, and/or buy new homes. Amen.


- "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matt. 6:26,27)


8. Sites back online after Anonymous attack - CNN


Most of the websites shutdown by a hackers group were up and running early Friday including the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and some entertainment sites targeted after one of the federal government's largest anti-piracy crackdowns.


- Lord, we ask that these computer "hackers" will not be able to cause havoc in compromising the privacy of individuals and their finances. We ask, Lord, especially for the security of our nation, that it not be compromised. We ask for wisdom for protecting these records of our nation against illegal hacking. Thank You, Lord, be our Shield!

- "I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:1-3)

The Middle East in Focus


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


"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Your name give glory, for Your mercy, and for Your truth's sake. Why should the nations say, Where is their God? But our God is in the heavens. He has done whatever He has pleased." (Psalm 115:1-3)

1. Israel arrests senior Palestinian Aziz Dweik - BBC


A senior Palestinian politician and member of the militant group Hamas has been arrested by the Israeli army in the West Bank. Aziz Dweik, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), was arrested at an army checkpoint, his chief of staff told AFP news agency.

2. Dempsey visits Israel amid regional tensions - ICEJ News


Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff visited IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv on Friday morning as a guest of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, following an informal dinner the previous evening with the generals' wives. Dempsey had a full schedule, meeting with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. Although many topics were no doubt discussed during the meetings, Iran was widely believed to be at the top of the list, as recent public statements have revealed a sharp disagreement between Washington and Jerusalem on the best way to confront the Islamic Republic's renegade nuclear program. Dempsey's trip was seen by many observers as an effort to reassure Israel as well as extract a promise not to attack Iran without coordinating with the US. Dempsey will also visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum before departing Israel in the early evening.


3. Iran helping Syria avoid oil sanctions - ICEJ News


Syria's Oil Minister Sufian Allaw admitted during a press conference on Thursday that the Assad regime has lost more than $2 billion in revenues since September 1 as a result of European and US bans on importing Syrian oil, adding that "yhe oil embargo has caused a drop in production of 150,000 barrels, or $15 million, a day." The admission came even as reports surfaced that Iran is assisting the Assad regime in evading the sanctions, by taking Syrian crude to Iran and mixing it in with Iranian shipments, then funneling the profits back to Damascus after taking a small cut.


The Daily Jot (Part One)


Turkey's prophetic influence


During the recent Republican presidential debate Fox News analyst Bret Baier asked Texas Governor Rick Perry: ". . . since the Islamist-oriented party took over in Turkey, the murder rate of women has increased 1,400 percent there. Press freedom has declined to the level of Russia. The prime minister of Turkey has embraced Hamas and Turkey has threatened military force against both Israel and Cypress. Given Turkey's turn, do you believe Turkey still belongs in NATO?" Perry responded, "Not only is it time for us to have a conversation about whether or not they belong to be in NATO, but it's time for the United States, when we look at their foreign aid, to go to zero with it."


Perry also said that many would perceive that Turkey is being ruled by Islamic terrorists. Tuesday, Turkey's foreign ministry condemned Perry for those remarks, saying they were "baseless and improper claims." Of course, the Republican candidates are using the opportunity to drive home that Perry is a foreign policy novice. Victoria Coates, Perry's foreign policy advisor, stepped forward with an explanation: "What he said was that many people associate that kind of behavior with that of Islamic terrorists. I think also their support for the flotilla against Israel this fall. It's deeply concerning, and I think it's something any future American president needs to be aware of."


Outsidethebeltway.com reports Atilla Yesilada, of Istanbul-based political risk consultancy Istanbul Analytics, said that "Ankara and Washington are now walking in lockstep...The essence of the new relationship is one where Turkey is more empowered, and more crucial to the US because of its leverage." The online report said that Turkish and US diplomats claim they cannot remember a time when the US and Turkey have been closer, citing that the man who occupies the Oval Office "called Turkey's prime minister more than any other leader except Britain's prime minister in 2011." If this is true, we see the deep level of cooperation between the US and Turkey, despite Turkey's embrace of terrorists.


Given this Administration's support of the Muslim Brotherhood and all of its trimmings, a little known fact that the US president has spoken with Turkey's prime minister more than any other leader except Britain's is hugely significant. The US has done more in the past ten years to support Islamic expansion than ever before. This has been exponentially accelerated in the past three years. There are numerous accounts in the Bible where the Lord identifies the antichrist as Assyrian (Isaiah 10, 14, 31, 52; Hosea 11; Micah 5 to name a few). For example, Isaiah 14:25 says, "That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot." Assyria is modern day Turkey. Watch and pray.


Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com


The Daily Jot (Part Two)


The great American turn from religious freedom


The US Supreme Court this week announced that it would not take up an appellate court decision banning praying in the name of Jesus in North Carolina. That means that only secular prayers will be given and the mentions of any deity are limited. There are a multitude of cases in the US where religious freedom is under fire--praying in the name of Jesus at the Veterans Cemetery in Houston, no mention of Jesus at graduation services at Medina Valley High School, the attempt to prevent Christmas displays in Athens--these in just one state. But there is a deeper trend to those who would discern--Christian American lives being lost in far away countries to uphold freedom, when those nations are killing off the Church.


Christian Americans have been witnessing the deterioration of religious freedom in the homeland for over a generation now. The federal government, beholden for some reason to secular humanists, has become isolationist in its views regarding religion to the point that it discriminates against anything Christian, while turns a blind eye or even supports non-Christian religious minorities such as Islam in the name of tolerance. Never before in the history of this nation have so many Islamists been heralded as government appointees. If Christians wore their religion on their sleeves like these, the government would have been prevented from hiring them by anti-American, anti-religious groups filing lawsuits.


t is difficult to imagine that an American government policy would shift away from religious freedom in the name of religious freedom, but that is what is happening. In Afghanistan and Iraq, where Christian American men and women have put their lives on the line every day ostensibly for freedom (which includes religious freedom), attacks against Christians have caused the Christian church to go so far underground that the US State Department can't find them--saying that Christian churches in those nations are a thing of the past. So much for ten years of taxpayer funded crusades against the Islamic attacker. At the risk of being sarcastic, it is fair to question this policy and that of the previous White House: What gives?


In Egypt, Coptic Christians are being killed by the dozens, their homes and churches being burned, and Coptics were even prevented from voting according to news reports. Everywhere there was a change due to the US-supported Arab Spring, Sharia law, complete with harsh discrimination against Christians, was established. If you look at actions over words, it appears that the American government policy--both domestically and internationally--is undeniably anti-Christian. Worse, American Christians seem complacent about it. Jesus said in Matthew 10:33, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." We need to get right with God, otherwise we may lose our nation.


Have A Blessed And Powerful Day,
Bill Wilson
Publisher


The Daily Jot
 
"Amerika" -- the Movie


Editor's Comment:


We recently found a very thought-provoking television series online, viewed on ABC in 1987, in thirteen episodes. The name of this series is: "Amerika."


The following description, taken from Wikipedia, describes the intent and the content of this film.
Although this movie was made 25 years ago, its message rings true for today. We recommend this movie for your weekend viewing . . . over several weekends . . . as we all consider where we are now as a nation, and where we may be going.


Amerika - suggesting a Russified name for the United States - is an American television miniseries that was broadcast in 1987 on ABC. It starred Kris Kristofferson, Mariel Hemingway, Sam Neill, Robert Urich, and a 17-year-old Lara Flynn Boyle in her first major role. Amerika was about life in the United States after a bloodless takeover by the Soviet Union.


Amerika criticized American society in the 1980s, implying that apathy and an unwillingness to defend freedom on the part of many citizens made the Soviet takeover rather easy. At one point, a key Soviet official observes that their plans for conquering the United States succeeded far beyond their wildest dreams, because once the nation had been defeated, Americans turned inward, not caring about national issues, seeking only to retain a piece of the prosperity that had once been theirs. "It (the Soviet coup) worked because you lost your country before we ever got here," says the Soviet leader. "You had political freedom, but you lost your passion ... How could we not win?"


An early scene shows schoolchildren in Chicago learning about Social Darwinism, which is characterized as the dominant philosophy in the old United States before the Soviet conquest and occupation, and a speech delivered by one child later in the series demonstrates the extent of Soviet indoctrination in the new America:


"We are the voice of the new generation. We are the voice of the new people. The destructive ways of the past are gone. We will replace them with our vision of the future. The Party will lead us to the new age. There have been those who have tried to stop the new age. They are the corrupt reminder of the past. They have tried to confuse us with the idea that the old America was a good country. We know that lie. History teaches us that lie. We are grateful to our Soviet brothers who saved the world from destruction, and we can now join them in a world of socialist brotherhood. Everyone will go to school, everyone will have a job, everyone will be equal. No one will exploit or be exploited, and all those who oppose this wonderful vision will be crushed."


Amerika arrived amid much controversy. Many critics and viewers felt it was too long and unrealistic, a number of people argued that it would be damaging to Soviet-American relations, and a spokesperson for the United Nations objected to the U.N. being depicted as an occupying force under Soviet control. Some conservatives felt that Soviet brutality was greatly underplayed; conversely, a number of liberals dismissed the entire miniseries as right-wing paranoia. At various points, the program was scrapped, delayed, and rewritten.


For their part, the Soviet Union threatened to shut down the ABC News Moscow bureau, although this threat was not carried out and indeed seemed to strengthen ABC's resolve regarding the miniseries. "We're going to run that program come rain, blood, or horse manure," said ABC president John B. Sias, after the still-to-be-aired Amerika had generated more controversy and viewer response than any other ABC program before or since, including The Day After.


For now, "Amerika" can be viewed by going here, for Part One of the 13-part miniseries, but we are not sure how long this link will be available, as other links to this movie have already been taken down.


Be sure to watch Part Two, here.


PARENTAL ADVISORY:


"Amerika" is not meant to be viewed by children. Thank you.


P.S. If this movie is removed from the internet, it can be purchased as a DVD.


The Good News Corner:


New Hampshire House Defunds Planned Parenthood


The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 207-147 on Wednesday to pass a bill stripping state funding of Planned Parenthood and any other group performing elective abortions.


The 60-vote majority was plenty to pass HB 228 on to the state Senate, but not enough to override a potential veto from Gov. John Lynch.


"The majority of people agree that, regardless of individual beliefs, taxpayers should not be forced to contribute to the largest abortion provider in American when so many are diametrically religiously and morally opposed to the practice of abortions," House Speaker Bill O'Brien said. (CitizenLink) Read more.
 
Worship with Us Today!


In your presence . . . that's where I belong . . .
In Your presence
That's where I am strong
In Your presence
O Lord my God
In Your presence
That's where I belong
Seeking Your face
Touching Your grace
In the cleft of the Rock
In Your presence O God