Tuesday, September 17, 2013

CHPP Daily Brief Tuesday, Sepember. 17, 2013




Please see today's edition of the Madison Report and join us in praying that Obamacare will not be funded on September 30th.


Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net



The Daily Brief Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013  

Praying the Word of God . . .
in the Will of God . . .
over the Issues of the Day

(Isaiah 55:11)

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013


"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2)


Capitol Hill Prayer Partners extends our deepest condolences to the families of the 12 victims who lost their lives in the shooting at the Naval Shipyard Yesterday. May God's grace and His peace enfold each of you in this time.



HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners welcomes all who wish to pray for our leaders to join us in prayer for our nation. You may sign up to receive our alerts by sending an email to us at chpp@patriot.net, requesting that your name be added to our list of subscribers.

WELCOME!



VISIT OUR BLOG!

CHPP's blog includes archives of past editions of all of our alerts, as well as features on praying for the government, Israel, and other key issues.

Come visit us by going here.


 


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Daily Brief
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


1. Navy to order security review, as questions mount over shooter's access - Fox News

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus plans to order a review Tuesday of security at Navy and Marine facilities, as questions mount over why the Navy Yard shooter -- an ex-reservist with a troubled past -- had a security clearance and how he was able to bring a shotgun into the military building. . . the incident has once again raised concerns about the quality of the background checks being done for those in sensitive government positions, particularly for contractors. Shooter Aaron Alexis had been working as a defense subcontractor, and had his security clearance renewed just two months before the rampage -- despite a history of troubling and violent behavior. Twelve people, in addition to the gunman, were killed in the shooting. (Read more)


- Pray that this review of the security procedures being followed in our Navy and Marine facilities be thorough and complete, and that there be no more room given for a breach in the wall, leading to another disaster like the one we all witnessed yesterday. Lift up the personnel who work at NCIS, too, that they be given the freedom to do their jobs accurately and completely from this day forward.

- "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men . . ." (Col. 3:23)



2. DC gunman was suffering host of mental issues prior to shooting - Fox News

Navy veteran Aaron Alexis, who killed 12 people at a Navy building in Washington Monday morning, had been suffering a host of serious mental issues, including paranoia and a sleep disorder, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press. Alexis had been hearing voices in his head and had been treated since August by the Veterans Administration for his mental problems, the officials said. (Read more)


- Stories like this one truly make us fear . . . how many other deranged souls might be out there today? Only our God can spare us more tragedies like this one. As our people have hardened their hearts against the goodness of God, and turned to their own ways, has He not turned His face away from us . . . leaving us vulnerable to enemy attacks? Please stand in repentance before our Lord for our wicked ways, and may the hearts of those who have refused His love be softened now to receive our Lord as their Savior. Please pray for the lost souls of our nation tonight; God wants to yet bring a harvest into His Kingdom. Amen.

- "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:37,38)



3. Hagel Honors Navy Yard Victims - Fox News

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and other military officials have laid a wreath in honor of those killed at the Washington Navy Yard at the Navy Memorial. Hagel laid the wreath at the memorial along Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday. It came just 24 hours after a gunman went on a shooting rampage at the Navy Yard, killing 12 people. Hagel did not offer any comments at the memorial. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey joined Hagel for the wreath laying, along with Washington Mayor Vincent Gray. (Read more)


- Today, Washington D.C. is a city that is in pain, and in shock. Only our Lord can bring healing to our wounds. Thank you for joining us in prayer for the twelve families who have lost loved ones in yesterday's tragedy, and for healing for the fourteen others who were wounded. Together, we bow before our Lord, asking for grace to help in time of need, amen.

- " . . . the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (Isaiah 49:13)



4. Senate Visitor's Gallery Honors Constitution Day - CHPP

Today, visitors to the U.S. Senate were greeted by doorkeepers, handing out free copies of the U.S. Constitution, in honor of Constitution Day. The Constitution was signed into law by our Founding Fathers on September 17, 1787. For more information about the history of this signing, and the major influence the Bible had in its writing, please visit today's commentary on the American Minute by going here.


- Offer praise unto our Lord today that this nation is founded under Him, and under a system of laws, embedded in the U.S. Constitution. This document will never grow old, and secures our liberty as American citizens. Repent for the spirit of lawlessness that has been unleashed across our nation in our generation, and ask our Lord to restore what the locust has eaten in our rights as free citizens of a free country. In His Name, amen.

- "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28)



5. Massive Air Search and Rescue in Colorado as Counties Cleanup from Floods - Breaking Christian News

(Estes Park, CO)-As many Coloradans begin cleanup efforts following last week's massive flooding, military helicopters are beginning a massive rescue operation to try and find the hundreds of people who are still missing and unaccounted for. Weather conditions on the ground in Boulder, where at least 16 helicopters are stationed, consisted of fog and lingering rain this morning, but officials were confident it would clear by noon. Over a thousand people are being deployed by air and on foot for the search and rescue mission.


- Thank you for joining us in prayer that every survivor of these horrific floods be rescued. Some are saying that this flood is of "biblical proportions" and is the largest that has been seen in 500 years! If judgment is at the door, we know our God, who releases His mercy with it. We thank You, Lord, for the promise of Your Word today those whose lives are in peril tonight in the State of Colorado. Amen.

- " For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light." (Mark 4:22)



6. Report: Syria transported chemical weapons to Iraq - Jerusalem Post

Syria has moved 20 trucks worth of equipment and material used for the manufacturing of chemical weapons into neighboring Iraq, the Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal reported on Sunday.


- Lord, we pray for protection from chemical weapons for Iraq, Syria, Israel and the whole region. If this report is true we think of the chemical weapons that were probably moved to Syria from Iraq in the first place and "not found" in Iraq. We just continue to ask for what is hidden to be revealed. We also pray that the media would help expose the truth of movements in the area. May the people in these nations seek You and realize it is in You they live, and move, and have their being, not in the strength or destructive power of the weapons of man. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

- "And he has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations; That they should seek the Lord . . . For in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:26-27)



7. Report: Putin to travel to Iran for nuclear strategy talks - Daily Caller

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Iran's invitation to visit Tehran to work out a strategy for the Islamic regime's nuclear program, Fars News Agency reported Saturday. The West believes the Iranian program is a front for developing nuclear weapons.


- Lord, we pray for President Putin as he has become a leader in this weapons crisis. Lord, we are uncomfortable as we see these two enemies of Israel joining forces. We ask that You direct their dialogue, and that only that which is according to Your will would come forth as a result of this move. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

- "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassage, and desires conditions of peace." (Luke 14:31-32)



8. McCain, Graham call US-Russia agreement on Syria 'meaningless' - Fox News

Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham criticized the U.S.-Russia agreement Saturday to disarm Syria of its chemical weapons, calling it "meaningless" and saying the agreement sends the wrong signal to Iran, which is suspected of building a nuclear weapon.


- Lord, we pray for Senators McCain and Graham and this "meaningless" message. We pray for clarity and a unity to come to the solution as leaders are working on these issues related to Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons. Open their eyes and lead them in the way of light. Make any crooked paths straight we pray. In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

- "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I wil lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked ways straight. These things I will do unto them, and not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16)



9. Obama: Syria deal does not mean US won't strike Iran over nuclear program - Jerusalem Post

US President Barack Obama disclosed in a television interview broadcast on Sunday that he had exchanged letters with new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and said diplomacy on Syria, backed up by a military threat, is a potential model for negotiating over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.


- Lord, we pray for the new Iranian President that he would have wise counsel and lead Iran in the right direction. We continue to pray for our President for truth in direction and what he says as he works through the Middle East situations. We thank you for a shifting and we continue to pray for peaceful solutions. Help us continue to use our weapons of warfare which are in prayer to bring the needed changes. In the name of Jesus who gives us the authority we pray. Amen.

- "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)



10. Securing Syria's Weapons May Require US Troops - Military.Com

The White House and the Pentagon have repeatedly ruled out "boots on the ground" in Syria, but Defense Department officials were less certain Thursday on whether U.S. military personnel might be sent to help secure or destroy Syria's chemical weapons.


- Lord, we do pray that "boots on the ground" will not be needed. We seek You and ask that the right way be shown to the White House, Pentagon, and Defense officials. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

- "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him." (Ezra 8:21-22)


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Middle East in Focus
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


The Middle East in Focus

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

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them."
(Hebrews 7:25)



1. Israel: We've been 'absolutely certain' for months Assad using nerve gas - Times of Israel

Israel has been "absolutely certain" for many months -- long before the alleged August 21 chemical weapons attack that prompted the current Syria crisis -- that President Bashar Assad was using chemical weapons in the civil war, the Israeli army's top intelligence analyst said in an interview broadcast Saturday.



2. Netanyahu urged to end 'wretched' Oslo Accords by Right-wing ministers - UK Telegraph

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, has been urged to end the "wretched Oslo accords" by a group Right-wing ministers and members of parliament.



3. The rabbi, the lost ark and the future of Temple Mount - UK Telegraph

In Jerusalem, rabbis are designing a new hi-tech temple. There's only one problem: they want to build it on the holiest place in the city for Muslims



4. Official: Obama and Netanyahu to meet in Washington on September 30 - Jerusalem Post

The meeting, which was not immediately confirmed by a Netanyahu spokesman, would be incorporated in the Israeli leader's scheduled attendance at the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York. Read more.


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Persecuted Church
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)


Imprisoned American Pastor Directly Appeals to Iranian President for Freedom - ACLJ

(Washington, DC) - American Pastor Saeed Abedini, serving an eight-year prison sentence in Iran because of his Christian faith, is directly appealing to Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani for justice and freedom. In a letter written to the Iranian president, Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen, called on the new president to follow through on his pledge of moderation and pleads for compassion and justice so he can return to his wife and children in the United States.

Pastor Saeed's letter comes as the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents Pastor Saeed's wife and children in the U.S. and has been working to secure his freedom, launches a global letter-writing campaign urging President Rouhani to release Pastor Saeed.


The ACLJ has launched a new website at BeHeardProject.com - a voice for the persecuted Church. To support Pastor Saeed, you can write a letter directly to the Iranian president and add your name to a petition containing the names of more than 620,000 people who have signed on already demanding the release of Pastor Saeed.

"This is a critical time for this U.S. citizen who has been illegally imprisoned in one of Iran's most dangerous prisons for nearly one year now," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "With Pastor Saeed's direct appeal to the Iranian president and our global letter-writing campaign to urge him to release Pastor Saeed, the new Iranian president can send an important message to the world - that his promise of moderation can be fulfilled by releasing Pastor Saeed from prison. This American pastor has done nothing wrong - imprisoned only because of his Christian faith. We call on Iran to release him so he can return to his family."



For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Madison Report
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


The Madison Report

www.MadisonProject.com


THE MADISONIAN:

The week of Sept. 16-20



Fellow Conservative Patriots,
This week will likely be the critical turning point in the battle over the government-funding bill, and by extension, the battle to defund Obamacare. Conservatives have united behind a proposal to defund Obamacare in a must-pass budget bill. Meanwhile, Obamacare continues to become more unpopular by the hour.

The Senate will also consider an ill-conceived green energy bill, which unfortunately enjoys robust Republican support.

For liberty,

Jim Ryun



Budget CR/Defund Obamacare


It has become quite evident over the past few years that Republican leadership in the House and Senate are terrified of engaging in brinkmanship in order to get rid of Obamacare. Over the next two weeks, we will see a number of proposals put forth by the establishment Republicans to distract conservatives with shiny objects and avoid a direct confrontation over Obamacare. Conservatives must stay united behind their pledge to oppose any budget CR (continuing resolution) that does not fully defund Obamacare.

Last week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor floated the first trial balloon with what is now being referred to as the "hocus pocus plan." The plan essentially called for defunding Obamacare in the CR, but upon passage the bill would have split into two components - a general funding bill and a separate defunding Obamacare bill. This would have allowed the Democrat-controlled Senate to pass the clean CR while rejecting the defunding portion, eventually sending the non-defund version straight to Obama's desk without ever returning to the House. This plan was designed to shield Republican members from voting against defund, while concurrently ensuring that defund is never forced through. Thankfully, conservatives in the House killed this plan on the spot.

As we head into the new week, conservatives have coalesced behind Rep. Tom Grave's CR which would completely defund Obamacare until 2015 while funding the rest of the government for another full year (H.J.Res. 62). As of today, the bill has 49 co-sponsors. Conservatives must demand that the House immediately pass the Graves bill and drop it on Sen. Harry Reid's desk. If he wants to shut down the government in order to throw people out of their health insurance, that is his prerogative.

Conservatives must also be prepared to block some new proposals from leadership that will contain red herrings and more shiny objects:

1) Defer to the Debt Ceiling: Over the past three years, GOP leadership has been playing a 'Lucy and the Football' game with the rank-and-file members when it comes to fighting Obamacare. Whenever we are approaching a budget deadline, they ask to defer the fight until the debt ceiling. Whenever we are approaching the debt ceiling fight, they ask members to hold their fire for the next CR. Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy is already promising to fight on the debt ceiling instead of the CR. The reality is that leadership is either scared or unwilling to use any leverage point to force the issue, certainly not a debt ceiling which raises the specter of a so-called default on our debt obligations.


2) Sequester:You will hear a lot of focus on the need to keep the sequester cuts in the CR and worry about Obamacare another time. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already attempted to shift the focus to the sequester. The problem is that we already locked in the sequester cuts. This is no longer a serious point of contention. Moreover, a few billion in random discretionary spending cuts pail in magnetite to the importance of fighting Obamacare.

3) Delay instead of defund: Rep. Paul Ryan and other pseudo-conservative groups outside of Congress are pushing an alternative plan to delay Obamacare for a year, and use the savings to get rid of the sequester. This plan is designed to break the conservative unity on the defund effort. The fact is that leadership has already telegraphed the message to Democrats that they will blink first in a game of brinkmanship - whether it's over defunding or delaying Obamacare. Why would we start negotiating down our proposal from defund to delay if leadership won't stand by the delay effort either?

> > > Please note!

Family Research Council Calls on House to Oppose Rule on Continuing Resolution, Urges Defunding Obamacare.


"This Rule also does not provide the necessary protections for religious freedom, a fundamental constitutional right, since the HHS mandate is already forcing companies to violate their religious freedoms and will harm non-profit religious organizations beginning next year. Obamacare will fund and subsidize abortion, violate religious liberties, and will impose government control over Americans' health care." (Read more here.)

http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Daily Jot
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


On moral pause



Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were impacted by the shootings at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC. The president called it a cowardly act. California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein wasted no time in politicizing the dead and wounded, saying, "Congress must stop shirking its responsibility and resume a thoughtful debate on gun violence in this country. We must do more to stop this endless loss of life." In some sense, I agree that we as a people must do more to stop the endless loss of life. Feinstein and others who will follow with similar demands, including the president, fail to mention that Washington, DC has the strictest gun control laws in the nation. There is more to the problem.

When "We the People" allow our leaders to do and say unethical, immoral and wrong minded things with impunity, we eventually reap what we sow. We have a national leadership comprised of immoral and unethical wicked people. And we keep electing them over and over again. The ones that come in to replace the old ones are worse than their predecessors. In my lifetime, they have taken prayer out of school, legalized the mass murder and infanticide of over 50 million babies in the womb--an entire generation; legalized teaching the evolution theory as fact; encouraged promiscuity, have essentially abolished marriage, and taught homosexuality as normal in our public schools. But wait, there is more.


These same people have become puppets of foreign governments, and moreover are changing laws to fund with weapons the very people who have been killing and maiming our men and women in the military. They have run us aground economically, incurring debt so large that it will take generations to pay it back--if we are a country that long. They have failed to protect our borders, allowing illegals to colonize our once great country. Furthermore, terrorists are entering and establishing cells at will. The president's relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood is tantamount to allowing our children to walk bare-legged through a pit of vipers. We are a nation on moral pause.

Many of us feel helpless to do anything about it because immorality and wickedness has reached critical mass in our society. Religious freedom has become religious discrimination. Freedom of speech has become governed by political correctness. As a nation we have sown complacency and tolerance and murder for a generation. We are beginning to reap these seeds in a terrible and large bounty. We as a people need to repent. We need to hold ourselves and our families accountable to God's standards. We need to take seriously Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." Silence is consent. Romans 12:21 says, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
Another Security Failure
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


Another Security Failure


Washington is picking up the pieces from yesterday's shooting at the Navy Yard. I just learned moments ago that one of those killed was the father of three girls who attend the church Carol and I belong to.

Authorities have concluded there was only one shooter, Aaron Alexis. At this stage, the investigation is raising more questions than it is answering. Here's the main concern: It appears that Alexis's rampage represents yet another security failure of common sense.

Alexis, a former Navy reservist, had a history of insubordination and disorderly conduct. He had two prior arrests for inappropriately discharging fire arms, one of which occurred during an "anger-fueled blackout." He was under treatment by the Veterans Administration for mental health issues, including hearing voices. Yet he was employed as a military contractor and had a security clearance that gave him access to a key U.S. Navy facility.


Hardly a day goes by that does not involve a disturbing new disclosure about the massive amounts of information the federal government is collecting on Americans in our post-9/11 world. For example, did you know that the federal government plans on tracking virtually every financial transaction?

And yet the same federal bureaucracy that wants to know if you buy a new pair of shoes or a house, failed to prevent the Boston Marathon bombing, even though it had specific warnings about Tamerlan Tsarnaev from foreign intelligence services. After a few perfunctory inquiries, the jihadi brothers dropped off the radar screen.

It was unable to deal with the warning signs of Nidal Hasan, Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning, who is so disturbed he can't even figure out which sex he is.

Don't worry. I'm sure these bureaucrats will do a bang-up job running your health care starting October 1st. (Gary Bauer)


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
Spot Report: Syria and the end times
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


Spot Report: Syria and the end times



Dr. James Hutchens speaks on the topic "Syria and the End Times." Is the U.S. Russian agreement regarding Syria's chemical weapons referred to in the Scripture?" To view this video, go here.


Think on this: "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets." . . . " When he the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell what is yet to comes." (Amos 3:7; John 16:12-13)

Pray on this: Gracious Heavenly Father, give eyes to see and ears to hear what you are doing in our world today - according to the Scriptures. Thank you for the promise that you keep your people informed on what you are doing. In Jesus' name."

(Source: JerUSAlem Connection; Published on Sept. 15, 2013 )

http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
The Good News Corner
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


The Good News Corner:

Federal Court Rules to Keep "In God, We Trust" on U.S. Currency



"The national motto simply echoes the principle found in the Declaration of Independence that our freedoms come from God and not the state." - ACLJ brief



In response to Michael Newdow and the Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit suing to delete the phrase "In God, We Trust" from our nation's currency, a federal court has ruled a resounding, "No."

Jay Sekulow, Chief Council for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which represented 41 members of Congress and nearly 90,0000 Americans who opposed the lawsuit, had argued that the national motto reflects the historical underpinnings of this nation and that belief in a Christian God was integral to its founding.


[Reported by: Breaking Christian News and CBN News]

For more details, read here.

http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
Constitution Day
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


Constitution Day
By Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)

September 17, 1787



We often envision the nation's Founding Fathers as brilliant and inspired minds gathered together in a room, signing the Constitution with quill and ink, and celebrating the pivotal moment for our nation. Yet, I often find myself thinking of the weeks and months leading up to the signing. Our Constitution was birthed in chaos and uncertainty. Our developing nation was, in many ways, divided. The Constitutional Convention wasn't a friendly gathering over tea and inspirational talks. In the late, hot summer months in Philadelphia, delegates quarreled. They pounded fists on desks. Tempers flared and men stormed out. Negotiation was tough.

Toil and sweat went into these words. Our Founding Fathers put great care and thought into the original articles, and they established the Constitution in such a way that required just as much care and collaboration to amend it. In the midst of reflection, choice, and debate, they struck a balance between practical and principled. They built the Constitution of the United States.


I use this document daily to guide my decisions in Congress. This Tuesday, September 17, we will recognize Constitution Day to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution by thirty-nine brave men. As we look to this important day in the story of our nation, I offer some reflections on some of America's current challenges, viewed through the lens of the U.S. Constitution . . .

[To view Cong. Forbes' list of statements in the Constitution, go here.]

It's as simple as that.

This list highlights only a few provisions that guide and inform how our nation should meet the challenges before us, but make no mistake - our Constitution in its entirety is important. I believe every American should read the Constitution and become familiar with the powerful principles within this foundational document. Whether you once read it in seventh grade, specialize in constitutional law as an attorney, or have never read the document at all, I hope that in observation of Constitution Day, you will take time to read through the United States Constitution or to memorize the Preamble. You can find a web version of the Constitution here.


- Father God, we pray today that every American citizen would take the time to study our Constitution and learn to live by its precepts. We thank You, Lord, for Rep. Randy Forbes and the many other fine men and women who are serving us in both the Senate and the House and who are working daily to ensure that every bill that comes out of Congress is in alignment with our founding document. Amen.

- "Study to show thyself approved . . ." (2 Tim. 2:15)

http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif
Worship With Us Today!
http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/spacer.gif


Worship With Us Today!

Forgiveness
Matthew West


It's the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word