Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (I Timothy 1:7)
1. Rice opens shuttle diplomacy in Mideast - MSNBC
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice opened an intense round of Mideast shuttle diplomacy Sunday, struggling to bring Israelis and Palestinians close enough to make a planned U.S.-hosted peace conference worthwhile.
· Lord, we pray that You will put a huge wedge between these parties forever. We pray that these groups will not be able to devise plans that would hurt Israel. We pray a shield of protection around Israel and everything that pertains to her. Amen!
· For thus says the Lord of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:6)
2. Turkey, GOP Warn Against Vote on Genocide - Washington Times
House Democratic leaders say they will insist on a floor vote on a resolution calling the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks "genocide," even though Turkish leaders say it will seriously hurt relations. Republicans warn that a vote on the resolution at this time is "the most irresponsible" action Congress could take, the Washington Times reported.
· We pray that House Democratic leaders will get exceedingly busy and side-tracked from acting and finishing this resolution. With tensions in the northern border of Iraq, we need good relations with Turkey, which grants the U.S. use of its airspace and bases in its country to help fight the war in Iraq.
· For I looked, and there was no man; I looked among them, but there was no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word. (Isaiah 41:28, 29)
3. U.S. military seeks alternatives to Turkey - UPI
Restricted access to Turkey would affect 70 percent of the cargo and fuel supplies being shipped by the United States to Iraq, a report said Saturday.
· Lord, we pray that You will keep our ties with Turkey open and that we will find other sites which will allow us to bring air cargo, water, fuel, various supplies, and the 95 percent of new mine-resistant , ambush-protected heavy vehicles to the U.S. military bases that Turkey allows us bring in. We speak God's peace to this situation.
· For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. (Psalms 5:12)
4. Putin tells U.S. to back off on missile plan - Washington Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Bush's top two Cabinet officials yesterday to back off U.S. missile defense plans for Eastern Europe, as high-level talks yielded little more than a pledge to meet again.
· We pray that You will allay President Putin's fears and have him agree to a joint regional "missile defense architecture" that would protect the United States' NATO allies in Europe and Russia. We pray for his salvation.
· Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. (Psalms 25:4, 5)
5. Al-Qaeda In Iraq Reported Crippled - Washington Post
The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq.
· We thank You Lord for answered prayers! We continue to recognize that without You, we will not have the victory. Our lives are in Your hands. We pray that no reports be brought forth that would bring us a false sense of security.
· Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:12, 13)
6. China Says Congressional Award for Dalai Lama Will Seriously Damage Relations
China said Tuesday that a decision by the U.S. Congress to honor the Dalai Lama would "seriously" damage relations between the countries. The Dalai Lama has been based in India since fleeing his Himalayan homeland in 1959 amid a failed uprising against Chinese rule. A State Department official said Monday that China objected to participating in the meeting on the same day the Dalai Lama is to receive Congress' civilian honor.
· Lord, we pray for President Bush to have Your wisdom in such a delicate situation. We pray that China will not pull out of a planned international strategy session on Iran. We pray for Congress to have wisdom in all the resolutions and laws it passes.
· For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalms 37:10, 11)
7. Gore gets a cold shoulder - Sydney Morning Herald
One of the world's foremost meteorologists has called the theory that helped Al Gore share the Nobel Peace Prize "ridiculous" and the product of "people who don't understand how the atmosphere works".
· We thank You Lord, that You are revealing the truth regarding the environment through other scientists. We pray that all people will take care of the earth as good stewards, as You commanded us to do. That we will never take Your creation for granted. It all belongs to You. Amen!
· Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." (Psalm 62:1)
1. Rice: It's time for a Palestinian state - Ynet News
Israel and the Palestinians are drafting a principles document that may offer solutions to some of the core issues of the final status agreement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday.
2. Rice: No Jewish building in eastern city - WND
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in the region to prepare for an Israeli-Palestinian summit next month, told Palestinian officials yesterday she would pressure Israel against initiating any Jewish construction in eastern sections of Jerusalem, a senior Palestinian negotiator involved in talks with Rice told WND.
3. Putin in Iran for landmark visit - BBC
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Iran for a historic visit, the first visit by a Kremlin leader since Stalin joined a summit there in World War II.
ENDA Vote Imminent
House Set to Vote on Special Rights for Gay Employees
A U.S. House vote is just around the corner on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - a bill that gives homosexuals special rights in the workplace. ENDA would add "sexual orientation" to a list of federally protected classes that includes race and religion.
"My race is being compromised, in that gays are saying that they need protected status just like someone who's of a race that they can't change," said Bishop Harry Jackson, president of the High Impact Leadership Coalition.
"This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, this is a moral values issue, and it's an issue of the integrity of the civil rights movement."
ENDA has an exemption for religious institutions, but Maureen Wiebe, spokeswoman for the American Association of Christian Schools, said it's too narrow.
"It would not seem that Christian schools would fall under the exemption for ENDA," she told Family News in Focus. "So ENDA could seriously affect the hiring rights of a Christian school."
The House committee will take up ENDA on Wednesday. The bill would add special protections for "sexual orientation," but not "gender identity" - or transgendered individuals. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has promised to add protection for "gender identity," as soon as she believes the votes are there. (CitizenLink)
· Please make this issue a SERIOUS MATTER OF PRAYER this week, as you pray for our leaders. Declare and decree out of Job 38 that ENDA will come to an END, through the Blood of the Lamb and in the Name of Almighty GOD. AMEN.
· 'This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!' (Job 38:10)
'Mom' and 'Dad' banished by California "Mom and Dad" as well as "husband and wife" have been banned from California schools under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who with his signature also ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose. (WorldNetDaily) California Children Now Subject To Mandated Perversion In Classrooms California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law October 12 two pro-homosexual bills that have the potential to change the curriculum in every school in California to portray in a positive and normal manner homosexuality, transsexuality, or any other sexual orientation. The bills both defined gender as including "a person's gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth." In other words, whatever sexual thing you think you might be, the school districts in California must not only tolerate it, but not discriminate against it in any manner, including banning information that may portray these orientations in a bad light. The Campaign for Children and Families, a pro family grass roots organization in California, says the ultimate impact of these bills could include eliminating: Textbooks and other instruction that portray marriage as only between a man and a woman; Textbooks and other instruction that say people are born male or female; Textbooks and other instruction that leave out transsexual, bisexual, and homosexual historical figures; and even elimination of Boys' and girls' bathrooms that separate biological boys from biological girls. President of the Campaign for Children and Families, Randy Thomasson said, "Arnold Schwarzenegger has delivered young children into the hands of those who will introduce them to alternative sexual lifestyles. This means children as young as five years old will be mentally molested in school classrooms." These two bills essentially put legs and feet into the California public school system to the hate crime legislation already passed in the state. The law now will open the floodgates to the indoctrination of all children in California public schools to the abomination of immoral sexual lifestyles-something that the school system at any level has no business doing. This has nothing to do with reading, writing and arithmetic. These bold changes in the California public schools will assure that homosexuality and other perverted sexual lifestyles will be perpetuated through education for generations to come. And California often leads the nation in trends, making every state in America a target for this same type of law. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The people of a state or a nation suffer the bad decisions of their leaders. And this is the type of immoral and unrighteous law that will cause much suffering and shame for the nation and its future generations. Americans should stand against these abominations and stand fast lest our nation becomes God's object of reproach.
'Mom' and 'Dad' are banished by California
(Source: Bill Wilson, The Daily Jot)
Summary: This Week on Capitol Hill
IN THE HOUSE:
The House will try this week (and most likely fail) to override a veto on a children's health bill that would more than double funding for SCHIP, the state program that covers kids in families too rich to qualify for Medicaid but - as supporters argue - too poor to otherwise afford healthcare.
Lawmakers may have better luck okaying a surveillance bill that has neither security hawks nor civil libertarians smiling. The RESTORE act rewrites the rules for tapping into foreign communications, giving spies one year umbrella warrants to track specific foreign suspects (even when they speak to unsuspecting folks on US soil) at the same time as ordering quarterly updates so Congress, presumably, can keep an eye on all the eavesdropping.
Less controversially, House members may pass bills extending a moratorium on internet taxes, HR 3678, and improving railroad safety, HR 2095.
IN THE SENATE: The Senate returns this week to the humdrum business of budgeting, voting on a $55b Commerce- Justice-Science bill and a $150b Labor-Health & Human Services bill (that also covers education funding). When done, it'll have five out of twelve spending bills to go.
(Source: Citizen Joe)
