Today's Daily Brief
1. 'Explosive Device' Shuts Nuke Plant - AP
Contract worker with 'suspicious device' stopped from entering grounds of Arizona nuclear power plant near Phoenix, Arizona.
· Offer praise for the quick action of the security personnel in spotting this danger today, and in responding by securing this plant in a lockdown procedure. Be in prayer that, if the man who was apprehended is in league with any others, all who are involved will be found.
· "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." (Matthew 10:26)
2. NASA: Spacewalk will have 'higher risk than usual' - AP
Astronaut Risks Electrocution in Spacewalk Repair
NASA plans a risky spacewalk to save a ripped solar wing, shown above, at the international space station. The agency hopes to send veteran spacewalker Scott Parazynski to conduct the repairs on Saturday.
· Father, we pray protection over Scott Parazynski. Keep him safe and hold him up by Your mercy. Give him wisdom and discretion that will help him work safely to repair the solar wing.
[Editor's note: this space walk is scheduled to take place at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, so please activate your own prayer chains NOW on behalf of the safety of this brave astronaut! Thank you!] · "My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble." (Prov. 3: 21-23)
3. President Bush Says Democrats' SCHIP Bill Is "Really A Trick On The American People" - CNN
President Bush on Wednesday again vowed to veto a renewed push to expand a popular children's health care program, saying it would play a 'trick' on Americans by moving the country closer to a federalized health system. "Halloween's an appropriate day to talk about it because there's a bill moving through Congress that's disguised as a bill to help children, but I think it's really a trick on the American people," the president told attendees of the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association's fall conference. "If they keep passing this legislation, I will keep vetoing it," Bush vowed, saying the latest version is even more expensive than the first, which he vetoed October 3.
"So instead of pushing to federalize health care all at once, they're pushing for the same goal through a series of incremental steps," Bush said. "With each step, they want to bring America closer to a nationalized system where the government dictates the medical care for every citizen."
· Lord, we thank You for the wisdom and foresight to expose and veto this bill. We ask for our freedom over health care to be continually protected. We speak the blessings of wisdom, truth and understanding over President Bush that he may walk faithfully before You.
· "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." (Ps. 101:6,7)
4. Third Quarter GDP Growth Robust 3.9 Percent - The Financial Times
US growth in the third quarter was at its strongest since the beginning of last year, suggesting that a deepening housing recession and turmoil in the credit markets have yet to seriously upset other parts of the economy. Growth was also boosted by rising exports and government spending and offset by worsening trends in homebuilding, rising imports and slowing growth in non-residential investment.
· Lord, Praise to Your name for answering many prayers over our economy. We continue as children seeking and trusting You for answers in the financial system and housing market. You are our provider and we thank You for all the blessings we enjoy.
· "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." (Psalm 84:11)
5. Tennessee town has run out of water - Fox News
The severe drought tightening like a vise across the Southeast has threatened the water supply of cities large and small, sending politicians scrambling for solutions. But Orme, about 40 miles west of Chattanooga and 150 miles northwest of Atlanta, is a town where the worst-case scenario has already come to pass: The water has run out.
· Lord, You alone can bless with rain. Thank You for Your word. It gives clarity to the reason rain is withheld. As we pray for rain turn our hearts toward You in repentance over walking our own way. Teach us as a nation to seek Your word as a lifestlye of holiness.
· "When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance." ( I Kings 8:35,36)
6. Northeast to Feel Noel's Wrath - AP
storm to hit the Atlantic this year, paralleled the U.S. coast on Friday, losing strength as it headed north toward Nova Scotia. Noel slammed the Caribbean earlier this week with heavy rain that caused flooding and mudslides, leaving 118 dead, officials said.
After drenching the Bahamas and Cuba on Thursday, the Category 1 hurricane's sustained winds were at 80 mph on Friday and its center was about 425 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Noel is moving to the north-northeast at about 17 mph, but was expected to pick up speed.
· Judging by the preceding article, our southeast region is in a desperate state due to drought, and really needs this rain!! Ask God to yet direct the path of this storm TOWARDS our southeastern coast, so that much-needed rain can fall upon this region. Ask for a miracle!
· "For He commands even the wind and the water, and they obey Him!" (Luke 8:25)
7. Marriage Advice, Saudi Style - MEMRITV.org; Fox News
Saudi author and cleric 'Dr.' Muhammad Al-'Arifi takes to airwaves to counsel young men on 'right way' to beat wife. They are to beat them lightly; and to avoid beating their wives in the face.
· Offer praise that the abusive teachings of Wahhabi- style Islam are coming to light. May God protect these precious women, even as He woos them to the knowledge of His saving grace, through the Blood of the Lamb.
· "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst." (Matthew 10:26)
8. U.S. Troop And Iraqi Civilian Deaths In Iraq Drop Significantly For Month Of October - AP
Violent deaths of U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians appear to have fallen sharply in Iraq in October, according to the latest Associated Press tally. The number of Iraqi civilians killed fell from at least 1,023 in September to at least 875 in October, according to the AP count. That's the lowest monthly toll for civilian casualties in the past year, and is down sharply from the 1,216 recorded in October 2006. The numbers are based on daily reports from police, hospital officials, morgue workers and verifiable witness accounts.
· Thank You, Lord for the significant drop in the death toll and for the recorded success. We ask Your hand of blessing to continue to protect and bring victory in Iraq. Bless Gen. David Petraeus with wisdom and power to accomplish the goals in Iraq quickly.
· "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." (Ps. 27:1-3)
[Note: The civilian casualty toll, as well as the military casualty toll, seems to have been greatly reduced since scores of saints began to pray every Saturday morning with the Iraq Prayer Surge NOW. You can join them by visiting their web site, where the phone number and times are posted for this nationwide, weekly conference call.]
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23)
1. Fatah policemen 'defect to al-Qaida' - Jerusalem Post
Scores of Fatah policemen who used to serve in the Palestinian Authority security forces in the Gaza Strip have now joined the al-Qaida-affiliated group calling itself the Army of Islam, sources in the Hamas- controlled Interior Ministry told The Jerusalem Post Thursday.
2. Olmert seeks accord on 'core issues' within a year - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hopes to reach an agreement on all the core issues of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict within a year, the premier said in conversations with both Israeli officials and foreign diplomats over the last few days.
3. Rice touts 'most serious' Mideast peace efforts in years - CNN
Israel and Palestinian negotiators are involved in the most serious effort in "many, many years" to try to end the Mideast conflict, said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday.
4. IDF uncovers 7 smuggling tunnels in Gaza - Ynet News
IDF forces have uncovered seven smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip within 36 hours.
5. Diplomatic source: We'll evacuate outposts through dialogue - Ynet News
Israel will meet all its obligations according to the Road Map peace plan, including the evacuation of illegal West Bank outposts, sources in the Prime Minister's Office stresses Thursday evening.
6. Palestinian security forces spread out through Nablus - Ynet News
Hundreds of Palestinian police officers are scheduled to assume positions throughout the streets of Nablus on Friday morning.
Iraq: Signs of Success
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, Americas second-ranking officer in Iraq, reported yesterday that U.S. casualties in Iraq declined in October to the lowest level since February 2004. Secretary Gates attributed much of this success to the surge strategy of General David Petraeus that President Bush ordered against fierce Democrat opposition in Washington.
Gates said, "It is due in the first instance to the surge, and then the consequences of the surge, and some of the things the surge has led to in al-Anbar and some of the areas around Baghdad at this point."
Speaking of al-Anbar province, Time magazine reported that Iraqi forces recently held an anti-Al Qaeda parade in al-Anbar to celebrate their success. Here's an excerpt: "Marines and soldiers who work in the region every day said they've witnessed a sea change and welcomed the celebration. 'I've seen the full transformation of Iraq,' said Marine Warrant Officer Bobby Garza. Garza said he's working on the second half of his fourth tour in Iraq. 'It's a beautiful thing. We wouldn't have been sitting here doing this in January. No way,' he said. 'But just in a blink of an eye you could see this place change. The people just switched and wouldn't let [al-Qaeda] back into their communities. Its wild.'"
Democratic Oppostion to War Effort Continues
Yet, in spite of this progress, Democrats on Capitol Hill are dragging their feet on funding our war efforts, holding up the president's attorney general nominee and delaying needed legislation allowing our intelligence community to keep tabs on the terrorists
Yesterday, President Bush leveled some of his harshest criticism, saying: "History teaches us that underestimating the words of evil, ambitious men is a terrible mistake. Bin Laden and his terrorist allies have made their intentions as clear as Lenin and Hitler before them. And the question is, will we listen?" When it comes to funding our troops, some in Washington should spend more time responding to the warnings of terrorists like Osama bin Laden and the requests of our commanders on the ground, and less time responding to the demands of MoveOn.org bloggers and Code Pink protesters.
Hillary Clinton, not surprisingly, stood up for the Code Pink protestors and the MoveOn.org bloggers, saying, George Bush's faulty and offensive historical analogies aren't going to end the war in Iraq, make America safer or bring our troops home. Americans are tired of the presidents efforts to play politics with national security and practice the politics of division.
But if anyone is playing politics with the war, its the party of Clinton, Kerry and Kennedy that is beholden to the anti-war radical Left. They are the ones who have spent months drafting legislation trying to force Americas retreat and defeat in Iraq. "Peaceful" Islam Forcing Its Way Into American Community By Demanding Legal Exceptions The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community slogan on its website is "Love for all, hatred for none." This group wants to build an Islamic Center on an old farm about 50 miles outside of Washington, D.C. in the sleepy country town of Walkersville, Maryland. The Ahmadies, as some call themselves, first approached the Walkersville Town Council requesting an exemption from the law to build a meeting place on land designated for agricultural purposes. Then the meeting place turned into a convention center where 5,000-10,000 people could meet once or twice a year. Then they wanted to have places where people could live on the property. The ever changing requests are becoming demands. One Ahmadie quipped in a series of emails debating with Walkersville residents, "A place of gathering is our right, and I look for your help, not your confront." Salah Nizrami, who claims to be a Pakistani Ahmadie, says, "Overcome your prejudices and misinformation. Get to know us and then if you oppose that's fair enough." The email string that went on during the evening found Walkersville residents saying that they didn't want the Ahmadies in Walkersville because it would overtax their infrastructure of fire protection, water, sewage, roads, and police. Salah was reminded that the Ahmadies have a right to worship, not a right to a place to gather. Salah evaded answering direct questions about how the Ahmadies follow Sharia law-the supreme law of Islam, saying only that people should get to know the Ahmadies and they will change their minds. Salah said that if the town of Walkersville didn't want the Ahmadies, they would not force themselves upon the town. But that is exactly what they are doing by appealing a ruling against their land use exception-a familiar pattern of the Ahmadies. Ahmadiyya Communities in Toronto and Calgary pushed their way into agricultural areas, built Islamic Centers, and are now building housing projects on the remaining land-a pattern that is sure to further raise the suspicions of Walkersville residents. If Salah was representative of the peaceful Ahmadies, then its no wonder why Walkersville residents don't want the Ahmadies to build an Islamic Center there. And by not taking "no" for an answer when the Town Council turned them down, the Ahmadies are showing they will force their way---seems like that's not "peaceful existence" at all. But of course, Sharia law is the ultimate law Ahmadies obey, so Walkersville land use laws are not supremely recognized, just the demand of dhmmitude, submission to Islam under Sharia law-give me your land peacefully, or I will take it by any other means. Jeremiah 8:15 says, "We looked for peace, but no good came." Surely no good will come if Walkersville and other towns like them are forced to receive and accept Islam.
(Gary Bauer; End of Day; November 2, 2007)
"Peaceful" Islam on the Move
Comet Draws Scientific, Amateur Interest
Comet Explodes on October 23rd to One Million Times Its Normal Size!
Comet Holmes 17P can now be seen with the naked eye.
A comet that has unexpectedly brightened in the past couple of weeks and now is visible to the naked eye is attracting professional and amateur interest.
Paul Lewis, director of astronomy outreach at the University of Tennessee, is drawing students to the roof of Nielsen Physics Building for special viewings of Comet 17P/Holmes.
The comet is exploding and its coma, a cloud of gas and dust illuminated by the sun, has grown to be bigger than the planet Jupiter. The comet lacks the tail usually associated with such celestial bodies but can be seen in the northern sky, in the constellation Perseus, as a fuzzy spot of light about as bright as the stars in the Big Dipper.
"This is truly a celestial surprise," Lewis said. "Absolutely amazing." "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event to witness, along the lines of when Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 smashed into Jupiter back in 1994," Lewis said.
Scientists speculate the comet has exploded because there are sinkholes in its nucleus, giving it a honeycomb-like structure. The collapse exposed comet ice to the sun, which transformed the ice into gas. "What comets do when they are near the sun is very unpredictable," Lewis said. "We expect to see a coma cloud and a tail, but this is more like an explosion, and we are seeing the bubble of gas and dust as it expands away from the center of the blast."
Experts aren't sure how long the comet's show will last, but estimate it could be weeks _ if not months. Using a telescope or binoculars help bring the comet's details into view, they said. (AP)
The comet's physical diameter is seven times wider than the planet Jupiter--and it is still expanding. It is moving in a direction away from the earth and, as of tonight, still lacks any visible "tail" formation -- so typical of most comets. (Spaceweather.com)
[Editor's Hint: When I first learned about this comet last week, I did not know where the Perseus Constellation was located in the heavens. so I just stood out on my street here in northern Virginia and began looking up.
The comet is clearly visible after about 10:00 p.m. and here's how: Find the moon, then gaze down a bit and over to your left a bit. You can't miss it.!!
Comet Holmes appears as a fuzzy, yellow/orange ball and is quite distinct from the surrounding stars. Enjoy!]
You can find more information about this comet by visiting NASA at this link and Spaceweather.com at this linkand BBC at this link.
· "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke." (Acts 2: 19)
Links to Other Resources
Links to Other Resources
In order to keep our Briefs "brief," we ask you to explore other key sites on your own, as you continue to pray for our nation, for Israel, and for His Kingdom on earth.
Recommended sites include the following:
DOMESTIC NEWS:
a. Intercessors for America
b. Family Research Council
c. End-of-Day by Gary Bauer
d. Citizen Link (Focus on the Family)
e. The Daily Jot
f. Traditional Values Coalition
g. Christian Coalition of America
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: The Daily Brief is published by Capitol Hill Prayer Partners (CHPP). CHPP is a ministry dedicated to praying for our leaders, and for issues involving our national security. We are a 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt nonprofit ministry, relying solely upon the gifts of our friends to maintain this work. Permission is granted to distribute this bulletin at will. HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU NOT POST ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS ON ANY WEBSITE WITHOUT PERMISSION. Please cite Capitol Hill Prayer Partners as the source for this information. Thank you for praying with us for our leaders and our nation. Capitol Hill Prayer Partners (CHPP) is a 501(c)(3), tax- exempt, faith-based, ministry, dedicated to praying for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1,2). CHPP relies solely on the gifts of our readers to continue this work; thus we greatly appreciate your help in supporting this publication. Offerings may be sent to: Capitol Hill Prayer Partners, P.O. Box 5152, Herndon, VA 20172- 1970. Please make checks payable to: CHPP. THANK YOU!
a Worthy News
Bridges for Peace
c. Intercessors for Israel
d. The JerUSAlem Connection
" . . . every joint supplies . . ." (Eph. 4:16)
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