Monday, March 31, 2008

On Capitol Hill This Week - March 31 - April 4

On Capitol Hill This Week

Volume XV, Number 7

March 31 - April 4, 2008

All the nations will come and worship before You." (Rev. 15:4)


On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XV, No. 7

  1. PRESIDENT BUSH LEAVES FOR NATO SUMMIT; RUSSIAN VISIT
  2. TREASURY'S PLAN WOULD GIVE FED WIDE NEW POWER
  3. CALIFORNIA COURT TO RECONSIDER HOMESCHOOLING DECISION
  4. THREE BILLS TO SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE
  5. SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR JUSTIFIES PRAYER LIMITS
  6. FILIBUSTERED JUDGES - STUCK IN SENATE COMMITTEE
  7. ORGANIZERS OF NAU TO MEET IN NEW ORLEANS THIS MONTH
  8. CONDOLEEZZA RICE MEETS WITH BARAK, ABBAS THIS WEEK
  9. PURIM TRAGEDY SPARKS WORLDWIDE PRAYER AND SUPPORT
  10. H.R. 185: TO SUPPORT JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN REFUGEES
  11. VATICAN, SAUDIS DISCUSS A CHURCH
  12. SAUDI KING TO ORGANIZE INTERFAITH CONFERENCE

1. PRESIDENT BUSH LEAVES FOR NATO SUMMIT; RUSSIAN VISIT

Winding down his presidency, George W. Bush is beginning his farewell tour on the world stage trailed by questions about how much clout he still wields. Air Force One roared out of Andrews Air Force Base today to whisk Bush to the first in a long-planned series of global goodbye events. After a brief stop in Ukraine, Bush stops in Romania to attend his last summit with NATO leaders. A few days later, Bush will land in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi for his probable final meeting with Vladimir Putin as Russian president; his successor takes over in May.

This is the busiest travel year in Bush's presidency in terms of the sheer number of trips. He went to the Middle East in January and to Africa in February. After he returns from NATO and Russia, he has five more major excursions on the books - from Europe to Asia, the Middle East to South America. In June, he will travel to Slovenia for his final summit with the European Union. He will attend his last summit of Group of Eight leaders of major industrial economies in Japan in July. He will go to Peru in November for his final meeting with Pacific Rim leaders at the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. More trips may be added as Bush moves closer to the exit and his successor emerges. (AP)

· Please pray for safety for President Bush throughout his trip next week, as he departs today for visits to Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and Russia. Pray that our president finds favor in every nation he visits, and that God's perfect will shall be done and accomplished as a result.

· "He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:10)

2. TREASURY'S PLAN WOULD GIVE FED WIDE NEW POWER

The Treasury Department has proposed that Congress give the Federal Reserve broad new authority to oversee financial market stability, in effect allowing it to send SWAT teams into any corner of the industry or any institution that might pose a risk to the overall system. The proposal is part of a sweeping blueprint to overhaul the nation's hodgepodge of financial regulatory agencies, which many experts say failed to recognize rampant excesses in mortgage lending until after they set off what is now the worst financial calamity in decades.

According to a summary provided by the administration, the plan would consolidate an alphabet soup of banking and securities regulators into a powerful trio of overseers responsible for everything from banks and brokerage firms to hedge funds and private equity firms. While the plan could expose Wall Street investment banks and hedge funds to greater scrutiny, it carefully avoids a call for tighter regulation. The plan would not rein in practices that have been linked to the housing and mortgage crisis, like packaging risky subprime mortgages into securities carrying the highest ratings.

Congress would have to approve almost every element of the proposal, and Democratic leaders are already drafting their own bills to impose tougher supervision over Wall Street investment banks, hedge funds and the fast-growing market in derivatives like credit default swaps. The Treasury plan would let Fed officials examine the practices and even the internal bookkeeping of brokerage firms, hedge funds, commodity-trading exchanges and any other institution that might pose a risk to the overall financial system. That would be a significant expansion of the central bank's regulatory mission. Administration officials acknowledged on Friday that they did not expect the proposal to become law this year, but said they hoped it would help frame a policy debate that would extend well after the elections in November. (New York Times)

· Please pray in the Spirit over this proposal for more regulation of America's financial institutions. The plan ultimately will bring the USA in line with the global markets, and we have already lost much of our financial freedoms to such moves, especially our stock market. Our sovereignity is being nibbled away with good intentions. No doubt updating of our regulatory of finances is needed, but we must seek the Lord's wisdom that any improvement comes from what the Lord wants for America, not what the world wants.

· "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

3. CALIFORNIA COURT TO RECONSIDER HOMESCHOOLING DECISION

After facing fierce backlash by the overwhelming majority of the American people, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles, California backed down and decided this week to reconsider its outrageous decision last month and to rehear a case involving the rights of parents who want to homeschool their children. On February 28th, three judicial tyrants on this court's panel -- who ruled unanimously -- said that the parents of some 170,000 homeschooled children needed to be certified by the state of California as teachers before they could homeschool their children.

Senator Sam Brownback applauded the court's decision: "I firmly believe that parents have the right and responsibility to oversee the education of their children. Homeschooling is a proven method of education, and has been for generations. Governmental bodies should not try to sweep away the options of parents to teach their children."

Justice H. Walter Croskey in his original decision -- saying uncredentialed parents could not teach their own children -- referred to a similar 1953 appellate court decision. Even the California public school superintendent, Jack O'Connell, denounced the original 3-0 decision by the court's panel saying that traditional public schools might not be the best fit for every student. Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar was similarly outraged over the decision. A homeschool supporter who edits "Homefires," said: "I think the judge recognized that he hadn't done his homework."

It will probably be another few months before the 2nd Court of Appeal will hear oral arguments and another period of time before making its final decision. Michael Farris, co-founder and chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association said that California courts tend to have an effect on courts around the United States. About 20 percent of the nation's homeschoolers live in California, Mr. Farris said. (Christian Coalition Of America)

· Praise the Lord for another victory for the power of prayer and of people who speak for what is right. Obviously these judges are afraid that parents homeschooling their children will teach the truth, doing the job far better than many public schools. Keep speaking out until you are the last person standing.

· "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

4. THREE BILLS TO SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE

· Please join us in THIS DECREE as we lift up all three bills, below, for passage in the House of Representatives this spring: "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

a. Pitts' Amendment to Indian Healthc Care Improvement Act
Congressman Joseph Pitts, R-PA, will be introducing an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, H.R. 1328, being debated and voted on in the House Energy and Commerce Committee as early as next week, which will prevent taxpayer funding of the Indian Health Service (IHS) from being used for abortions. Senator David Vitter, R-LA, introduced a similar amendment which passed the full Senate by a margin of 52-42 last month.

b. "The Internet SAFETY Act of 2007"
Congressman Lamar Smith has introduced this bill (H.R. 837) to give law enforcement officers more tools in their fight against child pornography and against pedophiles who traffic in child pornography. Congressman Smith's bill specifically amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) financial transactions in interstate or foreign commerce that facilitate access to, or the possession of, child pornography; and (2) Internet content hosting providers or email service providers from facilitating access to, or the possession of, child pornography. The bill increases criminal penalties for the sexual exploitation of children and for activities involving the sexual exploitation of children and child pornograph and it requires commercial website operators to place warning marks prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission on web pages that contain sexually explicit materials.

c. "Blogger Protection Act of 2008"
This week Congressman Jeb Hensarling, R-TX, announced that he will be introducing the "Blogger Protection Act of 2008" to put the Federal Election Commission's regulatory protections of the freedom of bloggers into law. Congressman Hensarling said that "Two years ago, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued regulations that protected bloggers from being hampered by certain campaign finance laws. Under these regulations, bloggers cannot be considered to have made a contribution or expenditure on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate simply because they link to campaign websites or write about the positions of federal candidates. Additionally, blogs are treated as any other publication under the general media exemption from most campaign finance restrictions. Without such protections, bloggers could be subject to various limitations and reporting requirements under campaign finance law.

(Source for all of the above: Christian Coalition of America)

5. SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR JUSTIFIES PRAYER LIMITS

A former member of the U.S. Supreme Court serving on an appeals court panel has justified a city's decision to ban prayers at council meetings that are "in Jesus name," calling it a "reasonable" restriction on a councilman's speech rights. The comments came this week as the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard a case handled by the Rutherford Institute on behalf of Rev. Hashmel Turner, a resident of Fredericksburg, Va., and a member of its town council, who was part of a rotation of council members who took turns bringing a prayer at the council meetings, and he ended his prayers "in Jesus name." An offended listener promptly brought several heavyweight activist groups into the picture with the threat of a lawsuit if the elected Christian council member wasn't censored. So the city adopted a policy requiring "nondenominational" prayers, effectively eliminating any reference to "Jesus."

John Whitehead, the founder and chief of the Rutherford Institute, told WND it's an issue of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, burdened with the politically correct atmosphere in the U.S. that appears to endorse or at least allow any sort of religious acknowledgement, except for Christians. He said the Fredericksburg case is one of the first to be battled through the courts and is being watched closely by city councils and state legislatures across the country.

Whitehead, president of the Charlottesville-based Rutherford Institute, said if necessary the case will be forwarded to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Because he wants to pray to a particular God, he's not being treated equally," he said. WND has reported several times on various religious leaders, including one high- profile Hindu from Arizona, who have been asked to say prayers at various state legislatures and in the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, leaders in the Senate specifically rejected permission for a Christian leader, former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, to do the same.

"The answer, as the Supreme Court has ruled in the past, is in the negative - the government simply cannot prescribe or proscribe the content of any 'official' prayer without violating the Establishment Clause, and it cannot discriminate against any person based on his or her religious viewpoint without violating that person's rights to free speech and free religious expression," he said. "There are some things in life that cannot be compromised," he continued. "For Hashmel Turner, his faith, his integrity and his civil liberties are three things worth fighting for." Read more. (WorldNetDaily)

· Pray for the salvation of those who refuse to allow the Name of "Jesus" to be uttered in the public square, for there is no name in heaven or upon earth by which we might be saveed. Praise the Lord for the stands of Rev. Turner and John Whitehead. Who is the ACLU to battle against the Lord? Enough is enough, and the line has been drawn in the sand.

· "Take heed to yourselves, that your hearts be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them." ( Deuteronomy 11: 16)

6. FILIBUSTERED JUDGES - STUCK IN SENATE COMMITTEE

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee continue to delay and obstruct the confirmation of President Bush's nominees to the Federal Bench and Executive agencies. Approximately 180 nominees have been kept waiting for confirmation, some for over two years. Such filibusters are not popular with voters and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) says the time for "playing nice" had passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Committee Republicans say a variety of parliamentary tactics are available: objecting to unanimous consent requests to allow committees to meet, prohibiting routine business on the Senate floor and denying quorums at Judiciary Committee meetings. (Family Research Council Prayer Targets)

· Father, help God-fearing men and women in Congress use their minds, voices and votes to do what they can, while they can. Forgive us for having had a chance to make change and not to have used it. Guide those in the Senate committee effectively to use the parliamentary tools they have to see good men and women confirmed to the courts and agencies.

· "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth;, hating covetousness; and place over them, to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundred, ruler of fifties and rulers of tens." (Exodus 18:21)

7. ORGANIZERS OF NAU TO MEET IN NEW ORLEANS THIS MONTH

STATEMENT BY MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECURITY AND PROPERITY PARTNERSHIP OF NORTH AMERICA

In preparation for our leaders' meeting in New Orleans on April 21-22, we, the ministers responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) met to review progress on the five priorities identified by leaders and to discuss cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA has been a tremendous success: trade and commerce among our countries have grown exponentially. Trilateral merchandise trade is approximately $900 billion in 2007, significantly contributing to economic growth and increased standards of living in all three countries.

The SPP builds on this dynamic relationship by providing Canada, Mexico and the United States a partnership to build a safer, more secure and economically dynamic North America, while respecting the sovereignty, laws, unique heritage, and culture of each country.

We reaffirm our commitment to the objectives of the SPP. We are convinced that greater cooperation and coordination will bring benefits to our countries. As we prepare for the next leaders` Summit in New Orleans, we will continue to work together to ensure progress. (www.commerce.gov) [Read more]

· Again, the intentions of the SPP sound so excellent and smooth that first glance gains our approval. However, the outcome is to blend the three nations into one, eliminating the sovereignity of each. Does the USA want to become part of Mexico or part of Canada, which is part of the commonwealth of the United Kingdom (Britain)? There are already means in place for the tracking of criminals and trade without becoming all one nation. Pray for the US officials who attend this upcoming summit in April that no aspect of America's nationhood will be jeopardized. There will be enormous pressure on them.

· "I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (Psalm 18:3)

8. CONDOLEEZZA RICE MEETS WITH BARAK, ABBAS THIS WEEK

"Israel is living up to its commitments and has demonstrated a willingness to make life easier for the Palestinian population-this in the hopes of moving ahead with the peace process begun in Annapolis, to which we are dedicated. Having said this, Israel's actions depend first and foremost on the need to defend its citizens," Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to tell US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice upon the latter's visit to the region the weekend of March 29-30.

Rice will arrive ahead of schedule for a round of high- profile meetings intended to inject energy into the peace process, which the United States fears is losing momentum. On March 30 the secretary will hold a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni and later join Barak and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a three- way meeting.(YNet News; Reported by Bridges for Peace; edited)

· Pray that the pressure from the Bush Administration will not cause the Israeli leaders to surrender their responsibility to defend their land and their biblical right to Eretz Yisrael.

· "So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:2-5)

9. PURIM TRAGEDY SPARKS WORLDWIDE PRAYER AND SUPPORT

[On] March 19, Ami Ortiz, the son of David Ortiz, an Israeli pastor came home to his Ariel home and opened a holiday package. After all, it was Purim and many people send gifts at this time of year. Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plan to annihilate them. In Hebrew, these holiday gifts are called "Mishlo'ach Manot." Like most brightly decorated packages at this time of year, Ami thought it was a gift. Instead it was a bomb.

The force of the blast was so strong; it shattered car windows three stories below the Ortiz apartment. The explosion tore at Ami's young 15-year-old frame. He suffered major injuries including second and third degree burns, shrapnel in one lung and wounds from head to toe. At first, doctors warned Ami's parents, David and Leah, that their youngest child of six might not survive. However, early Friday morning, he experienced what even the doctors called a "miracle" turnaround. However, he still has a long road to recovery.

Ami's father, David is well known to CBN News. We first met David about ten years ago when he spoke out on behalf of a Palestinian Christian who was being tortured by the Palestinian Authority for his new found faith in Jesus. David has spent years sharing his faith with many Palestinian Arabs, often at the risk of his own life. David is one of the most courageous men of God I have the privilege to know. He's had a death threat in the form of an Islamic religious edict pronounced against him and intimidating threats from ultra-religious Jews. Despite this, he continues to share his faith for "whomever will." At this time, I would encourage believers around the world to lift up David, his wife Leah, Ami and his entire family at this time.

Here are some specific prayer requests:
- Ami needs prayer for the full restoration of his body.
- Prayer for those responsible to be brought to justice.
- Prayer for the Ortiz family to be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord.
- Prayer that what the enemy meant for evil would be turned around for good.
(By Chris Mitchell, CBN News, March 25, 2008)

10. H.R. 185: TO SUPPORT JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN REFUGEES

On February 27, 2008, a unanimous bi-partisan decision insisted in a new United Nations Resolution that all international forums when referring to "refugees" make explicit reference to Jewish, Christian and minorities who all suffered human rights violations when ejected from Arab lands. Resolution HR 185 recognized 850,000 Jewish people in that refugee category.

On March 31, this Resolution will go to a full and final vote in the United States House of Representatives. The Resolution was spearheaded by Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-D) along with Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinan (FL-R), Representative Michael Ferguson (NJ-R) and Representative Joseph Crowley (NY-D). (Bridges for Peace) · Pray for passage of this bill . . . and signature into law.

· "For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns." (Isaiah 62:1)

11. VATICAN, SAUDIS DISCUSS FIRST CHURCH TO BE BUILT IN KINGDOM

The Vatican is negotiating with authorities in Saudi Arabia for permission to build the kingdom's first Roman Catholic church, according to sources in the Holy See. The move evidently heralds a major policy change towards the nearly one million Christians, mostly from the Philippines and India, in the unbending conservative Wahhabi kingdom. Vatican sources said the negotiations for a church to be built are based on the principle of reciprocity. Rome, the cradle of Catholicism, is also home to the largest mosque in Europe, built with Saudi money and opened in 1995. Christians living in Saudi are not allowed to observe their faith at all, and religious police there search homes for Bibles, any religious symbols, and any observances such as Christmas. (Washington Times) · Praise the Lord that a door into the Moslem country that spawned Osama bin Laden may be opening. You may remember that the Saudis did not want American soldiers during the Persian Gulf War to bring Bibles into their country. Perhaps American leaders can exercise reciprocity for building a Protestant church in Saudi Arabia also. All things are possible with the Holy Spirit. · "And Jesus, looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)

12. SAUDI KING TO ORGANIZE INTERFAITH CONFERENCE

INCLUDES JEWISH PARTICIPANTS

Saudi King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud announced [on] March 25 that he will organize a series of meetings involving representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths in an attempt to foster dialogue between adherents of the three main monotheistic faiths. The king announced that his goal in generating this interfaith dialogue is to attempt to prevent the rapid decline in morals and traditional family values rampant in society, and to restore loyalty and caring as guiding principles in our world.

The London-based Arab language publications Al- Hayat and al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Tuesday that the Saudi monarch had stated that humanity is currently facing a serious moral crisis. He also noted that he spoke to Pope Benedict XVI regarding these proposed interfaith meetings, and that "the pontiff greeted him at eye level as a fellow human being in a meeting that he will not soon forget."

Saudi clerics, revealed the king, were also enthusiastic regarding this interfaith conference. "With Allah's aid, we will meet our brethren of the Torah and the New Testament. Together we will prevent the decay of morality and family values in our society, and replace the contempt and hurtfulness omnipresent in our world with genuine human fealty." (YnetNews; Reported by: Bridges for Peace) · Pray for freedom of religion for Christians in Saudi Arabia, where owning a Bible is against the law.

· "The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open." (Isaiah 22:22)



This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .

STRONG TOWER (Meegdahl Oz)

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
(Prov. 18:10)

Lord, in times of distress, help me to run to You, O Strong Tower. You are my protection amid the storms of life. Thank You for Your sovereign protection and Your faithfulness.

(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)



A Call to Repentance: WEEK TWELVE - March 30, 2008

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS OF REPENTANCE
ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS OF REPENTANCE

1. Planned Parenthood of Idaho Apologizes for Targeting Black Babies

The nation's largest abortion provider has apologized for accepting racist donations. Read more. (Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)

2. Conservative Black Leaders Organize Project 21

Bishop Harry Jackson, founder of the High Impact Leadership Coalition and close friend to FRC is calling leaders in the African-American community to take action end the abortion holocaust that takes the lives of black babies in numbers widely disproportionate to other populations. Meanwhile, Project 21, a network of conservative black leaders, has eyed the success of civil rights movement in harnessing the power of the purse as a tool in their fight against social injustice, and is calling upon people of all races to boycott businesses that support Planned Parenthood, businesses most of which unwittingly support the targeting of black children for abortion. (Family Research Council)

3. Republican Lawmaker Proposes Amendment to Defund Planned Parenthood

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is proposing an amendment to the appropriations bill that funds the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood. "I just think it's wrong that the largest abortion provider in America is the largest recipient of non-abortion funding under Title X," Pence told Cybercast News Service. Read more. (CNSNews.com)

4. World's largest abortion provider losing ground in court

Kansas-based pro-life activist Troy Newman says Planned Parenthood will soon have its day in court, which he hopes will be the end for the world's largest abortion provider. On April 7-8, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid- Missouri (PPKM) will be in the Johnson County district court in Olathe, Kansas, to answer the first of a total of 107 charges, including 23 felony counts of falsifying records along with various other counts of performing illegal late-term abortions. Newman, president of Operation Rescue, thinks the long-fought battle against Planned Parenthood could finally be paying off. "Planned Parenthood's been on the ropes for a number of years. They've been caught lying, falsifying medical records, committing illegal late-term abortions, and even misreporting diagnoses to the state," Newman contends. According to Newman, if PPKM loses in court, it could be "the end of Planned Parenthood across the nation as we now know it." Read more. (American Family Association)

INTRODUCTION TO WEEK TWELVE

This week, we continue to press in during WEEK TWELVE of the 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to offer prayers of repentance for the sin in the church, the sin in the nation, and the blessing of Israel.

We now address these areas:

1. SIN IN THE CHURCH: SELF-PITY

2. SIN IN THE NATION:THE HISPANIC DIVIDE

3. THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: PRAYERS FOR RAIN


SIN IN THE CHURCH: SELF-PITY

REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

SELF-PITY


Let's now focus a little on self-pity, the "woe is me" attitude. This is a form of pride.

You may ask, "Where was God when I went through my particular problem?" He was in the same place when His son Jesus died on the cross for your sins. You may not want to be God's child but He always wants to be your Father.

I've heard it said, "Negative Christians are high maintenance, low impact . . . and positive Christians are low maintenance, high impact." Which one are we? We need to get our focus off of self and focus on Jesus. Learn from our past; don't live in it. Jesus delivered us of our sins. "All things have become new, old things are passed away . . ." (2 Cor. 5:17) if you've received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

I heard someone say, "Sorry looks behind; worry looks ahead; faith looks up." Self-pity and a feeling of hopelessness will destroy us. We need to be victorious in our thinking and actions.

(Source: Riding with the King in Unity, by Giles F. Mack, P.O. Box 1761, Branson, MO 65615, page 83)

"Father God, we repent for our own self-centered attitudes, and we ask You for the grace to look to You, daily, in all we do, think and say. Let our lives reflect YOU, and not ourselves.

We ask You to deliver us from the sin of self-pity, for we have SO MUCH to be grateful for -- starting with the new life we have received through Your own precious Shed Blood. Thank You for forgiving us our sins, and please teach us Your ways.

In Jesus' Name we pray, amen."


SINS OF THE NATION: THE HISPANIC DIVIDE

REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION:

THE HISPANIC DIVIDE


This is a difficult subject to label. It has a racist element, but it is much broader than the color division of white and black. Hispanic peoples are of all colors simply because of the nature of Spanish colonialism. It is not quite correct, therefore, to say there is a "white- Hispanic" division in the nation. More accurately, it is a division between those whose ancestors came from Spain, and those whose ancestors came from Great Britain.

The roots of this divide lie in rivalry between Spain and England over dominance of the New World. In schoolbooks we learn about the English-French rivalry that culminated in the French and Indian War, but there is little said about the much larger and longer contest between England and Spain. After 1783, that contest became one between the United States and Spain, and still later the nations that gained their independence from Spain.

This history has left a legacy of bitterness between Hispanic peoples and the dominant Anglo-American peoples of the United States. By so easily (or so it seemed) divesting Spain and Mexico of their lands, Anglo-Americans have come to view Mexicans and others of Hispanic heritage as incompetent and comical, and have thus perpetuated a tragic discrimination against peoples made in the image of Almighty God. On the other hand, American wealth, power, and prosperity have become things Hispanic peoples and nations envy and desire. Not seeing any other way to appropriate such wealth for themselves, many have resorted to taking it illegally by entering into this nation without permission, and some have sought to retake the lands lost by Mexico and establish a Hispanic republic. The result of this legacy is clear in the illegal immigrant issue before us today, and in the continued poverty of most Hispanic Americans.

(Submitted by: Lieutenant Colonel Al McCarn, U.S. Army.)

"Father God, we ask You to forgive us for our sins towards Hispanic peoples in our land, from the beginning of our time here together. Only You, Holy Father, can erase the grievances of the past, so that we might, indeed, serve You as ONE NATION under God.

We also come before Your Throne of Grace, and we ask You to forgive the leadership of groups like La Raza that are seeking to divide our land, and through the "Reconquista movement," place that soil under the sovereignty of Mexico.

We ask Your help and Your grace, that we might learn Your ways in building Your kingdom together on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' Name, amen."



THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: PRAYERS FOR RAIN


THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL:

PRAYERS FOR RAIN

Israel's current water situation is critical. We need a miraculous supply.

- Abba, although we do not deserve it - yet because of Your overflowing mercy, give us all the water that we need.

- We recall that Your Son declared that You "send rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). Therefore, we take courage in asking You for this.

- Lord, watch over this word: "You, O God, did send a plentiful rain, whereby You did confirm Your inheritance [Israel], when it was weary." (Psalms 68:9)

- God, in this week's prophetic portion (Ezekiel 36:16- 38), You promise to make this land like the garden of Eden (36:34-35). That requires water. Please provide all that Israel needs.


THE SONG OF THE WEEK
"LEAVE IT THERE"


Written in 1916 by Charles Tindley.

To read the lyrics and hear the tune for this wonderful old hym, go to this site.

To read the story of the life of Charles Tindley, go here


A Closing Thought . . .

REPENTANCE IS RARE

By A.W. Tozer

" There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10)

Humans, deceived by the devil and charmed by their own pride and abilities, deny that our world is a rebel province in God's universe. They deny that human society has willfully pulled loose from God's rule and the rest of God's domain.

In fact, they deny that men and women are the creation of God. They deny even that they owe any allegiance to God, their Creator!

The Bible is the record of how God deals with mankind and we can draw but one conclusion: all people are morally obligated to repent and to ask forgiveness of God. Failing to do so, they will perish.

How rare it is in our day to hear of genuine repentance, We live amid a proud, selfish and self-sufficient people, Even in our Christian churches there are those who want nothing more than to be known as "respectable church members!"

When repentance is real and faith is genuine, the atoning death of Jesus Christ is effective for pardon and forgiveness and regeneration.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

The Daily Brief Friday, March 28, 2008

" He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations - let not the rebellious rise up against him." (Psalm 66:7)

Today's Daily Brief

1. Congressman Says Capitol Police 'Screwed Up' Handling Truck Containing Bomb - CNSNews

The top Republican on the House panel that oversees the security of the Capitol says "there was obviously a screw up" in how U.S. Capitol Police handled the impoundment of a truck later found to contain a crude explosive device. Lawmakers "will hold the people accountable" for the apparent security flub, U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., said in a phone interview with FOX News Radio. Capitol police arrested Michael Gorbey near the Capitol in January and impounded his pickup truck after he was seen carrying a loaded shotgun. But The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the explosive device was stowed undetected in the truck for weeks on government property.

· Lord, we pray for the people who are in charge of taking care of strategic sites in our nation. May they have the mind of the Lord, and the wisdom to know what needs to be done so that we are not caught unawares. We pray for a hedge of protection around these sites, as well as around the borders of our country.

· "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." (Psalms 121:3, 4) "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." (Job 1:10)

2. UN Passes Islamic Resolution Against Defamation of Religion (Islam) - CNSNews

The U.N. Human Rights Council, which is dominated by Arab and other Muslim countries, adopted a resolution on Thursday urging governments to prohibit the defamation of religions, the Washington Post reported. The resolution is clearly intended as a defense of Islam. · We pray, Lord, that this resolution will be one that protects all religions and it will not be used against Jews or Christians. We pray for the U.N. to be an association of nations that will stand up for what is right.· And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, "If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment." (1 Chronicles 12:17)

3. World Council of Churches backs dialogue with Islam - Reuters

The World Council of Churches, which groups the main non-Catholic Christian churches, urged its members on Wednesday to open a dialogue with Muslim scholars seeking inter-faith cooperation to promote justice and peace. The Geneva-based WCC said it wanted to organize discussions on theology and ethics with signatories of A Common Word, a call for Christian-Muslim dialogue issued by 138 Islamic scholars last October and welcomed by many Christian churches.

· Lord, You said we must not mix with foreign gods, and yet, we are drawing closer to those abominations that You cautioned us against! Keep our hearts pure and our focus powerfully on You. Let us neither go to the right nor left! But follow You in obedience and tenacity! Keep other nations also focused and faithful to You, Lord!

· You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)

4. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey to Become Central Command Chief - AP

One of the Army's most Iraq-savvy generals is taking charge, at least temporarily, of arguably the most important command in the U.S. military, with responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

· Father God, we lift up General Dempsey in prayer, asking that You grant him the same vision in leadership in this war as those who have gone before him. We ask for a smooth transition for our troops who are on the ground in Iraq, and for their continued protection and safety. We ask, too, for peace to prevail in Iraq, instead of violence, so that our men and women in uniform may return home. And Lord, we ask for the continued assistance and support of other nations as we fight the war on terror both in Iraq and across the globe. In Jesus' Name, amen.

· 'If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them . . . I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land." (Leviticus 26:3, 6)

5. Tibetan Protesters Scale Walls of U.N. Compound in Nepal - AP

A group of about 20 protesting Tibetan exiles scaled the walls of the United Nations compound in Katmandu on Friday, while about 100 others protested outside. Nepal has been under criticism for not allowing the Tibetans to peacefully protest a crackdown on Tibetans in neighboring China. Nepal's border with China in the Himalayas is a key route for Tibetans fleeing Chinese rule in the region.

· We pray Lord, that You will bring a new breathe of life and freedom to Tibet. We pray that China will feel the pressure of the other nations to let up on the Tibetan people and give them their freedom. We pray that the leaders of China will see that it is even to their benefit to be good to them, too. Let the gospel spread rapidly in this nation.

· " The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined . . . For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian." (Isaiah 9:2, 4)

6. Superbug MRSA Spreading Fast - The Globe Mail

A staggering 29,000 Canadian hospital patients acquired the superbug MRSA in a one-year period, including an estimated 2,300 whose deaths were partly attributed to the pernicious bacteria, federal figures released today show.

· Heavenly Father, You are our shield and our protection - a mighty fortress which we can run to. Save us from these plagues that are afflicting the people! Give the people a heart to follow You passionately and faithfully! In critical times like we are in now, we need to have a heart of purity and passion toward You!

· And when the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "It is enough; now restrain your hand" . . . And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel . (2 Samuel: 16, 25)

7. Bush, Putin to discuss Cold War treaties next month - AFPUS

President George W. Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will discuss Cold War arms treaties and missile defence at a meeting in April, Interfax news agency reported Thursday.

· Please pray for safety for President Bush throughout his trip next week, as he departs Sunday for visits to Ukraine,Romania, Croatia and Russia. Pray that our president finds favor in every nation he visits, and that God's perfect will shall be done and accomplished as a result.

· "He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:10)


The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:"If it had not been LORD who was on our side - now may Israel say - if it had not been LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us." (Psalm 124:1-3)

1. Ben-Eliezer confirms Israel trying to bring Syria back to negotiating table - Ynet News

An Israeli Cabinet minister confirmed on Friday that Israel was trying to bring Syria back to the negotiating table.

2. Barak fears Hamas W. Bank takeover - Jerusalem Post

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned the United States that gestures Israel is making to the Palestinians - including approving the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of weapons and armored vehicles, and allowing the deployment of PA policemen in West Bank cities - could ultimately backfire because Hamas could come to power in the West Bank and be better equipped to turn on Israel.

3. Hamas smuggles Iranian blueprints into Strip for Qassam upgrades - Ha'aretz

Hamas militants who recently returned to the Gaza Strip after training in Iran have a detailed plan for upgrading the capabilities of the rockets being developed in the Strip, according to senior Palestinian Authority sources.

4. Arab foreign ministers re-endorse Saudi peace plan - ICEJ News

A meeting of Arab foreign ministers held on Thursday to prepare for this weekend's Arab League summit decided to re-endorse the 2002 Saudi peace initiative, which offers Israel broad diplomatic recognition in exchange for a full withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders and a "just solution" to the Palestinian refugee problem. The proposal was ratified despite heavy lobbying by some Arab elements to rescind the initiative.

5. Jordan, Iraq, Yemen to skip Arab summit - Jerusalem Post

Jordan, Iraq and Yemen announced at the last minute Friday that their top leaders will not attend this weekend's Arab summit in Damascus, highlighting the deep rifts among Arab countries that have undermined the gathering.

6. Israel enraged over new UNHRC appointment - ICEJ News

American Jewish professor compared Israel to Nazis Known for likening Israel to the Nazis, American Jewish law professor Richard A. Falk was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday to six-year term as the body's primary investigator of Israeli human rights abuses in the "occupied territories."


Prayers for the Persecuted Church

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." (Psalm 66:19)

1. India: Hindu Extremists Assault Christian Family - Worthy News

Hindu extremists in a village in Madhya Pradesh who have harassed and threatened local Christians beat the grandparents and aunt of a 15-year-old girl last weekend when the Christian family refused to allow the group to rape her.

2. Egypt: Ex-Muslims Blocked from Declaring Conversion - Worthy News

Christian-born converts to Islam in Egypt wishing to return to their former faith have found their way blocked by an appeal before the country's Supreme Constitutional Court.

3. Sri Lanka: Attacks on Bible School Continue - Worthy News

A Provincial Council member brandishing a gun assaulted a security guard at a Bible college in Lunuwila, Puttlam district two weeks after an attack on 10 of the institution's students seriously injured two of them.


A Prayer for our Economy

Wave of Foreclosures Drives Prices Lower, Lures Buyers

(Source: Wall Street Journal)

A glut of foreclosed homes of historic proportions is starting to drive down U.S. home prices faster as lenders put more properties on the market and buyers show signs of interest. The median price dropped 8.2% from a year earlier to $195,900, the biggest drop recorded by the Realtors in the current slump. In some beaten-down markets, the price cuts have been stark. The Detroit Board of Realtors recently found that home sales in the city (excluding suburbs) in the first two months of this year jumped 48% from a year earlier, to 1,540. The average home price there sank 54% to about $22,000.

A Prayer for our economy:

How much longer, Lord, will America suffer due to its indifference to You? Our nation's leadership continues to divide Israel, the Apple of Your Eye. False religions are gaining strongholds in every area of our country, such as Islam in cities like Detroit, Michigan. We ask Lord, for Your divine intervention to give truth and wisdom to our national leadership to read their Bible so that they will know that You curse those who curse You. We ask Lord, that You will show them through Your Word that You will have no other Gods before You. Reveal plainly to them that You cannot bless a nation that does not honor You. Show them that with Your help and their repentance, America's economy and her cities that are reeling from foreclosures can begin to recover and show the love of Your Son, Jesus Christ to those lost without Him. May what looks like a setback to man be a boon for the spread of Your Gospel!

· "When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies." (Numbers 10:9 NKJV)


Truckers Threaten Strike Over Fuel Prices

Truckers 'going broke' and threatening to strikeApril 1st is the target date for the stoppage
(Source: Quad City Times; Davenport, Iowa)

What started as a small, online grassroots effort now appears to have the potential for something bigger. Dan Little, the owner/operator of a livestock hauling company in Carrollton, Mo., estimated Tuesday that at least 1,000 other truckers from across the United States have committed so far to joining him in a strike on April 1.At issue is the rising cost of diesel fuel, which has reached or exceeded $4 per gallon in at least 17 states. But Little does not expect his strike to bring down the per-gallon price of gas, nor does he expect to have any effect on the oil companies. "What I would personally like to see is our federal and state governments, until our economy recovers, suspend federal and state fuel taxes," the 49-year-old said. "The second thing I'd like to see is an oversight committee for truck insurance, which is part of what's taking us down.

Personal Note:

During Easter/Resurrection weekend, my husband and I drove to Ohio for a funeral. On the way, we met a wonderful man of God who, with his family, serves as a chaplain to truckers in Breezewood, PA. Reverend Maxwell spoke quietly about how hard these times are now on the truckers, and that "many of these men have had to simply park their trucks and walk away."

· Please join us in interceding not only for the truckers, but also for all of us who own cars now in our nation. Ask God to make a way where there seemeth to be no way for relief to come at the gas pumps. Praise God! HIS "oil" trumps man's oil -- every time -- and His supply never runs out!

· "With God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)


Moslems Buying Influence in Congress

Islamists Buying Anti-American Influence

In Congress

The latest revelation that a former Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) official has been indicted for arranging a trip supportive of Saddam Hussein for three Democratic Congressmen in October 2002 is an indication of just how far and deep the Islamic covert operations have penetrated the United States. This indictment of Muthanna al Hanooti for arranging and paying for a trip by the congressmen to Hussein's Iraq in exchange for some two million barrels of oil is just yet another CAIR or former CAIR official being brought up on terror-related charges. But the indictment speaks volumes about the three congressmen who were not named in the indictment and how Islam has found allies in Congress.

Congressmen Jim McDermott of Washington, David Bonior of Michigan and Mike Thompson of California were not named in the indictment and are saying that they had no idea that the propaganda trip was funded by Hussein's Iraq Intelligence operation. Irrespective, these congressmen served as mouthpieces for the Hussein propaganda machine while they were in Baghdad prior to the U.S. invasion. McDermott, being interviewd from Baghdad by George Stephanopolis, said he believed that Bush was misleading the American people about Iraq and that Saddam Hussein should be taken at his word.

At the time, commentator George Will remarked "Why Saddam Hussein doesn't pay commercial time for that advertisement for his policy, I do not know." As it turns out, apparently Hussein did pay for it. And these congressmen can claim all day long that they didn't know that Hussein bought and paid for their views to be heard around the world, which they will. Americans may never know the truth from these elected officials. What Americans do know is that Islamic factions in the United States are using money to buy influence and public propaganda from U.S. Congressmen who allow themselves to be used because of their anti- American sympathies.

Just how far and deep CAIR and other Islamic front groups have penetrated the American government is not currently known, but this is just one example of how sympathetic elected officials are used to exploit the citizens who elected them. Americans need to wake up and scrutinize their candidates before they elect them. And they should not be reelected when these evils are revealed. McDermott and others have worked against the nation and Christians in Congress by supporting anti-Christian and pro-abortion, pro- homosexual legislation. And now it is revealed they are mouthpieces paid for by Islam. Proverbs 27:6 says, "The kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Indeed, especially when the enemy is within.

Bill Wilson

Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com



URGENT! Zimbabwe Holds Elections Tomorrow!

Urgent Prayer Request for Zimbabwe Elections:
Saturday, 29 March 2008

Issued by: Jericho Walls / Tansformation Africa / Global Day of Prayer / International Prayer Council

Most of us know about the serious situation in Zimbabwe and the suffering of its people. We as Christians around the world need to stand before God's throne to pray for grace and mercy for that nation. It is clear that only a divine intervention can bring change in that nation.

Let us pray with hope and faith when we pray - "It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Heb.11:6)

Please let us not under estimate the situation in Zimbabwe. There is a very real potential that violence can break out and that will cause much bloodshed.

There is ample evidence from history that God changed nations in answer to prayer. We have seen this in Kenya recently, in South Africa in 1994, then in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Hungary, Sudan and many others.

· Let us pray for every form of corruption and tampering with the votes to be exposed.

· Let us pray for God's peace to reign in the nation from now untill the elections on Sunday and also afterwards.

· Pray that God will fulfil his purposes with that nation.

· Pray that the church in Zimbabwe will take their place before the throne of grace and that God will help them at His right time.

· Pray for economic and social restoration of the whole country.

· Pray for the church to move forward in unity and much wisdom and that they will understand their times and know what to do.

· In 1 Tim.2:1-4 we are taught that we must pray for governments and all in positions of authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and it pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

The Daily Brief Thursday, March 27, 2008

" He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations - let not the rebellious rise up against him." (Psalm 66:7)

Today's Daily Brief
1. Michigan man Accused of Helping Saddam Pre-war Visit to Iraq by U.S. Lawmakers - Fox news

Muthanna Al-Hanooti was given an offer that federal prosecutors say he couldn't refuse: Set up a trip for U.S. lawmakers to pre-war Iraq and earn 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil in return. An indictment unsealed Wednesday in Detroit accuses Al-Hanooti, a member of a Michigan nonprofit group, of making those arrangements in 2002 at the behest of Saddam Hussein's regime. The deal allegedly was financed by Iraqi intelligence officials through an intermediary.

· Lord, we ask that You continue to reveal all corruption within our nation. Forgive us, and grant us mercy according to Your lovingkindness.

·"How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults." (Psalm 19:12 NLT)

2. Iraqi Prime Minister Issues 3-Day Deadline for Al-Sadr Militia in Basra to Surrender Arms - AP

Shiite militiamen loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been given three days to surrender their weapons and sign a pledge renouncing violence.

· Father, we ask that You move upon the hearts of the militia who follow Al-Sadr to lay down their arms and work for peace.

·"And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke the strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Micah 4:3)

3. UN Rights Council Blasted for 'Bias and Hypocrisy' - CNSNews.com

More anti-Israel moves from the United Nations' Human Rights Council. It has elected a special adviser who sympathizes with the Castro and Mugabe regimes and criticizes the United States and Israel. Also on Wednesday, the council appointed an American academic strongly critical of Israel to a post dealing with Israel's conduct in the Palestinian territories.

· Lord, as the UN grows farther away from You, it becomes more allied with evil. We praise Your Holy Name and thank You that You hear our cries for protection over Israel and all Your people wherever they may be.

· "O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will respond instantly to the sound of your cries." (Isaiah 30:19 NLT)

4. Uranium Seized from FARC Guerillas - Reuters

Colombia said it seized at least 30kg of uranium from the country's biggest left-wing rebel group, the first time radioactive material has been linked to the four-decade-old guerrilla war.

· Lord, we thank You for uncovering this plot.

·"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises up against you in judgment you shall condemn." (Isaiah 54:17a NKJV)

5. Virginia Police Hunt for Snipers in Motorist Shootings Along Interstate 64- Fox News

Virginia State Police were hunting Thursday for multiple gunmen suspected of shooting at motorists at three different locations along busy Interstate 64. A 20-mile section of the major highway was reopened after being closed overnight and into the early morning hours while officers pursued what they believe are multiple gunmen.

· Lord, we ask that You would catch these snipers quickly, and that You will protect the motorists who must travel the I64 corridor.

·"The Lord is known by the judgment which He executeth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands." (Psalm 9:16)

6. Chrisitan Faith in America: A. Wisconsin Parents Didn't Expect Child to Die During Prayer - Fox News

The mother of an 11-year-old girl who died of untreated diabetes said Wednesday that she did not know her daughter was terminally ill as she prayed for her to get better.B. Police Call Church Music 'Disorderly'- CNSNews.com A Michigan church filed a federal lawsuit after police officers, led by a local prosecutor, entered the sanctuary at least twice without a warrant, alledging the church's music was too loud.

· Father, we see these headlines and realize the right to express our faith continues to come under fire. We ask for comfort for the parents of the girl at this tragic time, and bring Your forgiveness and grace to them. We pray for the church in Michigan and the community around them, that You grant peace and Your favor in this situation. Enlarge the area of ministry for this church. We pray they will be a shining light to their community.

·"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." (Psalm 91:11)

7. U. of Miami: Islamic call to prayer broadcast from clock tower- Alliance Defense Fund

Muslims students at the University of Miami have organized for the Islamic call to prayer, broadcasted each Friday afternoon this month from Richter Library's clock tower in commemoration of Islamic Awareness Month. The call to prayer, or Adhan, is spoken in Arabic and is meant to resonate throughout the area.

· Pray for a revival to break out among university students across the nation -- that they be drawn to hear and receive the Gospel and not all prey to the wiles of the enemy.

· "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

8. 9th Circuit upholds Wash. Ten Commandments display - Alliance Defense Fund

SEATTLE - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Wednesday that a six-foot granite monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments in the city of Everett does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Alliance Defense Fund funded a friend-of-the-court brief filed by Steve Fitschen of the National Legal Foundation. "Americans shouldn't be forced to abandon their religious heritage simply to appease someone's political agenda," said ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy. "The Ten Commandments should not be attacked just because someone might be offended by them. If someone is offended by the idea that religion is important to our society, then that person believes the opposite of what the authors of the Constitution believed."

· Offer praise for this breakthrough and continue in intercession over the many court cases in America that impact our freedom to display the Ten Commandments in the public square.

· "My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands." (Proverbs 3:1)


The Middle East in Focus

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

"If it had not been LORD who was on our side - now may Israel say - if it had not been LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us." (Psalm 124:1-3)

1. Israel Gives PA Forces Armored Vehicles - CBN News

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced a transfer of armored vehicles and "equipment" to Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces Wednesday.

2. IDF: Islamic Jihad producing Grad-like rockets - Ynet News

The Islamic Jihad terror group has recently began manufacturing rockets capable of reaching a 12.5-mile range, similar to the Grad rockets already in use by terror organizations in Gaza.

3. Olmert: Israel will continue to build in existing settlements - Ynet News

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged Wednesday to continue with peace talks with the Palestinian Authority until an agreement is achieved, while ruling out talks with Hamas, threatening instead to confront the Islamists with ''very painful'' methods.

4. Israel: Hezbollah Increases Rocket Range - ABC News

With Iranian backing, Hezbollah guerrillas have dramatically increased their rocket range and can now threaten most of Israel, senior Israeli defense officials said.


Court to reconsider home-school ruling

A state appeals court will reconsider last month's controversial decision that said parents who home- school their children must have a teaching credential.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles granted a rehearing Tuesday, essentially voiding the 3- 0 decision until it rules again. The decision will now allow home-schooling organizations that had blasted the decision to weigh in.

"Wow!" said Diane Flynn Keith of Redwood City, who edits Homefires, an online home-schooling journal. "I think the judge recognized that he hadn't done his homework."

The case centered on a Southern California couple, Phillip and Mary Long of Lynwood, who home- schooled their eight children through the Sunland Christian School in Sylmar. The family came to the attention of Los Angeles County social workers when one of the children claimed the father was physically abusive. The workers learned that all eight children in the family were home-schooled, and an attorney representing the two youngest children asked the juvenile dependency court to order that they be enrolled in public or private school as a way to protect their well-being.

Ruling that the parents had no right to home-school their children because they weren't credentialed as teachers by the state, Justice H. Walter Croskey pointed to a similar 1953 appellate court decision.

The Longs are being represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, which released a statement saying that Tuesday's decision was a hopeful sign.

"Home-schooling parents should be treated as heroes - not hunted down or harassed by their own government," said Brad Dacus, president of the institute.

The Feb. 28 ruling was also denounced by state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell, who said that traditional public schools may not be the best fit for every student. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also attacked it, saying "this outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts." (Mercury News)

Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the court's decision to rehear the case is a welcomed sign.

"Handing down broad opinions with widespread impact without hearing from the very people and organizations affected is a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what happened here," he said. "The court's decision, which has now been vacated, trampled on fundamental parental rights that have been recognized in numerous Supreme Court decisions.

"With a new opportunity for all affected parties to be heard, this court now has the time to take a more thorough look at the issue and get it right."

Michael Farris, co-founder and chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association, said California courts tend to have an effect on courts around the U.S. About 20 percent of the nation's home-schoolers live in California, he said.(Focus on the Family; CitizenLink)


Fox Refuses to Pay Indecency Fine

Fox Broadcasting is refusing to pay a fine over an indecent reality TV show. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) originally fined the network $1.2 million; it later reduced it to $91,000.

"There's some real hubris here," said Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media & sexuality at Focus on the Family Action. "These networks do not care what America's standards for decency are."

In a separate case, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have sued the FCC. The case is before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"What they want to do, is do away with any rules," said Dan Isett, director of Corporate and Government Affairs at the Parents Television Council. "They want the ability, the 'right,' to air indecent programming, in front of every child in America."

Weiss said broadcast television can legally air some pretty raunchy material - after 10 p.m.

"They're choosing to do it during prime time, when millions of kids are in the audience," he said, "and they're doing it because they think they can make more money that way."

TAKE ACTION

Ask Fox to pay the FCC fines it owes and clean up its programming. You can find contact information through our Action Center.


Surgeon: "What you have is a Miracle"

Terror Attack Wounds 15 year old son of Messianic believers in Ariel, Israel
Surgeon: "What you have is a Miracle"

Young Messianic Overcoming Wounds from Attack

(Please pray for this dear born again ( Messianic) Jewish boy, Ami. He suffered a direct bomb blast 7 days ago. His father,David, is a Messianic pastor in the town of Ariel in ancient Samaria (West Bank) in Israel. God is working through all this. The doctors are seeing and admitting to miracle after miracle! )

Without meeting David and Leah Ortiz, you already suspect that they are special people. They live in Ariel, which is across the green line well into the West Bank. Most settlements are filled with religious Jews, most of which are kind, decent people who simply believe that the Word of God promises ancient Judea to the Jewish people. However, there is a minority who, possessed by misguided religious zeal, can become quite violent against those Jews who have embraced Yeshua. This is the Ortiz's home.

In Ariel they lead a small Messianic congregation and they also have an outreach to Palestinians. Being Jewish, I can't think of a more dangerous mission- reaching Jewish and Arabs in an area of the world that is infamous for violence (mostly against Jews by terrorists).

Having met them, you know they are special people. I had that pleasure this morning at Schneider Children's Hospital in Petah Tikvah. Just a few days ago religious zealots, whether Jewish or Muslim is still unknown as they had enemies from both camps, sent a Mishloach Manot (during Purim it is customary to send people little care packages) to the Ortiz family home. Their young son Ami opened the package which then exploded, sending shrapnel into his body and causing significant damage to their home and it even caused windows in cars to shatter. That he lived in and of itself is a miracle.

The Latest

After meeting David this morning he shared with me something that I think he would want you to know. At 2 A.M. this morning the doctor gave him and his wife a very disturbing report that included news that they may need to amputate some of his limbs. A few hours later that same doctor, an expert in treating victims of bombings (unfortunately, in Israel he gets too much practice), told David, "I want to choose my words wisely here. I am an expert in treating these wounds. What you have here is a miracle," speaking of the improvement that the youngster made in those few hours.

Leah shared with us that at one point when she was feeling overwhelmed she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see who was seeking to comfort her and there was no one there.

Please continue to pray for Ami, that he will make a full recovery. He has wounds all over his body and burns to his neck and chest I believe. They plan to keep him sedated a few more days before waking him up.

As we left the hospital David told me that he knows God has a plan. "At first I was overcome with despair. I felt darkness. But then the Lord spoke to me, 'David, I have a plan.'" Let's agree for the Lord's plan to come to pass. (Reported by: Ron Cantor)

This is the first time that an attack of this severity against believers has happened in modern Israel. Riots, firebombing of congregational buildings, physical attacks against individuals - all of these have happened in the past, though Israel's media have often refused to report on these instances, or have downplayed any significance to these events. In Ami's case, all the major newspapers and TV stations are reporting in greater detail on these events, with a much greater degree of sympathy.

One of our neighbors called us up this morning and expressed her sympathies, her appreciation for Messianic Jews, and her horror at the possibility that Jews could do such things to fellow Jews.

This bombing has resulted in an outpouring of love from Messianic believers from all over the country who have been rallying to stand with the Ortiz family.

-- Pray that the perpetrators will be found and arrested.
-- Pray that Ami and his whole family will be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord.
-- Pray for the Messianic community in the city of Ariel to be strengthened and emboldened at this very challenging time.
-- Pray that the testimony of Yeshua will appear clearly on a local, national and international level as a result of this attack. (Reported by: Avner Boskey)

· Please pray that G-D would miraculously heal this 15-year-old boy as a sign and a wonder to all that G-D is with him.

· "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!" (Psalm 107:14,15)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Daily Brief - Wednesday - March 26, 2008

" He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations - let not the rebellious rise up against him." (Psalm 66:7)


Today's Daily Brief

1. Large Derivative Dangers Threaten Global Markets - CBN News

Add up the gross domestic product for all the world and it comes to about $50 trillion. And now there's wild trading going on between investors in something called "derivatives" that adds up to more than $700 trillion. The Federal Reserve and other officials, are worried this massive trade in derivatives is so big and in some cases, possibly so dangerous, it could threaten the world's markets and your pocketbook.Phil Kerpen, a policy analyst at Americans for Prosperity, a group promoting free markets, said that if you go back a few centuries, you'll find the origin of derivatives was innocent enough: farmers wanting to protect the price for their crops. The contract itself was the "derivative" because it was derived from something else: the crops and the agreed-upon price for them. Over time, the derivatives market exploded, from simple futures contracts for farmers to buying heating oil. So derivatives aren't actually assets, but deals made about assets. And in many cases, they're just bets.·

Whew! Only You God would understand and give us "heads up" knowledge concerning such an involved way of investing that could threaten the entire world's economy. May those who deal in derivatives come to see Your law of weights and measures and not bet on future profits before they are available and in the bank for payment. Lord, may we as a nation be saved from greed and learn to rely on You, the God who owns everything.·

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."(Prov 3: 5-6)

2. Government Benefit Programs In Trouble - ABC News

Trustees for the government's two biggest benefit programs warned that Social Security and Medicare are facing "enormous challenges" with the threat to Medicare's solvency far more severe. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, one of the trustees, warned of a fiscal train wreck unless something is done.In their once-a-year analysis, the trustees said the resources in the Social Security trust fund will be depleted by 2041. The reserves in the Medicare trust fund that pays hospital benefits were projected to be wiped out by 2019. Both programs are expected to come under increasing pressure as 78 million baby boomers start retiring and drawing benefits.·

Gracious Lord, You have taught us wisely to number our days. May we do that and walk ever more closely with You, praying for our government officials and asking that they will seek Your guidance and make wise decisions regarding our retirement benefits that we have paid into over the years.

Please, may our youth inherit a positive and not a negative economic and retirement benefit situation, one in which they will prosper, too, like you have allowed us to do; and not perish.· "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

3. Big Chunk Of Antarctic Ice Shelf Falling Apart - AFP

Antarctica's massive Wilkins Ice Shelf has begun disintegrating under the effects of global warming, satellite images by the University of Colorado's National Snow and Ice Data Center showed. The Wilkins Ice Shelf is a broad plate of permanent floating ice 1,609 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of South America, on the Southwest Antarctic Peninsula.Ultimately, ice shelf breakup in the Antarctic -- more than 13,000 square kilometers (5,000 square miles) have been lost over the past 50 years -- could significantly increase ocean levels around the world.

According to some calculations based on the present sea level rise of three millimeters per year (0.11 inches), ocean levels could rise by 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) by the end of the century.

· Dear Lord, You knew that this melting of ice shelves would happen when You created the world. May man, and especially scientists, realize that You hold all of the earth's future in Your hands. May all people turn to You for truth if afraid of global warming stories like this. May global warming, if true, be used as a tool by the scientific community and not as a fear tactic to sway people to a politically correct way of thinking.

· The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." (Nahum 1: 7 NKJV)

4. Obama Pastor's Houston, Tampa Appearances Canceled for Security Reasons - Fox News and Associated Press

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. - the former pastor of the church Barack Obama has attended for 20 years - has canceled scheduled appearances in Houston and Tampa, Fla., citing security issues. The Rev. Marcus Cosby, pastor at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, told Houston television station KTRK and the Houston Chronicle that safety concerns had prompted Wright's decision. Wright was scheduled to give three sermons there on Sunday.

Cosby told the Chronicle that Wright cited three reasons for canceling: "the safety of the institution to which he has been invited; the safety of his family, which has been placed in harm's way; and for his own safety."Wright also had been expected to speak at the Bible- Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace, Fla., near Tampa, for three nights starting Tuesday evening. Rev. Earl Mason, senior pastor at the church, said he canceled Wright's appearance because the local sheriff's office would not agree to provide the necessary security without charging the church extra, and that he had concerns about escorting Wright and maintaining crowd control.

· Praise the Lord, for He is stopping Rev. Wright's appearances that feature hate speech against America! He is shutting the mouths of the "lions" who oppose His ways and further bind our nation into deception favoring the evil one and his spirits.

We thank You Lord that Your Spirit is speaking and that OUR REPENTANCE and OUR FORGIVENESS of those who are walking in error and who are still bound by sin are releasing a GRACE to bring about the RESTORATION of SANITY in our land. We pray, too, for safety and protection for Rev. Wright, even as we intercede for him to come to the fullness of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in his life.

· May we have the faith of Daniel and continue to pray for the salvation of apostates so that they will have their mouths shut just like the real lions that could have ended his life.

"Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.'" (Daniel 6: 21-22 NKJV)

5. No Secret Service Protection for This Old Warrior - CNSNews.com

Sen. John McCain is the only major candidate who is not guarded by a Secret Service detail, the Arizona Republic reported.

· Pray that this situation is corrected quickly. All presidential candidates and their families should be receiving Secret Service protection!· "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)


The Middle East in Focus

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

"If it had not been LORD who was on our side - now may Israel say - if it had not been LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us." (Psalm 124:1-3)

1. Gov't sources: Russia set on Mideast parley - Jerusalem Post

Russia is determined to go ahead with an international Middle East conference in Moscow in June whether Israel likes it or not, government sources told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, summing up Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit here last week.

2. U.S. road map monitors: PA failing in fight against terror - Ha'aretz

The American officers responsible for monitoring Israeli and Palestinian compliance with the road map peace plan recently criticized the Palestinian Authority's counterterrorism efforts.

3. Messianics: Attack on boy one of many - Jerusalem Post

Members of the Messianic community in Israel said Monday that while the near-fatal attack last week on 15-year-old Ami Ortiz of Ariel marks a major escalation, it comes after years of anti-missionary violence directed at the community by both Jews and Muslims.

4. Cheney wraps up Mideast peace push - AFPUS

Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday wrapped up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories aimed at energizing the faltering Middle East peace talks.

5. U.S. anti-rocket system fails test to protect Israel - World Tribune

Israel has concluded that a U.S. laser system would not serve as an interim defense solution for the frequent rocket and missile attacks it has sustained.

6. Israel's chief rabbi in favour of Saudi's proposal for inter-faith talks - EJP

Rabbi Metzger said he is in favour of the proposal made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to organize a conference of Jews, Christians and Muslims.


Pray for the Persecuted Church

Prayers for the Persecuted Church This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." (Psalm 66:19)

1. CALIFORNIA: Rally at Capitol speaks for Hmong lost in Laos - Sacramento Bee

The tear-stained struggle to save several thousand Hmong hiding in the Lao jungles and another 8,000 Hmong refugees in Thailand returned to the State Capitol on Monday morning. Hundreds of Northern California Hmong, along with Vietnam veterans and state legislators, rallied around 71 white wooden crosses, each representing the soul of a Hmong who died this year in Laos.The Lao government has repeatedly denied that Hmong are being hunted, persecuted or killed, and the U.S. State Department has been unable to confirm the 71 deaths.

2. MALAYSIA: Malaysian Christians Face Threats, Worries - CBN

Malaysia bills itself as a moderate Islamic country, but today powerful forces are trying to turn it into a fundamentalist Islamic state. This has Malaysian Christians worried about the future of religious freedom.

They forced me to renounce Christ but I said no way!" said Daniel, a Christian convert. Daniel is a young Malaysian who has lived a secret and sometimes dangerous life. "I've been threatened with death so many times by radical Muslims, but by the grace of God I'm still alive," he explained. "We want people around the world to pray for us," Daniel said. "We want people to speak out on our behalf so that we can have the freedom to practice our faith."

3. QATAR: The invisible church prays for a quiet Easter in the emirate of Qatar - International Christian Concern

Qatar's first Christian church has no cross, no bell and no steeple. And when thousands of worshippers gather at Our Lady of the Rosary to mark Easter, they pray no one will notice. "The idea is to be discreet because we don't want to inflame any sensitivities. There isn't even a signboard outside the church. No signs at all," said Rev. Tom Veneracion.