Friday, January 29, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - January 29, 2010

In This Issue
• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Health Care Update
• Obama v. DOMA
• The Daily Jot
• Infrastructure Faces Hackers
• Terror Trial Moved out of NYC
• Update: Rifqa Bary
• The Good News Corner

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

The Daily Brief - Friday, January 29, 2010

In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)

Today's Daily Brief

1. Jury convicts abortion doctor's killer - UPI

A jury in Wichita, Kan., deliberated for 37 minutes Friday before convicting the anti-abortion activist who admitted killing Dr. George Tiller. Scott Roeder, 51, faces life in prison for first-degree murder, The Kansas City Star reported. Prosecutors said they will ask for a "hard 50," meaning 50 years in prison with no parole, at his March 9 sentencing. Tiller, whose Wichita clinic was one of the few in the country offering third-trimester abortions, was gunned down last year as he served as an usher at Reformation Lutheran Church. Roeder testified Thursday he has no regrets about the killing, saying he thought it was the only way to save babies.

- We pray that we will be driven to our knees to pray to end the horror of abortion and that we will trust You to punish those who have blood on their hands. May we meet violence with love and the gospel instead of more violence.

- Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You. " (2 Chronicles 14:11)

2. House Web sites hacked, leading to call for review Washington Post

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) asked for an immediate review of how hackers were able to overtake 49 Web sites operated by House members or House committees after President Obama's State of the Union address.

- Lord, give wisdom to those who are protecting web- sites from attacks. May the hackers be kept from gaining any information that would be a danger to innocents.

- He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. (Psalm 10:9)

3. Hawaii kills same-sex civil unions bill - AP

Hawaii lawmakers declined to vote Friday on a bill that would have allowed same-sex civil unions, effectively killing the measure. The state House of Representatives decided to indefinitely postpone a decision on whether to grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples. The state Senate had approved a civil unions bill last week. But House leadership wavered on pushing the controversial issue. Last year, 33 of 51 House members voted in favor of civil unions.

- Thank You for this victory. We pray that the wall for marriage will stand strong and that the faithful will not grow weary of this fight.

- Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)

4. US announces $6bn arms sales to Taiwan UK Telegraph

President Barack Obama's administration has confirmed that it will approve a $6 billion (£3.4 billion) arm sales package to Taiwan in a move bound to add to tensions with Beijing.

- May this administration support nations that allow religious freedom even in the face of intimidation by large countries. Thank You that Taiwan is being able to protect itself from the threat from China.

- The LORD sustains all who fall And raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)

5. Medicine Running Out at Haiti Hospitals, Clinics Fox News

Doctors and aid workers say treating the tens of thousands of Haitians injured by the earthquake is taxing the country's devastated hospitals as well as the efforts of physicians from around the world who are providing emergency care.

- We pray for comfort for those in Haiti who are now having to move forward without word from their loved ones. We pray that charities are able to get aid into Haiti and that the workings of missionaries will bring spiritual healing as well as physical healing.

- And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

6. Gates Foundation pledges $10B for vaccines - CNN

Bill and Melinda Gates on Friday made the largest donation ever to a single cause: $10 billion to develop vaccines for the world's poorest nations.

- Lord, we pray You will use gifts like these to inspire others. We pray this gift will be used by organizations that will support life and families and that Your gospel will be spread as well.

- But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. (1 Chronicles 29:14)

The Middle East in Focus

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

" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

1. 'Jerusalem will be Palestinian capital' - Jerusalem Post

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday said that the Palestinians would not accept Abu Dis, a town between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim that is currently controlled by the PA, as the capital of their future state, but would insist on receiving control over east Jerusalem.

2. Israel developing micro-satellites for better intelligence - Ha'aretz

Israel is expected to invest hundreds of millions in developing small satellites that can be launched from an airplane, enabling the Israel Air Force and Intelligence Corps the ability to gather information on specific targets on short notice, IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehoshtan said Wednesday.

3. Netanyahu to U.S.: I'll free Fatah prisoners to boost Abbas - Ha'aretz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to the release of hundreds of Fatah prisoners as part of efforts backed by the United States and Egypt to jump-start the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

4. Obama: U.S. backs Israel, but mindful of Palestinians' plight - Ha'aretz

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he would never waver from support for Israel's security but that Washington must also pay attention to the plight of the Palestinian people.

5. Israel set to launch new spy satellite - Jerusalem Post

In an effort to beef up intelligence gathering in the face of Iran's pursuit of nuclear power, will send a new spy satellite into space in the coming months, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

6. Clinton: Iran's attitude leaves us no choice - Ynet News

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that "Iran's attitude regarding its nuclear program leaves the world community no choice but to increase pressure on Iran."

7. Al Qaida group targeting Christians in Egypt - World Tribune

Egypt has linked Al Qaida to a spate of Muslim attacks on Christians.

Health Care Update

Reconciling the Facts

Taking smaller bites doesn't make a bad meal better. The same is true of health care reform. According to news reports, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is trying to split the health care overhaul into pieces that are easier for some members to swallow. The bite-sized bills would be just as intrusive, but they may be easier for leaders to pass. Because so many Democrats object, the Speaker would have to resort to the "reconciliation process" to push most measures through the Senate.

Normally Congress uses the reconciliation process to legislate policy changes in mandatory or other direct spending plans so that it can accomplish budget resolution goals. In this case, it would allow the Senate leadership to pass legislation by a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes they would need to overcome a bipartisan filibuster. This option would also allow Speaker Pelosi to insert taxpayer-funded abortion into any health care legislation, claiming that any attempt to protect taxpayers isn't germane. When the press asked how the Speaker would deal with the abortion issue, Pelosi responded, "Let's just say that's not the subject of our conversations at this time." (Family Research Council)

Obama v. DOMA

Obama Uses Stump to Thump DOMA

When President Obama said he wanted to embrace bipartisanship, hugging Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.) isn't what most Americans had in mind. But after his State of the Union headed south, the President decided to follow--joining the slumping Governor in Florida to talk about the administration's new $8 billion high-speed rail project. In an obvious detour, the President made some interesting social policy points during the question and answer portion of a Tampa townhall. A local student took his turn at the microphone, and essentially asked the President whether he would be as committed to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as he is to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The President replied, "Look, as I said last night, my belief is, is that a basic principle in our Constitution is that if you're obeying the law, if you're following the rules, that you should be treated the same, regardless of who you are. I think that principle applies to gay and lesbian couples."

He continued by pumping up the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act (S. 1102 and H.R. 2517), which is winding its way through Congress as we speak. Essentially, the bill would make the same-sex partners of federal employees eligible for the same benefits as married couples. "I think it's the right thing to do," the President said, even though the legislation is a direct strike on DOMA. "... [I]t makes sense for us to take a leadership role in ensuring that people are treated the same. Look... regardless of your personal opinions, the notion that somebody who's working really hard for 30 years can't take their death benefits and transfer them to the person that they love the most in the world and who has supported them all their lives, that just doesn't seem fair. It doesn't seem right."

Actually, what "doesn't seem right" is that the President of the United States is actively backing legislation that disobeys DOMA and devalues marriage. Fortunately, he's solidly in the minority for a cultural shift on marriage. In Indiana, the state Senate is riding the pro- family wave of Maine, New York, and New Jersey and moving quickly to protect marriage with a constitutional amendment. By a 38-10 vote, members passed the ban out of their chamber and into the House, where liberal House Speaker Pat Bauer has traditionally blocked the bill before the people could vote on it. "Some people don't have enough to do creating jobs and moving the economy forward," Bauer said, "so they think up divisive things." Tell that to the White House. (Family Research Council)

The Daily Jot

State of the Union Indicates Time For Biblical Correction

The message that the man who occupies the Oval Office wanted the American public to hear was: "we got your message." And perhaps he and the houses of Congress controlled by his party did "get" what the American people are saying. But the arrogance of Washington, DC's exclusive club of politicians and their collective goal of a one world order humanist socialist nation are driving them to do what they want anyway. Freezing spending, for example, is a great thing to say to get people off your back, but what they don't tell you is that a non-military, non-social security, non-medicare spending freeze only will save about 1% of the mounting budget deficits.

The "no new income tax" pledge is admirable, but what they don't tell you is that spending programs by the government will increase the burden on taxpayers in other ways. For example, the socialized health care plan being jammed through Congress will increase the federal budget in the near term by a trillion dollars-- exponentially more over the long term. There are numerous "hidden taxes" in the health care plan, and you will be forced to pay for health care insurance whether you want it or not. Those of you who have really good health insurance will be forced to pay several thousands of dollars per year in penalties for having that plan. Its unpopularity is forcing Congress to find other ways to pass it.

In his State of the Union address, he said regarding his fiscal policy, "Let's try common sense. A novel concept." And he talked about reining in government spending and debt. Sounds good. The American people want their government to live within its means, like every family in this country does who balances a checkbook. Within 24 hours of these remarks, the New York Times reported, "The Senate voted on Thursday to raise the nation's debt limit to $14.3 trillion, a $1.9 trillion increase that would allow the government to keep borrowing to cover operations beyond the November election and into early next year." You know, that raises the debt of every American citizen to the government to over $40,000 each.

A fact check by AP indicated that Obama lied to the American people in his State of the Union address no less than five times. There were several more half truths and misleading comparisons. This is a government of "Tell them what they want to hear, then do what you want to do." This is a far cry from the Declaration of Independence which says that our government should derive its, "just powers from the consent of the governed." The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, of instruction in righteousness." It is now time for national reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

Infrastructure Faces Hackers

Power plants, other infrastructure face hackers

More than half of the operators of power plants and other "critical infrastructure" say in a new study that their computer networks have been infiltrated by sophisticated adversaries. In many cases, foreign governments are suspected. The findings come in a survey being released Thursday that offers a rare public look at the damage computer criminals can do to vital institutions such as power grids, water and sewage systems and oil and gas companies. Manipulating the computer systems can cause power outages, floods, sewage spills and oil leaks. The report was based on an survey completed by 600 executives and technology managers from infrastructure operators in 14 countries. The report was prepared by McAfee Inc., which makes security software, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, which analyzed the data and conducted additional interviews. The respondents aren't named and specifics aren't given about what happened in the attacks. (AP)

Terror Trial Moved out of NYC

White House asks Justice Department to look for other places to hold 9/11 terror trial

The White House ordered the Justice Department Thursday night to consider other places to try the 9/11 terror suspects after a wave of opposition to holding the trial in lower Manhattan. The dramatic turnabout came hours after Mayor Bloomberg said he would "prefer that they did it elsewhere" and then spoke to Attorney General Eric Holder. "It would be an inconvenience at the least, and probably that's too mild a word for people that live in the neighborhood and businesses in the neighborhood," Bloomberg told reporters. "There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City. "State and city leaders have increasingly railed against a plan to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in Manhattan federal court since Holder proposed it last month. (NY Daily News)

- PRAISE THE LORD!

Update: Rifqa Bary

Muslim Parents of Ohio Christian Convert Reject Resolution

Muslim parents of an Ohio girl who ran away from home claiming she feared harm for becoming a Christian have rejected a deal meant to resolve the conflict with counseling.

Mohamed and Aysha Bary of New Albany in suburban Columbus withdrew their consent in a court filing Thursday that alleges misrepresentation in the plan approved Jan. 19.

The Barys and their daughter, 17-year-old Rifqa Bary, had agreed she would stay in foster care and they would undergo counseling instead of going to trial to determine where the girl should live.

The Barys now allege that Franklin County Children Services are permitting Rifqa to communicate with a Florida pastor and his wife who helped her run away last summer. (AP)

- Cry out to the LORD on behalf of Rifqa Bary. Bind all schemes of trickery and deceit and duplicity in this court case, and call forth light and truth to prevail. Ask our Lord to place His Hand of protection upon Rifqa for otherwise, surely, her life would be in danger. Pray!

- "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free . . ." (Psalm 146:7)

The Good News Corner

2 Chronicles 7:14

Click on this link.

Please be sure to read, watch and listen to the very end!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!
(Source unknown . . .)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - January 28, 2010

In This Issue
• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• State of the Union Address
• Second Thoughts
• About that Super Bowl Ad --
• Update: Proposition 8
• The Good News Corner

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

The Daily Brief - Thursday, January 28, 2010

In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)

Today's Daily Brief

1. Pelosi Pushes $300 Billion to "Fix" Senate Healthcare Bill - Fox News

Senior Democratic aides told Fox News that Pelosi has offered up the new package of changes to Senate Democratic leaders, with the hope that they will be able to pass it using a controversial procedural maneuver known as "reconciliation." The maneuver would allow Democrats to pass the measure with just 51 votes, without having to first overcome the normal 60-vote threshold.

- Father, let this plan die in its tracks. Let no passage of the healthcare bill be done by subterfuge. May the lawyers who know You rise up and remember the exact rules for using the reconciliation method of passage, and fight against it.

- 'Woe to the rebellions children,' says the Lord, 'who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.' " (Isaiah 30:1)

2. Obama Appeals to GOP Conscience in Pressing Forward with Agenda - Fox News

Obama, pressing ahead with his sweeping domestic agenda, is using one of his favorite tools to try to get Republicans on board: shame.

Rather than dial back his ambitions in the wake of his party's loss last week in the Massachusetts Senate election, the president used his State of the Union address Wednesday night to pressure the GOP into working with Democrats by appealing to their collective conscience.

- Lord, we as Christians are struggling deeply with prayer for this President. He said he wanted to stop lobbyists, yet several of his key people are former lobbyists. He claimed to create 200 million jobs yet millions of jobs have been lost over the year. He failed to speak of our national security at all. He spoke belittling words at the Supreme Court Justices who sat directly in front of him about their vote for free speech this last week. The attempts to re-focus people's attention away from key issues by shame are unconscionable. Lord, we beseech You to move in this man's life to change his heart and mind rather than allow him to continue to use untruths and intimidation. We also ask that You move in our lives to grant us the grace to pray for him.

- "On the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." (Psalm 138:3)

3. Fed Chief Awaits Key Confirmation Vote - AP

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a lightning rod for anger over Wall Street bailouts, is expected to overcome Senate opposition and win a second term as head of the U.S. central bank.

The Senate has scheduled a key vote Thursday that will determine whether Bernanke has at least 60 senators on his side to beat a filibuster aimed at blocking his reappointment. Senate leaders from both parties expressed confidence he would prevail.

- Father, You alone know the inner workings of this man's heart. Whether he is a good pick for the Federal Reserve or not, we place our trust in You. So we pray that You will move in Mr Bernanke, if he survives this vote, to bring about righteous actions for America's economy.

- "These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24)

4. Pentagon to Send More Special Forces Troops to Yemen - The Wall Street Journal

The Pentagon is assigning more special forces personnel to Yemen as part of a broad push to speed the training of the country's counterterror forces in the wake of the failed Christmas Day attack on a crowded U.S. airliner.

- Father, we pray that this training will be used for us and not against us. We ask protection over the special forces as they attempt to remove Al Qaeda's hold in Yemen.

- "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)

5. Senate Approves Tougher Deficit Curbs - AP

The Senate has approved tough new budget rules to make it harder to run up the deficit with new tax cuts or federal benefit programs. The Democratic-backed plan would make it more difficult to permanently extend some tax cuts that expire at the end of this year and renew health care subsidies for laid-off workers.

The idea passed by a 60-40 party-line vote. It attempts to curb the spiraling budget deficit by requiring spending increases or tax cuts to be "paid for" with cuts to other programs or tax increases. If the rules are broken, there would be automatic cuts to programs like Medicare, farm subsidies and veterans' pensions.

The rules must still be passed by the House as part of legislation to allow the government to increase its limit on issuing new debt.

- Lord, by the subterfuge of a title, these legislators have made it nearly impossible to re-instate any tax cuts for hard-pressed Americans, while allowing themselves unlimited spending. It is a legislative form of extortion. We ask that You stop this bill in the House. We pray for You to cause Your people and even those who do not know You to rise up and remove those from office who have not voted in integrity or righteousness.

- "For in you, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, 'Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips they exalt themselves against me." (Psalm 38:15,16)

6. Document reveals scope of EU trade with Iran - Ynet News

Europe boasts of its efforts to foil the Iranian nuclear program, but in reality has been trading with the Islamic Republic in the amount of some 65 billion euros (roughly $91 billion) in the past three years.

- Father, hear our prayers against the deception and underhanded practices that feed our enemies and harm the security of both the US and Israel!

- "The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased to be wise and to do good." (Psalm 36:3)

7. Atheist Group Blasts Postal Service for Stamp Honoring Mother Theresa - Fox News

An atheist organization is blasting the U.S. Postal Service for its plan to honor Mother Teresa with a commemorative stamp, saying it violates postal regulations against honoring "individuals whose principal achievements are associated with religious undertakings."

- Lord, it seems that honorable, compassionate people aren't worthy of stamps. We ask that You put a stop to the Freedom From Religion Foundation by saving their souls.

- "Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' he said. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting', He replied. 'But get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.'" (Acts 9:4,5) HCSB

The Middle East in Focus

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

" Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

1. Arab League chief presses for Palestinian state - Ynet News

Arab League chief Amr Moussa said Wednesday that if a Palestinian state is not established soon there will be a single state for Israelis and Palestinians.

2. '2010 will see us beat the occupation' - Ynet News

The recent clashes in the Ramallah-adjacent village of Nabi Saleh, which is the newest addition to the list of confrontation locales between Palestinians and IDF forces in the West Bank, are bolstering the position of those fighting against the separation fence.

3. Iran leader predicts destruction of Israel - AFP

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confident Islamic nations will one day watch the destruction of arch-foe Israel, his website Wednesday quoted him as saying.

State of the Union Address

Obama Tries to Change the Topic to the Economy

SUMMARY: State of the Union heavy on jobs, light on health care and social issues.

Obama delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American people tonight. The speech was more than an hour long and much of it was spent on the topic of jobs and the economy.

"When I ran for President," he said, "I promised I wouldn't just do what was popular -- I would do what was necessary."

Ashley Horn, federal issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the speech was notable for what was in it -- and what was not."He basically looked at the American public tonight and said, 'I don't care what you think about health care, we are still moving forward,'" she said. "He didn't say anything about the value of life, he didn't say anything about marriage. That's what we really would love to see out of a president."

When he did touch on social issues, it was in defiance of values voters. "This year, I will work with Congress and our military," he said, "to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."

"That's nothing new," Horne said. "He's said that before, and we'll be ready for that."

Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., said after the speech that the president is still not listening to the American people. "He's tone deaf," Akin said. "The policies he's pushing are going to hurt employment and small businesses."

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell offered the Republican response. While Obama hardly touched the social issues, McDonnell was clear. "America must always be a land where liberty and property are valued and respected, and innocent human life is protected.

"Government should have this clear goal: Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone." (CitizenLink)

Second Thoughts

While the White House and leftwing activists may be in denial about the results of last week's special election in Massachusetts, a number of Democrats appear to be getting the message. In the immediate aftermath of Scott Brown's stunning upset victory, the White House was defiant and determined to pass ObamaCare. Having lost their 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi quickly began discussing the available options for muscling their socialized medicine scheme through Congress.

Two plans emerged. One, called the "ping pong" option, would have the House pass the Senate's bill with no amendments. But two days after Brown's win, Pelosi said she didn't have the votes to pass the Senate bill because of major differences. That left Democrats with reconciliation as their last option.

It's a tricky legislative procedure, but it requires only 51 votes to pass the Senate. Major leftwing groups like SIEU, AARP and MoveOn.org were demanding Democrats move quickly to ram Obamacare through using the reconciliation process. For the past few days, it seemed likely that the Reid and Pelosi would try it.

Conservative groups were quick to sound the alarm and mobilize grassroots opposition, and our efforts are making a difference. Late yesterday evening, Politico reported that at least eight Senate Democrats (including Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman) had expressed outright opposition or strong reservations to using this trick to pass a bill that nearly 60% of the public opposes. Suddenly, Harry Reid is saying "There is no rush" to pass ObamaCare. (Gary Bauer)

About that Super Bowl Ad --

"Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life"

On February 7th, millions of Americans will tune in to watch the Super Bowl. Among the highlights every year are the ads. Major corporations spend millions to produce and air these ads, which can become instant hits. This year, our friends at Focus on the Family are running an ad featuring former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, quarterback of the University of Florida Gators.
Sadly, the ad is generating quite a lot of controversy. Tebow's not endorsing a product, just the radical idea that we should celebrate family and the dignity of each human life. This is a very personal issue for Tim Tebow, because in 1987 his mother, Pam, was encouraged by her doctors to abort him. She refused, and today her 22 year-old son is considered one of the greatest athletes in college football history.

The Women's Media Center is organizing a protest effort to pressure CBS to ban the ad. It won't surprise you to learn that board members for the Center include Jodie Evans of Code Pink, Gloria Feldt of Planned Parenthood, Gloria Steinem and, of course, Jane Fonda. In trying to silence the story of Pam Tebow's choice, the pro-abortion movement is proving once again just how anti-choice it really is. And its reaction speaks volumes.

Our children are constantly bombarded with over- sexualized, anti-family, "If it feels good do it" messages from the popular culture. Why is the Left so threatened by one 30-second ad? Because the message is so powerful. It speaks to the core values of our nation's founding - that all are created equal and endowed by our Creator with the inalienable right to life. And the Left knows it is losing this debate, especially among our nation's youth. One recent poll found that 58 percent of those aged 18 to 29 believe that abortion is "morally wrong."

My hat goes off to Focus on the Family for producing this ad, and to Tim and Pam Tebow for having the courage to speak up for the sanctity of life. (Gary Bauer)

Update: Proposition 8

A Vigorous Defense for Traditional Marriage

Wrap Up: Week Two

As lawyers for the plaintiffs challenging Prop 8 neared the conclusion of their arguments and prepared to "rest their case" today, the court next turned its attention to the defense case put on by the Prop 8 Legal Team. But that doesn't mean our legal defense team, while waiting our turn to present the official defense, hasn't been vigorously fighting to uphold Prop 8 during the plaintiffs' case-in-chief. In fact, when the courtroom came to order this morning the time clock tells me that while plaintiffs have logged 28 hours in presenting their case, the defense team has logged nearly as much time - 27 hours - cross-examining the plaintiffs' witnesses and introducing our own evidence into the record.

Before resting their case, plaintiffs began Week Three this morning with a "document dump," which means they admitted into the trial record a slew of documents they view to be evidence to support their case. Nothing earthshaking in and of itself, but the subtext is utterly astounding.

Despite supposedly winning our appeal in the Ninth Circuit to protect the privacy of our internal Prop 8 campaign records, the trial judge has still forced us to hand over literally tens of thousands of pages of sensitive campaign memos, emails and other documents to the plaintiffs. After sifting through our internal documents for facts they think aid their case, they had them labeled as trial exhibits and added to the court record.

So if the Yes on 8 campaign has been forced to open up its internal campaign records for this court trial, then shouldn't also the No on 8 campaign have to do so, too? Well, although we filed a motion some time ago asking the court to order the "No on 8" campaign to disclose to us the same types of documents as those we had to disclose to them, the court has refused to rule on our request and thus we have been prevented from examining even one single document from the opponents of Prop 8. [Read more]

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Prayer calls continue to uphold the marriage amendment M-F 8:AM PST for the duration of the trial
712-432-0232 Access Code 246193

Join us as we agree for God to expose the bias.

Whether or not you join the call, please pray!

The Good News Corner

It Is Well With My Soul

Let's just worship the King . . .

It IS well with my soul . . .

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - January 27, 2010

In This Issue
• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• International Holocaust Memorial Day
• Post Script: March for Life
• Obamacare Update
• Geithner / Paulson Testify in Congress
• Are The Jihadists Ready To Strike Again?
• PRAY FOR HAITI!
• The Good News Corner

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

The Daily Brief - Wednesday, January 27, 2010

In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)

Today's Daily Brief

1. Obama Prepares For State of the Union Address - VOA

U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver his first State of the Union address tonight, in which he will list his priorities for the coming year. The president will devote much of his speech to the economy.

- Only God knows if this president can save himself and his administration with one Speech, but we do know that God does not want anyone to be hurt in the process. Begin to pray now for the safety, the protection, and the security of all who will be assembled in the House Chamber on Wednesday night for the State of the Union Address. Ask our Lord to dispatch His own "heavenly security guard" round about the premises, keeping all of the leaders of our civil government safe and alive to serve another day . . . Amen.

- "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways . . . " (Psalm 91:11)

2. Analysis: Deficit-cutting vows not matched by acts - Washington Post

President Barack Obama and Congress want to have it both ways. Obama is signaling budget cutting will be a major priority, yet he's putting most spending off-limits. Congress talks belt-tightening, too, but its votes tell a different story.

• Do we have another sleight-of-hand maneuver working here? The Lord hates lying and He hates coveting another's goods/wealth. How sad that minds are so controlled by ambition that they cannot perceive the wickedness of these ploys to deceive the American people! Pray that the Lord forgives the American electorate for voting men and women of such character into office.

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)

3. US deficit set to hit $1.35 trillion - BBC

The US budget deficit is expected to reach $1.35 trillion in 2010, according to US Congress estimates.

- HELP! God, please save us and help our leaders to be restored to sanity, through repentance! HELP, Lord!

- "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. . . " (Daniel 4:34)

4. Al-Qaeda seeks WMD, US unprepared: reports - AFP

The United States has not done enough to protect the country against the threat of weapons of mass destruction even as Al-Qaeda appears intent on staging a large-scale attack, reports said.

• The question is "Why not?" Is someone/thing blocking effective protection of the USA against an al- Qaeda attack? Pray against any such obstacles that are operating to prevent our intelligence agencies from sharing significant information. As Hamlet said: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Set our guardian/warrior angels on alert to protect our nation!

"He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail." (1 Samuel 2:9)

5. U.S. military teams, intelligence deeply involved in aiding Yemen on strikes - Washington Post

U.S. military teams and intelligence agencies are deeply involved in secret joint operations with Yemeni troops who in the past six weeks have killed scores of people, among them six of 15 top leaders of a regional al-Qaeda affiliate, according to senior administration officials.

• Praise the Lord that American troops and intelligence agencies are helping to rid Yemen of the scourge of al-Qaeda usurping the government of that country. Pray that the feet of Americans can claim the land for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that many, many of the Americans are committed Christians who know how to wage spiritual warfare.

"So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)

6. Alert: Female suicide bombers headed here from Yemen? -

U.S. agents told females linked to al-Qaida may have Western appearance, passports.

- But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. (Luke 12:2)

The Middle East in Focus

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

"For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

1. Mitchell to engage in 'shuttle diplomacy'? - Ynet News

US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell has offered to shuttle between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as American Secretary of State Henry Kissinger did in the 1970s while mediating in the peace talks between Israel and Egypt, a the London-based Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper reported Wednesday, quoting a senior Palestinian official.

2. Netanyahu expected to draw connection between Iran nukes, Holocaust - Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who wrote in the guest book of the Warsaw Uprising Museum on Tuesday that "the people of Israel have learned their lesson," is expected to draw analogies between the Holocaust and Iran's nuclear ambitions when he speaks at Wednesday's International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Auschwitz.

3. PA warns EU against legitimizing Hamas through dialogue - Jerusalem Post

The Palestinian Authority over the weekend expressed concern over Hamas's growing attempts to gain recognition from the international community and warned EU representatives against engaging in dialogue with the extreme Islamist movement.

4. Peres: Iran seeks to take control of Mideast - Ha'aretz

Iran is the world's "center of terror" which seeks to impose its will on the Middle East, President Shimon Peres said Tuesday during a historic visit to Berlin.

International Holocaust Memorial Day - January 27th

Today, January 27, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated this day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD), an annual day of commemoration to honor the victims of the Nazi era. Every member nation of the U.N. has an obligation to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and develop educational programs as part of an international resolve to help prevent future acts of genocide. The U.N. resolution that created IHRD rejects denial of the Holocaust, and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity.

To commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum hosts a candle-lighting ceremony attended by the Washington, DC diplomatic community, Holocaust survivors, and the general public.

The United States officially commemorates the Holocaust during Days of Remembrance, which is held each April, marking the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The Museum is mandated by the U.S. Congress to lead the nation in observing this day. Visit http://www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor/ for more information and resources.

PRAYER REQUEST:

Pray that the Lord use this day to awaken remembrance, to reduce anti-Semitism globally, on U.S. campuses, and to establish truth and displace the lies of Holocaust denial.

SCRIPTURE:

"Salvation is from the Jews." (Jesus of Nazareth, John 4:22)

"Have mercy upon me [us], O God, according to Thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my [our] transgressions." (Psalm 51:1)
[Reported by:Intercessors for America]

Post Script: March for Life

Secular Media Ignores 300,000 Marching for Life

Pierre Bynum of the Family Research Council passed along this good report on the March for Life: Last Friday, over 300,000 people, including families with children, a huge contingent of teens, college students and career age young people, converged upon Washington, DC to participate in the March.

The gathering was a prayer meeting, a time for repentance and prophetic proclamation, and a rally. Unlike other protests, the March celebrated Christian faith, motherhood, and the sacredness of the lives of innocent, unborn children. It was a memorial to the wisdom of the founding fathers for affirming life as the unalienable cornerstone right that government was ordained to protect.
It was also a celebration of America's growing pro-life movement, which has persevered despite the secular- progressive movement's dishonest advocacy of and the mainstream media's distorted reporting on the culture of death.

Senator Sam Brownback (KS) congratulated marchers, "You helped change minds in this country," referring to the fact that in 2009, for the first time since Roe v. Wade, polls showed that a majority of Americans consider themselves "pro-life." Brownback, said of the health care bill, "We are going to win this fight!" Members of Congress and women who spoke affirmed the pro-life movement's primary role in stopping the massive Democrat-led takeover of healthcare, "at least temporarily."
- Join us in thanking God for bringing this wonderful THRONG of pro-life citizens to Washington, D.C. last week. May their efforts be richly rewarded in the days ahead . .. in Jesus' Name, amen!

- "But be you strong and let not your hands be feeble, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Obamacare Update

A Plan to Sneak Obamacare through Congress?

Former aide to President Clinton, Dick Morris, blogged and shared on FOX News Hannity that highly informed sources on Capitol Hill have revealed to him details of a Democratic plan to sneak Obamacare through Congress. Morris maintains that a stealth push will be made despite collapsing public approval for healthcare "reform" and the disintegrating congressional support in the wake of Sen. Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts.

President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid all have agreed to the basic framework of the plan. Senate Democrats will go to the House with a two-part deal.

First, the House will pass the Senate's Obamacare bill that passed the Senate in December. The House leadership will vote on the Senate bill, and Pelosi will allow no amendments or modifications to the Senate bill.

Behind closed doors, Reid and Pelosi have reportedly agreed in principle that changes to "fix" the Senate bill will be made to satisfy liberal House members -- but only after the Senate bill is passed and signed into law by Obama.

The plan, while clever, can be scuttled as opponents of radical healthcare reform act quickly and focus on a core group of 23 Democratic Congressman. If just a few of these are "flipped" and decide to oppose the bill, the whole Obama/Pelosi/Reid stratagem falls apart.

- Pray for transparent and accountable Health Care Reform. [Reported by: Intercessors for America]

Geithner / Paulson Testify in Congress

Geithner / Paulson AIG Bailout Hearings Underway

Former Treasury secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. and Stephen Friedman, former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, testified today on Capitol Hill.

They joined Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, who headed the New York Federal Reserve Bank at the time of AIG's rescue. While defended by Obama, Geithner is expected to be intensely grilled as he testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) scheduled the hearing this month after documents raised new questions about the bailout of the insurance giant which grew to more than $180 billion.

Lawmakers have recently focused on two key issues -- the decision to compensate AIG's trading partners at 100 cents on the dollar and the New York Fed's advice to AIG to limit disclosures about the identities of those counterparties and the amounts they received.

Others scheduled to testify include Neil M. Barofsky, the special inspector general of the government's Troubled Assets Relief Program; Elias Habayeb, the former chief financial officer of AIG's financial services division; and Thomas Baxter, the New York Fed's general counsel.
Lawmakers from both parties are becoming more aggressive in challenging Obama over federal rescue efforts, which have helped bring huge profits to Wall Street, but have failed to significantly trim the ranks of the jobless.[Reported by IFA]

Offer thanksgiving that lawmakers from both parties are becoming more concerned over the Wall Street bailouts.

Pray that illegalities and wrongdoing be exposed and that truth be established through these congressional hearings.

Pray for the removal of corrupt Obama financial officers.
Pray that Congress call for an audit of the Federal Reserve.
Pray by name for the individuals noted in this article.

Are The Jihadists Ready To Strike Again?

The signs are unmistakable. Something big is brewing among the death worshippers of radical Islam. As we went into the weekend, U.S. intelligence officials warned that female suicide bombers trained in Yemen may be heading to the U.S.

Late Friday, the United Kingdom raised its terrorist threat level to "severe." Same in India, where intelligence agencies picked up evidence that Pakistani- based jihadists may use gliders to attack Indian cities. ABC reported that in recent days an unusually large number of people on the U.S. "no-fly" list have been caught trying to board U.S. flights - evidence that our defenses are being probed.

Yesterday, Al-Jazeera TV released another Osama bin Laden audio tape taking credit for the botched Christmas Day bombing and promising that more attacks were on the way. At least one private terror monitoring firm claims that bin Laden used certain phrases in this latest tape that he had previously used as signals to launch pre-planned attacks.

Meanwhile, Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab continues his silence on the advice of the lawyer provided to him by the Obama Administration, courtesy of your tax dollars. Many in the U.S. intelligence community are furious that they have been denied the chance to get vital information as a result of the White House extending constitutional rights to terrorists. (Gary Bauer)

PRAY FOR HAITI!

Reports from Carrefour

Here are just two of the reports we have been following from a missionary team in Carrefour, Haiti:

"Bryan":


"A little boy came to our camp. His arm had been amputated."

Bryan is sobbing as he tells this story. Sobbing with grief, exhaustion, gratitude...every conceivable emotion.

As he and a doctor worked on the boy's arm, Bryan asked the boy if a piece of cement had crushed his arm. The boy answered, "No my mother's head crushed it."

When the quake happened, his mother had wrapped herself around him to protect him. They both were knocked down and covered. His mother's head was resting on his arm, crushed. She was dead, but probably saved his life.

He was trapped in her arms, under the rubble, for three days before someone finally found him, pulled him out, and brought him to us. Now he is in the care of our team, recovering physically.

But he will never have his arm, or his mother.

Pray for this precious little boy, and the thousands like him.

God, keep our hearts broken. Broken forever.

Posted by Lisa Bartow in Carrefour, Haiti

"Kate":

"Another little boy I was working on had gashes on his arm, head and leg. Aunt Heidi and April fixed his head and moved on to his leg. I was fixing his arm.

When we finished, he said, 'Merci, Jezi.' . . It's not that I was Jesus, it's that they saw an answered prayer. They saw Jesus, through me.

"At midnight we would hear people praising God in the streets. They were raising their hands and clapping. Dancing in the dust of their city. The Haitian Christians are not taking this like I took it, when I first heard about the earthquake. I was mad. These people were not cursing God for what they had lost, they were thanking him for what they still had."

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

. . . if you or anyone you know wants to donate to one of the ministries working down there, you can write a check to Vawtermark Ministries, Inc. and we will send 100% to this particular group in Carrefour and send you a tax-deductible receipt. On a separate piece of paper, write:

For Haiti Relief. Mail it to. . .


Vawtermark Ministries, Inc.
5889 VZCR 2602
Canton, TX 75103

The Good News Corner

Roy Rogers: "Coming to Carry me Home"

This clip shows Roy Rogers singing in 1939 Movie: "The Arizona Kid."

The real Good News never changes!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - January 26, 2010

In This Issue
• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Terror Alert #1
• Terror Alert #2
• Terror Alert #3
• The Daily Jot (Part One)
• The Daily Jot (Part Two)
• PRAY FOR HAITI!
• The Good News Corner

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

The Daily Brief - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)

Today's Daily Brief

1. U.S. Home Sales Tumble as Tax Credit's Boost Wanes - Reuters

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes suffered a record drop last month as the boost from a popular tax credit waned, raising doubts the housing market recovery can be sustained without government support.

• Heavenly Father, we pray for the people who have been affected by the economic downturn - that their finances will be sufficient to carry them through this time. Let them rely on you to provide for them and trust you more than ever.

Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, "Who is the Lord?" (Proverbs 30:8)

2. Poll: Just 43 Percent Would Re-elect Obama - Washington Times

Only 43 percent of Americans would vote to re-elect President Obama, fully 10 percent lower than the percentage that put him into office just more than a year ago.

• Heavenly Father, we pray that people will have their eyes opened to see who You would have to lead this nation. We pray for that person to have your wisdom and anointing.

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Daniel 2:21)

3. Obama to Seek 3-year Freeze on Domestic Spending - Reuters

President Barack Obama, under pressure from deficit hawks, will seek a three-year freeze on domestic spending in his 2011 budget that would save $250 billion by 2020, administration officials said on Monday. "The news of a spending freeze, in our opinion, will have little impact on the U.S. dollar or economy in medium term."

"We doubt it will make any visible dent in the deficit projections - that requires spending cuts and tax raises, not just spending freezes," said Michael Katz, an economist at Forecast in Sydney.

• Lord, we pray the over-spending and deception will stop. We pray they will find a solution to bring down the deficit without resorting to taxes. Let only people who know how to manage money be appointed to oversee our national finances.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; (Proverbs 3:13)

4. McCain Says Campaign Finance Reform Is Dead - ABC News

Sen. John McCain says the movement he led to reform how political campaigns are financed is dead. McCain says the Supreme Court has spoken on the constitutionality of political contributions by corporations. The Arizona Republican had sought to regulate them with a landmark campaign finance law he wrote with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

• Father God, we pray for new legislation to control the political contributions by corporations; to prevent large companies from having a huge advantage over smaller groups.

• But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil, and let Israel have quietness and peace. (Psalm 125:5)

5. Obama Announces Initiatives for Middle Class - The Washington Times

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Monday offered help for Americans struggling to pay bills and care for their families, appealing to a middle-class he says has been "under assault for a long time." Obama is seeking to offer some attractive options to taxpayers, mindful of the painful implications of the loss of a traditionally Democratic Senate seat that Republicans won for the first time in decades. In a partial preview of a State of the Union address that aims to answer voter angst about the economy and reconnect with the public.

• Lord, we continue to pray that all hidden things and motives in government will be revealed, so that no unscrupulous deals will be put forth in our laws and government.

Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. (Jeremiah 29: 9)

6. Brown's Win Shows GOP How to Seize Obama's Old Senate Seat - The Hill

In a year when populism is good politics, Scott Brown has given Republicans a model for how to harness voters' frustration.

• Lord, we pray the parties and the candidates will not use Brown's win as a template if they are not really seeking to serve our nation. Let there be no guile in the parties and candidates - only honesty.

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. (Psalm 7:9)

7. Report: Al-Qaida aims to hit U.S. with WMDs - MSNBC

The group is determined to attack U.S. with chemical, biological or even nuclear weapons, report says. The report, by a former senior CIA official who led the agency's hunt for weapons of mass destruction, portrays al-Qaeda's leaders as determined and patient, willing to wait for years to acquire the kind of weapons that could inflict widespread casualties.

The commission's initial report in December 2008 warned that a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction was likely by 2013.

• Heavenly Father, we ask forgiveness for our sins that have brought down the Hedge of Protection around our nation. Restore us and our hedges. Heal our land! We pray against the plots of these terrorists.

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)

The Middle East in Focus

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

" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

1. Report: Abbas studying Mitchell's plan to launch low-level peace talks - Jerusalem Post

A US proposal to renew peace talks, handed over by US Mideast envoy George Mitchell on his recent visit to the region, is being studied by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Palestinian officials quoted in a Reuters report Monday.

2. Olmert's negotiator: Full Mideast peace impossible - Ha'aretz

"I do not believe that in the foreseeable future there is a possibility of an agreement with the Palestinians on all the issues, especially on the problematic core issues," says Udi Dekel, who headed the negotiations task force in the previous government.

3. Israeli Electric Car Company Secures Major Funding - Media Line

An Israeli funded and U.S.-based cleantech company secured $350 million in funding on Monday from several major financial companies.

4. 'Jews exploit Holocaust as propaganda' - Jerusalem Post

The Holocaust only gets media coverage because of affluent Jews' financial backing, military might and lobbying fronts, presenting a skewed version of events to the world, a high-ranking Polish bishop told a Catholic news portal on Monday.

5. Palestinians study US idea for Mideast talks - Ynet News

President Mahmoud Abbas is studying a US proposal for talks between the Palestinians and Israel at a level below full-scale negotiations between their leaders, a Palestinian official said on Monday.

Terror Alert #1

Buffalo, NY: Man accused of beheading wife claims abuse

New lawyer for Hassan says husband was a victim, humiliated by his wife

The cable TV executive accused of beheading his wife in Orchard Park last year now claims he was the one humiliated and abused. Through his new lawyer, Muzzammil S. "Mo" Hassan claimed Friday that he was a "battered spouse" who was left emotionally out of control by the constant abuse his wife inflicted on him. Hassan's lawyer, Frank M. Bogulski, called the legal defense the first of its kind in the country. Hassan, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 12 beheading of his wife, Aasiya Zubair Hassan, 37. The Pakistani-born couple were best known for Bridges TV, the station they formed in 2004 to counter negative Muslim stereotypes . . .
(Buffalo News) Read more

Terror Alert #2

Details of arrest of bombing suspect disclosed

Badly burned and bleeding, the suspect in the attempted bombing of the Christmas Day flight to Detroit tried one last gambit as he was led away: He said there was another bomb hidden on board, officials said. It wasn't true, federal agents learned after a tense search. But the Nigerian suspect's threat began hours of conversations that are now the subject of fierce political debate over the right way to handle terrorism suspects. In interviews, U.S. officials described for the first time the details of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's arrest Dec. 25 at Detroit Metro Airport and the decisions that were made about how to interrogate him.

Captured after a bomb hidden in his underwear ignited but did not explode, Abdulmutallab initially spoke freely and provided valuable intelligence, officials said. Federal agents repeatedly interviewed him or heard him speak to others. When they read him his legal rights nearly 10 hours after the incident, he went silent. Since the attempted bombing, several prominent lawmakers have argued he should have been placed immediately in military custody. The nation's top intelligence official said he should have been questioned by a special group of terrorism investigators, rather than by the FBI agents who responded to the scene.
(Assoicated Press) Read more

Terror Alert #3

Indictment accuses Syrian of lying to FBI on Holy Land Foundation

Michigan authorities unsealed a nearly 2-year-old indictment Friday charging a 47-year-old man with lying to the FBI about his involvement with the former Richardson-based Holy Land Foundation. Immigration officials arrested Mohamad Mustapha Ali Masfaka on Thursday as he tried to cross from Canada into the U.S. in Detroit, officials said. On Friday, prosecutors unsealed an Aug. 28, 2008, indictment alleging that Masfaka lied to FBI agents when he denied being a paid Detroit representative of Holy Land in the 1990s. Holy Land was the largest Muslim charity in the U.S. before the Bush administration shut it down in December 2001 for its ties to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. After a 2007 mistrial, five of Holy Land's former organizers were convicted by a federal jury in Dallas in November 2008 of funneling more than $12 million to Hamas. Prosecutors say that in addition to Detroit, Holy Land had representatives in New Jersey and Phoenix, among other U.S. cities.
(Dallas Morning News) Read more.

The Daily Jot (Part One)

The National Consequences of the Lack of Christian Endurance

Drastic times bring out things in people that one would never think. America is in drastic times. There are headlines that even pizza deliverers in Philadelphia are being killed for their petty cash. These tough economic times, the uncertainty in foreign events, natural disasters are big picture. But they impact everyone down to the family and the family member. Jesus described times such as these in Matthew chapter 24. He said in verses 12 and 13, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Jesus told us what would happen in the latter days, and He gives us the hope of His return that we might endure to the end.

Jesus also said in Matthew 10:21, "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." And once again in the following verse, Jesus said, "And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." Enduring to the end is a common theme. Endure here means to have fortitude, persevere, abide and undergo. Jesus shows us that no matter what is going on around us, that we should abide in Him and His commandments. And He has told us through the scriptures to occupy till He comes.

Jesus also tells us in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." There has been a lot of teaching within Christianity that has led to the deception of many Christians. The vast majority who have written me this past week see clearly that we as Christians have a civic duty as salt and light to impact not only our family, friends, community, but also our nation. Most see that as this nation was established that Christians would have the voice in government, we as Christians have a clear responsibility to impact both the government and the nation toward a Christian world view. As Proverbs 14:34 says. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to all people."

There are still those Christians, however, who do not see it as their civic duty to, as they put it, "save the nation." And they have been influenced by many various doctrines that their nation matters not, only their own salvation and that of those around them. And they passionately believe this error. As a watchman, I must say this is a destructive belief. Hear this: God judges the nations and the people suffer the consequences of their rulers. That God would give a nation to a people, and assist them in establishing it in His name with His people having a say on how they are ruled, they have a responsibility to God to preserve it in His name. To do otherwise is dishonor the Father. To His people He calls. Do you hear Him?

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

The Daily Jot (Part Two)

A Peaceful, Legal and Effective Way To End This Government's Tyranny

Many Americans have been asking what they can do beyond writing and calling their unresponsive lawmakers to change the course of this tyrannical government. Over the past several months, I have been working on a project that I believe makes a lot of sense. It is the recall of U.S. Senators. In this effort, I have partnered with the American Civil Rights Union and several others interested in sending a strong message to Congress that "We the People" are no longer going to accept tyranny and injustice at the hands of a socialist government. Therefore, we are going to educate the people and help provide a vehicle that they can legally and peacefully change the course of history.

Some 18 states have recall provisions in their state statutes or Constitutions. Within these 18 states, there are nine that have language empowering the recall of Congressional and all public officials. Some of the best Constitutional attorneys in the nation have vetted this concept and have agreed that the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of the people to recall elected officials. The First Amendment grants the right for a redress of grievances; the 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or to the people; and the 17th Amendment empowers voters in the states to elect their senators and to fill vacancies.

The states we are talking about are Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. There are 12 senators from these states who have voted for the unconstitutional socialist health care legislation; the unconstitutional bail out and government takeover programs; and have broken their oath of office by exercising malfeasance in these areas and in fiscal mismanagement of our tax dollars. If all 12 were successfully recalled, the balance of the Senate would change dramatically. Even so Americans can send a loud and clear message to all of Congress. If you do not live in one of these states, there are many ways in which you still can support their efforts.

Jesus told us in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." The United States was established that a moral and Christian people can choose those who govern. We have fallen short on choosing leaders that represent the people by upholding both the Constitution and the tenets of God. It is now time to correct this short-falling that we as a nation do not permanently lose the savor of our salt. You can find out more about what you can do by emailing me at wcwilson@verizon.net or by visiting http://recallcongressnow.org.

Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

PRAY FOR HAITI!

Ministry News in Haiti Bold
[This news comes from my home church in Virginia. Like many of you, we are choosing to support those ministreis that are networked directly with "boots on the ground" in Haiti. Thank you -- Jim and Sara Ballenger]

Updates from Grace Network's ministry in Haiti:

• Grace Network Leaders are trying to get a small team to Delmas to assess the situation and determine how we can best respond.
• Grace Network Leaders will be taking a special offering for Haiti Relief that will go directly to meet the needs of our church family at L'Eglese Baptiste Siloe.
• To follow updates, click: http://gracenetwork.org/news/haiti-updates
Updates from Hope Force International's ministry in Haiti:
Hope Force Int'l is a Disaster Recovery ministry that we as a church have been supporting for three years. They are currently on the ground in Haiti serving in a number of capacities.
• For updates on Haiti and ministry info on HFI, click: http://hopeforce.org/index.php
[Sample prayer requests from our church . . . thank you for praying with us as we lift up these needs in Haiti.]

HAITI UPDATES -- Jan. 18, 2010

Grace Network deeply mourns the loss of life and devastation from the tragic earthquake in Haiti. Here is what we know - updates will be added as they become available:

• It is confirmed that Pastor Bienne L'Amerique perished in the earthquake, but his wife and children are alive.
• The church (L'Eglese Baptiste Siloe) sustained severe damage and many people in the church are presumed to be dead. The congregation is using the church property at Delmas for safety and support as we speak.
• Selem Jeannis, the worship leader and teaching deacon is alive and well, as is his family.
• Merlin (Associate Pastor) is alive but injured and some of his family members are injured.
• We have no information regarding the people or church in LaRousse.
• Se Tata's house sustained severe damage and she is presumed to be dead.
• GN leaders are trying to get a small team to Delmas to assess the situation and determine how we can best respond.
• The GN Haiti Council is holding an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon (1/17). Please pray for wisdom as they discuss next steps and determine the most effective way to move forward in providing relief and support.
• GN churches are taking a special offering for Haiti Relief, which will go directly to meet the needs of our church family at Siloe Baptiste.
• Individuals or other churches that would like to donate to this relief effort may contribute through a Grace Network Church (please see network directory), or directly to Grace Network. If you are choose to donate through Grace Network, please make checks payable to Grace Network and designate "Haiti Fund" in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Grace Network, PO Box 307, North Chili, NY 14514.

The Good News Corner

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

by Robin Mark

This is a great song, by a good Northern Irish man!