In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, February 16, 2010
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. (Job 37:5-7)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama Seeks Return to Campaign-style Discipline AP
It's an approach similar to the one employed successfully by the Obama campaign during the 2008 presidential race. the White House has been willing to circumvent some of the traditional communications channels that long have defined the relationship between the president and the media. The president went nearly seven months without a formal news conference before making a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room last week. Obama also has been less willing of late to answer questions in informal settings.
White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer acknowledged "There is no communications strategy that makes 10 percent unemployment look good," he said.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for transparency and honesty in our politicians from the highest position to the lowest job. Take all the blinders off of the citizens, and give them great discernment in choosing new leaders. Let them not believe lies of the politicians but expose them instead.
• Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:22, 23)
2. Wisc. to Require Birth Control Instruction in Schools NewsMax
Wisconsin schools would have to teach how to properly use birth control as part of sex education classes under a bill that passed the Legislature. Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, says he supports the bill. The new requirement would take effect for the 2010 school year. The measure passed the Senate on a partisan 18-15 vote, with all Democrats backing it and Republicans against it.
Supporters say the bill was needed to help reduce teen pregnancies. Opponents argue it was sending a message that sex was OK as long as birth control is used.
• Lord, we pray that these decisions to provide sex materials, information, and assistance to children in schools will be blocked immediately. Let the courts rule that these decisions should be made by the parents and not the schools.
• "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)
3. Biden to Travel to Middle East the Week of March 8 - AP
Biden will meet with key leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH'-hoo), Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS'), Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (HAHS'-nee moo-BAH'-rahk) and Jordan's King Abdullah.
The Obama administration has been working to encourage Israelis and the Palestinians to resume peace talks. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday during an appearance in Doha, Qatar (DOH'-hah, GUH'-tur), that she foresees a possible breakthrough soon.
• Heavenly Father, we bind in Jesus name the efforts to bring about a peace treaty where Israel will be vulnerable to people and nations who are adamant in their desire to destroy Israel! We pray blessing upon Israel.
• I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. (Joel 3:2)
4. U.S.: 34 deaths Alleged in Toyotas The Washington Times
Toyota has recalled 8.5 million vehicles globally during the past four months because of problems with gas pedals, floor mats and brakes. The government typically receives a surge in complaints following a recall. None has yet been verified.
• Lord, we know that these latest revelations of defects in the Toyota cars will affect those who drive them, and also the economy of the world. We pray for the safety of all cars that are manufactured, and for the protection of our economy from these recent events.
• Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:3-4)
5. Military Seeks an Intelligence-Gathering Airship Washington Post
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the Army Forces Strategic Command are continuing their multiyear search for a futuristic, self-powered, intelligence-gathering airship. The ideal model would be able to linger for more than three weeks over a target area at 20,000 feet, carrying a 2,500-pound payload of signals and imagery interceptors with a view of 173 miles, according to a special notice issued last week.
The success in Iraq and Afghanistan of "spy blimps" - now tethered to the ground but gathering intelligence such as full-motion video used to identify insurgents - has sparked interest in these new airships.
• Lord, we pray for our leaders who are in charge of the defense of our nation to make decisions that will keep us and our allies safe. We pray for their vigilance and their speed in detecting any problems or weaknesses in our defense.
• And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)
6. Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban s Top Commander New York Times
The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban s founder and a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks.
His capture could cripple the Taliban s military operations, at least in the short term, said Bruce O. Riedel, a former C.I.A. officer who last spring led the Obama administration s Afghanistan and Pakistan policy review. It was unclear whether Baradar was talking, but the officials said his capture had provided a window into the Taliban and could lead to other senior officials.
• We thank you, Lord, that you have helped us capture this terrorist. We pray that more terrorists will be caught and not killed in the field so that we can gain much knowledge about their plans. Expose all terrorist leaders.
• When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall. (Proverbs 29:16)
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. U.S. denies dropping demand for Israel settlement freeze - Ha'aretz
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday dismissed Palestinian claims that the Obama administration had rescinded on its demand for Israel to halt activity in West Bank settlements.
2. Despite Netanyahu pressure, Russia defends Iran missile deal - Ha'aretz
On the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow, senior Russian security officials were speaking out on defense-related issues that have provoked tensions between the two countries.
The Good News Corner
Researchers Find More Advances in Ethical Research
Scientists at the Stanford University Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine have developed a new and simpler way to create induced pluripotent stem cells.
Pluripotent stem cells can be changed to numerous cell types without destroying human embryos.
With the new technique, tiny circles of DNA are used to transform cells taken from human fat into pluripotent stem cells.
The study was published online Feb. 7 in the journal Nature Methods.
Dawn Vargo, bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the continued advances in such ethical research means that embryonic stem-cell research is becoming irrelevant.
"We're seeing that it will potentially be safe to use in patients," she said, "and it's also safe for the embryos, who are being saved from destructive research." (CitizenLink)
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