Next Sunday, June 28th: Call2Fall
For details, go here.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"A National Prayer Alliance"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief:
"Praying for All in Authority"
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth." (Job 19:25)
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A Rainbow Over the Supreme Court
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This photo of the front of the
Supreme Court was taken the night before the hearings on gay marriage: Monday, April 27, at sunset. Please remain with us in prayer over the pending decision on traditional marriage until the verdict has been rendered.
" . . . from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. . . What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10: 6,9)
Thank You, Lord, for watching over this Court. In Jesus' name, amen.
"In a dream, a vision of the night,
When sound sleep falls on men,
While they slumber in their beds,
Then He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction,
That He may turn man aside from his conduct,
And keep man from pride;
He keeps back his soul from the pit,
And his life from passing over into Sheol." (Job 33:15-18)
"I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night." (Psalm 16:7)
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The Middle East in Focus
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"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
1. Israel slams 'politically motivated and morally flawed' UN Gaza report - Times of Israel
Israel on Monday said it would "seriously" evaluate the United Nations Human Rights Council inquiry on the Gaza conflict, while politicians from left and right slammed the international body for bias and declared that the international investigators lacked access to evidence.
The report, released in Geneva on Monday afternoon, said both Israel and Hamas may have committed war crimes during the 50-day war last summer. The UN Human Rights Council report (download) placed blame on both parties but focused more on Israel's role.
It also accepted the Palestinian death count of 1,462 civilians killed out of a total of 2,251 Palestinian war dead - a 65-percent ratio - rather than Israel's figures showing a lower proportion of civilian fatalities. (Read more)
2. Netanyahu Rebuffs France on Restarting Mideast Talks - New York Times
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Sunday rebuffed the French idea of restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process with international support and the backing of a United Nations Security Council resolution.
Speaking at a joint news conference with France's foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, who was visiting the region to advance the French-led initiative, Mr. Netanyahu said: "Peace will only come from direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions. It will not come from U.N. resolutions that are sought to be imposed from the outside." (Read more)
3. Abbas: 'No Place' for Hamas in New Government - Israel National News
Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday told visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius that any new Palestinian unity government should not include Hamas, AFP reports.
The remarks came on the eve of a key meeting of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to discuss forming a new cabinet. The unity government between Hamas and Fatah collapsed last week as Abbas decided to dissolve it amid a deepening rift between the sides.
"(Abbas) told me this government of national unity could only include women and men who recognize Israel, renounce violence and who are in agreement with the principles of the (Mideast) Quartet," Fabius said at a press conference in Jerusalem after holding talks with Abbas in Ramallah. (Read more)
4. New think tank in Jordan watching Israel shows discreet, growing ties between countries - US News
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - A new Jordanian think tank that focuses on Israel is tucked away on the seventh floor of a glass-fronted Amman office building, without a sign announcing the presence of the Center for Israel Studies.
It's the sort of discretion still customary in Jordan when it comes to anything concerning Israel. Broad segments of Jordanian society, where a majority have Palestinian roots, oppose "normalization" with Israel even 21 years after the two countries signed a peace deal.
Yet ties have grown stronger between the governments since the regional rise of Islamic militancy unleashed by the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Israel and Jordan have signed deals on natural gas and water desalination in recent months and Israeli officials say security cooperation is closer than ever.
Israel needs Jordan as a security buffer on its eastern flank, and is putting a premium on helping to ensure the stability of the pro-Western kingdom, which faces potential threats from Islamic State militants who control large areas in neighboring Syria and Iraq. (Read more)
5. Secret meeting between Turkish and Israeli officials - Jerusalem Online
After taking a long break, contacts between Jerusalem and Ankara were renewed once again, according to local media sources. Israel's Foreign Ministry director Dore Gold met with his Turkish counterpart Feridun Sinirlioglu, earlier today (Monday) in the Italian capital.
Following the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010 and the deterioration in the relations between the countries, the Turkish Foreign Ministry's Director has constituted the main channel of communication between Israel and Turkey. Gold was recently appointed as the Foreign Ministry's Director General by PM Netanyahu, who is considered to be a close associate of Gold's. The purpose of the latest encounter between the officials was mainly to get to know each other and furthermore to examine potential cooperation between the two countries. (Read more)
6. Head of UN Gaza commission rejects claims of bias - Times of Israel
The head of the United Nations Human Rights Council commission on the Gaza war rejected claims of bias by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday, saying the investigation was "even-handed" and the premier had likely not studied the report on last summer's conflict in full.
McGowan Davis also told Channel 2 the commission was correct in treating the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas as bound by "the same principles" of the laws of war.
Netanyahu on Monday dismissed the report - which suggested that both Hamas and Israel may have committed war crimes - as "flawed and biased. (Read more)
7. Indian intelligence warns of attacks against Israelis - Times of Israel
Indian intelligence agencies warned of impending attacks against Jews and Israelis in the south Asian country.
Indian media reported Monday that the decision had been made to increase security for the Israeli embassy and other potential targets.
Senior Israeli officials said the alert was not in light of a "concrete" threat and was routine. (Read more)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Obama's Trade Agenda Rises Again - National Journal
Another round of votes this week in both chambers may give the president a pre-recess win on a revived fast-track bill.
First vote is scheduled to take place today.
"I know it's hard to do, but if we step back a few paces and recall what we were all asking for a few weeks ago, we should be able to take some satisfaction in this," McConnell said Thursday. "It means that, before July 4, the president will have signed TPA, TAA, and AGOA and Preferences, and that we will be well on our way toward enactment of a robust customs package. That would be quite an achievement.
(Read more)
- Lord God, as we read the comments of members who are supporting the TPA package, each one sees only one vision in front of them: this "deal" will be good for my constituents (voters), and bring business to my state (or district). Lord God, on the surface yes, this is how this looks, but those who have read this bill thoroughly
are seeing a much different picture. Please, Lord, we beseech You to move with Your mighty hand to block passage of TPA, TAA, AGOA and Preferences in the Name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen and amen.
- "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
(Jer. 32:27)
2. Democrats heap praise on Pelosi for trade moves - The Hill
House Democrats are voicing high praise for Rep. Nancy Pelosi's handling of the contentious trade debate, even despite moves to help President Obama pass an agenda that's anathema to her troops.
Pelosi (D-Calif.) had no good options heading into last week's votes on fast-track authority and workers aid, caught squarely between the president she wants to support and the left-leaning caucus she commands. In a debate where there was very little middle ground, she was forced to walk a tightrope in an effort to bolster Obama's hand without undermining the position of her liberal base.
In the end she split the difference, fighting to secure a process that greased the skids for passage of Obama's trade package before joining her caucus in voting to block it. In the eyes of Democratic trade opponents, she played her cards just right.
Pelosi, meanwhile, is predicting the Senate's potential strategy would fail in the House, arguing that African preferences bill shouldn't be used as a vehicle for more controversial trade provisions.
"I don't see a path right now for TAA," she said. "Let's just get [the preferences bill] moving and done and not have it be part of any controversy." (Read more)
- Lord God, we agree with this final statement by Ms. Pelosi and we pray that the TAA will fail in the House when they pick this up again. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen and amen.
- "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)
3. Supremes rule in government grab of private property - WND
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with a California family that produces raisins and said the government can't just take their products without paying for them.
"The Fifth Amendment requires that the government pay just compensation when it takes personal property, just as when it takes real property. Any net proceeds the raisin growers receive from the sale of the reserve raisins goes to the amount of compensation they have received for that taking - it does not mean the raisins have not been appropriated for government use," the court said. "Nor can the government make raisin growers relinquish their property without just compensation as a condition of selling their raisins . . ."
The government's intent purportedly was to "stabilize" a market, and it disposed of the confiscated raisins however it chose. If there was any income left after government expenses it distributed that proportionally to the raisin producers. (Read more)
- Father, may these raisin growers get just compensation for their product. May the "Fifth Amendment" rights be protected in the case of this family. We thank You in the name of Jesus, amen.
- "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." (Proverbs 12:22)
4. Did Hack Include Files of CIA and Military Personnel? - CNSNews.com
OPM Director: 'I Would be Glad to Discuss That in a Classified Setting'
When Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta testified in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee last week she said that the personnel records of about 4.2 million current and former federal employees had been "compromised" by a "cyber intrusion" into the OPM's computer systems.
She also said that "an additional OPM system was compromised. These systems included information based on the background investigations of current, former and prospective federal government employees, as well as other individuals," Archuleta told the committee under oath.
When Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz asked Archuleta whether this included the files on military and CIA personnel, Archuletta gave him an identical answer to each question."I would be glad to discuss that in a classified setting," she said. (Read more)
Father, we pray protection over those federal employees whose information was compromised. Give us systems to put in place for the future, to prevent this massive intrusion of private information. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- "The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven." (Deuteronomy 28:7)
5. Pentagon confirms ISIS 'dirty bomb' claims - WND
The Pentagon has confirmed to WND that the Islamic State has seized enough radioactive materials from captured Iraqi facilities to develop "dirty bombs," just as ISIS' recent English-language magazine, Dabiq, claimed.
The ISIS claim had alarmed the Australian intelligence service, which initially revealed the prospect that ISIS fighters have seized sufficient radioactive and biological materials from research centers and hospitals - which previously were under Iraqi government control. Such seizures were first revealed at a meeting of the Australia Group in Perth, Australia, at which Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop expressed the deep concern of members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and regional partners over the potential use by ISIS of the seized materials.
"We are aware of claims that ISIL has declared its motives of developing a 'dirty bomb' in a recent edition of its propaganda magazine," Defense Department spokeswoman, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Elissa Smith, told WND. "We share the same concern as our Australian defense officials and regional partners and will continue to use our intelligence resources to remain vigilant of any activity and indicators of this violent extremist organization's intent to employ such weapons," she said. (Read more)
- Father, we intercede over this report on ISIS acquiring "dirty bomb" materials. We pray You stop them in their tracks. We pray You open their eyes to see Your angels with swords drawn wherever they go to attack. We thank You, Father, for our friends in Australia who are working with us to combat terrorism. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" (Joshua 5:13)
6. Philippines steps up drills with U.S., Japan forces near South China Sea - Reuters
The Philippines will hold separate naval exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces this week on a Philippine island that is not far from the disputed Spratly archipelago, where China's rapid creation of seven island outposts is stoking regional tensions.
Manila, which has one of the weakest navies in Asia, has stepped up its security cooperation this year in the wake of Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, not just with ally Washington, but also with Japan and Vietnam.
A Philippine military official said there was no plan for the Philippine, U.S. and Japanese navies to hold combined exercises on Palawan island, 160 km (100 miles) from the Spratlys, although the drills could intersect because Manila had limited naval assets. "At some point all three forces could merge in one activity because we only have two ships and limited aircraft to take part in these exercises," said the official, who declined to be identified. (Read more)
- Lord God, we see the drumbeat of war now building across the nations. Father, this situation with China is so fragile; and we understand that this "stand off" might erupt into something far more dangerous, almost without warning. Abba Father, we ask the You would bring the calming effect of Your Holy Spirit to rest upon these waters, that all who live and work there remain safe. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Eccl. 3:1)
7. Secretary Carter says US will provide weapons, aircraft, forces for NATO - Fox News
MUNSTER, Germany - The U.S. will contribute weapons, aircraft and forces, including commandos, for NATO's rapid reaction force, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday, to help Europe defend against security threats, including Russia from the east and violent extremists from the south. Under the plan, the U.S. will contribute intelligence and surveillance capabilities, special operations forces, logistics, transport aircraft, and a range of weapons support that could include bombers, fighters and ship-based missiles. It would not provide a large ground force.
Carter's trip comes as the European Union extended economic sanctions against Russia until January to keep pressure on Moscow over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. And it follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that he will add more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of piercing any missile defenses.
In other comments during a question and answer session, Carter said the U.S. is already supporting Ukraine through training and other equipment, and that "we provide weapons to Ukraine." Officials clarified that the U.S. has still not decided to provide lethal weapons, but continues to provide defensive equipment such as radars. (Read more)
- Father, increasingly we see the nations arming themselves, and in the end, this will lead to war. We ask Lord God that You would grace our leaders and those of the NATO countries with Your Spirit of restraint, so that, when it comes to military decisions, each one would only do what is needed, and when it is needed, according to Your will and not that of man. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:7)
8. Iran's Parliament Bans Nuclear Inspectors from Military Sites - AP
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - With some lawmakers chanting "Death to the America," Iran's parliament voted to ban access to military sites, documents and scientists as part of a future deal with world powers over its contested nuclear program.
The bill, if ratified, could complicate the ongoing talks in Vienna between Iran and the six-nation group - the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - as they face a self-imposed June 30 deadline. The talks are focused on reaching a final accord that curbs Iran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Of 213 lawmakers present on Sunday, 199 voted in favor of the bill, which also demands the complete lifting of all sanctions against Iran as part of any final nuclear accord. The bill must be ratified by the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog, to become a law. The terms stipulated in the bill allow for international inspections of Iranian nuclear sites, but forbid any inspections of military facilities.
In a statement Sunday, the U.S. State Department said inspections remain a key part of any final deal. All parties "are well aware of what is necessary for a final deal, including the access and transparency that will meet our bottom lines," the statement said. "We won't agree to a deal without that." (Read more)
- Father, open the eyes of our lawmakers to see deception. Help them to make wise decisions in spite of wanting this "deal" so much, that they turn and look the other way from the dangers that are lurking in front of them. Protect us from unwise decisions. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. - And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you." (Matthew 24:4)
9. 'Reasonable' Greek offer raises hopes of deal but Germany urges caution - Reuters
Greece took a step back from the abyss on Monday with the presentation of new budget proposals that euro zone leaders welcomed as a basis for a possible agreement in the coming days to unlock frozen aid and avert a looming default.
European Council President Donald Tusk, who chaired an emergency summit of leaders of the 19-nation currency bloc, called the Greek proposals "a positive step forward". He said the aim was to have the Eurogroup finance ministers approve a cash-for-reform package on Wednesday evening and put it to euro zone leaders for final endorsement on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, Hopes rose on financial markets as the officials accepted the reform proposal for the first time as a "reasonable" basis for negotiating an aid-for-reforms agreement between Athens and its creditors at the EU and IMF. But Germany, the biggest European contributor to Greece's bailout programs, warned that the meeting in Brussels of euro zone leaders could be only "a summit of consultations" without a detailed technical agreement. (Read more)
BREAKING! Latest on Greece: 48 hours to craft a deal - CNBC
European officials said they expect to see Greece agree to a deal by Wednesday evening, and that the agreement would be announced Thursday morning.
The comments came after the European Central Bank raised the Greece's emergency funding for the third time in a week, and officials held crunch talks in an effort to prevent the country from defaulting on its debt. (Read more)
- Father God, we thank You that You have heard and have answered our prayers for the nation of Greece and for the economies of the nations. We ask that this offer be fully successful in stabilizing the economy in Greece; and that this plan would then bode well for the other nations involved. Thank You Father, once again, for answered prayers. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen and amen.
- "The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)
10. Heatwave in Pakistan's southern Sindh province leaves 141 dead - The Indian Express
At least 141 people, including 132 alone in capital Karachi, have died due to an intense ongoing heatwave sweeping across many parts of Pakistan's southern Sindh province.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah told reporters in Karachi on Sunday that emergency had been declared in all the government hospitals of Karachi and other cities in the province. "Orders have been issued for uninterrupted supply of power and water to the emergency centres of all hospitals to deal with the mortality cases due to the heat wave," Shah said.
Temperatures of around 44 to 45 degrees Celsius (111 degrees F.) have been recorded in the port city of Karachi since Friday which was also the first day of the holy month of Ramazan. The scorching heat is expected to continue Monday as well. "Most of the mortality cases we have got at our hospital are of elderly people and the homeless due to suffocation, dehydration and heat strokes," said Seemi Jamali, medical superintendent at the Jinnah hospital. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for those suffering from this heatwave. Bring relief to the people of Pakistan. We pray You bring cool breezes to this country. We speak comfort to those families who have lost loved ones in this intense weather. In Jesus' name, amen.
- "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses." (Psalm 107:6)
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The Daily Jot
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Monday, June 22, 2015
Tale of two cities--Ferguson and Charleston
It is the worst of America and the best of America. Ferguson--A man attacks a police officer and after a struggle the unarmed Black man is shot dead by the White officer. Lies are told, a nation reacts, anarchists and race baiters move in. There are riots. Businesses are burnt, homes are destroyed. Anger is agitated and burns deeper than the smoldering buildings. Charleston--a young White man enters an historic Black church. He is welcomed. He stays for Bible study. He pulls out a gun and kills nine Black people in cold blood. The church and city mourn, come together, and present a Christian American response to the horror that befell them, rejecting those who encourage violence and anarchy.
AFP reported: "Several hundred congregants, some tearful, packed the Emanuel African American Episcopal Church for a service led by visiting clergy because the congregation's pastor was among those killed by a suspected young white supremacist.The service offered still-grieving Charleston -- in another era, the American capital of the transatlantic slave trade -- a chance to mark what many argued was its triumph in thwarting the shooter's reported aim to foment racial hatred.Celebrants at Emanuel church said the accused gunman, Dylann Roof, 21, from a rural town near the state capital Columbia, had failed miserably in his quest to break their spirit of love and faith."
Moreover, the Charleston community gathered around in support. AFP reported: "Later in the day, more than 10,000 people spread out across the 2.5-mile (four-kilometer) Arthur Ravenel Bridge to hold hands in a stunning show of solidarity with the Emanuel church...Once on the bridge and holding hands in a "unity chain" from Charleston to the middle-class suburb of Mount Pleasant, participants observed nine minutes of silence, one for each of the Emanuel massacre victims." The people of Charleston are showing by example what Joseph explained in Genesis 50:20, "you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Meanwhile, the "president" and other politicos are attempting to use the deaths in Charleston to advance their various political agendas. This is a stark contrast to how responsible people who love God respond to evil. We see in various places around the nation how darkness responds to darkness. We see in Charleston how children of light respond to the darkness of evil. Sure, there is anger. Sure, there is the desire for justice. Sure, there is mourning. The people of Charleston, however, see the mechanisms of hatred for what they are--the satanic attempt to kill, steal and destroy. True leadership sees the problem spiritually and addresses it accordingly, rather than stirring up more of satan's mission.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Republicans Feel the Heat
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Congressman Mark Meadows Raked over by GOP
As most Republicans know, there's a price for bucking leadership -- and Congressman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) is paying it. The popular North Carolina member, a respected member of the House, took it on the chin over the weekend for defying Boehner on last week's rule vote for the trade bill. Like most conservatives, he knew that splitting with leadership would have its consequences. And losing his subcommittee chairmanship a few months into the new session is his.
In a purely punitive act, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) stripped Meadows of his gavel just days after Mark voted "no" on the trade rule. One of 34 Republicans to rebel against Boehner, Meadows is among four people who are feeling the heat. Three others lost their prestigious whip positions -- including our good friend Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.). Although none of the group were surprised, the punishment still stings.
For members like Franks and Meadows, who are among the most well-rounded conservatives in the House, the penalty was particularly severe. "I made a tough decision that I believe is in the interest of the Committee," Rep. Chaffetz told reporters. "I think highly of Mr. Meadows but a change was needed based on multiple factors." Although Chaffetz insisted the decision was his -- and his alone -- Mark's choice not to vote for Boehner for Speaker in January almost certainly played a role. "We're a team," Boehner tried to explain, "and we've worked hard to get to the majority, we've worked hard to stay in the majority -- and I expect our team to act like a team."
. . . Ironically, these members were only doing what Americans asked of them: holding the line on conservative principles -- the same principles that led to the wave of GOP success last November. It's not only in America's best interest, but the leadership's, to have conservatives in the highest positions -- men and women who are unapologetically strong on all three legs of the Republican stool: economic, social, and defense issues. If this is the standard leadership is setting -- blind political allegiance -- it's no wonder that only 8% of Americans have confidence in Congress!
Fortunately for Meadows's district, this Congressman isn't backing down. "No one should be punished for voting their conscience and representing their constituents," he said. "I didn't run for Congress to be a Yes vote for House Republican leadership. I came here to represent the people of Western North Carolina. My voting card may have my picture on it, but it belongs to the people of Western North Carolina, and I will continue to listen to their voices regardless of the consequences." (Family Research Council)
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Stop Importing Hate
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Stop Importing Hate
Here's one thing we should have a national conversation about: Why we are importing hate.
Roof was born here, and every society has its rotten apples to contend with. But the evidence is mounting that we have not one crazed murderer like Roof, but perhaps hundreds. Every day seems to bring another story about a teenager or young adult in America yearning to join ISIS, a group that makes headlines for beheading Christians.
Again, we need to be having a national conversation about our values and why it is important to defend them.
Repeated studies have found that the sin of anti-Semitism has tentacles extending deep into the Muslim world. And yet we are importing into the United States hundreds of thousands of Muslims, knowing but never talking about the fact that significant percentages are infected with the most ancient evil of all -- anti-Semitism.
It is true that the percentage of Muslims willing to commit acts of terrorism in the name of Allah is small. But it is also true that many in the Islamic world harbor deep seated anti-Semitic beliefs and buy into 9/11 conspiracy theories. Why are we bringing that kind of hate into America? (Gary Bauer)
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What Two-State Solution?
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What Two-State Solution?
While President Obama and other world leaders continue to try to force Israel to surrender more land for peace by pushing their misguided "two-state solution," the Palestinians continue to make it clear that they are not interested in peace with Israel or even a piece of Israel.
This week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected a resolution France is proposing at the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state based on the borders that existed in 1967 and compensation for Palestinian refugees. Why would Abbas reject that?
Because the resolution also recognizes Israel as a Jewish state, something Abbas adamantly refuses to do. Talk about bigotry. There are dozens of Islamic states all over the world and nobody questions their status as such. Yet Abbas refuses to recognize even one tiny Jewish nation.
But the real issue is that by recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, it prevents Abbas from demographically swamping Israel with millions of so-called Palestinian refugees. Such a move would almost instantaneously transform Israel into an Arab-Muslim nation, at which point the nation of Israel would cease to exist. And that is Abbas' final solution. (Gary Bauer)
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Honoring the Magna Carta
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Academic World Rocked by Discovery: The Free World Owes the Church for the Great Magna Carta
"The Church. . . .was central to the production, preservation and proclamation of the Magna Carta. The cathedrals were like a beacon from which the light of the charter shone round the country, thus beginning the process by which it became central to national life." -David Carpenter
(United Kingdom)-As the world celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta-the historic British document that provided a modern foundation for freedom and instigated the West's long march toward democracy-news from the world of science and archaeology has turned academics on their heads.
A report in The Medievalists, noted that the question of who all were involved with the document has been "a conundrum that has puzzled scholars for centuries" but now has been discovered.
Originally, it was assumed that the equal-rights document approved on June 15, 2015, by King John was an entirely secular venture.
But David Carpenter, a King's College Professor of Medieval History has called the new revelations "exciting discoveries and said, "We now know that three of the four surviving originals of the Charter went to cathedrals-Lincoln, Salisbury and Canterbury. Probably cathedrals were the destination for the great majority of the other original charters issued in 1215.
"This overturns the old view that the charters were sent to the sheriffs in charge of the counties. That would have been fatal since the sheriffs were the very people under attack in the charter. They would have quickly consigned the Magna Carta to their castle furnaces.
"The Church, therefore, was central to the production, preservation and proclamation of the Magna Carta. The cathedrals were like a beacon from which the light of the charter shone round the country, thus beginning the process by which it became central to national life." (Breaking Christian News) Read more here.
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Manna for Today
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Manna for Today
"The foundation of God standeth sure." (2 Tim. 2:19)
By Charles H. Spurgeon
The foundation upon which our faith rests is this, that "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." The great fact on which genuine faith relies is, that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us," and that "Christ also hath suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God"; "Who himself bare our sins in his own body on the tree"; "For the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed."
In one word, the great pillar of the Christian's hope is substitution. The vicarious sacrifice of Christ for the guilty, Christ being made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, Christ offering up a true and proper expiatory and substitutionary sacrifice in the room, place, and stead of as many as the Father gave him, who are known to God by name, and are recognized in their own hearts by their trusting in Jesus-this is the cardinal fact of the gospel. If this foundation were removed, what could we do? But it standeth firm as the throne of God. We know it; we rest on it; we rejoice in it; and our delight is to hold it, to meditate upon it, and to proclaim it, while we desire to be actuated and moved by gratitude for it in every part of our life and conversation.
In these days a direct attack is made upon the doctrine of the atonement. Men cannot bear substitution. They gnash their teeth at the thought of the Lamb of God bearing the sin of man. But we, who know by experience the preciousness of this truth, will proclaim it in defiance of them confidently and unceasingly. We will neither dilute it nor change it, nor fritter it away in any shape or fashion. It shall still be Christ, a positive substitute, bearing human guilt and suffering in the stead of men. We cannot, dare not, give it up, for it is our life, and despite every controversy we feel that "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure."
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Christian Prayers for Ramadan
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Christian Prayers for Ramadan
Day Six: The people of north Mali
The north of Mali is a huge sandpit - the southern Sahara. This area is known for the Tuareg in their blue robes, riding on camels. Lesser known are the Songhai, who live along the Niger river in northeast Mali, mainly in the cities of Gao and Timbuktu. From the mid-15th to the late 16th centuries, the Songhai Empire was one of the largest Islamic empires in history. This area is still largely unreached by the gospel - 99% are Muslims, and there are very few Christians.
Tamasheq and Songhai are the two major languages spoken in north Mali. The New Testament has been available in Tamasheq for a few years now, but the Songhai version was only just distributed and dedicated to the population in January 2015. The Word of God in these languages is the key to the people's hearts.
The ongoing conflict and rise of extremism as a result of rebellions in 2012 and 2013 has caused many of the population to become disillusioned with Islam. This has created a great openness to faith in Jesus, but there are so few workers to address the enormous physical and spiritual needs of this region.
Fatima has a crippled foot because of polio. Over the years, she has become open to know more about Jesus and has even helped in translating the Bible. However, she does not dare to openly confess her faith in Jesus because of the fear of expulsion from her family. This is true of many others in north Mali.
How can we pray?
- Pray for peace in the ongoing conflict
- Pray for opportunities for more people in north Mali to understand the message of Christ and its power to transform and bring peace.
- Pray for more Christian workers who can demonstrate the love of Jesus in this area.
(Source: www.30DaysPrayer.org.uk)
A Verse to Decree:
"Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." (Psalm 2:8)
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Our Grandmothers' Songs
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Songs Our Grandmothers Sang:
IVORY PALACES
"All Your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes You glad." (Psalm 45:8)
Lyrics:
My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
And myrrh their texture fills;
Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine
With joy my being thrills.
Refrain
Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go.
His life had also its sorrows sore,
For aloes had a part;
And when I think of the cross He bore,
My eyes with teardrops start.
Refrain
His garments too were in cassia dipped,
With healing in a touch;
Each time my feet in some sin have slipped,
He took me from its clutch.
Refrain
In garments glorious He will come,
To open wide the door;
And I shall enter my heav'nly home,
To dwell forevermore.
Refrain
Melody
Please go here.
(Sung by George Beverly Shea in 1962(
About the Author:
Words & Music: Henry Barraclough, 1915
About the Hymn:
To learn more about how and why this hymn was written,please go here.
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Signs and Wonders
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Oklahoma area on record earthquake pace
Through April 2015, the seismically active region centered in Oklahoma has notched 468 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater. That figure is a leap of nearly 90 percent more than the 248 temblors of that strength experienced in the first four months of 2014, which went on to become the state's most seismically active year by far, with 997 quakes. (Tulsaworld.com) Read more.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." (Luke 21:25)
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The Good News Corner
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Power of Love: MSNBC Reporter Overcome by Charleston Crowd Singing Gospel Songs during Shooting Suspect's Arraignment
" . . . They're singing a Gospel song? . . . and you heard from the family members . . . of those who were lost . . . You can see the outpouring of support for this community; it goes all the way down the street . . . "
EDITOR'S NOTE: What an incredibly powerful testimony of God's love and forgiveness the people of Charleston are showing the world! It's obviously having a great impact on secular media who expected the worst, and instead, found themselves covering the message of the Gospel being lived out in front of them. Thank you Charleston. -Aimee Herd, BCN. (Breaking Christian News)
While covering the arraignment for Charleston shooting suspect, Dylann Roof, MSNBC reporter Thomas Roberts suddenly choked up as he described the inspirational scene before him at a vigil which took place at the same time.
Roberts seemed astounded as he reported how the shooting victims' family members had spoken one-by-one to the 21-year-old suspect, telling him they'd forgiven him for killing their loved ones.
"Can we look over here right now? I mean, it's kind of heartbreaking," said Roberts while choking up. "They're singing, and a whole flood of people showed up at the same time . . . that this arraignment was taking place."
Obviously very moved, Roberts began haltingly describing the crowd that had formed outside and had begun singing Gospel songs. " . . . They're singing a Gospel song? . . . and you heard from the family members . . . of those who were lost . . . You can see the outpouring of support for this community; it goes all the way down the street . . . " Unable to go on at one point, another MSNBC announcer took over, as Roberts just stared at the crowd, seemingly stunned. (Reported by Breaking Christian News) Read more here.
> > > See this video by going here.
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
The River
by Brian Doerksen
"In these waters flowing mercies flows with freedom from despair. Precious Jesus, I am ready to surrender every care. Take my hand now. Lead me closer. Lord, I need to meet You there."
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Two Daily Conference Calls
TO PRAY IN THE NIGHT:
Please note that the national prayer call continues every night with different leaders from different intercession ministries each night.
These prayer calls will be held nightly at 9PM EST. Please join us by calling 1-857-232-0156; access 377054. Please sign on 15 minutes early so we can be ready to pray at 9PM.
This call sponsored by Breaker of Dawn has been going on since Sept 9, 2014 and every night it is a Psalm 133 call with different ministries joining together and most every night there are intercessors that represent our entire nation.
For details, go here.
TO PRAY IN THE DAY:
A second conference call is now available daily (except on Sundays) at 11:30 a.m. EST. Sponsored by the Salt & Light Council, the focus of the daily "Repentance and Restoration" calls is to pray for all in authority.
You are cordially invited to join these calls by dialing 712-432-1699/ Access code 338083#
To learn more, please visit their website at:
http://randrprayer.org
> > > Day and night, in these perilous times, let's join forces on these calls to cry out unto God for His mercy to be shown to America and to Israel. Thank you!
