Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief
"Praying for All in Authority"
Monday, August 13, 2018
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD!
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold." (Psalm 46: 1, 11)
SING IT, SAINTS!
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"Standing United Together . . . Under the Cross of Christ"
| The Daily Brief (Part One) | |||
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Breaking News over this Past Weekend
1. (In Washington) 'Unite the Right' march triggers tension, Antifa clashes, hundreds of counterprotesters - Fox News
Hundreds of counterprotesters, including Antifa, confronted a group of white-nationalist demonstrators Sunday at the so-called "Unite the Right II" march toward the White House -- and many pushed back as officers tried to clear the area in the evening, triggering scuffles.
A passing thunderstorm forced the far-right demonstrators to break down their rally stage in Lafayette Park near the White House prematurely, but as police escorted them from the area, reports of Antifa resistance emerged. Some 200 anti-fascists, many of them wearing black masks, confronted police about a half-mile from the White House as officers shoved them back, The Associated Press reported.
Other reports suggested counterprotesters hurled fireworks as police tried to clear the way for "Unite the Right" activists to leave the park. Eventually, many of the Antifa members packed in to vans as police escorted them away. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for this relative calm that was prevalent today in Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, and elsewhere in our city, as these two potentially violent groups held their demonstrations. Lord, we thank You for answered prayer, and for the wisdom shown by our D.C.police today in our nation's capital, amen.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
2. (Charlottesville) WATCH: Violent Antifa Protesters Physically Attack NBC Reporter - ConservativeFighters.org
Protests marking the one-year anniversary of the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent Saturday night when Antifa protesters overran a mostly peaceful demonstration. A group of protesters cornered and attacked NBC News reporter Cal Perry, even knocking his cameraman's equipment down. Fortunately, the violence was mostly captured on camera.
Saturday's rallies were expected to be largely peaceful demonstrations against white supremacy and racism. That quickly changed when violent Antifa protesters hit the street after dark. Not only did they show violence toward the media, but they also targeted police. (Read more)
- Lord God, while things were relatively calm today in Washington, Charlottesville was a different matter. We ask for the healing balm of Gilead to be placed upon the rock of offense in the heart of each man and woman who were involved in last year's riots in that city, that this root of bitterness be healed, in Your name, amen.
- "By His stripes, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
3. Omarosa releases purported secret recording of Chief of Staff John Kelly 'threatening' her in the Situation Room- Fox News
Omarosa Manigault-Newman, the ex-reality star and former Trump aide who has since acccused the president of racism, on Sunday released what she claimed was a secret recording of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly "threatening" her in the White House Situation Room.
But White House officials pushed back immediately, saying Manigault-Newman's termination for alleged ethical violations was handled appropriately and charging that she would have flagrantly violated security protocols by taping Kelly in the highly secured room in the basement of the West Wing.
"The very idea a staff member would sneak a recording device into the White House Situation Room, shows a blatant disregard for our national security - and then to brag about it on national television further proves the lack of character and integrity of this disgruntled former White House employee," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Sunday evening. (Read more)
- Father God, this is unacceptable. We ask that You raise up hearings in both the House and the Senate to learn how this apparent breach of national security occurred. We ask that Omarosa be held accountable for her actions, and for justice to be rendered accordingly. In Your name, amen.
- " Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered." (Proverbs 11:21)
4. Kavanaugh Hearing Set - Liberty Counsel
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced today that the hearing for SCOTUS nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh will begin on September 4 and is expected to last for three or four days.
Opening statements by Judiciary Committee members and the nominee will occur on Tuesday, September 4. The questioning of Judge Kavanaugh will begin on Wednesday, September 5. Testimony by those who know Judge Kavanaugh the best, outside legal experts, and the American Bar Association is expected to follow.
This announcement comes after the committee has received the largest number of Executive Branch records ever for the consideration of a Supreme Court nominee. As of today, the committee has received more than 184,000 pages of records from Judge Kavanaugh's work as a White House lawyer and his work for Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. The committee also expects to receive hundreds of thousands of additional pages of Executive Branch documents. These records will be reviewed in addition to the 307 cases in which Judge Kavanaugh wrote an opinion as an appeals court judge, the hundreds more opinions he joined, and the more than 17,500 pages of material he provided in response to the committee's bipartisan questionnaire. (Read more)
- Father, we pray our Senators will do thorough job vetting Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. We ask You, Lord, to expose anything that should give us pause in confirming him to the court. We also intercede for him and his family as they submit to this difficult, intrusive process. We pray for Your perfect will to be done.
- Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. (Deuteronomy 16:18)
5. Erdogan Claims CIA, Mossad Planning to Rescue US Pastor Andrew Brunson - CBN
Turkey's president Recep Erdogan reportedly told A-Haber TV, a channel owned by Erdogan's son-in-law, that members of the CIA and Mossad are staying in houses and apartments near Mr. Brunson's home.
Brunson, a 50-year-old native of Black Mountain, North Carolina, was arrested in December 2016 by Turkish authorities who claimed that he was a spy and had connections to a terrorist group - a charge Mr. Brunson has vehemently denied.
He was recently moved to house arrest after spending nearly two years in a Turkish jail. A-Haber TV's website claims Turkish authorities have identified the western agents and are keeping a close watch on their activities. Mr. Brunson has to wear an electronic monitoring device 24 hours a day.
Brunson led an evangelical church in İzmir for over 20 years without incident. All that changed in 2016, when he, along with tens of thousands of Turks, were rounded up by authorities during an alleged coup attempt. Mr. Brunson was accused of obtaining state secrets with the intention of overthrowing Turkey's government. He could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. (Read more)
- Lord God, we support in prayer whatever it will take to bring this dear man home. In Your Name, amen.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
6. Strongest-ever earthquake strikes Alaska's North Slope region - CBS News
KAVIK RIVER CAMP, Alaska -- Alaska's North Slope was hit Sunday by the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the region, the state's seismologist said. At 6:58 a.m. Sunday, the magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck an area 42 miles east of Kavik River Camp and 343 miles northeast of Fairbanks, the state's second-biggest city. The agency says the earthquake had a depth of about 6 miles.
State seismologist Mike West told the Anchorage Daily News that the quake was the biggest recorded in the North Slope by a substantial amount. "This is a very significant event that will take us some time to understand," he told the Daily News.
The previous most powerful quake in the North Slope was in 1995 at magnitude 5.2, West told the newspaper. The jump from a 5.2 to Sunday's 6.4 is significant because earthquakes rapidly grow in strength as magnitude rises, he said. "That's why at 6.4 this changes how we think about the region," West said. "It's a little early to say how, but it's safe to say this earthquake will cause a re-evaluation of the seismic potential of that area."
The magnitude 6.5 earthquake was felt by workers at the oil-production facilities in and around Prudhoe Bay, the News reported.
The newspaper says that Alyeska Pipeline said the earthquake did not damage the trans-Alaska pipeline. The company says in a tweet that "there are no operational concerns" related to the earthquake, but the pipeline will be inspected.
At 7:14 a.m., a magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit another area in northern Alaska. The USGS says the earthquake hit a spot about 340 miles northeast of Fairbanks. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You that these quakes did not strike in a populated area, and we ask wisdom for the seismologists who will be studying this data.
- "I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below . . ." (Acts 2:19)
| Focus on Israel | |||
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1. Netanyahu threatens elections if ultra-Orthodox won't compromise on draft bill - Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow coalition party leaders Sunday that if the ultra-Orthodox parties don't compromise on a military draft law within the next three weeks, he will call early elections, likely to be held early in 2019.
"We have to know where [United Torah Judaism party head Yaakov] Litzman stands on the draft issue," Netanyahu told the top ministers. "The ball is in Litzman's court. If the ultra-Orthodox parties want to reach a compromise, we can get through this. We have to find out if they want that."
At the meeting, those in attendance - including Jewish Home chief Naftali Bennett, Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon, Shas's Aryeh Deri and UTJ MK Moshe Gafni representing the party - agreed that if an agreement could not be reached on the draft bill by the next cabinet meeting, then that meeting will set the date of the next election. The next cabinet meeting is set for the beginning of September.
(Read more)
2. 3 Jordanian security forces killed in raid on terror cell - Times of Israel
Gunmen killed three members of Jordan's security forces in a shootout Saturdayduring a raid on a "terrorist" cell a day after an officer died in a rare bomb blast, the government spokeswoman said. The shootout in the city of Salt, northwest of the capital Amman, came after a home-made bomb exploded Friday under a patrol car at a music festival killing one security force member and wounding six others.
The rare blast hit the security patrol in Al-Fuhais, 12 kilometers (8 miles) west of the capital on Friday evening, the interior ministry said on Saturday. "It killed Sergeant Ali Adnan Qawqaza and wounded six other members of the patrol," the ministry said, adding that an investigation was underway into the cause of the blast.
(Read more)
3. 'Song of the Intifada' in Rabin Square - Israel National News
During a demonstration by Arabs and left-wing activists against the Nationality Law held Saturday night in Rabin Square, the song "Where are the Millions?" was played. Participants in the rally brandished PLO flags.
The song, by singer Julia Boutros, was popular in the Palestinian Authority during the so-called 'stabbing Intifada' of 2015, and encourages violence against Israelis. Palestinian Media Watch posted a a translated video of the song.
(Read more)
4. Netanyahu denounces Arab-Israeli protests against nation-state law - Israel National News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several Israeli ministers denounced the Arab-Israeliprotest against the recently passed nation-state law at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, during which protestors flew Palestinian flags and chanted slogans advocating a Palestinian state that would replace Israel. "Last night, we received cogent testimony of the opposition to the existence of the State of Israel and the urgency of the nation-state law," Netanyahu stated at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.
"Yesterday we saw PLO flags in the heart of Tel Aviv. We heard the calls: 'With blood and fire we will redeem Palestine.' Many of the demonstrators want to abrogate the Law of Return, cancel the national anthem, fold up our flag and cancel Israel as the national state of the Jewish people and turn it - as their spokespersons said - into an Israeli-Palestinian state, and others say: a state of all its citizens."
(Read more)
5. Between Ceasefire And War: Gaza On A Knife's Edge- Jerusalem Post
It is perhaps unique to this context that both sides of the current flare-up-the Israeli army and Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip-can simultaneously escalate their attacks on each other while negotiating a delicate ceasefire.
Such has been the case in recent days, leaving many on both sides wondering if the heavier blows exchanged are the final ones before a truce, or the opening salvos of a new war. On Thursday, Israeli fighter jets flattened a five-story building west of Gaza City, injuring 18 people according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The army alleges that the building was used as a headquarters for Hamas' internal security service. This, the army declared, was in response to a Hamas rocket attack on the southern Israeli city of Beersheba earlier in the day.
(Read more)
| The Daily Brief (Part Two) | |||
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1. The handwritten notes exposing what Fusion GPS told DOJ about Trump - The Hill
A memory stick quietly exchanged in a coffee shop. An admission of a "Hail Mary" leak. An unmistakable effort to push the Russia investigation closer to Donald Trump's inner circle with uncorroborated tales. Those are just some of the highlights from the day that Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson - paid by Hillary Clinton's campaign to find dirt on her GOP rival - met secretly with a top Justice Department official, right after Trump won the 2016 election. And all of it was captured in the official's handwritten notes - a contemporaneous record that intelligence professionals tell me exposes the flaws plaguing the early Russia collusion case.
Simpson told then-Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr during the Dec. 10, 2016, meeting in a Washington coffee shop that he believed Trump's longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, was the "go-between from Russia to the Trump campaign." Yet, Simpson allegedly acknowledged that most of the information Fusion GPS and British intelligence operative Christopher Steele developed did not come from sources inside Moscow. "Much of the collection about the Trump campaign ties to Russia comes from a former Russian intelligence officer who lives in the U.S.," Ohr scribbled in his notes.
One notation that stands out is Simpson's account that he asked Steele to talk with Mother Jones reporter David Corn about their muckraking on Trump and Russia in the final days of the election. At the time, Steele still worked as an FBI source. Corn's Oct. 31, 2016, story was one of the most definitive to allege possible ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow, creating an important talking point for Democrats in the final days of the campaign. "Glen asked Chris to speak to the Mother Jones reporter. It was Glen's Hail Mary attempt," Ohr wrote. (Read more)
- Mighty God, we pray that every lie being pepetrated against President Trump will fall to the ground without remedy. Father, the enemies of our Chief of State are attempting to make a case against him where there are no grounds to do so. Lord God Almighty, we pray You close the mouths of the vicious lions who move with vindictiveness against our President. Cast them down under the Blood of Jesus. We pray in Jesus' Name.
- "He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth." (Psalm 57:3)
2. Manafort trial judge mysteriously delays testimony, after new Mueller team complaint- Fox News
Judge T.S. Ellis III mysteriously delayed testimony Friday in the case of ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, pushing off the day's proceedings for hours after prosecutors once again complained about his criticism of them. It's not clear if the delay is connected to the complaint filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. Ellis on Friday also empathically reminded the jury that they must refrain from talking about the case with others - stoking speculation the delay could be related to juror issues.
In the Mueller team motion filed Friday morning, they accused the judge of unfairly criticizing them in court, saying it's possible his recent comments could "confuse and mislead the jury." Mueller deputy Andrew Weissmann and other attorneys on the team specifically noted how Ellis made negative comments this week about their focus on a bank loan Manafort applied for but did not receive. "You might want to spend time on a loan that was granted," Ellis said in court Thursday. The prosecutors, in Friday'smotion, asked Ellis to retract his comment, saying it "misrepresents the law regarding bank fraud conspiracy" and "improperly conveys the Court's opinion of the facts, and is likely to confuse and mislead the jury." Ellis has not yet addressed motion in court. (Read more)
- Father God, we trust that Judge Ellis will not fall prey to the insidious delaying tactics of Mueller's team. Hold this judge steady under the hand of the Lord. God, strengthen Judge Ellis to stand his ground and carry out the legal process of law without any unfair tampering by Mueller's team. We bind the forces of darkness under the Blood of Jesus and call forth the truth and nothing but the truth. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.
- "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all His saints. Praise you the Lord."
(Psalm 149:6-9)
3. Melania Trump's parents become US citizens - Fox News
First lady Melania Trump's parents officially became U.S. citizens on Thursday. Viktor and Amalija Knavs took the citizenship oath on August 9, their lawyer, Michael Wildes, confirmed to Fox News. The Knavs had been living in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. The couple was escorted to and from the Manhattan ceremony by Homeland Security police. Melania Trump was raised in Slovenia by her parents while the country was still under Communist rule. Viktor Knavs, 74, was a car dealer, and Amalija Knavs, 73, was employed in a textile factory. (Read more)
- Father, we bless these people as they reside in our country. We praise the Lord for bringing them out of a country that was under Communist rule into the freedom and liberty of the United States of America. We ask in the Name of Jesus, amen.
- "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)
4. Trump wants a roaring economy, and that means getting former inmates back to work - Washington Examiner
Roughly 650,000 inmates are released from prison each year, two-thirds of whom get rearrested within three years in a costly, $270 billion criminal justice system cycle. President Trump promised to make it his priority to help former inmates get a second chance at reintegration into society. In his State of the Union speech early this year, Trump said, "We want every American to know the dignity of a hard day's work." The White House is working toward reforms that would provide federal resources to reduce crime, boost public safety, and increase opportunity for all. The administration's proposals include job training programs ahead of inmates' release, re-entry programs, and drug treatment and mental health services.
These resources would be provided by not only the government, but also nonprofits and community groups, all working together to help former prisoners find work and become contributing members of their communities. It's a model that has proven effective in states like Kansas and Texas, where mentorship, mental health treatment, and faith-based initiatives are among the programs cutting the recidivism rate.
As Trump considers these proposals, his administration is working with the Senate to get the First Step Act passed; the president supports the bill and has said he would sign it. Meanwhile, the administration is strengthening our nation's law enforcement to make every community safer, and creating a healthier economy that works for everyone, including former inmates looking for jobs. (Read more)
- Lord God, we thank You for enabling President Trump to create a reform system for former inmates that will be a resounding success because the hand of the Lord is upon it. Lift up the heads that hang down and restore mental health to each of these people. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "When I cry unto the Lord, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for us." (Psalm 55:9)
5. Tennessee Senate Race May Be Most Crucial of 2018 - PJ Media
The close senatorial race in my adopted state of Tennessee between Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and former TN governor Phil Bredesen reveals much about the current condition of American politics and will have results of great significance to the entire country.
Bredesen, a Democrat, is presenting himself to the electorate of this mostly red state as a pragmatist willing to "call 'em as he sees 'em." One early commercial has the candidate looking earnestly into camera while assuring us he will vote with Trump when he thinks the president is right -- North Korea, -- but against him when he thinks he's wrong - tariffs. What we are seeing here is a "centrism" masquerade for electoral purposes the likes of which we are going to be seeing all over the country in red or purple districts.
Which brings me to Marsha Blackburn. She is the opposite of Bredesen in that she lets her biases hang out without obfuscation. She is quite out front in her allegiance to the president and his program. Indeed, she was one of the first in Congress to back Trump publicly before he essentially took over the Republican Party. You know what you're getting with Marsha and if you favor lower taxes and full employment you should like it. (Read more)
- Father God, we ask that Marsha Blackburn will win this most crucial race. Give her the insight that it takes to bring Tennessee through to a victory. Bind all the forces of darkness over Tennessee and draw the peoples' hearts unto the Lord in salvation and righteousness. We pray in the Name of Jesus, amen.
- "Deliver us from our enemies, O my God: defend us from them that rise up against us. " (Psalm 59:1)
6. Exclusive-Eric Eggers: November Midterms 'Poised for a Tsunami of Voter Fraud' - Breitbart
The Government Accountability Institute's (GAI) Eric Eggers, author of Fraud: How the Left Plans to Steal the Next Election, warned of a potential "tsunami of voter fraud" within November's forthcoming midterm elections during a Tuesday interview on SiriusXM's Breitbart News Tonight with Breitbart News Senior Editor-at-Large Rebecca Mansour.
Eggers pointed to narrow electoral margins of victory in Tuesday's elections as evidence of vulnerability to the threat of voter fraud. Eggers speculated on the left's willingness to use voter fraud to combat the Trump administration. He said, "The really scary thing is [that] we live in sort of unprecedented times of political turmoil and opposition. The left seems to be motivated to create their desired political outcome unlike anytime I can remember. The hatred for the current administration is such that they clearly feel like they have the moral authority, so any activity - including taking ballots from unsuspecting senior citizens - seems to be supported because the ends are going to justify the means."
Eggers concluded, "I actually think that because of the lax oversight and the organized effort, motivated like never before, to take back the House, take back the Senate, impeach the president, end ICE, I think we're actually poised for a tsunami of voter fraud like we've never seen before in this country." (Read more)
- Almighty God, go before this election and sweep away all voter fraud, lies, deception, and wickedness, by the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. We ask that You dispatch warfare angels who will go all over America and reverse out all crookedness of the shadow government and bring them to an open shame. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto His kingdom and glory." (I Thessalonians 2:9)
7. Gov. Jeff Colyer's demand pushes Kris Kobach out of Kansas vote count - Washington Times
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said Thursday that he will remove himself from the further counting of votes while his Republican primary battle with Gov. Jeff Colyer hangs in the balance, describing it as a "symbolic" step in response to a public demand from Colyer.
The governor publicly accused Kobach, the state's top elections official, of giving county election officials information about the handling of yet-uncounted ballots "inconsistent with Kansas law." He demanded in a letter to Kobach that Kobach stop advising county officials and have the state's attorney general do it instead. The close contest between the embattled governor and a conservative lightning rod took another acrimonious turn as Kobach's already tiny lead shrunk from 191 votes to just 121 out of 311,000 ballots cast, after two counties reported discrepancies between their tallies and what Kobach's office reported on its website.
The counting is not complete because state law says mail-in ballots that are postmarked Tuesday can be accepted by the counties as late as Friday. And county officials still must review perhaps several thousand provisional ballots, given to voters at the polls when their eligibility is in question. They have until Aug. 20 to finish. (Read more)
- Almighty God, we pray that all the voting corruption will be stopped by the power of God. We pray that all voting machines that have been rigged will be found before the voting begins. God, let the truth stand, and any false accusations be brought down. Keep Your hand upon all the county officials to stand firm in preventing those ineligible to vote from voting. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10)
8. Hundreds Of Federal Employees Will Be Moved Out Of DC - Daily Caller
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving two agencies and roughly 700 federal employees out of Washington, D.C., to save money and improve the department's service to taxpayers. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will be fully moved out of the nation's capital by 2020, according to the USDA. As part of the reorganization, Perdue is also moving the Economic Research Service (ERS) out from under the USDA's Research, Education, and Economics branch. The ERS will be placed back in the Office of the Chief Economist under the authority of the Office of the Secretary. Keeping steady workers at the ERS and NIFA has been difficult for the department, and officials are hoping that moving the agencies out of D.C. to more rural and lower-cost areas will entice employees to stay longer and serve rural Americans better.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has plans to move the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the largest land-owning agency in the federal government, out West. BLM's top officials are too distant from the lands and Americans they regulate, lawmaker and Trump administration officials say. The distance has caused tensions between western land owners, managers and federal officials.(Read more)
- Father God, keep Your hand on all this reorganization within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies in the DC area. Guide them to the best location for the most efficient production and sufficient numbers of employees to fill the necessary positions. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "And this is the confidence that we have in Jesus, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." (I John 5:14-15)
9. Trump increases pressure on Turkey amid currency crisis, authorizes doubling of metals tariffs - CNBC
President Donald Trump tweeted Friday that he authorized a doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey amid a growing diplomatic dispute between the two countries that is causing a currency crisis for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Losses in the Turkish lira deepened on Trump's tweet, falling as much as 20 percent versus the U.S. dollar in Friday trading. The currency was already reeling Friday after comments from Erdogan, who called for citizens to convert their foreign currency holdings into lira. So far there has been no confirmation to CNBC of the new tariff policy from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"There are various campaigns being carried out. Don't heed them," Erdogan said Thursday. "Don't forget, if they have their dollars, we have our people, our God. We are working hard. Look at what we were 16 years ago and look at us now," Erdogan told supporters.
The brewing dispute comes after a Turkish delegation returned from Washington with little to no progress on the detention of U.S. evangelist pastor Andrew Brunson, who is charged with supporting a group blamed for an attempted coup in 2016. (Read more)
- Almighty God, we pray that You will get into the middle of these false charges against Pastor Andrew Brunson and bring release to him and all his family. We also pray that Your hand will be heavy upon Erdogan to obey God in this decision. Have Your perfect will regarding the monetary situation in Turkey. We pray in the Name of Jesus.
- "But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(I Corinthians 15:57)
10. Russia tells Washington curbs on its banks would be act of economic war- Reuters
Russia warned the United States on Friday it would regard any U.S. move to curb the activities of its banks as a "declaration of economic war" and would retaliate, as new sanctions took their toll on the ruble and U.S. lawmakers threatened more.
The warning, from Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, reflects Russian fears over the impact of new restrictions on its economy and assets, including the rouble which has lost nearly six percent of its value this week on sanctions jitters. Economists expect the Russian economy to grow by 1.8 percent this year. But if new sanctions proposed by Congress and the State Department are implemented in full, which remains uncertain, some economists fear growth could be almost to zero.
President Vladimir Putin discussed what the Kremlin called "possible new unfriendly steps by Washington" with his Security Council on Friday. Moscow's strategy of trying to improve battered U.S.-Russia ties by attempting to build bridges with President Donald Trump is backfiring after U.S. lawmakers launched a new sanctions drive last week because they fear Trump is too soft on Russia.
That in turn has piled pressure on Trump to show he is tough on Russia ahead of mid-term elections. The State Department announced new sanctions on Wednesday linked to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain in March. (Read more)
- Father, sometimes these issues are so complex, Holy One, that only You know Your will in these matters and it is left to us to intercede in agreement with Your purposes. We pray in the Spirit over this report, asking that You place Your hand upon these skittish markets and agreements, bringing calm, peace, trust, and blessings. In Your Name, amen.
- "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26,27)
| The Daily Jot | |||
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Friday, August 10, 2018
Free speech vs hate speech
In the early days of the commercialization of the internet, those of us working in the space were committed to freedom of speech and building on a platform where ideas could flow unimpeded at the speed of the wire. It was a time when invention was flourishing. Free speech was unlimited in this wild west of technology. It was an open network that revolutionized how people communicated, conducted commerce, and expressed their beliefs. There was good and bad, but the information superhighway brought people closer together, afforded opportunity to evangelize the Word of God, and increased opportunity for those who would take advantage of it. Today, however, that freedom is dwindling fast.
Technology companies like Apple, Yahoo, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and others pledged to be open to all forms of expression and ideas in the beginning. These companies lured people into their platforms using as bait a sense of freedom and security. They built empires based on masses of people using their free and open services. Then came along their politics-an extreme leftist nature where their strength in numbers allows them to dictate political thought. They sold out to the leftists in government who used these open platforms to spy on Americans, and now many of them are making up their own definitions of hate speech and shutting down people who disagree with them.
Not surprising that those who disagree with them and are most vulnerable to Silicon Valley's political intolerance and ideological bigotry are conservative thought leaders. Make no mistake that Christians who openly share the Lord, and also voice opposition to abortion and sexual deviation are in the cross-hairs. A New York Times editorial by University of Richmond Professor Erik Nielson is questioning the use of hate speech to shut down conservatives the left considers extreme "because "hate" is a dangerously elastic label, one that has long been used in America to demonize unpopular expression. If we become overzealous in our efforts to limit so-called hate speech, we run the risk of setting a trap for the very people we are trying to defend."
Nielson then lists those who could fall into that trap if it were applied according to "hate speech" criteria: Black Lives Matter, Black Nationalists groups like the Nation of Islam, the Women's March (because it was organized by questionable groups), the Palestinian-led Boycott, and Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel. Nielson's fear is that if the hate speech argument is prosecuted equally, the extreme leftist resistance would be shut down-those, he says, are the people "we can least afford to lose." It's an admission that "hate speech" restrictions are designed to protect the haters and quell their opposition. Ultimately, the opposition is God and the target is religious free speech. May we always, as Ephesians 6:19 exhorts, "open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel" in following God, not man.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Please see this movie!
. . . and more!
The movie, "Death of a Nation," by Dinesh D'Souza is now in theatres across the nation. No matter who you support politically, this movie is a wake up call for all of us . . . how we got to where we are now . . . and how to get out of it.
> > > IN ADDITION, please go here to view a short clip by Jon McNaughton called "Crossing the Swamp."
THANK YOU!
| Our Weekly Bible Study | |||
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Our Weekly Bible Study
Week of Sunday, August 12 - Saturday, August 18, 2018
Themes of Yom Kippur ~ Pt 1
To listen to this teaching, go here.
Torah portion reading for the week of August 6:
Shoftim ~ Judges
Torah portion: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
Haftorah portion (Prophets): Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Gospel/New Testament: John 14:9-20
Submitted by:
Laura Densmore, Program Coordinator
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Intnl
http://hebrootsradio.com
LDensmore21@msn.com
> > > Listen to http://hebrootsradio.com to learn about the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith!
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| More Daily Features | |||
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More Daily Features
(See below . . .)
- The Persecuted Church
- Classic Hymns
- Signs and Wonders
- The Good News Corner
- Worship with Us Today!
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Prayers for the Persecuted Church
"Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3)
Please visit the website for International Christian Concern to lift up prayers for the persecuted around the world, every day. Their link is: www.persecution.org -- or go here to connect. Thank you for interceding for our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Asia, the Islamic World, and the Far East.
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Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus My Blessed Redeemer
"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."
(Psalm 150:6)
Lyrics
To see the lyrics of this inspiring hymn, go here.
Melody
To sing along with Fanny Crosby, go here.
About the Author:
Words: Fanny Crosby
Melody: Unknown
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Signs and Wonders
THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER IS INTENSIFYING
Perseid meteor rates are swiftly climbing as Earth moves deeper into the debris zone of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Forecasters expect as many as 100 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Aug. 12th and 13th. The sky is getting so busy that astrophotographers are having trouble keeping meteors out of their exposure.
"On Saturday night, Aug 10th, a Perseid meteor streaked by my framed image of M27, the Dumbbell Nebula," says photographer Ric Babcock of San Juan Bautista, CA.
The Perseid meteor shower is always good, but this year it is extra-good. The Moon is nearly New during the shower's peak, providing a velvety-dark backdrop for the display. The best time to look is during the hours before sunrise on Sunday, August 12th, and again on Monday, August 13th. At those times, the shower's radiant will be high in the sky, spewing meteors in all directions.
For best results, get away from city lights. Dress warmly, lie down on a blanket in a safe, dark place, and look up. Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, although all of their tails will point back toward the radiant in the constellation Perseus. (Read more)
"I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke." (Acts 2:19)
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The Good News Corner
Upon Hearing the Gospel This Muslim Sheik Was Unconvinced,
UNTIL a Dream Got His Attention
A Muslim sheik named Sadik, vacationing in Germany, was strolling along a popular shopping area when he met some Cru missionaries.
"Every year, men, women and families from the Arabian Gulf Peninsula vacation in Europe," notes Mike Duggins with Cru. "And Cru staff members are sharing the Gospel with them while they have the chance.
Arabic missionaries initiate conversations with tourists from these restricted countries, handing out Christian resources and following up for discipleship.
"In Munich, Mehdi* met a sheik named Sadik on the street. Sadik's brother had become a Christian, which saddened him. But he said that if Christianity was true, he would believe if he could be convinced," according to Cru.
