A proposed parental rights amendment has been introduced in Congress.
Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, notes that it has not been too many years since prayer was challenged in public schools.
"Now we're finding that parental rights are being attacked by courts all over the country," he contends. "And as we look at where this country is going, particularly more association with the United Nations and the U.N. Convention on the rights of the Child, these treaties would supercede all the laws in 50 states."
And it would challenge parental rights in different ways, he argues.
"[It would] outlaw spanking and prohibit parents from raising children in the family religion, negates legal assumptions that parents act in the best interest of their kids," he points out. "Things [like these] that are inconceivable in America are now being contemplated and planned by a number of people."
Those results have already occurred in nations that have signed on to the treaty, and DeMint says it would happen in the United States as well. More than 60 members of Congress have endorsed the amendment, but DeMint believes it will take a grassroots effort to get it passed.
Article Link
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
2012: TEOTWAWKI
There has been a lot of hype in the media lately about the year 2012. There's even a movie set to be released this year. Got this in my email today and thought it was good about Christians, Bible prophecy and even 2012.
Jack Kinsella - Omega Letter Editor
If you are a Christian, and you believe that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled in this generation, then you are probably the oddball in your church.
In fact, scratch 'probably'. It is pretty much a dead-bang certainty that you are. It is fascinating to me that a person can be pro-choice, anti-Israel, pro-gay marriage, and be labeled a 'Christian progressive'.
But if you believe that God not only knows the future, but recorded it for us in advance, well, then you're a nut.
Most Christians are ok with the idea that God created the universe. Whether or not they accept it as a literal 'creation' or some kind of modified evolutionary scheme notwithstanding, few Christians would argue that creation is beyond God's power.
For reasons nobody has ever been able to logically articulate to me, Christians have no problem agreeing that the First Advent of Jesus Christ was prophesied.
But prophecies pointing to His Second Advent are merely symbolic and not to be taken literally. If YOU do, then you are a nut.
There are some churches, on the other hand, that are wholly given over to the study of Bible prophecy for the last days. If you are a member of a church like that, not only are YOU a nut, but you probably belong to a cult.
If you wanted to draw a cartoon in which you wanted one of the characters to be instantly recognized as being a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, the most recognizable way would be to draw a guy with a long beard wearing a burnoose and brandishing a sign saying, "Repent! The end is near!"
And that's just the way the subject is treated by other Christians. To the world, if you study Bible prophecy, you are probably not just crazy, but dangerous.
If you believe Nostradamus knew the future, you're a harmless eccentric, if you believe the Mayans calculated The End of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) you are an historian. If you believe St Malachy, you are a Catholic theologian.
But if you believe that the God of the Universe has a Divine Plan that culminates with the judgment of mankind during the Tribulation Period, based entirely on a literal reading of His Word, then there's something wrong with you.
The Mayan Indians, whose culture died out 1400 years ago, developed a complex calendar system that continues to fascinate scientists to this day.
The Mayan Calendar divides the history of man into five distinct 'ages' and this present age is scheduled to end exactly at 11:11 am (Greenwich Mean Time), on 24 December, 2012. The Mayans believed that on that date and time, the world as we know it will end with the final destruction of mankind on the earth.
Nostradamus is credited with having predicted the 9/11 attacks as kicking off the end of days. According to one celebrated 'quatrain' a King of Terror wearing a blue turban will attack 'the "Great City", etc., etc.
Although his most famous quatrain makes reference to the 'King of Terror' "in the seventh month of 1999" and the 9/11 attacks took place in the 9th month of 2000, for Nostradamus fans, that was close enough.
An 12th-century Irish priest recorded a prophecy in which he allegedly named the rest of the Popes in human history, from Celestine II (1143-1144) to the last pope at the end of the world.
According to St. Malachy, there would be exactly 112 Popes. Malachy predicted the second last Pope would be called 'a Benedictine.' I wrote about St Malachy's 'Benedictine prophecy' in April, 2005, as the new Pope was being selected.
Cardinal Ratzinger chose, as his papal name, "Pope Benedict the XVI". According to St Malachy, the Benedictine's reign will be short, (Ratzinger is in his 80's) and he will be succeeded by the last Pope, "Peter the Great."
The various adherents of the Mayans, Nostradamus, St Malachy (and there are others) all share the same basic worldview that could be paraphrased thusly: let every man be true and God a liar.
All the various secular 'prophets' prove is that Satan knows his time is short. There is a singular difference between secular prophecies and Bible prophecy that reveals the source of the information.
Secular prophecies can only 'predict' events, not outcomes. Bible prophecy tells how they turn out. "I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." (Isaiah 46:9b-10a)
Satan is the universe's master deceiver. His ultimate goal is to be received as God. Only God is capable of prophecy.
But Satan has a counterfeit plan of his own, and he has had six thousand years to develop it. Since he knows what he has planned, it is no trick to reveal the plan to some secular 'prophet'. Satan doesn't know how his plan will turn out, any more than any other created being, but he DOES know what he has in mind.
From our dimension of time, it seems like prophecy. Remove the element of time, and what seem now to be prophecy would no more than the outline of a plan.
Extra-Biblical prophecies, are part of that overall plan to counterfeit the miracles of God, so that, one day, " he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2nd Thessalonians 2:4)
If one examines the extra-Biblical prophecies for the truth they contain, rather than looking for the sensational, what what learns is that it isn't just prophecy nuts who believe in Bible prophecy. Satan believes it, too, or he wouldn't be trying to counterfeit it.
What it DOES establish is that even Satan has an idea of the time of the end -- and Satan thinks it will be some time around 2012.
We know that, of the day and hour, no man knoweth, but we are told we WILL know that it is 'near, even at the doors.' And from that time, Jesus tells us,
"Verily I say unto thee, this generation shall not pass, until ALL these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)
TEOTWAWKI on December 24, 2012? I don't think so. But soon?
No doubt about it.
Jack Kinsella - Omega Letter Editor
If you are a Christian, and you believe that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled in this generation, then you are probably the oddball in your church.
In fact, scratch 'probably'. It is pretty much a dead-bang certainty that you are. It is fascinating to me that a person can be pro-choice, anti-Israel, pro-gay marriage, and be labeled a 'Christian progressive'.
But if you believe that God not only knows the future, but recorded it for us in advance, well, then you're a nut.
Most Christians are ok with the idea that God created the universe. Whether or not they accept it as a literal 'creation' or some kind of modified evolutionary scheme notwithstanding, few Christians would argue that creation is beyond God's power.
For reasons nobody has ever been able to logically articulate to me, Christians have no problem agreeing that the First Advent of Jesus Christ was prophesied.
But prophecies pointing to His Second Advent are merely symbolic and not to be taken literally. If YOU do, then you are a nut.
There are some churches, on the other hand, that are wholly given over to the study of Bible prophecy for the last days. If you are a member of a church like that, not only are YOU a nut, but you probably belong to a cult.
If you wanted to draw a cartoon in which you wanted one of the characters to be instantly recognized as being a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, the most recognizable way would be to draw a guy with a long beard wearing a burnoose and brandishing a sign saying, "Repent! The end is near!"
And that's just the way the subject is treated by other Christians. To the world, if you study Bible prophecy, you are probably not just crazy, but dangerous.
If you believe Nostradamus knew the future, you're a harmless eccentric, if you believe the Mayans calculated The End of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) you are an historian. If you believe St Malachy, you are a Catholic theologian.
But if you believe that the God of the Universe has a Divine Plan that culminates with the judgment of mankind during the Tribulation Period, based entirely on a literal reading of His Word, then there's something wrong with you.
The Mayan Indians, whose culture died out 1400 years ago, developed a complex calendar system that continues to fascinate scientists to this day.
The Mayan Calendar divides the history of man into five distinct 'ages' and this present age is scheduled to end exactly at 11:11 am (Greenwich Mean Time), on 24 December, 2012. The Mayans believed that on that date and time, the world as we know it will end with the final destruction of mankind on the earth.
Nostradamus is credited with having predicted the 9/11 attacks as kicking off the end of days. According to one celebrated 'quatrain' a King of Terror wearing a blue turban will attack 'the "Great City", etc., etc.
Although his most famous quatrain makes reference to the 'King of Terror' "in the seventh month of 1999" and the 9/11 attacks took place in the 9th month of 2000, for Nostradamus fans, that was close enough.
An 12th-century Irish priest recorded a prophecy in which he allegedly named the rest of the Popes in human history, from Celestine II (1143-1144) to the last pope at the end of the world.
According to St. Malachy, there would be exactly 112 Popes. Malachy predicted the second last Pope would be called 'a Benedictine.' I wrote about St Malachy's 'Benedictine prophecy' in April, 2005, as the new Pope was being selected.
Cardinal Ratzinger chose, as his papal name, "Pope Benedict the XVI". According to St Malachy, the Benedictine's reign will be short, (Ratzinger is in his 80's) and he will be succeeded by the last Pope, "Peter the Great."
The various adherents of the Mayans, Nostradamus, St Malachy (and there are others) all share the same basic worldview that could be paraphrased thusly: let every man be true and God a liar.
All the various secular 'prophets' prove is that Satan knows his time is short. There is a singular difference between secular prophecies and Bible prophecy that reveals the source of the information.
Secular prophecies can only 'predict' events, not outcomes. Bible prophecy tells how they turn out. "I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." (Isaiah 46:9b-10a)
Satan is the universe's master deceiver. His ultimate goal is to be received as God. Only God is capable of prophecy.
But Satan has a counterfeit plan of his own, and he has had six thousand years to develop it. Since he knows what he has planned, it is no trick to reveal the plan to some secular 'prophet'. Satan doesn't know how his plan will turn out, any more than any other created being, but he DOES know what he has in mind.
From our dimension of time, it seems like prophecy. Remove the element of time, and what seem now to be prophecy would no more than the outline of a plan.
Extra-Biblical prophecies, are part of that overall plan to counterfeit the miracles of God, so that, one day, " he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2nd Thessalonians 2:4)
If one examines the extra-Biblical prophecies for the truth they contain, rather than looking for the sensational, what what learns is that it isn't just prophecy nuts who believe in Bible prophecy. Satan believes it, too, or he wouldn't be trying to counterfeit it.
What it DOES establish is that even Satan has an idea of the time of the end -- and Satan thinks it will be some time around 2012.
We know that, of the day and hour, no man knoweth, but we are told we WILL know that it is 'near, even at the doors.' And from that time, Jesus tells us,
"Verily I say unto thee, this generation shall not pass, until ALL these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)
TEOTWAWKI on December 24, 2012? I don't think so. But soon?
No doubt about it.
Sarkozy raps globalised economy
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned of political and social unrest unless there is greater regulation of the globalised economy.
He argued that the current system of "speculation and dumping" cannot continue. "We have to overhaul everything," he said.
He called for a larger role for social institutions in financial regulation.
The president was speaking in Geneva at the invitation of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
'Obsession'
"Regulation of globalisation is the central issue," he argued.
"Either we have reason or we will have revolt. Either we have justice or we will have violence. Either we have reasonable protection or we will have protectionism.
"It is irresponsible to believe that the financial markets can continue to impose their obsession with short-term profit on the entire global economy, and on society," he added.
Earlier on Monday, the US government outlined plans that will lead to tighter regulation of the biggest financial institutions and a new framework for consumer and investor protection.
Full Story
He argued that the current system of "speculation and dumping" cannot continue. "We have to overhaul everything," he said.
He called for a larger role for social institutions in financial regulation.
The president was speaking in Geneva at the invitation of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
'Obsession'
"Regulation of globalisation is the central issue," he argued.
"Either we have reason or we will have revolt. Either we have justice or we will have violence. Either we have reasonable protection or we will have protectionism.
"It is irresponsible to believe that the financial markets can continue to impose their obsession with short-term profit on the entire global economy, and on society," he added.
Earlier on Monday, the US government outlined plans that will lead to tighter regulation of the biggest financial institutions and a new framework for consumer and investor protection.
Full Story
Monday, June 15, 2009
Netanyahu defies Obama with harsh conditions for Palestinian
Binyamin Netanyahu threw down the gauntlet to the US last night, grudgingly agreeing to a limited Palestinian state that would be demilitarised and not in control of its airspace or borders. The hawkish Prime Minister insisted that Israel would never give up a united Jerusalem as its capital, and said that established Jewish settlements in the West Bank would continue to expand - despite explicit objections from Washington.
Story Here
Leaders gather for Shanghai talks
Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders are gathering in Russia for the ninth Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit. Some will also attend the first summit of the four emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China. The main agenda item at the meetings in Yekaterinburg will be how to deal with the global economic crisis.
Story Here
Netanyahu wants demilitarized PA state
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu lifted the shroud from his diplomatic endgame on Sunday night, saying at the BESA Center at Bar-Ilan University that he would support a Palestinian state if he received international guarantees that it would be demilitarized, and if the Palestinians accepted Israel as the Jewish homeland.
Story Here
Story Here
Leaders gather for Shanghai talks
Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders are gathering in Russia for the ninth Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit. Some will also attend the first summit of the four emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China. The main agenda item at the meetings in Yekaterinburg will be how to deal with the global economic crisis.
Story Here
Netanyahu wants demilitarized PA state
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu lifted the shroud from his diplomatic endgame on Sunday night, saying at the BESA Center at Bar-Ilan University that he would support a Palestinian state if he received international guarantees that it would be demilitarized, and if the Palestinians accepted Israel as the Jewish homeland.
Story Here
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Scientists Say 'Super Volcano' May Be Brewing Beneath Mount St. Helens
A team of scientists say they have evidence that a "super volcano" may be brewing underneath Mount St. Helens, NewScientist.com reports.
Researchers say indicators suggest Mount St. Helens and other northwest volcanoes are plugged into a huge subterranean pool of magma that could one day burst to the surface in a "super" eruption.
If what they believe is true, the structure beneath the mountain would be comparable in size to the biggest magma chambers ever discovered, such as the one below Yellowstone National Park.
Story Here
Researchers say indicators suggest Mount St. Helens and other northwest volcanoes are plugged into a huge subterranean pool of magma that could one day burst to the surface in a "super" eruption.
If what they believe is true, the structure beneath the mountain would be comparable in size to the biggest magma chambers ever discovered, such as the one below Yellowstone National Park.
Story Here
The Late Great U.S.A.
The Late Great U.S.A.
by Thomas Ice
"My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?" Proverbs 24:21-22
Former Clinton advisor and commentator Dick Morris announced:
"On April 2, 2009, the work of July 4, 1776 was nullified at the meeting of the G-20 in London."[1]
That is an amazing statement and a tragedy if true. One of my best friends in the ministry, with whom I have co-authored two books, Mark Hitchcock wrote a book, which was finished before last November's election, entitled The Late Great United States.[2] There are two other books listed on amazon.com with similar titles. Why are many concerned that our great country is on the verge of extinction?
Change
It is said after the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that a lady asked Dr. Ben Franklin the following: "Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy?" "A republic" replied the Doctor..."if you can keep it."[3] Well, apparently a growing number of Americans think that we have lost it after about 220 years. Some are suggesting that it was lost via suicide. What have we received in return for our once great republic? We are now part of an international oligarchy run by a bunch of global elites. How did this happen and when did this change take place?
Like many things that bring change, it has not taken place overnight. America has been gradually moving toward socialism for the last hundred years, but I do not want to trace that history in this article. I want to focus on recent events that are producing so much change since the election of Barack Obama as president of these United States.
Dick Morris notes that Obama at the recent meeting of the G-20 in London has agreed to enter the United States into an economical arrangement that will regulate our economy in terms of the international interests of this European dominated oligarchy at the expense of American interests. The agreement by which Obama has obligated the United States is called the Financial Stability Board (FSB), which is "a body of central bankers from each of the G-20 states and the European Union."[4] The head of the FSB is Mario Draghi, Italy's central bank president. In a speech on February 21, 2009, he gave us clues to his thinking. He noted that "the progress we have made in revising the global regulatory framework . . . would have been unthinkable just months ago."[5]
"Obama, perhaps feeling guilty for the US role in triggering the international crisis, has, indeed, given away the store," notes Morris. "Now we may no longer look to presidential appointees, confirmed by the Senate, to make policy for our economy. These decisions will be made internationally."[6]
So what does this mean specifically for the American economy? Morris said to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News the following:
Literally from April 2nd of this year-that is, today-it's a whole new world of financial regulation in which, essentially, all of the U.S. regulatory bodies and all U.S. companies are put under international regulation, international supervision. It really amounts to a global economic government.
. . . Just when Obama is accused of socialism, he's essentially creating world economic governance. This means that the FSB, . . . will make the decisions on what standards our own SEC and Federal Reserve board should apply to all firms in the United States of any significant size about executive compensation, market activities, and a whole range of issues that used to be under free enterprise reserved for private decision making.[7]
A New World Order
In 1989 President George H. Bush spoke of a new world order in one of his speeches. However, it produced a flurry of criticism and he stopped using the term in public. Many have known for a long time that the phrase "new world order" is essentially a code word for global socialism. The last couple of years, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown can hardly give a speech without making reference to the new world order. During a speech he recently gave in conjunction with the G-20 summit in London, sounding like a twenty-first century Neville Chamberlain, Brown said the following about the new world order:
"This is Collective action, people working together at their best . . . I think the New World Order is emerging, and with it the foundations of a new and progressive era of international cooperation...From today we will together manage the process of globalization...To secure responsibility from all and fairness to all."[8]
In January 2009, Henry Kissinger made a remark about the new world order during an interview with CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" hosts Mark Haines and Erin Burnett at the New York Stock Exchange. When Burnett asked him what international conflict would define the Obama administration's foreign policy, Kissinger said the following:
"The president-elect is coming into office at a moment when there is upheaval in many parts of the world simultaneously," Kissinger responded. "You have India, Pakistan; you have the jihadist movement. So he can't really say there is one problem, that it's the most important one. But he can give new impetus to American foreign policy partly because the reception of him is so extraordinary around the world. His task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It's a great opportunity, it isn't just a crisis."[9]
No one can doubt that President Obama is currently taking advantage of the crisis. After all, Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have both noted that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
Further the Chinese and Russians have called for a new global currency that would replace the dollar and would not represent any specific country. They want the new global currency to be issued by the World Bank, which is something that seemed impossible this time last year but now could be a very real possibility in the near future.
The European Union
Dick Morris not only emphasizes that the United States is now locked into the matrix of a global economic oligarchy but it is one that will be primarily under the control of the European Union.
"You know, I've had a long experience in dealing with the European Union, and this is how they operate," explains Morris. "And in the meantime, they slip this in under the radar, which is absolutely creating an international economic union."[10]
Then Morris concluded with amazement, "This truly creates a global economic system. From now on, don't look to Washington for the rule making, look to Brussels."[11]
Thus, from a prophetic view, the Bible teaches that the tribulation will be a time in which there will be not only a global government during the last half of the seven-year tribulation, but that governance will emanate from the Revived Roman Empire. This means a Euro-centric power base is what we can expect and that is exactly what is developing. Morris concludes his article with the following comment:
"The Europeans have been trying to get their hands on our financial system for decades. It is essential to them that they rein in American free enterprise so that their socialist heaven will not be polluted by vices such as the profit motive. Now, with President Obama's approval, they have done it."[12]
Conclusion
Where are all of these explosive trends heading? As Bible prophecy predicts, there will be a one world government during the seven-year tribulation, headed by a person we know as the Antichrist. Since the Antichrist will arise out of the Revived Roman Empire, which the European Union appears to be setting the stage for just such an entity, we should not be surprised to see things trending in that direction even before the rapture.
Previously, the United States was often the one standing in the way of a global economy and government. We are not yet there, but who can doubt that since the beginning of the Obama presidency that we are indeed seeing change and moving into harmony with the one world government crowd. In the past the United States stood in the way and acted in her national interest, as I believe we should still do, but now we are the last domino to fall and nothing of significance appears to stand in the way of globalism. Only the future return of Christ after the tribulation will really bring change for Christians.
I have noticed on the internet that certain Bible prophecy ministries are noting the very things that I have just outlined and often call these things a "fulfillment" of Bible prophecy. Such language is an overstatement and an incorrect conclusion drawn from the signs of our times. Instead, it is best to see these events as preparation for fulfillment, which will take place during the tribulation that we are currently not yet in. We are seeing the stage being set for future events. Such stage-setting certainly is moving our pre-rapture world toward the one world government and economy that is predicted by Bible prophecy for this future time.
There are so many events taking place each day one can hardly keep up with them. Nevertheless, we are to always be looking up for Him. Maranatha!
by Thomas Ice
"My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?" Proverbs 24:21-22
Former Clinton advisor and commentator Dick Morris announced:
"On April 2, 2009, the work of July 4, 1776 was nullified at the meeting of the G-20 in London."[1]
That is an amazing statement and a tragedy if true. One of my best friends in the ministry, with whom I have co-authored two books, Mark Hitchcock wrote a book, which was finished before last November's election, entitled The Late Great United States.[2] There are two other books listed on amazon.com with similar titles. Why are many concerned that our great country is on the verge of extinction?
Change
It is said after the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that a lady asked Dr. Ben Franklin the following: "Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy?" "A republic" replied the Doctor..."if you can keep it."[3] Well, apparently a growing number of Americans think that we have lost it after about 220 years. Some are suggesting that it was lost via suicide. What have we received in return for our once great republic? We are now part of an international oligarchy run by a bunch of global elites. How did this happen and when did this change take place?
Like many things that bring change, it has not taken place overnight. America has been gradually moving toward socialism for the last hundred years, but I do not want to trace that history in this article. I want to focus on recent events that are producing so much change since the election of Barack Obama as president of these United States.
Dick Morris notes that Obama at the recent meeting of the G-20 in London has agreed to enter the United States into an economical arrangement that will regulate our economy in terms of the international interests of this European dominated oligarchy at the expense of American interests. The agreement by which Obama has obligated the United States is called the Financial Stability Board (FSB), which is "a body of central bankers from each of the G-20 states and the European Union."[4] The head of the FSB is Mario Draghi, Italy's central bank president. In a speech on February 21, 2009, he gave us clues to his thinking. He noted that "the progress we have made in revising the global regulatory framework . . . would have been unthinkable just months ago."[5]
"Obama, perhaps feeling guilty for the US role in triggering the international crisis, has, indeed, given away the store," notes Morris. "Now we may no longer look to presidential appointees, confirmed by the Senate, to make policy for our economy. These decisions will be made internationally."[6]
So what does this mean specifically for the American economy? Morris said to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News the following:
Literally from April 2nd of this year-that is, today-it's a whole new world of financial regulation in which, essentially, all of the U.S. regulatory bodies and all U.S. companies are put under international regulation, international supervision. It really amounts to a global economic government.
. . . Just when Obama is accused of socialism, he's essentially creating world economic governance. This means that the FSB, . . . will make the decisions on what standards our own SEC and Federal Reserve board should apply to all firms in the United States of any significant size about executive compensation, market activities, and a whole range of issues that used to be under free enterprise reserved for private decision making.[7]
A New World Order
In 1989 President George H. Bush spoke of a new world order in one of his speeches. However, it produced a flurry of criticism and he stopped using the term in public. Many have known for a long time that the phrase "new world order" is essentially a code word for global socialism. The last couple of years, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown can hardly give a speech without making reference to the new world order. During a speech he recently gave in conjunction with the G-20 summit in London, sounding like a twenty-first century Neville Chamberlain, Brown said the following about the new world order:
"This is Collective action, people working together at their best . . . I think the New World Order is emerging, and with it the foundations of a new and progressive era of international cooperation...From today we will together manage the process of globalization...To secure responsibility from all and fairness to all."[8]
In January 2009, Henry Kissinger made a remark about the new world order during an interview with CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" hosts Mark Haines and Erin Burnett at the New York Stock Exchange. When Burnett asked him what international conflict would define the Obama administration's foreign policy, Kissinger said the following:
"The president-elect is coming into office at a moment when there is upheaval in many parts of the world simultaneously," Kissinger responded. "You have India, Pakistan; you have the jihadist movement. So he can't really say there is one problem, that it's the most important one. But he can give new impetus to American foreign policy partly because the reception of him is so extraordinary around the world. His task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It's a great opportunity, it isn't just a crisis."[9]
No one can doubt that President Obama is currently taking advantage of the crisis. After all, Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have both noted that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
Further the Chinese and Russians have called for a new global currency that would replace the dollar and would not represent any specific country. They want the new global currency to be issued by the World Bank, which is something that seemed impossible this time last year but now could be a very real possibility in the near future.
The European Union
Dick Morris not only emphasizes that the United States is now locked into the matrix of a global economic oligarchy but it is one that will be primarily under the control of the European Union.
"You know, I've had a long experience in dealing with the European Union, and this is how they operate," explains Morris. "And in the meantime, they slip this in under the radar, which is absolutely creating an international economic union."[10]
Then Morris concluded with amazement, "This truly creates a global economic system. From now on, don't look to Washington for the rule making, look to Brussels."[11]
Thus, from a prophetic view, the Bible teaches that the tribulation will be a time in which there will be not only a global government during the last half of the seven-year tribulation, but that governance will emanate from the Revived Roman Empire. This means a Euro-centric power base is what we can expect and that is exactly what is developing. Morris concludes his article with the following comment:
"The Europeans have been trying to get their hands on our financial system for decades. It is essential to them that they rein in American free enterprise so that their socialist heaven will not be polluted by vices such as the profit motive. Now, with President Obama's approval, they have done it."[12]
Conclusion
Where are all of these explosive trends heading? As Bible prophecy predicts, there will be a one world government during the seven-year tribulation, headed by a person we know as the Antichrist. Since the Antichrist will arise out of the Revived Roman Empire, which the European Union appears to be setting the stage for just such an entity, we should not be surprised to see things trending in that direction even before the rapture.
Previously, the United States was often the one standing in the way of a global economy and government. We are not yet there, but who can doubt that since the beginning of the Obama presidency that we are indeed seeing change and moving into harmony with the one world government crowd. In the past the United States stood in the way and acted in her national interest, as I believe we should still do, but now we are the last domino to fall and nothing of significance appears to stand in the way of globalism. Only the future return of Christ after the tribulation will really bring change for Christians.
I have noticed on the internet that certain Bible prophecy ministries are noting the very things that I have just outlined and often call these things a "fulfillment" of Bible prophecy. Such language is an overstatement and an incorrect conclusion drawn from the signs of our times. Instead, it is best to see these events as preparation for fulfillment, which will take place during the tribulation that we are currently not yet in. We are seeing the stage being set for future events. Such stage-setting certainly is moving our pre-rapture world toward the one world government and economy that is predicted by Bible prophecy for this future time.
There are so many events taking place each day one can hardly keep up with them. Nevertheless, we are to always be looking up for Him. Maranatha!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Ahmadinejad defiant on 'free' Iran poll
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defended his "completely free" re-election as Iran's president, amid violent clashes on the streets over claims of election fraud.
Mr Ahmadinejad condemned the outside world for "psychological warfare" against Iranians during the election.
Thousands have protested against the result, burning barricades on the streets of Tehran and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas.
Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi urged his supporters to avoid violence.
'Down with the dictator'
Speaking on national television, Mr Ahmadinejad praised the Iranian people for choosing to "look toward the future" rather than returning to the past.
President Ahmadinejad addresses the nation
"This is a great victory at a time and condition when the whole material, political and propaganda facilities outside of Iran and sometimes... inside Iran, were total
mobilised against our people," he said.
He blamed "foreign media" for instigating a "full-fledged fight against our people".
"Nearly 40 million people took part in a totally free election," he said.
Mr Ahmadinejad is set to hold a press conference on Sunday, followed by a huge rally.
BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the margin of the win was so wide that it made a lot of people suspicious.
Story Here
Mr Ahmadinejad condemned the outside world for "psychological warfare" against Iranians during the election.
Thousands have protested against the result, burning barricades on the streets of Tehran and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas.
Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi urged his supporters to avoid violence.
'Down with the dictator'
Speaking on national television, Mr Ahmadinejad praised the Iranian people for choosing to "look toward the future" rather than returning to the past.
President Ahmadinejad addresses the nation
"This is a great victory at a time and condition when the whole material, political and propaganda facilities outside of Iran and sometimes... inside Iran, were total
mobilised against our people," he said.
He blamed "foreign media" for instigating a "full-fledged fight against our people".
"Nearly 40 million people took part in a totally free election," he said.
Mr Ahmadinejad is set to hold a press conference on Sunday, followed by a huge rally.
BBC Iranian affairs analyst Sadeq Saba says the margin of the win was so wide that it made a lot of people suspicious.
Story Here
UN warns of catastrophe as hungry people top 1 billion
High food prices have pushed another 105 million people into hunger in the first half of 2009, the head of the U.N. World Food Programme said on Friday, raising the total number of hungry people to over 1 billion.
Urging rich nations at a meeting of the Group of Eight's development ministers not cut back on aid, Josette Sheeran told Reuters the world faced a "human catastrophe" as more and more people struggle to eat a decent meal.
"This year we are clocking in on average four million new hungry people a week, urgently hungry," Sheeran told Reuters.
"Already for the first six months of this year, 105 million people have been added," she said, citing figures to be released by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation next week that will raise the total number of undernourished people to over 1 billion.
In 2008, FAO said the world's hungry numbered 963 million.
The WFP needs $6.4 billion this year for food aid, but donors' contributions have fallen way behind that level -- it had around $1.5 billion at the end of last week.
The agency says it has had to cut food aid rations and shut down some operations in eastern Africa and North Korea because of the credit crunch.
"I know it seems a big figure, but if you compare it with the global stimulus package, it means that for less than 1 percent of that we could help meet the urgent human crisis that is unfolding, and that is just as essential to the stability of the world," Sheeran said.
Full Story Here
Urging rich nations at a meeting of the Group of Eight's development ministers not cut back on aid, Josette Sheeran told Reuters the world faced a "human catastrophe" as more and more people struggle to eat a decent meal.
"This year we are clocking in on average four million new hungry people a week, urgently hungry," Sheeran told Reuters.
"Already for the first six months of this year, 105 million people have been added," she said, citing figures to be released by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation next week that will raise the total number of undernourished people to over 1 billion.
In 2008, FAO said the world's hungry numbered 963 million.
The WFP needs $6.4 billion this year for food aid, but donors' contributions have fallen way behind that level -- it had around $1.5 billion at the end of last week.
The agency says it has had to cut food aid rations and shut down some operations in eastern Africa and North Korea because of the credit crunch.
"I know it seems a big figure, but if you compare it with the global stimulus package, it means that for less than 1 percent of that we could help meet the urgent human crisis that is unfolding, and that is just as essential to the stability of the world," Sheeran said.
Full Story Here
Thursday, June 11, 2009
America's first Muslim president?
During his White House years, William Jefferson Clinton -- someone Judge Sonia Sotomayor might call a "white male" -- was dubbed "America's first black president" by a black admirer. Applying the standard of identity politics and pandering to a special interest that earned Mr. Clinton that distinction, Barack Hussein Obama would have to be considered America's first Muslim president.
This is not to say, necessarily, that Mr. Obama actually is a Muslim any more than Mr. Clinton actually is black. After his five months in office, and most especially after his just-concluded visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, however, a stunning conclusion seems increasingly plausible: The man now happy to have his Islamic-rooted middle name featured prominently has engaged in the most consequential bait-and-switch since Adolf Hitler duped Neville Chamberlain over Czechoslovakia at Munich.
What little we know about Mr. Obama's youth certainly suggests that he not only had a Kenyan father who was Muslim, but spent his early, formative years as one in Indonesia. As the president likes to say, "much has been made" -- in this case by him and his campaign handlers -- of the fact that he became a Christian as an adult in Chicago, under the now-notorious Pastor Jeremiah A. Wright.
With Mr. Obama's unbelievably ballyhooed address in Cairo Thursday to what he calls "the Muslim world" (hereafter known as "the Speech"), there is mounting evidence that the president not only identifies with Muslims, but actually may still be one himself.
Full Story Here
This is not to say, necessarily, that Mr. Obama actually is a Muslim any more than Mr. Clinton actually is black. After his five months in office, and most especially after his just-concluded visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, however, a stunning conclusion seems increasingly plausible: The man now happy to have his Islamic-rooted middle name featured prominently has engaged in the most consequential bait-and-switch since Adolf Hitler duped Neville Chamberlain over Czechoslovakia at Munich.
What little we know about Mr. Obama's youth certainly suggests that he not only had a Kenyan father who was Muslim, but spent his early, formative years as one in Indonesia. As the president likes to say, "much has been made" -- in this case by him and his campaign handlers -- of the fact that he became a Christian as an adult in Chicago, under the now-notorious Pastor Jeremiah A. Wright.
With Mr. Obama's unbelievably ballyhooed address in Cairo Thursday to what he calls "the Muslim world" (hereafter known as "the Speech"), there is mounting evidence that the president not only identifies with Muslims, but actually may still be one himself.
Full Story Here
SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
WHO to declare pandemic after emergency meeting, CDC announces 12.45 p.m. EDT news conference.
UN holds swine flu crisis talks
UN health officials are holding emergency talks on swine flu, amid speculation that the first global flu pandemic in 40 years will be declared.
The World Health Organization called the meeting after a steep rise in the number of cases in Australia.
Hong Kong on Thursday announced it was closing all its nurseries and primary schools for two weeks after 12 students tested positive for the virus.
The last global flu pandemic came in 1968 over the Hong Kong flu.
That pandemic killed about one million people.
A disease is classed as a pandemic when transmission between humans becomes widespread in two regions of the world.
The latest virus emerged in Mexico in April and since then thousands of cases have been confirmed throughout North and South America.
The H1N1 strain has spread to 74 countries but the WHO has resisted labelling the outbreak a full-blown pandemic.
Full Story Here
The World Health Organization called the meeting after a steep rise in the number of cases in Australia.
Hong Kong on Thursday announced it was closing all its nurseries and primary schools for two weeks after 12 students tested positive for the virus.
The last global flu pandemic came in 1968 over the Hong Kong flu.
That pandemic killed about one million people.
A disease is classed as a pandemic when transmission between humans becomes widespread in two regions of the world.
The latest virus emerged in Mexico in April and since then thousands of cases have been confirmed throughout North and South America.
The H1N1 strain has spread to 74 countries but the WHO has resisted labelling the outbreak a full-blown pandemic.
Full Story Here
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tickling the World's Itching Ears
The apostle Paul said: "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Indeed, this generation is loath to tolerate not only biblical doctrine but also other truths. President Barack Obama tickles the world's ears with promises of hope, change, peace, harmony, diversity, pluralism and "tolerance," but in too many cases, he has allowed truth to become a casualty -- and more than a harmless casualty. Nowhere was that more clearly demonstrated than in his speech in Cairo to the Muslim world.
Many judge Obama's speeches, not to mention his policies and actions, on his high-sounding rhetoric and professed good will. They ignore his obvious errors and contradictions, duping themselves into believing that supposedly good intentions alone will trump facts and reality and insulate us from the negative consequences that will flow from his distortions.
In his Cairo speech, Obama, as usual, served up a plentiful smorgasbord of platitudes sufficient to appeal to the appetites of almost everyone (except, notably, our steadfast ally Israel). His idolaters in the mainstream media obediently praised him for his "honesty" in trashing America and for his equal-opportunity softball scolding of the Muslim world.
Newsweek's Evan Thomas even likened him to God -- not a god, but God. Many conservative commentators similarly bent over backward to heap guarded praise on him, apparently unable to muster the courage to warn of the dangers inherent in Obama's skewed vision without throwing in the required adulation.
Magnanimous rhetoric has its place, but we cannot achieve peace and security with wishful thinking and falsehoods.
Full Article Here
Indeed, this generation is loath to tolerate not only biblical doctrine but also other truths. President Barack Obama tickles the world's ears with promises of hope, change, peace, harmony, diversity, pluralism and "tolerance," but in too many cases, he has allowed truth to become a casualty -- and more than a harmless casualty. Nowhere was that more clearly demonstrated than in his speech in Cairo to the Muslim world.
Many judge Obama's speeches, not to mention his policies and actions, on his high-sounding rhetoric and professed good will. They ignore his obvious errors and contradictions, duping themselves into believing that supposedly good intentions alone will trump facts and reality and insulate us from the negative consequences that will flow from his distortions.
In his Cairo speech, Obama, as usual, served up a plentiful smorgasbord of platitudes sufficient to appeal to the appetites of almost everyone (except, notably, our steadfast ally Israel). His idolaters in the mainstream media obediently praised him for his "honesty" in trashing America and for his equal-opportunity softball scolding of the Muslim world.
Newsweek's Evan Thomas even likened him to God -- not a god, but God. Many conservative commentators similarly bent over backward to heap guarded praise on him, apparently unable to muster the courage to warn of the dangers inherent in Obama's skewed vision without throwing in the required adulation.
Magnanimous rhetoric has its place, but we cannot achieve peace and security with wishful thinking and falsehoods.
Full Article Here
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dividing the Land of Israel: Blessing or Curse?
Joel 3:2 which says, "I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land". This prophecy written around 800 B.C., ultimately promises God's retaliation against those who have taken the Jewish people from their land, or divided His land, the land He promised to Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob, in the last days.
Some disasters appear to be related to God's promise to bless those who bless Israel but curse those who slight Israel .
October 30, 1991
As President George Bush, Sr. is opening the Madrid Conference to consider "Land for Peace" in Israel's Middle East role, the "Perfect Storm" develops in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm travels 1,000 miles from East to West (instead of the normal West to East pattern) and crashes into the New England coast. Thirty five foot waves crash into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.
August 23, 1992
When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington D.C. and the Peace Talks resume, Hurricane Andrew, the worst natural disaster ever to hit America , comes ashore producing an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 108,000 homeless in Florida .
January 16, 1994
President Bill Clinton meets with Syria 's President Hafez el-Assad in Geneva . They talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights . Within 24 hours a powerful (6.9 on the Richter scale) earthquake rocks Southern California . The Northridge earthquake becomes the second most destructive natural disaster to hit the United States , behind Hurricane Andrew.
January 21, 1998
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House and is coldly received. Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright refuse to have lunch with him. Shortly afterwards on that day, the Monica Lewinski scandal breaks into the mass media and begins to occupy a major portion of Clinton 's time.
September 28, 1998
Secretary of State Albright works on the final details of an agreement in which Israel would give up 13% of Judea and Samaria . Hurricane George, with winds of 110mph gusting up to 175mph, slams into the United States Gulf Coast . Hurricane George stalls. Clinton meets with Arafat and Netanyahu at the White House to finalize this land deal. Later Arafat addresses the United Nations about declaring an independent Palestinian state by May 1999. Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact time Arafat departs the country, the storm starts to dissipate.
October 15-22, 1998
Arafat and Natanyahu meet at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland . The talks are scheduled to last five days with a focus on Israel giving up 13% of Judea and Samaria . The talks are extended and conclude on October 23rd. On October 17th awesome rains and tornados hit Sothern Texas . The rain and flooding in Texas continue until October 22nd and then subside. The floods ravage 25% of Texas and leave over $1 billion in damage. On October 21, Clinton declares this section of Texas a major disaster area.
November 30, 1998
Arafat comes to Washington again to meet with President Clinton to raise money for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital. A total of 42 other nations were represented in Washington . All agreed to give Arafat $3 billion in aid. Clinton promised $400 million and the European nations $1.7 billion. On the same day, the Dow Jones average drops 216 points, and on December 1, the European Market had its worst day in history. Hundreds of billions of market capitalization were wiped out in U.S. and Europe .
December 12, 1998
Clinton lands in the Palestinian-controlled section of Israel to discuss the "land for peace" process. The House of Representatives votes four articles of impeachment against Clinton .
May 3, 1999
The day Yasser Arafat is scheduled to declare a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital the most powerful tornado storm system ever to hit the United States sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas . Winds are clocked at 316mph, the fastest wind speed ever recorded. The declaration is postponed to December 1999 at the request of Clinton , whose letter to Arafat encourages him in his "aspirations for his own land." He also writes that the Palestinians have a right to "determine their own future on their own land" and that they deserve to "live free today, tomorrow and forever."
October 11, 1999
Jewish settlers in 15 " West Bank " ( Israel ) settlements are evicted from the covenant land in Israel . Dow Jones financial averages loses 5.7% in the worst week since October 1989. On October 15 the Dow lost 266 points. A hurricane slams into North Carolina . Next morning, October 16, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocks the Southwest in the fifth most powerful earthquake in the 20th century. The earthquake was centered in the California desert and did little damage but it was felt in three states.
August 2005
Jewish families were evicted from their homes in the Gaza communities as part of Ariel Sharon's "Disengagement" plan. This disengagement was a response to the American Foreign Policy pressure being exerted by Condoleeza Rice. As the world watched the Jews being removed from their homes, a weather system was forming in the Atlantic . This storm became Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed New Orleans , Louisiana (Miss Rice's home state) and an area the size of Britain , rendering thousands of Americans homeless and leaving thousands dead. Hurricane Katrina also spoiled the "Southern Decadence" weekend planned by the homosexual community for New Orleans and supported by the mayor of New Orleans . By September 7th, further parallels were becoming apparent. The Mayor of New Orleans, having been heavily criticized for ineffectiveness has ordered troops (local people) and police to evacuate all residents who refuse to leave. The police chief has expressed reservations about tackling defiant householders as it would be a "PR disaster."
God continues to send warning after warning as we as a country insist that Israel give up land that God promised to Abraham, then to Isaac, then to Jacob and to his descendents. The responsibility of such action rests on our own shoulders because God has warned in His Word, in Joel 3:2, for the nations to keep their hands off of His covenant land and has demonstrated in history that He is serious about that warning.
Some disasters appear to be related to God's promise to bless those who bless Israel but curse those who slight Israel .
October 30, 1991
As President George Bush, Sr. is opening the Madrid Conference to consider "Land for Peace" in Israel's Middle East role, the "Perfect Storm" develops in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm travels 1,000 miles from East to West (instead of the normal West to East pattern) and crashes into the New England coast. Thirty five foot waves crash into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.
August 23, 1992
When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington D.C. and the Peace Talks resume, Hurricane Andrew, the worst natural disaster ever to hit America , comes ashore producing an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 108,000 homeless in Florida .
January 16, 1994
President Bill Clinton meets with Syria 's President Hafez el-Assad in Geneva . They talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights . Within 24 hours a powerful (6.9 on the Richter scale) earthquake rocks Southern California . The Northridge earthquake becomes the second most destructive natural disaster to hit the United States , behind Hurricane Andrew.
January 21, 1998
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House and is coldly received. Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright refuse to have lunch with him. Shortly afterwards on that day, the Monica Lewinski scandal breaks into the mass media and begins to occupy a major portion of Clinton 's time.
September 28, 1998
Secretary of State Albright works on the final details of an agreement in which Israel would give up 13% of Judea and Samaria . Hurricane George, with winds of 110mph gusting up to 175mph, slams into the United States Gulf Coast . Hurricane George stalls. Clinton meets with Arafat and Netanyahu at the White House to finalize this land deal. Later Arafat addresses the United Nations about declaring an independent Palestinian state by May 1999. Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact time Arafat departs the country, the storm starts to dissipate.
October 15-22, 1998
Arafat and Natanyahu meet at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland . The talks are scheduled to last five days with a focus on Israel giving up 13% of Judea and Samaria . The talks are extended and conclude on October 23rd. On October 17th awesome rains and tornados hit Sothern Texas . The rain and flooding in Texas continue until October 22nd and then subside. The floods ravage 25% of Texas and leave over $1 billion in damage. On October 21, Clinton declares this section of Texas a major disaster area.
November 30, 1998
Arafat comes to Washington again to meet with President Clinton to raise money for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital. A total of 42 other nations were represented in Washington . All agreed to give Arafat $3 billion in aid. Clinton promised $400 million and the European nations $1.7 billion. On the same day, the Dow Jones average drops 216 points, and on December 1, the European Market had its worst day in history. Hundreds of billions of market capitalization were wiped out in U.S. and Europe .
December 12, 1998
Clinton lands in the Palestinian-controlled section of Israel to discuss the "land for peace" process. The House of Representatives votes four articles of impeachment against Clinton .
May 3, 1999
The day Yasser Arafat is scheduled to declare a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital the most powerful tornado storm system ever to hit the United States sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas . Winds are clocked at 316mph, the fastest wind speed ever recorded. The declaration is postponed to December 1999 at the request of Clinton , whose letter to Arafat encourages him in his "aspirations for his own land." He also writes that the Palestinians have a right to "determine their own future on their own land" and that they deserve to "live free today, tomorrow and forever."
October 11, 1999
Jewish settlers in 15 " West Bank " ( Israel ) settlements are evicted from the covenant land in Israel . Dow Jones financial averages loses 5.7% in the worst week since October 1989. On October 15 the Dow lost 266 points. A hurricane slams into North Carolina . Next morning, October 16, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocks the Southwest in the fifth most powerful earthquake in the 20th century. The earthquake was centered in the California desert and did little damage but it was felt in three states.
August 2005
Jewish families were evicted from their homes in the Gaza communities as part of Ariel Sharon's "Disengagement" plan. This disengagement was a response to the American Foreign Policy pressure being exerted by Condoleeza Rice. As the world watched the Jews being removed from their homes, a weather system was forming in the Atlantic . This storm became Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed New Orleans , Louisiana (Miss Rice's home state) and an area the size of Britain , rendering thousands of Americans homeless and leaving thousands dead. Hurricane Katrina also spoiled the "Southern Decadence" weekend planned by the homosexual community for New Orleans and supported by the mayor of New Orleans . By September 7th, further parallels were becoming apparent. The Mayor of New Orleans, having been heavily criticized for ineffectiveness has ordered troops (local people) and police to evacuate all residents who refuse to leave. The police chief has expressed reservations about tackling defiant householders as it would be a "PR disaster."
God continues to send warning after warning as we as a country insist that Israel give up land that God promised to Abraham, then to Isaac, then to Jacob and to his descendents. The responsibility of such action rests on our own shoulders because God has warned in His Word, in Joel 3:2, for the nations to keep their hands off of His covenant land and has demonstrated in history that He is serious about that warning.
Massive e-cash surge hits Japan's shops Will cash die out if RFID money becomes the norm?
We've seen before how pervasive RFID-based electronic money is in Japan, but it comes as a bit of a shock to note that the country now has exactly one e-cash card in circulation for every member of the population.
The surprising statistic comes from Nomura Research Institute, which says the end of April this year saw the number of e-cash cards reach 127 million - one for every Japanese resident.
Tower of Babel
More than ten variations on the basic RFID electronic money card are available, as well as several different standards embedded in phones.
That mix initially created something of a problem in finding a single reader/writer terminal to allow retail outlets to accept e-cash.
However, the advent of terminals that can support multiple standards seems to be behind the surge in popularity of e-cash.
Bright future
And Nomura predicts the future can only get brighter - it forecasts Japanese e-cash purchases hitting a staggering ¥3 trillion (£19 billion) in less than four years and that's excluding the Oyster Card-like travel cards that are already ubiquitous there.
Article Link
The surprising statistic comes from Nomura Research Institute, which says the end of April this year saw the number of e-cash cards reach 127 million - one for every Japanese resident.
Tower of Babel
More than ten variations on the basic RFID electronic money card are available, as well as several different standards embedded in phones.
That mix initially created something of a problem in finding a single reader/writer terminal to allow retail outlets to accept e-cash.
However, the advent of terminals that can support multiple standards seems to be behind the surge in popularity of e-cash.
Bright future
And Nomura predicts the future can only get brighter - it forecasts Japanese e-cash purchases hitting a staggering ¥3 trillion (£19 billion) in less than four years and that's excluding the Oyster Card-like travel cards that are already ubiquitous there.
Article Link
Monday, June 8, 2009
For Those That May Be Struggling Today
The Lord is the One who will go before you.
He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB
If God is everywhere, why does He sometimes seem so far away? The
answer to that question, of course, has nothing to do with God and
everything to do with us.
When we begin each day on our knees, in praise and worship to Him, God
often seems very near indeed. But, if we ignore God’s presence
or—worse yet—rebel against it altogether, the world in which we
live becomes a spiritual wasteland.
Are you tired, discouraged, or fearful? Be comforted because God is
with you. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly
Father. Are you bitter? Talk with God and seek His guidance. Are you
celebrating a great victory? Thank God and praise Him.
He is the Giver of all things good.
In whatever condition you find yourself, wherever you are, whether you
are happy or sad, victorious or vanquished, troubled or triumphant,
celebrate God’s presence. And be comforted. God is not just near. He
is here.
God is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen.
Charles Swindoll
God is not hurried along in the Time-stream of this universe any more
than an author is hurried along in the imaginary time of his own
novel. He has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does
not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him
as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died,
He died for you individually just as much as if you have been the only
man in the world.
C. S. Lewis
God’s silence is in no way indicative of His activity or involvement
in our lives. He may be silent, but He is not still.
Charles Swindoll
The real test of being in the presence of God is that you either
forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a very small
object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether.
C. S. Lewis
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, even when it seems to me that You are far away, You
never leave my side. Today and every day, I will strive to feel Your
presence, and I will strive to sense Your love for me. Amen
He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB
If God is everywhere, why does He sometimes seem so far away? The
answer to that question, of course, has nothing to do with God and
everything to do with us.
When we begin each day on our knees, in praise and worship to Him, God
often seems very near indeed. But, if we ignore God’s presence
or—worse yet—rebel against it altogether, the world in which we
live becomes a spiritual wasteland.
Are you tired, discouraged, or fearful? Be comforted because God is
with you. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly
Father. Are you bitter? Talk with God and seek His guidance. Are you
celebrating a great victory? Thank God and praise Him.
He is the Giver of all things good.
In whatever condition you find yourself, wherever you are, whether you
are happy or sad, victorious or vanquished, troubled or triumphant,
celebrate God’s presence. And be comforted. God is not just near. He
is here.
God is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen.
Charles Swindoll
God is not hurried along in the Time-stream of this universe any more
than an author is hurried along in the imaginary time of his own
novel. He has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does
not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him
as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died,
He died for you individually just as much as if you have been the only
man in the world.
C. S. Lewis
God’s silence is in no way indicative of His activity or involvement
in our lives. He may be silent, but He is not still.
Charles Swindoll
The real test of being in the presence of God is that you either
forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a very small
object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether.
C. S. Lewis
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, even when it seems to me that You are far away, You
never leave my side. Today and every day, I will strive to feel Your
presence, and I will strive to sense Your love for me. Amen
UCLA student told she can't say 'Jesus' Adviser edits senior's statement, cites, 'This is department policy'
An adviser on the campus of UCLA has edited a student's personal graduation statement to remove her reference to "my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," citing policy in the Department of Molecular, Cell & Development Biology.
Word of the situation came from an Internet posting by Gordon Klingenschmitt, the former Navy chaplain who was removed from the military in a dispute over the use of Jesus' name in his prayers.
"This is another example of the improper application of separation of church and state," he told WND. "As a government school, UCLA cannot prohibit religious expression. They're the ones crossing the line here."
The school, in a later statement, confirmed it had reviewed its procedures and would read the statements as submitted by students, after "making clear" that it was understood that it is not a university statement.
Full Story Here
Word of the situation came from an Internet posting by Gordon Klingenschmitt, the former Navy chaplain who was removed from the military in a dispute over the use of Jesus' name in his prayers.
"This is another example of the improper application of separation of church and state," he told WND. "As a government school, UCLA cannot prohibit religious expression. They're the ones crossing the line here."
The school, in a later statement, confirmed it had reviewed its procedures and would read the statements as submitted by students, after "making clear" that it was understood that it is not a university statement.
Full Story Here
Sunday, June 7, 2009
South Asia hunger back at 1960s famine levels
A United Nations report says the number of people going hungry in South Asia has jumped by 100 million in the past two years.
The UNICEF report says the global economic crisis has exacerbated poverty in a region where more than 1 billion people live on less than $2 a day.
The number of people suffering from chronic hunger in South Asia is now the same as it was 40 years ago.
The raw figures are stark. In the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, one third of people are going hungry.
Almost half of all children are underweight, as regional director of UNICEF in South Asia Daniel Toole explains.
"Perhaps the most dramatic impact is that we see that there are about 100 million more people hungry in South Asia than two years ago. That's a huge change," he said.
Story Here
The UNICEF report says the global economic crisis has exacerbated poverty in a region where more than 1 billion people live on less than $2 a day.
The number of people suffering from chronic hunger in South Asia is now the same as it was 40 years ago.
The raw figures are stark. In the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, one third of people are going hungry.
Almost half of all children are underweight, as regional director of UNICEF in South Asia Daniel Toole explains.
"Perhaps the most dramatic impact is that we see that there are about 100 million more people hungry in South Asia than two years ago. That's a huge change," he said.
Story Here
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Obama postpones U.S. embassy move from T.A. to Jerusalem
United States President Barack Obama on Friday postponed moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by an additional six months, Israel Radio reported.
A senior White House official said that U.S. policy regarding the status of Jerusalem remains unchanged, and that it is a final-status issue to be resolved within the framework of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The U.S. Congress approved the transfer of the embassy 14 years ago.
Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that all of Jerusalem would always remain under Israeli sovereignty. Netanyahu said he had made the same declaration during his visit to Washington last month when he met with Obama.
"The new U.S. administration informs us with intolerably ease that we have to give up Jerusalem," the premier said during a May ceremony marking Jerusalem Day.
"With all due respect, the U.S. president sees the American interest and does not know that Jerusalem is not a territorial issue, but a much deeper one - 'the hope of two thousand years/the land of Zion and Jerusalem,'" he said, quoting Israel's national anthem.
Article Link Here
A senior White House official said that U.S. policy regarding the status of Jerusalem remains unchanged, and that it is a final-status issue to be resolved within the framework of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The U.S. Congress approved the transfer of the embassy 14 years ago.
Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that all of Jerusalem would always remain under Israeli sovereignty. Netanyahu said he had made the same declaration during his visit to Washington last month when he met with Obama.
"The new U.S. administration informs us with intolerably ease that we have to give up Jerusalem," the premier said during a May ceremony marking Jerusalem Day.
"With all due respect, the U.S. president sees the American interest and does not know that Jerusalem is not a territorial issue, but a much deeper one - 'the hope of two thousand years/the land of Zion and Jerusalem,'" he said, quoting Israel's national anthem.
Article Link Here
Friday, June 5, 2009
Black magic booms in Venezuela
Milvia Santos went with her children to the Southern Municipal Cemetery in the Venezuelan capital on Mother's Day to pay her respects to her late mother.
As they were about to lay a dozen red roses on the grave, however, they found a hole in the concrete slab. When they warily reached in to open the coffin, they saw that the skull had been stolen.
"This was supposed to be my grandmother's place to rest in peace for eternity," Yohan Camacho, Santos' son, said later by the grave site. "Instead, it was ransacked for black magic rituals."
Grave-plundering at cemeteries in Caracas has reached epidemic proportions. Priests, academics and the victims' families blame black-magic practitioners known as "paleros," who use other human bones to initiate members into an African-based cult that spread to Venezuela from Cuba and is growing rapidly.
The Rev. Rafael Troconis, a Roman Catholic priest in Venezuela who's studied the occult, said Venezuela's close ties with Cuba had fueled the dramatic spread of the paleros and practitioners of Santeria, another black-magic religion.
"There's always been a certain interest in witchcraft in Venezuela because of our African and Indian roots," Troconis said, "but it has reached such proportions that it has become quite worrisome to us in the church."
Wagner Barreto, a Santeria priest in Caracas, said that Santeria had become increasingly popular in part because of the belief that President Hugo Chavez was a practitioner, although he'd denied it.
Full Story Here
As they were about to lay a dozen red roses on the grave, however, they found a hole in the concrete slab. When they warily reached in to open the coffin, they saw that the skull had been stolen.
"This was supposed to be my grandmother's place to rest in peace for eternity," Yohan Camacho, Santos' son, said later by the grave site. "Instead, it was ransacked for black magic rituals."
Grave-plundering at cemeteries in Caracas has reached epidemic proportions. Priests, academics and the victims' families blame black-magic practitioners known as "paleros," who use other human bones to initiate members into an African-based cult that spread to Venezuela from Cuba and is growing rapidly.
The Rev. Rafael Troconis, a Roman Catholic priest in Venezuela who's studied the occult, said Venezuela's close ties with Cuba had fueled the dramatic spread of the paleros and practitioners of Santeria, another black-magic religion.
"There's always been a certain interest in witchcraft in Venezuela because of our African and Indian roots," Troconis said, "but it has reached such proportions that it has become quite worrisome to us in the church."
Wagner Barreto, a Santeria priest in Caracas, said that Santeria had become increasingly popular in part because of the belief that President Hugo Chavez was a practitioner, although he'd denied it.
Full Story Here
Blast at mosque in Pakistan kills 10
An explosion at a mosque killed 10 people during Friday prayers, while a roadside bomb killed four soldiers in Pakistan's tribal belt — the latest violence to rock the country's northwest as the army says it is beating back the Taliban in the Swat Valley.
The attacks came as U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke met with top Pakistani officials after evaluating the plight of some of the nearly 3 million Pakistanis made refugees by the Swat offensive. Hundreds trying to return home to Swat on Friday were stopped by troops.
Pakistani leaders insist they are serious about wiping out militancy in Swat, a one-time tourist haven that largely fell under Taliban control over the past two years. The U.S. backs the operation and sees it as a test of the government's resolve in taking on al-Qaida and Taliban militants along the Afghan border region.
The generally broad public support in Pakistan for the operation, however, could falter if militant violence spikes in reaction. There already have been attacks in major cities such as Peshawar and Lahore that officials suspect were revenge by the militants for Swat.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the mosque attack in the Haya Gai area of Upper Dir, a rough and tumble district next to Swat, said police official Imran Khan. It was unclear what sort of mosque it was and whether sectarian differences played a role.
Full Story Here
The attacks came as U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke met with top Pakistani officials after evaluating the plight of some of the nearly 3 million Pakistanis made refugees by the Swat offensive. Hundreds trying to return home to Swat on Friday were stopped by troops.
Pakistani leaders insist they are serious about wiping out militancy in Swat, a one-time tourist haven that largely fell under Taliban control over the past two years. The U.S. backs the operation and sees it as a test of the government's resolve in taking on al-Qaida and Taliban militants along the Afghan border region.
The generally broad public support in Pakistan for the operation, however, could falter if militant violence spikes in reaction. There already have been attacks in major cities such as Peshawar and Lahore that officials suspect were revenge by the militants for Swat.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the mosque attack in the Haya Gai area of Upper Dir, a rough and tumble district next to Swat, said police official Imran Khan. It was unclear what sort of mosque it was and whether sectarian differences played a role.
Full Story Here
Thursday, June 4, 2009
No Bible show-and-tell in school, court says
A kindergartner's mother cannot read Scripture during show and tell, even if the Bible is the boy's favorite book, a U.S. appeals court ruled.
"Parents of public school kindergarten students may reasonably expect their children will not become captive audiences to an adult's reading of religious texts," Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica wrote in Monday's split 2-1 opinion, which upheld a lower court's ruling.
In October 2004, the Marple Newtown School District in suburban Philadelphia told plaintiff Donna Kay Busch that she could not read the Bible passages during her son's "All About Me" program. The school did permit the boy to discuss a poster that included references to his church as well as his family, pet and best friend.
Busch argued that the young students heard stories related to Passover, Christmas and other religious holidays, but the court concluded there was a "significant difference" between identifying such holidays and reading from Scripture.
Principal Thomas Cook of Culbertson Elementary School believed such a reading would "proselytize ... a specific religious point of view," the opinion stated.
Busch, an evangelical Christian, is contemplating an appeal, according to lawyer Jason Gosselin. He said he took the case pro bono after a request from The Rutherford Institute, which focuses on First Amendment and religious freedom issues. Busch had contacted the group.
Story Here
"Parents of public school kindergarten students may reasonably expect their children will not become captive audiences to an adult's reading of religious texts," Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica wrote in Monday's split 2-1 opinion, which upheld a lower court's ruling.
In October 2004, the Marple Newtown School District in suburban Philadelphia told plaintiff Donna Kay Busch that she could not read the Bible passages during her son's "All About Me" program. The school did permit the boy to discuss a poster that included references to his church as well as his family, pet and best friend.
Busch argued that the young students heard stories related to Passover, Christmas and other religious holidays, but the court concluded there was a "significant difference" between identifying such holidays and reading from Scripture.
Principal Thomas Cook of Culbertson Elementary School believed such a reading would "proselytize ... a specific religious point of view," the opinion stated.
Busch, an evangelical Christian, is contemplating an appeal, according to lawyer Jason Gosselin. He said he took the case pro bono after a request from The Rutherford Institute, which focuses on First Amendment and religious freedom issues. Busch had contacted the group.
Story Here
Obama delivers strong attack on Israeli settlements in speech to Muslim world
Barack Obama today delivered one of the strongest condemnations by an American president of Israeli settlement building as he appealed for a fresh start between the US and the Islamic world.
In an audacious address at Cairo university to a worldwide audience of 1.5 billion Muslims, Mr Obama told the Israeli government that continuing to construct new Jewish homes in the occupied Palestinian territories was unacceptable and must stop.
Mr Obama went further than any US President in recent memory in conceding that America had sometimes been wrong, citing past policies towards Iran and recent reactions after 9/11. He implied that the invasion of Iraq had been a mistake.
He also made thinly veiled criticisms of the authoritarian regimes in Middle Eastern countries to which America has in the past appeared uncritically supportive.
But perhaps his toughest words, and one of the most warmly received sections of the speech, were his rebuke for Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, who has refused to halt West Bank settlement expansion.
"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," said Mr Obama.
Full Story Here
In an audacious address at Cairo university to a worldwide audience of 1.5 billion Muslims, Mr Obama told the Israeli government that continuing to construct new Jewish homes in the occupied Palestinian territories was unacceptable and must stop.
Mr Obama went further than any US President in recent memory in conceding that America had sometimes been wrong, citing past policies towards Iran and recent reactions after 9/11. He implied that the invasion of Iraq had been a mistake.
He also made thinly veiled criticisms of the authoritarian regimes in Middle Eastern countries to which America has in the past appeared uncritically supportive.
But perhaps his toughest words, and one of the most warmly received sections of the speech, were his rebuke for Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, who has refused to halt West Bank settlement expansion.
"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," said Mr Obama.
Full Story Here
Obama declares June 'LGBT Pride Month'
In a presidential proclamation on the White House website, Barack Obama has lauded what he calls "the determination and dedication" of the LGBT movement by proclaiming June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
"The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress," Obama states in the official proclamation, "but there is more to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect."
The proclamation, released on Monday, credits the LGBT movement with being a factor in more Americans who ascribe to those groups "living their lives openly today than ever before."
Full Story Here
"The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress," Obama states in the official proclamation, "but there is more to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect."
The proclamation, released on Monday, credits the LGBT movement with being a factor in more Americans who ascribe to those groups "living their lives openly today than ever before."
Full Story Here
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dollar Declines as Nations Mull Reserve Currency Alternatives
The dollar weakened beyond $1.43 against the euro for the first time in 2009 on bets record U.S. borrowing will undermine the greenback, prompting nations to consider alternatives to the world’s main reserve currency.
The euro gained for a fourth day versus the dollar as the Russian government said emerging-market leaders may discuss the idea of a supranational currency. The pound rose to the highest level since October and the Canadian dollar traded near an eight-month high on speculation signs of a recovery in U.S. and U.K. housing will spur higher-yield demand.
“There’s been a lot of talk out of Russia about a new global currency, and that’s contributing toward this latest bout of dollar weakness,” said Henrik Gullberg, a currency strategist in London at Deutsche Bank AG, the world’s largest currency trader. “These latest comments are just adding to the general dollar weakness we’ve seen recently.”
Story Here
The euro gained for a fourth day versus the dollar as the Russian government said emerging-market leaders may discuss the idea of a supranational currency. The pound rose to the highest level since October and the Canadian dollar traded near an eight-month high on speculation signs of a recovery in U.S. and U.K. housing will spur higher-yield demand.
“There’s been a lot of talk out of Russia about a new global currency, and that’s contributing toward this latest bout of dollar weakness,” said Henrik Gullberg, a currency strategist in London at Deutsche Bank AG, the world’s largest currency trader. “These latest comments are just adding to the general dollar weakness we’ve seen recently.”
Story Here
It’s Getting Late; Do You Know Where Your Soul Is?
By Dan Ecklund
I can recall dozens of times when I was a kid playing out at dusk with my friends and anticipating that any second I’d hear my name being yelled across the neighborhood from a lighted doorway. I always hoped it would be one of my friends’ names that would be called before mine, to save me the embarrassment of having to be the first to leave the fun-filled activities. Ironically, now that I’m married, I’ve learned that that kind of anticipation never seems to end.
Widespread changes have taken place that are not for the better. As the sun sets on this generation, people should be listening for their names to be called from the lighted doorway. The problem is, our fun activities and desire to play have distracted us so much that we fail to notice how late it is, despite the darkness. We need to see both how dark it is and where we are playing, in order to understand the serious nature of the problem.
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness,” (John 12:46).
Do You Live in Darkness?
It’s been well stated that the best way to judge a man is by what he does when no one is looking and when no one else knows. Human nature more often than not directs us to do things that we know are wrong out of the sight of people. That in itself is a testament of man: We know right from wrong, and have no excuse before God.
Does your life include a sin that you’re holding onto, without any intention of trying to remove it from your life? Many professing Christians have ceased struggling with sin, and have taken the position that they are just “backsliders” who live in sin while God is still in their hearts. However, Scripture speaks to the contrary regarding the lifestyle and practice of sin:
· “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
· “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).
For the record, we acknowledge the obvious: Sin is fun for a time. We enjoy sin, as it has a strong pull on the flesh because we are, by nature, self-centered. We very seldom take sin seriously, and almost never see the consequences for our actions. However, in reality, people often pay twice for sin—once in this world and once again after death.
A trail of pain and broken families follows those who fail to see that sin produces much more than temporal fun for the flesh. Tragedies, to one degree or the other, almost always result. While you think you might be immune to the consequences of sin, just check your conscience to see if you’re free from sin.
Who’s Calling Whose Name?
Some people have an image of Jesus knocking at the hearts of men, begging them to “open the door.” Biblically speaking, it’s a poor analogy to depict Jesus as a beggar who wants us to allow Him to come in, as though it’s cold and raining outside.
People who that say they have accepted Jesus often fail to understand that Jesus isn’t made “acceptable” to us. It’s we who need to be made acceptable to Him, because we are the true beggars. Listen to the words of Paul, who knew his personal state, despite all his works: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).
How do you view God? Do you see Him as happy with mankind and wanting to give people gifts and keep them happy, or is He angry with sin and the way people live?
The nature of good is to punish evil and see justice done. The world seems to generally blame God for causing or allowing plagues, earthquakes, floods, and all kinds of destruction. But the world will not admit the reasons God takes actions. The collective attitude is that it is His fault that all such catastrophes happen. People call these things “acts of God.” The lost refuse to see that the way they live has anything to do with God trying to get their attention.
God has gone all out to try to get mankind to understand that fallen man is living in sin, and that each person who lives without repenting of that sin has a day of judgment coming.
Responding to the Call
Most people reading this believe themselves to be saved, I’m almost certain. I do hope they are, indeed, saved. However, being a false convert for years myself, I now see clearly that a “response” to the call requires inward change. So how do you know if you’re saved? Here’s a simple list.
1. Do you struggle with sin or just live in it?
If the Bible says something is wrong, you should fight against the desire to do it. People who confess to be “followers of Christ” but don’t follow His words need to examine their salvation. No Christian will be perfect this side of heaven, but every Christian will—because of God the Holy Spirit within him or her—fight against the sinful nature as a result of the life-changing properties of salvation: “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19).
2. Are you getting better or worse?
Each year, you should be a better Christian than you were the last. That doesn’t mean your life itself will be better in every aspect, in terms of the trials of daily life, but it does mean that your obedience to God will be improved. We often think that those who’ve taken a few years off from their faith are just backsliding a little and will return once they “sin themselves out.” Scripture warns that this should not happen. Our goal is to move forward: “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
3. Do you value your God enough to talk about Him?
Do people around you know “WHY” you’re a Christian? Most of the people in the U.S. today think they are “Christian” by default, despite common rejection of Bible teachings and denial of the very words of Christ. Do you tell people around you the reason you’re a believer and that you hold the words of Christ in higher regard than does public opinion? According to researcher George Barna, fewer than 2 percent of Christians truly witness. If the Living God has altered your life, pulling you out of sure judgment, the supernaturally influenced reaction is to tell someone the reason they need to submit to Him as well. ““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven? But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
I can recall dozens of times when I was a kid playing out at dusk with my friends and anticipating that any second I’d hear my name being yelled across the neighborhood from a lighted doorway. I always hoped it would be one of my friends’ names that would be called before mine, to save me the embarrassment of having to be the first to leave the fun-filled activities. Ironically, now that I’m married, I’ve learned that that kind of anticipation never seems to end.
Widespread changes have taken place that are not for the better. As the sun sets on this generation, people should be listening for their names to be called from the lighted doorway. The problem is, our fun activities and desire to play have distracted us so much that we fail to notice how late it is, despite the darkness. We need to see both how dark it is and where we are playing, in order to understand the serious nature of the problem.
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness,” (John 12:46).
Do You Live in Darkness?
It’s been well stated that the best way to judge a man is by what he does when no one is looking and when no one else knows. Human nature more often than not directs us to do things that we know are wrong out of the sight of people. That in itself is a testament of man: We know right from wrong, and have no excuse before God.
Does your life include a sin that you’re holding onto, without any intention of trying to remove it from your life? Many professing Christians have ceased struggling with sin, and have taken the position that they are just “backsliders” who live in sin while God is still in their hearts. However, Scripture speaks to the contrary regarding the lifestyle and practice of sin:
· “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
· “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).
For the record, we acknowledge the obvious: Sin is fun for a time. We enjoy sin, as it has a strong pull on the flesh because we are, by nature, self-centered. We very seldom take sin seriously, and almost never see the consequences for our actions. However, in reality, people often pay twice for sin—once in this world and once again after death.
A trail of pain and broken families follows those who fail to see that sin produces much more than temporal fun for the flesh. Tragedies, to one degree or the other, almost always result. While you think you might be immune to the consequences of sin, just check your conscience to see if you’re free from sin.
Who’s Calling Whose Name?
Some people have an image of Jesus knocking at the hearts of men, begging them to “open the door.” Biblically speaking, it’s a poor analogy to depict Jesus as a beggar who wants us to allow Him to come in, as though it’s cold and raining outside.
People who that say they have accepted Jesus often fail to understand that Jesus isn’t made “acceptable” to us. It’s we who need to be made acceptable to Him, because we are the true beggars. Listen to the words of Paul, who knew his personal state, despite all his works: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).
How do you view God? Do you see Him as happy with mankind and wanting to give people gifts and keep them happy, or is He angry with sin and the way people live?
The nature of good is to punish evil and see justice done. The world seems to generally blame God for causing or allowing plagues, earthquakes, floods, and all kinds of destruction. But the world will not admit the reasons God takes actions. The collective attitude is that it is His fault that all such catastrophes happen. People call these things “acts of God.” The lost refuse to see that the way they live has anything to do with God trying to get their attention.
God has gone all out to try to get mankind to understand that fallen man is living in sin, and that each person who lives without repenting of that sin has a day of judgment coming.
Responding to the Call
Most people reading this believe themselves to be saved, I’m almost certain. I do hope they are, indeed, saved. However, being a false convert for years myself, I now see clearly that a “response” to the call requires inward change. So how do you know if you’re saved? Here’s a simple list.
1. Do you struggle with sin or just live in it?
If the Bible says something is wrong, you should fight against the desire to do it. People who confess to be “followers of Christ” but don’t follow His words need to examine their salvation. No Christian will be perfect this side of heaven, but every Christian will—because of God the Holy Spirit within him or her—fight against the sinful nature as a result of the life-changing properties of salvation: “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19).
2. Are you getting better or worse?
Each year, you should be a better Christian than you were the last. That doesn’t mean your life itself will be better in every aspect, in terms of the trials of daily life, but it does mean that your obedience to God will be improved. We often think that those who’ve taken a few years off from their faith are just backsliding a little and will return once they “sin themselves out.” Scripture warns that this should not happen. Our goal is to move forward: “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
3. Do you value your God enough to talk about Him?
Do people around you know “WHY” you’re a Christian? Most of the people in the U.S. today think they are “Christian” by default, despite common rejection of Bible teachings and denial of the very words of Christ. Do you tell people around you the reason you’re a believer and that you hold the words of Christ in higher regard than does public opinion? According to researcher George Barna, fewer than 2 percent of Christians truly witness. If the Living God has altered your life, pulling you out of sure judgment, the supernaturally influenced reaction is to tell someone the reason they need to submit to Him as well. ““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven? But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Faith vs. evolution - considering the debate
The Discovery Institute has launched a new website which debates the question: Can evolution and faith co-exist?
John West, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, says he has heard the growing debate about whether God and Darwinian evolution can co-exist. "So we wanted to do a site -- FaithandEvolution.org -- that would allow people to explore for themselves just what the tensions are between evolution and faith, and the social implications," he notes.
The website allows users to engage in debate, see arguments from both sides, and draw their own conclusions, West points out. He contends that major media outlets are not covering the debate adequately enough and that many in the scientific community are even questioning of Darwinian theory.
"The Discovery Institute supports scholars who are raising critical questions about Darwin's theory and who support intelligent design," West adds. "And so we think that this voice needs to be heard in this conversation."
Story Here
S
John West, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, says he has heard the growing debate about whether God and Darwinian evolution can co-exist. "So we wanted to do a site -- FaithandEvolution.org -- that would allow people to explore for themselves just what the tensions are between evolution and faith, and the social implications," he notes.
The website allows users to engage in debate, see arguments from both sides, and draw their own conclusions, West points out. He contends that major media outlets are not covering the debate adequately enough and that many in the scientific community are even questioning of Darwinian theory.
"The Discovery Institute supports scholars who are raising critical questions about Darwin's theory and who support intelligent design," West adds. "And so we think that this voice needs to be heard in this conversation."
Story Here
S
Monday, June 1, 2009
Swine Flu Cases in Australia May Prompt Pandemic Call
Swine flu cases in Australia, doubling about every two days, may convince the World Health Organization to declare the first influenza pandemic in 41 years, said Raina MacIntyre, head of public health at the University of New South Wales.
Australia has 401 confirmed cases of the new H1N1 influenza strain, the Department of Health and Ageing in Canberra said in a statement today. The tally, the highest outside North America, has risen from 20 on May 25.
Victoria has 306 cases, up from 173 two days earlier, reflecting the spread of the virus within communities in the southeastern state. Evidence that swine flu has gained a foothold in Australia may compel WHO Director-General Margaret Chan to raise the pandemic alert to the highest of the agency’s six-step system, MacIntyre said in a telephone interview today.
“It must be fairly close to moving into phase 6,” said MacIntyre, who is also professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at the university in Sydney. “It’s clearly spreading in the community in Victoria.”
Disease trackers are looking for evidence of sustained, community transmission of the pig-derived virus outside North America to meet the WHO’s criteria for a pandemic. Such a global epidemic occurs when a new flu strain, to which most people have no immunity, appears and spreads worldwide.
Story Here
Australia has 401 confirmed cases of the new H1N1 influenza strain, the Department of Health and Ageing in Canberra said in a statement today. The tally, the highest outside North America, has risen from 20 on May 25.
Victoria has 306 cases, up from 173 two days earlier, reflecting the spread of the virus within communities in the southeastern state. Evidence that swine flu has gained a foothold in Australia may compel WHO Director-General Margaret Chan to raise the pandemic alert to the highest of the agency’s six-step system, MacIntyre said in a telephone interview today.
“It must be fairly close to moving into phase 6,” said MacIntyre, who is also professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at the university in Sydney. “It’s clearly spreading in the community in Victoria.”
Disease trackers are looking for evidence of sustained, community transmission of the pig-derived virus outside North America to meet the WHO’s criteria for a pandemic. Such a global epidemic occurs when a new flu strain, to which most people have no immunity, appears and spreads worldwide.
Story Here
Air France Rio-Paris flight missing with 228 aboard
An Air France plane on its way from Brazil to Paris has gone missing with 228 people on board, the airline said on Monday.
Its last known location was unclear. Brazilian television said the Brazilian air force had started a search mission over the Atlantic Ocean for the plane.
Flight AF 447 has 216 passengers and 12 crew on board. It left Rio de Janeiro on Sunday at 7 p.m. local time and was expected in Paris on Monday at 11:15 a.m. (5:15 a.m. EDT).
"Air France regrets to announce that it is without news from flight AF 447, which was flying on the Rio de Janeiro - Paris Charles de Gaulle route and was scheduled to arrive at 11.15 a.m. today (5:15 a.m. EDT)," an Air France spokesman said.
An Air France-KLM spokeswoman in Amsterdam said there had been no radio contact with the missing plane "for a while."
The plane was an Airbus 330-200, according to the Paris airports authority website.
Air France said relatives of people traveling on board flight AF 447 were being taken care of in a special area of Charles de Gaulle airport.
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Its last known location was unclear. Brazilian television said the Brazilian air force had started a search mission over the Atlantic Ocean for the plane.
Flight AF 447 has 216 passengers and 12 crew on board. It left Rio de Janeiro on Sunday at 7 p.m. local time and was expected in Paris on Monday at 11:15 a.m. (5:15 a.m. EDT).
"Air France regrets to announce that it is without news from flight AF 447, which was flying on the Rio de Janeiro - Paris Charles de Gaulle route and was scheduled to arrive at 11.15 a.m. today (5:15 a.m. EDT)," an Air France spokesman said.
An Air France-KLM spokeswoman in Amsterdam said there had been no radio contact with the missing plane "for a while."
The plane was an Airbus 330-200, according to the Paris airports authority website.
Air France said relatives of people traveling on board flight AF 447 were being taken care of in a special area of Charles de Gaulle airport.
Story Here
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